

Episode 756: Life looks good at 100x zoom
Aug 21, 2025
The UK government's retreat on backdoor access to encrypted communications raises vital privacy concerns. The latest Pixel smartphones impress with enhanced camera tech and real-time features, prompting debates on ethical photography in a competitive market. Intel's chip strategies and SoftBank's AI investments indicate a shifting tech landscape. The controversial subscription services for car upgrades spark humor and critique. Finally, DaVinci Resolve's evolution highlights its accessibility, alongside a groundbreaking immersive camera that promises enhanced video production.
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UK Backdown On Apple Backdoor
- The UK retreated from demanding an Apple backdoor after US pressure made the request untenable.
- Secrecy around the order leaves unanswered questions about what was actually requested and why.
Targeted Access Beats Blanket Backdoors
- Asking companies to perform blanket searches is disproportionate compared with targeted warrants.
- Service providers are better placed to find duplicates, but end-to-end encryption limits their ability to help.
Treat VPNs As A Regulatory Loophole
- Consider that commercial VPNs can bypass online-age rules and may be out of UK legal reach.
- Expect regulators to debate ISP-level blocks or adult-only validation rather than blanket VPN bans.