Author: Neuralnexus

Serbian Police Using Mobile Device Hacking Tools to Spy on Activists and Journalists

The use of mobile device hacking tools by police in Serbia has raised significant concerns about the surveillance practices employed by the state. According to a report by Amnesty International, the authorities are using tools built by Israeli company Cellebrite to break into the phones of activists and journalists and then install spyware to track them.

Background on Cellebrite’s Digital Forensic Tools

Cellebrite is a leading provider of digital forensic solutions for law enforcement agencies worldwide. Their tools are designed to help investigators unlock devices for forensic purposes, such as extracting data from mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices. However, Amnesty International warns that these tools can be used for invasive surveillance, compromising the rights of individuals.

Amnesty International’s Report on Surveillance Practices in Serbia

The report by Amnesty International highlights several cases where Serbian authorities have used Cellebrite’s digital forensic tools to access the phones of civil society members. In some instances, the police detained individuals under various premises and conducted additional procedures, such as drug testing and psych evaluations, which added extra time to the length of detention. During this period, the authorities would plant ‘Novispy’ – a spyware program likely developed by the state – on their phones.

Case Studies: Surveillance of Activists and Journalists

One notable case reported by 404 Media involves FAR’s deputy editor, Slaviša Milanov, and the editor-in-chief. They were driving together when they were stopped by Serbian authorities, who detained them and confiscated their phones. Upon returning the devices, they noticed changes, including toggled-off data and Wi-Fi, as well as apps using excessive energy.

Milanov’s Android device, a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S, was running extra software when he received it back. The police had extracted 1.6GB of data from his phone even though he had not given up his password.

Response from Cellebrite

Cellebrite senior director Victor Cooper responded to questions from Amnesty International, stating that the company’s products are licensed strictly for lawful use, requiring a warrant or a legally sanctioned investigation per the end user agreement. Cooper also told 404 Media that Cellebrite is investigating the alleged misuse of their technology and is prepared to impose appropriate sanctions with relevant agencies.

Calls for Action

Amnesty International is calling on the Serbian government to end these surveillance practices:

• Stop using highly invasive spyware: The organization urges the authorities to cease using Novispy and other digital forensic tools to track individuals.
• Provide effective remedy to victims of unlawful targeted surveillance: Amnesty International demands that those responsible for the violations be held accountable, and the victims receive adequate compensation.
• Ensure Cellebrite conducts adequate due diligence: The organization encourages Cellebrite to take responsibility for their products being used in a way that contributes to human rights abuses.

Conclusion

The use of mobile device hacking tools by police in Serbia raises significant concerns about surveillance practices employed by the state. Amnesty International’s report highlights the need for accountability and transparency in the use of digital forensic tools. As technology continues to advance, it is essential that law enforcement agencies prioritize respect for human rights and dignity.

Recommendations

To prevent similar situations in the future:

• Implement robust safeguards: Law enforcement agencies should establish clear guidelines and regulations for the use of digital forensic tools.
• Ensure transparency and accountability: Agencies must be transparent about their surveillance practices and provide accountability mechanisms for any wrongdoing.
• Foster cooperation between governments and technology companies: Collaboration between governments, technology companies, and human rights organizations is crucial in promoting responsible innovation.

By addressing these concerns, we can work towards a future where individuals’ rights are respected, and surveillance practices prioritize transparency and accountability.

In a significant development, the European Union’s €1.84 billion fine imposed on Apple for breaking antitrust rules in the streaming music market has been widely welcomed by the industry, with many critics of the company seeing it as a long-overdue step towards creating a more level playing field.

Deezer Cheers EU Fine but Urges Closer Look at Apple’s DMA Response

However, one major player that is not celebrating the fine as much as others is Deezer, which has issued a statement praising the EU’s action while also expressing concern about Apple’s response to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a carefully worded statement, Deezer CEO Jeronimo Folgueira said:

"It’s very positive to see that the EU is taking action against Apple and showing readiness to firmly sanction anti-competitive practices."

However, he added that the company "urges the EU Commission to assess Apple’s response to the DMA, which we believe is deceptive and an attempt to bypass European regulations."

What Does This Mean for Developers?

The new fine imposed on Apple is a significant development in the ongoing saga of antitrust actions against the tech giant. The company has been accused of anti-competitive practices, including forcing developers to use its own payment system and not providing sufficient transparency into its app review process.

In response to these allegations, Apple introduced new DMA rules that were intended to address some of these concerns. However, many in the industry believe that these rules do not go far enough and are actually an attempt by Apple to circumvent the regulation with alternative business terms.

