[shuntress]

Nothing exists in a vacuum.

Tracking stolen phones and busting chop shops is probably something that should be handled by law enforcement.

[newtritious]

Until it is, Apple are serving their customers by protecting them from this problem.

[shuntress]

I am much more likely to need a phone serviced than have a phone stolen.

Apple should protect me from a repair monopoly overcharging just enough such that a new device (also sold by said monopoly) looks more appealing than a repair.

[newtritious]

They are also protecting you against repair shops using substandard parts, and compromising device security.

The claim about them doing this to make you buy a new device is made up.