Apple removes first-party firewall exemption in macOS 11.2 beta 2
I am glad that the public backlash forced them to fix a deliberate BACKDOOR that they had introduced (by design) in the Network Extension Framework that macOS Big Sur now forces all the firewalls to use. (At least, they claim to have removed it). But it is hard to trust them again, and I would prefer to use a firewall that uses its own kernel extension to manage the network than using Apple's API again. (Obviously that's going to be really hard with the changes they have made to the OS).<p>I know many Apple's fan see this as a positive move.<p>But let's not ignore the pattern of privacy violations and user data collections due to deliberate design and the "apology" and "changes" that follow once CAUGHT. A few of these that immediately come to mind are:<p>- Apple selling user data to US government: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data" rel="nofollow">https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants...</a><p>- Apple iPhone 11 tracks user location even when location services are explicitly turned off by user (another BACKDOOR): <a href="https://www.silicon.co.uk/mobility/smartphones/apple-iphone-collects-location-data-321509?cmpredirect" rel="nofollow">https://www.silicon.co.uk/mobility/smartphones/apple-iphone-...</a><p>- Apple macOS tracks every app that you use: <a href="https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/" rel="nofollow">https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/</a><p>- Apple introduces BACKDOOR in its API to allow Apple apps to bypass application firewalls: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/hooray-no-more-46179028" rel="nofollow">https://www.patreon.com/posts/hooray-no-more-46179028</a><p>(For those who want to diss me for the above, realise that Apple's new found love for privacy doesn't mean shit without such public scrutiny and discussions. And if you want it to last, remain suspicious and VOCAL on any such possible violations.)