Summary
Overview
Apple introduces quantum-resistant cryptographic signing for iPhone photos to verify authenticity, while Flock Safety's surveillance cameras are exposed for poor security practices. The US military confirms orbital weapons deployment, and various tech stories include Denuvo suing game crackers, Meta planning camera-free glasses, and robots designed to work safely with humans.
Apple's Reference Image Technology: Cryptographically Verified Photos
Apple debuts Reference Image technology that cryptographically signs every pixel captured by iPhone 18 Pro cameras, creating a 'digital negative' that proves photo authenticity. The system is quantum-resistant and preserves photographer anonymity while preventing undetected edits. However, it can only verify that a photo was taken on an iPhone, not whether the contents themselves are real or staged.
- iPhone 18 Pro cameras cryptographically sign every pixel at capture with quantum-resistant signatures
- Apple servers verify the 'digital negative' came from a real iPhone without seeing actual pixels
- Reference images show beside originals so users can spot edits, with stamps marking any modifications
- Feature unavailable in China at launch; EU users can view but not capture reference images
- Technology can only prove a photo is real, not that its contents are authentic
" So in the year 2200, after we figure out quantum computers, the AI that destroyed humanity can still confirm my brunch happened. "
" After all, a photo of a screen is still a real photo. So, my brunch photo will be verified, but the AI won't actually know if I ate it or not. "
Flock Safety Camera Security Breach and Data Sharing Scandal
Hackers reverse-engineered a stolen Flock Safety license plate camera and discovered unencrypted encryption keys that exposed videos of thousands of vehicles. Investigation revealed cameras capture 28 photos per car and track people in addition to plates. Boston abandoned Flock after the company accidentally shared the entire city's data with police nationwide despite contractual prohibitions.
- Encryption key found unencrypted in camera storage, unlocking thousands of vehicle videos
- Cameras take 28 photos per vehicle and are built to flag people as well as license plates
- Boston's contract prohibited data sharing, but Flock 'flipped a switch in error' sharing citywide data with all police nationwide
- Boston terminated contract and moved to testing Axon and Motorola plate readers
" Which is kind of like a game developer locking the door to the boss room, but leaving the key just outside. "
" So sharing an entire city's data with the whole country is apparently one switch. And the switch doesn't even work. "
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