India to Buy Cellebrite's iPhone Hacking Technology [Report]

India is reportedly buying the technology that Israeli company Cellebrite may have used to unlock the San Bernardino shooter's iPhone for the FBI.

The acquisition could make the Forensic Science Laboratory in Gandhinagar, India's premier forensic institute, a global go-to place for law enforcement agencies seeking to unlock iPhones in their possession. It's said that the FBI payed Cellebrite a million dollar-plus fee for its help.

“We are likely to have the technology within a month or so. India will become a global hub for cases where law enforcement is unable to break into phones,” said a senior FSL official. All officials spoke on the condition of anonymity.


Another FSL official said the laboratory had sought help from the Israeli firm for a few cases. But now the “entire tool” will be obtained. Only FSLGandhinagar will have this technology. Requests for cracking encrypted devices from the country’s other forensic institutes will be entertained at a fee.

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