FREMONT, Calif. - Gizmodo's editor, who posted pictures and details of a lost iPhone prototype, has given up his computer, digital camera and cell phone to law enforcement.
A special computer-crime task force made up of different law enforcement agencies searched Gizmodo editor Jason Chen's house and car, according to a statement and search warrant documents provided by Gizmodo.
The warrant says the computer and other devices may have been used to commit a felony.
Apple did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Chen said last week that the site paid $5,000 for the iPhone believed to be the new device Apple will release in a few months, and that Apple Monday asked for the phone back and received it.
Last Tuesday, he told MSNBC and several other news organizations that the phone "was not stolen," but was found by a person in a bar in Redwood City, Calif., about 20 miles from Apple's Cupertino headquarters. An Apple software engineer reportedly left the phone in the bar.
According to Gizmodo's site, "Last Friday night, California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team entered editor Jason Chen's home without him present, seizing four computers and two servers. They did so using a warrant by Judge of Superior Court of San Mateo."
Gaby Darbyshire, chief operating officer of Gawker Media, which owns Gizmodo, said on the site and in a statement to police that the search warrant for Chen's equipment was "invalid," and is contesting it.
A special computer-crime task force made up of different law enforcement agencies searched Gizmodo editor Jason Chen's house and car, according to a statement and search warrant documents provided by Gizmodo.
The warrant says the computer and other devices may have been used to commit a felony.
Apple did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Chen said last week that the site paid $5,000 for the iPhone believed to be the new device Apple will release in a few months, and that Apple Monday asked for the phone back and received it.
Last Tuesday, he told MSNBC and several other news organizations that the phone "was not stolen," but was found by a person in a bar in Redwood City, Calif., about 20 miles from Apple's Cupertino headquarters. An Apple software engineer reportedly left the phone in the bar.
According to Gizmodo's site, "Last Friday night, California's Rapid Enforcement Allied Computer Team entered editor Jason Chen's home without him present, seizing four computers and two servers. They did so using a warrant by Judge of Superior Court of San Mateo."
Gaby Darbyshire, chief operating officer of Gawker Media, which owns Gizmodo, said on the site and in a statement to police that the search warrant for Chen's equipment was "invalid," and is contesting it.
*you scratch my back, I scratch yours.*
