The war that Apple has started against the United States government, and the FBI in particular, in order not to help break into an iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino terrorists, has generated a huge online debate on whether the company’s doing the right thing or not, especially given the fact that the national security is involved.

Apple CEO Tim Cook’s letter to customers did nothing more than to fuel the craze, as he clearly stated that his company challenges the order and does not agree to help the FBI, or any other government agency, hack an iPhone because that would violate users’ privacy.

Certainly, there are mixed thoughts on whether Apple should help hack that iPhone or not, but at first glance, technology companies are the ones siding with Cupertino while politicians are forcing Tim Cook’s hand to give the green light to the hack.

To set things clear, the judge order does not require Apple to build a backdoor, but only custom firmware that could be used to enable unlimited passcode entry attempts and to disable the self-destructing system that can erase all data. Apple’s CEO still sees this as a backdoor and warns that once such software is built, it can then be used by both good guys and bad guys to break into phones.

Below you can find some of the reactions of companies, organizations, and politicians who issued comments following Tim Cook’s announcement that Apple would oppose the judge ruling.

Sundar Pichai, Google CEO:

“Forcing companies to enable hacking could compromise users' privacy. We know that law enforcement and intelligence agencies face significant challenges in protecting the public against crime and terrorism. We build secure products to keep your information safe and we give law enforcement access to data based on valid legal orders. Looking forward to a thoughtful and open discussion on this important issue.”

Jan Koum, WhatsApp CEO:

“I have always admired Tim Cook for his stance on privacy and Apple's efforts to protect user data and couldn't agree more with everything said in their Customer Letter today. We must not allow this dangerous precedent to be set. Today our freedom and our liberty is at stake.”

Edward Snowden, former NSA contractor:

“The FBI is creating a world where citizens rely on Apple to defend their rights, rather than the other way around.”

Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) - Adobe, Google, HP, Facebook, Microsoft:

“Our shared fight against terrorism must be grounded in principle. We worry about the broader implications both here and abroad of requiring technology companies to cooperate with governments to disable security features, or introduce security vulnerabilities into technologies. Our fight against terrorism is actually strengthened by the security tools and technologies created by the technology sector, so we must tread carefully given our shared goals of improving security, instead of creating insecurity.”

Electronic Frontier Foundation:

“We are supporting Apple here because the government is doing more than simply asking for Apple’s assistance. For the first time, the government is requesting Apple write brand new code that eliminates key features of iPhone security - security features that protect us all. Essentially, the government is asking Apple to create a master key so that it can open a single phone. And once that master key is created, we're certain that our government will ask for it again and again, for other phones, and turn this power against any software or device that has the Audacity to offer strong security.”

“EFF applauds Apple for standing up for real security and the rights of its customers. We have been fighting to protect encryption, and stop backdoors, for over 20 years. That's why EFF plans to file an amicus brief in support of Apple's position.”

Reform Government Surveillance (RGS) - Microsoft, Google, Twitter, Dropbox, others:

“Reform Government Surveillance companies believe it is extremely important to deter terrorists and criminals and to help law enforcement by processing legal orders for information in order to keep us all safe.”

“But technology companies should not be required to build in backdoors to the technologies that keep their users’ information secure. RGS companies remain committed to providing law enforcement with the help it needs while protecting the security of their customers and their customers’ information.”

Mark Surman, Mozilla Foundation Executive Director:

"It’s difficult to discuss policy and precedent in the wake of horrific attacks. Yet, it remains true that asking Apple to circumvent their own security protections is a massive overreach. It sets a dangerous precedent that threatens consumers’ security going forward. Companies should be encouraged to aggressively strengthen the security of their products, rather than undermine that security. We must be careful not to let terrible events define something as ubiquitous as encryption, a critical component of the Internet and everyday life online."

Josh Earnest, White House Press Secretary:

“FBI is not asking Apple to redesign its product or create a new backdoor to one of their products. They're simply asking for something that would have an impact on this one device.”

Donald Trump, Republican presidential candidate:

“I agree 100% with the courts. In that case, we should open it up. I think security over all - we have to open it up, and we have to use our heads. We have to use common sense. But to think that Apple won't allow us to get into her cell phone, who do they think they are? No, we have to open it up.”

Senator Marco Rubio:

“Apple should voluntarily comply [with the order]. Ultimately, I think being a good corporate citizen is important.”

Senator Tom Cotton:

“Apple chose to protect a dead ISIS terrorist's p‎rivacy over the security of the American people. The Executive and Legislative Branches have been working with the private sector with the hope of resolving the ‘Going Dark’ problem.”

“Regrettably, the position Tim Cook and Apple have taken shows that they are unwilling to compromise and that legislation is likely the only way to resolve this issue. The problem of end-to-end encryption isn't just a terrorism issue. It is also a drug-trafficking, kidnapping, and child pornography issue that impacts every state of the Union. It's unfortunate that the great company Apple is becoming the company of choice for terrorists, drug dealers, and sexual predators of all sorts.”

Senator Ted Cruz:

“I think Apple has serious argument that they should not be forced to put a backdoor in every cell phone everyone has. So I think Apple has the right side on the global don’t make us do this to every iPhone on the market. But I think law enforcement has the better argument, this concerns the phone of one of the San Bernardino hackers. And for law enforcement to get a judicial search order, that’s consistent with the Fourth Amendment. That’s how the Bill of Rights operates, to say Apple, open this phone, not Anderson’s phone, not everyone’s here, open this phone.”

“Nobody has a right to defy a legal search warrant. When you have a criminal, when you have a terrorist, we know the San Bernardino terrorists were radical Islamic terrorists. If the Obama administration were not in this politically correct state of denial ignoring that it is radical Islamic terrorism, we should have done more to prevent that attack, but after the fact, we ought to be using every tool we can to ascertain who else they might be in contact with, if there’s a broader cell. So, of course, we should unlock their phones and find out who they’re talking to, what texts they’re sending, and that’s a basic matter of keeping this country safe.”

Richard Burr, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman:

“Court orders are not optional and Apple should comply. In this case, under a valid court order, Apple has been asked by the FBI to unlock a government owned cell phone to assist in the investigation of a terror attack that killed 14 Americans.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein:

“The U.S. attorney should be able to fully investigate the San Bernardino terrorist attack that killed 14 Californians, and that includes access to the terrorist’s phone. I understand there are privacy concerns, but in this case the phone is owned by the county - which has consented to a search - and there is a valid search warrant. It’s not unreasonable for Apple to provide technical assistance when ordered by the court.”