Game gifting comes to the Xbox One’s online store

If you’ve ever wanted to gift an Xbox One game but didn’t want to saddle the recipient with a physical copy (or an impersonal gift card), you’re in luck. So long as you’re part of the Xbox Insider Program, Microsoft’s promised game gifting feature is now available for Xbox One titles through the console’s online store, including some Windows 10 games that support Play Anywhere. You can either send a title directly to one of your Xbox Live friends or to an email address. The recipient only has to redeem a code to claim their game.

This certainly isn’t a new concept — just ask anyone who’s ever handed out a freebie on Steam. It’s also unclear if this is exactly how gifting will work by the time the feature reaches the public. Still, this is more than a little helpful, and not just for birthdays or holidays. If you’ve ever had a friend who wanted to join in an Xbox multiplayer match but couldn’t afford to buy the game on the spot, you can do it for them.

Source: Windows Central (1), (2)

FBI Can Keep Details of iPhone Hack Secret, Rules Judge

The FBI doesn’t have to identify the company it contracted to unlock an iPhone used by one of the shooters in the 2015 California terror attack that killed 14 people, a federal judge ruled on Saturday (via Politico).

Three news organizations – USA Today, Associated Press, and Vice Media – sued the FBI last year under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to try to force the agency to reveal the name of the company and the amount it was paid to unlock the device.

In the original complaint, the news organizations argued that the public had a right to know how the government spent taxpayer funds in the case. They also claimed the existence of a flaw in the iPhone could be a danger to the public. However, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan ruled this weekend that the information is exempt from mandatory disclosure under the government transparency law.

In her ruling, released Saturday night, Chutkan said the identity of the firm that managed to unlock the iPhone and the price it was paid to do so are classified national security secrets and constitute intelligence sources or methods that can also be withheld on that basis. She also ruled that the amount paid for the hack reflects a confidential law enforcement technique or procedure that is exempt from disclosure under FOIA.

A battle between Apple and the FBI began in early 2016 when Apple refused to help the government unlock shooter Syed Farook’s iPhone 5c under the belief that it could set a bad precedent for security and privacy. The FBI didn’t know what was on the device at the time, but believed that any information gathered could potentially help move the case of the San Bernardino attack forward in meaningful ways.

To break into Farook’s iPhone 5c, the FBI later employed the help of “professional hackers” and reportedly paid upwards of $1.3 million for a tool exploiting a security vulnerability, a figure arrived at based on comments made by then-FBI director James Comey. The agency said it was not able to share with Apple the hacking methods used because it did not own the rights to the relevant technical details regarding the purchased technique.

The FBI has said the method used to break into the iPhone 5c does not work on the iPhone 5s and later, but it can be used to access iPhone 5c devices running iOS 9. It later revealed after the hack that nothing on the phone relevant to the investigation was found.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: Apple-FBI
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US pressured North Korea by overwhelming hackers with data traffic

The US is no stranger to hacking North Korea, but it’s usually in a bid to directly thwart the country’s military ambitions. Now, however, those attacks are being used as a diplomatic strategy. The Washington Post has learned that President Trump ordered a broad pressure campaign against North Korea that led to the US conducting a denial of service attack against North Korea’s spying office, the Reconnaissance General Bureau. The move flooded the RGB’s servers with traffic that effectively strangled their internet access, including the Bureau 121 group responsible for the North’s hacking campaigns. And while it clearly didn’t change Kim Jong Un’s mind, it does appear to have had a practical effect.

Reportedly, the initiative was designed to be temporary and only lasted for half a year — Trump signed the order in March, and it ended on September 30th. It wasn’t destructive, either. According to the Post’s sources, however, North Korean hackers were complaining about the ability to do their jobs during that period.

North Korea certainly isn’t going to get much sympathy. With that said, it raises questions about the use of cyberattacks as a pressure tactic. It no doubt sends the message that the US can cripple a hostile country’s digital warfare capabilities if it wants, but there is the concern that it could escalate an already tense situation. After all, North Korea is the sort of country that claims you can declare war with a tweet — while that’s hyperbolic, it might interpret a denial of service attack as an act of aggression that merits revenge.

Source: Washington Post

The best Micro USB cables to keep your gadgets juiced up

We’re starting to see a shift toward USB Type-C cables, but for the moment, Micro USB remains the standard go-to when it comes time to charge your smartphone and other gadgets. These cords may not be the most exciting pieces of tech in your home, but they’re essential for keeping your arsenal charged. Not all cables are created equal, though, so we’ve rounded up a list of the best Micro USB cables. Whether you’re looking for extra features, durability, length, or simply a reliable cable, you’ll find it here. If you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, then you’ll want to check out the best Lighting cables instead.

