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posted by martyb on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:31AM   Printer-friendly
from the right-to-repair? dept.

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


Original Submission

Related Stories

Apple's T2 Security Chip Prevents Linux From Installing on New Macs 54 comments

Apple's MacBook Pro laptops have become increasingly unfriendly with Linux in recent years [...] But now with the latest Mac Mini systems employing Apple's T2 security chip, they too are likely to crush any Linux dreams.

At least until further notice, these new Apple systems sporting the T2 chip will not be able to boot Linux operating systems.

[...] By default, Microsoft Windows isn't even bootable on the new Apple systems until enabling support for Windows via the Boot Camp Assistant macOS software.

From Phoronix.


Original Submission

Right to Repair Legislation Is Officially Being Considered In Canada 22 comments

A legislator in Canada has proposed a bill to ensure that individuals and indpendent shops can repair brand-name devices. If on the off chance that the bill becomes law, major hardware vendors will have to change how they sell their products.

[...] On Thursday, Coteau introduced a private member's bill in provincial parliament that, if passed, would be the first "right to repair" law for electronic devices in North America. More than a dozen US states are currently considering similar bills, but nothing is on the books yet in the US or in Canada.

The legislation proposes that tech companies make diagnostic tools, repair manuals, and official parts available to consumers at their request. The legislation would also require that any new products ship with a repair manual. Documents provided to consumers must be free unless they request paper copies, and parts, tools, and software must be provided at a fair price.

Earlier on SN:
Apple's T2 Security Chip Can Prevent Unauthorized Third-Party Repair of Devices
Yes, Americans, You Can Break Anti-Piracy DRM If You Want to Repair Some of Your Kit – US Govt
45 Out of 50 Electronics Companies Illegally Void Warranties After Independent Repair, Sting Reveals
The Right to Repair Battle Has Come to California


Original Submission

Reeducating Legislators on the Right to Repair 11 comments

Last year dozens of 'Right to Repair' bills were introduced throughout the US, but defeated. Maybe this time its time has come.

Right to Repair bills, designed to foster competition in the repair industry, require manufacturers to allow repair, and even provide manuals, diagnosic software, and parts. Manufacturers oppose these laws as it can cost them more to address devices repaired by third parties, because repairs are a source of revenue, and because repaired items are less likely to be replaced with new ones.

[O]ne of the most effective anti-repair tactics is to spread FUD about the supposed security risks of independent repairs.

Without a concerted and coordinated effort to counteract this tactic, legislators receive primarily well-heeled opposing views, and vote accordingly.

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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:41AM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:41AM (#761620)

    Apple suxxors.

  • (Score: 2) by jasassin on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:41AM (2 children)

    by jasassin (3566) <jasassin@gmail.com> on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:41AM (#761621) Homepage Journal

    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)

      by J_Darnley (5679) on Wednesday November 14 2018, @10:56AM (#761691)

      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

        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:20PM (#761707)

        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.

  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by shortscreen on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:45AM (3 children)

    by shortscreen (2252) on Wednesday November 14 2018, @05:45AM (#761622) Journal

    Surely, when the owner of the device took it to a shop, the owner (who has authority over their device) authorized the repairs?

    • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @06:50AM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @06:50AM (#761633)

      You are severely misconstruing the concept of ownership which, after all, is only the limited right to use an object in exactly the ways that the original manufacturer expects, while at the same time supplying him - at no cost - with the most minute data about said usage.

      *sigh* Do you remember the times when being a cynic was still discernible from telling the truth?

      • (Score: 2) by MostCynical on Wednesday November 14 2018, @07:45AM

        by MostCynical (2589) on Wednesday November 14 2018, @07:45AM (#761645) Journal

        Do you remember the times when being a cynic was still discernible from telling the truth?

        No.

        --
        "I guess once you start doubting, there's no end to it." -Batou, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex
    • (Score: 1, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:09PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:09PM (#761703)

      Wrong.
      Unauthorised by Apple

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @08:22AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @08:22AM (#761655)

    Just remember that the purpose of security is to prevent you from doing things not to prevent others from doing things to you.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @04:26PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @04:26PM (#761773)

      War is peace.
      Freedom is slavery.
      Vendor lock-in is security.

  • (Score: 3, Interesting) by Rich on Wednesday November 14 2018, @11:21AM

    by Rich (945) on Wednesday November 14 2018, @11:21AM (#761695) Journal

    So simple copying won't do, and I assume all authorization actions have to go through Apple as well. It used to be (for the 2006 models) that there was a (grey-ly obtainable) software that would write serial numbers to configuration flash if the board had none written yet (or had been reset through SPI flashing).

    For the 2012 models (Retina onwards), the software needed to be online. My 2012 Retina MBP's soldered-on RAM died (with the not-so-helpful diagnostic information to change the offending module) and I took it to a component-level repair (or so these 'smart'asses claimed) place. They messed up the job so badly that Apple refused to exchange the board, but only offered a new one (that was above the cost for a complete used computer of the same spec). The service center guy himself was very nice however and said he'd flash my serial number if I bring in a clean board. I eventually found a board at the other end of the world, but couldn't be bothered to reflash the serial. It mismatches the one on the case now, but I don't care, because the case one probably would be non-legit anyway, with the replacement board having a slightly faster CPU.

    After that experience I haven't bought any other machine from Apple - and from the article we learn that the experience is going to be even worse now.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @11:49AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @11:49AM (#761697)

    Simple as that. Fashion is silly and expensive and that's the way it should be.

    I don't have anything from them and never will.

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:36PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:36PM (#761709)

      Apple pimping, owning your corner and giving you security for a steeple price.

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:05PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:05PM (#761702)
    Sounds like Judgment Day [imdb.com].
    • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:38PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:38PM (#761710)

      Termination of EULA contract.

    • (Score: 3, Interesting) by realDonaldTrump on Wednesday November 14 2018, @03:42PM

      by realDonaldTrump (6614) on Wednesday November 14 2018, @03:42PM (#761756) Homepage Journal

      It could have been one of the GREATS, a stellar movie. If it didn't have @Schwarzenegger [twitter.com]!!!!

  • (Score: 2) by inertnet on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:38PM

    by inertnet (4071) on Wednesday November 14 2018, @12:38PM (#761711) Journal

    One fruit to rule them all.

  • (Score: 2, Interesting) by realDonaldTrump on Wednesday November 14 2018, @03:54PM

    by realDonaldTrump (6614) on Wednesday November 14 2018, @03:54PM (#761762) Homepage Journal

    We're bringing it back. Our amazing Inventors are busier than ever -- because of me. And Apple's a TRILLION DOLLAR COMPANY -- also because of me. Because of my beautiful signature on the Tax Cut. And let's not forget our great @HouseGOP [twitter.com] & @SenateGOP [twitter.com]. The guys that worked with Donors for many years on the Tax Cut. We put so much money back in the pockets of our biggest & best companies. And our smartest people -- our richest people. Tremendous amount of money going back to our beautiful Clean Coal Miners. And the folks that make the Smart Chip cyber that keeps our iPhones VERY SAFE!!!!

  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @04:37PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday November 14 2018, @04:37PM (#761781)

    ... crapple!

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