Apple is tracking people that stole iPhones from its stores

The company is actively disabling the iPhones that were stolen from the displays of its retail stores, leaving them inoperable.

Apple stores reported vandalism and theft at several locations, including in New York, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. “Please return to Apple Walnut Street,” read one message posted to Twitter. “The device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted.”

Apple declined to comment on matters of security, but the effort isn’t specific to the ongoing protests — the company has long installed special software on its stores’ iPhones to track the whereabouts of stolen items. 📸: AFP