Security Now (Audio) SN 1029: The Illusion of Thinking - Meta Apps and JavaScript Collusion
36 snips
Jun 11, 2025 The podcast dives into the disturbing tracking methods employed by Meta and Yandex through local data collection. It reflects on Bill Atkinson's legacy, while discussing recent advancements in AI and cybersecurity strategies. Legal conflicts surrounding OpenAI's data retention policies are explored, alongside vulnerabilities in the Erlang/OTP library. The impact of the EU's new DNS service and the potential interception of Telegram by Russian security is also examined, raising crucial questions about privacy in tech.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Bill Atkinson's Legacy at Apple
- Bill Atkinson was a pioneer at Apple, designing MacPaint and HyperCard.
- He met Jeff Raskin at UC San Diego, was employee #51, and profoundly influenced GUI design.
Meta & Yandex Localhost Tracking
- Meta and Yandex apps abuse localhost sockets to track users across millions of sites.
- This tracking bypasses privacy controls like incognito mode, cookie clearing, and permissions.
Block Unauthorized Localhost Access
- Browsers should block and notify users when websites access localhost.
- Users could allow localhost access for legitimate needs like web development.