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NY judge rules that law enforcement cannot force Apple to unlock iPhone

In a drug trafficking case, a New York judge has ruled that law enforcement cannot force Apple to create software that would allow them to unlock an iPhone. Apple can use this as a precedent.

It's been almost two weeks since Apple was ordered to unlock the iPhone that was used by the San Bernardino shooter and since Apple declined to do so. Since then, just about everyone has taken a side in the dispute that's making headlines worldwide. Even Microsoft has chosen to weigh in.

This time, it's a New York judge in a drug trafficking case. Judge James Ornstein stated, "More specifically, the established rules for interpreting a statute's text constrain me to reject the government's interpretation that the AWA empowers a court to grant any relief not outright prohibited by law."

While this is clearly a different case from the San Bernardino shooting that's making headlines, it can set a precedent on how the All Writs Act can be used. Attorney Susan Hennessey said the following on Twitter:

This is just one case, but it is certainly a big win for Apple, as well as privacy advocates.

Source: Gizmodo

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