Apple's refusal to unlock an iPhone in the possession of the FBI could generate an extremely harsh response from the US Department of Justice, its representatives stating that they are considering forcing Apple to provide them with the iOS source code.
Obtaining this information would allow those from the FBI to unlock any kind of iDevice in their possession, and by gaining access to this data they would practically also find out the secrets of the Apple company regarding the operating system of iDevices, something that those from Cupertino want try with all his might to avoid him.
The representatives of the US government mentioned in an official document submitted to an American court that they are considering this alternative to unlocking a single iPhone and everything seems to be a threat to Apple which suggests that things could be much more complicated for those in Cupertino if they do not cooperate with the FBI.
Despite this quite obvious threat, it is unlikely that Apple will be intimidated and give up the arguments based on which it refuses to offer those in the US government help to unlock the iPhone that is in the middle of this scandal.
For the reasons discussed above, the FBI itself cannot modify the software on Farook's iPhone without access to the source code and Apple's private electronic signature. The government did not seek to compel Apple to turn those over because it believed such a request would be less palatable to Apple. If Apple would prefer that course, however, that may provide an alternative that requires less labor by Apple programmers.
