iOS7: It’s the LAW™
The New York City Police Department is apparently handing out the above fliers at subway exits encouraging people to upgrade to iOS 7 for its improved security featuring ‘Activation Lock’. According to another Twitter follower, they are also (comically) handing out the flyers at Apple Stores where people are walking out with new iPhone 5S/5Cs with iOS 7 installed.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Hoffm/status/381564392602480640]
[tweet https://twitter.com/tambnguyen/status/381197145027932160]
AllthingsD reports that the campaign extends to Facebook where Park Slope parents are also being encouraged to update their iOS devices.
The move by the NYPD isn’t without precedent. The Attorney Generals of New York and San Francisco both applauded Apple’s iOS 7 security improvements, specifically Activation Lock.
“After months of pressure from a global coalition of elected officials and law enforcement agencies, we are pleased that Apple is set to release a new mobile operating system that includes a theft deterrent feature called Activation Lock. This is an important first step towards ending the global epidemic of smartphone theft.
“In the months ahead, it is our hope that Activation Lock will prove to be an effective deterrent to theft, and that the widespread use of this new system will end the victimization of iPhone users, as thieves learn that the devices have no value on the secondary market. We are particularly pleased that – because Activation Lock is a feature associated with Apple’s new operating system as opposed to a new device – it will be available to consumers with older phone models who download the free upgrade.
“While it is too early to tell if Activation Lock will be a comprehensive solution to the epidemic of ‘Apple Picking’ crimes that have victimized iPhone and iPad owners around the world, we believe it is a step forward and strongly urge iPhone users to download iOS 7, and most importantly, ensure they utilize both an Apple ID and Find My iPhone. We also encourage Apple to make Activation Lock a fully opt-out solution in order to guarantee widespread adoption, and strongly urge the other leading manufacturers of smartphones to quickly implement effective theft deterrents that protect their customers from violent crime.”
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“NYPD cops are in front of Apple stores passing out flyers telling me to update my iOS.”
I know they just try to cut down on theft but doing it brand specific is not a good idea on so many levels. The story alone is good marketing for Apple – making it look like the world only evolves around the iPhone.
In other countries this would be simply called corruption and the chief of police could take his hat “effective immediately”.
I don’t see the problem with the brand specificity – in this case it is a specific brand that has enabled hundreds of millions of its customers to upgrade to a (potentially) viable theft deterrent for free. Additionally in this case the crime stats in major cities are spiked by incidents of apple device thefts.
Whether the story is good marketing is kind of irrelevant as the tons of stories previous to this system revolved around the lack of an actual deterrent; casting apple in a negative light, or least least indifferent to the safety of their consumers. How in the world this amounts to corruption, I have no idea. I see good forward thinking police work that is finally responding with modern solutions to modern problems.
Whomever came up with or approved this should be dismissed. Any law enforcement warning should not be brand-specific.
NYPD should remind consumers to use certain types of technology but should not endorse or target a specific product (such as IOS 7, which uses additional memory and does have a cost to the consumer). Besides, as the adjacent story shows, a photograph of a fingerprint (which could be lifted from another part of the phone) could allow access.
I work in government and a blatant product endorsement (and IOS 7 is a product) is not allowed.
The fact that there has previously been negative reports of Apple not doing enough is totally irrelevant and a bit naive to suggest that.
This will be seen as NYPD endorsing Apple products. Shame on NYPD!
I disagree. Apple devices are the #1 stolen and Apple works directly with law enforcement. You want them to work with other companies? Then they should step up to the plate. All the police are doing is informing users of the steps they can take to help cut down on theft, which costs the city millions of dollars in handling complaints.
There’s no problem with reminding people to use a certain type of technology. This is recommending a very specific product (IOS 7).
The flyer is poorly written.
Handing them out at Apple stores is fine. A similar outreach should be done at other stores, reminding consumers to use relevant protection.
Weird right? I got off the subway and this cop with a completely chrome face told me to download iOS 7.
@herb02135go honestly? The flyer is worded perfectly. If you have an IOS device, it’s not like you’re gonna upgrade it to jelly bean or ice cream sandwich or creme brulee. The NYPD is (one of, if not the) first agency to try to impress upon their customers (read: NY population) about device security. The flyer speaks to the most basic information that should be passed along to people based on the hardware that they own; the fact is that Apple products are highly sought after, stolen, and resold. Rightly so or not, it’s the state of the market, so to speak. NYPD does not need to concern themselves with technical issues or RAM usage etc., only what can be done to prevent theft of hardware and identity. Also, a MORE SECURE system is all that is being recommended, not an ABSOLUTELY SECURE system.
Which government agency do you work for? Have you submitted an official complaint yet? To whom was the complaint submitted? Would your attitude be different if this was a recall of some sort? Or are you just being inflammatory for the sake of it, since a specific company was named?
Grow up.