Marketing Strategy or Security Issue –

Apple Data Breach: Marketing Strategy or Security Issue

By Maryam Na-Allah, from Wuye

Digital technology, while evolving and changing at an ever-increasing rate, has in the last few years been characterized by a trend, which is becoming increasingly popular amongst many digital platforms and companies. A trend that poses a threat both to users and companies. A growing trend of data breaches and privacy violations.

As a consumer of Apple’s product, I was shocked to discover that , the ever-flawless tech giant had fallen victim to hackers and data  breach. It was flawed, not so perfect after all. Apple’s latest data breach is met with skepticism and anger from its customers who feel it’s just a marketing ploy to get them to purchase a new iPhone or Apple product.

As an apple user, these issues raise several questions for me and for other Apple users as well and we cannot help but wonder: How can I justify paying such a high price to have our privacy violated by hackers? Does it make sense to spend that much? Would this be merely a marketing strategy designed to motivate users to upgrade to a new version? Is Apple unable to come up with a permanent solution to data protection rather than spending time and resources building more Apple devices?

Interestingly, as the world races toward the 5G internet revolution and tech giants introduce cutting-edge devices to consumers, the pace of technological advancement is picking up. As mobile applications and gadgets have become more popular, technology companies like Android, Windows, and the leading techie, Apple have maintained a remarkable market share through the development of highly compatible software that is in tune with users’ needs above other products.

Apple, an American multinational technology company, which specialises in software, electronics, and online services, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, has made a name for itself by being the second largest phone manufacturer in the world through market capitalization. Apple which also happens to be the fourth largest PC vendor and best producer of mobile devices that satisfies consumer needs both in terms of usage and aesthetics is truly a force to be reckoned with.

However, despite its fame and reputation, it remains vulnerable to cybercrime and is a target of data breaches. As with any great role, there is also a great responsibility, and this can be attributed to Apple, the world’s second-largest phone company, due to its responsibility to protect the privacy and data of its consumers.

As the second largest phone manufacturer, Apple is not without its vulnerabilities, as it has also been a victim of data breaches.

The recent hacker exploits that compromised consumer data earlier this month prompted Apple to urge its users to update their iOS devices as soon as possible. The breach revealed serious security vulnerabilities in iPhone 6S and subsequent models, iPads running iOS 6 and later, and Macs running macOS Monterey and above, with the flaws potentially allowing the attackers to gain complete control over the units.

Apple acknowledged that these vulnerabilities could have been exploited by hackers, but it did not provide any additional information regarding their exploitability.

Read also: Apple Discovers Security Flaws In iPhones, Others, Urges Users To Update Software

Historically, Apple has been repeatedly victimized by hackers in the past, affecting many users. Multiple attacks have been witnessed since 2010, when 119k iPad user emails were leaked, to multiple other incidents up until the recent attack of 2022.

It is highly suspicious that the recent data breach, along with an urging that users upgrade their iOS systems, surfaces just before the launch of the new iPhone 14. It is not suspicious in the least. Some iPhone users, including myself, are skeptical of this factor. . To consumers of other phone companies, this proves that Apple is not as flawless as it portrays itself to be.

Consumer responses to an Associated Press tweet concerning the Apple data breach indicated that many Apple users are unsatisfied and disappointed that technology giants like Apple are unable to protect their data. Consumers respond to a tweet from the Associated Press.

The Tweet:

“Security experts are warning that everyone with an iPhone should install Apple’s new update as soon as possible. The upgrade closes a security hole that could allow hackers to seize control of iPhones and several other popular Apple products.”

Several consumers, including Poolu, responded by tweeting: “For all I know Apple could be up to something nefarious and not really forthcoming with the truth. Guess we’ll have to wait and see”.

Climate Lens, on the other hand, takes an alternative viewpoint of the situation: “If this entity was part of government we’d call it communism but since it sells its data to highest bidders, including repressive authoritarians, it’s just capitalism”.

IStephanPapanik1 likewise stated: “Are you sure about that? Isn’t it a new way to downgrade some phones and push people to buy new ones?”

Apple’s data breach situation has only confirmed to some avid haters that it is not as safe and secure as it appears to be. A win, I may say for android users.

Also, @ RealKinzie noted that “This just cracks me up. All those Apple users who believed they “just work and don’t have virus/security”. Tell me about that how secure they just are!

 Apple Solutions to how users can protect themselves 

To repair their reputation, Apple on recently released security updates for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms to resolve two zero-day vulnerabilities previously exploited by threat actors to compromise their devices. Apple identified and fixed two security vulnerabilities in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Additionally, Apple has introduced a new security feature this month. It is anticipated that Lockdown Mode will be available later in the year along with the updated operating system. This will provide protection against spyware cyber-attacks for users at high risk.

Upon further inspection, I also found an unobvious upgrade on my iPhone, the “Private Relay (Beta)” which allows you to hide your IP address and keep your internet activity private. A very smart step by Apple to protect its customers’ privacy.

The fact that Apple has consistently updated its iOS to ensure the safety of its products is noteworthy. Although some users continue to attribute privacy breach problems to the company’s activities, it is evident that the leading tech giant is making strides to improve and protect its customers’ privacy as they introduce new products.

