'In several countries, including Australia, Apple is under investigation for alleged monopolistic practices and behavior that could be considered anti-competitive. Probes, still ongoing in many cases, are likely pointing to increased regulation that would Apple and how it operates the App Store.'
Possibly explains the leverage to introduce on hardware surveillance with the potential for a much more serious "backdoor" in the name of child safety.
Ally that to governments and some of its agencies, and EU, who can also exert their influence on what Apple has to do to avoid severe fines...there is incredible leverage, leverage China has already used successfully.
I'd much prefer it if Apple said 'we've been forced to introduce a backdoo', which is why its going on your hardware.'
But no doubt NDA's, which is ironic, as non disclosure via securing privacy was a mainstay of Apple's good reputation.
Either should either drop the poor idea that is a PR nightmare or explain who they have installed it for, because sure as hell it isn't users, as they've not been asked and do not apparently get a choice of having this element of the software installed on their own devices.
No doubt the replies will be inundated with those trying to obscure the fact it is surveillance, by sayings its only a hash, but its still data, its still surveillance and it still represents a backdoor that can be exploited.
techcrunch.com
