Apple's encryption means it can't comply with US court order

FBI criticises firm for being unable to read iPhone users' messages after Justice Department obtains iMessage ruling

Apple has rebuffed a court order to hand over in real time texts sent using iMessage between two iPhones because its encryption system leaves the company unable to comply.

The order was obtained by the US Department of Justice during an investigation over the summer involving guns and drugs, according to a report in the New York Times, and represents the first known direct face-off between the government and Apple over encryption.