Apple’s T2 Security Chip ensure used laptops become unrecyclable junk, a Nightmare for MacBook Refurbishers

As predicted, the proprietary locking system Apple rolled out with its 2018 MacBook Pros is hurting independent repair stores, refurbishers, and electronics recyclers. A combination of secure software locks, diagnostic requirements, and Apple’s new T2 security chip are making it hard to breathe new life into old MacBook Pros that have been recycled but could Read more about Apple’s T2 Security Chip ensure used laptops become unrecyclable junk, a Nightmare for MacBook Refurbishers[…]

Apple chucks $3 at iPhone users after killing FaceTime on iOS 6 because it didn’t want to pay connectivity charges after 6 year legal fight

Apple has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by folks upset the iGiant broke FaceTime overnight on millions of iPhones. The settlement amounts to a few bucks a device, meaning the Cupertino giant almost certainly made a net profit in the process. This week the Tim Cook-led corporation said it would pay $18m [PDF] Read more about Apple chucks $3 at iPhone users after killing FaceTime on iOS 6 because it didn’t want to pay connectivity charges after 6 year legal fight[…]

Apple: We respect your privacy so much we’ve revealed a little about what we can track when you use Maps

Apple has released a set of “Mobility Trends Reports” – a trove of anonymised and aggregated data that describes how people have moved around the world in the three months from 13 January to 13 April. The data measures walking, driving and public transport use. And as you’d expect and as depicted in the image Read more about Apple: We respect your privacy so much we’ve revealed a little about what we can track when you use Maps[…]

A Hacker Found a Way to Take Over Any Apple Webcam

Apple patched the vulnerabilities in January and March updates. But before the fixes, all a victim would have needed to do is click one malicious link and an attacker would have been able to spy on them remotely. “Safari encourages users to save their preferences for site permissions, like whether to trust Skype with microphone Read more about A Hacker Found a Way to Take Over Any Apple Webcam[…]

Apple’s latest macOS Catalina update mysteriously borks SSH for some unlucky fans. What could be the cause?

Apple’s latest update to macOS Catalina appears to have broken SSH for some users. Developer Tyler Hall published a blog post on Monday detailing the issue, but removed it after his writeup got noticed. The issue is that under Apple’s macOS 10.15.4 update, released on March 24, trying to open a SSH connection to a Read more about Apple’s latest macOS Catalina update mysteriously borks SSH for some unlucky fans. What could be the cause?[…]

Apple hit with record-breaking $1.2 billion antitrust price fixing fine in France together with Ingram Micro ($79.2m) and Tech Data ($85m)

Apple has been hit with a record-breaking fine for antitrust practices. French competition authority Autorité de la Concurrence has found Apple and its wholesale distribution partners Ingram Micro and Tech Data guilty of running a cartel for Apple products, and has fined the companies €1.1 billion ($1.2 billion), €62.9 million ($70.2 million) and €76.1 million Read more about Apple hit with record-breaking $1.2 billion antitrust price fixing fine in France together with Ingram Micro ($79.2m) and Tech Data ($85m)[…]

Apple pays piffling $500m to settle their performance decreases in old devices

Apple – which banked $55bn profit in its 2019 fiscal year – is willing to pay up to $500m to settle US claims that the company secretly slowed certain iPhone models to preserve battery life, according to a proposed class action settlement. That’s about 18x more than the i-thing maker agreed to pay a month Read more about Apple pays piffling $500m to settle their performance decreases in old devices[…]

Apple has blocked Clearview AI’s iPhone app for violating its rules

An iPhone app built by controversial facial recognition startup Clearview AI has been blocked by Apple, effectively banning the app from use. Apple confirmed to TechCrunch that the startup “violated” the terms of its enterprise developer program. The app allows its users — which the company claims it serves only law enforcement officers — to Read more about Apple has blocked Clearview AI’s iPhone app for violating its rules[…]

