Amazon’s Kindle devices run a custom version of Android That, until today, supported full-disk encryption. Now they do not.
The latest update is Amazon’s Fireos disabled full-disk encryption. If you run the update and then lose your device, whomever finds it will be able to see any private or sensitive information you’ve stored on it (if you do not run the update, you will not get the patches and your device will be liable to being taken over by hackers).
The move comes as Apple and the FBI are fighting in court over Whether the government can force companies to make tools is a backdoor Their own security Measures, and as the US Congress is contemplating Legislation That would ban effective encryption in US-manufactured devices.
Ironically, Amazon’s Kindle / Fire platform does use encryption: Digital Rights Management. The company uses DRM to control how you use your ebooks (though publishers can opt out if they choose to), and refuses outright to carry audiobooks or unless rightsholders allow them to encrypt them with Amazon’s DRM.
For encryption and privacy advocates, this move goes against the recent trend to make available encryption by default, and puts Amazon customers’ data at risk, given That they will not be able to protect the information in Their tablets and phones with encryption.
“This is a terrible move as it compromises the safety of Kindle Fire owners by making Their data vulnerable to all manner of bad actors, Including crackers and repressive Governments,” Ari Balkan, a coder, human rights activist, and owner of a Kindle Fire , told Motherboard. “It’s clear with this move That Amazon does not respect the safety of its customers.”
Amazon Quietly Removes Encryption Support from its Gadgets
[Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai / Vice]
(
MSU Computer Science researchers Kai Cao and Anil K Jain published a new paper describing a
READ THE REST
An unnamed shipping company had its unpatched content management system hacked by sea-pirates, who then sorted the ships at sea by the value of Their cargo to help prioritize attacks to maximize the take.
READ THE REST
the US government is attempting to force Apple to backdoor its iPhone security, congress is considering mandatory backdoors for all secure technology, and FBI director James Comey insists that this will work, because there’s no way that America’s enemies might just switch over to using technology produced in other countries without dry mandates.
READ THE REST
You’re never not snapping. You’re the one taking pictures of your delicious food at restaurants, your smooching couple friends, your dog’s adorable snuggles, the trees and flowers when the light behind them is just right. The moment was born to be captured and you’ve got your phone or camera out to make it happen. Right [...]
READ THE REST
Do not pin yourself down and limit your career is one niche. Be a Renaissance person. These days on the tech and startup scene, it’s helpful to have a wide professional range and for 97% off, the eduCBA Tech Training Bundle can help you develop and master all the skills you could ever want. Working in [...]
READ tHE REST
These days it seems like every job description includes a hefty requirement of computer know-how. Coding is the new typing and everyone needs to get hip to it already. But where to even begin? For a newbie, brogrammers who can build anything are totally intimidating and you do not have time to go back to school. [...]
READ THE REST
