FBI successfully hacks iPhone without Apple's help, drops case

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The question now is how the FBI managed to break into an iPhone as well as leaving many to wonder if there are vulnerabilities in the iPhone that can be exploited by the FBI or any other hacker.

FBI investigators have managed to hack the iPhone 5c which figured in their investigation of the San Bernandino shooting, the bureau did so without Apple's help.

In a filing submitted earlier the FBI said that they successfully accessed the data” on the phone. ”The government … therefore no longer requires the assistance from Apple Inc. mandated by the Court’s Order” that would have required Apple to engineers to bypass basic security measures that come installed on its iPhone 5c.

The FBI's earlier request to have Apple hack into the iPhone 5c became contentious when it was revealed such a back door hack could be dangerous if it fell in the wrong hands. Apple stood firm on its decision to fight the order.

Tim Cook-" In today’s digital world, the “key” to an encrypted system is a piece of information that unlocks the data, and it is only as secure as the protections around it. Once the information is known, or a way to bypass the code is revealed, the encryption can be defeated by anyone with that knowledge."

Cook said during the press event, “We did not expect to be in this position at odds with our own government. We believe strongly that we have a responsibility to help you protect your data and protect your privacy. We owe it to our customers, and we owe it to our country. This is an issue that impacts all of us, and we will not shrink from this responsibility.”

The question now is how the FBI managed to break into an iPhone as well as leaving many to wonder if there are vulnerabilities in the iPhone that can be exploited by the FBI or any other hacker. The phone in question is an iPhone 5c, an older model that may not possess the 'secure enclave', a bit of hardware that manages encryption on newer iPhones. Apple explained its stance in an open letter.

The Justice Department released the following statement about the case Monday afternoon.

“The FBI is currently reviewing the information on the phone, consistent with standard investigatory procedures. It remains a priority for the government to ensure that law enforcement can obtain crucial digital information to protect national security and public safety, either with cooperation from relevant parties, or through the court system when cooperation fails. We will continue to pursue all available options for this mission, including seeking the cooperation of manufacturers and relying upon the creativity of both the public and private sectors.”

Source: DOJ and Forbes