Apple vs. Facebook: The Privacy Feud Escalates

As the Biden administration prepares to take office, the tech industry braces for regulatory changes—but longstanding battles over privacy, antitrust, and cybersecurity continue to dominate headlines. Here’s a breakdown of the latest developments shaping the digital landscape.

The Cybersecurity Fallout From Trump’s Election Denial

President Trump’s refusal to concede the election has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for national cybersecurity. His dismissal of Chris Krebs, former director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), left the agency in disarray. Krebs had publicly refuted Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud, stating there was “no evidence” of compromised voting systems.

• Leadership Vacuum: Multiple senior CISA officials have resigned or been forced out, disrupting critical operations.
• Biden’s Transition at Risk: Until recently, the Biden team was denied access to government cybersecurity resources, leaving them vulnerable to cyber threats without classified briefings.

Apple vs. Facebook: The Privacy War Reignites

Apple’s Anti-Tracking Move Sparks Backlash

Apple announced plans to roll out a new anti-tracking feature in 2021, allowing users to opt out of in-app tracking—a direct challenge to Facebook’s ad-driven business model.

• Facebook’s Response: Accused Apple of “self-preferencing” its own data collection while stifling compe*****s.
• The Core Issue: Apple’s revenue comes from hardware, not ads—giving it leverage to prioritize privacy without financial repercussions.

“Here’s the difference: one company’s dominance protects consumers, the other’s exploits them.” — Melanie Ensign (@iMeluny)

Broader Implications

• Ad Industry Impact: Experts predict a massive decline in tracking opt-ins, disrupting targeted advertising.
• Global Scrutiny: Apple faces criticism for its stance on human rights issues in China, complicating its privacy advocacy.

Mysterious Zero-Day Attacks Target Multiple Platforms

Google’s Project Zero recently uncovered seven zero-day vulnerabilities actively exploited by hackers. These flaws affected:

• Windows PCs
• iPhones & Android devices
• Chrome browsers

Key Concerns

• Unknown Motives: Google has not disclosed the attackers’ identities or targets.
• Cross-Platform Sophistication: The ability to exploit multiple systems suggests highly skilled threat actors.

Past Precedents:

• 2019: Chinese-linked hackers targeted Uighur Muslims via iPhone exploits.
• 2020: Firefox zero-days were used in attacks against Coinbase employees.

Twitter Bolsters Security with ‘Mudge’ Hire

Following a series of high-profile breaches, Twitter appointed Peiter “Mudge” Zatko as its new Head of Security.

Why It Matters

• Reputation: Zatko is a legendary hacker and former DARPA cybersecurity expert.
• Scope of Role: He will oversee information security, platform integrity, and abuse prevention.

Recent Twitter Security Incidents:

• July 2020: High-profile account hijackings for a Bitcoin scam.
• Saudi Espionage: Employees accessed critics’ data for the Saudi government.

Startup Spotlight: Funding & Acquisitions

Cisco Acquires Banzai Cloud

• Focus: Kubernetes-based container security.
• Goal: Strengthen Cisco’s cloud-native application security.

Abnormal Security Raises $50M

• Specialization: Combatting business email compromise (BEC) scams.
• Diversity Concerns: Leadership lacks female representation, despite claims of internal diversity.

Looking Ahead

As the Biden administration takes shape, expect intensified scrutiny on:

• Tech monopolies (Apple, Facebook, Google)
• Cybersecurity policies
• Data privacy regulations

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