The debate about online security and access to encrypted information is getting more controversial as some family members of victims and survivors of the San Bernardino attack have said that Apple should help the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in hacking the locked iPhone of the attackers.

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Los Angeles attorney Stephen Larson said is representing several families of victims and other individuals who were affected by the attack. Larson claims that he was approached by U.S Attorney Eileen Decker asking for help in the matter.

Larson said in a statement that some of the victims are pursuing for an inquiry way beyond the normal criminal investigation. He claims that some of the victims are asking why the event occurred in the first place or why they were targeted. He noted that hacking the perpetrator's iPhone might provide some answers to that question.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Robert Velasco, whose daughter was killed in the shooting, said, "It is important to me to have my name in there. I lost my daughter in this and I want the court to see that I am seeking justice for my daughter."

Velasco believes that some information regarding future terrorist plots might be stored on that iPhone which is currently encrypted.

Legal experts say the appeal from family members of some of the victims of the attack will give the Department of Justice additional support in its effort to prioritize national security interest over digital privacy rights.

The perpetrator of the San Bernardino attack - Syed Farook - owned an iPhone 5C. The said device is currently encrypted and the FBI is asking Apple to create a backdoor software in order to access the device and its contents. The FBI is also asking Apple to make the backdoor software available for investigators in order to prevent future terrorists plots.

However, the request has been rejected by Apple, who have said that creating such a software will jeopardize the security and privacy of its users.

Tagsapple, FBI, Department of Justice, San Bernardino Attack, Apple iPhone, iPhone backdoor