Dive Brief:
- Apple says data stored on one of its new iPhones is “impossible” to access due to the advanced encryption methods the company now uses.
- A federal judge in New York sought Apple’s input as he weighed a U.S. Justice Department request to force the company to help authorities access a seized iPhone.
- The company said it does, however, have the ability to help law enforcement unlock older phones.
Dive Insight:
Apple said that for 90% of its devices running iOS 8 or higher, granting the Justice Department's request "would be impossible to perform” because they include a feature that prevents anyone from accessing its data without the device's passcode.
Apple adopted advanced encryption processes in 2014.
The company told the judge it can access the 10% of its devices that continue to use older systems, however.
