An FBI bid to force Apple to unlock an iPhone risks setting a dangerous precedent that could have serious global ramifications for human rights, the United Nations rights chief warned Friday.

"In order to address a security-related issue related to encryption in one case, the authorities risk unlocking a Pandora's Box that could have extremely damaging implications for the human rights of many millions of people, including their physical and financial security," Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said in a statement.