Apple security measures thwart thefts in France and London

Apple devices have proven difficult for thieves to exploit following recent incidents in France and London. In France, during periods of urban unrest, criminals looted Apple Stores in cities including Lille and Bordeaux. However, the stolen iPhones and display models were rendered useless, a process known as “bricking.” The devices utilized a specialized enterprise configuration that triggered an emergency lockdown once they crossed a virtual fence (geofencing) and lost connection to the store's secure network. These devices remained trackable via geolocation even after being deactivated.

In a separate incident in London, Magnus Ahmad was approached by two individuals outside a bar. Following the encounter, criminals gained access to his digital wallets, bank accounts, and deactivated his laptop. The theft resulted in a loss of approximately US$ 14,000 in cryptocurrency. These cases highlight the increasing risks of physical mobile device theft and the vulnerabilities of digital wallets in urban environments.