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Issue link: https://digital.macdirectory.com/i/1515807
ElevenLabs highlights the challenges of balancing technological advancements with safeguards against misuse, prompting calls for more stringent regulations and responsible development practices within the AI industry. Apple Opposes UK Security Amendments, Warns of Global Impact Apple has strongly criticized proposed amendments to the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act (IPA) 2016, cautioning against potential threats to global user security. The Cupertino-based tech giant expressed concern over the suggested changes that could allow the UK government to block the release of updates addressing vulnerabilities, even if they are discovered and deemed critical for global user protection. Under the proposed amendments, if the UK Home Office rejected an update, it would not be permitted for release elsewhere, and the public would remain uninformed. Apple argued that such measures would grant the UK government unprecedented power to veto user protections globally, hindering the company from offering necessary updates to its customers. A government spokesperson emphasized the importance of balancing technological innovation and secure communications with public safety, especially in matters related to lawful access and national security. Apple labeled the proposal as an “unprecedented overreach” and warned that it could lead to the UK secretly blocking new user protections on a global scale. The amendments were set for discussion in the House of Lords, with speculation that the unelected body might provide a more thoughtful response, free from populist influences. While the House of Lords historically holds the power to delay and encourage compromise on contentious legislation, it cannot outright block it. Two crucial questions arise from this development: Firstly, will the proposed amendments be enacted into law? Secondly, if they do, how will Apple respond? The company had previously indicated the possibility of pulling services like FaceTime and iMessage from the UK rather than compromising on security. While this may not severely impact Apple’s business, as these services come free with Apple devices, the proposed law extends its reach to encompass “all Apple products.” As debates unfold at the intersection of technology and liberal arts, the outcome remains uncertain, raising concerns about the potential impact on user privacy and security globally. WhatsApp and “X” Introduce Passkey Safety Tools for iOS Users Users of WhatsApp and the social media platform “X” (formerly Twitter) can now enhance their security with the introduction of passkey support, according to reports from 9to5Mac and TechCrunch. Passkeys, defined by TechTarget as an alternative authentication method that eliminates the need for usernames and passwords, provide a more secure way to verify user login credentials. Unlike traditional login methods susceptible to various security flaws, passkeys are stored solely on the user’s device, reducing the risk of interception by potential scammers. While WhatsApp users on Android have had passkeys as an option for some time, the feature is now making its way to the iPhone. The latest version of WhatsApp beta for iPhone, as reported by WABetaInfo, includes a new menu for setting up passkeys, soon to be available to beta users. Surprisingly, “X,” which had removed SMS 2FA support for non-paying accounts just over a year ago, is now adding support for passkeys on iOS. While SMS 2FA is considered less secure than passkeys, the latest move reflects a shift towards more robust security measures. However, there are a couple of limitations to note. Passkeys are currently only available on iOS and exclusively in the United States. Despite this, users in the U.S. can already utilize passkeys on iOS. Instructions on how to implement passkeys can be found on the official support page of “X,” accessible through a URL starting with “help dot twitter dot com.” The introduction of passkeys reflects a broader trend in the tech industry towards enhancing user security and mitigating vulnerabilities in authentication processes.