The denials of Apple and Amazon-AWS are implausible
Amazon, and maybe Apple too, own tens of thousands of computers. What is missing in the denials of both companies are reassuring signals these are not just canned and unverifiable statements:
1. How many computers of the type in question do they do they own
2. How did they test and verify their machines were not infected with these stowaway chips
3. If any, how large were the samples they took to check for unspecified modifications
4. Which measures do they have in place to prevent such things from happening
5. Which checks and quality control procedures are in place for selecting suppliers and their products
Non of the above issues were addressed in any serious manner by those companies.
Given the time frame, to me it seems improbable any serious checking was performed at all, and they could not wait to release their "Don't worry, be happy" statements. But well, that seems the norm nowadays, everybody is worried about something, and companies who are involved just show their middle finger to the public instead of giving serious information and being helpful to society, and as long companies like Apple and Amazon are allowed to behave like bullies, they will continue doing it.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
