This statement seems to be a general 'complaint' about Apple, rather than specific to the new iPhone models introduced today. How is a fingerprint scanner restricting users' essential freedoms?
That's pretty much exactly what it says: "... Instead, Apple has given us new hardware with the same old restrictions. ...". Their quip about the fingerprint scanner is mostly just an example as I read it.
No, this isn't "news". The FSF position on Apple's products hasn't changed significantly in decades. That said calling attention to that position and discussing it seems worthwhile in context to me.
Presumably the fingerprinting issue is more of privacy than essential freedoms. Even if we believe Apple when it says that fingerprint data (and authentication?) will remain solely on the device, it's potentially only one vulnerability before someone collects or accidentally exposes millions of iPhone users' fingerprints. And unlike your private keys, you can't change your fingerprints.
We could perhaps communicate this to people by way of saying that it resembles Bt corn. Bt works well as an infrequent insecticide, however, when it is used full-time, insects become immune to it and the usefulness of Bt is spoiled forever.
We could also regard fingerprints as a classic example of Security-By-Obscurity, like SSNs. They work well when used in small, obscure places like Top Secret building locks, but once the obscurity is removed by the fingerprints being compromised through accidental distribution, the technique as a resource is collapsed as a whole for everyone.
Yes, I think they failed to make a strong point in their blog post.
I will be glad if Apple makes fingerprint scanning mandatory, as it will at least introduce the concept of securing your device to the 50% of iPhone users that currently do not use a passcode. I'm really surprised Apple have implemented this before Google.
"Apple purchased fingerprint-reader specialist AuthenTec in 2012, and the U.S. government recently approved Apple's patent for its own fingerprint reader technology. The company, like other makers of fingerprint scanners, uses radio frequencies to map a finger's surface."
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142412788732386460457906...
No, this isn't "news". The FSF position on Apple's products hasn't changed significantly in decades. That said calling attention to that position and discussing it seems worthwhile in context to me.