Apple upgrade shuts down iPhones repaired by 3rd-party technicians

Consumer advocates and small businessesare crying foul over an Applesoftware upgrade that's shutting down someiPhonesafter people get them fixedat third-party repair shops.

It's called "Error 53" and it's happening to iPhone 6 and 6s users who bring their devices to non-Apple technicians for repairs.

"It's a widespread issue," Trent Forrest, owner of the Palmedicwireless repair shop in downtown Ottawa, told CBC News."I feel something should be done."

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Not all repairs trigger the problem. Getting your screen replaced at a mom-and-pop shop likely won't causeany trouble.But anything involving the device's home button could render your phone useless.

And it appears to bespecifically tied to the most recentiPhonesoftware upgrade.In some cases,a person'sphone may functionproperly after a repair untilthe moment theyinstall iOS9.

Accordingto areport by the U.K.'sGuardian newspaper,Error 53 hasaffected thousands of people.

Apple says it's a security feature, meant to prevent fraudulent activity on phones that have fingerprint Touch ID.

"We take customer security very seriously and Error 53 is the result of security checks designed to protect our customers," Apple Canada said in an e-mailed statement to CBC news.

"iOS checks that the Touch ID sensor in your iPhone or iPad correctly matches your device's other components. IfiOS finds a mismatch, the check fails and Touch ID, including for Apple Pay use, is disabled. This security measure is necessary to protect your device and prevent a fraudulent Touch ID sensor from being used. If a customer encountersError 53, we encourage them to contact Apple Support."

Possible class-action

If it's a security feature, then it goes too far, says Canadian consumer advocate David Fewer.

If Apple is worried about fraudulent activity, itwould make more sense to temporarily disable pay features on the phone than shut it down altogether, he told CBC News.

"Why on Earth would you disable my ability to place a phone callwith a serviceIpay for on a device that Iown?"Fewer, director of theCanadian Internet Policy & Public Interest Clinic at the University if Ottawa, said."This isby far the most Draconian security measure that we've seen."

What's more, he said, it stiflescompetition, forcing customers to choose Apple over alocal repair shop, even if thelatter is closer and cheaper.

Forresttold CBC Newshis repair shop turns awaycostumerslooking for any fixesthat could trigger Error 53.

"This hasalreadyhad acompetitiveimpact that's going to boost Apple's profits," Fewersaid. "All of a sudden, it justgotthat much moreexpensiveto own an iPhone."

He called it "class-action material," and at least one U.S. law firm agrees.

Seattle-based PVCA agreesissued a callon its website for people affected by Error 53 to join a class-action lawsuit against Apple.

"Think of it this way:Let's sayyou bought a car, and had your alternator replaced by a local mechanic. Under Apple's strategy, your car would no longer start because you didn't bring it to an official dealership. They intentionally disable your car because you tried to fix it yourself," PVCA says.