Enter our new international giveaway for a chance to win the brand new iPhone 16 Pro.
Clearview AI Faces Class Action Lawsuit Similar to Facebook
Two weeks ago Facebook settled a lawsuit alleging that it violated Illinois privacy laws. Now, Clearview AI is also facing a class action lawsuit in the state.
The lawsuit, filed yesterday on behalf of several Illinois citizens and first reported by Buzzfeed News, alleges that Clearview “actively collected, stored and used Plaintiffs’ biometrics — and the biometrics of most of the residents of Illinois — without providing notice, obtaining informed written consent or publishing data retention policies.”
Not only that, but this biometric data has been licensed to many law enforcement agencies, including within Illinois itself.
All this is allegedly in violation of the Biometric Information Privacy Act, a 2008 law that has proven to be remarkably long-sighted and resistant to attempts by industry (including, apparently, by Facebook while it fought its own court battle) to water it down.
‘Robo Revenge’ Will Block and Automatically Sue Robocallers
The newest service from DoNotPay is Robo Revenge. It will block robocallers and automatically sue them for you.
Robo Revenge combines both features to automatically add you to the Do Not Call Registry, generate a virtual DoNotPay burner credit card to provide scammers when they illegally call you anyways, use the transaction information to get the scammer’s contact information, then walk you through how to sue them for as much as $3,000 per call under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), a law already on the books meant to protect consumers from calls that violate the Do Not Call Registry. The app also streamlines the litigation paperwork by automatically generating demand letters and court filing documents.
As a reader pointed out below, you’ll find this service within the DoNotPay app.
US Government Agencies Expose New North Korean Malware Campaign
US Cyber Command, DHS, and FBI have exposed a new North Korean campaign of malware and phishing, with six new families of malware.
Apple Updates Human Interface Guidelines With New Resources
Apple has added new design resources in its Human Interface Guidelines collection, like Apple Pay templates, Apple Health icon, and more.
Gmail for iOS Integrates With Files App
Google shared a blog post today in which it announced that Gmail for iOS will now support adding files from the Files app.
Security Friday, Backup Tips – TMO Daily Observations 2020-02-14
Charlotte Henry and Andrew Orr join host Kelly Guimont for Security Friday, discussing security news, malware protection, and backup tips.
Blueprints Website Builder Lifetime Subscription: $39
We have a deal on Blueprints app for Mac by Bootstraptor, a prototyping tool for website ideation that will help you burn through your wire-framing time. It features 500-plus ready-made blocks, 200-plus prototype starter templates, and 30-plus navigation panels. A lifetime subscription to Blueprints is $39 through our deal.
You Can Stream on Pandora Directly From Your Apple Watch
Pandora users Apple Watch can now stream music and podcasts directly from the wearable device, without needing their iPhone. It became a standalone app via an update on Thursday, AppleInsider reported.
Pandora’s official update reads, “Leave the phone at home and bring all of your listening with you thanks to our updated Apple Watch app. Now you can stream your favorite music and podcasts, straight from your wrist – no phone required.” Other services, like Apple Music, need users to pre-load music on an Apple Watch for a run or other exercise, when the iPhone isn’t in range. The feature requires the watch in question to be running watchOS 6 or greater.
Apple Shipped Just 2.6 million HomePods During the 2019 Holiday Quarter
Apple Shipped 2.6 Million HomePods during the last three months of 2019. That is a long way behind its competitors, especially Amazon. David Watkins, director at Strategy Analytics, told Cult of Mac why he thinks that is.
“The price is still very high…That closes the door to a huge swathe of potential customers.” “I think there’s also a reasonable amount of consumer skepticism over the usefulness of Siri as a voice platform,” Watkins continued. “Amazon and Google have done an amazing job of building out their ecosystem around Alexa and Google Assistant, in partnership with so many smart home companies. Apple doesn’t have that strength of ecosystem around Siri.”
Three Rolling Out UK 5G Network Ready For Compatible iPhone
Three is rolling out its UK 5G network, and says it is ready for the “critical inflection point” of when Apple launches a 5G iPhone.
AT&T Blocks Encrypted Email App Tutanota
In certain areas of the U.S. some AT&T users found they couldn’t access their inboxes in encrypted email app Tutanota.
Starting on January 25th 2020, we have had constant complaints from AT&T mobile users who were unable to access their encrypted Tutanota mailbox. While AT&T seemed willing to fix this when we reached out to them, the issue is still not solved and reports from users keep coming in.
