Unbricking my MacBook took an email to Tim Cook (tokyodev.com)

Article summary

The author's MacBook was returned to them with an Activation Lock, which Apple refused to remove despite the author providing proof of purchase. The author eventually emailed Tim Cook, which led to the lock being removed after an investigation. The author believes that referencing their article's performance on Hacker News may have contributed to the successful resolution. The incident highlights the potential for unscrupulous individuals to exploit Apple's Activation Lock policy.

Main themes

• Activation Lock policy
• electronic waste
• device security
• account recovery
• ownership definition
• Apple's customer support

What commenters say

• Implementing an expiry date for Activation Lock could reduce electronic waste.
• The current locking policy is effective in deterring casual theft, but may not be sufficient against organized crime.
• Tying a user's real identity to their device could provide a solution to account recovery issues, but raises concerns about privacy and security.
• The use of private keys to determine ownership is not a reliable method, as it can be lost or forgotten, and does not provide a clear legal definition of ownership.
• Apple's policy of not unlocking devices reported as lost, even with proof of purchase, can lead to frustrating experiences for legitimate owners.
• The serialization of parts in Apple devices makes it difficult to repair or reuse them, contributing to electronic waste.
• A more transparent and user-friendly setup process for FindMy could help prevent accidental locking and improve the overall user experience.