In a shocking move that will undoubtedly inconvenience thousands of legitimate students and exactly zero people who were gaming the system, Apple now requires US customers purchasing products at discounted education rates to prove they're actually students. The company has enlisted Unidays, a third-party verification service already used in the UK and other countries, to ensure that the person clicking 'buy' on that discounted MacBook is indeed a student, parent, or teacher.
According to Apple Insider, the Unidays rollout is now also hitting Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Turkey, and Chile, meaning freeloaders worldwide will have to find another way to save 10 percent. Eligible customers can verify their academic status through the Unidays app or website using an email address, photo ID, or other valid educational documents. This joins the existing requirement for in-store purchases, though Apple notes you can complete verification ahead of time to speed things up at the Genius Bar.
The change is aimed at curbing abuse of education pricing, which previously allowed any US resident with a browser to claim student status without so much as a raised eyebrow. This marks Apple's second attempt at Unidays verification in the US, having briefly introduced it four years ago before quietly dropping the requirement. History suggests this policy might have the lifespan of a freshman's New Year's resolution.
In other education program news, Apple Watch models are now eligible for the discount for the first time, saving students up to 10 percent on the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch SE, and Apple Watch Ultra 3. Because nothing says 'I'm studying for finals' like a $799 smartwatch.