Federal authorities have cancelled Tuesday’s court hearing with Apple, saying an ‘outside party’ has shown a potential way to crack Syed Farook’s phone

A court hearing designed to force Apple into compromising its security systems for the iPhone was cancelled on Monday at the request of federal authorities, who said they potentially had another way into the San Bernardino shooter’s phone.

The astonishing reversal kicks the can down the road in what had become the climax of a two-year battle over digital privacy between the US government and Silicon Valley. At the same time, the standoff between Apple and the Department of Justice drew so much attention that policymakers or another court may weigh in soon regardless.

The government has until 5 April to determine whether it wants to pursue the case. Apple’s attorneys, in a conference call with reporters, said they do not consider the development a legal victory and warned they could be back in the same situation in two weeks. The attorneys spoke on the condition of not being quoted by name.

The company’s lawyers said they were as surprised as anyone and learned of the development in an afternoon phone call.

FBI may have found way to unlock San Bernardino shooter's iPhone without Apple | Technology | The Guardian