Didn't see your comment before making mine - but yes - I think it is indistinguishable from a ransomware attack in every way except for who is doing it and the

Didn't see your comment before making mine - but yes - I think it is indistinguishable from a ransomware attack in every way except for who is doing it and the fact that unlike cybercriminals to whom you can pay bitcoin to restore your files, Apple will almost certainly refuse and prosecute you for trying to restore your data. So yes, worse than a ransomware attack. I simply cannot understand how big tech companies get away with their behaviour.