undefined | Better HN

0 pointsgeertj10y ago0 comments

Two things come to mind. First an equivalent of the secure enclave. Second a single company that is willing to go this far to protect its users. For Samsung this is complicated because both Google and Samsung are involved, and Samsung is not a US company so I'd expect them to cave in under pressure from the US govt more easily.

Edit: a Nexus device bought directly from Google with the right hw may address both points.

0 comments

tantalor10y ago

Looks like the Nexus 5X/6P have ARM TrustZone (http://phandroid.com/2015/09/30/nexus-fingerprint-security/).

Secure Enclave is a variant of TrustZone (http://www.iphoneincanada.ca/iphone-5s/apples-new-secure-enc...).

nickik10y ago

I have been looking at the Snapdragon 820 and it at least on that level, it does not seem that android devices should mis anything. The new Sense Id is an improved Touch Id, and I mean that both in terms of the finger print sensor itself, as well as the hardware protection itself. They implemented full UAF in the SecureMSM for the authentification. The best thing is that this is exposed to the layers above and can be leveriged in the growing fido ecosystem.

The major issue with android systems does not seem to be lacking software and hardware, but rather the unwillingnes of providers to push best practices as defaults to all users.

I somewhat agree and somewhat disagree with your analysis of the politics. Their are both advantages and disadvantages of both situations

emodendroket10y ago

> For Samsung this is complicated because both Google and Samsung are involved, and Samsung is not a US company so I'd expect them to cave in under pressure from the US govt more easily.

Why? I'd expect just the opposite.

geertjOP10y ago

> Why? I'd expect just the opposite.

To many Americans, Apple is the example of American innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, and a proof that the American model works. Apple employs 10s of thousands of Americans directly, and probably provides jobs for 100s of thousands indirectly. Going too aggressive on Apple, e.g. at the level where executives could be charged in court, or products embargoed, would be a decidedly unpopular move with many voters and politicians. Samsung is a much easier target here.

Also as an American company, Apple can legitimately enter the democratic debate, see the calls it makes to congress. Samsung can't really do that. Imagine Samgsung putting out press release quoting the founding fathers or referring to the first amendment. That would not be credible.

Edit: grammar

vthallam10y ago

You are right to a certain extent! But lets not forget that Samsung is a huge company too and is registered as per US norms. So the American executives of Samsung would be very much comfortable referring to either of them.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse