For years, Apple has been the benchmark for cutting edge, media-minded consumer computer products, and to back it up are thousands of patents covering the software on its phones to the boxes they come in.

Two of America’s most famously secretive institutions, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Apple, are squaring off over encryption and backdoors, and three FOIA exemptions stand in the way of those wanting a document-driven view of the fight. That doesn’t mean FOIA fans should give up asking questions though. Here’s our advice on getting documents to help better understand the FBI, Apple, and the fight over keeping devices secure while maintaining national security.

When Steve Jobs was considered for a presidential appointment in 1991, the FBI embarked on a routine background check. And for the not-insignificant number of enemies Jobs had made over the years, this was a golden opportunity to settle old scores.