Law enforcement agencies in India can soon unlock any smartphone under investigation

Law enforcement agencies in India can soon get access to the technology to unlock any smartphone subject to investigation. Forensic Science Laboratory, (FSL) Gandhinagar has finalised the deal to buy the technology from an Israeli security company ‘Cellebrite.’ According to FSL, they will get the software tool in approximately a one month’s time. Cellebrite is the same company that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) collaborated with to unlock the iPhone in the recent Apple vs. FBI controversy over privacy in the San Bernardino attack. Cellebrite, the 17-year old firm has worked with many law enforcement and intelligence agencies to help them with unlocking secure smartphones. FSL will be the first forensic laboratory to possess the technology in the world as reported by Economic Times. FSL, also considered the most reputed Forensic Institute in the country had previously worked with Cellebrite on some cases. According to reports, FSL will turn into a hub for law enforcement agencies from across the world who are unable to unlock smartphones. Furthermore, requests to unlock secure smartphones from law enforcement agencies and forensic institutions in the country will be completed on some monetary charge to turn the purchase of the unlock tool into a revenue stream. It is unclear if the purchase of the unlock tool comes along with support for future updates.