Tracking Unlocked iPhones

Reganovski

Hi All,

Apple employees have to sign an agreement saying they will not unlock the phone and the agreement states the following. "Each iPhone can be uniquely identified and tracked via a Phone identification number".
Is it possible for apple to track unlocked iPhones?

Regan

stevenmu

Well I'm sure each iPhone has a unique serial number, or possibly they just use the IMEI, I'm sure what they mean is that if an unlocked iPhone turns up somewhere, for e.g. it's sent in for repair, and it turns out that iPhone was sold to an employee then they're in trouble.

randombar

Well the phone company has a record of what mobile phone you are using but then I can't see them disclosing your information to apple?

Think you need a court order for that kinda thing!

slegs

GaryCocs wrote: »

Well the phone company has a record of what mobile phone you are using but then I can't see them disclosing your information to apple?

Think you need a court order for that kinda thing!

From what I am reading Apple never said they would do anything. And what they state is true, through IMEI phones can be tracked by the operator. By passing IMEI lists to Apple I dont think an operator would be breaking any agreements with customer (it is not customer sensitive information like name, address, CC etc). In fact it may be necessary to work out any financial arrangements that may be in place i.e. they may need to know that the devices were bought in the country they were supposed to be bought in.

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

cianclarke

Reganovski wrote: »

Hi All,

Apple employees have to sign an agreement saying they will not unlock the phone and the agreement states the following. "Each iPhone can be uniquely identified and tracked via a Phone identification number".
Is it possible for apple to track unlocked iPhones?

Regan

Of course every phone can be identified by their unique ID number, but not the locked/unlocked status or it's network/position - I'm thinking they are just scaremongering, and the number they refer to is the IMEI?

cgarvey

They could track the serial number of the device in theory (the iPhone could phone home). Or they could track the IMEI (which can be changed, incidentally).

I'm pretty sure o2 can share IMEI/usage information with Apple (an authorised agent of o2 for the purpose of carrying out their, o2 that is, business). Much like most companies hand over CC details for processing to a 3rd party. I don't see either as being a breach of the DPA, and I'm sure you'll find some reference to that in their T&C. Knowing Apple, they probably have that data as a condition of their contract with o2 (given that they get a chunk of the ongoing subscription).

So, Apple *could* track usage (Hey Joe, where's the iPhone you received free? We don't see it registered with o2 Ireland?), if they wanted to. However, I'd question why they'd be arsed (in the greater scheme of things).

slegs

Solitaryman666 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

They would not be in breach of DPA in this scenario. Apple and O2 are jointly involved with the customer as the supplier.

su_dios

Read something about this on another website yesterday. Different text to whats above there but similar thing of tracing iphones. They will not be able to block it as legally afaik its against the law to withhold the unlocking codes?

Run_to_da_hills

The easiest way out for apple is to create a "flash" in a software update that could render all unauthorised tampered phones useless.

cgarvey

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The easiest way out for apple is to create a "flash" in a software update that could render all unauthorised tampered phones useless.

Definitely the easiest alright, but they'd face all sorts of backlashes from their customers for that. Too many people have jail-broken phones now. Too many people of high influence.

su_dios

Lets face it here. Apple more than likely are very happy people are buying iphones and unlocking them. They have to keep at&t and o2 etc happy though by trying to lock people out. Remember apple are still getting full price sales for these iphones, and obviously selling to people who don't want or can't avail of the network options.

I can't really see Jobs losing sleep over the fact that they've gained 1/3rd iphone sales due to all those kind hackers :rolleyes:

Solair

It's possible that they could do something when you're syncing it with iTunes. It doesn't necessarily have to be done over the mobile network.:rolleyes:

cdebru

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The easiest way out for apple is to create a "flash" in a software update that could render all unauthorised tampered phones useless.

which would be completely illegal

The phone is your property Apple have no right to tamper with it in any deliberate way. If a side effect of an update is a bricked phone that is different but if apple deliberately damaged your phone they would be breaking the law.

Same way if toyota came around and smashed up your car because they did not like the engine modification you made ie they cant do it

strecker

I don't wanna frighten you with idle conspiracy "theories", but read:
http://www.infowars.com/articles/bb/iphone_trojan_horse_for_gov_surveillance.htm
and then check out the many posts on various forums where owners of hacked iphones ring customer care, and before they get a chance to explain their probs, the apple-carers point out politely that a "hacked" iphone such as that used by the caller is not covered by warranty blah blah blah... Don't believe a word...

Prisoner6409

GaryCocs wrote: »

Well the phone company has a record of what mobile phone you are using but then I can't see them disclosing your information to apple?

Think you need a court order for that kinda thing!

Esp if they are not 02:).

Prisoner6409

su_dios wrote: »

Lets face it here. Apple more than likely are very happy people are buying iphones and unlocking them. They have to keep at&t and o2 etc happy though by trying to lock people out. Remember apple are still getting full price sales for these iphones, and obviously selling to people who don't want or can't avail of the network options.

I can't really see Jobs losing sleep over the fact that they've gained 1/3rd iphone sales due to all those kind hackers :rolleyes:

AFAICS both AT&T and O2 are also doing very nicely out of it as they sell a lot of the phones that end up unlocked. I got mine from O2.

flywheel

basquille wrote: »

... change your IMEI?

this is not a topic up for discussion on this forum