6 ms·

So that they can use/sell the stolen Macbook, which is much more common than stealing a Macbook to delete the data.

user-the-name 6y ago
Erasing the drive doesn't let you do this, the Apple ID of the owner is stored elsewhere and you have to log in to restore the machine.
- superhuzza 6y ago
  This was a response to a comment about a potential feature as described: "Why does the recovery not just have a button called factory reset which unlinks your apple account, deletes the volume and then sets it all up like new." So yes, it currently does not work like that. But such a feature would allow Macbooks to be easily stolen and reused by others.
  - PurpleFoxy 6y ago
    The unlink stage would require your password. The recovery partition requires internet to reinstall already.
    - josephg 6y ago
      Yep, just like it does on iPhones - where Apple has a button for this and it’s really easy. I’m sure a lot more iPhones get stolen than laptops every year, and I doubt the factory reset button behind its password prompt makes that any worse.
- acomjean 6y ago
  The weird thing is that when my partner turned in an old Mac mini to Apple for recycling they wouldn’t do it because her account was still on there and there was a system password. But we couldn’t figure out what they were talking about, we had reinstalled the OS. It’s embeded in there somewhere deep.
  - willstrafach 6y ago
    If it had a T2, that will store the Apple ID.
southerntofu 6y ago
What's wrong with using stolen hardware? I mean we could argue stealing is wrong, in which case we'd have to take a look at why people are stealing and from whom (partitioning of wealth) so we can find solutions. If we're not looking at the root of the problem, then we're just complicating legitimate use cases. Preventing theft is only the official argument, but it doesn't stand any form of scrutiny: as long as there's inequality (i.e. incentives to expropriate people who have too much, to serve people who have too little) there will be theft. The truth behind iCloud lock is Apple has been involved in mafia-style dealings with national mobile phone operators (which involved promises/contracts to sell millions of units), inundating the market with operator-sponsored iPhones, and they really don't want a second-hand market at all because they are a luxury brand.
- southerntofu 6y ago
  Why downvote? Please argue with facts. Although i understand defending vendor lock-in, ecological damage, and forced sales is a hard sell... All the more when trying to protect from criticism a corporation making billions on the backs of exploited children in mines & factories.
  - jaywalk 6y ago
    Your arguments are 100% nonsense and 0% facts, so most people will see it as a waste of time to try and have a discussion with you.
    - southerntofu 6y ago
      > The truth behind iCloud lock is Apple has been involved in mafia-style dealings with national mobile phone operators (which involved promises/contracts to sell millions of units), inundating the market with operator-sponsored iPhones, and they really don't want a second-hand market at all because they are a luxury brand. Apple investigated for "planned" obsolescence by the French government: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42615378 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42615378 (they have also settled for 500M$ in a previous case) Apple was condemned and fined for illegal clauses in France in contracts with national cellphone operators (i believe the 4 of them): https://www.universfreebox.com/article/34513/Apple-accuse-d-imposer-des-contrats-illegaux-aux-operateurs-encore https://www.universfreebox.com/article/34513/Apple-accuse-d-... Specifically, they were condemned for: - forcing the operator to buy a minimum amount of devices over 3 years - preventing the operator from defining target prices - forcing the operator to give funds to a marketing agency affiliated to Apple - forcing the operator to finance the marketing of iPhones in store, mandating a minimal marketing budget - enabling Apple to use the trademarks of the operator, but not the other way around - imposes strict conditions for device orders, but lifts any responsibility on Apple's side - forces the operator to financially support device repairs - gives Apple the right to break said contract, without respecting legal delays - enables Apple to use patents from the operator Some of this was covered on public television by "Cash Investigation", so that was quite a public outcry. But this is only for France, and i'm assuming such mafia-like practices are common in other countries, as they are common in different branches of industry (not just IT, where well-known example include Microsoft and Intel). About the consequences for the environment and (lack of) recycling of electronic waste: https://www.cnet.com/news/the-environmental-pitfalls-at-the-end-of-an-iphones-life/ https://www.cnet.com/news/the-environmental-pitfalls-at-the-... https://techhq.com/2020/12/right-to-repair-combating-techs-dirty-secret/ https://techhq.com/2020/12/right-to-repair-combating-techs-d... https://www.vox.com/2017/11/8/16621512/where-does-my-smartphone-iphone-8-x-go-recycling-afterlife-toxic-waste-environment https://www.vox.com/2017/11/8/16621512/where-does-my-smartph... About Apple not wanting a second hand market, i obviously meant a second hand market they do not control. They do have certified programs for second hard hardware. Sorry if that was not clear. I hope i've provided enough evidence of the facts i was presenting. Please let me know if that's not the case.

