HolidayBlogging

Tag: protected

  • Apple launches iPhone 17 with a 120 Hz display

    Apple launches iPhone 17 with a 120 Hz display

    Apple launched the iPhone 17 series today at its “awe-dropping” event, with the base model getting an upgraded display.

    The iPhone 17 has a slightly bigger screen at 6.3 inches as compared to the 6.1-inch screen of the iPhone 16. The display is getting an upgrade with ProMotion, which is being used in the base model for the first time.

    It supports a 120 Hz refresh rate and dynamically switches to different refresh rates using the LTPO (low-temperature polycrystalline oxide) tech. This display also has a peak brightness of 3,000 nits for better outside legibility. This display is now protected by Ceramic Shield 2 with better scratch resistance.

    The phone is powered by a 3 nm A19 processor with a new display engine to power the display update.

    The iPhone 17 gets a new 48-megapixel ultrawide camera. The phone’s camera system also powers 2x optical telephoto and better macro photos.

    The company updated the front camera with a new 18-megapixel square sensor. Apple said this allows you to take selfies in different formats without switching orientation. Plus, it also said that the new selfie center will let you capture more stable videos. The new iPhone 17 front camera also supports Center Stage for calls.

    This phone will be available in lavender, mist blue, black, white, and sage colors. The iPhone 17 will start at $799 with base storage of 256GB. The iPhone 16 started at $699 for 128GB. In essence, the pricing for a comparable model is the same, but you don’t get to choose a 128GB model.

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    Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

    Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

    Join 10k+ tech and VC leaders for growth and connections at Disrupt 2025

    Netflix, Box, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just some of the 250+ heavy hitters leading 200+ sessions designed to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech. Grab your ticket before Sept 26 to save up to $668.

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    October 27-29, 2025

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    The iPhone preorders start Friday and the phones will be available starting September 19.

  • Germany\’s Deputy Demands Apple, Google Ban DeepSeek Over Privacy Fears

    Massive Data Leak: DeepSeek’s Transfer to China Sparks Legal Backlash

    Why This Is a Big Deal

    • Unauthorized movement of personal data across borders.
    • Data flowed into Chinese servers without proper user consent.
    • Could violate international privacy laws and Europe’s GDPR.

    Who’s Calling Out the Chaos?

    A seasoned data protection official from the European Data Protection Board stepped in. Known for tough stances on privacy, she highlighted that DeepSeek’s actions are “unlawful” under several regulatory frameworks.

    How It Happened

    DeepSeek, a popular AI platform, reportedly offloaded user logs, chats, and other sensitive data to datacenters in China. The move was made without clearing a legal audit or informing users—a clear violation of data protection obligations.

    Impact on Users
    • Potential exposure of personal conversations.
    • Increased risk of identity theft and phishing.
    • Loss of trust in AI platforms that promise privacy.
    What Happens Next?

    The data protection board is now considering a full investigation. If the findings confirm the alleged breaches, DeepSeek is facing fines, mandatory data rectification, and a possible ban from certain markets.

    So, the next time you log into an AI app, just remember: it might be living a double life—making the AI wizard you think they’re keeping secrets. Keep your privacy in check, and maybe stay away from the next DeepSeek that looks like a friendly chatbot turned espionage agent.

    DeepSeek’s Data Dilemma: When China Meets EU Rules

    Picture a German data‑watchdog standing on a podium with a stack of paper, clutching a phone, and shouting at a distant tech giant that’s sprouting from the East. That’s exactly what Mattersome Meike Kamp, Berlin’s data‑protection commissioner, did when she held up a whistle‑blowing dossier on DeepSeek—the Chinese AI chatbot that’s been courting both hype and scrutiny.

    The Big Claim

    In a recent press release, Kamp slammed DeepSeek for supposedly shifting user data straight into China’s servers without the safeguards the EU insists on. “The data doesn’t feel shielded,” she said, “and that’s a recipe for disaster.”

    Why the EU Bother

    • GDPR rules: The European Union can’t tolerate unsanctioned data flights out of the bloc—unless the destination country has proper safeguards.
    • Chinese oversight: In China, the law says the intelligence services have a wide‑open window on any app‑collected data.
    • Italian interference: Italy took a hard line early this year, banning DeepSeek from its stores after discovering the company was uncooperative.

    Apple & Google in the Hot Seat

    With her report in hand, Kamp hasn’t just nudged the AI company; she’s also taken her fingers to the giants that house it. “Apple and Google need to do a quick audit of this app,” she demanded, and if DeepSeek refuses to align with EU data‑protections, she’s ready to see the app taken offline.

    The Corporate Conundrum

    DeepSeek’s own lawyers were almost as baffled as the regulators. They either promised to bring their data policies in line with EU laws or get a clean exit from German app stores. The company, however, has shown a pattern of defiance, sidestepping cooperation with authorities in countries like Italy.

    Why All This Matters

    Beyond the legalese, the stakes are huge. If your data slides into a jurisdiction with unrestrained government snooping, your privacy might be on thin ice. Remember, AI can be as smart as it is dangerous—DeepSeek’s models have been accused of producing biased or harmful content, raising a whole new set of safety questions.

    So as we watch the German watchdog march forward, the world is reminded that data protection isn’t just paperwork—it’s a real‑time battle between tech, law, and personal privacy.