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FBI-Apple case: Investigators break into dead San Bernardino gunman's iPhone FBI-Apple case: Investigators break into dead San Bernardino gunman's iPhone
(35 minutes later)
The FBI has managed to unlock the iPhone of the San Bernardino gunman without Apple's help, ending a court case, the US justice department says.The FBI has managed to unlock the iPhone of the San Bernardino gunman without Apple's help, ending a court case, the US justice department says.
Apple had been resisting a court order issued last month requiring the firm to write new software to allow officials to access Rizwan Farook's phone.Apple had been resisting a court order issued last month requiring the firm to write new software to allow officials to access Rizwan Farook's phone.
But officials on Monday said that it had been accessed independently and asked for the order to be withdrawn.But officials on Monday said that it had been accessed independently and asked for the order to be withdrawn.
Rizwan Farook and his wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino in December.Rizwan Farook and his wife killed 14 people in San Bernardino in December.
They were later shot dead by police. They were later shot dead by police. US officials said Mr Farook's wide, Tashfeen Malik, pledged allegiance to the so-called Islamic State on social media on the day of the shooting.
Is this the Israeli firm that hacked the phone?
UN human rights chief backs AppleUN human rights chief backs Apple
Apple boss hits back at FBI conductApple boss hits back at FBI conduct
McAfee offers to unlock iPhone for FBI
Last week, prosecutors said "an outside party" had demonstrated a possible way of unlocking the iPhone without the need to seek Apple's help.Last week, prosecutors said "an outside party" had demonstrated a possible way of unlocking the iPhone without the need to seek Apple's help.
A court hearing with Apple was postponed at the request of the justice department, while it investigated new ways of accessing the phone.A court hearing with Apple was postponed at the request of the justice department, while it investigated new ways of accessing the phone.
At the time, Apple said it did not know how to gain access, and said it hoped that the government would share with them any vulnerabilities of the iPhone that might come to light.At the time, Apple said it did not know how to gain access, and said it hoped that the government would share with them any vulnerabilities of the iPhone that might come to light.
On Monday a statement by Eileen Decker, the top federal prosecutor in California, said investigators had received the help of "a third party", but did not specify who that was.On Monday a statement by Eileen Decker, the top federal prosecutor in California, said investigators had received the help of "a third party", but did not specify who that was.
Investigators had "a solemn commitment to the victims of the San Bernardino shooting", she said.Investigators had "a solemn commitment to the victims of the San Bernardino shooting", she said.
"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 co-operation from relevant parties, or through the court system when cooperation fails," the statement added.
Analysis: Dave Lee, BBC North America technology reporterAnalysis: Dave Lee, BBC North America technology reporter
A court case that had the US technology industry united against the FBI has, for the time being, gone away.A court case that had the US technology industry united against the FBI has, for the time being, gone away.
Now this debate moves into more uncertain times. The US government has knowledge of a security vulnerability that in theory weakens Apple devices around the world.Now this debate moves into more uncertain times. The US government has knowledge of a security vulnerability that in theory weakens Apple devices around the world.
To protect its reputation, Apple will rush to find and fix that flaw. Assuming it can do that, this row is back to square one.To protect its reputation, Apple will rush to find and fix that flaw. Assuming it can do that, this row is back to square one.
Read more from DaveRead more from Dave
An Israeli newspaper last week reported that data forensics experts at cybersecurity firm Cellebrite, which has its headquarters in Israel, are involved in the case.
Cellebrite told the BBC that it works with the FBI but would not say more.
Its website, however, states that one of its tools can extract and decode data from the iPhone 5C, the model in question, among other locked handsets.
The court order had led to a vigorous debate over privacy, with Apple saying allowing officials access to users' data would set a "dangerous precedent".The court order had led to a vigorous debate over privacy, with Apple saying allowing officials access to users' data would set a "dangerous precedent".
The company received support from other tech giants including Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.The company received support from other tech giants including Google, Microsoft, and Facebook.
And earlier this month, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, warned enforcing the order risked opening a "Pandora's box".And earlier this month, Zeid Raad al-Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, warned enforcing the order risked opening a "Pandora's box".
FBI director James Comey said it was the "hardest question" he had tackled in his job.FBI director James Comey said it was the "hardest question" he had tackled in his job.
However, he said, law enforcement saved lives, rescued children and prevented terror attacks using search warrants that gave it access to information on mobile phones.However, he said, law enforcement saved lives, rescued children and prevented terror attacks using search warrants that gave it access to information on mobile phones.