While Google, Facebook, Twitter support Apple; Microsoft's Bill Gates opposes iPhone maker's stand

A day after some of the victims of the San Bernardino shooting said that they would file a legal brief in support of the US government's attempt to force Apple Inc to unlock the encrypted iPhone owned by one of the shooters, technology giant Microsoft came out in support of the victims and asked Apple Inc to unlock the iPhone.

The Financial Times quoted Bill Gates saying he was in disagreement with Apple CEO Tim Cook that the FBI's request would create an iPhone backdoor.

"This is a specific case where the government is asking for access to information. They are not asking for some general thing, they are asking for a particular case," Gates said.

"It is no different than the question of should anybody ever have been able to tell the phone company to get information, should anybody be able to get at bank records. Let's say the bank had tied a ribbon round the disk drive and said don't make me cut this ribbon because you'll make me cut it many times," Gates added.

Gates also believed that there must be rules on when the government is able to access such data.

"I hope we have that debate so that the safeguards are built and people do not opt out. And this will be country by country, it is better that the government does not have access to any information," he said.

Cook had earlier argued that following through the court order would endanger its customers and letting the FBI in would also give hackers an easier way in.

In a letter to customers last week,Cook, said: "We mourn the loss of life and want justice for all those whose lives were affected. The company has worked hard to support the government's efforts to solve this horrible crime."

Technology giant Google, social networking giant Facebook, and Micro-blogging site Twitter have come out in support of Apple.