FBI: Using third parties to break encryption not only answer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The FBI is facing an increasing struggle to access readable information and evidence from digital devices because of default encryption, a senior FBI official told members of Congress at a hearing on digital encryption Tuesday.

Thomas Galati, the chief of intelligence at the New York Police Department, said officials there have been unable to break open 67 Apple devices for use in 44 different criminal investigations — including 10 homicide cases.

The hearing comes amid an ongoing dispute between law enforcement and Silicon Valley about how to balance consumer privacy against the need for police and federal agents to recover communications and eavesdrop on suspected terrorists and criminals.

Bruce Sewell, Apple's general counsel, touted the importance of encryption in light of devastating breaches of sensitive government information — including at the IRS and the Office of Personnel Management.