ACLU Et Al Amicus Brief In Re Order Requiring Apple to Assist In Execution of Search Warrant
The ACLU filed an amicus brief on October 19, 2015 in federal court in support of Apple’s right to refuse government orders to break into users’ encrypted phones. While the district court denied our request to participate as amicus, the court requested that Apple supplement its briefing to include a fuller articulation of its position on whether the court has the power to compel Apple to provide the technical assistance the government seeks. As individuals and technology companies increasingly use encryption to safeguard communications and private records, this issue will increasingly affect everyone’s right to protect the privacy and security of their personal data.