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NSO Group Tools Used to Hack Journalist Omar Radi’s iPhone

Andrew Orr ·

An investigation from Amnesty International reveals that NSO Group tools were used to target human rights journalist Omar Radi via his iPhone.

Through our investigation we were able to confirm that his phone was targeted and put under surveillance during the same period he was prosecuted. This illustrates how human rights defenders (HRDs) may often have to deal with the twin challenges of digital surveillance alongside other tactics of criminalisation at the hands of Moroccan authorities leading to a shrinking space for dissent.

The same NSO Group that hopes to woo American law enforcement with its dazzlingly array of hacking tools.

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Relive The Best Bits of WWDC 2020 Day One

Charlotte Henry ·

With the keynote and the Platforms State of the Union, there was a lot to take in on day one of WWDDC 2020. Apple has helpfully released a video of the highlights from the first day of the conference, wrapping up some of the most important announcements (including reiterating that macOS Big Sur is macOS 11). It is introduced, of course, by a Memoji.

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Craig Federighi Reveals iOS 14 Clipboard Will Be Locked Down

Andrew Orr ·

Michael Grothaus interviewed Craig Federighi where he talks about iOS 14 privacy features. One feature is restricted access to the system clipboard/pasteboard. Apps will no longer have full access, which was a problem in the past.

Though there isn’t a lot of evidence apps have done this on a wide scale, apps will now require your approval to access the pasteboard for the first time. If a messaging app requests approval, it’s probably legit–but look out if, say, a free gaming app wants to get at your pasteboard.

As regular readers can guess, I’m excited for the new privacy features in iOS 14 and macOS Big Sur.

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Apple Shows-Off Trailer for Apple TV+ Series 'Foundation' at WWDC 2020

Charlotte Henry ·

Amongst the operating system upgrades, Apple unveiled a trailer for a new Apple TV+ show, Foundation, at WWDC 2020. The series is based on the award-winning novels by Isaac Asimov and tells the story of a band of exiles on their monumental trying to save humanity and rebuild civilization as the Galactic falls. It stars Jared Harris, Lee Pace, Lou Llobell, Leah Harvey, Laura Birn, Terrence Mann,  and Cassian Bilton. The show will arrive on the streaming service in 2021.

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Watch the WWDC 2020 Keynote

Charlotte Henry ·

Led by Tim Cook and his executive team, Apple delivered a packed keynote at the all online WWDC 2020 on Monday. It was both a highly impressive production and full of big announcements covering iOS, watchOS, macOS, and more. There was a lot to take in, but the whole thing is available to watch back on YouTube.

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Apple Approves ‘Hey’ Email App, Developer Adds Free Burner Accounts

Andrew Orr ·

Apple has approved a new version of the Hey email app once the developers added a free option for users. You can now create a free, temporary email account that expires after 14 days, making it a new privacy service for burner emails.

…the company will now offer iOS users a free temporary Hey email account with a randomized address, just so the app is functional when it is first opened. These burner accounts will expire after 14 days. Hey is also now able to work with enterprise customers, as Apple initially took issue with the app’s consumer focus.

I like the burner option. Find it in the App Store here.