[Grampa Dave]

This is getting really confusing. I am told Apple could not retrieve this info, now they are telling me they could have if the passcode had not changed. I am keeping an open mind on this, but this just keeps getting stranger.

Apparently, the cloud has now entered the picture.

If the cloud had the data, would not that be like Clintoon's server, the data can be captured/recovered.

[WMarshal]

Even if the data is in the cloud if it is encrypted and if key is in the iPhone then they are still stuck.

[Drago]

And another thing to consider...what about any iTunes back-ups of the iPhone the terrorist might have made on a computer at home?? Is his computer drive encrypted? Did the San Bernardino County IT Dept. make any back-ups? (It is their iPhone).
Also, the “iCloud” Apple ID password can be changed by someone who knew the terrorist’s ID & password...we might have another collaborator? Getting more interesting as time goes by.