Apple’s Mac computers now outpace Windows in malware and virus

Think your Apple product is safe from malware? That only people using Windows machines have to take precautions? According to cybersecurity software company Malwarebytes’ latest State of Malware report, it’s time to think again. The amount of malware on Macs is outpacing PCs for the first time ever, and your complacency could be your worst Read more about Apple’s Mac computers now outpace Windows in malware and virus[…]

Apple’s Independent Repair Program Is Invasive to Shops and Their Customers, Contract Shows

Last August, in what was widely hailed a victory for the right-to-repair movement, Apple announced it would begin selling parts, tools, and diagnostic services to independent repair shops in addition to its “authorized” repair partners. Apple’s so-called Independent Repair Provider (IRP) program had its limitations, but was still seen as a step forward for a Read more about Apple’s Independent Repair Program Is Invasive to Shops and Their Customers, Contract Shows[…]

Apple’s latest AI acquisition leaves some Wyze cameras without people detection

Earlier today, Apple confirmed it purchased Seattle-based AI company Xnor.ai (via MacRumors). Acquisitions at Apple’s scale happen frequently, though rarely do they impact everyday people on the day of their announcement. This one is different. Cameras from fellow Seattle-based company Wyze, including the Wyze Cam V2 and Wyze Cam Pan, have utilized Xnor.ai’s on-device people Read more about Apple’s latest AI acquisition leaves some Wyze cameras without people detection[…]

Amazon, Apple, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance joined together to form working group to develop open standard for smart home devices

Amazon, Apple, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance joined together to promote the formation of the Working Group. Zigbee Alliance board member companies IKEA, Legrand, NXP Semiconductors, Resideo, Samsung SmartThings, Schneider Electric, Signify (formerly Philips Lighting), Silicon Labs, Somfy, and Wulian are also on board to join the Working Group and contribute to the project. The Read more about Amazon, Apple, Google, and the Zigbee Alliance joined together to form working group to develop open standard for smart home devices[…]

Germany forces Apple to allow use of iPhone’s NFC chip to other payment providers, breaks some little part of the monopoly

A new German law passed yesterday requires Apple to allow other mobile payments services access to the iPhone’s NFC chip for payments to allow them to fully compete with Apple Pay. Apple initially completely locked down the NFC chip so that it could be used only by Apple Pay. It later allowed some third-party apps Read more about Germany forces Apple to allow use of iPhone’s NFC chip to other payment providers, breaks some little part of the monopoly[…]

Your Apple Mac Makes Plain-Text Copies of Your Encrypted Emails. Here’s how to stop it.

IT guru Bob Gendler took to Medium last week to share a startling discovery about Apple Mail. If you have the application configured to send and receive encrypted email—messages that should be unreadable for anyone without the right decryption keys—Apple’s digital assistant goes ahead and stores your emails in plain text on your Mac’s drive. Read more about Your Apple Mac Makes Plain-Text Copies of Your Encrypted Emails. Here’s how to stop it.[…]

Apple Safari browser sends some user IP addresses to Chinese conglomerate Tencent by default

Apple admits that it sends some user IP addresses to Tencent in the “About Safari & Privacy” section of its Safari settings which can be accessed on an iOS device by opening the Settings app and then selecting “Safari > About Privacy & Security.” Under the title “Fraudulent Website Warning,” Apple says: “Before visiting a Read more about Apple Safari browser sends some user IP addresses to Chinese conglomerate Tencent by default[…]

Congress Is Investigating Apple’s Repair Monopoly

The United States House of Representatives’ Judiciary Committee is launching an antitrust investigation into Apple and its anti-competitive behavior. Part of the investigation will focus on Apple’s repair monopoly, which for years has given the company control over the useful life of its products. In a letter to Apple, the committee asked Apple to turn Read more about Congress Is Investigating Apple’s Repair Monopoly[…]

up to 2% of all Apple iPhones Hacked, says Google, and Breaks ALL messaging Encryption as well as sending location data

The potential impact of the latest attack on iPhones is massive, not to mention hugely concerning for every user of Apple’s famous smartphone. That simply visiting a website can lead to your iPhone being hacked silently by some unknown party is worrying enough. But given that, according to Google researchers, it’s possible for the hackers Read more about up to 2% of all Apple iPhones Hacked, says Google, and Breaks ALL messaging Encryption as well as sending location data[…]

