The saga between Apple and the FBI centered around the iPhone used by San Bernardino terrorist Syed Farook may have cooled down, but the gauntlet continues for the Cupertino tech company.
The Department of Justice said in a letter today that it will continue to pursue a court order seeking to force Apple to unlock an iPhone owned by an accused drug dealer in Brooklyn, New York.
Why this iPhone?
Authorities believe the data on the Brooklyn iPhone is critical in an ongoing investigation of a methamphetamine cabal, according to BuzzFeed News. The feds are seeking for a previous ruling in Apple's favor to be overturned.
The magistrate judge in the New York case had ruled the All Writs Act, a US legal provision nearly as old at the country itself, was applied too broadly in regards to forcing Apple to make software to bypass its own security measures.
A different judge will now make the call as to whether to issue the court order. Apple attorneys said they plan to fight the feds' request. They'll ask for an explanation as to why Apple - and only Apple - is able to comply with the order, given the government's success accessing the San Bernardino phone without the company's assistance.
Apple's counsel also noted that the pursuit of an order is further proof the government wants to set a precedent so it can force the company to assist it in unlocking devices, of which there are many others waiting in line.
Apple will present a formal response on April 14, with the government having until April 22 to respond. You can bet that techradar will be there to bring you details as they develop, so get your popcorn ready.
