Epic Video games CEO Tim Sweeney immediately commented on Apple’s Discover My service, referring to it as “super creepy surveillance tech” that “shouldn’t exist.”
Sweeney went on to clarify that a number of years in the past, “a kid” stole a Mac laptop computer out of his automotive. Years later, Sweeney was checking Discover My, and because the Mac was nonetheless related to his Apple ID account, it confirmed him the situation the place the thief lived.
This function is tremendous creepy surveillance tech and shouldn’t exist. Years in the past, a child stole a Mac laptop computer out of my automotive. Years later, I used to be testing Discover My and it confirmed a map with the home the place the child who stole my Mac lived. WTF Apple? How is that okay?!
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 30, 2024
Sweeney’s take is curious, as a result of offering the situation of a misplaced or stolen system is precisely what the Discover My service is supposed to do. Apple units stay tied to a person’s account if not eliminated, a function that’s meant to thwart theft.
Lots of people are saying this right here. Whereas technically true, it misses the purpose: you’ll be able to’t monitor the situation of a tool that is in somebody’s possession with out monitoring that individual, and other people have a proper to privateness. This proper applies to second hand system patrons and even to…
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) July 30, 2024
After confusion from his Twitter followers over his feedback, Sweeney mentioned that the situation of a tool in somebody’s possession cannot be tracked with out monitoring the individual, and “people have a right to privacy.” He claims that detection and restoration of a misplaced or stolen system must be “mediated by due process of law” and never uncovered to the system proprietor “in vigilante fashion.”
When Sweeney noticed how Discover My labored, he mentioned he turned off the function on all of his units.
Whereas Apple’s AirTag merchandise trackers have been criticized for his or her use by stalkers, the Discover My service has not been the goal of comparable complaints. Discover My and Activation Lock have been vital theft deterrents, reducing down on iPhone theft. Apple lately expanded Activation Lock to incorporate iPhone elements to stop them from being disassembled for components.
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