Google CEO Sundar Pichai has backed Apple in its battle with FBI over opposing a US court's ruling to unlock the iPhone of a Pakistani-American terrorist who shot dead 14 people in California, saying forcing companies to enable hacking could "compromise" user's privacy.


In a series of tweets, Pichai said that although Google gives "law enforcement access to data based on valid legal orders", but it is "wholly different than requiring companies to enable hacking of customer devices and data," which could set a "troubling precendent".


"Forcing companies to enable hacking could compromise user's privacy," the Indian-American CEO said as he supported Apple CEO Tim Cook's stand.


"We know that law enforcement and intelligence agencies face significant challenges in protecting the public against crime and terrorism," Pichai said. "We build secure products to keep your information safe and we give law enforcement access to data based on valid legal orders," he said.


"But that's wholly different than requiring companies to enable hacking of customer devices and data. Could be a troubling precedent," he said as debates are on on the merits of the case between Apple and federal law enforcement agencies.