Apple Engineers May Quit Instead Of Comply With FBI To Unlock Phone
CUPERTINO (CBS SF) – Apple encryption engineers reportedly said they would quit their jobs rather than help the FBI unlock the iPhone linked to an attacker in last year's San Bernardino shootings, the latest wrinkle in the encryption controversy between the tech giant and investigators.
Several current and former Apple employees, including those who are involved in encryption, told the New York Times that they might leave the company if the FBI prevails in its court fight to unlock the phone of Syed Farook.
Farook and his wife killed 14 people during an office holiday party at the Inland Regional Center on December 2nd, before being killed in a gun battle with police. The government said they may have been inspired by the Islamic State group.
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Jean Louis Gassee, a well-known former Apple engineering manager, told the paper that "If the government tries to compel testimony or action from these engineers, good luck with that."
Encryption engineers are in extremely high demand - so others are pointing out that leaving Apple probably wouldn't leave anyone without a paycheck for long.