Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to File Joint Motion Supporting Apple

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Posted February 26, 2016 at 2:01am by iClarified

Apple earlier today filed a motion to vacate the order from a judge that would force the company to create a modified version of its iPhone software. Now, several of the top tech companies in Silicon Valley plan on filing a joint motion to support Apple in its continued fight with law enforcement over unlocking an alleged terrorist's iPhone.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the top three tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Microsoft plan to file a joint motion that supports Apple's efforts to protect the privacy of its customers. Sources say at least one other tech company plans to be included in the joint brief as well.

In addition, BuzzFeed News is reporting that Amazon, Twitter, and Box are also planning to file briefs as well, but it is unclear if it will join the combined filing or file separately. The "friend of the court" briefs (amicus curiae) involve those who are not directly involved in a lawsuit, but have a strong interest in the matter and offers information that could influence the case.

The deadline to file this "friend of the court" brief is March 3, and Apple is surely expecting more support from other technology companies and privacy groups who have already expressed their interest in this case.

Google, Facebook, and Microsoft to File Joint Motion Supporting Apple

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enderg - February 26, 2016 at 6:39pm

I guess people don't understand that if you do it to "one" iPhone you can do it to many or all of them. It's not that difficult of a concept, but many just don't get it.

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Solution!? - February 26, 2016 at 6:16pm

Now take this w/ a grain of salt, but according to the debate last p.m.....All the FBI is really asking Apple to do is turn off the "memory wipe" feature on that particular phone. With the 'kill switch' turned off, the FBI can then just try codes until they get it right (BruteForce). We all know that there is a way it can be turned off because even one of the old JB tweaks gave a toggle to turn the Apple 'Kill switch' on/off years ago -- and that was not even Apple trying to do it. See...NO new IOS needed. No secret Backdoor. Problem solved!? I do think Apple is making this bigger than it needs to be, but why? Hmm???

iAmMe - February 27, 2016 at 1:15am

If it could be done, don't you think hackers wouldn't have done it already?

JuergenWest - February 26, 2016 at 5:58pm

Fried of the court, eh?

MannyG - February 26, 2016 at 3:47pm

Unless we get a socialist president who will make everything the government's business.

SayingWhatEveryonesThinking - February 26, 2016 at 6:40am

This is just a publicity stunt. The DOJ is only asking for access to this one phone. So they can stop more terrorist attacks. We all know Facebook and Google don't really care about our privacy. Not sure why Apple is doing this. If they could save lives why won't they allow them access to this one phone. (Not any other phones, as they're not really being asked for a backdoor, just this one phone.)

Kk - February 26, 2016 at 9:55am

Because hackers can learn how to access that phone and apply it to every other iphones in the world. And almost every iphones now adays have their credit/debit card tied to it. So in other words, every credit/debit card in the world will be at stake. You don't want that to happen, do you?

SayingWhatEveryonesThinking - February 26, 2016 at 3:50pm

If Apple keeps their solution as private as the development of the next iPhone there's no chance whatever they do will get out. A jailbreak opens up a backdoor, and no one here who jailbreaks mentions a problem with a backdoor. Back to the original point, Apple has not been asked to develop a backdoor for all iPhones. Just disable the permanent lock of this one iPhone so that the FBI can use their own brute force tech to guess the lock passcode. This is worth doing to save lives and keep us safe. Or would you rather be a blown up by a suicide bomber and have a locked iPhone blow up with you...?

ok hold on - February 26, 2016 at 4:59pm

If your trying to use Apple's secrecy of what the next iPhone might be, I suggest you look at the numerous articles on this website to how many secrets get out on Apple hardware and software. This does not deal with just one iPhone. If Apple is strong-armed into unlocking this iPhone, which is completely unconstitutional, and refuses to unlock the mass amount of subsequent iPhones in the future, this case would be used against them in court, and everyone's information is at risk. But let's say it doesn't get out, do you honestly want the government to have the ability to jump into any phone at will? That's like living in a house with transparent walls. We have a right to privacy. If you are willing to give up that right, that is your right, but you can't expect every other American to be subjected to giving up their own rights. Maybe you should read Fahrenheit 451 or Equilibrium or Minority Report or even the Hunger Games, all government controlled worlds. Even In Time is a good example. What the government needs to do is hire their own hackers for their bidding, but the govt refuses to pay what hackers are asking for because hackers have weight to throw around. Instead, they are tying to strong-arm a technology company, WHO'S JOB IS TO KEEP YOUR PRIVACY SECURE, into complying to demands that are totally unconstitutional. This actually goes way beyond one phone. If the court denies Apples motion to dismiss, all your information, not just on your phone, but any computer service, would be scrutinized by the government with prying eyes as well as any good hacker you can, and will, look at your information. The reason everyone else wants privacy is the same reason THE CIA WANTS PRIVACY because their is information that is just private.

DRP - February 26, 2016 at 7:24pm

What happen if you are one of the victims family member. You will not say like this. Why you worry about yr privacy. if you are doing illegal stuff then you have to worry about. If someone worry about credit card or debit card, then credit card company also block any suspicious activity whenever they sees some suspicious activity right away. And it looks apple is encouraging them to use iphone for terrorist activity more (because FBI cant hack). FBI is just trying to fight against terrorism. I am agree with government. People should boycott apple products.

gamerscul9870 - February 26, 2016 at 4:51am

I may despise Microsoft, but at least I can accept what they're doing here teaming up with Apple in this.

ChiChi - February 26, 2016 at 2:54am

I find it ironic that Facebook would join in to support Apple in their fight for customers privacy when the whole Facebook empire benefits from the very private infos of its members...

Deadstar - February 26, 2016 at 2:53am

This is an unexpected yet pleasant sight. It's comforting to see all these huge tech companies band together to fight against the invasion of our privacy. They are competitors and such, but coming together for a just cause is just great.

AverageReviewer - February 26, 2016 at 2:41am

Wow google is in on this also? Everyone knows that if you use google products your privacy is definitely not secure... I use google products but with this understanding.. Regardless I'm glad so many companies are rallying behind Apple