washington white house decline offer public support draft legislation would empower judge require technology company apple inc help law enforcement crack encrypt data source familiar discussions say decision assure years-long political impasse encryption continue even wake high-profile effort department justice force apple break iphone use gunman last december shoot san bernardino california president obama suggest remark last month come around view law enforcement agencies need way gain access encrypt information smartphones administration remain deeply divide issue source say draft legislation senators richard burr dianne feinstein republican chair top democrat respectively senate intelligence committee expect introduce soon week bill give federal judge broad authority order tech company help government spell company might circumstances could order help accord source familiar text also create specific penalties noncompliance although white house review text offer feedback expect provide minimal public input source say stance partly reflection political calculus encryption bill would controversial unlikely go far gridlocked congress election year source say white house spokesman decline comment pending legislation refer white house press secretary josh earnest statements encryption legislation last month earnest say administration skeptical lawmakers ability resolve encryption debate give difficulty tackle simple things tech company civil liberties advocate oppose encryption legislation argue mandate law enforcement access tech products undermine security everyone several lawmakers include u.s. senator ron wyden oregon democrat vow oppose attempt limit encryption protections u.s. technology products even intelligence officials worry enable law enforcement agencies override encryption create problems solve open door hackers foreign intelligence service also say unnecessary government mean get information need justice department drop legal action apple last week say find way hack phone white house last year back away pursue legislation would require u.s. technology firm provide back door access encrypt data backpedal resemble retreat president bill clinton administration 1990s efforts require special computer chip phone give u.s. government way monitor encrypt conversations desire encryption legislation among intelligence law enforcement officials never go away gain new life islamist militant-inspired attack paris san bernardino obama speak south southwest entertainment festival austin texas last month warn fetishize phone say nothing address law enforcement encryption challenge right answer obama however also caution congress take action would sloppy rush apple others call congress help find solution problem criminals terrorists use encryption avoid surveillance separate proposal form national encryption commission study issue also expect enact year meanwhile tech company step efforts implement encryption security measure facebook-owned message service whatsapp announce week implement complete encryption service get access customer message even order court exclusive white house decline support encryption legislation source