Context :
Apple
issues emergency security updates to close a spyware flaw / NY
Times / 14 Sept 2021
Extact :
Ø Apple issued emergency software updates for a
critical vulnerability in its products on Monday after security researchers
uncovered a flaw that allows highly invasive spyware from Israel’s NSO
Group to infect
anyone’s iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or Mac computer without so much as a click.
Ø Apple’s security team had worked around the
clock to develop a fix since Tuesday, after researchers at Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity watchdog organization at the
University of Toronto, discovered that a Saudi activist’s iPhone had been
infected with an advanced form of spyware from NSO.
Ø The spyware, called Pegasus, used a novel method to invisibly infect Apple devices without
victims’ knowledge. Known as a
“zero click remote exploit,” it is
considered the Holy Grail of surveillance because it allows governments, mercenaries and
criminals to secretly break into someone’s device without tipping the victim off.
Ø Using the zero-click
infection method, Pegasus
can,
# turn on a user’s camera and microphone,
# record messages, texts, emails, calls
( even those sent via encrypted messaging
and phone apps like Signal )
# and send them back to NSO’s clients at governments around the
world.
Ø “ This spyware can do everything an iPhone user can do on their device and more,” said John
Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, who teamed up with Bill
Marczak, a senior research fellow at Citizen Lab, on the finding.
Ø The discovery means that more than 1.65 billion Apple products in use
worldwide have been vulnerable to NSO’s spyware since at least March. It signals a serious escalation in the
cybersecurity arms race, with governments willing to pay whatever it takes to
spy on digital communications en masse, and with tech companies, human rights
activists and others racing to uncover and fix the latest vulnerabilities that
enable such surveillance.
===================================================
MY TAKE :
Ø
For
past few years, I have been saying that our proposed DATA PROTECTION LAW ( hanging for past 3 years
), cannot protect any Smartphone User. Following
is a partial list of e-mails that I have sent to our Policy Makers in the past
on this matter
Ø
In
this week itself, both Facebook
and Xiomi have
launched eye-glasses ( call them, “ Computers resting on Nose / Ears “ ), that
can take photos / record videos / answer phone calls / play music etc ), by
pressing a button or swiping a finger. A red light will blink to warn others
around ( - may not, tomorrow ! )
Ø
Just
wait for Elon Musk’s Neuralink to launch a
hugely advanced BCI ( Brain Computer Interface ) – of course as a light weight eye-glass and no need for
tiny wires to be implanted into wearer’s brain – which will transmit the thoughts of
the wearer to another wearer, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD !
( He will use his 12,000 NEO satellite Network STARLINK , for transmission of thoughts )
Ø
Musk
has already applied to the Indian Government for statutory permissions to
operate STARLINK network in India. At $ 499 for Receiver Dish ( one time
installation charges ) and a monthly fee of $ 99 , it is possible that ,
StarLink may not find any customers in rural areas. But when ( no question of,
IF ) BCI eye-glasses arrive, RICH people all around the world may want to use
this combination of “ Eye Glass BCI +
StarLink “ , to transmit – what they might consider their SECRET THOUGHTS ! Of
course, Musk will HARVEST all
those thoughts !
Ø
If
anyone has any doubt, Mercedes Benz last week introduced a CONCEPT CAR that a
person can simply drive with his THOUGHTS ! Driver wears a “ head band ” like
device around his forehead which picks up his thoughts ( Turn right – turn left
– stop etc ), and commands the car that is really, a “ Computer on Wheels “.
Launch may be 5 years away but concept is under validation
Ø
During
these same 5 years, every ( at least, middle-class ) home will have dozens of
Internet Connected Devices ( IoT ) which will observe the occupants , listen to
their conversations and transmit everything to device manufacturers / OS suppliers
/ Internet Service Providers / anyone !
Ø
In
this “ losing battle “ all that we can do , is to “ Slow Down “ this
irresistible assault on privacy, for a little while, by implementing :
Who
watches the Watchmen ? ……………………[ 12 Jan 2019 ]
Ø And if we cannot beat
them, how about joining them ? How about “ making best of a bad bargain “ ?
How about
enabling every Indian User to “ monetize “ his PERSONAL / PRIVATE DATA, by implementing :
Digital
Dividend from Demographic Data [
14 Feb 2019 ]
SARAL …………………………………………………………..[
10 Feb 2019 ]
Privacy for Sale …………………………………………..[
26 Aug 2017 ]
Dear Ashwini Vaishnawji / Shri Rajeev
Chandrasekharji,
I urge you ,
# not to place the Government into an embarrassing position by forcing the
Supreme
Court to “ pass an order
# to offer to the Supreme Court to implement my suggestion ( Who watches the
Watchmen ? ).
Please, do
a WIN-WIN vis-à-vis “ Privacy Advocates “
# not to conduct an ENDLESS ANALYSIS of my suggestion in respect of enabling
Indian Citizen to “monetize”
If, in implementation, some glitches arise, we will surely overcome. We must
not let “
Fear of
solutions
Countries around the world are
platforms but without much success .
Some 4 / 5 countries
GAFA . They are trying to hide their grin !
Please remember, our UPI based system of DIGITAL PAYMENTS is being
admired even by the advanced
When we implement “ Digital Dividend / SARAL “, it will become a benchmark
for the entire
INEQUITY between the RICH and the POOR
( Read : Richest 10 % in India own over 50 % of assets : NSS )
With regards,
Related Readings :
Privacy ? What is that ?................................[
04 May 2017 ]
Delusion of Privacy ?
……………………………………….[ 10 June 2017 ]
2024 ! – V 2.0 of Orwellian 1984 ?
…………………[ 07 July 2017 ]
Wherefore Art Thou, O Romeo ?
…………………….[ 20 Sept 2017 ]
A An
Open Letter to Dear Hon CJI.…………………….[
13 Apr 2018 ]
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