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Showing posts from August, 2024

Recovering locked Facebook accounts is a nightmare. That’s on purpose.

Social media account recovery is a pain after a hacking incident, but it’s not impossible. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/hacked-social-media-account-recovery/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Google must face trial over claims Chrome misled users on data collection

A federal appeals court ruled that Google must face trial in a case seeking class action status that alleges its Chrome browser misled users over data collection. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/20/google-chrome-class-action-lawsuit/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Don’t trust Google for customer service numbers. It might be a scam.

Google just keeps highlighting scams when you’re looking for help from your bank, airline or other businesses — and people are being tricked out of money. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/20/google-search-scams-customer-service-phone-numbers/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Who is Mike Lynch, the British tech entrepreneur in the superyacht sinking?

The software millionaire was once considered the U.K.’s version of Bill Gates. The yacht trip came after his acquittal on U.S. fraud charges related to a 2011 tech deal. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/20/mike-lynch-yacht-bayesian-sicily/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Trump’s AI fakes of Harris and Swift aren’t meant to fool you

Trump isn’t using AI as a sophisticated weapon of deception, but as just another tool in his rhetorical arsenal.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/19/trump-taylor-swift-ai-fakes-dnc-kamala-harris/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The movement to diversify Silicon Valley is crumbling amid attacks on DEI

Groups that promote diversity in tech are shutting their doors, laying off staff, and rebranding their efforts to stay afloat amid backlash against DEI. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/19/silicon-valley-dei-backlash/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Mayoral candidate vows to let VIC, an AI bot, run Wyoming’s capital city

Victor Miller has skirted attempts by OpenAI and the state to shut down his campaign, believed to be the first U.S. effort of its kind. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/19/artificial-intelligence-mayor-cheyenne-vic/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Far-right influencers turn against Trump campaign

Hard-right provocateurs take aim at how the former president’s aides are positioning him for the November vote - though not at the Republican candidate himself. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/18/trump-campaign-nick-fuentes-groypers-hard-right-criticism/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

X closes operations in Brazil, blames judge’s ‘censorship’ orders

The social media platform and owner Elon Musk have been feuding with Brazilian Justice Alexandre de Moraes for months. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/17/x-brazil-musk-moraes-judge/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

OpenAI says Iranian group used ChatGPT to try to influence U.S. election

The AI company found its tools used for websites and social media posts trying to increase polarization in the U.S. election. The posts did not gain widespread traction, OpenAI said. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/16/openai-influence-iran-chatgpt-election-harris-trump/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Iran seeks China’s help with surveillance satellites, officials say

Tehran is chasing deals with two Chinese companies that specialize in small satellites with powerful cameras. Intelligence assessments worry about military applications. https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/08/16/iran-space-china-satellites-military/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

This is the start of new mobile app revolution. It’s a glorious mess.

The blacklisted Fornite app is coming back (sort of) to phones, showing the complicated efforts to wrest app power from Apple and Google. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/16/fornite-mobile-ios-android-app-store/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Hearing about leaked Social Security numbers? Don’t panic.

Stolen data from a background check company may expose millions of Social Security numbers, a lawsuit claims. Here’s how to protect yourself. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/15/social-security-hack-leak-ssn-freeze-credit-npd/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Fake accounts on Meta pushed conservatives to run for office as independents

Meta removed dozens of accounts promoting a fictitious political advocacy group ahead of the 2024 election. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/15/meta-foreign-influence-fake-accounts/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Google sold Android phones with hidden insecure feature, companies find

The master software for some Android phones includes a hidden feature that is insecure and could be activated to allow remote control or spying, a security company says. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/15/google-sold-android-phones-with-hidden-insecure-feature-companies-find/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

See why AI detection tools can fail to catch election deepfakes

As deepfakes flood the web, deepfake detector tools have been marketed as a silver bullet for identifying what’s real. But they can be easily duped. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2024/ai-detection-tools-accuracy-deepfakes-election-2024/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Former X employees, experts doubt Musk claim of cyberattack on Trump talk

The platform owner’s assertion that a distributed denial of service attack caused a 40-minute delay in his audio exchange with the former president meets with skepticism. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/14/experts-doubt-musk-cyberattack-claim/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Google’s new Pixel 9 can search your screenshots with AI

The company’s new Pixel 9 smartphones contain new AI features -- including a handy tool for screenshot hoarders. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/13/google-pixel-9-feature-ai-screenshots-photos-gemini/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Here’s how much tech companies are spending to tell you AI is amazing

There are so. many. commercials for artificial intelligence. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/13/ai-ads-olympics-commercials-overload-google/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Trump returns to X ahead of interview with Musk

The revival of Trump’s account on X offers him a bigger audience and also provides a boost for Elon Musk’s platform. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/12/trump-returns-x-elon-musk-interview/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Can my spouse or partner see who I voted for?

The upcoming election is raising questions about privacy in the internet era. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/12/voting-privacy-election-2024-spouse-online/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Elon Musk’s X feed becomes megaphone for his far-right politics

Political tweets made up 17% percent of his feed this year — up from two percent in 2021 https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/11/musk-x-feed-politics-trump/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Elon Musk’s embrace of Trump is turning off these Tesla lovers

The entrepreneur’s provocative online posts repel some EV buyers, but he may be winning over some conservatives, analysts and consumers say. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/10/musk-tesla-trump-fans/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The friendliest social network you’ve never heard of

On Front Porch Forum, politics is fair game but unkindness is strictly prohibited. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/10/front-porch-forum-vermont-research-new-public/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Trump Media reports $16.4 million quarterly loss

Donald Trump’s company, which operates Truth Social, said it earned $837,000 in quarterly revenue. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/09/trump-media-loss-quarter/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

‘Smart’ technology is out of control. We adore this dumb tech.

