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In a recent development, users of the AI app DeepSeek in South Korea have hit a snag. The local government has decided to ban the Chinese AI application, citing that it does not follow the country’s data protection rules. As a result, Apple and Google have been instructed to take the app off their app stores in South Korea.

Temporary Ban on DeepSeek in South Korea

According to news sources, South Korea’s data protection watchdog has told tech giants like Apple and Google to stop people from downloading this app. However, you can still use DeepSeek through a web browser in South Korea for the time being. The reason given for this ban is that DeepSeek doesn’t meet the requirements set by South Korea’s Personal Information Protection Commission.

The company behind DeepSeek has admitted they overlooked some aspects of South Korea’s data laws and has appointed lawyers in the country to deal with the situation. Additionally, a spokesperson from China’s Foreign Ministry has stated that China takes data privacy seriously and ensures it is protected by law.

Path to Reinstatement

DeepSeek could start working again in South Korea if it makes changes to align with the local privacy laws.

For a bit of background, DeepSeek is a Chinese tech startup that became famous for its AI model “R1”, which is both effective and resource-efficient compared to others. The app received praise from Apple’s CEO Tim Cook but has also stirred up controversy because of where it comes from.

Italy was the first to block DeepSeek for similar privacy concerns, and in the U.S., a senator has proposed a law to penalize the use of Chinese AI apps. Last month, DeepSeek climbed to the top of the U.S. App Store, beating out ChatGPT by OpenAI, and it currently sits at number 13 in app downloads.

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A week ago, Apple surprised everyone by launching a new app and service named “Invites.” However, this launch has led to some unfair criticism about Apple’s approach to apps, suggesting they operate like Google does with its apps.

Google is well-known for starting new apps and services but then either shutting them down or merging them into something else. A good example is Google Podcasts, which didn’t last long. There’s practically a “graveyard” of Google apps that didn’t make it.

After the launch of Invites, some people started to think Apple does the same thing with its apps. But is that really true?

Not Dead Yet

Take the Apple Sports app, for example. It’s been around for a year now, and it keeps getting better. People love it so much they’re asking for a widget for their phones. It’s clear this app isn’t just left to die; it’s growing in popularity.

Then there’s the Journal app, which first appeared with iOS 17.2 in December 2023. By the time iOS 18 rolled out, the app had a significant update to version 2.0, bringing new features like search, sort options, audio transcripts, and more. The only thing missing is an iPad version, not updates.

Apple Music Classical, initially iPhone-only, expanded to include an iPad app and added features like album booklets. It even got a CarPlay app and Siri support.

Music Memos’ Legacy

Music Memos was an app for musicians to record their tunes. It lasted for five years before Apple decided to enhance the built-in Voice Memos app instead. Now, Voice Memos can record two tracks at once, which is great for songwriters who use voice and guitar.

Clips in the Classroom

Apple Clips isn’t dead either. It’s thriving in educational settings with features like royalty-free music and templates that teachers can use in their lessons. Instead of abandoning it, maybe Apple should focus on making a simpler video editing app like CapCut, but without the ByteDance connection.

Looking Ahead for Invites

The future of the Invites app might include tight integration with the Calendar app and could come pre-installed on new iPhones. Its success will depend on turning users into iCloud+ subscribers and having a strong advocate within Apple, similar to how Apple Sports has been championed.

In summary, Apple’s so-called “hobby apps” aren’t just side projects; they’re part of a broader strategy where apps are nurtured, updated, and sometimes transformed to better serve users.

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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For the first time, a type of harmful software that can read what’s on your screen has been spotted in apps from the Apple App Store, according to a report by Kaspersky.

This new malware, known as “SparkCat,” can look at screenshots on your iPhone to find private information. The main aim of these apps is to find the secret codes for cryptocurrency wallets, making it possible for thieves to steal your bitcoins and other digital money.

The apps contain a sneaky part that uses a special tool from Google’s ML Kit to read text in pictures. If it sees an image of a crypto wallet, that image gets sent to a server where the attacker can grab it.

