News in brief

Apple news in bite–sized chunks

> AUDACITY TURNS SPYWARE?

Open source audio–editor Audacity is being condemned as “spyware” after changes to its privacy policy. It now collects data like OS version, country (based on IP address), and unspecified “data necessary for law enforcement.” It is “occasionally required to share your personal data with our main office in Russia,” it says, and possibly others including “advisors” and “potential buyers”.

> MAGNET WARNING EXTENDED

Earlier this year, Apple warned that the magnets in iPhones and MagSafe accessories could affect pacemakers. In May, the FDA found the risk to patients with pacemakers is low, but urged caution. In June, the American Heart Foundation said MagSafe poses a “clinically significant” risk to cardiac devices. Apple’s support note (support.apple.com/en-us/HT211900) now lists products with magnets inside — AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and Beats products — and advises “Keep these products a safe distance away from your medical device.”

> PRIVACY RESTORED

App Tracking Transparency (ATT) requires advertisers to get your permission to track your iPhone. In March, a system known as CAID emerged in China, promoted by the state–backed China Advertising Association, to sidestep ATT and track you anyway. It was reportedly being considered by China–based businesses including Tencent and TikTok parent company ByteDance. Sources say Apple now blocks apps on the App Store that it finds are adding CAID support to updates.