According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper reports ,Israel's Cellebrite, a provider of mobile forensic software, is helping the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation's attempt to unlock an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino.
The development could bring an abrupt end to the high-stakes legal showdown which has become a lightning rod for a broader debate on data privacy in the United States.
Apple has fought back, arguing that the order is an overreach by the government and would undermine computer security for everyone.
This led to widespread discussion in the US on whether the government should receive access to the personal and private information of its citizens, and if so, what should be the extent of such access.
On Monday, US prosecutors announced that a “non-governmental third party” had presented a possible method for opening an encrypted iPhone, noting they were “cautiously optimistic” it would work.
Cellebrite is a firm known for data extraction tools and skills that works with federal and local law enforcement in obtaining data from phones. Established in 1999, the firm produces mobile extraction software and data extraction devices that many law enforcement agencies use. It has been able to crack earlier editions of the software used on Apple iPhones. Cellebrite is a subsidiary of the Sun Corp of Japan but has a division in New Jersey.
Cellebrite’s technology is able to extract valuable information from cellular devices that could be used in criminal and intelligence investigations, even if the phone and the information it contains are locked and secure.
Of course, if the FBI was attempting to set a precedent for forcing tech companies to assist in investigations, this solution is a Pyrrhic victory for the Bureau.
What do you think about FBI's this break into user privacy through third party ??
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