Apple and the FBI continue to fight over a locked iPhone involved in the San Bernadino shooting case.

The tech company insists that the issue is something that could cause every single iPhone owner to worry that his or her data is no longer secure. The FBI counters that they have requested Apple unlock only one device.

The FBI wants Apple to release the encryption from an iPhone that is connected to the San Bernardino shooting last year. The agency is asking for a custom-made version of the Apple software iOS so that they can enter the iPhone and search for any clues it may contain, Engadget reports.

Access to One Phone or Every iPhone?

FBI Director James Comey testified before Congress Tuesday. He said that the whole issue in this case surrounds just one device and that the FBI does not want access to every single iPhone. Comey added he was not familiar with the recent New York case that said the government cannot force Apple to unlock a phone using the All Writs Act, on which the FBI's case is also based.

Even though the FBI insists that if the iPhone were unlocked, it would give the agency access to all similar devices, Comey admitted that unlocking the iPhone in question could set precedent for future encryption cases similar to this one.

Customer Security Remains an Issue

Representing Apple was general counsel Bruce Sewell, who argued that the tech giant was trying to keep customers' data secure by refusing the FBI request. He said removing the encryption from the iOS software would compromise the security of customers everywhere.

"The answer is simple. This isn't a one phone issue, and I don't believe it can be contained to one phone," Sewell said.

Friends of the Court Help Apple

Several groups are helping Apple's cause by submitting opinions as friends of the court, including the American Civil Liberties Union. The ALCU said that a ruling in favor of the government would have "catastrophic consequences," NBC News reports.

The ALCU added that a decision in favor of the government would lead to more companies having to reduce their security levels and would lessen customers' trust in their own security.

Many more companies are expected to file similar briefs in support of Apple.

FBI Did Not Try to Gain Access on Their Own

Congressman Darrel Issa, R-Calif., wondered why Comey and the FBI did not try on their own to crack the iPhone's encryption. Issa asked Comey if he had hired an expert to help the FBI get access to the iPhone, but Comey did not have much to say.

"How can you come before this committee before a federal judge and demand that someone else invent something if you can't answer the questions that your people have tried this," Issa asked.

Comey said he has had many conversations with Apple, but said the FBI did not try on their own to gain access to the iPhone.

A World Without Privacy

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., said she was concerned about a world without privacy. She mentioned that Apple's iCloud service had been hacked in the past and admitted that she has several communication apps that she uses to send secure messages. She said she could use those apps to communicate securely and the government would have no way to stop her from doing so.

FBI's Big Mistake

Finally, the FBI was criticized for making a crucial mistake following the San Bernardino shootings. The agency tried to change the password to the iPhone, causing it to stop backing data up to the iCloud.

"As I understand there was a mistake made in the 24 hours after the attack," Comey said. "[That] made it impossible for the phone later to back up to the iCloud, but we'd still be in litigation either way because we wouldn't have gotten everything off the phone."

Apple said it will continue to fight this case and believes it could determine the future of customer security.

Watch over five hours of arguments in the video below.

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