ย
The overhaul, which will take place in March when the European Unionโs sweeping Digital Markets Act comes into force, will curtail the dominance of the App Store, which has been a mainstay of the iPhone since 2008.
ย
Users will for the first time be able to download software from outside the App Store and they will be given new options to process payments.
Other changes include giving users the option to download an alternative web browser when they first open Safari in the latest version of the iOS operating system. Until now, users had to go into the settings to change the default browser.
ย
In its announcement on Thursday, Apple said the Digital Markets Act has created โprivacy and security risksโ and that the company is installing safeguards to reduce them.
ย
Apple said the new options for processing payments and downloading apps โopen new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful contentโ. โEven with these safeguards in place, many risks remain,โ it said.
ย
โThe changes weโre announcing today comply with the Digital Markets Actโs requirements in the European Union, while helping to protect EU users from the unavoidable increased privacy and security threats this regulation brings,โ said Appleโs Phil Schiller, who leads the App Store.
ย
The EU has bolstered its legal armoury to rein in Big Tech, with stricter rules to protect European users online and to boost competition in an industry dominated by US giants such as Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft and Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram
ย
Companies found infringing the Digital Markets Act expose themselves to fines that could reach as high as 20 percent of their global turnover, or even orders to be broken up in serious cases.
Meta and Chinese-owned TikTok have launched legal challenges to the law.
]]>
๐ Possible Breakthrough in Phone Encryption by NFI
It appears that the Netherlands Forensic Institute (NFI) may have cracked a system, focusing on the widely used Google Pixel phones. These phones run software that is supposed to be encrypted and the phone itself is believed to be uncrackable.
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Case of Peter R De Vries' Murder
In the investigation of the murder of Peter R De Vries, the NFI seems to have accessed data from a Google Pixel phone. They reportedly extracted all conversations exchanged by the suspects before, during, and after the murder.
๐ฑ Nature of the Hack
This isn't a live hack like the Encro hack, where law enforcement agencies can monitor in real-time. It's more akin to the PGP BlackBerry hack, where data can be retrieved afterward when a phone is confiscated. Most Pixel users utilize Signal chat, often in a burn mode combined with Google Pixels (there are no signs yet that signal itself is hacked). The recovery of messages from such an encrypted device raises questions about the security of these phones. Because; โare these conversations still on the phone after burning a chat?โ. Huge questions, that needs answers.ย
๐ Concerns Over Phone Security
It's unclear which (encrypted) software the suspects used, as Google Pixel phones can run various encrypted software. The question remains whether a specific software was compromised or if the phone itself can be cracked regardless of the software used. These findings are concerning as they suggest potential vulnerabilities in such phones.ย
๐คซ Cracked but Kept Secret
Law enforcement agencies might choose to keep this hack under wraps, similar to what happened with the Encro chat (PGP) previously. This tactic is often employed to maximize the benefits of a "hack." If this is the case, the world might only start seeing the results of this operation in one to two years. While we donโt care about criminals that kill other people (they should be behind bars!), but we highly care about privacy, and this (if true) wouldย again be a big hit against privacy advocates worldwide.ย
๐๏ธ Big Brother is Watching: EU's Cash Transaction Crackdown
The European Union has introduced a preliminary agreement, aiming to cap cash payments at โฌ10,000. This measure is part of a broader effort to combat money laundering and terrorism financing.
๐ฐ New Limits on Cash Transactions
The agreement will restrict cash payments for financial services, banks, real estate, asset management firms, casinos, and merchants. It also includes identity verification for cash payments between โฌ3,000 and โฌ10,000.
๐ Expanded Oversight
The EU is widening its anti-money laundering measures to include cryptocurrencies and luxury goods. Crypto service providers will need to authenticate identities for transactions over โฌ1,000.
โฝ Football Sector Regulation
Starting in 2029, professional football clubs and agents will be subject to these regulations, including identity verification and transaction monitoring.
