San Bernardino Victims Join Encryption Fight Against Apple

The United States Department of Justice is getting a big boost in its fight to compel Apple to help it unlock an iPhone that belonged to Syed Farook, one of the terrorists who carried out the San Bernardino mass shooting. According to Reuters, an unknown number of victims of the attack are siding with the government, against Apple, in an amicus brief to be filed in March:

Stephen Larson, a former federal judge who is now in private practice, told Reuters that the victims he represents have an interest in the information which goes beyond the Justice Department’s criminal investigation.

“They were targeted by terrorists, and they need to know why, how this could happen,” Larson said.

Larson said he was contacted a week ago by the Justice Department and local prosecutors about representing the victims, prior to the dispute becoming public. He said he will file an amicus brief in court by early March.

Larson didn’t say how many of the victims he’s representing, but did tell Reuters he is representing them for free.

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