The youngs who love flip phones and film cameras have a point about the downsides of brain-draining, complex gadgets. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/09/why-dumb-technology-vs-smart-gadgets/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Iran uses fake news sites to interfere in U.S. election, Microsoft says

The company’s threat report cites efforts of different Iranian groups to run influence campaigns aimed at political extremes. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/09/iran-fake-news-microsoft-report/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Inside Trump’s TikTok team: Courting fans of an app he tried to ban

A small group of aides is racing to position the former president as the biggest entertainer on the popular video app. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/08/trump-tiktok-celebrity-videos-/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

TikTok, Big Tech and where your data is going

The Justice Department sued TikTok, alleging the app allows kids to make accounts and then amasses data on them. But TikTok is just one of many apps and websites that constantly observe, identify and track users. https://www.washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-reports/tiktok-big-tech-and-where-your-data-is-going/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Design flaw could allow hackers to roll back Microsoft Windows updates

The company says it is working on fixes for flaw presented at annual Black Hat security conference. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/07/design-flaw-could-allow-hackers-roll-back-microsoft-windows-updates/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

How to scrub nude deepfakes from Google search

Google updated its tool for taking down AI-generated explicit images. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/07/delete-deepfake-nude-google-search/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

A booming industry of AI age scanners, aimed at children’s faces

“Age assurance” checks -- increasingly popular among lawmakers trying to wall kids off from the open internet -- rely on a style of surveillance that ranges “from ‘somewhat privacy violating’ to ‘authoritarian nightmare.’” https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/07/face-scanning-kids-online-privacy/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Elon Musk says U.K. government, not social media, to blame for violence

Elon Musk has declared that “civil war is inevitable” in Keir Starmer’s Britain. A government minister called his comments “pretty deplorable.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/06/elon-musk-uk-riots-civil-war/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

A judge ruled Google is a monopoly. Its empire spans more than search.

The tech giant has nine products with more than a billion users https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/05/03/google-antitrust-monopoly-company-ownership-youtube/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

6 ways the Google antitrust ruling could change the internet

Maybe you could choose a Google-quality search engine tailored to children or news. Or would Android, Google search and Chrome be split up? https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/06/google-antitrust-lawsuit-illegal-monopoly/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Elon Musk moves X out of San Francisco. City leaders shrug.

Elon Musk closes X offices in San Francisco, ending a fraught chapter between the billionaire and the city. Musk has long threatened to leave the city, citing its progressive politics and struggles with homelessness. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/05/musk-moves-x-out-of-san-francisco/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Google is an illegal monopoly, federal court rules

The ruling is a victory for the DOJ, in the first of a string of federal antitrust lawsuits against Big Tech. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/05/doj-google-monopoly-trial-judgment/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Elon Musk renews legal war on OpenAI, two months after dropping lawsuit

The billionaire accused OpenAI of abandoning its original mission. OpenAI execs have said Musk is sour that he missed out on the start-up’s success https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/05/openai-elon-musk-new-lawsuit/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Teenager sues Meta over ‘addictive’ Instagram features

The lawsuit seeking class-action status and $5 billion in damages alleges Meta intentionally got teens hooked on Instagram and knowingly exposed them to harmful content. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/05/meta-lawsuit-teen-mental-health/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

You can take it easy. Your Apple Watch is ready to embrace rest.

For years, Apple’s popular smartwatch has emphasized the importance of being active. Now, new software will give you the chance to slow down. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/05/apple-watchos-11-vitals-training-rest/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Here’s what people really ask chatbots about, from homework to sex

AI chatbots are taking the world by storm. We analyzed thousands of conversations to see what people are really asking them and what topics are most discussed. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/04/chatgpt-use-real-ai-chatbot-conversations/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The internet’s favorite animal gets a disturbing AI makeover

A cottage industry has arisen around bizarre cat videos made with the help of artificial intelligence. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/03/ai-cats-video-tikok-instagram-youtube/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Google hires top start-up team, fueling concerns over Big Tech’s power in AI

Google hired the co-founders of prominent AI start-up Character.ai, in a deal similar to recent transactions by Microsoft and Amazon that drew antitrust scrutiny. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/02/google-character-ai-noam-shazeer/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Google pulls Olympics artificial intelligence ad after backlash

The ad showed a father using AI to help his daughter write a letter to her sports hero. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/02/google-gemini-ad-ai-sydney-mclaughlin/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Justice Department sues TikTok, alleging it broke child privacy law

The DOJ says TikTok made it too easy for children to create accounts and then collected data on those who did. The lawsuit comes five years after regulators fined TikTok’s predecessor on similar charges. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/02/doj-tiktok-child-privacy-lawsuit/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

The fake Al Michaels is surprisingly good in Olympics highlights

Finally, a use for artificial intelligence that doesn’t stink. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/02/nbc-ai-al-michaels-paris-olympics/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Senator calls grow for OpenAI to prove it’s not silencing staff

Bipartisan pressure in Congress emerges for OpenAI to prove it is developing its AI safely. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/02/openai-whistleblowers-grassley/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Intel, eyed for billions in U.S. grants, will fire 15,000 workers

The layoffs by one of the nation’s largest chip makers is a setback for the Biden administration’s campaign to revitalize U.S. chip manufacturing. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/01/intel-layoffs-chips/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Our first taste of ‘Apple Intelligence’ is here. Here’s what works.

The iOS 18.1 beta offers a first look at Apple Intelligence tools, but it’s not for everyone. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/01/apple-intelligence-test-ios-18-1-features/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger

Democratic convention will host hundreds of online influencers

The Democratic National Convention has issued credentials to over 200 online content creators, a move that may boost Kamala Harris’s profile with young voters. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/08/01/dnc-convention-chicago-creators/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=blogger