Video conference company Civicom has had a data leak, found by the Website Planet Security team. Over 100,000 files were included.
Andrew Orr
Since 2015 Andrew has been writing about Apple, privacy, security, and at one point even Android. You can find him most places online under the username @andrewornot.
Articles by Andrew Orr
Clear Netflix's 'Continue Watching' Row With New Feature
A new feature added to the platform makes it possible to clear Netflix’s Continue Watching Row, available on web, mobile, and TV.
Google One VPN for iPhone Now Available to Use
iPhone owners can now starting using the Google One VPN if they pay for 2TB or more for Google One storage.
Privacy and security are always core to everything we make. Our systems have advanced security built in to help ensure no one uses the VPN to tie your online activity to your identity. Our client libraries are also open sourced, and our end-to-end systems have been independently audited. Our VPN has the full certification from the Internet of Secure Things Alliance (ioXt) and passed all eight of ioXt’s security principles.
Update: According to MacRumors, the Google One app is no longer available through the App Store.
Here's How to Enable Scam Protection on Visible
In an email to customers, prepaid carrier Visible announced that it’s rolling out a Scam Protection feature to fight robocalls.
Here's How to Save 'Wordle' After its Purchase by New York Times
There’s a method to save Wordle now that the New York Times recently acquired it. The publisher says it will remain free during the transition. As The Verge points out, all you have to do is right-click on the page.
It doesn’t retain my previous progress, just like the web version doesn’t keep your streak intact when you move from playing Wordle in a desktop browser to playing Wordle on a phone — but you could theoretically start building a new one if you want, and I wouldn’t be surprised if someone figures out a way to import progress as well.
On Safari, save it as a web archive, because that preserves the Javascript. In Firefox you’ll see an option for saving it as Webpage (Complete) but that saves just the Javascript. Double-click on the web archive and Worldle will run in your browser.
Tripp Mickle's Book 'After Steve' Covers Apple's Rise to Trillions
Wall Street Journal correspondent Tripp Mickle has a book coming out called After Steve with an eye-catching subtitle, “How Apple Became a Trillion-Dollar Company and Lost Its Soul.” It goes on sale May 3, 2022 and is available to preorder today. From the website: “His research shows the company’s success came at a cost. Apple lost its innovative spirit and has not designed a new category of device in years. Ive’s departure in 2019 marked a culmination in Apple’s shift from a company of innovation to one of operational excellence, and the price is a company that has lost its soul.”
'ZAGG Protect' is a New Smartphone Insurance Plan
ZAGG Protect is a new smartphone insurance plan and it’s powered by Safeware. It lets people protect their devices for a US$99 annual payment.
Visible Deal Gives 2 Months Unlimited Data for $11
Visible is offering a deal that provides two months of unlimited data at US$11.00 for each month. The 2for22 deal starts tomorrow, February 2.
Get a Wooden Photo Print With New Offering From Mimeo Photos
Mimeo Photos has launched three new product categories: framed prints, framed canvases, and wooden photo prints using certified sustainable maple wood. Framed Prints: Available in black or white, images are encased in a wooden frame that’s hand cut and assembled. Choose with or without matte. Framed Canvas: Images are printed on a premium-grade canvas with ¼” gap between the canvas and the frame for a floating effect. Wood Prints: Photos are printed directly on to 1/2″ thick maple wood that’s sustainably sourced and eco-friendly.
'Agricultural Right to Repair Act' Could Expand Repair for Farmers
The Agricultural Right to Repair Act was recently introduced in the Senate, sponsored by Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.).
Facebook's Failed 'Diem' Stablecoin Now Officially Over
Facebook had dreams of launching its own cryptocurrency called Diem (formerly Libra) but the company has called it quits (link to original PR piece here, commentary from The Verge below).
The sale of Diem’s assets marks the end of an effort that, in retrospect, was doomed from the start. Facebook, which now goes by Meta, created the apps that would have been the main way people used the token. So even though Facebook formed the Libra Association to govern the token with other companies, people were immediately fearful that Libra would make the controversial tech giant even more powerful. Plus, members of the Libra Association started to drop out, just months after the group had been announced.
JOBY Launches Motion Control Devices for Smartphones
JOBY releases motion control devices that work with iPhone. JOBY Spin creates 360-degree shots, and JOBY Swing has a slider for linear shots.
Judge Rules Developer's Lawsuit Can Proceed Against Apple
A judge ruled that a lawsuit from Kosta Eleftheriou can proceed against Apple. Half of the claims can move forward and Mr. Eleftheriou can amend the other claims that were dismissed.
