Iphone Theft

this is what they are doing

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201365

iCloud: Activation Lock

https://www.icloud.com/activationlock/

if you wish for them to do more use the feedback channel to advice them these are user helping user forum

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

You are posting your complaints in the wrong forum. We are users like you, trying to help other users with hardware problems. We are not here to discuss design issues. If you want to complain, either contact Apple or go to a chat room.

As we are just other Apple product users, we have no idea what Apple might be doing to make an uglier, less effective product that would be immune to theft.

Complainer wrote:

Thanks for the links. But these are all things Apple has done, mostly long ago. All of them great things and count among the reasons I think Apple is capable of solving the huge problem that still exists.

Since Apple implemented Activation Lock (not really that long ago - just under 2 years ago), thefts of iPhones have dropped by more than 30% in some large cities.

It is absurd to think Apple is capable of stopping all iPhone thefts. It's not a problem with a purely technological solution.

Expensive electronic devices (smart phones, tablets, laptops) that store all sorts of personal information will always be a target for thieves. No technological innovation will ever wholly change that. The fact that some people refuse to set up activation lock, or use their devices without pass codes, etc, etc mean there will always be some incentive to theives.

Bank robbers nearly always get caught these days, but it has not completely stopped some from still trying. We certainly don't need a law to stop cell phone theft as it has always been illegal to steal what is not yours. You cannot make it more illegal than it already is.

Michael Black wrote:

Bank robbers nearly always get caught these days, but it has not completely stopped some from still trying.

The ability of humans to be so frequently and collasally stupid makes me wonder how have survived as a species for this long. 🙂

Meg, keep in mind the nature of the majority of those filling up our prisons. My father was a parole officer for many years, and later a deputy prison warden. While there are the exceptional brilliant crooks, the vast majority ended up in prison because they just really are not that bright, were just plain too lazy to work honestly, or both 😉

Michael Black wrote:

While there are the exceptional brilliant crooks, the vast majority ended up in prison because they just really are not that bright, were just plain too lazy to work honestly, or both 😉

Interestingly, a friend of mine who's a defense attorney said much the same thing.

You mean like these stolen cars?

http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/top-10-most-stolen-vehicles-in-the-us/11/

The Feds did mandate that more parts be marked with serial numbers which lowered the theft of cars just to steal their front end but there are still lots of stolen cars and lots of rings use kids to steal them.

Apple developed Activation Lock on their own without any kind of federal intervention and some states are now copying them and mandating that other phone makers come up with kill switches.

Other than making the phone electrocute someone who tried to take it if it was locked (oh wait, we'll also fell the owner) or a handy attachable chain I don't know what Apple could do. Comparing small electronic theft to stealing cars is like comparing purse theft to auto theft. What are we doing about manufacturers of purses stopping their theft?

Quite honestly I think the responsibility is now on owners, not Apple. You want to really stop smart phone theft?

1. Use a strong passcode, not a four digit one and have your passcode lock immediately when the screen dims. (many smart phone users do not use a passocde at all as it is "too inconvenient")

2. use iCloud and set up find my iPhone

3. Use a strong password for your AppleID/iCloud account. And set up two step verification (same thing for gmail and any other account that offers two step verification). DO NOT let others use your accounts. DO NOT write passwords down, invest in a secure password app if necessary to keep them. And DO NOT use the same password for everything.

4. Don't wander around in public with headphones on, or focused on your texting screen or playing a game as you walk. Maintain a measure of situational awareness when you are in public places. People have a tendency to mark themselves as easy meat for thieves, muggers and pickpockets.

Many of the tools to reduce theft are already there. The fact is, many people simply don't use them as they place a greater emphasis on personal convenience and not personal security and responsibility. As has always been the case and always will, there is no way to increase security without sacrificing some measure of convenience. Make your choices with your device, and live with the consequences.

Activation Lock makes stealing devices less profitable and virtually impossible for another user to unlock it and use it as their own / sell it.

Find My iPhone Activation Lock - Apple Support

most things you would want apple to do, would be against the law a company which track the devices it sell to customers or add killswiches or the likes break the law in most of the world