Anker PowerLine Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 10 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $7

This Micro USB cable is our top pick. When it comes to smartphone accessories, like the best portable chargers, Anker is generally a name you can trust, and this Micro USB cable is no exception. It’s long and strong, with integrated Kevlar fibers and heavy reinforcement at the stress points to ensure longevity. It also supports fast charging and syncing speeds. This 10-foot cable is reasonably priced and ideal if your outlet isn’t close to where you want to sit. It comes with two Velcro ties, too, so you can coil any excess cable if need be. It’s also available in 3- or 6-foot varieties.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Syncwire Charging Cords

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3x 3.3 feet
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Price: $7

These braided nylon cables are tough, with aluminum connectors that are built to last. You can snag three conveniently sized cables for a bargain price and they’ll serve you well. These cables can handle up to 2.4A and support USB 2.0 standard at 480 Mbps for data transfer. The 3.3 feet cables are ideal if you don’t want a lot of extra cable, but you can opt for 6.5 foot cables if you prefer, as they’re only an extra $3. 

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Tronsmart Charging Cables

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3x 6 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $8

These plain, black cables have stainless steel connectors and gold plating. They support current up to 2.5A and data transfer speeds of 480 Mbps. They’re lightweight and they don’t get tangled too easily. If you want basic, durable cables that do their job and don’t stand out — these will satisfy your needs for a very reasonable price. Tronsmart also offers different cable bundles with a variety of lengths, and they come in white as well as black.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Volutz Equilibrium Cables

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 10 feet, 6.5 feet, and 3x 3.3 feet
• Warranty: 24 months
• Price: $16

You can get five different cables at an assortment of lengths from Volutz. If you’re expecting poor quality, then get ready to be pleasantly surprised. These are tough, nylon-braided cables that are actually pretty thick, so they don’t tangle easily. The colored connectors are quite large, but the circular design makes them easy to grip and pull out with your thumb. They can handle fast charging, too, and there’s no problem with syncing data. The design might be loud, but they’re a steal given the price.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Fuse Chicken Titan Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3.25 feet
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Price: $25

This may be the toughest cable money can buy. It’s wrapped in industrial-strength steel, so there’s no danger that your pet is going to chew through it. It’s thick and relatively heavy, though, so while it might not tangle, it’s not the most suitable for carrying with you on the go. You can bend it to stand up by itself, but the connectors are a potential weakness, so you’ll need to bend it the right way if you want to avoid unwanted stress. You can also get a shorter version of the Titan Cable, one that’s better for traveling.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Proxicast Cable

• Quick charge: No
• Length: 6 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $7

If you’ve ever had problems plugging in a USB cable while using a phone case, then this is the cable for you. Proxicast’s cable is 6-feet long, and comes with a lengthy Micro-USB male tip. The Micro-USB tip is 8-millimeters long, which is very handy for people who like to use thick cases, hard-to-connect smartwatches, and other devices. The cable is also thick and rugged, which allows it to withstand abuse.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Syde Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 5 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $12

This cable is rugged, namely due to its military-grade durability. The cable has survived freezing, boiling, and bending, meaning it can take all sorts of abuse. It’s compatible with Quick Charge 3.0, and it provides some of the best insulation that we have seen in any cable. The double-nylon braided cable is 25-percent thicker than the regular AmazonBasics cables, and will withstand up to 25,000 bends. If you’re looking for a great all-around cable that can withstand abuse and is compatible with the latest Quick Charge technology, then this cable is a great choice.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Miger Retractable Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $15

The Swiss Army Knife of cables, Miger’s retractable cable is all the cables you need in one. First off, the cable is retractable, and we all know how hard it is to untangle cables. It’s also easy to carry and comes with both a USB Type-C and a lightning adapter. You can use the cable with any of your devices, too, regardless of the connection type. It’s also Apple-certified, so you can use it with your iOS devices with confidence. You even get two cables for a mere $15.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

The best Micro USB cables to keep your gadgets juiced up

We’re starting to see a shift toward USB Type-C cables, but for the moment, Micro USB remains the standard go-to when it comes time to charge your smartphone and other gadgets. These cords may not be the most exciting pieces of tech in your home, but they’re essential for keeping your arsenal charged. Not all cables are created equal, though, so we’ve rounded up a list of the best Micro USB cables. Whether you’re looking for extra features, durability, length, or simply a reliable cable, you’ll find it here. If you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, then you’ll want to check out the best Lighting cables instead.

