Federal Bureau of Investigation on Friday told local law enforcement agencies that it will assist in unlocking iPhones and other devices.
The FBI sent out an advisory letter after receiving inquiries about a method used to unlock the iPhone 5C used by Syed Rizwan Farook, one of the shooters in the San Bernardino terrorist attack, according to Buzzfeed News.
Federal officials have declined to reveal third party that shared with the FBI the method to unlock the phone, which halted a standoff between the agency and Apple.
The letter notes that the agency will attempt any method "consistent with our legal and policy constraints."
One obstacle for the FBI is that it has classified the technique as classified and could possibly be exposed in a criminal trial.
Here is the full letter sent to local law enforcement:
Since recovering an iPhone from one of the San Bernardino shooters on December 3, 2015, the FBI sought methods to gain access to the data stored on it. As the FBI continued to conduct its own research, and as a result of the worldwide publicity and attention generated by the litigation with Apple, others outside the U.S. government continued to contact the U.S. government offering avenues of possible research. In mid-March, an outside party demonstrated to the FBI a possible method for unlocking the iPhone. That method for unlocking that specific iPhone proved successful.
We know that the absence of lawful, critical investigative tools due to the "Going Dark" problem is a substantial state and local law enforcement challenge that you face daily. As has been our longstanding policy, the FBI will of course consider any tool that might be helpful to our partners. Please know that we will continue to do everything we can to help you consistent with our legal and policy constraints. You have our commitment that we will maintain an open dialogue with you. We are in this together.
Kerry Sleeper
Assistant Director
Office of Partner Engagement
FBI
