Apple stores in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland, and Washington, D.C. have been subjected to looting as crooks took advantage of the on-going protests against the death of George Floyd.
However, the company is not just letting looters get away with its devices so easily. Images of looted iPhones with warnings on the screen have circulated on social media. Not only have these phones been disabled, but they are also now being tracked.
Temporary fencing is set up at the Apple store, following the demonstrations that have erupted in reaction to the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., June 2, 2020.
A viral image shows a device allegedly stolen from a Philadelphia store, with an alert reading, "Please return to Apple Walnut Street. This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted."
Apple confirms iPhone warnings in looted devices; Responds to George Floyd's death
An Apple representative confirmed to Marketwatch that Apple's demo devices bear these warnings, although he did not comment on security matters. It is also not clear whether the other items like Apple laptops, tablets, and watches bear the same messages or if any of these items have been returned yet.
Apple can certainly disable and track any stolen device to prevent theft. In 2016, it launched the proximity software that disables any demo items when taken outside the range of the store's Wi-Fi. Also, all Apple devices have the "Find My" feature that can track lost or stolen items.
Meanwhile, looted stores are currently surrounded by fences to secure the perimeter as demonstrations continue in various cities. There are still no reports when Apple stores will reopen.
Other stores like Target, Walmart, and Amazon's Whole Foods are either closing their doors or shortening operating hours due to the widespread protests. Meanwhile, some cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. have started enforcing curfews to discourage further demonstrations.
Anti-theft measures are not Apple's only focus
Creating anti-theft measures isn't Apple's only focus right now. Bloomberg published the memo that Apple CEO Tim Cook sent to employees.
Primarily, Cook called out the staff in the Black community. "(We) see you... You matter, your lives matter, and you are valued here at Apple" the CEO said. He also said that "painful past is still present today" in the form of violence and even in everyday experiences of "deeply rooted discrimination."
A demonstrator dances as a singer performs during a protest against the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, near the White House in Washington, U.S., June 3, 2020.
"We see it in our criminal justice system, in the disproportionate toll of the disease on Black and Brown communities, in the inequalities in neighborhood services and the educations our children receive," said Cook adding that the "protections are still not universally applied" despite various amendments in-laws.
The memo also wrote that Apple's has donated to various groups which include the Equal Justice Initiative, which is a non-profit organization that aims to challenge racial injustice, end mass detention, and protect the human rights of vulnerable people in the country. Moreover, the tech company will also match "two-for-one all employee donations via Benevity."
Cook also noted that to create change in the society, "we have to reexamine our views and actions in light of a pain that is deeply felt but too often ignored." He also said that human dignity issues need action instead of merely "standing on the sidelines."
"With every breath we take, we must commit to being that change, and to creating a better, more just world for everyone," said Cook ending the statement.
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