eXtensions - Tuesday 18 February 2025
By Graham K. Rogers
There are several hints about at least one new product, while Apple has updates to some systems, including merging accounts in some cases. Many have been dismayed by the demand by the UK that Apple open end to end encryption, just for them, allowing access all user accounts worldwide. Experts are aghast and some US politicians are spoling for a fight. More on DeepSeek which is now known to send your data to Chinese servers. More bans on the way. My TV use is well-blessed right now with some pleasing series and excellent movies.
Last weekend I had an enjoyable time at this year's Invent for the Planet, held at the university. This is run out of Texas A&M University in the USA and as well as our students, there are groups from other universities around the world: some 50 universities I am told. A lot of the success here is due to the organizers, one of whom broke her ankle a couple of weeks before the event. She had to switch all her tasks, including teaching to work online. There are two or three other main administrators as well as helpers and mentors like me.
The mentors offer advice and suggestions to the students as they are trying to develop solutions to major world problems, some of which focus on specific geo-locations. One last year looked at the lack of electrical power in sub-Saharan Africa. Part of the task for the students requires them to present their ideas to a team of judges. The format is a video of up to 90 seconds, plus another 8-10 minutes of traditional presentation, including slides. That is one of the areas where I can jump in. Although many Thai students these days have really good English, their writing - including captions and other details on slides - needs guidance. My other main task, apart from wandering around offering suggestions, is photographing and writing about the event. I put two pages of photographs online, and a report with a selection of images. These are:
Tim Cook has hinted that this week (Joe Rossignol, MacRumors) there is to be a new product: the newest member of the family - Wed 19 Feb. Speculation suggests this is the rumored iPhone16 SE although there is no guarantee of this the way that other products (MacBook Pro, iPads) have been disappearing from the shelves recently, and the M4 MacBook Air is another potential candidate. There was much speculation after the initial report as several products are in line to be updated, and we are aware that Apple likes to spring surprises.
As expected, Apple released a number of interim updates last week. Juli Clover (MacRumors) outlines the update, noting the usual bug fixes and security updates. In a later article Juli Clover adds some detail about a fix in this update for a specific accessibility vulnerability, adding that it is important to install this as there is evidence that this has already been exploited. There was also an update to watchOS (11.3.1) but not to tvOS.
There was some apparent good news for many users who have two Apple accounts, for one reason or another, and want to merge these. That includes me. These can now be merged in some circumstances. I was an early user of iTools, but for some reason between when iTunes became available here and iCloud appeared I was unable to use a log-in, so created another account. As well as the account I use for iTunes and apps, I have an account that ends in .me.com and another with icloud.com. The two accounts (iCloud and iTunes) work well enough, but it seems more sensible to have one only. Users in the EU, Britain, India are excluded, while users in the rest of the world are faced with a list of potential trapdoors that will prevent merging, which seem to come from a Boolean users notebook: either . .. or; else . . . if, et al.
Adam Engst (TidBits) for example suggests that the Support Document shows "how to migrate apps, music, movies, TV shows, books, and other digital purchases" which appears to come directly from the Document. The requirements were updated to clarify some points according to 512 Pixels, the first site to spot that Apple had changed its rules and allowed merging.
I also read an item on this by Anthony Bouchard who included a list of caveats, one of which was, "You can't migrate purchases if both the primary Apple Account and the secondary Apple Account have music library data associated with each of them" which was not initially clear to me, but does not seem to preclude my merging despite what I first feared. That was clarified (a little) in the updated information from Apple. However, a closer look at another disqualifier, "If your primary account has never been used for purchases or free downloads, you can't migrate purchases" may be a red flag for me. I will just have to work my way through the process and see what happens.
I linked to the Support Document 117294 and had a careful read. There are a lot of hoops to jump through and I am still unsure if this will work for me, particularly if I have to wait 15 days since the last purchase on the secondary account with the number of subscriptions I have popping up at various intervals during the month. I just cancelled three of them to reduce that risk. Reading the full list I found another rule that may delay my attempts at merging: a list of movies in the coming next section of AppleTV that I spotted online and would pay for only when downloaded. There are about 20, including Alexander Nevsky (which I remember seeing in my early teens), Slaughterhouse 5, and Snatch. Keepers all.
With updates to Pixelmator and Photomator, an opening screen announces that Apple has now taken over these apps which are as yet unchanged. I use Photomator mostly, and although I have it on the Mac and the iPhone, I prefer the way it works on the iPad Pro. It has always reminded me of Apple's Aperture and that is not a bad thing, although it does miss many of the best features of that lamented application, such as the Light Table and the full display of metadata.
I often switch to Photomator on the iPad Pro after some work on Photos as the Texture tool is particularly useful (like the Neutrals and Tone tools on the Mac). I am also a regular user of the Photomator Repair tool, which Photos on the iPad never had until the recent AI updates provided the hit and miss Clean Up option. It is not so easy to use for tiny specks of dust or fibers that appear on negatives, and the ability to remove people or other large objects, as well as being ethically questionable sometimes leaves smudges. This either has to be redone or abandoned. With Photomator, touching the Repair tool on the target dust spot, deals with the problem quickly and easily.