๐ Enhanced Surveillance Powers
Member countries' financial intelligence services will gain access to ownership, bank account, and property information. They'll oversee the transfer of luxury goods, with specific thresholds for cars, yachts, and aircraft.
๐ Public Debate and Privacy Concerns
The new legislation has sparked debate over privacy, state surveillance, and government control. Concerns are raised about potential abuses and totalitarian surveillance, reminiscent of Orwellโs โ1984โ.
๐ EU's Approach: Adaptation or Control?
While some view these measures as necessary for a modern economy, others criticize them for excessive state control. The debate reflects a divide over the EU's role in financial regulation and individual freedoms in the digital age.
Shooting in Broad Daylight โ๏ธ Ecuadorian prosecutor Cesar Suarez was assassinated in Guayaquil, shot at least 20 times in a daylight attack linked to organized crime
Investigation of TV Station Assault ๐บ Suarez was investigating the on-air assault at a TV station, where employees were held hostage by gunmen with explosives
Ecuador turning into a new Mexico ๐ช๐จโก๏ธ๐ฒ๐ฝ Drug violence is shifting from Mexico to Ecuador, this happened in the 90's as well, from Columbia to Mexico. What we see happening right now is a new heavy weight country in the global drug traffic.
Government Response ๐จ Attorney General Diana Salazar acknowledged the attack, emphasizing a strong stance against organized crime, and heightened security measures
Evidence and Aftermath ๐ต๏ธ Suarez's vehicle was found riddled with bullet holes; he had mentioned not usually having police protection
Broader Wave of Violence ๐ Ecuador faces a surge in organized crime-related violence, including kidnappings and attacks in various cities, resulting in numerous deaths
]]>Introduction of the Bitget Card ๐
Rollout and Availability ๐
Partnership with Reap and Card Funding ๐ฐ
Global Usability and Features ๐
Exclusive Benefits for Customers โจ
Empowering Crypto Users ๐
Bitget's Vision and Expansion Plans ๐
This initiative by Bitget underscores the growing intersection of cryptocurrency with traditional financial services, marking a significant step towards more integrated and accessible financial solutions in the digital age.
]]>๐จ Arrest of Dutch Crypto Mastermind in International Crime Syndicate Dutch Crypto Baron, Sought Worldwide, Arrested
Colombian authorities have apprehended a prominent figure in the crypto world from the Netherlands. The 51-year-old Taoufiq R., long on the radar of U.S. justice among others, is considered the financial key figure in a vast criminal network. His extradition to the United States is confirmed.
๐ Dutch National Arrested for Crypto Crimes Taoufiq R., originally from Almere, was arrested last Tuesday in Colombia. His arrest is major news in the country, making him one of the world's most sought-after criminals.
Born in Morocco, the Dutch national is presumed to lead an organization that annually launders millions of euros in drug money through cryptocurrencies. Besides the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia were also interested in his case. The FBI and Interpol led this international manhunt.
๐ผ The Financial Brain Behind the Operation Taoufiq R. is widely recognized as the brain behind the financial operations of this extensive criminal group. The FBI identifies the group as a driving force behind "illegal activities in the U.S., Australia, and Europe, operating in collaboration with drug networks in Colombia."
๐ Global Manhunt by FBI and Interpol As the financial leader within this organization, Taoufiq R.'s focus was primarily on laundering money through cryptocurrencies. He also had multiple companies serving as facades for his dark activities. Despite being sought by Interpol and the FBI, he continued to actively expand his network worldwide in recent months.
Authorities managed to locate and arrest him in Medellin, where he resided, with the help of informants.
๐ Trial and Potential Sentencing It is known that the Dutchman earned millions from his criminal enterprises, money that he distributed across multiple company accounts. He will have to face justice in New York. The duration of Taoufiq R.'s imprisonment remains unknown, but a lenient sentence is not expected.
]]>๐ฅ Indefinite Hospital Stay for GTA6 Hacker
An 18-year-old British hacker, a key member of Lapsus$, was committed to a secure hospital for leaking GTA6 clips. He'll remain until deemed non-dangerous.
