logo
Apple credits Lebanese researcher for uncovering major iOS security flaw

Apple credits Lebanese researcher for uncovering major iOS security flaw

LBCI02-04-2025
Apple released a new security update for iOS 18.4, addressing several recently discovered vulnerabilities.
For the first time in its history, Apple's update carried a clear Lebanese contribution, as the company acknowledged Lebanese Hasan Sheet for uncovering a critical flaw that prompted an urgent fix.
The Semicolon team identified a severe vulnerability that compromised the privacy of iPhone and iPad users worldwide.
The flaw allowed unauthorized access to users' photos and control over them, even bypassing advanced security measures like Face ID—without the user's knowledge.
While Apple has patched the flaw in its latest update, the company has not permitted Semicolon to disclose further technical details on the exploit.
The team urged all Apple users to update their devices immediately to mitigate security risks.
A post shared by Semicolon Academy (@academy.semicolon)
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Cash declaration at the border, Internet, appointments: Other decisions made at the latest Cabinet meeting
Cash declaration at the border, Internet, appointments: Other decisions made at the latest Cabinet meeting

L'Orient-Le Jour

time06-08-2025

  • L'Orient-Le Jour

Cash declaration at the border, Internet, appointments: Other decisions made at the latest Cabinet meeting

The disarmament of Hezbollah was not the only explosive issue on the agenda at Tuesday's Cabinet meeting in Baabda, on which the government took a step forward. The government also approved two draft laws amending existing legislation, seen as critical for trying to convince the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) — the leading global anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing body — to remove Lebanon from its gray list. The first project, which is considered urgent, seeks to increase the penalties for those who do not declare the sums of money in their possession when crossing Lebanese borders. This is an amendment to Law No. 42/2015 concerning the cross-border transport of cash. The law requires anyone physically transporting money, when entering or leaving the country, to declare it to customs if the amount exceeds $15,000, subject to fines, among other penalties. The second project strengthens the provisions of Law No. 44/2015 "in order to ensure better compliance with international standards," according to the decision's statement. Both projects now must go before Parliament. According to a government source, they were prepared under the direction of Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Economy Minister Amer Bsat and Central Bank (BDL) Governor Karim Souhaid. The adoption of the two laws in 2015 allowed Lebanon to be removed in 2016 from the FATF's gray list, where it had been placed six years earlier. However, during the most recent evaluations conducted from 2022 to 2024, the country was put back on the list. Internet discussion postponed until next week The government was also supposed to review the report of Telecommunications Minister Charles Hage on ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and three satellite internet service providers: Starlink, Eutelsat and Arabsat. The issue was ultimately postponed until next week. The minister said that Starlink, the network operated by SpaceX and owned by billionaire Elon Musk, meets all the conditions set by Lebanon, including those of the security forces and the justice ministry's consulting and legislation committee, to obtain a license from Lebanese authorities. The parliamentary telecoms committee is scheduled to examine the Starlink case and that of illegal internet providers on Wednesday. The ministry was also to report on the status of negotiations with the two other companies, Eutelsat and Arabsat. Both operate smaller satellite fleets than Starlink but have more concentrated networks — Eutelsat in Europe and Arabsat in Arab countries. The telecom ministry plans to consult security forces and the consulting committee when the discussions reach the stage of formal negotiations. Environment, culture, and firefighters As for administrative appointments scheduled on the agenda, the executive approved the renewal of Rony Lahoud's term as head of the Public Housing Agency — a body distinct from Banque de l'Habitat, tasked with facilitating home ownership for low-income families. Its capacity to accept new applications has been halted since Lebanon's crisis. Lahoud has held the position since 2014. The government also approved the makeup of the board of directors. Hani Shaarani serves as chair, with Hani Shamaa, Gaby Khouryati, Bassim Bkhash, Joumana Tadmori and Leila Shahoud as members. The government also approved a draft decree presented by the Environment Ministry to ratify the Arab Environment Facility, a regional body established by members of the Arab League to finance and support environmental projects. Lebanon is among the countries that have already signed onto this mechanism, ratified at the ministerial level by the Arab League in September 2008, but the ratification process in Lebanon has been underway since 2011. Few Arab League countries have ratified this treaty to date. The government also approved a memorandum of understanding between Lebanon's National Library and the National Library of Spain, submitted by Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh. Few details were provided, but such agreements typically involve collection exchanges or digitization projects in practice. The government also approved an agreement between the Civil Service Council, the International Organization of La Francophonie, and the French Institute of Lebanon to improve the French-language skills of some Lebanese civil servants. Finally, the Cabinet approved a competitive exam to be launched by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport for the recruitment of 25 officers for the fire brigade of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, to fill vacant positions with the fire brigade operating at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport.