Anker PowerLine Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 10 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $7

This Micro USB cable is our top pick. When it comes to smartphone accessories, like the best portable chargers, Anker is generally a name you can trust, and this Micro USB cable is no exception. It’s long and strong, with integrated Kevlar fibers and heavy reinforcement at the stress points to ensure longevity. It also supports fast charging and syncing speeds. This 10-foot cable is reasonably priced and ideal if your outlet isn’t close to where you want to sit. It comes with two Velcro ties, too, so you can coil any excess cable if need be. It’s also available in 3- or 6-foot varieties.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Syncwire Charging Cords

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3x 3.3 feet
• Warranty: Lifetime
• Price: $7

These braided nylon cables are tough, with aluminum connectors that are built to last. You can snag three conveniently sized cables for a bargain price and they’ll serve you well. These cables can handle up to 2.4A and support USB 2.0 standard at 480 Mbps for data transfer. The 3.3 feet cables are ideal if you don’t want a lot of extra cable, but you can opt for 6.5 foot cables if you prefer, as they’re only an extra $3. 

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Tronsmart Charging Cables

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3x 6 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $8

These plain, black cables have stainless steel connectors and gold plating. They support current up to 2.5A and data transfer speeds of 480 Mbps. They’re lightweight and they don’t get tangled too easily. If you want basic, durable cables that do their job and don’t stand out — these will satisfy your needs for a very reasonable price. Tronsmart also offers different cable bundles with a variety of lengths, and they come in white as well as black.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Volutz Equilibrium Cables

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 10 feet, 6.5 feet, and 3x 3.3 feet
• Warranty: 24 months
• Price: $16

You can get five different cables at an assortment of lengths from Volutz. If you’re expecting poor quality, then get ready to be pleasantly surprised. These are tough, nylon-braided cables that are actually pretty thick, so they don’t tangle easily. The colored connectors are quite large, but the circular design makes them easy to grip and pull out with your thumb. They can handle fast charging, too, and there’s no problem with syncing data. The design might be loud, but they’re a steal given the price.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Fuse Chicken Titan Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3.25 feet
• Warranty: Limited lifetime
• Price: $25

This may be the toughest cable money can buy. It’s wrapped in industrial-strength steel, so there’s no danger that your pet is going to chew through it. It’s thick and relatively heavy, though, so while it might not tangle, it’s not the most suitable for carrying with you on the go. You can bend it to stand up by itself, but the connectors are a potential weakness, so you’ll need to bend it the right way if you want to avoid unwanted stress. You can also get a shorter version of the Titan Cable, one that’s better for traveling.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Proxicast Cable

• Quick charge: No
• Length: 6 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $7

If you’ve ever had problems plugging in a USB cable while using a phone case, then this is the cable for you. Proxicast’s cable is 6-feet long, and comes with a lengthy Micro-USB male tip. The Micro-USB tip is 8-millimeters long, which is very handy for people who like to use thick cases, hard-to-connect smartwatches, and other devices. The cable is also thick and rugged, which allows it to withstand abuse.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Syde Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 5 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $12

This cable is rugged, namely due to its military-grade durability. The cable has survived freezing, boiling, and bending, meaning it can take all sorts of abuse. It’s compatible with Quick Charge 3.0, and it provides some of the best insulation that we have seen in any cable. The double-nylon braided cable is 25-percent thicker than the regular AmazonBasics cables, and will withstand up to 25,000 bends. If you’re looking for a great all-around cable that can withstand abuse and is compatible with the latest Quick Charge technology, then this cable is a great choice.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Miger Retractable Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $15

The Swiss Army Knife of cables, Miger’s retractable cable is all the cables you need in one. First off, the cable is retractable, and we all know how hard it is to untangle cables. It’s also easy to carry and comes with both a USB Type-C and a lightning adapter. You can use the cable with any of your devices, too, regardless of the connection type. It’s also Apple-certified, so you can use it with your iOS devices with confidence. You even get two cables for a mere $15.

Buy it now from:

Amazon

Want to build your own site? These are the best website builders to do it with

Not everyone wants to hire a company or avid programmer to make their website for them. Some of us would rather tackle it as DIY project, whether merely for the challenge, or simply because we can’t pony up the cash necessary to hire a fully-fledged professional. Choosing among the best website builders isn’t easy though. The features can be varied, and the pricing structure complex.

