[Ransomed]

Instead of making a public case against Apple to break it, even though they already really have what is on it, so that they would have a cover story on how they got it in court, why didn’t they just plan to say this other private company got it for them when the time comes? Why let Apple make a big deal about it in public? How does this help?

Freegards

[null and void]

Apple, with the full might of the federal government and all that implies: IRS audits, OSHA inspections, EPA fines, Labor relations board grievances, unfavorable court decisions, federal procurement black listing, etc., etc. etc., was supposed to go along with the program.

Who wouldn't? Go up against the Federal Leviathan? That's crazy talk!

Apple did it anyway. That boxed both them and the FBI into a corner.

The FBI was first to figure out how to get out of that corner by blandly claiming nvrmnd, we cracked it widout you.