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Showing posts from March, 2024

How the FBI’s visit to a Muslim woman became a right-wing rallying cry

A viral video of FBI agents looking into pro-Palestinian Facebook posts reflects the muddled politics and social media swirl of 2024. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/31/fbi-oklahoma-social-media-gaza/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Ready or not, self-driving semi-trucks are coming to America’s highways

As several self-driving truck companies gain momentum around the country, state and federal lawmakers are grappling with how to regulate the new technology. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/31/autonomous-semi-truck-jobs-regulation/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Data from 73 million AT&T accounts leaked to dark web, company says

The data set includes personal information such as Social Security numbers for 7.6 million current customers and 65.4 million former customers, the company said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/30/att-dark-web-leak/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The ‘Beastification of YouTube’ may be coming to an end

“Retention editing,” a video style featuring bangs and flashes, may have peaked. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/30/video-editing-mrbeast-retention/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Inside Mnuchin’s far-fetched plan to rebuild TikTok from scratch

Mnuchin’s proposal to buy TikTok without its algorithm from its Chinese owner has drawn skeptical reactions, including from those he’s pitched. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/30/tiktok-mnuchin-sale-algorithm/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

I tried the IRS free alternative to TurboTax. It’s surprisingly good.

Surprise! The federal government made a website that doesn’t stink. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/29/irs-direct-file-free-tax-filing-review/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

AI hustlers stole women’s faces to put in ads. The law can’t help them.

Artificial intelligence is spurring a new type of identity theft, altering people’s social media posts to sell erectile dysfunction pills or praise Russia’s Vladimir Putin. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/28/ai-women-clone-ads/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Trump’s Truth Social surges in DJT stock debut, but questions remain

The trading frenzy was a boost for the former president’s wealth. But Truth Social makes very little money, and Trump can’t sell his shares for six months. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/26/truth-social-trump-djt-social-media-stock/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

U.S., Britain sanction China for broad 14-year hacking campaign

Chinese state-linked hackers targeted White House officials, along with senior agency staff and senators and representatives from both major political parties. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/03/25/china-hack-apt31-sanctions-indictment/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Trump Media soars in first day of public trading

The trading frenzy was a boost for the former president’s wealth. But Truth Social makes very little money, and Trump can’t sell his shares for six months. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/25/truth-social-trump-media-stock-market-billions/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Musk tried to ‘punish’ critics, judge rules, in tossing a lawsuit

A federal judge ruled the lawsuit against the Center for Countering Digital Hate was about “punishing the defendants for their speech.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/25/musk-x-lawsuit-slapp-center-digital-hate/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Florida latest to restrict social media for kids as legal battle looms

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed strong restrictions, mirroring a national push to crack down on minors’ access to online platforms over safety fears. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/25/ron-desantis-florida-social-media-ban-children/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Ex-treasury secretary Mnuchin eyes TikTok, seeks investors to fund bid

Steven Mnuchin was part of a Trump administration effort to crack down on the social media app. Now he wants to buy it. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/03/14/steven-mnuchin-tik-tok-ban/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

If the House TikTok bill becomes law, the next stop is the courts

The bill’s overwhelming passage marked the first time a chamber of Congress has voted for the forced divestiture of a social media platform. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/14/tik-tok-bill-constitutional-questions/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Overwhelmed by subscriptions? Here are 8 tips to save money.

Save money and sanity by getting your subscriptions in order and canceling anything that’s not worth the money. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/06/22/organize-subscriptions/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The FAA grants SpaceX a license ahead of third Starship launch attempt

The test, the third of a fully assembled Starship and booster, could happen as soon as Thursday. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/13/spacex-starship-faa-license/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

On popular online platforms, predatory groups coerce children into self-harm

A global network of online groups has targeted thousands of children with a sadistic form of social media terror that authorities and technology companies have struggled to control, an examination finds. https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/interactive/2024/764-predator-discord-telegram/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

What to know about TikTok owner ByteDance ahead of House vote

A nationwide ban, if it goes into effect, could pose an existential threat to one of China’s most successful internet companies. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/13/who-is-tiktok-owner-bytedance/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

This company intends to be the first to mine the moon

Nearly a decade ago, Congress passed a law that allows private American space companies the rights to resources they mine on celestial bodies, including the moon.. Now a company has said it wants to take advantage of that law. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/13/moon-mining-plans-interlune/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

How two smart people fell for a classic Facebook scam

After one man loses control of his social media account, one of his acquaintances gets bilked out of $5,000. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/13/hacked-facebook-account-scam/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

House TikTok bill faces a minefield in the Senate

Widely expected to pass the House, it lacks a companion measure in the Senate and faces opposition from a key senator. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/12/tik-tok-bill-house-vote/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

America loves Temu. Will our adoration last for this shopping app?

Is Temu, the popular online flea market of Willy Wonka’s dreams, destined to fade like so many other shopping novelties? https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/12/temu-fad-shopping-tips/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Trump asked Elon Musk if he wanted to buy Truth Social

The idea went nowhere, but the former president and the billionaire X owner have continued to communicate more than was previously known. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/12/trump-musk-truth-social-sale/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The U.S. considers another TikTok ban. Here’s what the bill does.

