Thousands of iOS and Android Apps are Leaking Data

Thousands of iOS and Android apps are leaking data. Over 113 GB of data have been exposed because of 2,271 misconfigured Firebase databases. Firebase is a service that Google offers that contains tools that developers use to create mobile and web apps. Cloud messaging, push notifications, database, analytics, advertising, and more are all tools that Firebase offers, which makes it a popular tool, at least among Android developers.

Starting with January 2018, Appthority researchers scanned mobile apps that used Firebase systems to store user data, analyzing the app’s communications pattern for requests made to Firebase domains.

After scanning more than 2.7 million iOS and Android apps, researchers said they identified 28,502 mobile apps (27,227 Android and 1,275 iOS) that connected and stored data inside Firebase backends.

Italy Wikipedia Shuts Down in Protest of EU Copyright Law

The EU is considering a new copyright law, and critics say it could endanger parts of the internet. Everything from memes, music remixes, and even news would be affected. Italy Wikipedia shut down in protest because editors say “Wikipedia itself would be at risk of closing.”

Two particular parts of the new rules – articles 11 and 13 – have been the focus of much criticism online. Article 13 has been the most controversial, requiring websites to enforce copyright, even on content uploaded by users. Article 11 of the proposed law requires online platforms to pay publishers a fee if they link to their news content.