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.
> "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
sudo bioutil -ws -u 0; sleep 1; sudo bioutil -ws -u 1
Edit: here's a shortcut to run the above and then lock your screen. You can give it a global keyboard shortcut in the Shortcuts app.
https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/9362945d839140dbbf987e5bce9...
mrdomino-•39m ago
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•33m ago
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/
mrdomino-•3m ago
xoxxala•30m ago
https://paniclock.github.io/