Apple’s general counsel says complying with the FBI’s order to break into an iPhone connected to the San Bernardino, California,, massacre will “weaken the security” of its devices.

The comments are part of an opening statement from Bruce Sewell, Apple’s senior vice president and general counsel, who will testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, reports USA Today (http://tinyurl.com/gnxbk25). In the statement, the lawyer defended Apple’s cooperation with the FBI in the San Bernardino investigation, noting the company made engineers available to advise them on “additional investigative options.”

However, Sewell said, ”The FBI is asking Apple to weaken the security of our products. Hackers and cyber criminals could use this to wreak havoc on our privacy and personal safety. It would set a dangerous precedent for government intrusion on the privacy and safety of its citizens.”