Fremont, CA – Authorities seized computers, digital cameras, a cell phone and other items from a technology blog editor who posted pictures and details of a lost iPhone prototype.
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A computer-crime task force made up of multiple law enforcement agencies searched Gizmodo editor and blogger Jason Chen’s house and car in Fremont, Calif., on Friday, according to a statement and search warrant documents provided by Gizmodo.
The warrant, issued by a Superior Court judge in San Mateo County, said the computers and other devices may have been used to commit a felony. Steve Wagstaffe, spokesman for the San Mateo County District Attorney’s office, confirmed the warrant’s authenticity.
Members of the Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team took several computers, hard drives, digital cameras, cell phones and other gadgets, plus Chen’s American Express bill and copies of his checks.
Last week Gizmodo had one of the Web’s hottest scoops when it posted photos of an Apple device that appeared to be a next-generation iPhone. It had been found in a bar in Redwood City, which is in San Mateo County, and sold for $5,000 by an unknown person to Gizmodo, a gadget blog owned by Gawker Media Inc.
After Chen, 29, posted photos and details about the phone, Apple acknowledged the device belonged to the company, and Gizmodo returned it.
Gawker Media said California law, which protects journalists from having to turn over anonymous sources or unpublished material to law enforcement during a search, should apply to Chen’s property.
“Are bloggers journalists? I guess we’ll find out,” Nick Denton, who runs Gawker Media, wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press.
Wagstaffe said the district attorney’s office is examining that issue.
Apple spokesman Steve Dowling declined to comment.
I don’t get what he did wrong. Maybe someone with legal knowledge can clarify.
Sounds like Apple has connections to some in the US attorneys office…..
I think he might be able to sue for illiegal search.
Amazing!
He tried to return the item and they claimed it was not theirs. I suspect he will make big money over this and Apple made a real mistake.
Apple needs to chill out here! The damage was done when the product was lost due to their own fault, not when the pictures were posted.
Im shocked!!!
Look what power companies have on our goverment. Imagine you lose your cellphone & you place “hashoves Aveidah” notes along with a photo to locate the owner and get arrested….
What’s all this apple business in my newsbox every day? What is this apple apple apple! Steve Jobs Steve shmobs! Some stupid electronic company! Why is everyone so busy with them
Amazing how Goverment is taking over. This is a journalist, how can they? I guess this is the beginning of the end for free speech in media.
i will buy the Iphone if it comes out with a blackberry-style keyboard. Id pay a huge premium even.
Without the keyboard, it is worthless to me.
Steve Jobs is a whiney be-ach. He uses these sites to leak his products and create buzz, then he tries to strong arm them with his attorneys. The place that the feds need to raid is Apple. They are a monopoly and are in violation of the Sherman Anti Trust Act in so many ways. Why does our government turn a deaf ear to this? Oh yeah – steve is powerful enough to circumvent the donor process and buy his own organs.. @ssholes!!
thats why my rebbe used to say Loi signoiv = men tur nissht trefen.