Yesterday, Congress heard testimony on an important security case.

The FBI wants help breaking into an iPhone.

Apple, backed by other tech companies is refusing.

However, the phone is encrypted and protected with a passcode.

This puts the FBI in a tricky situation.

They have the authority to search the phone butaccording to the FBI at leastthey dont have the ability.

Thats where Apple comes in.

To be clear,the FBI is not asking Apple to break into the phone itself.

Remove the time delays between incorrect passcode attempts, so guesses can be entered without waiting.

Furthermore, the company claims that this would set a dangerous precedent.

The FBI, on the other hand, bases its demand on theAll Writs Act of 1789.

The government cannot impose an undue burden on the ordered party.

The partys assistance must be necessary and there are no other judicial methods available.

The action must already fall under law enforcements jurisdiction, and must not incidentally create or expand jurisdiction.

In other words, Apple cant unlockjustthis iPhone the way the FBI is requesting.

Thats why the FBI cant force Apple to break into Farooks iPhone itself.

That distinction is what makes this case so important.

Apples argument is that this violates multiple constitutional rights.

For starters, in multiple cases, federal courts ruled thatcode counts as protected speechunder theFirst Amendment.

In Apples view, this is the government ordering the company to bear false speech.

Furthermore, Apple says that the order also violates itsFifth Amendmentrights.

Apple claims that the order is an undue burden on the company.

This would violateeveryonesFourth Amendmentrights that protect against unreasonable search and seizure.

As Apple explains, once a backdoor is in the wild, you cant take it back.

Apples argument partially hinges on the idea that the FBI doesntneedany outside help.

However, New York County District AttorneyCyrus Vanceacknowledged that this precedent isnt just about the FBI.

Vance cited over two hundred phones that his office has jurisdiction over that may be affected by the decision.

However, its unclear exactly how such a plan would be put into place.

The FBI paints a desperate picture for law enforcement.

Nearly everyone involved is okay with the FBI breaking into Farooks iPhone.

However, the bigger implications here will have a huge impact on security in the future.

For now, theres not much you could do about this.

This is a big election year and this dispute could lead to new laws down the road.

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