emoeller

Well kiddies its happened -  Apple now controls us all

https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/

This is at the heart of the failures yesterday.

In other news I was researching the new Eero Pro 6 wifi system (offered by Apple) I came across this:

"STEP 2: Create an eero account

To begin setting up your new eero network, you will need an eero account first. You will need to enter your phone number and email address. "

Now why would I need to have an account to set up my own wifi system?   So I phoned Eero and was told that an authentication code is needed to activate the hardware, but I was assured that the ONLY data collected (other than my name, email and phone) was bulk anonymous usage data (how many Gb went through).  BUT when I asked to see the Privacy policy (Eero is owned by Amazon now) the rep and I found this:

  

Types of data we  (Eero) collect

“Personal Data” means data that allows someone to identify or contact you, including, for example, your name, telephone number, e-mail address, as well as any other non-public information about you that is associated with or linked to any of the foregoing data, and may also include Device Data. “Device Data” means product and performance data that are automatically collected when you use eero Devices and Application(s) to the extent that such data is associated with or linked to data that allows someone to identify or contact you, for example:

• performance statistics, including network speeds, network internet service provider (ISP), and other eero Device data (e.g., temperature, CPU, memory),

• network bandwidth usage statistics (i.e. the volume of data transferred and the protocol of packets),

• MAC addresses for eero Devices and connected devices, IP addresses and network SSID and password,

• family profile names, device hostnames, firmware data, Application clickstream, Application crash data, WiFi channel usage information, types of connected devices, the association of devices with a specific family profile, and WiFi signals from other WiFi systems in the area.

  
  

  OOPS - they can, and apparently do, hoover up everything, and because the Eero sits between your modem and your computer, none of Apple's privacy measures can stop this.  Further down the Privacy document it details what all Amazon can (and will) do with all that data.  See:

  https://eero.com/legal/privacy

  The only thing the rep and I decided could be done would be to use a VPN (or possibly another router that the user controlled that would sit between the modem and the Eero).   Both have overhead and management concerns.
  

  
  

  The future of privacy on Apple products is looking very bleak...

  
  

  
  

Earlier this year I splurged and purchased Little Snitch - a small app that tracks/traces all traffic activity.   I was shocked at how many (thousands) trackers are installed and used on my computers.   Fortunately one can turn them off and on within Little Snitch, but it can be tricky because some of them are required for apps to run and/or update.  

It even shows a map where the information is being sent - shocking number of data sent internationally.

I used to store private information in Contacts, only to find out that none of that is private.  And now of course anything cut and pasted is apparently open to all.    

I applaud Apple for their privacy efforts, but worried that we are all way behind on this issue.

I was gifted one of these when they first came out last year.   It was a bear to set up even though I only use it with one device (a 4K LG OLED TV with AppleTV 4K).  Once it was set up it worked well, except that when movies came on in letterbox the lights were muted.  Speculating that the Sync Box only samples near the four corners.   Another issue that came up was if the internet went down, so did the Sync Box - video continued to work such as streaming movies from my iTunes on iMac.  Can't imagine why the Sync Box would need an internet connection?

Overall I like it and would recommend it to someone with a high end TV and who was invested in Phillips Hue products.

I've just updated the Hue Sync app I think having Siri shortcuts is going to be very useful.

Although there is no official way to force an update this worked for me for this update (did it in a few minutes

How to Force an AirPods Firmware Update

If you find that a new version of the AirPods firmware is available, but not yet installed, you can try forcing your AirPods to update.

To do so, put your AirPods into their Charging Case, start charging the case, and place it near your iPhone. Next, open the cover and then dismiss the on-screen battery display.

OK, just submitted my FCC response and suggest all others do the same to overturn 17-108 as it violates the 1996 Telecommunications Act and its predecessor the 1934 Communications Act.