American multinational technology corporation that specializes in consumer electronics, software, and online services, Apple recently disclosed that it will no longer repair iPhones marked as missing or stolen. The company now demands that repair technicians deny users a repair of their device if they are notified of its missing status in the mobile genius or GSMA systems they use to service customers.
The GSMA device registry is a database of device serial numbers with information about the status of each device. That is to say, if someone reports their iPhone as stolen to law enforcement, the authorities will flag the device through GSMA, which can help repair providers identify a device as missing if it is brought to their shop for repair.
This is good news for all iPhone users, as Apple has assured them that in case their iPhone gets missing or stolen, it won’t be repaired by Apple or any of its authorized providers. For iPhone users to enable this feature on their device, they need to input their details in the GSMA registry.
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The GSMA registry is a global database where users can register their devices IMEI with a status such as misplaced, stolen, etc. This feature by iPhone will make it difficult for the iPhone device to be stolen. Apple builds on its existing rules that restrict technicians from removing a device’s activation lock unless the customer can provide proof of ownership.
Before the addition of this feature, iPhone had a similar existing feature that allows its users to recover their phones either lost or stolen. All they had to do was to sign in to the icloud and find their device. Or they could mark the device as lost, which remotely locks it with a passcode keeping users’ information secure. I assume these features were never enough, the reason for the upgraded new feature by Apple.
Seeing all these features rolled out by iPhone, I am not surprised as to why Apple sets its company apart from the rest, because they tend to focus on the needs and privacy of their customers, giving them their desired satisfaction. No doubt, this newly upgraded feature by Apple will reduce theft on the iPhone, although I feel there is a minor constraint as regards the use of this feature.
It is a known fact that Apple products are usually expensive, especially the iPhone, such high prices have however given rise to the purchase of second-hand Apple devices. My concern is, in case one buys a fairly used iPhone device, and unfortunately, the phone gets misplaced or stolen. I feel there might be a challenge in trying to retrieve it because the user of the iPhone bought it already.
Also, it might discourage people from buying second-hand iPhone devices outside of official and authorized sources, unless they are purchasing a new one. Although looking at the feature with a holistic approach, I will say that a large percentage of iPhone users can now heave a sigh of relief as the chances of their mobile devices getting stolen will be reduced.