To help you figure out which is the best website builder for you, we’ve put together a regularly updated list of our favorites to walk you through finding the right one. Keep in mind nearly every free website builder on our list also offers a set of premium packages, many of which include expanded storage and bandwidth, as well as features often lacking from their freemium counterparts. The premium plans also remove unwanted ads on your page and the subdomain housed in your website URL, which is a must if you’re breaking into a professional field.

In most cases, you get what you pay for. While that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to spend a lot to have a great site, it’s important to consider how professional you want your website to look. More often than not, spending that little bit extra can go a long way.

Photographers should check out the portfolio site makers we’d most recommend, as that list looks specifically at how website builders handle and present large image galleries.

The best free website builders

Wix

Wix is one of the best free website builders out there. The hundreds of HTML templates are extremely user-friendly and reliant on the software’s drag-and-drop interface, which makes building a website a similar experience to crafting a PowerPoint presentation. While Wix offers more flexibility in terms of customization over other website builders, the unbridled freedom also makes it easier to create lackluster designs if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Wix does allow you to revert to older stages of your website via “Site History,” though, and includes robust integration with a wide array of third-party services like calendars and Instagram feeds. Moreover, the service allows you to separately customize an accompanying mobile site.

However, Wix doesn’t allow you to switch templates if you’ve already started a project and only offers 500MB of storage and 1GB of bandwidth if you opt for the freemium package. Upgrades to more bandwidth and storage space include domain tools, ranging from $5 to $25 a month.

Build your website using:

Wix

Weebly

Weebly is an old favorite among those who use template-based website builders. It’s easy to use, clean-looking, and offers plenty of customization options. Drag and drop features for adding images, text, and other elements are stored within the left-hand sidebar, though you can only insert elements into designated areas of your page.

That said, limiting the customization options also allows novice users to grasp the platform quicker than others on our list, regardless of the theme they opt for. Moreover, Weebly provides the ability to add maps and download your entire website as a ZIP file in case you want to move your information to a standard Web hosting service.

Although Weebly doesn’t boast the best image-editing tools on the market, it does let you to seamlessly add audio and video to your site, along with a wealth of commerce tools for putting up a storefront. You can customize your mobile site too, and the Weebly iPad app even lets you build your site on the go.

The free package grants you 500MB of storage space and unlimited bandwidth, with options for expanded storage and features ranging from $8 a month up to $25 a month paid annually.

Build your website using:

Weebly

Webflow

Webflow isn’t your typical website builder. The software is aimed at well-versed designers and agencies looking to build an interactive site on behalf of their clients, and as such, it places the full power of HTML and CSS directly beneath your fingertips. The static site builder isn’t tied to a content management system like others on our list, but instead, offers you a means of building a site you can then carry over to WordPress or other related services.

Webflow offers a limited set of charming themes to choose from, along with an intuitive and responsive interface that comes lined with an assortment of web components for inserting links and adding text.

A selection of drag-and-drop widgets also come standard, meaning you can add social components, maps, videos, and other facets without coding knowledge. Furthermore, Webflow lets you switch the canvas to customize your design for any resolution, whether it be desktops, tablets, or smartphones.

You’ll need to toggle on some of the more advanced HTML and CSS tools if you want to take full advantage of what the service offers, and you only have two static pages, and a limit of 500 visits for free users. Thankfully, premium packages start at an affordable $12, and there’s even a student discount for those with a college email.

Build your website using:

Webflow

WordPress

WordPress is the website builder Digital Trends is based on, though we have our own set of professional programmers behind the scenes. The service is arguably one of the most capable given its open-source nature (especially for blogs), which allows for an extensive amount of templates, themes, and plugins which can be downloaded for free or bought for a premium price.

The platform has a relatively steep learning curve, which isn’t surprising given its long-term capabilities and sheer level of customization, the latter of which will likely require you to invest some time learning its various functions. Nonetheless, WordPress excels when it comes to ready-made themes, mobile-optimized templates, and widgets that allow you to include everything from comments to images. WordPress will also give you traffic information, which can help you cater your website to your audience, as well as 3GB of storage space and unlimited bandwidth.

