Apple now on offense against FBI

After the FBI backed down last week on its demand that Apple provide a way to break into an encrypted cell phone belonging to the person who killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif., it now is Apple's turn to go on the offensive.

The FBI might now be pressed into providing Apple with the details of how its third-party hacker – now reportedly Cellebrite – will break into the device so Apple can modify its security vulnerability, according to Bloomberg.

Owing to a recent ruling by the Obama administration, known as an equities review, the FBI might have to disclose the security flaw it seeks to exploit in the Apple phone, unless it can prove to administration officials that doing so would be a risk to national security.

The rule sets a time frame for government entities to notify companies of security flaws, after deciding whether to keep them secret or not.