Apple and FBI look to Congress to settle battle over iPhone encryption

US officials to argue in congressional testimony that legislators should pass a law requiring tech companies to retain user keys for decrypting customer data

The war of words between Apple and US law enforcement escalated again on Monday as their fight over personal versus national security prepared to move beyond the courthouse and into the halls of Congress.

In testimony released ahead of a hotly anticipated congressional hearing, Apple's chief attorney argued that helping unlock an iPhone used by a terrorist in San Bernardino will ultimately create more crime. New York's chief prosecutor said the company's devices were beyond the law and urged Congress to pass new legislation keeping encryption keys to user data in the hands of the tech giants.