French Riot Looters Find Stolen Apple iPhones Remotely Disabled and Locked
Looters who targeted Apple stores in France during recent riots discovered their stolen iPhones were remotely disabled, tracked, and locked with warning messages.
During a wave of protests and riots in France, two Apple stores were looted in Lille and Bordeaux, but the thieves quickly discovered that the stolen display iPhones were remotely disabled, rendered useless, and tracked by the company.
Looting in Lille and Bordeaux
According to the French technology website MacGeneration, the Apple Store on Rue Faidherbe in Lille was broken into and looted in the afternoon, while a similar incident targeted the company's location on Rue Sainte-Catherine in Bordeaux. Social media footage showed individuals entering the stores and leaving with products, though the exact extent of the damage and the number of stolen devices remain unclear.
However, the real surprise came after the devices left the premises. Stolen iPhones reportedly began emitting loud warning sounds, displaying messages on their screens indicating they were Apple property and that their use had been blocked.
Remote Security Measures
A video that went viral on social media purportedly showed one of the stolen devices displaying a clear warning message:
Please return the device to the Apple Store in Lille. The device has been disabled and location tracking is active. Authorities will be notified.
While MacGeneration noted it could not independently verify that specific video, multiple sources confirmed that stolen iPhones displayed similar ownership warnings and emitted audio alerts once removed from the store.
The explanation lies in Apple's built-in security mechanism for retail display units, which automatically locks devices the moment they lose connection with the store's network or are removed without authorization. Consequently, anyone managing to smuggle a display unit out of the shop soon realizes it cannot be used normally.
Risks to Second-Hand Buyers
Authorities in France are now concerned that some of the looted devices will find their way onto the second-hand market at enticing prices. Unsuspecting buyers risk purchasing a completely locked device and facing a refusal of service from Apple.
Following the wave of looting, the French government convened representatives from major online marketplaces including Vinted, eBay, and Leboncoin to increase oversight and prevent the sale of stolen goods online.