๐ง Mental Health Assessment
Due to acute autism, he was declared unfit for trial. His mental health assessment revealed a high motivation to return to cybercrime.
๐จโโ๏ธ Legal Proceedings
Arrested in January and March 2022, he faced charges including hacking and fraud but was released on bail.
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Hacking Under Surveillance
While under police watch, he hacked into Rockstar Games' messaging system, threatening to leak GTA6 source code.
๐ฐ Cost of the Cyber Attack
The attack on Rockstar Games, involving leaked game snippets, reportedly cost the company $5 million to recover.
๐ Lapsus$ Group's Wider Impact
Lapsus$ is linked to numerous attacks on companies including Nvidia and Uber, from August 2020 to September 2022.
๐ Ledger ConnectKit Library Compromise: Detailed Overview
The ConnectKit library from Ledger, crucial for many DApps, has been compromised by a 'wallet drainer,' posing aย huge security risk.
๐ Cause and Consequences of the Vulnerability
This vulnerability was caused by a compromise of a content delivery network, leading to potentially dangerous code injections in multiple DApps, putting users and their assets at risk.
โ ๏ธ Important Steps for Users
Users are advised to be cautious when interacting with DApps and stay alert to unusual transaction requests from browser wallets like MetaMask.
๐ ๏ธ Ledger's Response and Recovery Measures
Ledger is a shit wallet, we are warning for years to not use this wallet ever. It's a complete misconception that your coins are stored "offline" this is all a marketing stunt. Coins are held on a blockchain never "on" a ledger or any wallet! So, the DApps using the library must also implement the updated version for full security.
๐ Worldcoin Unveils World ID 2.0 with Major Integrations
Worldcoin introduces World ID 2.0, featuring advanced integrations with platforms like Shopify, Mercado Libre, Reddit, and Telegram.
๐ New Authentication Methods
Users of Shopify, Mercado Libre, Reddit, and Telegram can now verify their humanity without disclosing personal information, thanks to this integration.
๐ฉโ๐ป Flexibility for App Developers
World ID 2.0 offers app developers a choice between "lite" and "max" authentication levels, allowing them to tailor security measures for their apps.
๐ฑ Balancing Security and Convenience
This approach aims to revolutionize user verification, with diverse options based on the specific security requirements of the applications they use.
๐ฐ Potential Loss Reduction
Worldcoin claims that these initiatives could significantly reduce annual losses for retailers, estimated at $100 billion, due to issues like return fraud and bot activities.
๐๏ธ Controversy Over Iris Scanning
Worldcoin's iris scanning method has faced controversy, with concerns about potential biometric data leaks. The project was banned in Kenya, but over 200,000 people in Chile have signed up for Worldcoin.
๐ World ID 2.0 in the Digital Authentication Landscape
World ID 2.0 emerges as a key player in digital authentication, addressing security concerns while offering a nuanced approach to user convenience across various applications.
๐ Largest Cocaine Seizure in Spain Linked to Albanian Mafia
11 tons of cocaine, imported by Albanian criminal organizations, have been seized in Spain in two operations, marking the largest ever in Galicia.
๐ณ๏ธ Seizures in Valencia and Vigo
The drugs, originating from Colombia via Ecuador, were discovered in containers at the ports of Vigo and Valencia, hidden in frozen tuna fillets and double bottoms of maritime containers.
๐ฆ๐ฑ Role of the Balkan Mafia
The operations highlight the significant role of Balkan mafias in drug trafficking, particularly the 'Balkan cartel' mentioned by the Spanish police. The most powerful of these cartels in the Balkan at the moment is theย Kavaฤ clan from Montenegro, an extreme violent gang on the same level as the Mexican cartels.ย
๐ Arrests and International Connections
Twenty individuals were arrested, mainly Albanians, but also including a Colombian, a Dominican, and several Spaniards, including a Galician entrepreneur.
๐ Changes in Cocaine Trade
According to Spanish police, the control over cocaine trafficking in Europe has shifted from hermetic organizations to more open, atomized, international groups that form 'criminal cooperatives'.
