Apple is reportedly developing new security measures which would make it impossible to break into locked iPhones, even for Apple's own security engineers. This would significantly disrupt efforts from law enforcement agencies to collect data from the devices.

The FBI is seeking technical assistance from Apple to hack into the iPhone of Syed Farook who was a US citizen and who gunned down 14 people with his Pakistani wife Tashfeen Malik in California City in December. The FBI wants access to the device’s data and that can be done if Apple updates the phone with new software that strips away security features.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has said that unlocking the San Bernardino iPhone would be “bad for America.” He said that complying with the court order to break into the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters would set a legal precedent that may offend many Americans.

The iPhone has a troubleshooting system that allows Apple to update system software without the need for a user password. Apple, on the other hand is further complicating the FBI’s legal challenge by hoping to close this loophole with a new software update.

“We found out about the filing from the press, and I don't think that's the way the railroad should be run, and I don't think that something so important to this country should be handled in this way,” Cook said in an interview with ABC World News Tonight.

Regarding this situation, Cook said that certain things are hard and certain things are right and certain things are both. This is one such situation. He also said that the government was asking something that is “the software equivalent of cancer” and that he would speak to President Barack Obama directly and get the dispute settled “on a better path,” writes Financial Review.

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