Nationwide protests were held outside Apple Stores and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) building in Washington D.C. Tuesday, as it was revealed that the Justice Department (DoJ) had demanded Apple unlock at least a dozen iPhones.

The controversy around the issue first came into the public spotlight last week when the DoJ demanded via court order that Apple, Inc. unlocked an iPhone 6S used by the couple behind the San Bernardino terrorist attack, but worse still wanted Apple to build a permanent backdoor into all future versions of its iOS operating system.

According to a newly unsealed court brief filed yesterday by Apple attorney Marc Zwillinger, requests date back to October last year on models ranging from the iPhone 3 through to an iPhone 6 Plus, as well as an iPad 2; the devices were running iOS 4.2 through to iOS 9.2, with Apple being unable to access the data on any device running versions later than iOS 7 due to strong encryption protocols.

The main issue, one missed by the alleged majority of Americans who are said to support the Government’s demands, is that the creation of a backdoor to allow Government access would also open the door to those with more nefarious intent.

“People are rallying at Apple stores because giving the government easier access to our data, also gives everyone else, including terrorists, thieves and stalkers, easier access to our data–making all of us less safe, not more safe,” Fight for the Future Campaign Director Evan Greer said in a statement sent to SiliconANGLE. “The government’s unconstitutional attack on our digital security could put millions of people in danger, so it’s critically important that we support any fight to keep our most sensitive personal, medical, legal and financial information protected.”

Protesters carried various signs including  an iPhone shaped signs reading “FBI: Don’t Break Our Phones” and “Secure Phones Save Lives,” while other participants used their phones and tablets as signs using the service provided by ProtestSign.org.

“Apple’s stand will help keep security threats at bay” Demand Progress Executive Director David Segal added. “But we will all be less safe if the FBI succeeds at its politically expedient, but shortsighted, approach.  Our devices will become more vulnerable and the sensitive data they hold will be more accessible to people who want it for malicious purposes.”

Details of future protests being planned are available at dontbreakourphones.org.

Image credit: Fight for the Future with permission