Apple responds to the Beeper iMessage saga: 'We took steps to protect our users'

Re:Apple responds to the Beeper iMessage saga: 'We took step... by lxgr on Saturday December 16, 2023 @04:30PM (#38667891)

> Don't they have a database of every device they've sold?

A database isn't enough. They'd also need a way for that device to attest its identity to Apple, and serial numbers can be relatively easily copied (or sometimes even brute-forced).

This should be possible for newer devices using Apple's own chips, but I believe that at least non-T1/T2 Intel Macs lack any such capability.

> Why don't they check "is this device sitting on a shelf un-sold or does it belong to this account, activated"?

How would they know this? I highly doubt that every retailer in the world reports sold devices' serial numbers to Apple.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Apple responds to the Beeper iMessage saga: 'We took step... by willstrafach on Sunday December 17, 2023 @01:17PM (#38674976)

iOS devices must be activated to use them. This is indeed stored in a database. AppleCare and third-party repair centers can query activation information using GSX.

You are correct about pre-T1 Intel Macs though. Apple will have a blind spot by design, until support is dropped for old machines.

[ Parent | on HN ]