question

Case Study: Apple Inc. $vs.$ FBI $(2016)$

Background

$In$ December $2015,$ a terrorist attack $in$ San Bernardino, California, resulted $in$ the deaths $of14$ people and injuries $to22$ others. The FBI identified one $of$ the attackers, Syed Rizwan Farook, $as$ the owner $ofan$ iPhone $5C.$ The FBI sought $to$ access the data $on$ Farook's phone $as$ part $of$ its investigation into the attack.

$In$ February $2016,$ the FBI obtained a court order requiring Apple Inc. $to$ assist $in$ unlocking the iPhone. Specifically, the FBI requested that Apple create a version $of$ the iOS operating system that could bypass the phone's security features, such $as$ the password and the data wipe feature that would activate after multiple incorrect password attempts. Apple refused $to$ comply, citing concerns about creating a "backdoor" that could compromise the security and privacy $of$ all iPhone users.

The case drew significant public and legal attention, raising questions about privacy, security, and the $limitsof$ government authority. The issue was settled outside $of$ court when the FBI eventually accessed the phone's data through other means, reportedly a third$-$party vendor, but the legal and ethical debate continued.

Required:

$a.$ Discuss how the Apple Inc. $vs.$ FBI case ilustrates John Locke's principles $of$ natural rights and the social contract. How does Apple's refusal $to$ unlock the iPhone reflect Locke's ideas about individual privacy and government authority?

$(10$ marks$)$