In his own lawsuit against Apple, Eleftheriou aims to document what he alleges were an unfair series of rejections for his Apple Watch keyboard app, FlickType, from the App Store. At the time, Apple told Eleftheriou his app offered a “poor user experience” and noted full keyboard apps were not allowed for Apple Watch. But, he says, it then allowed competitor keyboard apps as well as third-party apps (like Nano for Reddit, Chirp for Twitter, WatchChat for WhatsApp and Lens for Instagram) to launch on the App Store.
'MusicMatch' for Mac Now Here, Music Services Expand
MusicMatch for Mac has arrived, allowing users to easily open song URLs between services. When I wrote about it last year, it only supported Apple Music and Spotify. Now it supports Pandora, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Spotify. With the Safari Extension, you can open music links without ever opening the MusicMatch app.
Treasury Considers ID.Me Alternatives Over Privacy Concerns
The Treasury Department is looking into ID.me alternatives for accessing the IRS website over privacy concerns.
CEO Blake Hall this week said that the company also used one-to-many technology, which compares selfies taken by users as part of the verification process against a larger database. The company said it maintained an internal database of selfies taken by users and compared new selfies against it using Amazon’s controversial Rekognition technology. As of January 25, 20.9 million users’ selfies had been verified against that database, the company said.
Apple Watch Fall Detection Saves Georgia Man's Life
The Apple Watch Fall Detection feature has been recently credited with saving a man’s life in Morrow, Georgia.
Jamf Software on Over 36 Million Student Devices Globally
Jamf believes its software is now on over 36 million student devices around the world across more than 32,000 schools.
Pinterest AR Shopping 'Try On' Feature Expands to Home Decor
Try On for Home Decor is an expansion of Pinterest AR Shopping which was previously only available for lipstick and eyeshadow.
Proton Rolls Out Redesigned 'ProtonMail Bridge' to Paid Customers
ProtonMail Bridge is being updated with a completely redesigned user interface for ease of use. It gradually rolls out to paid users starting today.
This new version of ProtonMail Bridge is packed with fixes and improvements, but the main change is the new local cache, which now includes full message bodies. This means ProtonMail Bridge stores messages encrypted on your device, so they can be retrieved much faster than when stored remotely on our servers. You can control your cache using the Advanced settings.
NFT Company 'Unblocked' Valuation Rises After $10 Million Seed Round
Unblocked rises to a US$90 million valuation following a US$10 million seed round led by Tiger Global and Penske Media Corp.
Telecom Lobby in California Loses Case Against Net Neutrality
Telecom lobbyists in California have lost a case to attack net neutrality law SB 822, considered the strongest such law in the U.S.
The California net neutrality law is now clearly enforceable, and bars telecom companies from blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, abusing their gatekeeper power in interconnection, or engaging in “zero rating” scams. The court’s decision also clearly paves the way for other states to impose their own net neutrality protections.
Microsoft Stopped an Insane 3.47 Tbps DDoS Attack
Microsoft’s Azure cloud division shared that it stopped a 3.47 Tbps DDoS attack, and two other attacks that were over 2.5 Tbps.
'Deliveries' App Update Supports Shortcuts on macOS Monterey
The Deliveries app update now supports macOS Monterey and iOS 15. The version notes for Monterey include Shortcuts support. The update includes a lot of improvements and bug fixes, so here is just part of the notes: Shortcuts are now supported on macOS Monterey. Note: due to limitations in macOS, shortcuts only have a written or spoken description, rather than showing the relevant deliveries like on iOS. The “scan a package” shortcut will open the “Add a Delivery” window since scanning barcodes is not supported in Deliveries for Mac. Notifications that a package has been delivered are now marked as Time Sensitive on macOS Monterey. Sharing a single delivery via Messages now just sends a link. Sharing via AirDrop now sends a link instead of a file, so it’s easier to share with someone that doesn’t have the app.
FCC Now Requires Broadband Nutrition Labels for Consumers
The FCC will force ISPs to disclose broadband “nutrition labels” to give information on prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband speeds, and management practices.
The law directs the Commission “to promulgate regulations to require the display of broadband consumer labels, as described in the Public Notice of the Commission issued on April 4, 2016 (DA 16–357), to disclose to consumers information regarding broadband Internet access service plans.” Id. See also Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Wireline Competition, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus Approve Open Internet Broadband Consumer Labels, GN Docket No. 14-28, Public Notice, 31 FCC Rcd 3358 (CGB/WCB/WTB 2016) (2016 Public Notice).