๐ Crypto Deaths Trend: Recent years have seen an increase in mysterious deaths in the cryptocurrency space, especially crypto millionaires
๐ต๏ธ Complex Causes: These deaths often involve complex scenarios, combining high finance, digital anonymity, and the unregulated nature of crypto markets.
๐จ Impact on Crypto Industry: Such incidents create market instability and raise questions about personal and financial security in the crypto world.
๐ Market Volatility: The passing of key individuals in crypto can lead to operational disruptions and market fluctuations.
๐ก๏ธ Safety and Security: These incidents highlight the need for improved security measures in the cryptocurrency industry.
๐ย List of Notable Cases: Several (not all) high-profile crypto-related deaths have occurred, each with significant impact on the community and market.
1. Nikolaj Mushegian: Co-founder of MakerDAO, tragically died in Puerto Rico.
2. Javier Biosca: Accused of crypto fraud, committed suicide in Spain.
3. Fernando Pรฉrez Algaba: Crypto influencer, gruesomely murdered in Argentina.
4. Mircea Popescu: Bitcoin billionaire, drowned in Costa Rica.
5. Bob Lee: Developer of Cash App, murdered in San Francisco.
6. Gerald Cotten: Founder of QuadrigaCX, mysteriously passed away in India.
7. Christian Peev: American crypto investor, remains found in Bulgaria.
8. Abdul Shakoor: Alleged mastermind of a Bitcoin scam in India, tortured to death.
9. Tiantian Kullander: Co-founder of Amber Group, died unexpectedly at a young age.
10. Vjacheslav Taran: Chairman of Libertex Group, died in a helicopter crash.
11. John Forsyth: Founder of Onfo and former Bitcoin millionaires, found dead with gunshot wounds.
๐ SEC Continues Lawsuit Against Binance Despite Settlement
The U.S. SEC is proceeding with its lawsuit against Binance, despite the crypto exchange's recent $4.3 billion settlement with the Justice Department.
๐ Charges Against Binance and Changpeng Zhao
The SEC's lawsuit, filed in June, accuses Binance and its former CEO Changpeng Zhao of various regulatory violations.
๐จ Zhao's Legal Troubles
After pleading guilty, Changpeng Zhao is required to stay in the U.S. until sentencing, facing a potential sentence of up to 18 months.
๐๏ธ Case's Significance for Crypto Regulation
This case marks a critical moment in cryptocurrency market regulation, with the SEC emphasizing its commitment to enforcing securities laws.
๐ Implications for Crypto Market and Regulation
The SEC's decision to continue its lawsuit against Binance and Changpeng Zhao, despite the exchange's settlement, indicates a stringent approach to enforcing securities laws in the crypto industry.
๐ Government Spying via App Notifications
A U.S. senator warns that unidentified governments are spying on smartphone users through app push notifications.
๐ฑ Apps as Surveillance Tools
Apps use push notifications for updates, but these notifications travel through Google and Apple's servers, giving these companies unique insights into app traffic.
๐๏ธ Potential for Government Surveillance
Through push notifications, governments can track user activities, collect location data, and potentially view personal messages.
๐ฃ๏ธ Senator Wyden's Call to DOJ
Senator Ron Wyden urges the Department of Justice to revise or repeal policies that hinder public discussions about spying through notifications.
๐ Apple's Response on Transparency
Apple states that the letter allows them to share more details about how governments monitor push notifications.
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Uncertainty About Involved Governments
Although specific governments aren't named, a source confirms that both foreign and U.S. agencies request metadata from push notifications.
๐ต๏ธโโ๏ธ Mysterious "Darknet Parliament" Among Cybercriminals
In a thrilling twist in the cybercrime world, the term "Darknet Parliament" has emerged, hinting at an intriguing concept of an underground parliament formed by cybercriminals.
๐พ Killnet: Architects of the Darknet Parliament
The pro-Russian hacker group Killnet positions itself as the architects behind this 'Darknet Parliament', a coalition of various hacker groups with a shadowy agenda.
