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This July 27, 2014, photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows Tashfeen Malik, left, and Syed Farook, as they passed through O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. A U.S. magistrate has ordered Apple to help the Obama administration hack into an iPhone belonging to one of the shooters in San Bernardino, Calif. The ruling by Sheri Pym on Feb. 16, 2016, requires Apple to supply highly specialized software the FBI can load onto the phone to cripple a security encryption feature that erases data after too many unsuccessful unlocking attempts. Federal prosecutors told the judge they can't access a county-owned work phone used by Farook because they don't know his passcode. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection via AP) less This July 27, 2014, photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows Tashfeen Malik, left, and Syed Farook, as they passed through O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. A U.S. magistrate has ... more Photo: Uncredited, APImage 2 of 34
Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the inauguration of the academic year at the Bocconi University, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov.10, 2015. On Tuesday, Cook issued a firm stand against the ruling of a federal magistrate who ordered the company to build a "backdoor" to its iPhones so that investigators could hack into the phone of one of the San Bernardino shooters. less Apple CEO Tim Cook attends the inauguration of the academic year at the Bocconi University, in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov.10, 2015. On Tuesday, Cook issued a firm stand against the ruling of a federal ... more Photo: Luca Bruno, Associated PressImage 3 of 34
This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Tashfeen Malik. Malik and her husband, Syed Farook, died in a fierce gunbattle with authorities several hours after their commando-style assault on a gathering of Farook's colleagues from San Bernardino, Calif., County's health department Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. (FBI via AP) less This undated photo provided by the FBI shows Tashfeen Malik. Malik and her husband, Syed Farook, died in a fierce gunbattle with authorities several hours after their commando-style assault on a gathering of ... more Photo: APImage 4 of 34
Investigators search for bullet casings at the scene where Wednesday's police shootout with suspects took place, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. A heavily armed man and woman dressed for battle opened fire on a holiday banquet for his co-workers Wednesday, killing multiple people and seriously wounding others in a precision assault, authorities said. Hours later, they died in a shootout with police. less Investigators search for bullet casings at the scene where Wednesday's police shootout with suspects took place, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. A heavily armed man and woman dressed for ... more Photo: Jae C. Hong, APImage 5 of 34
A resident stands behind a yellow tape near the scene where a police shootout with suspects took place, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. lessA resident stands behind a yellow tape near the scene where a police shootout with suspects took place, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif.
Photo: Jae C. Hong, APImage 6 of 34
Law enforcement search for a suspect in a mass shooting that occurred at a Southern California social services center on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. lessLaw enforcement search for a suspect in a mass shooting that occurred at a Southern California social services center on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif.
Photo: Chris Carlson, APImage 7 of 34
FILE - This undated combination of file photos provided by the FBI, left, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles shows Tashfeen Malik, left, and Syed Farook. The husband and wife died in a fierce gunbattle with authorities several hours after their commando-style assault on a gathering of Farook's colleagues from San Bernardino, Calif., County's health department Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. less FILE - This undated combination of file photos provided by the FBI, left, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles shows Tashfeen Malik, left, and Syed Farook. The husband and wife died in a fierce ... more Photo: FBI and California Department of Motor VehiclesImage 8 of 34
A member of the FBI dive team searches Seccombe Lake, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif., for evidence in connection with last week's fatal shooting at Inland Regional Center, The FBI says divers are searching the lake because leads indicate the shooters who killed 14 people at a holiday party had been in the area. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) ORG XMIT: CAJH112 less A member of the FBI dive team searches Seccombe Lake, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif., for evidence in connection with last week's fatal shooting at Inland Regional Center, The FBI says divers ... more Photo: Jae C. HongImage 9 of 34
Erica Alvarez, right, pays her respects at a makeshift memorial near the Inland Regional Center, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. 14 people were killed in the fatal shooting at the regional center. less Erica Alvarez, right, pays her respects at a makeshift memorial near the Inland Regional Center, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. 14 people were killed in the fatal shooting at the regional ... more Photo: Jae C. HongImage 10 of 34
A sign honoring the victims in last week's fatal shooting is seen soaked in rain at a makeshift memorial near the Inland Regional Center, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. 14 people were killed in the attack at the regional center. less A sign honoring the victims in last week's fatal shooting is seen soaked in rain at a makeshift memorial near the Inland Regional Center, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in San Bernardino, Calif. 14 people were killed ... more Photo: Jae C. HongImage 11 of 34
FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Comey said the two San Bernardino shooters were radicalized at least two years ago and had discussed jihad and martyrdom as early as 2013. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ORG XMIT: DCSW110 less FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Comey said the two San Bernardino shooters were radicalized at least two years ... more Photo: Susan WalshImage 12 of 34
