The iPhone maker Apple insists that it's defending the privacy and safety of all of its users. And for that, its resisting government calls to help unlock an extremist's iPhone.
In its fight, companies such as Google, Twitter, Microsoft and Facebook are rallying to Apple.
What the FBI asked, was to some technical assistance to bypass the security features of an iPhone. But apparently, that iPhone was used by one of the shooters who killed 14 people in San Bernardino. "We couldn't look the survivors in the eye if we did not follow this lead," said FBI Director James Comey.
Apple denied to cooperate because it would force itself to create a situation in which will make other iPhone users vulnerable to hacking by either the authorities or criminals, or both. The situation is putting Apple in a rough situation.
Leading tech companies, including Apple's competitors, said that they'll file legal arguments in support of Apple's position.
At one side, Apple is said to have gone far to protect its users, mainly after a former government contractor Edward Snowden's revelation of several NSA's surveillance programs. Tech companies have gone to court and Congress to limit government's data-gathering, while also fighting attempts to weaken their encryption codes that shield users' messages from prying eyes.
On the other side, privacy advocates have long complained about tech companies that were able to get billions of dollars by collecting all sorts of personal information, and using those data to target advertising.