"We feel the best way forward would be for the government to withdraw its demands under the All Writs Act and, as some in Congress have proposed, form a commission or other panel of experts on intelligence, technology, and civil liberties to discuss the implications for law enforcement, national security, privacy, and personal freedoms," Apple said in a public answer to customers' questions.
The company said it "would gladly participate in such an effort."
On Wednesday, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a public letter that he would not comply with a California judge’s order. Cook explained the FBI had asked Apple to build a new version of the iPhone operating system and software that would allow authorities to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession through a "back door."
Apple's stance has been publicly supported by such tech giants as Google, Facebook and Twitter.