Apple’s Private Relay Flaw Could Expose Users’ Real IP Addresses

by News Editor

August 6, 2026

Apple’s Private Relay, a privacy feature designed to conceal users’ IP addresses while browsing with Safari, can be bypassed under certain conditions, allowing websites to identify a user’s real IP address, according to security researchers.

The researchers have published their findings and launched an online tool that lets users check whether their IP address is exposed despite having Private Relay enabled. Independent testing has confirmed that the issue can reveal a user’s actual IP address in some cases.

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Issue Linked To WebKit

According to researchers Talal Haj Bakry and Tommy Mysk, the vulnerability stems from three features within WebKit, Apple’s browser engine used across iOS browsers.

Unlike a traditional virtual private network (VPN), Private Relay protects browsing activity only within Safari and is available exclusively to iCloud+ subscribers. Because the feature operates at the browser level rather than across the entire operating system, its privacy protections are more limited than those offered by a VPN.

Researchers Bypass Apple’s Reporting Process

Rather than reporting the issue through Apple’s security programme, the researchers chose to disclose their findings publicly. Mysk said previous interactions with Apple had been marked by lengthy delays, inconsistent communication and disagreements over the significance of reported vulnerabilities, leading the team to publish the research directly.

Apple has not publicly commented on the findings. The researchers also said their own privacy-focused browser, Psylo, includes safeguards designed to prevent this type of IP address leakage.

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Shein Targets $25 Billion Valuation In Hong Kong IPO As Growth Slows

by News Editor

August 17, 2026

Shein is reportedly targeting a valuation of around $25 billion in its planned Hong Kong IPO, a sharp decline from the nearly $100 billion valuation the online fashion retailer achieved in a 2022 fundraising round.

Two people familiar with the plans said the company was likely to target about $25 billion, while another source put the expected range at $25 billion to $28 billion based on the proposed price band.

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IPO Valuation Falls Sharply

Shein plans to sell up to 8% of its shares in the offering, according to a person familiar with the plans. At a $25 billion valuation, that would translate into an IPO of as much as $2 billion.

The latest target is also below the $30 billion to $40 billion valuation the company was seeking earlier this month as it began meeting with potential investors.

Founded in China in 2012 and now headquartered in Singapore, Shein sells low-cost clothing to consumers in about 160 countries. The company is expected to launch its long-awaited Hong Kong IPO later this week.

Trade Restrictions Weigh On Growth

Shein’s valuation has come under pressure as major markets tighten rules affecting low-cost e-commerce shipments. The European Union, for example, has moved to impose additional fees on cheap parcels from platforms such as Shein and Temu. EU Tightens Rules On Low-Cost E-Commerce Parcels

In the U.S., the removal of an import duty exemption for small packages has also affected the company. Shein reported a $99 million quarterly loss in the first quarter of 2026 as sales growth slowed, while a one-time accounting charge further weighed on its results. Shein Reports First-Quarter Loss Ahead Of IPO

Investors Question Shein’s Growth Prospects

The steep reduction in valuation reflects growing concerns over slower growth, higher trade costs, regulatory pressure and stronger competition across global e-commerce.

Some investors who reviewed Shein’s recent financial statements or attended IPO presentations told Reuters they were skeptical that the company could return to the growth rates that supported its $98.2 billion valuation in 2022. Shein’s Slowing Growth Tests Investor Appetite

A lower IPO valuation could also affect Shein’s existing investors. Under the terms of its IPO filing, the company may have to issue additional shares to certain pre-IPO investors if its valuation falls below agreed thresholds.

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