Cybersecurity

Apple's Refusal Puts Pressure on Congress to Break Impasse

  • Measures to give law enforcement access to phones have failed
  • Apple has refused to help FBI in San Bernardino terror Case

A U.S. flag flies in front of the dome of the U.S. Capitol on Feb. 12, 2013, on in Washington.

Photographer: Alex Wong/Getty Images
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Apple Inc.’s refusal to help the FBI search the iPhone of a terrorist has added pressure on Congress to balance the needs of privacy and law enforcement in encrypted communications -- something it has tried but failed to do for years.

Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, said Apple’s response means "they are unwilling to compromise and that legislation is likely the only way to resolve this issue."