However, the platform’s exhaustive tools also require you to have at least a baseline knowledge of coding at times. If you want to rearrange the layout of a particular template, for instance, you’ll have to modify the code to do so. While there are some great plugins, their sheer number means there are more than a few terrible ones in the mix, so be careful.

Given WordPress powers roughly 24 percent of the Web, you’re often going to find fixes and answers to any questions you might have via the robust community of developers and users. The possibilities are endless, if you know what to do.

Build your website using:

WordPress

Tumblr

Tumblr is the least complex tool on this list, and with only a fairly limited selection of built-in tools, it’s not fit for something like a web storefront or a forum. But if all you need is a few static pages or a basic blog, the service might be just what you need. For handling simple text and images with periodic updates, Tumblr works just fine. Though its toolset is similar to competitors like Blogger, the interface is much more user-friendly.

Despite a simple setup, Tumblr themes are surprisingly customizable. There are thousands of free and paid options available across the web, including those posted on Tumblr’s native service and others available for manual installation. Users can customize any theme, including the default ones, though you’ll need a working knowledge of HTML and CSS (or the ability to do a little research) to make any extensive modifications work.

Tumblr is completely free, including hosting and bandwidth – the service has no premium tiers. Analytical tools are lacking, but users can connect individual Tumblr sites to a custom domain for free.

We even have a guide to help you get some followers.

Build your website using:

Tumblr

Google prepares to launch new security program for high-profile users

Why it matters to you

Google’s upcoming service offers improved security at the cost of convenience.

Google is working to improve its security features in order to protect its users from hacking and other potential security threats.

Two sources familiar with the company said that Google was preparing to launch a new service called Advanced Protection Program, Bloomberg reported. The new program, which is expected to go live next month, would add a number of new features to various Google programs, such as Gmail, with the goal of preventing third-parties from gaining unauthorized access to private accounts and personal data.

Currently, Google offers two-factor authentication for its services usually in the form of an alternative email address or cell phone number. For most users, that form of protection is sufficient and would remain in place. However, for those who seek extra security measures, such as politicians or leaders of large corporations, Google is offering something a bit different. The company will offer those users two physical security keys which will allow them greater security options.

The first key will reportedly take the form of a USB drive which contains security software designed to protect a user’s various Google accounts. This software would require the user to have both the USB drive and the second security key in order to obtain access to their accounts.

Taken together, these two keys will block third-parties from accessing a user’s Gmail, Google Drive or similar accounts. The company declined to comment on this product as it is not yet public, but Bloomberg’s sources said that these programs would be updated on a regular basis to ensure user data remains secure.

While the security benefits of such a program are valuable, it does have a few setbacks that will likely make it impractical for the average user. The biggest is the simple fact that users must be willing to sacrifice convenience for security. In a world where far too many people use passwords such as “123456” or “qwerty,” it seems unlikely that too many people will take advantage of this program. Though, to be fair, the average user is not this program’s target audience.

The second major issue with physical security keys is that if a user loses them then they risk being locked out of their account which could be a problem for a politician or corporate leader. Then, of course, there is the danger of such keys being stolen by third-parties.

Google hasn’t spoken about how it will address the above flaws, but we expect to hear more when the program goes live.

How to easily make Samsung’s annoying Bixby button do something useful

As we reported earlier this month, it’s rather easy to inadvertently wake up Samsung’s artificially intelligent assistant, Bixby. Needless to say, some folks aren’t necessarily the biggest fans of Bixby, or the dedicated Bixby button used to summon it. Thankfully, more vehement haters of the Bixby button can root their phones and change what the button actually does, though this does require a bit of work. Fortunately, there’s a much easier way of dealing with this problem and we’ve made this step-by-step tutorial to show you how to remap the Bixby Button.

Thanks to the accessibility options on Samsung phones, plenty of apps have emerged in Google Play that are essentially designed to hijack the Bixby button and initiate different actions before Bixby can even launch. Before we continue, however, it’s important to note that remapping will disable Bixby, so if you do intentionally use and enjoy the feature, keep in mind that you will no longer be able to do so after these next few steps.

Also, believe it or not, Samsung isn’t super cool with third parties repurposing its beloved Bixby button — the company has even killed this remapping bypass with software updates in the past. That said, a future Samsung update (or some other measure) could soon render this remapping technique useless as well. Although, if it does, another third party will surely finagle another bypass, because as stated by Dr. Ian Malcolm in the sci-fi thriller, Jurassic Park, “life finds a way.”

