FBI Breaks Into Pensacola Shooter’s IPhone, Finds al-Qaeda Link

The FBI was able to break the encryption on iPhones belonging to the shooter in December’s attack at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, and discovered he had contact with a suspected al-Qaeda operative, according to a person familiar with the development.

Success getting into the phones heads off a confrontation -- at least for now -- with Apple Inc. in a continuing fight that pits the needs of law enforcement against the privacy of phone users. The alleged link to al-Qaeda is significant because it suggests the terrorist organization is still able to encourage, and possibly direct, operations ...