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Last year, we shared news about Apple taking legal action against Andrew Aude, their former software engineer, for sharing secrets about upcoming projects, including details on the Journal app and Vision Pro headset.

According to 9to5Mac, the lawsuit was dropped on Thursday by the Santa Clara County Superior Court after Apple and Aude came to terms on a settlement. The details of this settlement aren’t public, but Aude made an apology online.

On the social media site X, which used to be Twitter, Aude admitted that leaking information was a “big and costly error.”

Here’s what Aude said in his apology:

“I worked at Apple as a software engineer for almost eight years. I had access to a lot of private company info, including details about products that weren’t out yet. But instead of keeping these secrets, I shared them with journalists. I didn’t see it then, but it was a huge mistake. It ruined friendships and professional connections I’d built over years. My career in software engineering took a hit, and it’s going to be tough to start over. Leaking wasn’t worth it. I’m truly sorry to my colleagues who worked so hard on these projects and kept them confidential. They deserved better.”

Aude started at Apple in 2016, focusing on improving battery life, and was let go in 2023 after his leaks came to light. For more on this story, check out our previous articles on the lawsuit.

Apple is getting ready to surprise us with new gadgets next week. Here’s what you can look forward to:

iPhone SE 4

The next iPhone SE is finally getting an update after a few years. Here’s what’s new:

• A beautiful screen that goes from edge to edge
• Easy face unlock without a home button
• Fast A18 chip inside
• Charging with USB-C
• More memory for smoother use
• Works with Apple’s new smart features
• A 48MP camera for great photos
• Its own 5G connection for faster internet

Even though it might cost a bit more than before, starting at about $499, this iPhone SE will be a great choice for many people.

Powerbeats Pro 2

Also coming soon are the new Powerbeats Pro 2. These have been spotted on some famous athletes and are expected to hit the market very soon. They’ll come in cool new colors like purple, orange, and light brown. Plus, they’ll have a heart-rate sensor, just like the upcoming AirPods Pro 3.

Surprise Launches?

There might be even more surprises:

• M4 MacBook Air: With current models running low in stores, the new version might be just around the corner.
• M3 iPad Air: Stocks are low, which could mean an update is coming sooner than expected.
• 11th Generation iPad: An update to the basic iPad model could be on its way too.

Big Week for Apple?

With all these possible new gadgets, and whispers of the next iOS update, next week could be packed with announcements. Apple might even do a series of reveals like they did last fall with their new Macs. This approach was a big success, so fingers crossed they do it again.

It’s shaping up to be an exciting time for Apple fans. Stay tuned for what could be a very interesting week!

The British government has quietly asked Apple to give it full access to every user’s encrypted data stored in the cloud, according to The Washington Post. This secret directive reportedly came last month, compelling Apple to design a backdoor allowing UK security agencies to access encrypted user data around the world. This is a demand that has never been made in any other democratic nation.

The order was delivered via a “technical capability notice” under the UK’s 2016 Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), which critics call the “Snooper’s Charter.” This law allows law enforcement to force companies to assist in gathering evidence.

Apple has not commented on this issue. The law makes it illegal for Apple to even acknowledge such a demand from the government. Similarly, the Home Office declined to confirm or deny the existence of such notices, stating it does not discuss operational details.

A consultant who advises the US on encryption issues said Apple would not be able to inform users that their encryption is no longer secure. A former White House security advisor verified the UK’s order.

Apple Might Stop UK iCloud Services Over Privacy Concerns

There’s talk that Apple might pull its encrypted storage service from the UK rather than weaken the privacy promises it made to its users. However, this wouldn’t stop the UK from accessing the service in other countries. Apple has hinted before that it might withdraw services like FaceTime and iMessage from the UK if privacy is compromised. Apple’s Advanced Data Protection, introduced in 2022, allows users to encrypt additional data categories like Photos and Notes, keeping them private even from Apple.

Google, on the other hand, has made encryption standard for Android backups since 2018. When asked if any government had asked for a backdoor, Google responded that they can’t access encrypted backup data, even with a legal order.

How to Secure Your iCloud Data

The IPA was revised in 2023 to let the Home Office potentially ban certain encrypted services. Apple criticized these changes as excessive government control, suggesting they could prevent new security features from being offered globally.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has always argued against providing backdoors, stating it would invite criminals to access user data. Cybersecurity experts agree, warning that any backdoor could be exploited. Apple’s resistance was notable in 2016 when they fought and won against a US order to unlock an iPhone.

With increasing cyber threats from state actors, like those from China, US officials are now more focused on cybersecurity than ever, promoting encryption to protect communications. Privacy advocates, like Big Brother Watch, argue that such measures won’t make the UK safer and will instead undermine basic rights and freedoms.

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Yesterday, cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky revealed details about a new type of malware called “SparkCat” that was found in a handful of iOS apps. Following this revelation, Apple swiftly removed these apps from its App Store.

Among the apps affected were ComeCome, WeTink, and AnyGPT. In total, 11 apps were taken down, but Apple’s investigation led to the discovery of an additional 89 apps with similar malicious code, which had already been rejected or removed due to Apple’s strict anti-fraud rules. When Apple removes an app for such reasons, it also shuts down the developer’s account.

According to Kaspersky, the malware included a harmful tool that could read text from images and screenshots on iPhones, particularly targeting recovery phrases for cryptocurrency wallets. The aim was to steal valuable information like bitcoin codes, but it could also grab other sensitive phrases like passwords.

Apple’s default settings prevent apps from accessing your photos without your permission. However, if users granted these apps access to their photo library, the malware could scan for and transmit any matching key phrases to a server controlled by the attackers. The malware seemed to focus on iOS users in Europe and Asia.

Since the release of iOS 14, Apple has improved how apps can access your photos, allowing users to permit only specific images rather than the whole album. It’s wise to be cautious with app permissions and avoid granting access to all your photos to apps that seem suspicious.

Apple also offers an “App Privacy Report” feature, which you can find in the Privacy section of your iPhone’s Settings. This report shows when and how often apps access your sensitive data like your location, photos, camera, and microphone.

It’s always good to keep an eye on these privacy settings to protect your personal information.

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