When technology companies boast about the security of their products, it’s as if a gauntlet has been thrown down for people to prove otherwise.
At the September unveiling of Apple’s iPhone X, it was claimed that its new Face ID system, which allows people to unlock their phones by simply looking into the camera, had a one-in-a-million chance of being breached by a random person. The challenge was eagerly taken up by hackers and tech enthusiasts who were keen to give Apple a black eye, but it was a ten year-old boy from New York, Ammar Malik, who caused the Cupertino firm embarrassment when he managed to repeatedly unlock his mother’s phone with his own face, and on one occasion his father’s phone, too.
As the family gave interviews to the world’s press, it seemed like a cute story of how family resemblance tricked sophisticated tech, but it also raised questions about the security of this kind of biometric access and whether features like Face ID are even necessary at all.
Apple had already warned that twins might be able to access each other’s iPhones using Face ID, but as tales emerged of brothers with bigger age differences managing to pull off the same trick, Bloomberg broke a story suggesting that the accuracy of Apple’s face-recognition may have been purposefully depleted to facilitate easier manufacturing.
This was denied, but by this point the idea of Face ID having a flaw (or two) had taken hold. Wired magazine spent thousands of dollars trying to trick it with the help of hackers, mask makers and make-up artists; they failed, but a Vietnamese security firm, Bkav, published a video claiming that they'd breached Face ID using a mask that cost only $150 to make. Their claims prompted some questions about methodology which went unanswered, but public unease over Face ID was evident in any case. A poll of 2,000 Britons earlier this month revealed that 79 per cent preferred to use a passcode or fingerprint to unlock their phones, and that more than a quarter considered face identification to be a bad idea.
It’s telling that Apple took unprecedented steps before the launch of Face ID to educate and reassure us. Over the course of a six-page document, it describes how the geometry of the face is mapped using tools including an infrared camera and a dot projector, how it makes allowances for changes in your appearance and, crucially, how the resulting data is kept safely on your phone and isn’t sent back to Apple or to any third parties.
That may have provided comfort to those who had visions of a Minority Report-style dystopia, but it was never going to address the more fundamental ideological problems with using your body to unlock technology. "Biometric information is a username, not a password," writes author and software developer Gojko Adzic in a comprehensive blog post on this topic. "It is much easier to force someone to give up their biometric data than a piece of information." In other words, biometric systems such as Face ID may say "I am here", but not necessarily "I want the contents of my device to be made available".
Critics have already voiced concern over how this flaw can be exploited – and not just by criminals, but by police and government.
The fundamental problem with unlocking things using biometric data, critics contend, is that it’s not secret. Passwords, for all their flaws, are things you can choose not to reveal, while our faces are, in the main, clearly visible. The concern prompted by the Vietnamese hacking experiment is that as modelling and 3D printing techniques become more sophisticated, biometric data will become easier to fake. And once that data is compromised, you can’t change it in the way you might change a password. Your face and your fingerprints are associated with you forever.
Where systems like Face ID score highly is convenience. It's much easier to touch a phone with your thumb or gaze into its sensors than to key in a four or six digit password, and the enthusiasm for simple, instant unlocking techniques can be seen in the flood of new research. The last few weeks has seen reports of breakthroughs in palm print ID in San Francisco, a London university analysing patterns of veins in a fingertip, Indian scientists using accelerometers to identify people based on the way they move, and a New York computer science department using Doppler radar to assess the unique size and shape of your heart.
This sits alongside the inevitable surge in facial identification innovation, as competing phone manufacturers play catch-up with Apple and other services begin work on similar systems.
But given that fingerprints and passcodes currently serve us perfectly well, what’s behind all this, other than getting us to spend more money?
In an article for TechCrunch, Natasha Lomas outlines how the ability of the iPhone X to detect changes in facial expression will open up huge possibilities in augmented reality entertainment, but the corollary of that could end up being “hyper-sensitive expression-targeted advertising” and “granular user profiling”, as our smiles and frowns are analysed and acted upon. Facial analysis is likely to be one of those long games, where we’re introduced to the technology in a benign way and its capabilities are then extended later on – or, as Lomas puts it, “normalising and encouraging the use of facial tracking for all sorts of other purposes.”
When technology works in new and unexpected ways, it can be incredibly compelling. Unlocking something by looking at it is the stuff of science fiction, and it’s a very normal human response to find that delightful.
Indeed, for the vast majority of us, Face ID and its various cousins will dovetail perfectly with our lives and present us with no problems.
But for anyone whose work involves a great degree of authority, responsibility, even secrecy, the flaws of biometric identification are worth remembering. Particularly if you have an evil twin.
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Read more:
Artificial intelligence will enhance us, not replace us
Apple iPhone X facial recognition: All you need to know
Facial recognition and iris scans to be used within two years
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The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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The specs
Engine: four-litre V6 and 3.5-litre V6 twin-turbo
Transmission: six-speed and 10-speed
Power: 271 and 409 horsepower
Torque: 385 and 650Nm
Price: from Dh229,900 to Dh355,000
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
