The FBI have cracked into the phone of the San Bernardino gunman, ending a court battle between themselves and Apple. Picture: AP/Ng Han Guan

The surprise development effectively ends a pitched court battle between Apple and the Obama administration.

The government told a federal court on Monday without any details that it accessed data on gunman Syed Farook’s iPhone and no longer requires Apple’s assistance. Farook and his wife died in a gun battle with police after killing 14 people in San Bernardino, California, in December.

The FBI did not give any details as to how they got into the phone. Picture: AFP/ROBYN BECKSource:AFP

Apple did not immediately comment on the development.

A US magistrate last month ordered Apple to provide the FBI with software to help it hack into Farook’s work-issued iPhone. The order touched off a debate pitting digital privacy rights against national security concerns.

Apple had previously argued against the court order saying to create a software tool was “the equivalent of a master key, capable of opening hundreds of millions of (encrypted) locks — from restaurants and banks to stores and homes”.

Apple is at pains to point out it has worked with the FBI in handing over all the information it has in this case and even advised them on how to access any further information on the phone. But it draws the line at being forced to uncover information it does not have.

L-R: Activists Luis Nolasco, Aki Rose, Evan Greer and Josh Rabb hold placards reading "Secure Phones Saves Lives" during a protest in front of the US District Court. Picture: AFP/ FREDERIC J. BROWNSource:AFP

Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote an open letter to Apple customers saying “we have no sympathy for terrorists”. But Apple had to look beyond this dispute, knowing that if it were to make a tool to enable government access then other governments might also demand its use.

“In our democracy, no one — not technology companies, coders, or average citizens — can be forced to write an article, carry a sign, post an update on Facebook or write and sign computer code that communicates or endorses a government idea that they don’t agree with,” EFF Civil Liberties Director David Greene says.

“What the FBI asked the court to do violates free speech rights and puts the security and privacy of millions of people at risk.”