Technology, security analysis
We share content on product tips and updates, as well as the occasional paper from the engineering and product teams.
Should you cover your webcam?
Webcam covers and physical mute buttons on microphones act as failsafes and helpful reminders to think about security, and a piece of tape really is the best solution for use with your laptop's built-in camera.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
Misconceptions on British tech response to COVID-19
Following our analysis in May of UK's NHSX tracking app, the news that the UK is switching to use Apple & Google's Exposure Tracking APIs, and the recent appearance of contact tracing on iPhones, I'm sharing analysis of what's happened since and looking at a couple of popular misconceptions.
Aidan FitzpatrickA technical deep-dive into the NHS COVID-19 contact tracing app
Over the course of the last two days, a number of engineers have been reviewing the app to discover whether — and how! — it is able to stay alive. Tonight, we’re sharing just what’s happening on iOS. Let’s step through it.
Reincubate Engineering
Staying alive: background tracing & the NHS COVID-19 app
Digging into the options available for contact tracing apps built without recourse to Apple's iOS 13.5 frameworks
Aidan Fitzpatrick
Video chat security: who’s in your Houseparty?
In this post, we look at Houseparty, the risks that come with using it, and what you can do in simple steps to avoid sharing anything that you’d rather keep private.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
Swipe right: using data to date better
We conducted research into when users are most active on dating apps such as Tinder, Bumble, Grindr and Hinge, to help you find the best time to get a date. Time is of the essence when it comes to online dating: the quicker you act, the more likely you are to move forward.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
Who’s watching who? Netflix and your data
We conducted an experiment by examining the phones and Netflix data of 5 avid watchers to see what data was stored. The study reveals the data that Netflix keeps and tracks on user devices, and found that on average, users spend 58 hours watching Netflix on smartphones or tablet.
Aidan FitzpatrickPopular articles
How companies legally harvest your data — and how to stop them
Online data collection is increasingly insidious and continuous. This article aims to help you protect your data by making you aware of how your data is vulnerable, and we share some tips on what you can do to help keep your data secure.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
Safeguarding children’s devices against Screen Time removal
Despite press coverage to the contrary, Apple’s recommendations for regulating children’s behaviour with Screen Time are effective in ensuring Screen Time isn't removed without a parent's involvement.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
iOS forensics with SQLite data recovery: deep dive and comparison
Today, we’re going to take a dive into one of the approaches we use for recovering deleted messages: forensic recovery of SQLite data.
Aidan Fitzpatrick
iPhone thief's identity revealed by Apple GDPR tool
Might Apple know who stole your iPhone? Apple's Data and privacy tool revealed the identity of an iPhone's thief, even without it being locked to iCloud.
Aidan Fitzpatrick