{
  "id": 16494418,
  "title": "Apple Stores Reportedly Rolling Out New Anti-Theft System for iPhones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/apple-stores-reportedly-rolling-out-new-anti-theft-system-for-iphones",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-25T15:18:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "MacRumors",
    "slug": "macrumors",
    "url": "https://www.macrumors.com/2026/10/25/apple-stores-anti-theft-iphone-box-checker/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Retail employees at Apple Stores are now equipped with a device to scan iPhones and perform diagnostics, as the company grapples with an increasing issue of theft and damage during the return process. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the new system aims to reduce inventory waste and ensure that only fully intact phones are placed back on the shelves. The device allows employees to verify the contents of the box without opening it, thus preserving the sealed box for resale. Apple began implementing this solution to retail locations earlier in the month, according to Gurman's Power On newsletter.",
  "summary": "Bloomberg 's Mark Gurman today reported that Apple is facing a growing problem where some people will buy iPhones or other products and either remove accessories from the box, open up the device and remove components, and/or remove the entire device, and then attempt to return the box hoping that the employee will not notice. When a customer seeks to return an iPhone, he said that Apple's retail…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}