Criminal Investigation of Lost Next-Generation iPhone Spurred by Apple Requests

[Anuba]

Uh... read any website with reader comments about this whole fiasco and you will see that people overwhelmingly side with Apple on this.

I visited several today and didn't spot a single positive comment outside MR and other Mac fan sites. Here are some I found at aftonbladet.se (Sweden's largest newspaper, they normally don't write about Apple much but this raid made the front page):

"A despicable act on Apple's part, they'd better clean up their act fast. Using Mac, iPhone etc is starting to feel awkward. It's downright nauseating that Apple are actively involved in some police task force. That's the wrong way to go. Apple's image used to be anti-establishment, and now they've joined forces with Big Brother. They've gone too far."

"So these are Apple's true colors? How can they do this to a person they ignored when he first tried to return the phone? Oh well, guess it's time to boycott Apple and their future products. This is far from OK."

"I feel ashamed for owning multiple Apple products. If they can't keep track of their stuff, it's their own damn fault."

"Seriously Apple, I'm gonna have to boycott you now. This is beyond the pale."

"I own an iPhone myself, and it's alright, but it's my first and last. This whole thing makes you wonder if Apple's board of directors is made up of North Koreans, how else could they be such control freaks? A frightening and very, very SICK company."

"Using MobileMe feels so secure now... not. iPhone.... yikes... this whole thing makes me afraid of the dark."

"Journalists being prosecuted on dubious grounds, eh? Sounds like China."

"People shouldn't give their hard earned money to companies like Apple, who are notorious for exploiting people, threatening people and spreading fear at their manufacturing plants. Acquire some taste, avoid their junk."

"Apple can gain nothing from this. They're handling this situation as if they were Microsoft, and it's generating tons of negative press they hardly need at a time when they're about to release the product in question."

"This is so Apple. The Soviet Union was more honest and open than Apple."

You see, Apple has a worldwide presence and every country and culture will spin this story the way they see fit. It's like Chinese Whispers, stuff gets lost in translation, misinterpreted and/or intentionally warped. They'll add, subtract and even sneak in some of their political bias, not seldom of the anti-American, anti-corporate variety.

Out of the 75 million iPhones sold around the world, most were bought by regular joes who are neither Apple fans nor tech news junkies. Therefore their impression of this story will not be filtered through brand loyalty or any deeper understanding of the technical and legal issues, they'll just soak up the basic narrative of Apple using the police to destroy bloggers, Big Brother style.

 

[gwangung]

Why should calling customer service be considered a reasonable effort?

Particularly when you had the name of the person the prototype was assigned to. (And, actually, I'd be curious to get a straight answer on that).

 

[calderone]

I visited several today and didn't spot a single positive comment outside MR and other Mac fan sites. Here are some I found at aftonbladet.se (Sweden's largest newspaper, they normally don't write about Apple much but this raid made the front page):

*SNIP*

You see, Apple has a worldwide presence and every country and culture will spin this story the way they see fit. It's like Chinese Whispers, stuff gets lost in translation, misinterpreted and/or intentionally warped. They'll add, subtract and even sneak in some of their political bias, not seldom of the anti-American, anti-corporate variety.

Out of the 75 million iPhones sold around the world, most were bought by regular joes who are neither Apple fans nor tech news junkies. Therefore their impression of this story will not be filtered through brand loyalty or any deeper understanding of the technical and legal issues, they'll just soak up the basic narrative of Apple using the police to destroy bloggers, Big Brother style.

All of those comments are irrational and based on a misunderstanding of the law.

 

[pastparticiple]

You, sir, are an idiot.

Thanks for such a clear violation of forum rules..that combined with your obvious troll username should be enough to get you booted Bye now.

 

[JasonDBagChen]

I visited several today and didn't spot a single positive comment outside MR and other Mac fan sites. Here are some I found at aftonbladet.se (Sweden's largest newspaper, they normally don't write about Apple much but this raid made the front page):

"A despicable act on Apple's part, they'd better clean up their act fast. Using Mac, iPhone etc is starting to feel awkward. It's downright nauseating that Apple are actively involved in some police task force. That's the wrong way to go. Apple's image used to be anti-establishment, and now they've joined forces with Big Brother. They've gone too far."

"So these are Apple's true colors? How can they do this to a person they ignored when he first tried to return the phone? Oh well, guess it's time to boycott Apple and their future products. This is far from OK."

"I feel ashamed for owning multiple Apple products. If they can't keep track of their stuff, it's their own damn fault."

"Seriously Apple, I'm gonna have to boycott you now. This is beyond the pale."

"I own an iPhone myself, and it's alright, but it's my first and last. This whole thing makes you wonder if Apple's board of directors is made up of North Koreans, how else could they be such control freaks? A frightening and very, very SICK company."

"Using MobileMe feels so secure now... not. iPhone.... yikes... this whole thing makes me afraid of the dark."

"Journalists being prosecuted on dubious grounds, eh? Sounds like China."

