Biometrics: Taking a Bite out of Apple

Andrew Pontbriand

The wireless age has grown leaps and bounds since the turn of the new millennium. From big square cellphones, to flip phones, to the new touch screen phones that can access the Internet wherever service is available. However, communications just went 'Back to the Future'; 1984 to be exact, and was secretly given over to Big Brother.

Apple's new iPhone 5s will come in many colors, and with a brand new feature; Touch ID. Touch ID uses biometrics technology so users can scan their fingerprints to better lock their phones, and make purchases in Apple stores. For most, this seemingly harmless feature is just that; harmless. But for privacy advocates, and those who understand the direction we are heading in, our biggest fears were realized.

In the digital age, wireless technology, and biometrics are increasingly becoming one. It should be no surprise that Apple was the first to get their hands on the biometrics technology and incorporate it into its new phone.

Apple and Google spend more money on patents than on research and development

Image source

J.G. Vibes

This week the New York Times reported that spending by Apple and Google on patent lawsuits and high dollar patent purchases exceeded spending on research and development of new products. As many are aware, a patent is an exclusive monopoly privilege over an idea, which prevents new upstarts and entrepreneurs from replicating or expanding on already existing ideas. The case against patents and intellectual property of any kind is very strong, and growing in support especially among younger people.

One of the most obvious and compelling points brought forward by opponents of intellectual property is the fact that these monopoly privileges are a disadvantage to the economy and society as a whole because it stifles innovation and guarantees that prices will remain high. 

Apple’s “Censoring” Patent Just a Sign of Things to Come

Julie Samuels
EFF

Apple has been much maligned in the press recently for filing a patent application covering a camera system with infrared technology that could, among other things, allow the recording functionality to be shut off by a third party. For example, in its application, Apple shows how the technology could be used to "prevent illegal image capturing" at a rock concert.

Apple to stop accepting DUI checkpoint apps

image credit

Larry Copeland
USA Today

It's getting harder for tech-savvy drivers to pinpoint the locations of police drunken-driving checkpoints: Apple will ban from its online store future applications that inform users of checkpoints not publicized by police. 

The move comes three months after four Democratic U.S. senators — Charles Schumer of New York, Harry Reid of Nevada, Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey and Tom Udall of New Mexico — asked three smartphone manufacturers to quit selling such downloadable apps or to remove the DUI checkpoint function.

Canada-based Research In Motion, maker of BlackBerry smartphones, pulled the apps immediately.

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US lawmakers query smartphone 'apps' privacy

Alan Davidson, director of US public policy of the
Americas at Google Inc., testifies on Capitol Hill in 2010
© AFP/Getty Images/File Win McNamee

Editor's Note:  Are lawmakers feigning ignorance and concern about privacy violations to dupe people into believing that  new legislation is necessary to "protect" us?


AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Apple, Facebook, and Google on Thursday fielded questions from US lawmakers concerned that smartphones and popular mobile "apps" were putting people's privacy at risk.

"I think online privacy is a basic American right and the companies that produce apps have to be regulated," Senator Jay Rockefeller said at the opening of a hearing on consumer privacy and protection in the mobile marketplace.

"With this new innovation comes gigantic risk."

Members of the Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Insurance Subcommittee questioned a panel that included Facebook chief technology officer Bret Taylor; Apple vice president of worldwide government affairs Catherine Novelli, and Google's US director of public policy Alan Davidson.

Apple, Google to attend hearing on mobile privacy

Editor's Note:  More political theater to delude the sheeple.  Do you really think these people are concerned about your privacy?  Don't believe what they say, believe what they actually do!  

A customer looks at an iPhone 4 at the Apple
store in Palo Alto, California
© AFP/Getty Images/File David Paul Morris

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US lawmakers have invited Apple, Facebook and Google to attend a hearing on mobile phones and privacy on Thursday -- the second Capitol Hill appearance in a week for executives from Apple and Google.

Senator Jay Rockefeller said the hearing of the Senate Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Insurance Subcommittee would focus on "industry practices with respect to online mobile data collection and usage."

"The hearing will also explore the possible role of the federal government in protecting consumers in the mobile marketplace and promoting their privacy," the Democrat from West Virginia said.

US lawmakers ask Apple about tracking feature

Senator Al Franken
© AFP/File Saul Loeb

AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US lawmakers are seeking an explanation from Apple following a claim that iPhone and iPads are constantly logging the location of the devices and storing the information in a hidden file.

Senator Al Franken, a Democrat from Minnesota, sent a letter to Apple chief executive Steve Jobs on Wednesday and Representative Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, sent Jobs a letter on Thursday.

The letters came after a pair of British security researchers, Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden, said the position-logging feature is contained in iOS 4, the operating system for the iPhone and iPad released in June of last year.