TikTok wants your passcode

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Global Recap
December 29, 2023 • Read in: 8 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

As the curtain falls on 2023, a heartfelt thank you for your invaluable insights, assistance, and above all, your time.

For those who’ve journeyed with us since newsletter No. 1, you’ve witnessed our evolution - a testament to your impactful contributions!

Here’s a throwback to one of our early ones:

🌐 Around the world:

  • 📱 TikTok wants your passcode.

  • 🇮🇷 Iran hangs four alleged Israeli spies.

  • 🚀 Russia may have fired a missile into Poland.

  • 🇨🇳 Chinese spy balloon US internet.

  • 🏢 “Allahu Akbar” heard at World Trade Center.

Let’s get into today’s news.

📱 TikTok Wants Your Password

TikTok users are freaking out over a mysterious prompt that asks them to enter their iPhone password to view content.

The reason behind this bizarre request is unclear, and experts warn it could pose serious security risks.

  • Possible Causes: A temporary measure, an app update, a glitch, or a content filter.

  • Workarounds: Some users report that selecting cancel, or disabling restricted mode can bypass the password prompt.

  • Red Flags: TikTok has a history of privacy violations, spying allegations, and national security concerns.

🇮🇷 Iran Hangs Four Alleged Spies

Iran executed four people on Friday for allegedly spying for Israel and sabotaging the country’s security. The group, including a woman, was accused of kidnapping and setting fire to Iranian intelligence agents’ properties.

  • Charges: The group was convicted of “waging war against God” and “corruption on Earth” - capital offenses in Iran.

  • Confession: A video clip showed the group admitting to working with a Mossad officer in Turkey and receiving training for bigger missions.

🇵🇱 Poland’s Airspace Breached

While conducting the biggest air strike on Ukraine since the start of the war, Russia may have had its missile enter Poland’s airspace briefly - sparking fears of a wider war in Europe.

  • Attack: Russia attacked with 158 drones and missiles, killing at least 26 people and injuring more than 120. The exact number is unclear.

  • Response: Ukraine’s air defense forces shot down most of the air targets, and called for international support to stop the terror.

  • Poland: Poland reported that an “unidentified airborne object” had entered Polish airspace for less than three minutes.

🎈 Chinese Spy Balloon

Remember when a Chinese balloon flew across the US for a week in February?

US intelligence officials have revealed that the balloon was using an American internet service provider to communicate with China.

  • Context: The balloon was shot down by an F-22 fighter jet over water after it passed over a nuclear base in Montana.

  • Denial: China claimed the balloon was for meteorological research and drifted unintentionally.

  • Secrecy: The Biden administration initially planned to keep the balloon incident secret, but it was soon exposed.

🏷️ Your Choice Matters

Have you ever wondered: “Am I unwittingly supporting the CCP?”

Given that the CCP has control over companies in China, your purchases of Chinese products may be indirectly contributing to their power.

That’s why: We’ve created a simple browser extension called Shop Safe.

  • Instantly identify if a product is from China while you shop online.

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United States

Shouting “Allahu Akbar” at the World Trade Center

📹 Pro-Palestine Protest Ignites. A video showing a pro-Palestine protester shouting “Allahu Akbar” outside New York City’s World Trade Center has stirred up a storm online.

🌐Revelation. The video was shared on X by Shirion Collective, a group that identifies itself as a “surveillance network” aiming to “aggressively track and expose antisemitism.” The video features protesters with Palestine flags and banners outside a building, with one individual shouting “Allahu Akbar,” an Arabic phrase translating to “God is great.”

🕌 The Significance of “Allahu Akbar.” The phrase “Allahu Akbar,” also known as the Takbir, holds significant meaning for Muslims and is often used as a call to prayer.

👶 A Celebration of Life. The phrase is also whispered into the ears of newborns by their fathers, symbolizing a celebration of life. It’s a thank you to God for blessings we couldn’t achieve without divine grace.

💥 The Phrase’s Dark Side. Despite its peaceful connotations, the phrase has been linked to extremists due to its use during deadly attacks worldwide - most recently on October 7 when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel. This association has led to concern among some social media users, especially given that the 9/11 hijackers were instructed to shout “Allahu Akbar” before the attacks.

This is a Gazan individual singing and repeatedly saying the phrase while rockets are being fired toward Israel:

🏙️ WTC: Sacred Ground. The World Trade Center is considered sacred ground for New York City, and the footage has elicited strong reactions. Some users have expressed their horror, drawing parallels between the 9/11 attacks and the ongoing conflict in Israel.

🗣️ Public Outcry. Some users have tagged the New York Mayor’s Office in their responses, questioning how such an incident could be allowed to occur. They view it as an insult to all the victims and their families.

🛡️ In Defense. However, others have defended the use of the phrase, citing its religious significance for Muslims. They argue against equating an entire religion with a militant group.