14 DAY TRIAL // One of Apple CEO Tim Cook’s arguments in the fight against the FBI over the hacking of an iPhone used by San Bernardino terrorists was that should the feds be allowed to break into the device, the US government could have a precedent that it can use whenever it wants to access information stored on absolutely any phone.
Although that case is yet to come to a conclusion, the FBI is now trying to force Apple to hack another iPhone, this time allegedly belonging to a Boston gang member.
Specifically, the FBI is attempting to obtain data on an iPhone used by Desmond Crawford, a member of Boston gang Columbia Point Dawgs, who was reportedly involved in a street feud that led to the murdering of a rival.
Apple yet to issue a public response
As Boston Herald reports, Crawford is accused of pretty much everything a gang member can be accused of these days, including “racketeering, committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, using a firearm during a crime of violence and being a felon in possession of a firearm.”
One of the things that the FBI seized when they arrested Crawford was an iPhone, which agent Matthew Knight believes could hold information that’s vital in their investigation, including evidence related to the sources of drugs and weapons. Furthermore, it turns out that the feds managed to intercept conversations that incriminate the suspect and make them believe that more could be hiding on the iPhone.
And just like in the San Bernardino case, the FBI claims that it can’t unlock the iPhone, and it wants Apple to do it for them.
The company hasn’t yet provided a statement on this, but just like in the other case, do not expect Apple to comply with the FBI demand. If it refused to do so when terrorism and national security were concerned, it’s hard to believe that the company would adopt a different position when a gang member is involved.