Photo: Getty ImagesImage 13 of 34
SAN BERNARDINO, CA - DECEMBER 07: FBI agents put up a screen to block the view of onlookers as they investigate the building at the Inland Regional Center were 14 people were killed on December 7, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. FBI and other law enforcement officials continue to investigate the mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left 14 people dead and another 21 injured on December 2nd. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) less SAN BERNARDINO, CA - DECEMBER 07: FBI agents put up a screen to block the view of onlookers as they investigate the building at the Inland Regional Center were 14 people were killed on December 7, 2015 in San ... more Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesImage 14 of 34
Dozens of members of the media stand in front of the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Dozens of members of the media were let into the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook by the property owner. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Dozens of members of the media stand in front of the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Dozens of members of the media were let into the home of shooting ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 15 of 34
Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 16 of 34
People hold candles as they attend a vigil at the San Manuel Stadium to remember those injured and killed during the shooting at the Inland Regional Center were killed on December 3, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 17 injured on December 2nd. less People hold candles as they attend a vigil at the San Manuel Stadium to remember those injured and killed during the shooting at the Inland Regional Center were killed on December 3, 2015 in San Bernardino, ... more Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesImage 17 of 34
Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 18 of 34
Reporters inspect papers found inside the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters inspect papers found inside the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 19 of 34
Reporters inspect the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters inspect the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 20 of 34
A woman tries to push back dozens of members of the media that are attempting to enter the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Dozens of members of the media were let into the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook by the property owner. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less A woman tries to push back dozens of members of the media that are attempting to enter the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Dozens of members of the media ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 21 of 34
A woman tries to push back dozens of members of the media that are attempting to enter the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Dozens of members of the media were let into the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook by the property owner. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured.
lessA woman tries to push back dozens of members of the media that are attempting to enter the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Dozens of members of the media
... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 22 of 34
Reporters inspect the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters inspect the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 23 of 34
Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 24 of 34
Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters inspect the home of Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 25 of 34
Reporters take pictures of photographs found inside the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. less Reporters take pictures of photographs found inside the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Getty ImagesImage 26 of 34
REDLANDS, CA - DECEMBER 04: Reporters look through the living room inside the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. Dozens of members of the media were let into the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook by the property owner. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less REDLANDS, CA - DECEMBER 04: Reporters look through the living room inside the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. Dozens of members of the media were let into the ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Staff / Getty ImagesImage 27 of 34
A television crew prepares to do a live report inside a child's bedroom in the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. The community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images less A television crew prepares to do a live report inside a child's bedroom in the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. The community is mourning as police continue to ... more Photo: ROBYN BECK, Staff / AFP / Getty ImagesImage 28 of 34
Journalists take photos inside the bathroom in the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. The community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECKROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images less Journalists take photos inside the bathroom in the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. The community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting ... more Photo: ROBYN BECK, Staff / AFP / Getty ImagesImage 29 of 34
Journalists take photos inside the bathroom in the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. The community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK ==EDITOR'S NOTE: Faces in photos in the image have been digitally blurred to protect the identification of individuals == ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images less Journalists take photos inside the bathroom in the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in Redlands, California. The community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting ... more Photo: ROBYN BECK, Staff / AFP / Getty ImagesImage 30 of 34