Government holds talks with Eutelsat, a Starlink competitor
Government holds talks with Eutelsat, a Starlink competitor

L'Orient-Le Jour

time23-07-2025

  • L'Orient-Le Jour

Government holds talks with Eutelsat, a Starlink competitor

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met a delegation from the French group Eutelsat, specializing in satellite communications — including internet access, mobile and landline telephones, data transfer and television broadcasting — on Wednesday, according to an announcement posted by the Grand Serail on X. That morning, the same delegation visited the Telecommunications Ministry for an initial meeting with Minister Charles Hage. Few details have emerged from that discussion. Contacted by L'Orient-Le Jour, the minister's office simply indicated that it was an exploratory exchange with no conclusions at this stage, except that Lebanon is seeking to strengthen its internet access, a service Eutelsat provides. A major player in the sector, Eutelsat OneWeb — the trade name adopted following the September 2023 merger between French operator Eutelsat and British company OneWeb — offers a satellite internet service similar to Starlink, the SpaceX subsidiary founded by Elon Musk, with whom Lebanon had initiated discussions that ultimately went nowhere. With a satellite fleet far smaller than its competitor's, Eutelsat OneWeb is mainly well-established in the European market, while also covering several countries in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. After the meeting at the Grand Serail, Hani al-Arja, vice president in charge of sales of connectivity solutions for the MENA region, said the company had informed the prime minister of "ongoing preparations for the potential launch of the company's services in Lebanon," which will in principle be marketed by operators Ogero, Alfa and Touch. "The company specializes in providing fast satellite internet and communication services, including low-cost mobile satellites. This service will provide users with high-speed internet connectivity," he said. These talks with Eutelsat cast doubt on the state of negotiations with SpaceX, which had already failed under the previous government of Najib Mikati due to service costs and a technical constraint: SpaceX reportedly required Lebanon to host its data management servers in Qatar or Germany, which would violate Law No. 81 on personal data protection. Yet, the adoption of Starlink seemed well underway in early June — buoyed by the enthusiasm displayed by Musk, who had expressed his wish "to see his companies present in Lebanon," according to remarks reported by the Lebanese presidency. Even U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, who just wrapped up a three-day visit to Lebanon to discuss the state monopoly on arms, called the case 'promising' during an interview with Télé Liban on Monday night. It is difficult to know where things currently stand. According to a source from a major Lebanese internet provider, talks with Starlink are at a standstill. Another source, close to the government, said nothing prevents Lebanon from negotiating with both Eutelsat and SpaceX at the same time. Lebanon is mainly connected to the internet via submarine and land cables. On the sidelines of his meeting with Eutelsat, the prime minister also met the Lebanese team that will participate in the Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship (MOSWC) and the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship (ACPWC), which will be held from July 27 to 30 in Orlando, Florida. The Makhzoumi Foundation organizes the national selection in Lebanon, after which the country's representatives are chosen. The participants presented the prime minister with the official jersey that Lebanon will be represented with during this international competition, according to a statement.

Digital reform in focus as Minister Shehadeh meets donors at ESCWA
Digital reform in focus as Minister Shehadeh meets donors at ESCWA

MTV Lebanon

time17-07-2025

  • MTV Lebanon

Digital reform in focus as Minister Shehadeh meets donors at ESCWA

Discussions reportedly focused on the digital transformation project, as a key lever for revitalizing the Lebanese the meeting, Minister Shehadeh gave a detailed presentation on his ministry's action plan, noting that "the National Digital Transformation Strategy is ready for launch, pending the approval of the draft law establishing the Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence in Parliament."Shehadeh explained that "the plan is based on four main axes:- Modernizing the digital infrastructure of public institutions and administrations,- Supporting digital entrepreneurship and developing an incubator environment for startups,- Promoting digital inclusion in marginalized areas,- Securing a legal and legislative framework that encourages investment in the technology sector."During the meeting, Minister Shehadeh also presented a number of model initiatives and projects launched by the ministry, including cooperation agreements with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Tourism, as well as other institutional partnerships that serve as practical models for the digital transformation plan across the public of donor countries expressed great interest in the plan, stressing "the importance of securing an integrated legal and implementation framework that ensures transparency, effectiveness, and continuity of the proposed programs, in line with international standards for digital development."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store