SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
Apple's T2 chip will block some third-party repairs of new devices
Small repair shops and tech enthusiasts who attempt to fix their new Apple devices may be taking a serious risk in doing so. According to a report from The Verge, Apple confirmed that its new T2 security chip is designed to lock down devices after repair if it doesn't recognize certain authorized replacement parts.
Word of this new policy came out last month in an Apple document circulated among authorized service providers. In order to replace certain hardware components, such as the Touch ID sensor or the logic board on new Macs, the provider must run a specific piece of diagnostic software.
This program, called "AST 2 System Configuration," works in conjunction with the T2 security chip. If this step isn't performed on devices with the T2 chip, it could result in an inoperable machine.
[...] Apple only provides the special application to its own stores and authorized service providers. That means that unauthorized service providers, small repair shops, and individuals can't completely and properly replace certain parts of new Macs.
Also at Engadget, Notebookcheck, and MacRumors.
Previously: Apple's T2 Security Chip Prevents Linux From Installing on New Macs
(Score: 2) by jasassin on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:41AM (2 children)
What stops someone from (illegally) distributing this software? Anyone here work at an Apple store? I don't own anything Apple, but I'm very curious.
jasassin@gmail.com GPG Key ID: 0xE6462C68A9A3DB5A
(Score: 3, Informative) by J_Darnley on Wednesday November 14 2018, @10:56AM (1 child)
Each copy of the software is probably littered with unique identifiers to show where it came from. Releasing it will probably lead to your business being excommunicated by Apple. Alternatively it has always online DRM that requires authentication with a unique identifier to accomplish the same goal.
(Score: 5, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:20PM
Can confirm both methods exist within the software. Locked down and calling home to tattle on naughty techs.
Posting as anon for obvious reasons.
Yes, I do work for an AASP. I am increasingly wishing I didn't. Preferably with another position lined up before that becomes fact.
Their servicing web portal, Global Service eXchange, has procedurally generated watermarks to prevent documents leaking as well.
The geniuses administering GSX forgot that you can just "view source" though.
Also, atlas, their training system, lets you mark courses as complete if you find the right javascript function to execute in the development console.
They wrote cheating detection to prevent this as well, but left it half finished and never turned it on.
Apple is maintaining a pathetic facade, everything that's not customer facing looks like hacked together garbage from 2006, and what doesn't look like garbage still works like garbage.
They're fucking their customers raw and not a single regulator seems to either have a clue or will to sort it out.
However I should also state that their infrastructure is aging quite badly (the atlas training system, GSX, AST2 and their stupid device enrollment program) they're ripe targets for hackers...
And the launch for repairing the newer models of phone in authorised repair locations that just happened in the last month or so?
They didn't even have the right parts available to order on the day of the fucking launch!
So technically all the third party authorised repairers who said they were ready to Apple by the deadline, HAD to lie to Apple about being ready!
This was after Apple moved the launch a week closer with only a day's notice.
They're incompetent and don't give a fuck as long as the money keeps rolling in, which looks like to be also dropping off now too, inevitably, as both repairers and customers get increasingly tired of Apple's bullshit.