Apple removes iCloud Activation Lock status tool from website
For reasons unknown, Apple has taken down the iCloud Activation Lock status page on its website, which used to offer a convenient method of determining whether a used iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Apple Watch was stolen.
An Apple support document that pointed people to the page was updated on Jan. 24 to remove any reference, and the direct link has stopped working in the past day. The status system let users enter an IMEI or serial number.
The updated support document suggests that people buying a device test Activation Lock hands-on, and have the seller help (in person or otherwise) if it's still in effect. In many cases this is impractical, such as when buying online from someone in another city.
The change could potentially help the black market or even increase thefts, given that sellers have a better chance at pulling off scams.
Activation Lock has been on available on Apple devices since iOS 7, and more recently watchOS 2, meaning that many people buying a used Watch or iOS device run the risk of getting non-functional hardware.
Cities like New York City and San Francisco have regularly had to cope with robbers snatching devices off of unsuspecting victims.
In rarer cases Apple stores themselves have become targets, assaulted in smash-and-grab raids made possible by the company's preference for glass facades.
An Apple support document that pointed people to the page was updated on Jan. 24 to remove any reference, and the direct link has stopped working in the past day. The status system let users enter an IMEI or serial number.
The updated support document suggests that people buying a device test Activation Lock hands-on, and have the seller help (in person or otherwise) if it's still in effect. In many cases this is impractical, such as when buying online from someone in another city.
The change could potentially help the black market or even increase thefts, given that sellers have a better chance at pulling off scams.
Activation Lock has been on available on Apple devices since iOS 7, and more recently watchOS 2, meaning that many people buying a used Watch or iOS device run the risk of getting non-functional hardware.
Cities like New York City and San Francisco have regularly had to cope with robbers snatching devices off of unsuspecting victims.
In rarer cases Apple stores themselves have become targets, assaulted in smash-and-grab raids made possible by the company's preference for glass facades.
Comments
https://youtu.be/AYETzuYlEjE
Con artists in China were using this to get around activation lock likely in an attempt to re-sell stolen goods.
More than likely Apple got wind of it and had no choice to shut it down immediately.
The majority and law-abiding citizen suffers yet again. Thanks China!
New credo is "if it's not wiped, don't buy it".
This is going to have a big knock on effect on these companies as well as individuals purchasing a second hand phone.
It is, but as you can see by the video "the whole country of China" put together, this activation tool is no longer trustworthy and something new now needs to be built to ensure users are buying a new and/or unstolen device.
"During today's meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook, we discussed ways to grow the economy and our tech industry"
I asked Apple last year why an owner could not turn on the S/N or IMEI lock remotely if a phone was stolen, or even if Apple could once a police report of a theft was available, without a reasonable answer... If iCloud (location) tracking was not 'freely' given, there was no 'return favour' of protection...
Will an 'executive' order come next...?
Yesterday was of course Data Privacy Day: http://staysafeonline.org/data-privacy-day/about
Simply leaving a phone off (no data either) can help battery life (and the environment?), but probably not business...
"...the classic dystopian novel 1984, written by George Orwell and published in 1948, is number one."
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/01/25/511671118/classic-novel-1984-sales-are-up-in-the-era-of-alternative-facts
We do also have results next week, so perhaps (here's hoping) an announcement or two may follow...
Hold the device, confirm it's wiped, try to activate it … either you can or you'll see the activation lock.
I can't really think of a way to get duped when buying in person (as opposed to online).