APPLE SUED OVER IPHONE THEFT DATA RECOVERY POLICIES

Apple is facing a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, accusing the company of failing to assist iPhone theft victims in recovering data locked behind its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) and Recovery Key policies, according to court documents reported by The Washington Post.

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Plaintiff Michael Mathews, a Minnesota tech executive, claims that after his iPhone was stolen in Scottsdale, Arizona, in December 2023, Apple refused to unlock his account, causing the collapse of his consulting business.

For iPhone users, privacy advocates, and legal analysts, this case highlights a critical tension between Apple's stringent security measures and the practical needs of theft victims in the smartphone market.

The lawsuit alleges that Apple's policy, requiring a 28-character Recovery Key for ADP-enabled accounts, allows thieves to permanently lock out owners by resetting the key, with no alternative recovery option, even when identity is verified, per the complaint. Mathews argues this failure cost him critical business data, leading to significant financial and emotional harm. Posts on X reflect similar user frustrations, while industry reports suggest the case could prompt Apple to revise its recovery protocols.

Apple declined to comment on the litigation but expressed sympathy for crime victims, per The Washington Post.