It seems that even if the FBI manages to force Apple to build them a backdoor for iOS, they would have to deal with the fact that Apple’s engineers may resign in protest.
In an interview with The New York Times, Apple employees are currently discussing what they will do should the court side with the FBI. While some believe that they will balk at the work, some have said that they rather quit their high-paying jobs than to undermine the security of the software they created. “If someone attempts to force them to work on something that’s outside their personal values, they can expect to find a position that’s a better fit somewhere else,” says Window Snyder, former senior product manager at Apple’s security and privacy division.
Former engineering manager at Apple Jean-Louis Gassée believes that the employees who are contemplating resignation aren’t just full of hot air. “It’s an independent culture and a rebellious one. If the government tries to compel testimony or action from these engineers, good luck with that,” says Gassée.
Source: The New York Times