I remember way back in the day, there was some question as to the legality of compelled unlocking of devices; IIRC, it’s been deemed legal to compel a fingerprint, but illegal (under the first amendment?) to compel entry of a password—IIRC, as long as that password hasn’t been written down anywhere.
I gather this is written to that end primarily? Or is there some other goal as well?
seanieb 56 minutes ago [-]
I wrote this after the case of a Washington Post reporter, Hannah Natanson, was compelled to unlock her computer with her fingerprint. This resulted in access to her Desktop Signal on her computer, revealing sources and their conversations.
Honestly I’m surprised this wasn’t already a feature in macOS. Thank you for coding it and publishing as open-source!
p0w3n3d 42 minutes ago [-]
What's the rationale? It should be described in the README.md IMO
seanieb 36 minutes ago [-]
That's good feedback. I just added it to the readme:
> "PanicLock fills a gap macOS leaves open: there is no built-in way to instantly disable Touch ID if it matters. Biometrics are convenient day-to-day, but US courts have ruled that law enforcement can compel a fingerprint or face unlock without violating the Fifth Amendment, a protection passwords still carry. PanicLock gives you a one-click or hotkey panic button from the menu bar that immediately disables Touch ID and locks your screen, restoring password-only protection without killing your session or shutting down."
I've more details on the apps landing page - paniclock.github.io
itsdesmond 37 minutes ago [-]
A person might use it to stop someone getting into your computer through certain types of physical coercion, forcing your finger to the reader, or (much less likely but I’m sure security services know how) a copy of your fingerprint.
But it isn’t a why, it is a what. That what is a tool that lets you quickly disable Touch ID for whatever reason you want to.
ttul 50 minutes ago [-]
The 2026 version of "Boss Key".
Forgeties79 44 minutes ago [-]
PSA to iOS users: if you tap the lock button 5x it forces password-only unlocking. Useful at protests or any precarious situations with law enforcement.
chuckadams 39 minutes ago [-]
Bringing up the shutdown screen (hold lock and either volume button) will also do it.
itsdesmond 36 minutes ago [-]
I did not know that. That is extremely convenient. Thank you.
Rendered at 18:46:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) with Vercel.
I remember way back in the day, there was some question as to the legality of compelled unlocking of devices; IIRC, it’s been deemed legal to compel a fingerprint, but illegal (under the first amendment?) to compel entry of a password—IIRC, as long as that password hasn’t been written down anywhere.
I gather this is written to that end primarily? Or is there some other goal as well?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/washington-post-raid-pro...
Edit: I've a lot more details about the legality and precedence on the apps landing page https://paniclock.github.io/
https://paniclock.github.io/
> "PanicLock fills a gap macOS leaves open: there is no built-in way to instantly disable Touch ID if it matters. Biometrics are convenient day-to-day, but US courts have ruled that law enforcement can compel a fingerprint or face unlock without violating the Fifth Amendment, a protection passwords still carry. PanicLock gives you a one-click or hotkey panic button from the menu bar that immediately disables Touch ID and locks your screen, restoring password-only protection without killing your session or shutting down."
I've more details on the apps landing page - paniclock.github.io
But it isn’t a why, it is a what. That what is a tool that lets you quickly disable Touch ID for whatever reason you want to.