Suppose someone posted confidential info like SSNs on a wall of a public building, which anyone could view from the alley. Guess what, geniuses - that's what they did on the Internet. No hacking involved. I normally believe in Hanlon's razor - "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". However, I wouldn't put it past Republicans to use this to score points in the culture war.
I do not disagree that US and Canada broadband is far behind other G-7 nations. But more information would be very helpful:
Availability: How much of the problem is "broadband is overpriced" and how much is "speeds beyond X are not available at any price"?
Data caps: How many wired plans have data caps? Is a genuine unlimited plan available, and how much is that?
How reliable is the service?
If I had to guess, the biggest urban problems are price/value, while the biggest rural problems are availability of true high-speed. In my suburb, the cable company offers up to 1Gb down/40 Mb up, and the telephone company offers up to 120 Mb down/20 Mb. The phone company has no data cap, while the cable company can waive the data cap for an additional fee. I actually subscribe to both since I need high availability and I can afford it, but that's not possible for everyone.
That said, I have far less patience with wireless carriers. "Unlimited" wireless costs more than I pay for true unlimited wired broadband, and it really isn't unlimited. So we have a shared wireless data plan instead.
After the Taliban is banned (or "shadow banned" or whatever) from Facebook and Twitter, I can't wait for the reaction when they start to post on Parler, the self-proclaimed defender of free speech.
I should add: I believe Apple genuinely tries to defend individual privacy, and I expect they fight any requests for device decryption. Additionally, if Apple maintains no decryption keys, then they cannot fulfill such a request.
If antivirus software detects something, it alerts the computer owner. If Apple’s on-device CSAM scanner detects something, it alerts the police, who send a SWAT team to your door.
I can’t see that happening. Remember, Apple said they don’t view images. However, Apple is alerted when a file hash (a fingerprint) on the device matches the database. Currently, Apple said the database only includes CSAM images. I believe them and generally trust them in the USA. However, once the technology is available, then, for instance, the Chinese government can force Apple to add pro-democracy image hashes to the database. To force Apple, the Chinese government gives a simple ultimatum: “you can’t manufacture or sell your products in China unless you comply”.
CSAM deserves to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Scanning for CSAM on the cloud is fair game. However, on-device scanning can and will lead to scope creep.
What happens when China compels Apple to report pro-democratic content? When Mideast monarchs compel Apple to report homosexual content? When Germany compels Apple to report pro-Nazi content that traps research about fascism?
Apple’s response is that we should all trust them to do the right thing. Do I trust Apple? Yes, I’m a loyal customer. Do I trust the US government? Generally. But do I trust all nations to treat their citizens fairly? Absolutely not.
This feature is a despot’s dream, especially thanks to Apple’s infamous secrecy.
Absolutely. Add to your reform wishlist: a patent holder must use the patent themselves within N years (say, 3 or 5) or assign it to someone else who does in that time; if not, the innovation goes into the public domain. This would end the scourge of NPEs.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Greg Glockner.
Stop the insanity
Suppose someone posted confidential info like SSNs on a wall of a public building, which anyone could view from the alley. Guess what, geniuses - that's what they did on the Internet. No hacking involved. I normally believe in Hanlon's razor - "never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity". However, I wouldn't put it past Republicans to use this to score points in the culture war.
More data, please
I do not disagree that US and Canada broadband is far behind other G-7 nations. But more information would be very helpful:
If I had to guess, the biggest urban problems are price/value, while the biggest rural problems are availability of true high-speed. In my suburb, the cable company offers up to 1Gb down/40 Mb up, and the telephone company offers up to 120 Mb down/20 Mb. The phone company has no data cap, while the cable company can waive the data cap for an additional fee. I actually subscribe to both since I need high availability and I can afford it, but that's not possible for everyone.
That said, I have far less patience with wireless carriers. "Unlimited" wireless costs more than I pay for true unlimited wired broadband, and it really isn't unlimited. So we have a shared wireless data plan instead.
(untitled comment)
So another champion of cancel culture remains on the hunt to cancel the satirical cow. Just another day in GOP-mania.
(untitled comment)
After the Taliban is banned (or "shadow banned" or whatever) from Facebook and Twitter, I can't wait for the reaction when they start to post on Parler, the self-proclaimed defender of free speech.
Re: Re: Re: A dangerous backdoor
I should add: I believe Apple genuinely tries to defend individual privacy, and I expect they fight any requests for device decryption. Additionally, if Apple maintains no decryption keys, then they cannot fulfill such a request.
Re: Re: Antivirus
If antivirus software detects something, it alerts the computer owner. If Apple’s on-device CSAM scanner detects something, it alerts the police, who send a SWAT team to your door.
These aren’t equivalent.
Re: Re: A dangerous backdoor
I can’t see that happening. Remember, Apple said they don’t view images. However, Apple is alerted when a file hash (a fingerprint) on the device matches the database. Currently, Apple said the database only includes CSAM images. I believe them and generally trust them in the USA. However, once the technology is available, then, for instance, the Chinese government can force Apple to add pro-democracy image hashes to the database. To force Apple, the Chinese government gives a simple ultimatum: “you can’t manufacture or sell your products in China unless you comply”.
A dangerous backdoor
CSAM deserves to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Scanning for CSAM on the cloud is fair game. However, on-device scanning can and will lead to scope creep.
What happens when China compels Apple to report pro-democratic content? When Mideast monarchs compel Apple to report homosexual content? When Germany compels Apple to report pro-Nazi content that traps research about fascism?
Apple’s response is that we should all trust them to do the right thing. Do I trust Apple? Yes, I’m a loyal customer. Do I trust the US government? Generally. But do I trust all nations to treat their citizens fairly? Absolutely not.
This feature is a despot’s dream, especially thanks to Apple’s infamous secrecy.
Re: Of course there's an easy answer
On-device scanning isn’t the problem. It’s when Apple quietly uses the data to report you to the police.
(untitled comment)
Silly Techdirt, freedom of speech only applies to my speech, not the other guy. #sarcasm
(untitled comment)
Absolutely. Add to your reform wishlist: a patent holder must use the patent themselves within N years (say, 3 or 5) or assign it to someone else who does in that time; if not, the innovation goes into the public domain. This would end the scourge of NPEs.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Greg Glockner.
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