Page 3 - DIGICEL 27 FEB 2016

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U.S. NEWSSaturday 27 February 2016

CEO Tim Cook defends Apple’s resistance in FBI iPhone case

BRANDON BAILEY poll showing 51 percent
Associated Press
CUPERTINO, California (AP) of Americans think Apple
— Apple CEO Tim Cook
got a standing ovation Fri- should cooperate by help-
day at his first stockholder
meeting since his com- ing the government unlock
pany’s epic clash with the
FBI unfolded. He defended the iPhone.
the company’s unbending
stand by saying: “These are But it’s unclear how the
the right things to do.”
On Thursday, the tech gi- controversy might affect
ant formally challenged
a court order to help the Apple’s business. Analysts
FBI unlock an encrypted
iPhone used by a murder- at Piper Jaffray said a sur-
ous extremist in San Ber-
nardino, California. vey they commissioned
Federal officials have said
they’re only asking for nar- last week found the con-
row assistance in bypass-
ing some of the phone’s troversy wasn’t hurting the
security features. But Apple
contends the order would way most Americans think
force it to write a software
program that would make about Apple or its prod-
other iPhones vulnerable
to hacking by authorities or ucts. At least one share-
criminals in the future.
Major tech companies holder at Friday’s meet-
are also rallying to Apple’s
cause, and now plan a ing voiced support for the
joint “friend of the court”
brief on its behalf. Face- company’s stance.
book said it will join with
Google, Twitter and Micro- “Apple is 100 percent cor-

rect in not providing or do-

ing research to create soft-

ware to break into it,” said

Apple CEO Tim Cook responds to a question during a news conference in New York. Cook got a Tom Rapko, an Apple in-

standing ovation Friday at his first stockholder meeting since his company’s epic clash with the vestor from Santa Barbara,
FBI unfolded. He defended the company’s unbending stand by saying: “These are the right things California, as he waited in
to do.” line to enter the auditorium
at Apple’s headquarters. “I
(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

soft on a joint court filing. A grounds that the govern- The dispute raises broad think if you give the govern-
Twitter spokeswoman con- ment had no legal author- issues of legal and social ment an inch, they’ll take a
firmed that plan, but said ity to force the company policy, with at least one yard.”q

that different companies to weaken the security of 5 dead, including gunman, after
and trade associations will its own products. The com- rural Washington state standoff
likely file “multiple” briefs. pany accused the govern-
Apple filed court papers ment of seeking “danger-

on Thursday that asked U.S. ous power” through the MANUEL VALDES house about 25 miles south-
Magistrate Sheri Pym to courts and of trampling on Associated Press west of Seattle were in their
reverse her order on the its constitutional rights. BELFAIR, Washington (AP) 40s and had been married

— A gunman killed four for four or five years, Pig-

people in a home in rural ott said. The wife had two

Washington state before teenage sons who were

fatally shooting himself af- adopted from Russia dur-

ter an hourslong standoff, ing a previous marriage.

authorities said Friday. She also had a daughter

The gunman had called who was adopted from

authorities to say he shot China.

and killed his family near Pigott said the husband

the town of Belfair, across had a heating and air con-

the Puget Sound from Seat- ditioning contractor busi-

tle, Mason County sheriff’s ness. He had recently been

Chief Deputy Ryan Spurling hospitalized, Pigott said,

said. A girl who survived has but he didn’t know why.

been taken to the hospital When he returned home,

for an evaluation. he was on a lot of medi-

The gunman “apparently cations, Pigott said of the

came outside the home man.

and shot himself,” Sheriff Pigott said it was common

Casey Salisbury said. “It’s a for the family to do shoot-

terrible tragedy.” ing practice and that’s

Authorities negotiated what he thought when he

with him for about three heard the gunshots. He

hours before a SWAT team says residents know each

stormed in to the house in other in the area that has

a heavily wooded area homes with large lots with

just off a gravel road and room for horses.

found the people dead. The SWAT team went in

The gunman shot himself, around 12:30 p.m., Spurl-

Spurling said. ing said. Officers said they

Jack Pigott, who lives down had 11 buildings to clear on

the road, said he heard the property but reported

gunshots Thursday night they had found the bod-

but none Friday. ies shortly after entering the

The couple who lived in the first building.q