Thursday Open Thread [9.18.14]
Apple said Wednesday night that it is making it impossible for the company to turn over data from most iPhones or iPads to police — even when they have a search warrant — taking a hard new line as tech companies attempt to blunt allegations that they have too readily participated in government efforts to collect user information.
[…]The key is the encryption that Apple mobile devices automatically put in place when a user selects a passcode, making it difficult for anyone who lacks that passcode to access the information within, including photos, e-mails and recordings. Apple once maintained the ability to unlock some content on devices for legally binding police requests but will no longer do so for iOS 8, it said in the new privacy policy.
If you have data in the iCloud, this does not apply, but I like locking down your devices from law enforcement not just as a privacy standard, but also as a marketing differentiator. All of the rest of the cell phone purveyors need to offer this level of privacy immediately.
Ann Coulter thinks that Libertarians are threatening the chances of the GOP in this year”s elections and she is threatening violence on those who are voting for Libertarian candidates:
“The biggest current danger for Republicans is that idiots will vote for Libertarian candidates in do-or-die Senate elections, including Kentucky, mobile casino Kansas, North Carolina and Colorado,” she wrote in her column, adding that the independent candidate in the Kansas race also poses a threat to the party. “Democratic candidates don”t have to put up with this crap — they”re even trying to dump the official Democrat in Kansas to give the stealth Democrat a better shot.” […]
“When we”re all dying from lack of health care across the United States of Mexico, we”ll be deeply impressed with your integrity, libertarians,” Coulter wrote. “Which brings me to my final assignment this week: If you are considering voting for the Libertarian candidate in any Senate election, please send me your name and address so I can track you down and drown you.”
So wonder how funny conservatives think this is now that she is threatening them too.
Economic Chart of the Day, or You Can”t Feed a Family With GDP:
You”d think that this would be obvious, except, of course, to our conservative friends who jut repeat what they are told. Even though they *know* that they are not participating in the wealth increase that they are at Ground Zero for creating.
What interests you today?
Well, well, well, look who’s a tax cheat. That Bill Rickman guy, the casino guy, the guy who wants a bigger take from the state:
http://wdel.com/story.php?id=62683
It reminds me of Romney’s 46% “takers” conceit. Here’s a news flash…. everybody is a taker. And that’s just fine. But if you’re a rich white guy who has all the breaks and asks for more, I have a suggestion. Pay your fucking tax!
I know a tiny bit about this Rickman character as well because he brought Ocean Downs in Berlin, MD from Bally’s. (My wife is from Berlin.) He seems like an unctous prick. Kingpin in a dirty business…
Isis coming through our borders…
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/09/18/1330722/-Republican-congressional-candidate-endorses-going-to-war-with-Mexico-over-undocumented-immigrants#
ISIS is apparently financing its invasion of Iraq with revenue from oil fields it has captured. To which George Bush said “You can do that?”
I have not seen anything on the Civic League’s candidate forum Tuesday night. Did anybody out there attend?
The whackiness continues……
“….it was suggested that Mr. Christopher (the Sherrif) not do the write-in, and instead wait and run for the GA.” – Frank Knotts reporting on the Christopher meeting in Seaford tonight. No decision was made.
http://www.delawareright.com/breaking-news-no-official-announcement/
That thread is great.
Apple says they cannot access the data. But can we believe them? Considering the $250,000/day fine levied against Yahoo who refused to hand over info, are we to assume the NSA just let this happen?
Iconic statement on encryption: http://xkcd.com/538/
I expect the NSA to put enormous pressure on Apple for a back door. And will never know, because Apple’s system is closed-source (proprietary), and it will be illegal for Apple to disclose its discussions with the NSA.
They probably will get alot of pressure otherwise. But if I read the press on NSA access correctly, there seems to be some impetus among tech companies to just eliminate back door access, just to be able to throw up their hands and say Not My Problem. Apparently dealing with law enforcement can be a pretty big cost that these companies are trying to get out of having to incur.