Apple's anti-theft tech makes stolen iPhones worthless for looters
- During recent riots in Los Angeles, major retailers fell victim to looting.
- Apple's security technology renders stolen iPhones non-functional and alerts authorities.
- These measures have resulted in looters being unable to profit from stolen devices.
In recent events in Los Angeles, a wave of looting incidents took place amidst unrest related to federal immigration enforcement. Major retailers, including Apple, became victims of this crisis, with several stores suffering significant damages from smashed windows and stolen products. Notably, Apple's retail locations are equipped with sophisticated anti-theft technologies that disable devices as soon as they leave the store's Wi-Fi network, making stolen iPhones virtually useless. Upon leaving the secure environment of the store, looters find that these phones display tracking messages and alarms, alerting local authorities to their theft. This advanced mechanism turns the stolen devices into non-functional items, discouraging theft in a market already burdened by mobile phone theft epidemics. During similar incidents in 2020, stolen Apple devices produced the same frustrating effect for criminals, who were unable to resell or utilize them due to the built-in security systems. As a consequence, law enforcement has reported arrests tied to these burglaries, further emphasizing the effectiveness of Apple's security measures in combating theft. The city experiences heightened awareness of mobile phone theft, and while some phones can still be sent overseas for parts, Apple's preventative actions significantly detract from the resale value and usability of stolen iPhones.