The site seems to be offline. Here is an archive.org mirror: https://web.archive.org/web/20180523090007/https://ericasadu...
In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
41–50 of 152 posts
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#42This is one of the reasons why you should just not buy Apple-branded stuff: such things are designed to be remotely-lockable. With an Android-based device this couldn't happen. Provided that you have a backup of your data, you could just reflash the device, restore your backup and start using the device again. Just don't buy Apple stuff. Between people having assistance denied (example: Linus Sebastian 5 k$ Mac Pro),…
> Between people having assistance denied (example: Linus Sebastian 5 k$ Mac Pro), Just a note, he wasn't 'denied assistance', Apple told them the computer was damaged beyond repair. Just like if you get your car into a serious crash it'll be written off, that's what Apple declared to his iMac Pro because he had physically damaged it so much.
No, they denied replacement of the single specific part/module which was damaged. The rest of the machine was fine.
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#43From an usability point of view, yes it sucks
From a security point of view, they're absolutely doing the correct thing, though account lock-outs also allow for denial-of-service attacks
Maybe we need to not lock people out of their personal iPads forever (just make the person wait 30s between attempts) and if you want stronger security then you actually enable it (because people who want that are "smart enough" to set it)
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#44The site is overloaded, archived copy:
https://web.archive.org/web/20180523090007/https://ericasadu...
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#45Tbf - I feel really sorry that this happened to him, but on the other hand, I am extremely glad that a once-locked device can never be unlocked by anyone without a purchase receipt. I'm sure it deters the theft of iPhones/iPads at least a bit if they know the device will become completely useless once locked out.
I have carried around laptops and smartphones for decades now. Not a single one was stolen. Even if one was stolen now, what's the average cost of 'Stuff being stolen' over the years? I had Laptops with me since the 90s. For over 20 years. If my iPad Pro gets stolen now, that's $1000 over 20 years = $50/year. I don't mind. I really would love if a Linux distribution would support the iPad so I know I can do with it w…
Parent: >> I'm sure it deters the theft of iPhones/iPads at least a bit if they know the device will become completely useless once locked out.
>> Not a single one was stolen
The interesting question with the popularity of people having high values phones, tablets and laptops now, does the security measures of those devices keep the rate of theft low. If I were to correlate your statement (none stolen) with the theory (locking devices deters theft), it matches up. But, I get the feeling that isn't the point you wanted to make :)
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#46This is one of the reasons why you should just not buy Apple-branded stuff: such things are designed to be remotely-lockable. With an Android-based device this couldn't happen. Provided that you have a backup of your data, you could just reflash the device, restore your backup and start using the device again. Just don't buy Apple stuff. Between people having assistance denied (example: Linus Sebastian 5 k$ Mac Pro),…
Yup. Stallman's annoyingly accurate prescience strikes again.
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#47Next up: In which HN destroys my web server.
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#48she made up a birthday and answers to the security questions. 8 years later, she does not know that information and there’s no way for us to guess it. Well that sucks, but the vendor did provide an account recovery mechanism which they chose to circumvent.
I feel like Apple did nothing wrong here. If they parent/daughter chose to go around every recovery mechanism Apple provided it's their own fault.
Physical possesion of a device should never equal direct access to all its data.
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#49Tbf - I feel really sorry that this happened to him, but on the other hand, I am extremely glad that a once-locked device can never be unlocked by anyone without a purchase receipt. I'm sure it deters the theft of iPhones/iPads at least a bit if they know the device will become completely useless once locked out.
It just seems to be easier and more likely to have tablet locked forever, especially for a child, this way then have it actually stolen. Also, a mean schoolmate can lock kids device forever if the kid is not looking.
Which sounds like a good reason not to password protect the device.
Re: In which Apple destroys my daughter’s iPad forever
#50> She did not do anything to trigger the Apple ID issue.
I chalk this up to the child not wanting to admit they entered the wrong passcode too many times. iOS devices "disable" themselves after enough failed attempts. This is a good thing - you want this to happen if your device is stolen. "Disabled" only means you need to prove ownership by either:
a) Connecting the iPad (via USB) to iTunes on a Mac or PC that is logged into the same Apple ID account. This is the original method, from the era when desktop iTunes was mandatory to setup and sync iOS devices.
b) Using "Find my iPad" to reset the device via the iCloud web interface. This was added as an alternative when cloud sync/backup was added (ie: when owning a second device running iTunes became optional).
Two critical points from the OP:
1. Inability to provide the birth date and answers to security questions.
2. Inability to access the email account associated with the Apple ID ("her email provider deleted the account about 3-4 years ago").
These are only needed to perform password reset / account recovery for an Apple ID - which tells me they do not even know the Apple ID's password, and cannot provide the information required to recover that Apple ID.
This person's situation is indistinguishable from a stolen device, by a thief who cannot prove ownership of the Apple ID. I say: "working as intended".