Apple boss Tim Cook hits out at FBI as San Bernardino phone row continues

Apple chief Tim Cook has hit out at the FBI over the handling of a court order to help unlock the iPhone belonging to one of the San Bernardino terrorists.

The technology giant has refused to comply with the order to break into the device of Syed Farook, who along with his wife murdered 14 people in December.

Mr Cook again defended Apple's stance, saying it would be "bad for America" if it helped the FBI.

Tim Cook, the head of Apple Credit: Reuters
Syed Farook and his wife Tashfeen. Credit: Reuters
Tim Cook says he will speak to President Obama about the row. Credit: Reuters

He added that the government was asking for "the software equivalent of cancer" and that he planned to talk to President Obama directly about getting the dispute "on a better path."

Asked whether Apple would be prepared to fight the issue in the Supreme Court, Mr Cook replied: "We would be prepared to take this issue all the way."

He also claimed his firm first heard of the request when it was reported in the press.

"I don't think that something so important to this country should behandled in this way," he told ABC.