Criminal Investigation of Lost Next-Generation iPhone Spurred by Apple Requests
The Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal reports that the criminal investigation of the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a next-generation iPhone last month and subsequent purchase of the device by Gizmodo was spurred by requests from the Apple engineer who lost the iPhone and outside legal counsel for the company.
Wagstaffe said that an outside counsel for Apple, along with Apple engineer Powell, called the District Attorney's office on Wednesday or Thursday of last week to report a theft had occurred and they wanted it investigated. The District Attorney's office then referred them to the Rapid Enforcement and Allied Computer Team, or REACT, a multi-jurisdictional, high-tech crime task force that operates under the Santa Clara County District Attorney's office.
As news of the criminal investigation spread, speculation and disagreement regarding what role if any Apple played in initiating the investigation has arisen in a number of venues. While Apple would have to actively pursue any civil charges related to the incident, some observers wondered whether Apple was pressing the examination of possible criminal charges or if law enforcement was working on its own after having been notified of the loss or theft of the iPhone.The police have identified and spoken to the person who took the iPhone from the Redwood City, California bar where it was left by the Apple engineer, although officials have refused to say whether that same unidentified person is the same individual who sold it to Gizmodo for $5000. No charges have yet been filed in the investigation, which remains on hold as questions regarding the legality of the search and seizure at Gizmodo editor Jason Chen's residence are being considered.
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24 months ago
Gizmodo should be investigated.
Being shielded because they are "journalists" Is a joke.
If Gizmodo had found evidence showing that Apple was withholding information that the iPhone causes testicular cancer etc, then fine.
But this was just about Gizmiodo wanting to be in the lime-light and make some cash.
No doubt Gizmodo have cost Apple a lot of cash.
Throw the book at Jason Chen is what I say.
Being shielded because they are "journalists" Is a joke.
If Gizmodo had found evidence showing that Apple was withholding information that the iPhone causes testicular cancer etc, then fine.
But this was just about Gizmiodo wanting to be in the lime-light and make some cash.
No doubt Gizmodo have cost Apple a lot of cash.
Throw the book at Jason Chen is what I say.
24 months ago
I fear this is going to make more noise than it is worth, though I can understand Apple wanting to demonstrate their intolerance towards breaches of intellectual/commercial security.
24 months ago
What is the offence in respect to the statutes?
Buying stolen property...... How many times does this need repeating?
24 months ago
If the law was broken, then all parties who broke the law need to face the consequences. There is so much (mis?)information out there, I don't know what to make of the whole debacle.
24 months ago
Bit of an inflammatory headline, when you consider some of the wildly stupid accusations being flung around lately, as if law enforcement is an arm of Apple Inc.
Powell and Apple reported a theft. Yeah, that's often how investigations start. News? Not so much.
(edit) "The police have identified and spoken to the person who took the iPhone from the Redwood City, California bar where it was left by the Apple engineer"
Uh, aren't we burying the lede here? Now *that's* a major development.
Powell and Apple reported a theft. Yeah, that's often how investigations start. News? Not so much.
(edit) "The police have identified and spoken to the person who took the iPhone from the Redwood City, California bar where it was left by the Apple engineer"
Uh, aren't we burying the lede here? Now *that's* a major development.
24 months ago
Isn't his name Jason? http://gizmodo.com/5524843/police-seize-jason-chens-computers
24 months ago
I find it very interesting that Apple (among other companies) is on the Steering Committee of the task force the house.
24 months ago
. . . Though the book at Jason Chen is what I say.
Would that be a book on spelling?
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