San Bernardino survivor’s husband supports Apple against FBI

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iPhone hack
This case is about much more than one iPhone.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

The husband of a San Bernardino survivor — whose spouse almost lost her life during the mass shooting which prompted Apple’s hacking standoff with the FBI — has said that he supports Apple’s pro-privacy stance.

Salicin Kondoker’s wife was shot three times during the attack, but in a letter to Judge Sheri Pym, Kondoker writes that Apple’s fight represents, “something much bigger than [hacking] one phone.”

Salicin Kondoker also describes his doubts that there is useful information on the confiscated handset, belonging to shooter Syed Rizwan Farook. Kondoker points out that his wife, “also had an iPhone issued by the County [which] she did not use it for any personal communication.”

This isn’t the first time someone has suggested that the iPhone at the center of the current investigation may not contain any useful information. According to San Bernardino police chief Jarrod Burguan, who was part of the investigation back in December, there is a high probability that the iPhone may prove worthless — even if Apple does agree to help hack it.

“I’ll be honest with you, I think that there is a reasonably good chance that there is nothing of any value on the phone,” Burguan said in a recent interview.

Salicin Kondoker’s wider point about not using this one case to justify potential mass-snooping on U.S. citizens is a crucial issue in Apple’s battle with the FBI.

“When I first learned Apple was opposing the order I was frustrated that it would be yet another roadblock,” Kondoker wrote in his letter to Judge Pym. “But as I read more about their case, I have come to understand their fight is for something much bigger than one phone.”  He adds that he “support[s] Apple and the decision they have made.”

You can check out his entire letter in full over at BuzzFeed.

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