MacBooks from 2020 Are Being Sold for Scrap Because of Activation Lock

Re:MacBooks from 2020 Are Being Sold for Scrap Because of Ac... by Operyl on Tuesday January 24, 2023 @11:24AM (#34505727)

We're not missing something, the recyclers are. The original owner just has to use their Apple ID to disassociate the device. The problem is, that step isn't happening, and the juggling of devices from reseller to reseller results in the original "owner" becoming lost.

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Re:MacBooks from 2020 Are Being Sold for Scrap Because of Ac... by cameldrv on Tuesday January 24, 2023 @12:21PM (#34506742)

Juggling of devices from reseller to reseller sounds like laundering stolen goods to me.

If it’s a legitimate sale, the original recycler will require the seller to wipe/unlock the device or they will only give a steeply discounted price. If the seller is going to get hundreds/thousands less by not wiping the device, they will do it.

Thus, the only problem for recyclers is recycling stolen laptops.

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Re:MacBooks from 2020 Are Being Sold for Scrap Because of Ac... by fmajid on Tuesday January 24, 2023 @12:29PM (#34506873)

Not necessarily, one of them gave the example of machines acquired at bankruptcy.

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Re:MacBooks from 2020 Are Being Sold for Scrap Because of Ac... by hedora on Tuesday January 24, 2023 @01:22PM (#34507688)

The bankruptcy court should have compelled the former owner to sell the laptops instead of scrapping them. The proceeds would go to creditors.

I’m sure there are plenty of court precedents around bankrupt businesses trashing assets out of spite rather than selling them.

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Re:MacBooks from 2020 Are Being Sold for Scrap Because of Ac... by fmajid on Tuesday January 24, 2023 @04:54PM (#34511055)

If the IT staff have been laid off already, there is no one left to wipe the devices. You can't really expect the bankruptcy administrators to know this (yet).

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