CDT supports Apple's challenge to the unlocking order
Center for Democracy & TechnologyCenter for Democracy & Technology, institutional legal position
CDT says its brief supports Apple because an order to create software defeating its own security exceeds the All Writs Act and would reduce trust in connected devices.
“The Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) has filed an amicus brief in support of Apple in its challenge to the FBI order”
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
CDT's account of the arguments in its brief supporting Apple.
Before the quotation
CDT announced a brief in the San Bernardino case supporting Apple's challenge.
After the quotation
CDT says it will challenge rulings that would allow the government to compel companies to weaken their products' security.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
CDT argues that forcing Apple to defeat its security measures is legally impermissible and would undermine device security. This supplies a legal and security defense of Apple's refusal to create bypass software.
- 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
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
FBI director says the request seeks passcode access rather than a master key
Federal Bureau of Investigation
“We don’t want to break anyone’s encryption or set a master key loose on the land.”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- CDT supports Apple's challenge to the unlocking order
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/5547-cdt-says-its-brief-supports-apple-because-an
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "CDT supports Apple's challenge to the unlocking order". First published: 2026-10-11. Last updated: 2026-10-11. https://disputeindex.com/events/5547-cdt-says-its-brief-supports-apple-because-an