February 16, 2016. The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand. This moment calls for public discussion, and we want our customers and people around the country to understand what is at stake. Smartphones, led by iPhone, have become an essential part of our lives, storing personal information that needs protection. Compromising this security puts personal safety at risk. In the San Bernardino case, while we have complied with valid legal requests, the FBI has asked us to build a backdoor into the iPhone—a new version of the operating system that circumvents security. We consider this too dangerous to create. Once built, this technique could be used to unlock any iPhone, serving as a master key for millions of devices. The government is asking Apple to hack our own users and undermine decades of security advancements. Furthermore, the FBI is using an unprecedented application of the All Writs Act of 1789, which could lead to a chilling expansion of government surveillance authority. We feel we must speak up against this overreach to protect the privacy and security of our customers. - Tim Cook