FBI director says the request seeks passcode access rather than a master key
Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI Director James Comey
The FBI's James Comey says investigators want to attempt passcodes under a warrant and are not seeking to break encryption or create a master key.
“We don’t want to break anyone’s encryption or set a master key loose on the land.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Was Apple right to refuse to create software to unlock the San Bernardino iPhone?
Apple opposed creating software to bypass safeguards on a seized San Bernardino iPhone. The government sought to compel its assistance under a court order. The proceeding ended when investigators obtained access without Apple and the order was vacated; the court did not resolve the disputed authority on the merits.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
FBI publication of Director James Comey's letter about the San Bernardino litigation.
Before the quotation
Comey describes the relief sought in the San Bernardino litigation as narrow and limited.
After the quotation
He says the broader balance between privacy and safety should be decided by the American people.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Relative to Apple's refusal, Comey challenges descriptions of the requested assistance as breaking encryption or creating a master key. He emphasizes the request's limited scope.
- Recorded on
- Published here
More from this case
Read the full caseDOJ criticizes Apple's resistance to the San Bernardino unlocking order
United States Department of Justice
“Apple’s rhetoric is not only false, but also corrosive of the very institutions that are best able to safeguard our liberty and our rights”Read statement
CDT supports Apple's challenge to the unlocking order
Center for Democracy & Technology
“The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has filed an amicus brief in support of Apple in its challenge to the FBI order”Read statement
Microsoft backs Apple and calls for modern privacy laws
Microsoft
“By standing with Apple, we’re standing up for customers who depend on us to keep their most private information safe and secure.”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- FBI director says the request seeks passcode access rather than a master key
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/5544-the-fbi-s-james-comey-says-investigators-want
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "FBI director says the request seeks passcode access rather than a master key". First published: 2026-10-11. Last updated: 2026-10-11. https://disputeindex.com/events/5544-the-fbi-s-james-comey-says-investigators-want