pg_anon Open-Source Tool Receives Major Updates for PostgreSQL Data Masking and Partial Database Operations
pg_anon, an open-source tool developed by Tantor Labs for masking personal data in PostgreSQL, has received significant updates over the past year. The new version 1.11.0 introduces packaging as a standard Python package, support for partial database dumps and restores, enhanced handling of complex schemas, and a REST API for automation.
The tool addresses a common challenge in organizations that need to create copies of production databases for developers, analysts, or contractors without exposing real personal data. Direct copying of production databases risks violating internal security policies and data protection laws such as 152-FZ and GDPR. pg_anon performs masking by replacing field values with plausible alternatives while keeping table structures and referential integrity intact, resulting in a pseudonymized dataset.
Installation and New CLI Structure
Installation now uses standard pip commands with optional dependency groups. Users can install the base package or add support for the REST API and development tools. Two commands are provided after installation: pg_anon for core operations and pg_anon_api for running the REST service. Each operation mode is now a separate subcommand, improving usability compared to the previous single-entry-point approach.
Partial Dump and Restore Capabilities
A major addition is support for partial dumps and restores. Administrators can specify tables to include or exclude using dictionary files passed via command-line options. The tool automatically collects DDL for dependent objects such as custom types, domains, and functions to ensure successful restoration on a clean target database without manual pre-creation of supporting objects.
Performance and Schema Improvements
The dump engine was rewritten using asyncio instead of multiprocessing. Metadata collection now uses a single query instead of per-table connections, dramatically reducing preparation time on databases with thousands of tables. Compression was changed to a streaming model with lower gzip levels, eliminating memory leaks on large JSON-heavy tables. Support was added for partitioned tables, inherited tables, generated columns, identity sequences, and object names containing special characters.
REST API and Automation
The new REST API enables integration into automated pipelines. Standardized error codes, operation identifiers, custom headers, and log retrieval features support use in CI/CD systems that refresh masked database copies on a schedule without human intervention.
The release maintains backward compatibility with older command syntax while providing a more structured and extensible foundation for data masking workflows in regulated environments.
Related articles
Pegasus Spyware Returns in Serbian Surveillance Campaign via Zero-Click iMessage Exploit
A Serbian student activist's iPhone was infected with the Pegasus spyware through a zero-click exploit in iMessage, allowing silent installation without any user interaction. The infection, confirmed by Citizen Lab in collaboration with the SHARE Foundation, showed indicators of compromise between December 2025 and January 2026. Apple later sent the target a notification warning of a mercenary spyware attack attempt. The exploit granted full access to photos, messages, files, and enabled covert microphone and camera activation. The vulnerability was addressed in the iOS 18.4.1 update released on April 16, 2025. The incident forms part of a wider surveillance wave in Serbia, with at least 14 individuals including students, activists, a parliament member, and a local political representative receiving similar Apple alerts. Additional targets were hit with Android spyware variants linked to NoviSpy.
Mozilla Adds Built-in Ad Blocker to Firefox for iOS Devices
Mozilla has integrated a native ad-blocking feature directly into its Firefox browser for iOS. The update allows iPhone and iPad users to block third-party advertisements and associated trackers before web pages load, eliminating the need for separate extensions. Apple’s App Store policies have long restricted the use of third-party content blockers on iOS compared to desktop and Android platforms. The new functionality targets intrusive elements such as pop-up windows, content-overlapping banners, and other advertising formats. By handling blocking at the browser level, Firefox for iOS improves user privacy and reduces exposure to tracking mechanisms without requiring additional software installation.
De-Clouding IoT Devices: Local Control for Midea Air Conditioners and Tuya-Based Cat Feeders
A security researcher detailed a methodical approach to eliminating vendor cloud dependency for Wi-Fi IoT devices in a smart home setup. After acquiring a cat, the author was forced to integrate several Tuya-based appliances that only worked through proprietary cloud apps. Using hardware analysis tools including UART adapters, multimeters, and soldering equipment, the devices were disassembled and their controllers identified. The Midea air conditioner controller based on TYWE3S ESP8266 was reflashed with ESPHome to enable direct Home Assistant integration. For the Tuya WBR3-powered cat feeder running on an RTL8720CF chip, OpenBeken firmware was installed after extracting the original firmware with ltchiptool. Detailed UART communication analysis between the Wi-Fi module and MCU allowed full recreation of scheduling and control functions locally via MQTT.
Russia Starts Blocking Encrypted DNS Protocols DoH and DoT Across Major ISPs
Since mid-August 2026, subscribers of Rostelecom, Dom.ru, Tattelecom, SkyNet and Beeline have reported sudden failures of encrypted DNS services from Google and Cloudflare. The blocking affects both DoT on port 853 and DoH on port 443, but the mechanisms differ: DoT connections receive TCP RST packets while DoH sessions are silently dropped after the TLS ClientHello. Analysis shows the interference originates from TSPU equipment performing DPI on SNI fields and known resolver domains. At the same time, ordinary UDP DNS queries are being intercepted and answered by the NSIDI infrastructure, returning NXDOMAIN for blocked domains. The changes indicate a centrally coordinated rollout of new filtering rules rather than isolated operator actions. Users are advised that encrypted DNS no longer provides reliable privacy or circumvention and that full VPN tunnels remain the only robust option.