Last week a lot of people were unpleasantly surprised by the news that the government in the UK, now under Labour, had demanded that Apple hand over the keys to its end-to-end encryption (E2E). The spooks at GCHQ have been after unrestricted access for a while. Although others would like such doors to be open, they seem (mostly) to understand that there is no E2E access only for the good guys. Once that barrier is down, anyone may knock and be given entry.
This demand for access comes under what was called The Snoopers' Charter (for good reason) when it was being brought into law by the previous (Tory) government. Despite much opposition, this flawed legislation was passed and became the law of the land: the UK Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) of 2016. However, the order that Apple was sent (secretly, and Apple must not admit this), demands access to users anywhere in the world. Tim Hardwick (MacRumors) writes that this "back door [would allow] UK security officials unencumbered access to encrypted user data worldwide - an unprecedented demand not before seen in any other democratic country."
In another article with more background information, Tim Hardwick adds that "Apple is likely to stop offering encrypted storage in the UK as a result of the demand" and lists the types of services that could be affected, noting that "UK users would still have access to basic iCloud services, but their data would lack the additional layer of security that prevents even Apple from accessing it." He also notes that "A more dramatic response from Apple would involve completely removing iCloud services from the UK" - the Nuclear Option. The Order has already raised eyebrows in the USA. There is more information and follow up speculation in articles by Mariella Moon (Engadget), and William Gallagher (AppleInsider) who notes that Google declines to say if the UK has given it a similar order, although it is expected this will happen soon if not yet issued.
Similar content comes from Ben Lovejoy (9to5Mac) who notes that "The British government's demand is as technically clueless as it is outrageous"; and from Dan Moren (6 Colors) who worries about the fallout should this become reality. Ed Hardy (Cult of Mac) also comments, while Taimur Asad, drawing from the same Washington Post article that others have used, adds that "The report also notes that this is the first time that such a request has been made by a major democracy"; and Carly Page (TechCrunch) notes that "Security and privacy advocates also say that the U.K. could set a dangerous global precedent that authoritarian regimes and cybercriminals will be eager to exploit." We can think of several regimes who would be salivating over that sort of access to data (see below on DeepSeek).
Later into the weekend, Duncan Campbell of Computer Weekly looks at ways the Technical Advisory Board may be able to halt this reckless move and notes that Apple has been particularly scathing over the possibility that the UK Government would demand access to data of all users anywhere in the world. Some of the Board members seem to be slanted towards the government however. With the demands of the UK kept secret, it may be that the US insists on looking at the feasibility of what the British want. The US experts, "may confirm that the Home Office has been promoting magical and impossible thinking, as most cyber security experts have warned repeatedly for over 30 years."
Even without the above, it was hardly realistic to expect that US politicians would keep quiet once the enormity of the problem was revealed. Tim Hardwick in another article begins, "Members of key congressional oversight committees have called on the United States' new top intelligence director to pressure the United Kingdom to withdraw its controversial demand for Apple to create a backdoor into encrypted user data stored in iCloud", which seems about right to me. William Gallagher (AppleInsider) also looks at the US response. I cannot disagree with this. The demand by UK security services for access to British users, or users anywhere in the world, is in itself wholly unreasonable, and could target nationals of any country, wherever they are (US citizens or not). Add to that the problem that a backdoor could never be just for the (so-called) good guys, this would leave open a huge risk for every user of Apple products.
In the influential Computer Weekly, Bill Goodwin writes on the significant number of computer science experts who have writen to Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, condemning this move by the British Government. They note, among other things that encryption is essential "For national security professionals and government employees, access to end-to-end encrypted services allows them to safeguard their personal life. . . ." As many others weighing in on this move have commented, a backdoor is never just for the good guys: "there is no way to provide government access to end-to-end encrypted data without breaking end-to-end encryption." Vladimir Jirasek (HelpNet Security), in a useful article that explains many of the problems, calls this "a blatant overreach that threatens privacy, security and civil liberties."
Although DeepSeek, the Chinese AI app, made some positive impressions in its first days, once users and researchers started to take a look at it, red flags began to be raised. As I reported a couple of weeks back, I did download the app, but I could go no further than the opening splash screen without internet access. Once the login (register) screen was available, the options seemed limited, but when I read through the terms and conditions, my response was a resounding, No, and I deleted the app. It appears to be that it is not the user who is seeking deeply for answers, but Chinese sources, accessing users' devices and being granted deep access.
My fears were confirmed by several reports including one by William Gallagher (AppleInsider), who writes that the app had been "found to be sending data to Chinese-owned services, as well as collecting extensive user data that is held and sent unencrypted". He adds that a Chicago-based mobile security firm, NowSecure, had found, "multiple security and privacy issues." Although the app does use encryption it is out of date and insecure, but that the app, "disables Apple's App Transport Security protocol, that would enforce encryption of data."