It would be amusing to see what the launch of the iPhone 14 brings.  Safety and Data protection or more Data breaches, only time will tell.  To buttress the point on the need for cybersecurity and data protection, The Nigerian minister of   communication and digital economy, Isa Pantami also urged Nigeria citizens as well to update their devices to protect their devices from hackers

By Maryam Na-Allah, from Wuye

The Apple Data Breach: Marketing Strategy or  Security Issue

By Maryam Na-Allah, from Wuye

Digital technology, while evolving and changing at an ever-increasing rate, has in the last few years been characterized by a trend, which is becoming increasingly popular amongst many digital platforms and companies. A trend that poses a threat both to users and companies. A growing trend of data breaches and privacy violations.

As a consumer of Apple’s product, I was shocked to discover that ,  the ever-flawless tech giant had fallen victim to hackers and data  breach. It was flawed, not so perfect after all. Apple’s latest data breach is met with skepticism and anger from its customers who feel it’s just a marketing ploy to get them to purchase a new iPhone or Apple product.

As an apple user, these issues raise several questions for me and for other Apple users as well and we cannot help but wonder: How can I justify paying such a high price to have our privacy violated by hackers? Does it make sense to spend that much? Would this be merely a marketing strategy designed to motivate users to upgrade to a new version? Is Apple unable to come up with a permanent solution to data protection rather than spending time and resources building more Apple devices?

Interestingly, as the world races toward the 5G internet revolution and tech giants introduce cutting-edge devices to consumers, the pace of technological advancement is picking up. As mobile applications and gadgets have become more popular, technology companies like Android, Windows, and the leading techie, Apple have maintained a remarkable market share through the development of highly compatible software that is in tune with users’ needs above other products.

Apple, an American multinational technology company, which specialises in software, electronics, and online services, founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, has made a name for itself by being the second largest phone manufacturer in the world through market capitalization. Apple which also happens to be the fourth largest PC vendor and best producer of mobile devices that satisfies consumer needs both in terms of usage and aesthetics is truly a force to be reckoned with.

However, despite its fame and reputation, it remains vulnerable to cybercrime and is a target of data breaches. As with any great role, there is also a great responsibility, and this can be attributed to Apple, the world’s second-largest phone company, due to its responsibility to protect the privacy and data of its consumers.

As the second largest phone manufacturer, Apple is not without its vulnerabilities, as it has also been a victim of data breaches.

The recent hacker exploits that compromised consumer data earlier this month prompted Apple to urge its users to update their iOS devices as soon as possible. The breach revealed serious security vulnerabilities in iPhone 6S and subsequent models, iPads running iOS 6 and later, and Macs running macOS Monterey and above, with the flaws potentially allowing the attackers to gain complete control over the units.

Apple acknowledged that these vulnerabilities could have been exploited by hackers, but it did not provide any additional information regarding their exploitability.

Historically, Apple has been repeatedly victimized by hackers in the past, affecting many users. As can be seen in the timeline below.

It is highly suspicious that the recent data breach, along with an urging that users upgrade their iOS systems, surfaces just before the launch of the new iPhone 14. It is not suspicious in the least. Some iPhone users, including myself, are skeptical of this factor. . To consumers of other phone companies, this proves that Apple is not as flawless as it portrays itself to be.

Consumer responses to an Associated Press tweet concerning the Apple data breach indicated that many Apple users are unsatisfied and disappointed that technology giants like Apple are unable to protect their data. Consumers respond to a tweet from the Associated Press.

The Tweet:

“Security experts are warning that everyone with an iPhone should install Apple’s new update as soon as possible. The upgrade closes a security hole that could allow hackers to seize control of iPhones and several other popular Apple products.”

Several consumers, including Poolu, responded by tweeting: “For all I know Apple could be up to something nefarious and not really forthcoming with the truth. Guess we’ll have to wait and see”.

Climate Lens, on the other hand, takes an alternative viewpoint of the situation: “If this entity was part of government we’d call it communism but since it sells its data to highest bidders, including repressive authoritarians, it’s just capitalism”.

IStephanPapanik1 likewise stated: “Are you sure about that? Isn’t it a new way to downgrade some phones and push people to buy new ones?”

Apple’s data breach situation has only confirmed to some avid haters that it is not as safe and secure as it appears to be. A win, I may say for android users.

Also, @ RealKinzie noted that “This just cracks me up. All those Apple users who believed they “just work and don’t have virus/security”. Tell me about that how secure they just are!

Apple Solutions to however users can protect themselves

To repair their reputation, Apple on recently released security updates for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms to resolve two zero-day vulnerabilities previously exploited by threat actors to compromise their devices. Apple identified and fixed two security vulnerabilities in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Additionally, Apple has introduced a new security feature this month. It is anticipated that Lockdown Mode will be available later in the year along with the updated operating system. This will provide protection against spyware cyber-attacks for users at high risk.

Upon further inspection, I also found an unobvious upgrade on my iPhone, the “Private Relay (Beta)” which allows you to hide your IP address and keep your internet activity private. A very smart step by Apple to protect its customers’ privacy.

The fact that Apple has consistently updated its iOS to ensure the safety of its products is noteworthy. Although some users continue to attribute privacy breach problems to the company’s activities, it is evident that the leading tech giant is making strides to improve and protect its customers’ privacy as they introduce new products.

It would be amusing to see what the launch of the iPhone 14 brings.  Safety and Data protection or more Data breaches, only time will tell.  Nigerian Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, emphasized the importance of cybersecurity and data protection by urging Nigerian citizens to update their devices to prevent hackers from gaining access to them.

By Maryam Na-Allah, from Wuye.

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