Apple refuses to unlock Indian Prime Minister’s opponent’s iPhone

Authorities in India arrested Delhi Prime Minister Arvind Kejriwal before the elections and now want to uncover evidence of alleged bribery. However, they say, this evidence may be on your iPhone. Apple refuses to unlock the device. Is the American company correct?

No, it is not!

Kejriwal is the head of the Aam Aadmi Party, also known as the common man's party, and, along with two aides, was detained on Friday, March 29, 2024. Chief Minister Kejriwal, rival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the upcoming general elections, is currently in preventive detention for alleged corruption.

According to The Indian Express, authorities also seized four iPhones, including Kejriwal's. However, Kejriwal refused to unlock his iPhone, stating that if he did so, he would give the Enforcement Directorate (ED) details about his electoral strategy and what are described as pre-election alliances.

The Indian Express article begins with the fact that ED asked Apple to unlock the iPhone and states that it has officially asked for help. But he then discreetly reveals that Apple refused.

ED was informed that a password was required to retrieve any data.

The publication says.

Prosecution wants evidence that is allegedly on the iPhone

Kejriwal and his assistants are specifically accused of corruption related to an alcohol policy that was being drafted in 2020/2021. According to the publication, the chief minister stated that he later updated his iPhone, which means that the old data is no longer available.

The pre-trial detention sentence lasts seven days, although it is not clear when it began this week. What is clearer, however, is that general elections in India take place over an extended period, starting on April 19, 2024.

Kejriwal's supporters claim that the arrest and imprisonment are politically motivated as the ED is controlled by the government.

Apple has not commented on the iPhone unlock request. The company has a policy of providing certain information to law enforcement authorities when subpoenaed, but it never unlocks iPhones.

Separately, Apple CEO Tim Cook met the current Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, several times. India has become increasingly important to Apple as it moves away from excessive dependence on China for its production.

Should Apple Unlock the iPhone?

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