The company is actively disabling iPhones that have been stolen from the screens of its retail outlets, leaving them unusable.
Screenshots of Apple’s warning message have begun pop up on websites like Twitter and Reddit earlier this week amid global protests following the death of George Floyd.
Apple stores, which recently began reopening across the United States after months of closure due to a global pandemic, reported vandalism and theft at several locations, including New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
“Go back to Apple Walnut Street,” read one message, citing his place in Philadelphia, he posted on Twitter. “The device has been disabled and is being monitored. Local authorities will be notified.”
Apple (AAPL) he declined to comment on security issues.
However, the effort is not specific to the ongoing protests. The company has long installed special software on iPhone stores to track the location of stolen items. This software does not come on purchased iPhones.
In a letter sent to employees on Sunday, Apple CEO Tim Cook called the murder of Floyd was “pointless” and he pledged to donate to human rights groups, including the Equality Initiative.
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