SparkCat has been around since about March 2024. While similar malware was previously found on Android and computers, it’s now made its way to iPhones. Kaspersky found apps like ComeCome, WeTink, and AnyGPT in the App Store with this spying software. However, it’s not clear if these developers put the malware there on purpose or if it was added by someone else attacking the app’s supply chain.

Once you download these apps, they’ll ask to see your photos. If you say yes, they’ll use their reading tool to scan through your pictures for important information. These apps are still in the App Store and seem to be focusing on people in Europe and Asia.

While the primary target is crypto information, Kaspersky warns that this malware could also steal other screenshot data, like passwords. This issue isn’t just for iPhone users; similar threats have been seen on Android too, but iPhone users usually think their devices are safer from such threats.

Apple usually checks all apps before they go into the App Store, so finding malware like this shows a slip in their review process. In this case, the harmful apps don’t show they’re bad, and the permissions they ask for look like they’re needed for the app to work.

Kaspersky advises against keeping screenshots of important details like crypto wallet codes in your photo collection to protect yourself from such attacks. For more details on which apps are affected and more about this malware, you can visit Kaspersky’s website.

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Apple products in the United States might soon cost more because President Trump has put a 10% tax on imports from China. Even though Apple has been trying to spread out where it gets its parts, most of its gadgets are still made in China.

Back when Trump was president before, he also put taxes on many things coming from China. Apple managed to get some exemptions, but this new rule seems to apply to everything from China.

The Chip Tariff That Never Happened

Trump once talked about putting a huge tax on Chinese-made computer chips, but that didn’t happen. This was good news for Apple since their products use these chips but aren’t chips themselves. People pointed out this would hurt American companies making electronics in the US with parts from China, so the plan was dropped.

New Tariffs on Everything

Later, Trump threatened to tax all products from Canada, Mexico, and China. He wanted a 25% tax on items from Canada and Mexico and 10% on Chinese goods. Canada and Mexico promised to tighten border security and fight drug trafficking to avoid these taxes, while also warning they might tax US goods in return.

Trump decided to wait 30 days before starting the tax on Canada and Mexico, but the Chinese tax began right away. China responded by taxing American products and looking into possible antitrust issues with companies like Apple and Google.

Impact on Apple

Now, Apple has to pay an extra 10% on everything it brings in from China. This could mean higher prices for consumers or lower profits for Apple if they decide to cover the cost themselves.

What Apple Might Do

While some companies might increase prices, it’s unclear what Apple will do. They’ve done both in the past – raised prices and cut profits. With Trump’s decisions changing often, Apple might wait to see if these tariffs stick around before deciding.

In summary, Trump’s tariff policies could lead to pricier Apple products. How Apple responds will depend on how long these taxes last and how they affect the market.

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Apple could soon face an investigation in China about how it runs its App Store, according to Bloomberg. A black and white image of the Chinese flag with the Apple logo in the background. China’s market watchdogs have been looking into Apple’s practices since last year. They’re concerned about the 30% fee Apple charges for in-app purchases and how the company doesn’t allow other payment options, sources told Bloomberg.

The focus is on whether these high fees are fair to Chinese app makers. There’s also worry that by not letting other app stores or payment methods in, Apple might be hurting competition and not giving Chinese users the best deal. If Apple doesn’t change its ways, China might officially look into it, the sources added.

This all started because of ongoing disagreements with big Chinese companies like Tencent and ByteDance. There was a report in August saying Apple was pushing these companies to change how their apps work in China to stop them from dodging that 30% fee.

The timing is tricky because things are tense between the US and China. Just this week, China started looking into Google’s business practices right after new US taxes on Chinese products began. Apple has a lot at stake in China. It’s where most iPhones are made, and it’s a huge market for Apple outside the US. But local companies like Huawei are getting stronger, and Apple’s sales in China dropped by 11% over the holiday season. Apple has faced similar issues in other places too. They’ve had to change how they do business in places like Europe to follow new laws and avoid penalties.

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