An iPhone to HDMI adapter was discovered that, when plugged in, runs a program prompting users to download an app. This EZ Cast app collects extensive personal data and sends it to China for ad targeting. It requires location access, photos, and installs tracking cookies. The adapter appears designed to mimic official Apple products. While its intentions are unclear, it demonstrates how such devices could enable privacy risks by introducing untrusted software into a user’s devices. Analysis of a similar EZCast dongle found it was vulnerable and not designed with security in mind. Reviews complain the app is useless or a scam. The adapter may have originated as unsold Amazon returns later acquired by electronics recyclers. Its existence relates to concerns about privacy and navigation issues on online marketplaces.

  • Leonard Kelley
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    2 years ago

    It’s shit like this that really just makes me want to start the Butlerian Jihad for real.

    • aname
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      282 years ago

      You want to destroy all machines because capitalists are greedy? Shouldn’t we do something about the capitalists instead, and leave innocent machines alone.

      • @jarfil@beehaw.org
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        42 years ago

        Some post-humanist trends propose extinction as a fair way of achieving that, since it seems like greed is an inherent part of human nature.

      • @OneCardboardBox@lemmy.sdf.org
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        492 years ago

        Universe-wide destruction of machines “designed to do the work of a human mind”.

        It’s the reason why there aren’t any computers in the Dune novels.

          • @displaced_city_mouse@midwest.social
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            2 years ago

            It is by will alone I set my mind in motion.

            It is by the juice of sapho that thoughts acquire speed, the lips acquire stains.

            The stains become a warning.

            It is by will alone I set my mind in motion

            • flicker
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              62 years ago

              I used to drink a lot of juice of Sappho when I was a younger woman and it never left a stain.

  • @Retiring@lemmy.ml
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    642 years ago

    It’s a bit rich for a site that uses about 200 „legitimate interest“ cookies to complain about chinese practices.

    • @XTornado@lemmy.ml
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      42 years ago

      Uhm… do you have space for another family? Can I send them your way? I hate being the technical guy… specially because somehow in the modern world suddenly a big amount of people lost the ability to read and understand text on an screen, and not just when there is technical jargon or long terms and conditions, just normal simple text.

  • @AbstractifyBot@beehaw.orgB
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    102 years ago

    TL;DR of the linked article


    Click to expand

    An iPhone to HDMI adapter was discovered that, when plugged in, runs a program prompting users to download an app. This EZ Cast app collects extensive personal data and sends it to China for ad targeting. It requires location access, photos, and installs tracking cookies. The adapter appears designed to mimic official Apple products. While its intentions are unclear, it demonstrates how such devices could enable privacy risks by introducing untrusted software into a user’s devices. Analysis of a similar EZCast dongle found it was vulnerable and not designed with security in mind. Reviews complain the app is useless or a scam. The adapter may have originated as unsold Amazon returns later acquired by electronics recyclers.

    Its existence relates to concerns about privacy and navigation issues on online marketplaces.


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