Privacy

Fast and Private Web Browser

Waterfox is a privacy-focused web browser offering built-in tracking protection, container tabs, and private browsing features by default. The browser prioritizes user privacy by not collecting telemetry data while providing easy migration from other browsers and maintaining high performance standards.

nRootTag - Tracking You from a Thousand Miles Away!

Find My offline finding enables AirTags to be located through a network of Apple devices when separated from their paired device. The system uses public/private key encryption for secure location reporting, with nearby Apple devices acting as anonymous finders to relay encrypted location data through Apple Cloud.

Teslas Monitor Everything—Including You | WIRED

Modern Tesla vehicles are equipped with extensive surveillance capabilities, including multiple cameras and sensors that collect significant amounts of data about the car's surroundings and occupants. While Tesla claims to protect user privacy through data anonymization and limited collection practices, investigations have revealed concerning privacy breaches and employee misuse of customer data. Privacy experts express skepticism about Tesla's data protection measures and policy transparency.

Xcode constantly phones home

The article discusses performance issues with Xcode builds caused by unnecessary connections to Apple's servers during the 'Gather provisioning inputs' phase. The author discovers that blocking certain Apple domains through Little Snitch significantly improves build times while exploring Xcode's seemingly unnecessary tracking and analytics connections.

How to Change Your Meta Settings

A comprehensive guide details step-by-step instructions for enhancing privacy settings on Meta platforms, specifically targeting ad preferences and data collection. The guide walks users through disabling targeted advertising, preventing cross-platform data sharing, and unlinking third-party data collection on Facebook and Instagram accounts. Additional privacy recommendations include using Firefox browser and Privacy Badger extension.

Breaking into dozens of apartment buildings in five minutes on my phone

A security researcher discovered widespread vulnerabilities in MESH by Viscount access control systems, affecting numerous apartment buildings primarily in Canada. The investigation revealed that 43% of recently exposed systems use default credentials, allowing unauthorized access to resident data and building entry control. Despite notification, the vendor Hirsch has not adequately addressed the security concerns.

Apple pulls encryption feature from UK over government spying demands

Apple has discontinued its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) encrypted iCloud storage for new UK users and will require existing users to disable it, following UK security services' demands for backdoor access. The decision affects iCloud backups, photos, notes, and voice memos, while certain data types like passwords and health information will remain encrypted by default.

Apple Pulls Encrypted iCloud Security Feature in UK Amid Government Backdoor Demands

Apple has withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection iCloud feature from the UK after government demands for backdoor access to encrypted user data worldwide. The UK's request came through a technical capability notice under the Investigatory Powers Act, requiring Apple to create a global backdoor for British security officials. Existing ADP users will need to manually disable the feature during a grace period to maintain their iCloud accounts.

Pricing - Obsidian

Obsidian offers a privacy-focused note-taking platform with optional paid services for syncing and publishing, starting at $4 USD per month. The platform emphasizes data security with local storage and end-to-end encryption, while offering educational discounts and supporting independent development through Catalyst memberships.

Obsidian is now free for work

Obsidian has made its Commercial license optional, allowing free business use while maintaining all features and data privacy. Organizations can still purchase licenses to support development, with companies buying 25+ licenses being featured on the Enterprise page. The change aims to simplify pricing while ensuring universal access to effective thinking and organization tools.

Elon Musk’s X blocks links to Signal, the encrypted messaging service

X (formerly Twitter) is blocking links to Signal.me, preventing users from sharing direct contact links to the encrypted messaging service. The platform displays various error messages when users attempt to post Signal.me URLs, while other Signal domains remain accessible. This blocking coincides with federal employees using Signal to communicate with journalists about DOGE-related whistleblowing.

Fingerprinting: Critics say Google rules put profits over privacy

Google's new rules allowing 'fingerprinting' for online tracking have sparked criticism from privacy advocates, marking a reversal from their 2019 stance against such practices. The changes permit collection of IP addresses and device information for advertising purposes, which Google defends as necessary for emerging platforms while maintaining user privacy options.

The Free Software Media System | Jellyfin

Jellyfin is a free, privacy-focused media server solution that enables users to stream their personal content to any device without fees or data tracking. The platform is entirely community-driven, built by volunteers under GNU GPL license, allowing users complete control over their media management and streaming experience.

Wyden Releases Draft Bill to Secure Americans’ Communications Against Foreign Surveillance Demands | U.S. Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon

Senator Ron Wyden introduced the Global Trust in American Online Services Act to protect against foreign surveillance demands that could weaken U.S. technology security. The legislation aims to reform the CLOUD Act, which currently allows foreign governments to directly demand data from U.S. companies, addressing recent concerns about the UK's secret order to Apple regarding iCloud encryption.