They can hash the data and (supposedly) you can't reverse engineer it back to the original. There are ways to do this.
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iPhone 5s officially unveiled
They can hash the data and (supposedly) you can't reverse engineer it back to the original. There are ways to do this.
What people don't seem to get about the fingerprint issue: It is not so much about the fingerprint itself but about the fact that the biometrics now conclusively attach an individual to a device (and all that is done and contained on that device), time and place. It is now a sure-thing.
Revelations in the last few months clearly shows that NOBODY can be trusted to not share your information (directly or indirectly). Governments lie. Companies lie. The fact that Apple says that they won't share data doesn't actually mean a thing. Companies have done that for ages and they were caught out through the Snowden revelations. But still ... people want the new toy so badly that they will sell themselves to get it (and convince themselves and others that there is nothing to fear).
Revelations in the last few months clearly shows that NOBODY can be trusted to not share your information (directly or indirectly). Governments lie. Companies lie. The fact that Apple says that they won't share data doesn't actually mean a thing. Companies have done that for ages and they were caught out through the Snowden revelations. But still ... people want the new toy so badly that they will sell themselves to get it (and convince themselves and others that there is nothing to fear).
And ways to undo this.
cerebus
Honorary Master
Well given it's the most prominent feature of the 5S it warrants discussion I think.
So what exactly do you fear?
The fingerprint is not stored, just key points of your fingerprint. Your fingerprint cannot be reconstituted from the data. And it is not even stored on the system memory, it is stored inside the A7 chip itself
cerebus
Honorary Master
The NSA man.... they know...things... about.. app purchases. And unlocking iPhones. That's pretty scary if you ask me.
When you read this you'll see why Apple cannot even tell you when they are "asked" to help the NSA (and others): http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/11/yahoo-ceo-mayer-jail-nsa-surveillance
I think the intentions are questionable. Like BeVonk! said, the issue of companies (that have our data) giving it to governments without consent/knowledge is worrying, especially when used for non-security reasons. There was an article recently of someone in the UK government abusing the access they had for personal reasons. So I think Apple needs to be 110% transparent about what/how this tech works.
The same can be said for Google's face unlock feature, where is all that info stored? Will Google start bombarding me with Schick ads because they picked up a beard on my face?!
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cerebus
Honorary Master
This isn't a question of any company being asked to help the NSA. It appears that Apple have taken the precaution of ensuring that this data can't be handed to the NSA in any useful way. All you keep saying is you don't trust them. Ultimately no company is trustworthy but why are you picking on this matter? Fingerprinting is no more useful and particularly not in this form, than password locking.
I'm picking on this matter here because this thread is about the iPhone 5S with new fingerprint scanning feature. I have comments similar to this under many threads here so I'm not singling Apple out in general.
cerebus
Honorary Master
I know you aren't picking on them in particular. But why does fingerprint scanning make you more paranoid than any other form of data encryption? It seems to me about as useful.
sand_man
Honorary Master
http://www.redmondpie.com/iphone-5s...ast-than-iphone-5-holds-true-to-apples-claim/
Some preliminary performance benchmarks..
Some preliminary performance benchmarks..
Seems to be in-line with current hardware.
Fingerprint scanning doesn't make me more paranoid. It is the use of biometrics by Apple, Google or Whomever on take-everywhere mobile devices that bothers me in light of recent revelations. To me (and I seem to be alone on this here) it is absolutely shocking what was done ... and is still done ... and what shocks me even more is the apathy of people. People want cool stuff and will sell their souls to have it KNOWING full well that they are linked into systems that will grip them tighter and tighter with a very real risk that someday someone will be in a position to flip a switch and stop them from being economically active.
cerebus
Honorary Master
http://www.gsmarena.com/snapdragon_800packing_galaxy_s4_i9506_rocks_gfx_bench-news-6758.php
Yeah it does look like it. In between S4 and Z Ultra if these benchmarks can be used cross-platform. They frequently can't though.
Okay so you're just taking this opportunity to let us all know that you've disabled all cellular comms and become a Mennonite?
Can't wait for 3DMark to release their platform wide testing app, we'll finally be able to judge what's what. The again, 3Dmark went through some patchy rides a few years ago on PC when it was found that certain hardware was being treated differently, hopefully the phone bench will be neutral and untouched by the manufacturers!
You're still not explaining how you fear this new biometrics feature can be exploited. I understand your general hesitation with regards to American companies and government, but that does not necessarily translate to added concerns in light of the latest technology by Apple.
Abe
Expert Member
I seem to remember a post from you a whole back where you indicated that you had a number of products with only one being an Apple product and either said or implied that you were impartial because of it.
Reread the part you quoted. It said that "ONLY" Apple could do it right and that's a bit of a stretch even for Apple fans.