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She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

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Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#52
post #50

Somewhere in the 2013-14's or something my MBP had a faulty GPU and I brought it in for free repair (that they put in another faulty GPU which failed after the same time as the first one, but it did get them over of the warranty period is besides the point), and they asked me for my root password. I gave it, and felt incredibly dirty. I would never do that again.

Was it an Nvidia GPU? I used to work for GeekSquad and we would gladly send the Mac to the Apple store to replace the whole thing with the newer model - always free.

People would come back and thank us for sending them to Apple.

They even honored them out of warranty due to the lawsuit they faced with Nvidia over the solder failures.

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#53
post #2

I never understood why the repair techs need my passcode to repair my iPhone (like replacing display or battery) and they suggest it as a first option unapologetically without even explaining privacy risks.

When I sent my Steam Deck for repair, Steam asked my to factory reset it, which I did. Now I think this is what I would do if I need to send any electronic device for repairs. All my data is backed up to cloud, yes setting it up again is a chore but it's better than risking my data with some unknown contractor.

There are also stories of people losing all of their stuff by sending the device in. So the added benefit of suggesting a wipe is that it encourages you to assume total loss and plan ahead.

That doesn’t necessarily help with people sending in devices with special nostalgia for the physical hardware, such as a signature. Though whether those sorts of issues were from not paying attention to notes attached to the account or outright theft has rarely been clear.

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#54

My Samsung mode has a repair mode where it sort of creates like a user that doesn't have my files or personal stuff

Apple has had that for 10 years.

Wasn't it added in the fourth beta of iOS 17.5, which was around April 2024?

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#55
post #25

Unfortunately this occurred in 2016, long before they added "repair mode" in iOS 17. But I should mention, I was in the middle of writing a comment along the lines of "apple really needs to add a repair mode to iOS" before going to look it up and realizing that it's actually been there since iOS 17. For me this highlights another issue with iOS which is it has many awesome features that you just won't know about unle…

> iOS which is it has many awesome features that you just won't know about unless you're a techie that keeps up with the news Probably the single most useful hidden feature, valuable to parents everywhere, is “Guided Access” mode available through accessibility settings. It lets you lock the screen to a single app or disable touch entirely (or even by custom region), so that you can hand your device to a kid without…

Wow as a father of two toddlers you just made my day!

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> can only be opened with FaceID and no passcode backup So it can easily be opened by someone who restrains you and holds your phone in front of your face then?

I had a friend a few years back that got taken for close to $50k and this feature would have prevented it. - He was at a bar and got to talking to one girl. - There was another girl watching him and his phone and figured out his passcode. The bar was dimly lit so FaceID didn't always work and at some point he entered his passcode and she saw. - They all left to "go back to their place" and in the process the girls st…

Ah that sucks, doesn't sound like Stolen Device Protection would help either.

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> can only be opened with FaceID and no passcode backup So it can easily be opened by someone who restrains you and holds your phone in front of your face then?

The word "easily" is doing some work here, as your scenario is already in the area of "rubber-hose cryptanalysis", where passcodes don't stay private for long either.

Except physical assault leaves evidence.

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The word "easily" is doing some work here, as your scenario is already in the area of "rubber-hose cryptanalysis", where passcodes don't stay private for long either.

Fair enough. The threat model I have in mind here is cops and customs agents violating one's (US) fourth amendment rights. With FaceID they don't need your passcode to unlock your phone. With a passcode, they cannot legally arrest you [yet] for refusing to provide it.

while they are restraining you, how are they preventing you from keeping your eyes closed?

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#59
post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which is why phones should have duress passcode capability but that's another rant.

What exactly do you think the wrench-holder would do upon discovering the use of this?

stop hitting you with the wrench as it is no longer a useful option

Re: She Sent Her iPhone to Apple. Repair Techs Uploaded Her Nudes to Facebook (2021)

#60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple has had that for 10 years.

Wasn't it added in the fourth beta of iOS 17.5, which was around April 2024?

Samsung had had it since 2022, Google end of 2023, Apple 2024.
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