Apple Issues Official Statement Regarding iTunes Hacker Thuat Nguyen

It has been reported that app developer Thuat Nguyen’s iTunes activities were suspected of fraud and his account was suspended. Nguyen managed to snag 40 of the Top 50 ranking on the best-selling books on iTunes Store by using other people’s accounts to make illegal purchases of his own paid books. Apple has finally come out with an official statement regarding this breach of security. Below is the company’s statement:

Apple Confirms They Banned Thuat Nguyen for Hacking iTunes AppStore

Here is the Official Statement Released by Apple on the iTunes Hacking Issue:

The developer Thuat Nguyen and his apps were removed from the App Store for violating the developer Program License Agreement, including fraudulent purchase patterns.

Developers do not receive any iTunes confidential customer data when an app is downloaded.

If your credit card or iTunes password is stolen and used on iTunes we recommend that you contact your financial institution and inquire about canceling the card and issuing a chargeback for any unauthorized transactions. We also recommend that you change your iTunes account password immediately. For more information on best practices for password security visit http://www.apple.com/support/itunes.

Based on this announcement Apple is being vague on what really happened. But knowledgeable experts will immediately comprehend that Thuat Nguyen’s permanent ban means Apple really discovered fraud on his part. While the company is reiterating that no confidential information are shared when a buyer buys an app, why are they recommending their customers to check their credit cards attached to the iTunes Store? It’s pure BS in my humble opinion. Apple knows iTunes Store has been compromised by Nguyen (and perhaps by others too) and yet they are playing it safe. The company, in my view should impose more strict rules to protect their millions of consumers worldwide.

If Apple is really serious in re-establishing the credibility of iTunes Market, they should reveal more on what really happened with Thuat Nguyen. Why was he able to make massive buy orders of his own books using other people’s accounts? He was doing it since April and yet Apple failed to notice his scamming activities? I don’t know about you, people, but this timid action of Apple inspires outrage. I am quitting iTunes for the moment. I bet Apple’s security experts are busy working covertly to figure out how Nguyen hacked their system. They will find it soon and maybe patch it up. Apple is worried too much about this hacking incident becoming a public relations nightmare and so they are trying to keep a lid on it.

But believe me, better stop using iTunes Store for now and disengage your credit from it. Changing passwords won’t be enough, be safe and take care of all your financial information on Apple’s store until the situation has been fully remedied. Just a piece of advice.