Apple Employee Joins ACLU to Fight Government Back Doors

Security expert Jon Callas formerly led a team of hackers to break into Apple products before they were released to test their security. Now he has joined the ACLU to fight against government back doors.

Wizner said he expects Callas to help the group resist governments demanding access to company platforms for surveillance of users and to weigh in on issues including fairness and transparency in artificial intelligence.

Hopefully Jon can help the ACLU fight things like Australia’s recent anti-encryption bill.

Find Out If Your Data Was Leaked With This Data Breach Tool

A data breach tool called have i been pwned? is an app and website that helps you find out if your information was included in data breaches. It’s easy to use, just enter your email address. Have I been pwned? allows you to search across multiple data breaches to see if your personal data was compromised by any of the big hacks on record.  The app includes no  or automatic collecting of private data, searching among published databases and so-called pastes, getting real-time updated by receiving push notifications when new breaches happen, and information behind certain hacks, provided with relevant links to more information. The app has also been provided as open source software, found at GitHub. App Store: Free

PDF Expert for Mac: $19.99

We have a deal on PDF Expert for Mac from Readdle.  This PDF editor has a nice list of distinctions, including being The 2015 App of the Year in the Mac App Store, Top Paid App in the Mac App Store, Editors’ Choice by Apple, and 4.6 out of 5 stars from 1,1000 ratings on the Mac App Store. The deal is for PDF Expert 2.4.2, the version on Readdle’s website. It’s $19.99 through our deal, 75% off retail.

What Happens When a Nonprofit's Facebook gets Hacked?

Being hacked is a disaster for all organizations. For nonprofits, though, the consequences can be devastating. Facebook is one of the largest platforms for charitable donations. However, some organizations have claimed the firm does not provide sufficient resources to support them when things go wrong. Wired has investigated what happened to nonprofits when hackers took control of their Facebook pages and key information like donor data is exposed.

Facebook’s nonprofit efforts have also remained a public relations bright spot for the company while it’s been embroiled in one scandal after another since the 2016 US presidential election. And they play right into Mark Zuckerberg’s new mission for the company, to “bring the world closer together.” Last week, for example, Facebook announced that users contributed more than $125 million to nonprofits around the world during its annual Giving Tuesday event, over $80 million more than the year before. But some nonprofit leaders say Facebook’s decision to prioritize charitable giving hasn’t coincided with an appropriate increase in support for the organizations that use its products.

Third Party Lightning to USB-C Cables Arriving Early 2019

Lightning to USB-C cables from third-party accessory makers look set to arrive in early 2019.  MacRumours has seen relevant. documentation that was given to Hong-Kong based website ChargerLabs. The paperwork indicated that firms in Apple’s Made for iPhone program should have the required parts by the middle of January 2019. This means the Lightning to USB-C products could arrive in shops in February or March.

Last week, Apple informed members of its Made for iPhone or “MFi” licensing program that Lightning to USB-C cables for charging and syncing are now permitted to be manufactured. These cables require a new Lightning connector with part number C94, which Made for iPhone program members can now order. Apple is selling the new Lightning connector to eligible hardware manufacturers for $2.88 per, and it is estimated to ship in six weeks, according to documentation shared with MacRumors by Hong Kong website ChargerLab.