Erasing the drive doesn't let you do this, the Apple ID of the owner is stored elsewhere and you have to log in to restore the machine.

superhuzza 6y ago
This was a response to a comment about a potential feature as described: "Why does the recovery not just have a button called factory reset which unlinks your apple account, deletes the volume and then sets it all up like new." So yes, it currently does not work like that. But such a feature would allow Macbooks to be easily stolen and reused by others.
- PurpleFoxy 6y ago
  The unlink stage would require your password. The recovery partition requires internet to reinstall already.
  - josephg 6y ago
    Yep, just like it does on iPhones - where Apple has a button for this and it’s really easy. I’m sure a lot more iPhones get stolen than laptops every year, and I doubt the factory reset button behind its password prompt makes that any worse.
acomjean 6y ago
The weird thing is that when my partner turned in an old Mac mini to Apple for recycling they wouldn’t do it because her account was still on there and there was a system password. But we couldn’t figure out what they were talking about, we had reinstalled the OS. It’s embeded in there somewhere deep.
- willstrafach 6y ago
  If it had a T2, that will store the Apple ID.

southerntofu 6y ago

What's wrong with using stolen hardware? I mean we could argue stealing is wrong, in which case we'd have to take a look at why people are stealing and from whom (partitioning of wealth) so we can find solutions. If we're not looking at the root of the problem, then we're just complicating legitimate use cases. Preventing theft is only the official argument, but it doesn't stand any form of scrutiny: as long as there's inequality (i.e. incentives to expropriate people who have too much, to serve people who have too little) there will be theft. The truth behind iCloud lock is Apple has been involved in mafia-style dealings with national mobile phone operators (which involved promises/contracts to sell millions of units), inundating the market with operator-sponsored iPhones, and they really don't want a second-hand market at all because they are a luxury brand.

southerntofu 6y ago
Why downvote? Please argue with facts. Although i understand defending vendor lock-in, ecological damage, and forced sales is a hard sell... All the more when trying to protect from criticism a corporation making billions on the backs of exploited children in mines & factories.
- jaywalk 6y ago
  Your arguments are 100% nonsense and 0% facts, so most people will see it as a waste of time to try and have a discussion with you.
  - southerntofu 6y ago
    > The truth behind iCloud lock is Apple has been involved in mafia-style dealings with national mobile phone operators (which involved promises/contracts to sell millions of units), inundating the market with operator-sponsored iPhones, and they really don't want a second-hand market at all because they are a luxury brand. Apple investigated for "planned" obsolescence by the French government: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42615378 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42615378 (they have also settled for 500M$ in a previous case) Apple was condemned and fined for illegal clauses in France in contracts with national cellphone operators (i believe the 4 of them): https://www.universfreebox.com/article/34513/Apple-accuse-d-imposer-des-contrats-illegaux-aux-operateurs-encore https://www.universfreebox.com/article/34513/Apple-accuse-d-... Specifically, they were condemned for: - forcing the operator to buy a minimum amount of devices over 3 years - preventing the operator from defining target prices - forcing the operator to give funds to a marketing agency affiliated to Apple - forcing the operator to finance the marketing of iPhones in store, mandating a minimal marketing budget - enabling Apple to use the trademarks of the operator, but not the other way around - imposes strict conditions for device orders, but lifts any responsibility on Apple's side - forces the operator to financially support device repairs - gives Apple the right to break said contract, without respecting legal delays - enables Apple to use patents from the operator Some of this was covered on public television by "Cash Investigation", so that was quite a public outcry. But this is only for France, and i'm assuming such mafia-like practices are common in other countries, as they are common in different branches of industry (not just IT, where well-known example include Microsoft and Intel). About the consequences for the environment and (lack of) recycling of electronic waste: https://www.cnet.com/news/the-environmental-pitfalls-at-the-end-of-an-iphones-life/ https://www.cnet.com/news/the-environmental-pitfalls-at-the-... https://techhq.com/2020/12/right-to-repair-combating-techs-dirty-secret/ https://techhq.com/2020/12/right-to-repair-combating-techs-d... https://www.vox.com/2017/11/8/16621512/where-does-my-smartphone-iphone-8-x-go-recycling-afterlife-toxic-waste-environment https://www.vox.com/2017/11/8/16621512/where-does-my-smartph... About Apple not wanting a second hand market, i obviously meant a second hand market they do not control. They do have certified programs for second hard hardware. Sorry if that was not clear. I hope i've provided enough evidence of the facts i was presenting. Please let me know if that's not the case.