Denver to Pay Millions After Botched Police Raid Based on Faulty Apple 'Find My' Data

The city of Denver, Colorado, has been ordered to pay $3.76 million in compensation and damages after a mistaken police raid on an elderly woman's home. The incident, which occurred in 2022, involved officers searching for a stolen truck using Apple's Find My application.

According to CNN, the Denver Police Department was attempting to locate a stolen truck containing guns, ammunition, and cash. They utilized Apple's Find My technology on an iPhone to track the vehicle's supposed location. However, the police mistakenly targeted the home of 78-year-old Ruby Johnson, causing significant damage and distress.

The Aftermath of the Misguided Raid

As a result of the wrongful raid, Ruby Johnson filed a lawsuit against the city and the involved officers. The $3.76 million award serves as compensation for the damages and trauma she endured. Furthermore, the officers involved—Detective Gary Staab and Sgt. Gregory Buschy—were also sued individually. Despite the Denver Police Department initially clearing the officers of any wrongdoing, the jury ultimately disagreed.

Apple's Find My App Under Scrutiny

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), representing Johnson, argued that the raid was based on a misinterpretation of the "alleged location ping from an iPhone's Find My app." The lawsuit emphasized that the officers lacked proper training and understanding of the technology.

According to the complaint, the police relied on a "Find My" ping from an iPhone 11 believed to be inside the stolen truck. However, the identified area spanned multiple properties across four city blocks, making it impossible to pinpoint the truck's precise location.

Calls for Policy Changes and Accountability

Tim Macdonald, Johnson's attorney, expressed concern over the lack of training and policy changes within the Denver Police Department. He stated, "We are disturbed by the lack of training or policy changes and hope that the amount of the punitive damages award will send a strong message that the police department must take seriously the constitutional rights of its residents."

The ACLU and the jury concluded that the officers had no justifiable reason to single out Johnson's residence. Each officer is now liable for nearly $1.25 million in punitive and compensatory damages. As of now, the city has not filed an appeal against the verdict, according to a Denver District Court clerk.