Tue. 06/08 – Fastly Takes Down The Internet

Jun 8, 2021 16m

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Episode Description

Fastly takes down the internet, highlighting how the internet is still really centralized. The US seized most of the bitcoins those hackers got from the Colonial Pipeline hack, highlighting how Bitcoin is actually eminently traceable. Facebook pokes Apple in the eye on WWDC day, and I give you a wrap-up of the bits a pieces we missed from WWDC yesterday. Sponsors: Kraken.com/techmeme or search "Kraken" in the app store Cybereason.com Links: Twitch, Pinterest, Reddit and more go down in Fastly CDN outage (Tech Crunch) U.S. Retrieves Millions in Ransom Paid to Colonial Pipeline Hackers (Wall Street Journal) Facebook will show creators how much money Apple and Google take from them (The Verge) EXCLUSIVE Apple in talks with CATL, BYD over battery supplies for its electric car (Reuters) Adobe launches M1 Mac-native versions of Lightroom Classic and more (The Verge) iOS 15: Find My network can still find your iPhone when it is powered off, or factory reset (9to5 Mac) Apple adds digital legacy service so users can prepare for the inevitable (Cnet) Apple will let users stay on iOS 14 and receive security updates, even after iOS 15 is released (9to5 Mac) Apple’s iCloud Plus bundles a VPN, private email, and HomeKit camera storage (The Verge) Book Recommendation: Network Effect by Martha Wells Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI-Generated Summary

Fastly Takes Down the Internet

In a significant internet outage, multiple high-profile websites—including Amazon, Twitch, the BBC, and the New York Times—went offline due to issues with Fastly's CDN infrastructure. This incident illustrates the increasingly centralized nature of the internet. Though Fastly was criticized initially, they managed to restore services quickly, which led some to commend their efficiency, with stock prices reflecting a surge due to their rapid recovery.

Bitcoin's Traceability and Colonial Pipeline Hack

Following the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, U.S. authorities successfully seized 64 bitcoins valued at around $2.3 million from the hacker's virtual wallet. This incident emphasizes Bitcoin's traceability, as law enforcement can track transactions across public ledgers. Even though the total ransom paid was 75 bitcoins, the seizure demonstrates that cryptos can be tracked reliably, contradicting the belief that they provide complete anonymity for criminal acts.

Facebook's Counter to Apple on WWDC Day

In a move to counter Apple, Facebook announced that they will provide creators with transparency on the platform regarding the fees imposed by Apple and Google on their earnings. This announcement came just hours before Apple's WWDC, which highlighted the ongoing tensions between the two tech giants. Facebook’s push to show creators how much they take home after platform cuts strengthens its position among content creators.

Apple's Electric Vehicle Developments

Apple is reportedly in preliminary discussions with Chinese battery suppliers CATL and BYD to secure batteries for its rumored electric vehicle. The plans suggest that Apple is exploring lithium iron phosphate batteries, which are more cost-effective than traditional lithium-ion options, potentially pointing towards a future in electric vehicles.

Adobe Launches M1 Native Versions

Adobe announced native support for its Creative Cloud apps, including Lightroom Classic and Illustrator, on M1 Macs, claiming significant performance improvements over Intel-based Macs. The update aims to enhance user experience for creatives by providing more efficient and faster processing.

Updates from WWDC and iOS 15 Features

In an overview of updates from Apple's WWDC, new features from iOS 15 were highlighted, including enhanced tracking for lost devices and a new digital legacy service allowing users to designate contacts for data access after death. Furthermore, users can now stay on older iOS versions while still receiving security updates, reflecting Apple's approach to device longevity and user security.

Apple's iCloud Plus Launches

Apple launched iCloud Plus, introducing new features including a VPN, burner email addresses, and free unlimited storage for HomeKit camera video. These enhancements are designed to bolster user privacy and security, though some features have geographic restrictions, indicating Apple’s continued focus on user data protection.