I just had a thought: what happens if Apple complies with the order (say they lose the legal battle or something), but individual employees refuse to build the software? I think the verdict is out on whether or not Apple, a corporation, can be compelled to do this, but what if they can't find anyone to do it?
Just thinking it _should_ be much harder to compel individuals to do something like this than it is to compel a corporation.
Ha! Folks will line up to do the job. I've refused to violate federal regulations (re wireless devices, bands and transmission rules) as a contractor and had the regular employees jump right in and volunteer for the job. At a Midwest manufacturer in a liberal (college) town.
Not actually interested in if people are willing to do ethically questionable engineering work; I'm interested in whether or not the government can compel them to do so.
Just thinking it _should_ be much harder to compel individuals to do something like this than it is to compel a corporation.