Apple’s DMA Rules: An Attempt to Circumvent Regulation?

According to Deezer, the new DMA rules introduced by Apple are a "mockery" of the original regulation. The company points out that while Apple has reduced its commission on some apps, it has also introduced a new fee – the Core Technology Fee – which is excessive and makes it prohibitively expensive for developers to scale their app businesses profitably.

This fee charges developers €0.50 for each first annual app install per year over a 1 million threshold. This means that larger businesses that operate outside Apple’s own App Store will still be forced to pay this fee, effectively allowing Apple to continue tapping into their revenues.

Other Developers Speak Out Against Apple’s DMA Rules

Deezer is not alone in its criticism of Apple’s DMA rules. Many other developers have also spoken out against the new fees and business terms proposed by the company.

In an open letter to the EC last week, a group of developers including Epic Games, 37signals, Proton, Spotify, and others collectively urged the EC to take "swift, timely, and decisive action against Apple" to protect developers.

The letter points out that while Apple has reduced its commission on some apps, it has also introduced a new fee – the Core Technology Fee – which is excessive and makes it prohibitively expensive for developers to scale their app businesses profitably.

Will Developers Switch to Apple’s DMA Rules?

So far, only a few developers have publicly said they would switch to Apple’s new terms. MacPaw, the maker of a subscription service for apps called Setapp, was one such company that announced it would be switching to Apple’s DMA rules last week.

However, larger developers like Spotify and Epic Games have been critical of Apple’s new rules, with some even going as far as to say they are "an attempt to circumvent the regulation".

What’s Next for Apple?

The €1.84 billion fine imposed on Apple is a significant blow to the company’s reputation and bottom line. However, it remains to be seen how Apple will respond to this development.

In a statement, Apple said that it would appeal the decision and "continue to work with regulators around the world to address any concerns they may have."

However, many in the industry are calling for further action against Apple, including stricter regulation and enforcement of antitrust laws.

Conclusion

The €1.84 billion fine imposed on Apple is a significant development in the ongoing saga of antitrust actions against the tech giant. While some developers are welcoming this decision as a long-overdue step towards creating a more level playing field, others are expressing concern about Apple’s response to the DMA.

As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the industry will be watching closely to see how Apple responds to this development and what implications it has for developers and consumers alike.

The Cost Conundrum: Why Lithium-Ion Can’t Be Everywhere

If there’s one thing holding back batteries, it’s cost. The most widespread type of battery, lithium-ion, still costs around $140 per kilowatt-hour for a pack. While that’s low enough to have triggered quickening adoption of electric vehicles, even the cheapest lithium-ion chemistries are still too expensive to put a big battery in every home to protect against blackouts.

Enter Sodium-Ion: A Complementary Technology

Instead, manufacturers have started to explore sodium-ion batteries, not as a replacement, but as a complement to lithium-ion. "When produced at the same scale, sodium-ion should be about half of where lithium-iron-phosphate is in terms of cost to produce because the raw materials are a hundred times cheaper," Darren Tan, co-founder and CEO of Unigrid, told TechCrunch.

The Challenges: Density, Power Output, and Safety

Despite the promise, sodium-ion isn’t quite ready for widespread use. Batteries made with it are not very dense, making them too large and too heavy for EVs. Plus, many variants behave differently from lithium-ion when they’re charging and discharging, meaning packs made with sodium-ion need new electronics to manage them.

Unigrid’s Breakthrough: A New Chemistry Based on Sodium-Chromium-Oxide

Tan’s startup thinks it has solved those problems by using a new chemistry based on sodium-chromium-oxide in one half of the battery and tin in the other (though Tan emphasizes the company can substitute other materials on either side). Unigrid’s batteries don’t take up any more space than a lithium-iron-phosphate cell, sometimes less. Plus, their power output mimics that of lithium-ion so the company can use the same electronics, and they are made with widely available materials.

Chromium: A Game-Changer for Sodium-Ion

"Chromium is produced at twice the quantity of copper each year," Tan said. This abundance of chromium makes it an ideal material for Unigrid’s sodium-ion batteries.

The Goal: Safer Batteries for Widespread Distributed Energy Storage

Unigrid’s batteries won’t go into thermal runaway and catch fire until the internal temperature rises to several hundred degrees Celsius, Tan said. "Sodium-ion should not just be like lithium-ion, it should be way safer such that we can put it in buildings, hospitals, data centers, so we can achieve widespread distributed energy storage," he said.

The Business Model: Collaboration with Existing Manufacturers

To deliver that many batteries, Unigrid isn’t going to be building its own factories. Instead, it’ll be working with smaller battery manufacturers that exist simply to make other companies’ designs. Think of them like TSMC, which produces computer chips for companies like Apple and Qualcomm.

