The iPhone 5c connected to the FBI’s investigation of the San Bernardino shooting, unlocked with a mysterious third-party too l without Apple’s help, contained useful information according to CNN . Citing U.S. law enforcement officials, CNN reported that the FBI obtained new information from the iPhone, which has helped resolve questions in the investigation.
Specifically, data from the unlocked iPhone has ruled out the possibility Syed Farook was in contact with any other conspirators during a period of time missing from the FBI’s timeline. According to CNN, officials say this rules out the involvement of Farook’s friends and family in the mass shooting.
However, no actionable information — intel such as avenues of possibly contacting other ISIS supporters, including encryption messaging software — was recovered, according to the anonymous law enforcement officials CNN is citing.
Previously, FBI General Counsel James Baker declined to comment on the usefulness of the data recovered from the iPhone publicly, saying “it’s simply too early” to tell at the time.
The FBI paid a one-time flat fee for the tool used to unlock the iPhone 5c, The Washington Post reported. According to comments from FBI Director James Comey, this tool only works for the iPhone 5 or older, meaning the iPhone 5c’s lack of a Secret Enclave allowed it to be hacked. Apple started including the physical encryption measure with the iPhone 5s.
Apple vehemently opposed being forced to help the FBI unlock the iPhone 5c, and even had its lawyers testify in front of congress about the issue. While the FBI has asked that the court order in this case be dropped, the Justice Department is already pursuing another All Writs Act-based court order that requests Apple’s technical assistance in unlocking a newer iPhone.
