Apple takes steps to crack down on Kazakh government eavesdropping

By

pin safari tabs
Kazakh government wanted to create a method to monitor what users were typing.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Apple, Google and Mozilla have joined forces to stop the Kazakh government from creating an internet surveillance system that uses their respective web browsers.

Safari, Chrome and Firefox will all block a government encryption certificate. This certificate would make it possible for the Kazakh government to read anything typed inside a browser, including passwords.

Kazakhstan has already said that it has stopped work on the system. According to state officials, it was intended to protect users from, “hacker attacks, online fraud and other kinds of cyber threats.”

However, Kazakhstan’s National Security Committee says the system could be called into action again in certain scenarios. This would include situations in which, “threats emerge to national security in the form of cyber and information attacks.” If it is reinstated, it won’t be able to work on any of the top browsers, though.

The ex-Soviet Central Asian nation is known to block websites, including Facebook and YouTube, in which it is criticized.

In defense of privacy

Apple has been a particularly proponent of user privacy. This most notably caused a highly-publicized standoff with the FBI after Apple refused to help unlock a phone. Apple has also criticized bills that would seek to break strong encryption for its users.

This stance can put Apple on the wrong side of governments. However, it’s a policy which has helped win over many users around the world. It’s good to see other tech giants like Google and Mozilla following suit.

Source: Reuters

Newsletters

Daily round-ups or a weekly refresher, straight from Cult of Mac to your inbox.

  • The Weekender

    The week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.