I am currently doing some research into the Apple vs FBI controversy.
During my research, I found a Edward Snowden comment that claimed that the government can actually override a phone's data, specifically an iPhone, through physical means, as long as they can take apart the phone and use the data chips inside.
I have tried to find some certifiable website that supports this, but have been fruitless. Now I just want to ask, "Is this plausible?". Can the government really break into an iPhone through physical code overwrite?
Note
In the case above, the government is trying to access data inside the chips, so that they can break into a terrorist's phone. But Apple is refusing to give the government the key to accessing the data. Edward Snowden commented that they can selectively overwrite the code to that the OS will be easier to hack.
Links and Context
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8pkUTav0mk
Skip to 2:55 for the specific comment and start from the start for greater context.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI%E2%80%93Apple_encryption_dispute
For the greater context.