Technology
- FDA recalls defective iOS app that injured over 200 insulin pump userswww.theverge.com FDA recalls defective iOS app that injured over 200 insulin pump users
Tandem Diabetes Care hasn’t reported any deaths linked to the issue.
> Tandem Diabetes Care hasn’t reported any deaths linked to the issue.
- Deepfakes of your dead loved ones are a booming Chinese businesswww.technologyreview.com Deepfakes of your dead loved ones are a booming Chinese business
People are seeking help from AI-generated avatars to process their grief after a family member passes away.
> People are seeking help from AI-generated avatars to process their grief after a family member passes away.
- Dell responds to return-to-office resistance with VPN, badge trackingarstechnica.com Dell responds to return-to-office resistance with VPN, badge tracking
Report claims new tracking starts May 13 with unclear consequences.
> Report claims new tracking starts May 13 with unclear consequences.
- Stack Overflow suspends user for editing posts in OpenAI protestwww.bleepingcomputer.com Stack Overflow suspends user for editing posts in OpenAI protest
A recent partnership announcement between OpenAI and Stack Overflow has some members concerned that their data is being used without permission and, when trying to remove their posts, find their accounts are suspended.
> A recent partnership announcement between OpenAI and Stack Overflow has some members concerned that their data is being used without permission and, when trying to remove their posts, find their accounts are suspended.
- Professor sues Meta to allow release of feed-killing tool for Facebookarstechnica.com Professor sues Meta to allow release of feed-killing tool for Facebook
Section 230 immunity isn’t just for Big Tech companies, lawsuit says.
cross-posted from: https://lemmy.zip/post/15114513 >> Section 230 immunity isn’t just for Big Tech companies, lawsuit says.
- Top FBI Official Urges Agents to Use Warrantless Wiretaps on US Soilwww.wired.com Top FBI Official Urges Agents to Use Warrantless Wiretaps on US Soil
An internal email from FBI deputy director Paul Abbate, obtained by WIRED, tells employees to search for “US persons” in a controversial spy program's database that investigators have repeatedly misused.
> An internal email from FBI deputy director Paul Abbate, obtained by WIRED, tells employees to search for “US persons” in a controversial spy program's database that investigators have repeatedly misused.
- Robot dogs armed with AI-targeting rifles undergo US Marines Special Ops evaluationarstechnica.com Robot dogs armed with AI-targeting rifles undergo US Marines Special Ops evaluation
Quadrupeds being reviewed have automatic targeting systems but require human oversight to fire.
> Quadrupeds being reviewed have automatic targeting systems but require human oversight to fire.
- How the Great Firewall of China Detects and Blocks Fully Encrypted Traffic
One of the cornerstones in censorship circumvention is fully encrypted protocols, which encrypt every byte of the payload in an attempt to “look like nothing”. In early November 2021, the Great Firewall of China (GFW) deployed a new censorship technique that passively detects—and subsequently blocks—fully encrypted traffic in real time. The GFW’s new censorship capability affects a large set of popular censorship circumvention protocols, including but not limited to Shadowsocks, VMess, and Obfs4. Although China had long actively probed such protocols, this was the first report of purely passive detection, leading the anti-censorship community to ask how detection was possible.
The paper discloses findings and suggestions to the developers of different anti-censorship tools, helping millions of users successfully evade this new form of blocking.
- Reddit tests automatic, whole-site translation into French using LLM-based AItechcrunch.com Reddit tests automatic, whole-site translation into French using LLM-based AI | TechCrunch
In its first-ever earnings call as a public company, Reddit talked about user growth in non-U.S. countries using LLMs for automatic translations.
> In its first-ever earnings call as a public company, Reddit talked about user growth in non-U.S. countries using LLMs for automatic translations.
- FCC explicitly prohibits fast lanes, closing possible net neutrality loopholearstechnica.com FCC explicitly prohibits fast lanes, closing possible net neutrality loophole
Putting applications into fast lanes would violate FCC's no-throttling rule.
> Putting applications into fast lanes would violate FCC's no-throttling rule.
- Walmart shopper data will soon feed targeted ads on Disney Plus and Huluwww.theverge.com Walmart shopper data will soon feed targeted ads on Disney Plus and Hulu
Initial testing of the partnership will take place soon.
> Initial testing of the partnership will take place soon.
- Compression-mounted laptop RAM is fast, efficient, and upgradeablewww.theverge.com Compression-mounted laptop RAM is fast, efficient, and upgradeable
No solder required.
> No solder required.
- Google, Meta, Spotify accused of flouting Apple’s device fingerprinting ruleswww.csoonline.com Google, Meta, Spotify accused of flouting Apple’s device fingerprinting rules
Security researchers allege that several apps are collecting data from iOS devices, violating Apple’s policy on device fingerprinting.
> Security researchers allege that several apps are collecting data from iOS devices, violating Apple’s policy on device fingerprinting.
- Google Fit APIs get shut down in 2025, might break fitness devicesarstechnica.com Google Fit APIs get shut down in 2025, might break fitness devices
Scales, trackers, and other fitness devices that don't get updated will stop syncing
> Scales, trackers, and other fitness devices that don't get updated will stop syncing
- Social algorithms must change to protect children - Ofcomwww.bbc.com Social algorithms must change to protect children - Ofcom
Social media firms like Instagram and TikTok will have to make changes to comply with new online safety laws.
> Social media firms like Instagram and TikTok will have to make changes to comply with new online safety laws.
- Intel expects revenue blow after US blocks chip sales to Huaweiwww.theverge.com Intel expects revenue blow after US blocks chip sales to Huawei
Huawei has been on a US trade blacklist since 2019.
> Huawei has been on a US trade blacklist since 2019.