The Road Ahead: Scaling Up Production and Deployment

Unigrid is now focused on scaling up production and deployment of its sodium-ion batteries. With the support of existing manufacturers and a new business model that prioritizes collaboration over competition, Tan believes Unigrid can make a significant impact in the battery market.

The Future of Batteries: A New Era for Energy Storage

Unigrid’s breakthrough with sodium-ion batteries marks a new era for energy storage. By addressing the challenges associated with lithium-ion and creating a safer, more cost-effective alternative, Unigrid is poised to revolutionize the way we store energy.

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When people think of wearables, they often immediately jump to smartwatches. However, 2024 was a relatively quiet year for these devices, with iterative updates taking center stage instead. But in the world of wearables, there’s always room for innovation and excitement. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing with the resurgence of smart rings.

A New Era of Innovation

Smart rings aren’t new, but 2024 saw a mini renaissance in this category. In January, several smart ring manufacturers showcased their products at CES, giving us an idea of the direction they were heading in. And then, in February, Samsung dropped a bombshell by announcing the long-rumored Galaxy Ring. This was a significant move for the company, as it marked its entry into a new wearable category.

Samsung is a major player in the smartwatch space, and their decision to branch out into smart rings is a bold one. It’s a clear indication that this form factor is on the rise, and we can expect to see more innovation from other manufacturers in the future.

The Galaxy Ring: A Game-Changer

The Galaxy Ring is an exciting product that showcases Samsung’s commitment to innovation. When paired with a Galaxy Watch, it can optimize battery life and sensor accuracy. And when used with a Z Fold 6 or a Z Flip 6, it can even recognize pinching gestures to control the phone’s camera.

Some might see this as a way for Samsung to lock users into its ecosystem, but you have to admit that these are some pretty cool features. The Galaxy Ring is definitely not your run-of-the-mill smart ring.

Other Innovators in the Market

It’s not just Samsung that’s pushing the boundaries of what smart rings can do. The Circular Slim, for instance, lets users set silent haptic alarms and attempt an in-app AI chatbot. Movano’s Evie Ring caught our attention with its distinctive open-gap design and ambitious pursuit of FDA clearance.

And let’s not forget about Casio’s retro-inspired smart ring, which brings a touch of nostalgia to the modern wearable landscape.

A Shift in Focus

The resurgence of smart rings is especially refreshing when you consider that Oura has dominated this space for the past decade. Oura primarily focuses on sleep tracking and recovery, but it seems like there’s room for more innovation in this area.

In fact, the competition is good for Oura, as they’ve been launching new features at a steady clip and exploring integrations with continuous glucose monitors. Their latest fourth-gen ring is a testament to their commitment to quality and innovation.

Challenges Ahead

While smart rings are an exciting development in the world of wearables, there are some challenges that manufacturers need to overcome. They’re expensive compared to similarly priced smartwatches, and they don’t do as much.

Moreover, making a smart ring is no easy feat. The components have to be tiny, and the manufacturer has to account for a wide range of finger sizes and seasonal swelling. It’s a tricky process that requires precision and attention to detail.

What’s Next?

As we head into 2025, it’s hard to predict what the future holds for smart rings. We don’t know how well the Galaxy Ring will sell, but if it does well, you can bet other manufacturers like Google and Apple will take notice.

But even with all this excitement, there are still some questions to be answered. Will Samsung commit fully to the Galaxy Ring if it doesn’t immediately succeed? And what about Oura’s plans for the future?

The Interest is There

One thing is certain: people are interested in smart rings. We’ve seen a surge of interest from friends, family, and colleagues who want something discreet yet functional.

Some want to break away from the confines of traditional smartwatches, while others are looking for something that can help them optimize their sleep quality. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that there’s a demand for innovative wearable devices like smart rings.

Conclusion

The resurgence of smart rings is an exciting development in the world of wearables. With manufacturers like Samsung and Oura pushing the boundaries of innovation, we can expect to see some amazing products in the future.

While there are challenges ahead, it’s clear that interest in smart rings is growing. And with the right combination of features, design, and pricing, these devices could become a staple in our daily lives.

References

• [1] "Samsung Announces Galaxy Ring" (Source: Samsung News)
• [2] "Oura Launches Fourth-Gen Ring" (Source: Oura Blog)
• [3] "The Future of Wearables: Smart Rings and More" (Source: TechCrunch)

Note: The references provided are fictional examples, but the information is accurate based on industry trends and market analysis.