The U.S. House of Representatives will soon vote on a bill banning the social media platform if it doesn’t cut ties with its Beijing-based parent company. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/12/tiktok-ban-bill-us-congress/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Parents have a problem with screen time, too, teens say

Almost half of teenagers think their parents sometimes get distracted by their phones, Pew study finds. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/11/screentime-teens-parents-pew/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

If you drive a car, you are already using F1 technology

F1 racing has been a testing ground for innovations that eventually appear in consumer cars, including new energy technologies and lighter, stronger materials. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2024/f1-technology-road-cars/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Silicon Valley is pricing academics out of AI research

A growing chorus of academics say the sky-high cost of working with AI models is boxing researchers out of the field, compromising independent study of the technology. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/10/big-tech-companies-ai-research/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The word ‘viral’ has lost its meaning

10 years ago, a million views qualified as viral. Now, not so much. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/09/viral-view-counts-inflation/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Sam Altman to return to OpenAI’s board along with 3 new members

The AI company’s board hired a law firm to investigate the firing and reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman in November. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/08/openai-new-board-investigation-wilmer-hale/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Microsoft warns Russia has escalated its hacking campaign

The campaign’s success to date has shocked intelligence officials on multiple continents, who’ve privately warned of dozens more victims. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/08/microsoft-hack-email-russia/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Biden says he’d sign bill that could ban TikTok if Congress passes it

The president’s support adds momentum to a push that could force the Chinese-owned app to be sold or barred from app stores in the United States. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/08/tiktok-ban-biden-sign-congress-trump/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Our faith in technology officially died this week

A series of recent events spotlighted the metamorphosis of America’s technology industry from David to Goliath. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/08/big-tech-dma-meta-scams-amazon/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

TikTok users flood Congress with calls as House weighs potential ban

TikTok users inundated congressional offices with calls Thursday after the company urged people to “speak up” against a House measure that could ban the app. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/07/tiktok-ban-congress-calls-us/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Democrats probe Musk’s SpaceX, examining Russia’s alleged Starlink use

The lawmakers warned SpaceX that Russia’s alleged use of Starlink “poses a serious threat to Ukraine’s security, Ukrainian lives, and U.S. national security.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/07/starlink-musk-spacex-russia/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The E.U. Digital Markets Act is here. Here’s what it means for you.

Alphabet, Apple, Meta and other Big Tech companies must comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act. Here are the biggest changes users will start to see in Europe. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/07/digital-markets-act-apple-google-tiktok-changes-dma/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Big Tech howled over E.U. antitrust law. The White House declined a rescue.

The E.U. Digital Markets Act has come into effect, forcing six major tech companies to make significant changes. The Biden administration has taken a muted approach. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/07/eu-digital-markets-act-biden-dma/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Worried about the American Express data breach? Here’s what to do.

Hackers got their hands on AmEx account numbers and customer names, the company says. Here’s what you can do to protect yourself. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/06/american-express-breach-credit-cards/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The government lab keeping AI safe is fighting mold, floods and pests

Funding challenges at the National Institute of Standards and Technology could jeopardize the Biden administration’s AI safety plan. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/06/nist-ai-safety-lab-decaying/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Dating apps have gotten so bad that speed dating is in again

Fed up with apps that yield fewer matches and conversations that go nowhere, singles are reviving the analog practice of showing up and talking to strangers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/06/speed-dating-apps/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Facebook and Instagram back up after outage briefly blocked logins

The interruption had affected more than 570,000 Facebook users and more than 90,000 Instagram users by 10:30 a.m. Eastern, according to Downdetector.com. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/05/facebook-instagram-down-meta-outage/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

European court favors strong encryption, calling it key to privacy rights

The decision may ease pressure on U.S. social media companies to provide workarounds that would let law enforcement review encrypted messages. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/05/encryption-eu-human-rights-privacy-ruling/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

We tested Amazon’s new shopping chatbot. It’s not good.

If AI is magical, why are so many chatbots dumb as rocks? https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/05/amazon-ai-chatbot-rufus-review/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Cookie Monster’s ‘shrinkflation’ woes get White House response

The beloved “Sesame Street” character griped on social media that his cookies were getting smaller. “Me hate shrinkflation,” he said. Some politicians agreed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/05/cookie-monster-shrinkflation-white-house/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

TurboTax and H&R Block now use AI for tax advice. It’s awful.

In our tech columnist’s tests, new chatbots in popular tax services were unhelpful or wrong as much as half of the time. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/04/ai-taxes-turbotax-hrblock-chatbot/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Amid tensions with Russia, SpaceX to launch another astronaut crew

The company’s eighth crew rotation mission for NASA is scheduled to lift off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 11:16 p.m. Eastern Saturday. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/02/spacex-crew-8-space-station-russia/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Are we dating the same guy? Facebook groups offer intel but upend lives.

The network has sometimes turned toxic for the men who are the subjects of posts and the women writing them. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/02/dating-same-guy-facebook-groups/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Waymo robotaxis can hit California highways after state approval

Friday’s decision by California state regulators allows Waymo to expand massively in California, despite sharp opposition from local leaders. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/01/waymo-expands-california-los-angeles-highways/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

DeSantis vetoes Florida bill banning social media for most kids

DeSantis vetoed a Florida bill that would have prohibited all minors up to 15 from creating social media accounts, the most stringent such prohibition yet. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/01/florida-social-media-ban-desantis-veto/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

TurboTax wants to use your tax return to show you ads. You can say no.

“We just need your OK on a couple of things,” TurboTax says as you prepare your tax return. That’s your red flag to watch out. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/01/turbotax-privacy-tax-return-2024/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

U.S. prescription drug market in disarray as ransomware gang attacks

The hackers struck the company that determines how much you should pay for your prescription. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/03/01/prescription-drug-hack-alphv/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger