Apple's lead attorney has fired back at critics who say the company should comply with a court ruling ordering Apple to assist the FBI in helping hack into the iPhone belonging to the San Bernardino gunman.
In an appearance on ABC's "This week," Ted Olson, the Cupertino company's top lawyer in its fight with the FBI, said last week's court order amounted to a "Pandora's Box," and that complying with law enforcement's request could "destroy the iPhone as it exists."
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Olson said Apple and CEO Tim Cook have "the greatest respect" for the FBI and the Justice Department, noting that the company has previously provided assistance to the FBI.
But Olson said the company “has to draw the line at recreating code, changing its iPhone, putting its engineers and creative talents to destroy the iPhone as it exists. Apple has a responsibility to maintain the trust and faith of millions of people who have depended upon Apple to produce a product that protects their privacy, their intimate personal life. This is a Pandora’s Box."
He went on to echo Cook's previous comments that if Apple helped the FBI hack into one iPhone, it would open up security holes that could affect all iPhones, as well as the possibility of abuse by foreign governments.
Like other tech leaders, Olson called for more debate on the issue and suggested Apple is prepared to appeal the issue to the United States Supreme Court, if necessary.
You can watch his full comments in the video, below.