Tech groups, AT&T throw support behind Apple in iPhone fight - CNET

The bandwagon of supporters in Apple's fight against the FBI keeps getting bigger.

Trade groups the Consumer Technology Association, Information Technology Industry Council and TechNet on Thursday filed a joint amicus brief, or a court filing that throws their support behind Apple in its pending trial later this month. AT&T likewise filed its own brief in Apple's defense, which follows a filing from the American Civil Liberties Union yesterday. They're the first of what is expected to be a series of filings from various companies. Facebook, Google and Microsoft are expected to show their support as well.

The tech world has largely sided with the Cupertino, Califoia, company, with everyone ranging from mobile executives at a conference in Barcelona, Spain, to cybersecurity experts gathered in San Francisco getting behind the iPhone maker.

That's because despite their differences, virtually everyone agrees with Apple's argument that creating special software to break into its encrypted iPhone sets a dangerous precedent that could leave all of our devices vulnerable. This so-called security "back door" concept can be applied to everything from a phone running on Google's Android software to a PC running on Microsoft's Windows 10 and more.

"The target of the govement's request in this case is Apple, but the govement's theory would just as easily extend to any third-party developer that has as one of its functions collecting and storing personal information about the device's owner," the joint brief said. "The authority sought by the govement would therefore extend not only to phones, laptop computers and tablets, but also to automobiles that store information regarding location and times of use; insulin pumps that store information about blood sugar levels; and the myriad other devices that collect and store personal information."

The FBI argues that the situation is specific to the single iPhone 5C used by one of the terrorists involved in the December massacre in San Beardino, Califoia, which claimed the lives of 14 people and wounded 20 others. Furthermore, the agency has argued that such secure zones that are completely off-limits to authorities create a safe haven for criminals.

While the tech world is alignment, the public is not. The Pew Research Center found that 51 percent of those surveyed believe Apple should comply with the court order, while 38 percent said the company shouldn't unlock the iPhone. A later Reuters poll found 46 percent of respondents agreed with Apple's position and 35 percent disagreed.

A court hearing to determine whether Apple should be forced to comply with the FBI's request is set for March 22 in federal court in Riverside, Califoia. This week, Apple's top lawyer, Bruce Sewell, spoke on a panel opposite FBI Director James Comey debating personal security versus national security in a five-hour session on Capitol Hill.

Sewell is on the executive council of TechNet, which boasts leaders such as Cisco Chairman John Chambers, Alphabet Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, Oracle CEO Safra Catz and other power players.

While AT&T has asked the court to dismiss the FBI request, the Dallas telecom giant has made a plea for the govement to settle the debate.

"Congress is the right body to weigh the compelling, but competing, interests in privacy and security," the company said in the filing.

Apple already scored some legal backing after a US District Court judge on Monday dismissed a similar request on a different case involving a drug dealer in Queens, New York. In that situation, the authorities had used the All Writs Act to compel Apple to help break into the suspect's phone, the same law that the FBI is using in the San Beardino case.

Following the ruling, an Apple executive said the win could sway the San Beardino case. The Department of Justice said it was "disappointed" by the ruling and will continue to challenge the order in the court system.

You can find all our coverage related to Apple versus the FBI here.

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