The circumstances I read yesterday for this phone is that it was a 5C and that the three-try barrier was what is being discussed here. Not unlocking the entire phone.
What I read says that Apple can do this, depending on what version of iOS is involved. It would still be up to the FBI to finish the job of getting past the unlock code.
I am saying that I don’t have a problem with Apple removing the 3-try step (because the phone belongs to his employer and they have assented), but I am NOT in favor of making Apple give the FBI the ability to do this whenever they want. If you think differently, then fine. We’ll just have to disagree.
The point is, the court ordered Apple to develop something that does not currently exist, in order for the govt to get the data it is after. That's not the case with court-ordered openings of mailboxes, safe deposit boxes and the like.
Can the government legitimately order the Acme Safe Company to develop a method - currently not in existence - to get evidence contained in an Acme safe, in your opinion?