Apple meets with shareholders as it fights the FBI - CNET

It's been a busy year for Apple CEO Tim Cook since the company's last shareholders' meeting. Apple added new iPhone models, updated the Apple TV set-top box, made a larger iPad and designed a pencil to use with it. The company also revised its Mac OS X and iOS mobile software that runs on more than 1 billion mobile devices.

But investors gathered Friday for this year's meeting at Apple's headquarters are likely focused on Cook's decision to fight a court order compelling Apple to help the FBI get information off an iPhone 5C used by a terrorist during the San Beardino, Califoia shootings last December.

Apple's stand against the US is its biggest legal battle since former CEO Steve Jobs accused Microsoft of copying the Mac's graphical user interface in 1988. Cook says modifying iOS in a way that to allow the FBI to access the phone's data creates a backdoor into to all iPhones. More important, Apple argues the order gives the govement "a dangerous power" over tech companies.

The FBI, led by Director James Comey, says its goal is to protect national security and argues the govement's request is limited to that single iPhone.

Cook received a standing ovation from shareholders gathered at the company's Cupertino, Califoia headquarters as he began the meeting. Apple's board members, including former US Vice President Al Gore and Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger, watched the meeting from the front rows.