Apple ignited a firestorm of controversy last week when it announced new features designed to protect children by scanning iCloud Photos uploads for known child sexual abuse material and identifying images of a sensitive nature in Messages. Glenn Fleishman and Rich Mogull have compiled an extensive FAQ on how the technology works and how Apple is responding to privacy concerns. If you’ve had trouble controlling brightness on a third-party display from an M1-based Mac, we can explain why. New contributor TJ Luoma reviews Lunar, a utility that implements a technology missing in M1-based Macs to control third-party displays. Finally, Adam Engst wanted his running group to sign a card for a departing friend but struggled to figure out how to pull it off during the pandemic. He shares his solution so others can learn from his research. Notable Mac app releases this week include Quicken 6.3, Alfred 4.5, Ulysses 23.1, and Art Text 4.1. 
Faced with the inability to gather signatures in person on a commemorative certificate for a departing friend, Adam Engst simulated the process by collecting messages with Google Forms, turning them into text graphics with handwriting fonts, and arranging them in a layout program.
One of the few downsides to Macs powered by Apple silicon is that they have not been able to control brightness and contrast on most external monitors, until now.
Apple is piercing the privacy veil on our devices to protect children. The company claims its efforts won’t open up a Pandora’s Box in the interests of averting sexual exploitation of children or recognition of sexual material handled by children under 18 when a parent wants oversight. But it’s a big change from its previous absolutist stance in favor of user privacy.
Watchlist
Introduces a new investment dashboard to the personal financial management app. ($35.99/51.99/77.99 annual subscription, free update, 97 MB, macOS 10.13+)
Introduces the Universal Actions feature, including over 60 default actions to get you started. (£23 new, free update, 4.9 MB, macOS 10.11+)
Refines blog publishing features and reworks the writing session history. ($49.99 annual subscription, 31.3 MB, macOS 10.14.4+)
Introduces new vector drawing tools for improved logo design. ($29.99 new, free update, 748 MB, macOS 10.14+)
