🔓 Microsoft's Recall Flaw, Adobe Backlash & Apple's Passwords
Happy Friday! Conclude your week with our roundup of key highlights and breakthroughs in technology and AI.
Today’s pick
Microsoft's Recall Feature Is Even More Hackable Than You Thought
Adobe responds to vocal uproar over new Terms of Service language
Apple to Debut Passwords App in Challenge to 1Password, LastPass
Hundreds of Snowflake customer passwords found online are linked to info-stealing malware
This Amazon-Backed Neuralink Rival Is Taking a Different Path to BCI Adoption
Let’s dive in
Microsoft's Recall Feature Is Even More Hackable Than You Thought
By Andy Greenberg via WIRED
Microsoft's Recall feature, touted as a "photographic memory" for PCs, is vulnerable, allowing hackers to access stored desktop history without admin privileges.
Security experts like James Forshaw and Alex Hagenah have demonstrated that the feature's safeguards can be bypassed, exposing users' complete desktop activity.
The feature's rushed implementation has raised serious security concerns, with experts labeling it as potentially pre-installed spyware that compromises enterprise security.
𝕏: As the security backlash has grown against Microsoft's Recall feature, it at least seemed the screenshots it takes every 5 seconds are stored such that a hacker would need admin privileges to access them. Turns out even that safeguard is easily bypassed. - Andy Greenberg (@agreenberg at the other places) (@a_greenberg)
Adobe responds to vocal uproar over new Terms of Service language
By Carl Franzen via VentureBeat
Adobe's new Terms of Service have sparked significant backlash, with users upset over clauses allowing the company to access and analyze their content, including through machine learning.
Critics argue that the terms could potentially compromise confidential work and violate privacy, leading to a wave of customers considering canceling their Creative Cloud subscriptions.
Adobe responded by clarifying that the policy is to enhance services and combat illegal content, asserting they do not review locally stored files and that these changes are meant to support generative AI features.
𝕏: So am I reading this, right? @Adobe @Photoshop I can't use Photoshop unless I'm okay with you having full access to anything I create with it, INCLUDING NDA work? - Sam Santala (@SamSantala)
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Apple to Debut Passwords App in Challenge to 1Password, LastPass
By Mark Gurman via Bloomberg
Apple will launch a new app called Passwords on June 10, aiming to simplify login processes and compete with existing services like 1Password and LastPass.
The Passwords app will be part of the upcoming iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15 updates, featuring password generation and management capabilities.
The announcement will occur at the Worldwide Developers Conference, aligning with Apple’s broader initiative to enhance software security and user convenience.
𝕏: Coming in iOS 18 and macOS 15: A dedicated Apple Passwords app that will rival 1Password and LastPass - Mark Gurman (@markgurman)
Hundreds of Snowflake customer passwords found online are linked to info-stealing malware
By Zack Whittaker via TechCrunch
Snowflake faces scrutiny after hundreds of customer passwords were found online, linked to malware that has compromised sensitive corporate data.
Major clients like Ticketmaster and Santander have suffered breaches, prompting questions about Snowflake's security practices and its lack of mandatory multi-factor authentication (MFA).
The breach exposes significant vulnerabilities in Snowflake’s security, with stolen credentials available for cybercriminals, highlighting the risks of not enforcing MFA for data protection.
𝕏: Hundreds of millions of Advance Auto Parts records allegedly exfiltrated: The threat actor claims to be selling for $1.5 million 3 terabytes stolen from AAP Snowflake. - HackManac (@H4ckManac)
This Amazon-Backed Neuralink Rival Is Taking a Different Path to BCI Adoption
By Rachel Curry via Observer
Cognixion, an Amazon-backed BCI company, is offering non-invasive brain-computer interfaces, providing an alternative to Neuralink's implantable chips, aiming to help disabled individuals without requiring surgery.
The company’s Cognixion ONE and Axon-R headsets integrate augmented reality and enable functionalities like speech generation, home automation, and health data tracking, with a focus on scalability and immediate use in healthcare.
Cognixion emphasizes patient advocacy and accessibility, planning to reach millions within years, contrasting with Neuralink’s surgical approach and smaller market scope, despite Neuralink’s high valuation and funding.
𝕏: Looks like @elonmusk has a strong competitor in #bci - @Cognixion_AI non-invasive brain computer interface - Matthew Stotts (@mlstotts)
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