FBI Uses Cellebrite Tools to Crack Thomas Crooks’ Phone and Upend Assumptions About Security

Scientists using Cellebrite to crack a phone

After the assassination attempt of former President Trump the FBI initially struggled to access his phone but cracked it in 40 minutes with Cellebrite’s unreleased tools and technical support. How do Cellebrite’s tools work? Can anybody use tools to access my iPhone? How secure is my iPhone, really? Should I be worried about my privacy?

What Happened in June 2024?

the earth is on fire while judges look on

In June 2024, the Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup, and the LA Lakers drafted LeBron James’ son, making them the first father-son duo to play on the same NBA team. Microsoft integrated Copilot AI into Windows 11, while Nvidia achieved record revenue amid an AI chip boom. Apple introduced AI upgrades for its devices. The Supreme Court upheld mifepristone’s legality and overturned the Trump-era bump stocks ban. Biden implemented new immigration policies and his student loan forgiveness plan was halted by federal judges. Europe faced unprecedented heatwaves, highlighting ongoing global climate challenges.

Google Algorithm Leak Opens a Firehose

A man shares insights from leaked documents

In March 2024, thousands of pages of Google’s API documentation on search ranking were leaked on GitHub. By May, these documents were authenticated and analyzed, revealing discrepancies between Google’s public statements and its actual practices, such as using click-centric user signals and domain authority for ranking.

Acceptance of LGBTQ Clergy and Same-Sex Marriage Increases While Religious Practice Decreases

minister with rainbow stain glass window in the background

Several Factors Contribute to Changing Religious Practices and LGBTQ Acceptance The acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in the USA has increased over the years, and this trend correlates with a decline in traditional religious practice among Americans. Several factors contribute to this: These factors interact in complex ways, contributing to a society where acceptance of LGBTQ+ … Read more

Biden Signs Bill Requiring the Sale or Ban of TikTok

TikTok ban protest

President Biden signed a bill mandating TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, to sell the app to a U.S. company within nine months, extending a previous deadline by three months with an option for a further 90-day extension. This move is part of a $95 billion aid package and stems from concerns that ByteDance could share user data with the Chinese government or use the app to influence elections. Potential buyers like Microsoft and Google face antitrust challenges, while others might be hindered by Chinese regulations on algorithm export.

Israel Strike Against Iran Inside Syria Prompts Counterattack

missiles intercepted by defense systems

On April 1, Israeli F-35 jets struck near the Iranian embassy in Damascus, killing an IRGC general and others. Iran’s April 13 counterattack with 300+ missiles and drones, mostly intercepted, seemed more symbolic to avoid escalation. Israel showcased its advanced anti-missile systems, highlighting their technological edge and strategic defense layers like Iron Dome and Arrow. The counterattack underscored regional tensions without intending a full-scale escalation.

What Happened in March 2024?

News from March, 2024

The biggest news of March, 2024 included the US House of Representative passing legislation saying the Chinese owner of TikTok must sell to a US entity or face a ban. Beyoncé released a country album with enormous press coverage, tensions escalated in Gaza with Israel intensifying military actions, Ukraine suffered from arms and ammo shortages amid US Congress gridlock over more aid, wildfires scorched the panhandle of Texas, Donald Trump’s legal troubles continued with no impact on his presidential campaign, and gangs overran police in Haiti.