"People shouldn't give their hard earned money to companies like Apple, who are notorious for exploiting people, threatening people and spreading fear at their manufacturing plants. Acquire some taste, avoid their junk."

"Apple can gain nothing from this. They're handling this situation as if they were Microsoft, and it's generating tons of negative press they hardly need at a time when they're about to release the product in question."

"This is so Apple. The Soviet Union was more honest and open than Apple."

You see, Apple has a worldwide presence and every country and culture will spin this story the way they see fit. It's like Chinese Whispers, stuff gets lost in translation, misinterpreted and/or intentionally warped. They'll add, subtract and even sneak in some of their political bias, not seldom of the anti-American, anti-corporate variety.

Out of the 75 million iPhones sold around the world, most were bought by regular joes who are neither Apple fans nor tech news junkies. Therefore their impression of this story will not be filtered through brand loyalty or any deeper understanding of the technical and legal issues, they'll just soak up the basic narrative of Apple using the police to destroy bloggers, Big Brother style.

Worthless post. You just wasted your time and our time by scavenging the internet for a handful of negative Apple posts that do not represent the general population of posts out there.

 

[coleridge78]

I disagree...and I am not wrong simply because you think so. Funny that you imagine your bias is any less "biased" than anyone else's.

You are very convinced. Do you have any foundation for your belief?

 

[pastparticiple]

\
Why should calling customer service be considered a reasonable effort?

I could never answer that to your satisfaction. It's like asking "why isn't a flower enough proof of God?" It is such a subjective inquiry.

 

[Will do good]

wow, they rolled out the multi-jurisdictional high-tech crime-solving force for a PHONE...! Look out Redwood-City car thieves!

Do you understand business? This phone worth hundreds of million dollars in sales. They've spend millions in research alone. With hundreds of people working from design, research to sale. You can't be that simple minded. Can you

 

[Millah]

You dramatized the point of Apple having influence to make it sound absurd. Apple having influence over REACT is NOT the same thing as the police being under total Apple control. It's obvious a normal citizen does not get this level of intensity in their investigations...yet a huge, rich and politically powerful company does. That is not unintelligent...arrogant....nor obnoxious to point out.

Influence? Any normal citizen can't get the police to do the same thing? Give me a break with this whole "influence" nonsense. When the law gets broken, victim reports to police, police investigate, end of story. If someone stole my phone and we knew who that person was, the police would go and get it back, and likely press charges regardless if I ask them to. This has happened to me before, police investigated, found my property, filed criminal felony charges against that person without me ever asking them to do anything.

No one needs to influence the cops to do anything. Especially for a case of this high profile, the police are almost obligated to do something, otherwise they would get criticized for turning a blind eye to such a public case.

And how about the president of REACT saying he didn't even know Apple was in any way affiliated with REACT? How about that? Oh but certainly he must be lying in order to cover up for Apple right? Give me a break, I just get so annoyed with people like you who think that way.

 

[gwangung]

I could never answer that to your satisfaction. It's like asking "why isn't a flower enough proof of God?" It is such a subjective inquiry.

No, it isn't.

And I note that you're avoiding the question.

Why would that be a reasonable effort when you had the name of the person the prototype was assigned to?

 

[inaka]

I disagree...and I am not wrong simply because you think so. Funny that you imagine your bias is any less "biased" than anyone else's.

But you're wrong by the law. You can't sell an item you don't own, and you are required to turn it over to the police if its value is over $100 and you can't find the true owner. It's the law.

Step one might be to call Apple to some. Step two cannot be sell it. It's illegal. Step two is find a different route to contact the owner or turn it in.

 

[pruhawk]

This has been a fun read. Apple lost the phone (which was disguised, unmarked on the outside and then disabled), Apple did not acknowledge that they lost the phone (heck even when called about it basicly disavowed the possibility) and then acts surprised when a website follows the lead that Apple didn't and lucks into the new secret iphone 4g (and not just some want-a-be knock-off as was initially stated). Further, when Apple decided it really must be their phone, and requests that it be returned, it is immediately returned with no request for a reward, or finders fee or anything at all. After securing the phone, Apple then turns lose the dogs to send a msg.

The amusing part is that if you replace Microsoft for Apple in the above paragraph, everyone on this blog would be hooting, laughing and comparing MS to the gestapo.

Gizmodo reported a story, kudos to them. As for Apple, no harm (and there has been no harm), no foul.

 

[calderone]

I could never answer that to your satisfaction. It's like asking "why isn't a flower enough proof of God?" It is such a subjective inquiry.

Please. If there was an ounce of reasoning in your claim you would share it. I take this as your concession.

And a flower isn't enough proof of God because a flower offers no evidence that God exists. The question is ridiculous. My question however, is not.

 

[pastparticiple]

You are very convinced. Do you have any foundation for your belief?

Yes I am....as you are. And yes.

Please. If there was an ounce of reasoning in your claim you would share it. I take this as your concession.

Take it however you wish...it is NOT a concession however and you simply declaring that doesn't make it so.