I saw a short Instagram posting on Monday (I missed the link) that claimed that user data was being sent unencrypted to the servers of China Mobile (via cmpassport dot com) and this has now been reported widely online. In related news, Filipe Espósito (9to5Mac) reports on Senator Josh Hawley who wants to ban the app (I find it odd to agree with Hawley), but in a law he is pushing through the legislative processes wants to fine anyone using it (or any Chinese AI) up to $1 million and up to 20 years in prison; and for businesses up to $100 million. Brian Heater reports that, with the requirements of the Chinese government on Apple's use of AI in the country, although it did look at DeepSeek and Baidu, it has partnered with AliBaba
As well as Italy who recognised the risks earlier than most, Lionel Lim (Fortune) reports that South Korea is blocking the app on government devices. Bearing in mind the amount of user data that could be hoovered up, I wonder why the app is not banned for everyone. The article also notes that Australia has banned the app, but all reports confirm that this too is on government devices only.
A Netflix series, American Primeval did not initially excite me (not in my list) but has seen some considerable support from Gordon Webster on FStoppers because of its visual beauty. He relates this to some of the best photography (the Film Noire Ripley series came to mind). So this has now joined My List.
Immediately after The Night Agent I ran The Recruit. While the former was a relatively serious series in the spy genre, I preferred the latter, which is serious, but with generous comedic input from the well-written script. I also noted the appearance of James Purefoy who seems to have found his way to the USA like his Romans co-star (Caesar and Anthony), Ciarán Hinds.
Also on Netflix I looked at Back in Action, which I had earlier compared with Family Plan. Of the two, despite the higher number of well-known actors (including Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz and Glenn Close) and some expensive scenes, I still prefer the Mark Wahlberg vehicle. I was just sent a note from Netflix that Zero Day, is available here from Thursday. It has Robert de Niro as a former president called out of retirement to fix things after a cyber attack only to walk into a pit of vipers. Robert de Niro has made a lot of good movies.
I really enjoyed The Åre Murders too. This is fairly short at 5 episodes, but the Scandinavian scenery is always evocative and crime videos allow for some interesting plot twists. Some of the best Film Noir movies have been crime-based: The 3rd Man; Touch of Evil; The Postman Always Rings Twice; High Sierra; The Naked City; Kiss Me Deadly; The Big Sleep; Scarface; and Key Largo. I also started a German series, Murder Mindfully, about a lawyer for a mob boss, who reacts positively to Mindfulness classes. As a coping strategy he murders those who disturb him, starting with the crime boss. British people often claim that Germans have no sense of humor, but I would recommend this, and Kleo (I look forward to a 3rd season). I also note that Netflix reports that a 2nd season of Murder Mindfully is in the pipeline. Like Kleo, this is in German with English subtitles. Formula One fans, like me will be pleased to see that Season 7 of the Netflix, series Formula 1: Drive to Survive is marked as arriving here 7 March.
I am still enjoying Prime Target on AppleTV and each episode brings more revelations, particularly regarding the real motives of the US security services. Apple is to launch a French series on the world's first celebrity chef, Carême (Patently Apple). It is also reported that Neuromancer, based on the William Gibson novel of the same name is being planned. by Apple. I read this several years ago - it came out in 1984 - and thought that it was in this book that Gibson first coined the term, Cyberspace. A check shows that it was used in Neuromancer, but its first use was in Gibson's Burning Chrome
One of my favourite productions on AppleTV was (or is) Foundation and clearly the writer on MacDaily News is also a fan. The way the series has developed, and veered from the original source, is outlined in the comments and a link to an outside source. And with a line near the end, with input dated December 2023, there was the confirmation (already released of course) that Series 3 was greenlighted. There were rumors of production difficulties and delays, but I remain optimistic. The latest news I can find (Bradley, Midgard Times is that after delays, the production wrapped up in July and is expected some time in 2025. I also hope to see the next series of Invasion sometime soon.
Also on AppleTV, an old favorite is back: Ted Lasso. We had all expected series 3 to be the end, but there seems to be some mileage left. However, this time, we are told by several sources, that this will focus on formation of a women's team. Marko Zivkovic (AppleInsider) writes that, "It's still unclear whether Jason Sudeikis' character will make a return, as the actor was reported to have been satisfied with the original ending of the show" adding that there is the potential of cameo appearances. Sometimes (remember Breaking Bad, you have to know the time to end a good thing.
I am always on the lookout for good movies, although (perhaps because of copyright) the services I link to in Thailand do not always carry titles I am interested in after seeing clips on Facebook or YouTube. Occasionally one pops up and I either watch on Netflx or add it to my list on AppleTV, perhaps paying for it when I am in the mood. I also find some complete movies on YouTube, although these are rare. Anna Washenko (Engadget) reports that Warner have put a list of movies on YouTube. There are some duds as she explains, but when I looked I noted 4 or 5 that I will almost certainly watch.
Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. After 3 years writing a column in the Life supplement, he is now no longer associated with the Bangkok Post. He can be followed on X (@extensions_th). The RSS feed for the articles is http://www.extensions.in.th/ext_link.xml - copy and paste into your feed reader.
For further information, e-mail to
Back to
eXtensions
Back to
Home Page