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Oops! Craig you woke up Walt Mossberg!

@craiglloyd - I think you’ll need to write a clarifying reply.

Apple Activation Lock: Security feature or recycling roadblock?

While I agree there needs to be a way to get these systems back into use. I don’t think a back door is the answer!

A better approach would be a way for someone who got the iCloud locked device a means to get the original owner to unlock it. A means to text or email from the device to prod the original owner to unlock it remotely. That way the original owner still has control. Once they unlock it they loose control of the device.

So what about a stolen device - The act of responding also notifies the original owner where the device is so they can notify police.

Otherwise its a device that’s can only be parted out.

Answer this question I have this problem too

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Yes we did! I replied to Walt. Here’s what I said:

Hi Walt! I respect you hugely. I think you're missing something here. Refurbishers don't need a new backdoor, or any changes to Apple's encryption. Or any changes to the device. These are cloud locks. They phone home to Apple's servers.

I have it on good authority that Apple already unlocks these devices for their own devices and their contracted refurbishers. No backdoor needed.

We're not advocating that users, or even repair shops, be able to bypass these locks. Large scale refurbishers have one of two certifications which require regular independent audits: R2 and e-Stewards.

The ideal situation would be for Apple (and other OEMs with anti-theft locks) to provide a mechanism for refurbishers to submit serial numbers for theft verification. Once they know the device is stolen, the refurbisher is legally required to send it back to the user.

After some waiting period (90 days? six months?), of a device not being reported as stolen, Apple could remove the device from their list of blocked devices.

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@kyle - You might want to post your replay in Walt's Tweet too! waltmossberg and even in the CultofMac article as well so it gets more eye's

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That would benefit everybody in the end, except one maybe. Now everybody is free to take anybody's side for whatever reason, until we're still free to express ourselves is good anyway, but to put it with Commander Spock words:

“The Needs of the Many Outweigh the Needs of the Few”.

No need to add anything I believe.

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Dan will be eternally grateful.