Report: Apple Thwarting Developers That Sell iOS 5 Beta Install Slots

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Apple may have started shutting down the developer accounts of those who sell their device slots to non-developers. Specifically, developers who have sold access to their developer account for unauthorized users to run iOS 5 beta software.

Email warnings are allegedly being sent to developers from Apple, and those that are selling device slots for profit are reportedly having their Apple developer account privileges revoked.

According to Karthik.K, Apple has discovered developer accounts that are guilty of illicit activity. AppleInsider reports,

“In addition, Apple is said to have begun closing developer accounts for some who have been identified as selling their device slots. Apple has also reportedly flagged UDIDs associated with a developer account found in violation, making the device running iOS 5 “unusable.”

“Once Apple locks your iOS device, the phone will enter the initial setup mode asking you to connect to a WiFi network,” the report said. “And nothing happens more than that.”

Apple’s developer terms clearly state that it is illegal to share or sell device slots for beta software, and each developer is granted 100 device slots to register UDIDs for unique devices.

iOS 5 is not open to the public, and Apple’s developer beta firmware is meant for closed testing only. Non-developers running beta software from Apple are violating the iOS Developer Program rules.

The selling of Apple developer slots has become a commercial business, with there being plenty of websites dedicated to offering cheap access to software like iOS 5 betas.

There’s plenty of reason to hold off judgment on these reports, though. Karthikk is an unproven source, and additionally, the beta period to iOS 5 beta 1 and beta 2 have just expired, making it possible that users running older versions of iOS 5 beta are misconstruing the reasons why their devices have stopped working.

Either way, it seems like a chancier time than ever to pay someone for entry into the iOS 5 Beta program. If you want to join, you can get an Apple developer account for $99/year, but if you’re eager to get your hands on iOS 5, we recommend just waiting for the Fall.

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