As a follow-up to my September 1 posting, "Analysis: Does Apple Need a Brush-Up on Security Awareness," the second iPhone prototype that has been stolen from a bar suggests that investigators employed by the company may have broken the law. Reportedly, in its obsessive effort to recover the stolen prototype, the six investigators searched the home of suspect Sergio Calderon after identifying themselves as members of the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).
COMMENT: When the Apple investigators knocked on Calderon's door, they proceeded to search his home and computers for clues attributed to the theft of the iPhone 5 prototype. While there, they continued with the charade by asking Calderon if everyone in the home was an American citizen.
The really bad part in all of this is that the Apple investigators impersonated police officers, which is a crime. They also did not identify themselves as being from Apple. We respectfully hope that the conduct of these investigators was not sanctioned by senior corporate executives of the company. Regardless of whether this debacle stemmed from "rogue" investigators gone wrong or senior-level approval and/or direction, offenders should account for their actions.
The SFPD has stated that they have no record of a police search of Calderon's home. Understandably, the police department is investigating the matter.
