European iOS developers can begin testing alternative app stores 

Apple this week began implementing its controversial plans to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), allowing developers to now submit alternative app stores and external apps via App Store Connect.

This development comes amid Apple's efforts to meet the DMA requirements by March 2024. With the deadline looming, Apple is taking proactive steps to enable developers to test their apps and marketplaces ahead of time.

In an update on its developer website, Apple...

Gemini Pro: Google empowers developers with advanced AI capabilities

Google has announced the availability of its AI model Gemini Pro for developers and enterprises to craft solutions for their specific needs. This move is accompanied by a commitment to ongoing refinement based on user feedback.

Gemini comes in three distinctive sizes: Ultra, Pro, and Nano. The Nano version has already been integrated into Android – starting with the Pixel 8 Pro – while a specially tuned iteration of Gemini Pro is embedded in Bard.

Empowering...

Wallarm highlights disturbing trends in API security threats

Wallarm has released its Q3 2023 API ThreatStats report which sheds light on the escalating threats targeting APIs and revealing vulnerabilities that have impacted industry giants such as Netflix, VMware, and SAP.

The report's revamped ‘Top 10 API Security Threats’ compilation outlines 239 vulnerabilities discovered during the quarter, with injections taking the lead.

Injections involve inserting malicious data or code into APIs, leading to unauthorised access and...

Google scraps controversial Web Environment Integrity API

Google has officially scrapped its controversial Web Environment Integrity API proposal, which was likened to digital rights management (DRM) for the open web.

The API, which was at the proposal stage, aimed to allow websites to verify the authenticity of users and their devices or browsers.

Google's intentions behind this initiative were to enhance user trust in online environments and combat issues such as social media manipulation, phishing campaigns, non-human...

Salt launches STEP program to enhance API security for enterprises

Salt Security has launched an initiative to help enterprises significantly reduce risk across their API ecosystem.

The STEP (Salt Technical Ecosystem Partner) program encompasses the integration of AI-driven API security insights into existing workflows and tools within organisations. This integration empowers joint customers to bolster their security posture using the Salt Security API Protection Platform.

Salt has introduced STEP’s inaugural partners, focusing on API...

Reddit hacker’s demands include reversing API changes

Reddit recently fell victim to a phishing attack and the group responsible has now publicised their ransom demands.

The attack resulted in the exposure of internal documents, dashboards, code, and contracts. 

While the data has not been made public so far, the situation could change as ransomware gang BlackCat – also known as ALPHV – has claimed responsibility for the hack and threatened to release the data.

Unsurprisingly, BlackCat is demanding a...

Reddit CEO refuses to change API policy despite protests

The Reddit community has been rocked by a recent decision to implement API changes that have led several third-party developers to shut down their apps.

Reddit’s decision sparked widespread protest, with thousands of communities going dark in response. Despite the backlash, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman remains steadfast in his support of the changes.

In an interview with The Verge, Huffman argued that many third-party apps do not add significant value to the platform....

Major subreddits go dark in protest of Reddit’s API pricing

In a show of solidarity against Reddit's upcoming API pricing changes, a large number of major subreddits have gone dark.

The moves by each subreddit’s admins effectively lock their users out for the next 48 hours, or possibly longer. Some of the major subreddits taking part in the protest include /r/videos, /r/mildlyinteresting, /r/apple, /r/DIY, and more.

Overall, more than 5,300 subreddits are taking...

Twitter won’t charge for API access for ‘critical purposes’ after all

Twitter has reversed course on its decision to shut off free access to its API, following widespread criticism from government and public service organisations.

The company has made numerous controversial decisions under Elon Musk’s leadership, but reducing users’ access to critical information was seen as dangerous and self-harming to the platform’s usefulness.

However, Twitter says it will now allow verified government and publicly-owned services to use the API...

OpenAI threatens GPT4Free project with lawsuit 

OpenAI has reportedly sent a letter to a European computer science student who runs the GPT4Free project on GitHub, demanding that he takes the project down within five days or face a lawsuit.

GPT4Free provides free access to the GPT4 and GPT3.5 models by funnelling the queries through sites like You.com, Quora, and CoCalc, and giving back the answers.

All of the sites GPT4Free uses pay OpenAI fees to use its large language models, and the scripts mean that those sites...