New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman sent a letter today to Apple CEO Tim Cook — as well as the CEOs of Microsoft, Google, and Samsung — regarding the growing theft of electronic devices such as iPhones. Citing an increase in the theft of Apple products in New York City, Schneiderman argues that Apple and other companies need to do more to combat theft, a topic previously raised by San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón.
As Schneiderman wrote to Cook, “In particular, I seek to understand why companies that can develop sophisticated handheld electronics, such as the products manufactured by Apple, cannot also create technology to render stolen devices inoperable and thereby eliminate the expanding black market on which they are sold. I would be especially concerned if device theft accrues to your company’s financial benefit through increased sales of replacement devices.”
Schneiderman also writes that though Apple presents itself as concerned about safety, “…Apple may have failed to live up to these representations, limiting its focus to information security, without providing safeguards that would truly deter theft and thereby protect the safety of your customers.” These crimes, sometimes referred to as “Apple picking,” have been getting more attention recently.
San Francisco’s Gascón pushed for Apple to make a “kill switch” to render stolen phones inoperable, but met with resistance from the company’s representatives. As legal pressure mounts, Apple and other companies may be pushed toward a resolution on device thefts in the future.
