Apple-FBI case has wide implications for technology firms

Washington

APPLE and the US government are squaring off in an epic legal battle with wide-ranging implications for how technology firms must work with law enforcement.

The iPhone maker is being asked to provide "reasonable assistance" to the investigation of last year's deadly San Bernardino attacks by disabling security preventing the FBI from accessing the encrypted handset of one of the shooters.

The highly charged case has created a sharp divide among those who say that users of devices such as smartphones should be able to keep information private through encryption, and others who claim legitimate law enforcement investigations should take precedence when courts approve.

Apple is challenging the California court order, saying the type of cooperation sought would undermine basic principles of data security and open new vulnerabilities …