๐ Unprecedented Collaboration in the Cyber World
This term suggests a never-before-seen collaboration among prominent hacking groups like Anonymous Sudan and REvil, collectively acting in this so-called parliament.
๐ฏ Targeted Attacks on Global Financial Systems
As part of their agenda, this 'parliament' plans large-scale cyber attacks on vital financial systems such as SWIFT, potentially leading to global economic upheaval.
๐ค Reality or Fiction: The Truth Behind Darknet Parliament
Although Killnet later claims the idea of the Darknet Parliament was merely a drunken joke, it leaves open the question whether this is a clever ruse or the true revelation of a deeper cybercriminal structure.
๐ Greedflation in Grocery Sector
The UK Competition and Markets Authority reports 'greedflation', where big brands hike prices more than their cost increases, fuelling inflation.
๐ฅซ Overpricing by Big Brands
About 75% of major brands in categories like baby food and pet food have increased their unit profitability, leading to higher food prices.
๐ผ Focus on Baby Milk
Baby milk prices have risen by 25% in two years, with limited cheaper alternatives available for consumers.
๐ฐ Impact on Household Budgets
High food prices are straining household budgets, but store own-label products often offer more affordable alternatives.
๐ Current Inflation Levels
Despite a slight decrease, food price inflation in the UK remains historically high, at 10.1% in October 2023.
โ๏ธ Cristiano Ronaldo Lawsuit: Ronaldo is sued for at least $1 billion in Florida, USA, by Binance customers. The lawsuit alleges his promotion of Binance NFTs was "deceptive and unlawful."
๐ Lawsuit Location: The class-action lawsuit was filed in Florida, focusing on Ronaldo's role in promoting cryptocurrency and NFTs.
๐ NFT Promotion Details: Ronaldo launched his "CR7" NFT collection with Binance in 2022, promoted on social media. The collection featured animated images from his career.
๐ Promotion Impact: Ronaldo's promotion led to an increase in Binance-related searches and rapid sell-out of premium NFTs.
๐ผ Background of Binance: Binance faced previous allegations and settled for about $4 billion. The lawsuit against Ronaldo highlights the complexities of celebrity crypto promotions.
โฝ Ronaldo's Status: A globally renowned footballer, Ronaldo continues to promote Binance, despite legal challenges and growing scrutiny over the regulation of crypto assets.
Bankman-Fried Struggles With Extortion Attempts Behind Bars in Brooklyn's MDC ๐จ
Sam Bankman-Fried, known as SBF, faces extortion in the Metropolitan Detention Center, partly due to his former status in the crypto world. Gene Borrello, a former mafia enforcer and snitch, shared insights on SBF's daily challenges.
Ex-MDC Inmate Explains SBFโs Prison State-of-Mindย ๐ง
In prison, SBF experiences a stark contrast to his former life. Borrello reveals that SBF's adjustment is difficult, with security concerns and extortion attempts due to his financial status.
SBFโs Physical and Emotional Challenges in Prisonย ๐
Described as physically weak and timid, SBF struggles to adapt to prison life. His conversations with Borrello show his limited understanding of his legal situation and the seriousness of his charges.
Speculations About SBFโs Future in Federal Penal Systemย ๐ฎ
With the possibility of life imprisonment, there is much speculation about SBF's future. Borrello's comments highlight SBF's notoriety in prison and the impossibility of placing him in the general population.
๐ค Rapper's Arrest Documents for Sale at โฌ205,000
A remarkable auction is offering historic arrest documents, featuring the fingerprints of an influential '90s rapper. Starting at โฌ205,000, these documents highlight a significant chapter in music industry history. The rapper, arrested in 1995 for misconduct towards a female fan, was later convicted, providing collectors and fans a tangible connection to his turbulent life
๐ Significance of the Auction
Hosted on a celebrity-focused website, it showcases the rapper's legal history and the value of his signature
His untimely death shortly after the arrest elevates these documents' historical importance
๐ต Legacy of the Unnamed Rapper
While his name isn't explicitly mentioned, the auction evokes memories of a hip-hop legend's tragic events
His musical legacy, with timeless hits, continues to captivate fans globally, offering a unique piece of his life to own and cherish
So who is the rapper? The rapper's identity is hinted to be Tupac Shakur, a major figure in the hip-hop industry with a similar history.
