A public letter, posted by Apple CEO Tim Cook, has received considerable media attention this week. At issue is a government request for Apple to provide access (via a modification to the iOS operating system) to encrypted data on a phone used by one of the San Bernardino shooters. The Department of Justice has requested the Court to compel Apple to provide access under purported authority given to the Court by the All Writs Act. This statute, originally enacted as the Judiciary Act of 1789 authorizes federal courts to issue writs to effectuate orders, including search warrants. The All Writs Act is presently codified in 28 U.S.C. § 1651(a). and chaptered in U.S. Statutes at Large at 1 Stat. 73, 81-82 (1789).
Scan of the 1789 All Writs Act.
Click to view full text of the All Writs Act
View the motion to comply from the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
View the order to compel from the United States District Court for the Central District of California.