[DiogenesLamp]

If what the FBI says is true, it seems like they could have just done this without getting all public with Apple. So they could have gotten access to all these particular phones anyway, without Apple’s help and not broadcast their capability? The whole thing makes no sense. They didn’t realize that some other company could do this or do it this fast or what?

My understanding is that they were unaware that another company could do this until after they had already made their filing. Perhaps it was the publicity that motivated this other company to try to crack the IPhone?

You are right. I don't see the FBI advertising the capability if they didn't have to. Ergo, they weren't aware of it (or didn't believe it) prior to making their filing.

[Ransomed]

The whole thing being public with Apple didn’t make sense, if they had any idea it was this easy to do it by paying someone else and not forcing Apple to do it. They had no idea how long Apple was going to fight them in the courts? I find it hard to believe, anyhow. Stinks of either gross incompetence or kabuki theatre. Why not just drop the case against Apple and let everyone draw their own conclusions?

Freegards

[Swordmaker]

My understanding is that they were unaware that another company could do this until after they had already made their filing. Perhaps it was the publicity that motivated this other company to try to crack the IPhone?

You are right. I don't see the FBI advertising the capability if they didn't have to. Ergo, they weren't aware of it (or didn't believe it) prior to making their filing.

Oh, DL, that's just more of your patented bill shut. It's been revealed that the FBI has been contracting with Cellebrite since 2003 to unlock all manner of mobile devices. In fact, Cellebrite has been the "go-to" source for such unlocking for over 50 government agencies they have contracts with, including the FBI. Of course, that's one of those inconvenient things called a fact.

You've never met one of those that you couldn't ignore.