Senior UK politician Damian Collins MP said the Libra digital currency suggests Facebook is “trying to turn itself into its own country.”
What is Theresa May's Tech Legacy?
Theresa May will leave Downing Street Wednesday, ending her three-year tenure as British Prime Minister. The date has been set for weeks now, but the day has finally arrived. Mrs. May’s relationship with the tech industry has not been an easy one. Back in June, Sky News’ Rowland Manthorpe looked at the outgoing PM’s tech legacy, and it is worth reading once again today.
Mrs May was not interested in them – and these “citizens of nowhere” found little appealing about her. Over the next two-and-a-half years, there were occasional signs of a thaw. After the election of 2017, Mrs May attempted to revive her government with a new industrial strategy: that meant cash for AI projects and extra visas for coders. But on the biggest questions posed by technology – from the future of work to the fragility of democracy – she remained conspicuously silent. In October 2018, two years after it first became clear that democratic elections in the US and Britain had been manipulated using social networks, the chair of the UK’s fake news enquiry admitted that he had never been asked to discuss the issue directly with the prime minister.
About the macOS Transparency Consent and Control System
The Eclectic Light Company writes:
The Transparency Consent and Control (TCC) system [in macOS] maintains a database of each user’s consents.
This article explains what you must do when uninstalling software in Mojave, and presumably Catalina, in order to remove previous consents for access to protected resources.
If you were to reinstall that software, you would see that it was immediately granted the same access as when it was removed, without your consent being sought again.
This is an interesting and informative article about the seldom discussed macOS TCC.
Dropbox Employees Seem to Have No Knowledge of Mac App
The new Dropbox for Mac has been annoying users, and it sounds like Dropbox employees don’t know how their app works.
To summarize, the problem is this: Dropbox now opens a new file browser and an associated Dock icon every time it starts, even if you don’t want it to…there are numerous Dropbox support employees who apparently have never used their company’s Mac application and do not understand how it works. As a result, Dropbox’s users have to explain to Dropbox employees how Dropbox’s application works on the Mac.
The Gates Foundation Profits From Private Prisons
Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates run the Gates Foundation, which recently increased its stake in Serco Group Plc, a private, for-profit prison in the U.K.
The trust, the Gates foundation’s investment arm, added nearly 200,000 shares of Serco Group Plc in May…The foundation’s staff have no influence over the trust’s investment decisions, according to its website…Serco runs six for-profit prisons in the U.K., all of which are nearly filled to capacity.
The staff may have no influence, but surely either of the Gates have a say in the matter?
Proposed New York Bill Would Make Sale of Location Data Illegal
Introduced today, a new bill in New York City would make the sale of cellphone location data illegal, with fines for violators.
Apple Wireless Magic Mouse and Keyboard Set (Renewed): $79.99
We have a deal on a “renewed” Apple Wireless Magic Mouse and Keyboard Set. “Renewed” includes refurbished units, returned units, and open box units, and also means a great deal, because the mouse and keyboard combo is just $79.99, 61% off retail. There’s also a separate deal for just the Apple Wireless Keyboard ($49.99) and just the Magic Mouse ($42.99).
William Barr Wants You to Accept Encryption Backdoor Security Risks
U.S. Attorney General William Barr suggested that Americans should just accept encryption backdoor security risks (via TechCrunch). Encryption Backdoor Risks In a speech today, William Barr called on tech companies to help the federal government to access devices with a lawful order. In other words, ignore the security risks and put a backdoor into their…
Apple Seeks Duty Exemption for Key Mac Pro Parts
Apple has asked the Trump administration to exclude Mac Pro components from any China tariffs, after moving manufacture of the device there.
Apple, Tennessee State University Promote Diversity in Coding
Apple is partnering with Tennessee State University to promote diversity in programming in HBCU C2 Presidential Academy.