The Washington Post reports a federal judge in New York is seeking to expand the debate surrounding law enforcement access to encrypted communications technology. Magistrate Judge James Orenstein has suggested he would not issue an order sought by the government compelling Apple to unlock a suspect’s iPhone, the report states. Prior to ruling on the case, Orenstein asked the company to explain whether the government’s request would be “unduly burdensome.” According to the report, the judge may have chosen the wrong case to issue such a question, as the suspect’s phone is an older version that can be accessed by Apple. “He’s clearly a judge who is interested in opening topics to discussion in the judiciary, but he also thinks the larger public should know about the debate,” said former Texas Magistrate Judge Brian Owsley. (Registration may be required to access this story.)
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