 

[sclawis300]

Originally Posted by fishmoose
Chen is English right? If he hasent become an US citizen and he gets convicted, won't he be departed from the US? That would be sad over an iPhone prototype imho.

If you're not a US Citizen do you become departed? The worst we'd do down here in NZ is deport you. (deported)

So the headline would read..."Jason Chen ... Recently Departed, for Crimes Against US Law."

I am not sure that simply committing a crime necessarily means you will be deported. It is not like he murdered anyone.

 

[gwangung]

This has been a fun read. Apple lost the phone (which was disguised, unmarked on the outside and then disabled), Apple did not acknowledge that they lost the phone (heck even when called about it basicly disavowed the possibility) and then acts surprised when a website follows the lead that Apple didn't and lucks into the new secret iphone 4g (and not just some want-a-be knock-off as was initially stated). Further, when Apple decided it really must be their phone, and requests that it be returned, it is immediately returned with no request for a reward, or finders fee or anything at all. After securing the phone, Apple then turns lose the dogs to send a msg.

The amusing part is that if you replace Microsoft for Apple in the above paragraph, everyone on this blog would be hooting, laughing and comparing MS to the gestapo.

Gitzmodo reported a story, kudos to them. As for Apple, no harm (and there has been no harm), no foul.

You got details wrong. And you left out other details. Not kosher.

 

[gwangung]

Yes I am....as you are. And yes.



Take it however you wish...it is NOT a concession however and you simply declaring that doesn't make it so.

A rather ill mannered concession, though.

 

[Anuba]

Worthless post. You just wasted your time and our time by scavenging the internet for a handful of negative Apple posts that do not represent the general population of posts out there.

Err, those posts amounted to about 75% of all comments to that particular article, and it's from a traditional newspaper rather than some tech news site. You may not care how this story is presented and received outside the US, but the majority of iPhones were sold outside the US so Apple can't afford to shrug the way you do.

 

[neutrino23]

This is a tough situation. The shield law should protect people who unearth information important to the public. If someone got hold of information that ADM was selling lethal GMOs or something like that I would definitely want that guy protected. However, we have a guy who apparently bought stolen property just so some rubberneckers can get a sneak peak at something they will see in a few weeks anyway and which potentially costs Apple a lot of money. That doesn't deserve protection. The law as written might have a difficult time separating those two cases. Maybe that should be left to a jury. To the extent they are not hiding something dangerous to the public then IBM, Apple, Intel, AMD et al should be able to keep their technology and designs secret.

If Jason had gotten a look at the phone and not published I think he'd be in the clear.

 

[cmaier]

I visited several today and didn't spot a single positive comment outside MR and other Mac fan sites. Here are some I found at aftonbladet.se (Sweden's largest newspaper, they normally don't write about Apple much but this raid made the front page): ...

This was intermingled with recipes for little meatballs and heavily salted fish.

 

[inaka]

Err, those posts amounted to about 75% of all comments to that particular article, and it's from a traditional newspaper rather than some tech news site. You may not care how this story is presented and received outside the US, but the majority of iPhones were sold outside the US so Apple can't afford to shrug the way you do.

How much negative impact of public opinion did it have on Apple when they shut down ThinkSecret? Zippo.

Everyone is also buying the story (from the thief/Gizmodo) that he simply found the phone. If it comes out that it was knowingly stolen from this Apple engineer, then it's very likely public opinion would change greatly.

 

[calderone]

Take it however you wish...it is NOT a concession however and you simply declaring that doesn't make it so.

Sure buddy. Just answer the question. If there is anything behind it then I will consider it. And cut the act, if you want to debate then debate. You declined to answer the question so I take that you have nothing to offer in support of your "opinion."

 

[pastparticiple]

Sure buddy. Just answer the question. If there is anything behind it then I will consider it.

Where do you get the idea I care about your consideration of anything? I am chosing not to answer simply because of your tone. Making adversarial comments is not the way to get people to cooperate with you.

 

[Millah]

The amusing part is that if you replace Microsoft for Apple in the above paragraph, everyone on this blog would be hooting, laughing and comparing MS to the gestapo.

Gitzmodo reported a story, kudos to them. As for Apple, no harm (and there has been no harm), no foul.

News flash, Microsoft HAS done the similar things many times in the past, along with MANY other corporations, and guess what no one ever paid any attention to it. Only when Apple does these things, THEN everyone pays attention and is sensationalizing every single bit of it.

Things like this happen every day. For other companies, the media could care less, but when it involves Apple, then its Apple being a "bully" and abusing their power.

The double standards among people is just incredible. Such hypocrites. The media and trolls on the internet in general have become OBSESSED with trying to make Apple look bad.

 

[Anuba]

This was intermingled with recipes for little meatballs and heavily salted fish.

Yeah I know, it's a jungle... hard to locate the actual news content. It's the same when I go to American sites and all I find is videos of gun-toting, Acapulco shirt clad fatties repeating "I'll use my credit card" and "universal healthcare is national socialism" ad nauseum.