Crowd On Apple's Side In iPhone Data Security Debate, Poll Shows

It's not just the tech titans who support Apple in the debate over unlocking of San Bernardino shooter's iPhone. It seems the crowd is also on its side.

FBI had sought Apple's cooperation in unlocking the phone of Syed Rizwan Farook, one of the shooters who along with his wife left 14 dead on December 2 in San Bernardino. Citing data security concerns, Apple has claimed that the government wants it to create a backdoor in the iOS. Apple has expressed concerns that complying would set a legal precedent that could be exploited by governments in the future. FBI has asked a court to order Apple to comply.

In a poll by Reuters and Ipsos, 46 % Americans support Apple's stand while 35 % said the company should comply. According to Apple Insider which reported the findings of the poll, the exercise reflected political views; 54 % democrat voters supported Apple while 37 % republicans did. The poll also showed an age divide in opinion, with younger people likely to support Apple.

Authorities have maintained that the request to comply is isolated to investigations in the San Bernardino attack. Tech giants including Google's Sundar Pichai, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter's Jack Dorsey have taken Apple's side. Microsoft founder Bill Gates however opined that Apple could comply this once.

Meanwhile, Apple has reportedly stated it received government requests since last October to 12 unlock devices. Complying would require compromising the privacy of millions of its users, the company claimed in a federal court.