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iOS 17.4 Release Date: Apple Reveals Stark Warning About New iPhone Update

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Apple’s biggest-ever mid-cycle update for the iPhone is about to land (here’s exactly when) and it will bring with it big upgrades for all iPhone users, everywhere, including a huge security upgrade to iMessage. But the biggest changes are for iPhone users in the EU, in response to the Digital Markets Act. Today, Apple explained to me what those changes mean, and how it could affect all users—especially if the U.S. or U.K. governments decide to follow suit with legislation of their own.

March 2 update below. This post was first published on March 1, 2024.

The changes for EU iPhone users are comprehensive. Apple is being required to open up its iOS system to allow sideloading of apps in alternative marketplaces, to permit web browsers not based on WebKit which underpins Safari, and to let other payment mechanisms beyond Apple Pay on to the phone.

Apple has now released a white paper which runs to 32 pages and explains that while it has taken every precaution it can to keep iPhone users’ privacy and security in place, it can’t guarantee that things will be as safe as they were.

Apple explained to me that it has introduced new features to protect users but that it won’t be able to protect users in the way it can in the current arrangement. The white paper says, “To comply with the DMA, we have created new options for developers and users—and built over 600 new APIs and developer tools to enable these changes. The new options include enabling sideloading so that EU users can download apps through app marketplaces other than the App Store, enabling alternative ways to process payments on the App Store, and many other changes. This required us to change the uniquely successful approach that we’ve employed to protect users’ security and privacy and keep them safe.”

Some organizations, like banks, for instance, have been in touch with Apple expressing concern, saying that they want to remain only in the App Store and could even consider not allowing their apps to be downloaded on to any device that has sideloaded apps on it. Right now, Apple doesn’t have a way to tell a bank, for instance, if an iPhone has downloaded an app from an external marketplace or not.

Apple is wary of how predatory payment techniques, mobile ransomware and consumer spyware could be focused on the iPhone if it’s deemed to be more vulnerable or less secure.

For me, the key phrase in the white paper is this: “In practice, users in the EU will lose the choice to solely remain on the App Store and keep all of Apple’s industry-leading protections, even if that is what they would prefer.”

Of course, users can simply decide to stick exclusively to the App Store, to web browsers like Safari based on WebKit and to payments through Apple Pay.

And some people will want to have apps not in the App Store on their phones. Apple is concerned about this, too, saying it will have no control of external content: “This means Apple won’t be able to prevent apps with content that Apple wouldn’t allow on the App Store—like apps that distribute pornography, apps that encourage consumption of tobacco or vape products, illegal drugs, or excessive amounts of alcohol, or apps that contain pirated content (or that otherwise steal ideas or intellectual property from other developers)—from becoming available on alternative app marketplaces.”

Spotify has already responded to the white paper, saying Apple is trying to “scare everybody about privacy and security.”

The changes coming to the iPhone are just days away, but it may take some weeks or longer to see what the effects are.

March 2 update. There’s already been a very strong response to Apple’s DMA changes and it’s fair to say they’re not exactly positive. (This is an example of the British art of understatement.) Avery Gardiner, Spotify’s global director of competition policy spoke to the Press Association news agency, as Martyn Landi reported in The Independent. Gardiner said Apple’s warnings about having to make the iPhone less secure in order to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) equated to saying “the only way to have privacy and security is to allow a monopolist to continue to abuse monopoly power.”

Gardiner, Spotify’s competition policy lead, went on to say the notion that security and privacy could only come from Apple’s own App Store was “just not true”.

“If Apple were the only way to keep things private and secure, why haven’t Android users left Android in droves for Apple over concerns about privacy and security? They haven’t,” she told the PA news agency.

I think that’s true, but it’s also likely the case that a fair chunk of iPhone users stay loyal to Apple precisely because they enjoy the irreproachably good security and privacy on board.

Gardiner didn’t pull any punches, saying, “This has been their tactic globally – scare everybody about privacy and security. Tell them that the only way to have privacy and security is to allow a monopolist to continue to abuse monopoly power. I understand why they’re doing it, but it’s not truthful.”

She went on, “Apple has announced a set of proposed rules that do not comply with the DMA. “At the most basic level, the idea that you have to opt in to an onerous new fee structure in order to avail yourselves of the rights granted to you by the European Parliament is bizarre. The DMA is really clear: App stores have to let developers communicate offers free of charge. Those are the words. It doesn’t say ‘as long as you opt into an onerous new fee structure that would impose a massive tax on you’.

Finally, she said, “It is on its face, not compliant with the DMA, and the commission is going to need to open an investigation unless Apple changes its tune.”

 

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Ottawa orders TikTok’s Canadian arm to be dissolved

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The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.

“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.

The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.

However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”

Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.

A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.

“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.

“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”

The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.

At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.

A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”

Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.

Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.

Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.

Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.

While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.

Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.

The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.

— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Here is how to prepare your online accounts for when you die

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LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?

It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.

Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:

Apple

The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.

For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.

You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.

Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.

Google

Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.

When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.

You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.

There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.

Facebook and Instagram

Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.

When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.

The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.

You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.

TikTok

The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.

Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.

X

It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.

Passwords

Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?

Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.

But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.

___

Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.

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Google’s partnership with AI startup Anthropic faces a UK competition investigation

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LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.

The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.

“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”

San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.

Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”

“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.

The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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