While some AT&T users confirmed the block, others said that they were able to access Tutanota. As AT&T has not fixed the issue after more than two weeks, we are reaching out publicly in the hope of getting the attention of the right people at AT&T.
Apple Told to Pay Workers For Time Spent Having Their Bags Checked
Apple is liable for millions of dollars after the California Supreme Court told it to pay employees for time spent in mandatory bag searches.
Here is My Shortcut to Get App Screenshots
Andrew created a shortcut to get app screenshots from the App Store in a higher quality than what it defaults to when you download them.
The Different Offers Available on Refurbed 16-Inch MacBook Pros
The 16-inch MacBook Pro has made its way into the official Apple refurb store, with offers on a variety of different models available.
It’s Time for Encrypted Messaging app Signal to go Mainstream
Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike is growing the Signal Foundation and adding new features to the app thanks to money from WhatsApp cofounder Brian Acton.
Since then, Marlinspike’s nonprofit has put Acton’s millions—and his experience building an app with billions of users—to work. After years of scraping by with just three overworked full-time staffers, the Signal Foundation now has 20 employees. For years a bare-bones texting and calling app, Signal has increasingly become a fully featured, mainstream communications platform. With its new coding muscle, it has rolled out features at a breakneck speed…
I wish I could use Signal but none of my friends use it.
TREBLAB XFIT Bluetooth Sports Headphones: $39.99
We have a deal on a pair of TREBLAB XFIT wireless earbuds. They’re IPX6 water resistant, support Bluetooth 5.0, and have 5 hours of playback time—the charging case has another 25 hours of playback time recharging. the TREBLAB XFIT are $39.99 through our deal.
YouTube TV Ends Support for App Store Subscription
YouTube sent emails to customers today saying that it will end support for App Store subscriptions for YouTube TV in March.
Apple Sells Certified Refurbished 16-Inch MacBook Pros
Apple now sells certified refurbished 16-inch MacBook Pros on its website, a model that was released in November 2019.
AR Quick Look Lets Retailers Sell Products in Augmented Reality
Apple is updating Quick Look, an AR feature to preview objects in the physical world. One feature could let retailers sell products.
AI vs. Machine Learning, Thoughts on Our New Macs, Oak Island - ACM 525
Bryan Chaffin and John Kheit discuss the difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, including the state of both today. They also talk about their new Macs— John got a new 28-core Mac Pro, while Bryan has a new iMac—and whether or not they like their new purchases. The cap the show by catching up on The Curse of Oak Island TV show on History.
‘Data Protection Act’ Could Create US Data Protection Agency
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) proposed a bill called the Data Protection Act that would create a federal U.S. data protection agency.
Huawei Backdoors, iPad Multitasking – TMO Daily Observations 2020-02-13
Charlotte Henry and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to discuss Huawei’s access to 5G networks, and Bryan “shows” Split-Screen on iPad.
'Carkey' API May Control Homekit Smart Lock
A ‘Carkey’ API appeared in the first beta version of iOS 13.4. However, a new patent application, reported on by AppleInsider, indicated the technology could have other uses, like a Homekit connected smart lock.
The first beta of iOS 13.4 revealed traces of a “CarKey” API, one which would effectively turn the iPhone into an electronic key for a vehicle, similar to current keyless unlocking and starting systems employed today. By bringing the iPhone close to an NFC point, it could feasibly allow a car to start and to be driven, while also offering the option of sharing a version of the key to others with certain permissions disabled, such as enabling a car to be unlocked but not driven. In a patent application titled “System access using a mobile device” published by the US Patent and Trademark Office on Thursday, Apple seems to be planning a much wider use of the concept than in just vehicles. The abstract for the filing mentions it would be used to authenticate a mobile device for access to system functionality, including “physical access to a system, starting an engine.”
Some Beijing Apple Stores Will Reopen Tomorrow
Some Apple Stores in Beijing will reopen on Friday, 14 February, Reuters reported. However, customers are going to have to wear surgical masks. The retail outlet closure were extended on February 8 due to the spread of coronavirus.
Its five stores in Beijing will open from Feb. 14 between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m., according to Apple’s website, shorter than its usual hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Stores in cities such as Shanghai and Shenzhen remain shut. “In view of public health and prevention, some of our retail stores are temporarily closed,” it said in a notice on its website, which also asked customers visiting outlets that were open to wear a mask and cooperate with temperature taking.