🕵️♂️ Internet History Lost, Apple’s $1.1B Satellite Push, & Online Safety Alert
Good morning. It’s Friday, November 01. Today we are covering:
They Are Scrubbing the Internet Right Now
Apple expands iPhone satellite services deal, commits $1.1bn to expand capacity
Online grooming crimes reach record levels, NSPCC says
Indonesia blocks Google Pixel sales after ban on iPhone 16
Android's next big update will ship early in 2025
Let’s dive in
They Are Scrubbing the Internet Right Now
By Jeffrey A. Tucker via Brownstone Institute
Censorship on major social media platforms and restrictions on searchability are increasingly common, with high-profile content facing limitations on accessibility, impacting independent media visibility.
A massive DDoS attack on Archive.org has disabled real-time archiving, leaving significant gaps in internet history, hindering researchers' ability to verify past content.
The end of Google Cache and Alexa’s traffic ranking services, alongside algorithm changes favoring “trusted sources,” further restrict transparency, transforming the internet's memory and accountability.
𝕏: Internet Archive has not been archiving since 10/8. Google Cache has stopped caching. The Alexa service - the one that used to rank web traffic (not the Amazon virtual assistant) is gone. The ability of censors to memory-hole the internet is growing. - GeroDoc (@doc_gero)
Apple expands iPhone satellite services deal, commits $1.1bn to expand capacity
By Benjamin Mayo via 9to5Mac
Apple has expanded its satellite service agreement with GlobalStar, committing $1.1 billion to enhance infrastructure and acquiring a 20% ownership stake.
With iOS 18, iPhone users can now send text messages over satellite when out of cellular or WiFi range, though Apple plans to charge for these services in the future.
The Emergency SOS feature remains free on iPhone 14 and newer models, with possible fees for other satellite features or bundling options being explored.
𝕏: Globalstar files 8-K with details of expanded Apple agreement for more satellites: $1.1B prepay plus $400M equity investment in special purpose entity, revenue will more than double after launch - Tim Farrar (@TMFAssociates)
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Online grooming crimes reach record levels, NSPCC says
By Martyn Landi via The Independent
NSPCC reports a record high in online grooming crimes in the UK, with over 7,000 cases recorded in 2023-24, marking an 89% rise since 2017.
Social media platforms like Snapchat and WhatsApp are commonly used for these offenses; the NSPCC calls for Ofcom to strengthen the Online Safety Act to proactively address platform design flaws.
Officials urge tech companies to enforce stricter protections under the new law, with Ofcom prepared to implement robust measures to combat child grooming starting in December.
Indonesia blocks Google Pixel sales after ban on iPhone 16
By Manish Singh via TechCrunch
Indonesia has banned Google Pixel smartphone sales, citing non-compliance with a 40% local content rule, following a similar ban on Apple's iPhone 16.
The regulation requires smartphone makers to manufacture locally, develop firmware, or invest in domestic innovation to boost Indonesia’s industrial and economic growth.
Companies like Samsung and Xiaomi comply by establishing local manufacturing, while Apple has invested in developer academies; non-compliant brands face strict sales restrictions.
Android's next big update will ship early in 2025
By Richard Lawler via The Verge
Android 16 is scheduled for an early 2025 release in Q2, a shift intended to synchronize with more device launches and reduce delays in update rollouts across the ecosystem.
The update will feature enhancements such as Gemini AI tools in Android Studio for coding assistance and rich ongoing notifications, similar to iOS Live Activities.
Google plans a major Q2 release and a minor Q4 SDK update annually, enabling app developers to adopt new features faster, making them accessible to more devices upon launch.
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