The Department of Justice just filed a motion to compel Apple to work with the FBI (aapl)

AP

The Department of Justice has filed a motion to compel Apple to comply with the FBI court order requesting that it create custom software to access data on an iPhone owned by one of the San Bernardino shooters, multiple outlets are reporting.

Earlier this week, CEO Tim Cook posted an open letter on Apple's website explaining why Apple would resist a judge's order for the company to help the FBI access data on a single iPhone.

"We have great respect for the professionals at the FBI, and we believe their intentions are good. Up to this point, we have done everything that is both within our power and within the law to help them. But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. They have asked us to build a backdoor to the iPhone," Cook wrote. 

The Senate Intelligence Committee decided on Thursday against proposed legislation that would impose criminal penalties on companies which have declined to comply with court orders, according to the Wall Street Journal. 

On Friday, Apple was granted a three-day extension to respond to the magistrate judge's initial order. Apple's legal response is expected before February 26. 

This story is developing. Click here for further updates. 

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