In the epic privacy-versus-security battle as the FBI pressures Apple to crack the iPhone used by one of the San Bernardino terrorists, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey sided with the government on Friday.

Despite a judge's order, Apple says it does not believe it has the technological capabilities to overcome the password protection for the phone carried by jihadist terrorist Syed Rezwan Farook, who, along with his wife, killed 14 people and injured 22 in the Dec. 22 gun attacks.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has also expressed concern about establishing what would be in effect a "back door" to the millions of iPhones that, in time, thieves, hackers and repressive governments could exploit.

Markey, who's been a leading voice in Congress on Internet and digital privacy issues, said in a Boston appearance Friday: "Apple should try to find a way to work with law enforcement to open that Apple iPhone, without causing a breach in every other Apple iPhone in the U.S. We have to find a way to ensure that law enforcement has the capacity to be able to open individual cellphones, while simultaneously protecting every other cellphone."

"I think it's a balance that can be struck," Markey added. "We have to prove in America that you can be tough on privacy and tough on security – simultaneously."

Apple has until next Friday to formally respond to the order to crack the Farook phone's security.