SAN BERNARDINO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Reporters inspect the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 21 injured. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) less SAN BERNARDINO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Reporters inspect the home of shooting suspect Syed Farook on December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. The San Bernardino community is mourning as police continue to ... more Photo: Justin Sullivan, Staff / Getty ImagesImage 31 of 34
Two women comfort each other near the scene of a shooting outside a Southern California social services center in San Bernardino, Calif., where one or more gunmen opened fire, shooting multiple people on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015. Authorities are trying to determine a motive for Wednesday's deadly shootings at a social services center for the disabled, which could include workplace violence or terrorism. (KNBC via AP) TV OUT less Two women comfort each other near the scene of a shooting outside a Southern California social services center in San Bernardino, Calif., where one or more gunmen opened fire, shooting multiple people on ... more Photo: APImage 32 of 34
FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Comey said that the two San Bernardino shooters were radicalized at least two years ago and had discussed jihad and martyrdom as early as 2013. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) ORG XMIT: DCSW115 less FBI Director James Comey testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015, before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Comey said that the two San Bernardino shooters were radicalized at least two ... more Photo: Susan WalshImage 33 of 34
SAN BERNARDINO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Law enforcement officials continue their investigation around the Ford SUV vehicle at the scene where suspects of the shooting at the Inland Regional Center were killed, December 4, 2015 in San Bernardino, California. Police continue to investigate a mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino that left at least 14 people dead and another 17 injured on December 2nd. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) less SAN BERNARDINO, CA - DECEMBER 04: Law enforcement officials continue their investigation around the Ford SUV vehicle at the scene where suspects of the shooting at the Inland Regional Center were killed, ... more Photo: Joe Raedle, Getty ImagesImage 34 of 34
Apple defying judge's order to build iPhone 'backdoor'
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In his most forceful language to date, Apple Inc. CEO Tim Cook said his company will fight a judge's order compelling the tech company to build a "backdoor" that would allow law enforcement officials to hack into the locked iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters.
Cook's firm stance comes after a Tuesday ruling by Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym in which she told the company it would be required to produce specialized software to federal investigators so they can bypass the auto-erase feature on the work phone of Syed Farook, one of the shooters in the Dec. 2 attack.
Both Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, were killed in a shootout with law enforcement shortly after the attack, which killed 14 people.
The problem, Cook said in a lengthy explanation addressed to customers on Apple's website, is the FBI is requesting the company build an entirely new operating system for the wildly popular iPhone, which would allow the government, or really anyone with access to the operating system, to access the confidential information of anyone using an iPhone.
"The FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the investigation," Cook wrote. "In the wrong hands, this software — which does not exist today — would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone's physical possession."
Cook noted that Apple has been assisting the FBI in the investigation of the San Bernardino attack, providing data when they have it and complying with all relevant subpoenas and search warrants. The company has also provided its own engineers to federal investigators, in advisory roles, to help bolster the government's efforts as they continue to comb through evidence.
Building a one-off tool to be used just in this instance sounds easy enough to the average layperson, but in today's world, where so much personal information is stored on tiny, personal computers we keep in our pockets, creating a "master key" to unlock those devices would undermine the security of everyone who uses one, Cook argued.
"The government suggests this tool could only be used once, on one phone. But that's simply not true," Cook wrote. "In the physical world, it would be the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of locks — from restaurants and banks to stores and homes. No reasonable person would find that acceptable."
Currently, if the wrong passcode is entered into an iPhone too many times in a row, the phone goes into self-destruct mode and wipes all its data. What the government is asking for, according to Cook, is a redesigned operating system that would allow a user to enter that passcode electronically, "trying thousands or millions of combinations with the speed of a modern computer."
"The implications of the government's demands are chilling," Cook continued. "The government could extend this breach of privacy and demand that Apple build surveillance software to intercept your messages, access your health records or financial data, track your location, or even access your phone's microphone or camera without your knowledge."
Cook sent condolences to those mourning the loss of life in San Bernardino and called for justice for the families effected, saying "we have no sympathy for terrorists," but said the ramifications of complying with the judge's order were too far-reaching to ignore.
"Opposing this order is not something we take lightly. We feel we must speak up in the face of what we see as an overreach by the U.S. government," Cook wrote. "While we believe the FBI's intentions are good, it would be wrong for the government to force us to build a backdoor into our products. And ultimately, we fear that this demand would undermine the very freedoms and liberty our government is meant to protect."
Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @sfkale
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