New York judge says the US Department of Justice cannot force Apple to provide the FBI with access to a locked iPhone

A judge in the US Eastern District of New York ruled that the US Department of Justice cannot force Apple to provide the FBI with access to a locked phone, in a drug case. According to the judge, the company is not obligated to comply with the law enforcement authority against its will, and there is no legislation passed by the Congress that would give the FBI the right to achieve what it has requested. The judge also decided that the All Writs Act (designed to give law enforcement powers not provided for in any other legislation) cannot be used as a legal basis by the authorities to force Apple to comply. The same act is also used by the FBI as a basis for asking Apple to assist with unlocking a phone belonging to one of the San Bernardino terrorists. While the two cases are not linked, and the decision of the New York judge does not set a legal precedent, this decision is seen as a significant win for Apple. Details here.