FBI Director James Comey reversed himself on Thursday when he acknowledged that the outcome of a California court order compelling Apple to write new code to unlock a terrorist's phone could "be instructive for other courts" when interpreting how far third parties have to go in helping the government hack their products.

Just as recently as Sunday, Comey wrote that "the San Bernardino litigation isn't about trying to set a precedent or send any kind of message. It is about the victims and justice."

Comey was really just admitting the obvious. Law enforcement agencies are already lining up to exploit what they consider a possible new tool.