Now that we’ve got all of the fine print out of the way, if you’d still like to continue with this hack, go to Gooogle Play and search for “Bixby Remapper.” There are a few options to choose from, however, we will be using the Bixby Button Remapper. If Samsung decides to kill this option in the future, feel free to try one of the other offerings in the Play Store. Once you’ve installed Bixby Button Remapper, you’ll need to open the app and turn on the feature by pressing the sliding toggle at the top of the screen.

The app will then warn you that you should not utilize any other remapping software in conjunction with Bixby Button Remapper, meaning you should only attempt to use one of these remappers at a time. Once you’ve turned the feature on, tap the three dots at the top and select Go to Accessibility. You can also manually search for this in the Settings menu if you’re using a different app and it doesn’t have this option. Once there, look under Services at the bottom, and you’ll see two options for controlling the app. One is slightly more stable, while the other has a little less delay (these are appropriately named “More Stable” and “Less Delay,” respectively). Select Less Delay and turn it on using the toggle.

If this option doesn’t work to your liking, you can always return and select the More Stable. Once on, select Bixby Button Action and choose what you would like the Bixby Button to initiate (this can also be set to Nothing as well). Once you’ve selected your desired remapping action, press the physical Bixby button to confirm that it works. Voila.

David Cogen — a regular contributor here at Digital Trends — runs TheUnlockr, a popular tech blog that focuses on tech news, tips and tricks, and the latest tech. You can also find him on Twitter discussing the latest tech trends.

FBI won’t be forced to reveal San Bernardino iPhone hacking tool

The Associated Press, USA Today and Vice News have failed in their attempt to reveal the hacking tool the FBI used to access San Bernardino terrorist Syed Farook’s iPhone. Judge Tanya Chutkan denied their request in a summary judgment ruling issued late on September 30th, arguing that the risks involved in naming the vendor (and thus the tool) or the price paid are too serious to honor a Freedom of Information Act request. It would make the company a target for retaliatory hacks and exploits that it likely couldn’t withstand, Judge Chutkan said, while the price would tell “adversaries” how readily the FBI can use the tool in the future.

She also rejected the argument that former FBI director James Comey’s mention of a “very high” price equated to official disclosure that compelled a wider release. The information had to be more specific than that, according to the ruling. And while Comey noted that the tool was only effective against an iPhone 5c running iOS 9, the FBI could theoretically find a way to expand its usefulness or ask the developer to build a similar implementation. If the vendor is exposed, Judge Chutkan said, this could “hurt the FBI’s future efforts to protect national security.”

This isn’t going to please privacy advocates concerned that the FBI has such power, especially as it might be maintaining this power solely through obscurity — it might get into your phone only because an outside security researcher hasn’t discovered the flaw yet. And is the theoretical future usefulness of the tool a good enough excuse to keep it under wraps? At the same time, it’s hard to ignore the likelihood that any public disclosure would likely invite some kind of retaliation. The judge had to strike a difficult balance, and it’s not necessarily clear that it’s the right balance.

Source: ZDNet, DocumentCloud

Paris holds a city-wide ‘car-free’ day

Cities have dabbled with temporary bans on cars before, but rarely (if ever) on this scale. Paris just held a third “Day Without Cars” that forbade nearly all private transport across the complete core of the city — about 40 square miles of it. If you visited between 11AM and 6PM local time on October 1st, you had to bike, walk or take public transit like buses and taxis to make your way around the City of Lights. And officials were strict about enforcing the car ban, too. You risked facing a fine between €90 and €135 ($105 to $159) if you drove without an emergency or another good reason (such as visiting an elderly relative), and you still had to honor a 30KM/H (about 19MPH) speed limit on top of that.

As you might guess, the day was mostly meant to be educational. Mayor Anne Hidalgo has vowed to fight pollution in Paris, and to her that means reducing car use while increasing the number of bike and bus lanes. Theoretically, a “car-free” day raises awareness of alternative transportation methods and shows Parisians what life would be like with fewer cars on the streets.

Needless to say, pro-car lobby groups and avid motorists aren’t fans of the idea. They already see Hidalgo as extreme, and believe the temporary car ban amounts to propaganda that makes cars look bad. However, they may be on the losing side of this battle even if Paris were to ditch no-car days. Both tech companies and automakers are anticipating a time when personal car ownership declines in favor of ridesharing, especially once self-driving cars hit the road in earnest. In that sense, Paris is just offering a peek at a future where you’re unlikely to take the wheel unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Source: AFP (Yahoo)