Google, Apple, Mozilla end Kazakhstan internet by blocking root CA

On Wednesday, Google, Apple, and Mozilla said their web browsers will block the Kazakhstan root Certificate Authority (CA) certificate – following reports that ISPs in the country have required customers to install a government-issued certificate that enables online spying. According to the University of Michigan’s Censored Planet project, the country’s snoops “recently began using a Read more about Google, Apple, Mozilla end Kazakhstan internet by blocking root CA[…]

If for some reason you want an Apple Card here’s How to Easily Opt Out of Binding Arbitration

You’ll spot binding arbitration clauses in a lot of financial agreements because it helps keep banks and their business partners out of court. If you agree to binding arbitration, you can’t go to trial against a company or join a class-action lawsuit; you can only have your issue settled by a third-party mediator. If you Read more about If for some reason you want an Apple Card here’s How to Easily Opt Out of Binding Arbitration[…]

Researchers Bypass Apple FaceID Using glasses to fool liveness detection

Researchers on Wednesday during Black Hat USA 2019 demonstrated an attack that allowed them to bypass a victim’s FaceID and log into their phone simply by putting a pair of modified glasses on their face. By merely placing tape carefully over the lenses of a pair glasses and placing them on the victim’s face the researchers Read more about Researchers Bypass Apple FaceID Using glasses to fool liveness detection[…]

Apple Is Locking iPhone Batteries to Discourage Repair, showing ominous errors if you replace your battery

By activating a dormant software lock on their newest iPhones, Apple is effectively announcing a drastic new policy: only Apple batteries can go in iPhones, and only they can install them. If you replace the battery in the newest iPhones, a message indicating you need to service your battery appears in Settings > Battery, next Read more about Apple Is Locking iPhone Batteries to Discourage Repair, showing ominous errors if you replace your battery[…]

Apple Contractors Reportedly Overhear Sensitive Information and Sexy Times Thanks to Siri

First Amazon, then Google, and now Apple have all confirmed that their devices are not only listening to you, but complete strangers may be reviewing the recordings. Thanks to Siri, Apple contractors routinely catch intimate snippets of users’ private lives like drug deals, doctor’s visits, and sexual escapades as part of their quality control duties, Read more about Apple Contractors Reportedly Overhear Sensitive Information and Sexy Times Thanks to Siri[…]

Apple removes Zoom’s dodgy hidden web server on your Mac without telling you – shows who really pwns your machine

Apple has pushed a silent update to Macs, disabling the hidden web server installed by the popular Zoom web-conferencing software. A security researcher this week went public with his finding that the mechanism used to bypass a Safari prompt before entering a Zoom conference was a hidden local web server. Jonathan Leitschuh focused largely on Read more about Apple removes Zoom’s dodgy hidden web server on your Mac without telling you – shows who really pwns your machine[…]

Apple disables Walkie Talkie app due to vulnerability that could allow iPhone eavesdropping

Apple has disabled the Apple Watch Walkie Talkie app due to an unspecified vulnerability that could allow a person to listen to another customer’s iPhone without consent, the company told TechCrunch this evening. Apple has apologized for the bug and for the inconvenience of being unable to use the feature while a fix is made. Read more about Apple disables Walkie Talkie app due to vulnerability that could allow iPhone eavesdropping[…]

Turns out Apple’s Memoji is another product copy, this time from Xiaomi and Samsung. If you can’t create, duplicate.

Jeremy Horwitz@horwitz July 2, 2019 9:10 AM Image Credit: Gizmochina Apple’s Memoji may have become the more popular 3D avatar feature for smartphones, but Xiaomi wants people to know that its similarly named version — Mimoji — came first, despite increasingly confusing overlap between the apps’ names and features. Moreover, it’s apparently threatening legal action Read more about Turns out Apple’s Memoji is another product copy, this time from Xiaomi and Samsung. If you can’t create, duplicate.[…]