Binance Founder's Legal Situation ๐ฐ Changpeng Zhao, former CEO and founder of Binance, must stay in the US temporarily, as ruled by a federal judge on Monday.
Release on Bond ๐ Zhao pleaded guilty to criminal charges related to the cryptocurrency exchange and was released on a $175 million bond. He initially had the freedom to return to the UAE, where he lives, due to the lack of a formal extradition treaty with the US.
Prosecutors' Request ๐ซ However, prosecutors requested that he remain in the US before his February 23 sentencing, which the court has now mandated.
Defense's Argument ๐ค Zhao's lawyers argue that he came to the US voluntarily for his guilty plea and should be allowed to travel.
Resignation and Settlement ๐ผ Last week, Zhao resigned as CEO of Binance and pleaded guilty to violating anti-money laundering requirements, part of a $4.3 billion settlement with the Department of Justice.
Potential Sentence ๐ The DOJ stated that Zhao could face anywhere from a few months to ten years in prison, with the possibility to appeal a sentence exceeding 18 months.
]]>๐ SEC Complaint by Ransomware Group
A ransomware gang has complained to the SEC, claiming a victim didn't report a data breach they caused.
๐ป MeridianLink's Alleged Breach
MeridianLink, a digital lending solutions provider, is said to be compromised by Alphv and BlackCat ransomware groups.
๐ฅ๏ธ Threat of Data Release
The cybercriminals claim to have stolen substantial data and are threatening its release unless a ransom is paid.
โฑ๏ธ Reporting Delay Accusations
MeridianLink is accused of not reporting the breach within the required four-day period, leading to a complaint by the hackers to the SEC.
๐ธ SEC Receives Complaint Evidence
BlackCat has shown proof that the SEC received their complaint about MeridianLink.
๐จ First SEC Complaint by Ransomware Group
This incident marks the first time a ransomware group has filed an SEC complaint against a victim.
๐
Discrepancies in Attack Dates
There's a conflict in reported dates of the hack, with the hackers and MeridianLink providing different timelines.
๐ MeridianLinkโs Investigation and Response
MeridianLink claims rapid action was taken, with minimal business disruption and no evidence of unauthorized access to production platforms.
๐ New SEC Regulations
New SEC data breach disclosure rules will be effective from mid-December 2023, with companies required to report relevant cybersecurity events within four days.
๐ 'Debt Tsunami' Warning by Bloomberg
Bloomberg reports a potential 'debt tsunami' as bond yields rise and central banks reduce bond holdings.
๐ Soaring Sovereign Bond Sales
Next year might see an increase in bond sales due to growing budget deficits in developed countries.
๐ฆ Central Banks' Dilemma
Central banks like the US Federal Reserve are advised to reconsider reducing their balance sheets amidst these challenges.
๐ธ Record Treasury Issuance Expected
The US is anticipated to issue a record $1.34 trillion in Treasury bonds next year, with the deficit potentially hitting $2 trillion by 2026.
๐ QE Reduction and Bond Value Impact
The US Fed has been cutting its balance sheet, raising concerns about the effects of tighter monetary policy combined with increased Treasury supply.
๐ช๐บ EU's Growing Bond Sales
In the EU, major economies like Germany and France are expected to boost bond sales significantly.
๐ฌ๐ง UK's Bond Market Pressure
The UK foresees a 20% increase in government bond supply next year, with the Bank of England reducing its bond portfolio rapidly.
๐ฎ Forecast: Tighter Monetary Conditions
Bloomberg suggests that the global growth slump in the next year might prompt a pause or reversal in monetary tightening policies.