FBI Paid Hackers To Help Unlock San Bernardino Shooter’s iPhone

The FBI reportedly hired a group of professional hackers to help break into the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone via previously an unknown software flaw in the device. The information was used to develop hardware that helped the FBI unlock the iPhone’s four-digit password, the Washington Post reported.

The method is only effective for a limited time. “The solution works only on iPhone 5Cs running the iOS 9 operating system,” said FBI Director James B. Comey.

Some security experts are requesting that the government disclose the issue to Apple so the company can patch the vulnerability. Last week, Comey said that “If the government shares data on the flaws with Apple, they’re going to fix it and then we’re back where we started from.” But he later said the agency is considering whether to disclose it or not.

According to The Post, a process has been set up by the White House in which federal officials evaluate whether any security vulnerability is to be disclosed or not. 

Read the full story about the case in the Washington Post article.