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‘Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act’ is Latest Encryption Attack

Andrew Orr ·

Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) introduced the Lawful Access to Encrypted Data Act yesterday. It seeks to bring back the Crypto Wars of the 1990s by crippling encryption with the introduction of backdoors.

Yet increasingly, technology providers are deliberately designing their products and services so that only the user, and not law enforcement, has access to content – even when criminal activity is clearly taking place.  This type of “warrant-proof” encryption adds little to the security of the communications of the ordinary user, but it is a serious benefit for those who use the internet for illicit purposes.

”Adds little to the security of the communications of the ordinary user.” That’s the level of contempt these people have for the rest of us.

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Apple Silicon Goes Beyond ARM

Charlotte Henry ·

Undoubtedly one of the biggest announcements from WWDC 2020 was the forthcoming rollout of Apple Silicon. As AppleInsider explained, the move is about more than ARM-chips.

Many custom software optimizations already developed for iOS — such as Metal graphics — can be brought over to the Mac directly now that both share the same access to Apple’s own sophisticated silicon. Currently, Apple has had to develop two versions of Metal, one for iOS and another for the GPUs used on Macs. So Apple isn’t just arbitrarily moving from “x86 to ARM,” but rather using its custom silicon work to enhance the performance, features, and deep integration on its Macs. Moving “to ARM” is sort of a side effect of Apple’s wanting to use its own custom silicon. Up to this point, Apple has been limited to adding a helper chip like the T2 to its Intel Macs to handle custom features like Touch ID and Touch Bar.

Podcast

Science Communicator Dr. Kiki Sanford (#9) - TMO Background Mode Interview

John Martellaro · · Add Comment

Dr. Kiki Sanford makes her ninth appearance on Background Mode. Kiki is a neurophysiologist with a B.S. in conservation biology and a Ph.D. avian neurophysiology from the University of California. She’s a popular science communicator and creator/co-host of This Week in Science (TWIS) podcast and radio show.

In this episode, we spend the first segment clearing up some confusion about COVID-19. Mask theory of use, the value of lockdowns, how the U.S. is doing compared to Europe, how blood type affects the body’s response, presymptomatic vs. asymptomatic, and what we know about how the virus survives on surfaces. In part II, we discussed how computer neural networks trained to learn like developing human brains also need something akin to sleep. Also, how dogs have a genetic desire to save their owner from trouble. And more. As always, Kiki is delightful as she makes science both fun and interesting.

TMO Deals

Nordic Hygge AirChill Personal Evaporative Cooler: $69.99

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on the Nordic Hygge AirChill, a personal evaporative cooler. It’s designed to cool and humidify the air, and is best for hot dry summers at home or in the office. It’s powered by a high-speed, 9-blade fan for steady wind and rapid cooling, and it doesn’t need an app to control it. This device is $69.99 through our deal.

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EyeQue’s Update Lets You Try On Glasses at Home

Andrew Orr ·

EyeQue’s new Try-On Glasses service means you can try on several pairs of glasses based on your vision results to find a pair you like best, all while staying safely at home.

EyeQue Try-On Glasses are a low-risk way for consumers to experience their vision through lenses made using their EyeGlass Numbers® (EGNs) – the lens power required to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. EGNs are obtained by taking EyeQue’s self-administered refractive error tests using either the VisionCheck or Personal Vision Tracker, and are in the same format as a traditional prescription.

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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.

Cool Stuff Found

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.

Cool Stuff Found

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.

Cool Stuff Found

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.