Apple remotely locked iPhones seized by protesters in Lille on October 20‑21, 2026, displaying a message that the devices were disabled and tracked.
The incident followed a wave of violence that began as a peaceful protest over rising living costs, escalating into looting of government buildings, supermarkets, and luxury boutiques across Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Lille.
Apple’s built‑in security feature activated within minutes, showing, “Please return the device to Apple Lille. This device has been disabled and is being tracked. Local authorities will be alerted.” The phones immediately began broadcasting their real‑time locations to law enforcement.
French newspaper Le Parisien added that looters also stole high‑end items from Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Dior, while Maritima reported a Hermès boutique ransacked in Marseille.
An X user lamented, “Protesters raided an Apple Store in Lille, France yesterday, dumbest move ever.” The user added that the thieves would be tracked. Police have begun following the signals.
A police briefing is scheduled for October 25 to identify and arrest the culprits.