- Massive webshop fraud ring steals credit cards from 850,000 peoplewww.bleepingcomputer.com Massive webshop fraud ring steals credit cards from 850,000 people
A massive network of 75,000 fake online shops called 'BogusBazaar' tricked over 850,000 people in the US and Europe into making purchases, allowing the criminals to steal credit card information and attempt to process an estimated $50 million in fake orders.
> A massive network of 75,000 fake online shops called 'BogusBazaar' tricked over 850,000 people in the US and Europe into making purchases, allowing the criminals to steal credit card information and attempt to process an estimated $50 million in fake orders.
- Chinese network behind one of world’s ‘largest online scams’: Vast web of fake shops touting designer brands took money and personal details from 800,000 people in Europe and US, data suggestswww.theguardian.com Chinese network behind one of world’s ‘largest online scams’
Exclusive: Vast web of fake shops touting designer brands took money and personal details from 800,000 people in Europe and US, data suggests
A trove of data examined by experts indicates the operation is highly organised, technically savvy – and ongoing.
Operating on an industrial scale, programmers have created tens of thousands of fake web shops offering discounted goods from Dior, Nike, Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Versace and Prada, as well as many other premium brands.
Published in multiple languages from English to German, French, Spanish, Swedish and Italian, the websites appear to have been set up to lure shoppers into parting with money and sensitive personal data.
However, the sites have no connection to the brands they claim to sell and in most cases consumers who spoke about their experience said they received no items.
- Prime Video subs will soon see ads for Amazon products when they hit pausearstechnica.com Prime Video subs will soon see ads for Amazon products when they hit pause
Amazon is adding three types of shoppable ads to Prime Video's ad tier.
> Amazon is adding three types of shoppable ads to Prime Video's ad tier.
- China's commercial tech companies define Beijing's propaganda push at home and increasingly abroad, new report says
Archived link without Cloudflare
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) seeks to maintain total control over the information environment within China, while simultaneously working to extend its influence abroad to reshape the global information ecosystem, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) says in a report.
China's goals includes not only controlling media and communications platforms outside China, but also ensuring that Chinese technologies and companies become the foundational layer for the future of information and data exchange worldwide.
The report concludes that globally recognized Chinese tech brands – like rideshare operator Didi Chuxing and e-tailer Temu – enable Beijing to learn about consumer habits, societal characteristics of nations in which they operate, and even how people in different places make decisions.
In the research, ASPI also alleges that Beijing invests in emerging tech – including generative AI, mobile gaming and immersive technologies – to establish and maintain control of China's desired narrative and seek "greater control, if not dominance, over the global information ecosystem."
"Generative AI is understood specifically as a next-generation technology changing the landscape of political communication," explained the think tank, citing the passing of the Internet Information Service Deep Synthesis Management Provisions law on November 25, 2022 as proof of China's intentions to weaponize it. Mobile gaming, R&D immersive technologies such as AR and VR, and the metaverse were also named as technologies rife for social manipulation.
Beijing has already experimented with gamifying propaganda digitally for the Chinese population, including through the use of the metaverse. It also shields its population from outside influence through the banning of entities like Facebook, VPNs and video games.
Such parallels obviously put a focus on the recent controversy surrounding attempts to have TikTok divested or banned from the United States.
However, ASPI concludes that "by dealing with only one platform at a time, policymakers fail to grasp the broader significance of the global technological changes that China's increasing investment in key information technologies is having."
Among the think tank's recommendations are that governments pressure technology industry players to examine their digital supply chains – especially when involved in government procurement.
It also suggests lawmakers define machine learning and cloud data as surveillance or dual-use goods – much in the way the EU has in its Ethics Guidelines for Trustworthy AI.
Establishing standardization of data storage before Beijing gets a chance to define global norms would also be helpful, according to ASPI.
"Such efforts can reduce opportunities for authoritarian regimes to collect, use and misuse data in ways that harm ethnic communities, disparage and denigrate alternative perspectives and silence dissent in the global information environment," suggested the Institute.
While ASPI's overall picture can be alarming, other think tanks have argued Beijing is, quite frankly, not that organized.
A February analysis from the Center for Intelligence Research and Analysis at Exovera – an AI-centric provider and subsidiary of defense contractor SOS International – argued that on the domestic level bureaucracy and inefficiencies have frustrated attempts to control public opinion and enforce censorship.
Which must lead one to question whether Beijing can pull off such a feat on a global scale.
- Raspberry Pis get a built-in remote access tool: Raspberry Pi Connectarstechnica.com Raspberry Pis get a built-in remote access tool: Raspberry Pi Connect
Reach your little Pis from nearly any browser—and free up your RealVNC slots.
> Reach your little Pis from nearly any browser—and free up your RealVNC slots.
- Matter is now racing ahead, but the platforms are holding it backwww.theverge.com Matter is now racing ahead, but the platforms are holding it back
Matter’s latest release is full of goodies, but who knows when we’ll get to use them?
> Matter’s latest release is full of goodies, but who knows when we’ll get to use them?
- Telcos keep using “insecure” Chinese gear because of congressional inactionarstechnica.com Telcos keep using “insecure” Chinese gear because of congressional inaction
Congress only gave 38% of funds needed for "rip and replace," FCC chair says.
> Congress only gave 38% of funds needed for "rip and replace," FCC chair says.
- Pokémon Go players are altering public map data to catch rare Pokémonarstechnica.com Pokémon Go players are altering public map data to catch rare Pokémon
OpenStreetMap contributors have been dealing with Pokémon Go players for years.
> OpenStreetMap contributors have been dealing with Pokémon Go players for years.
- Stack Overflow signs deal with OpenAI to supply data to its modelstechcrunch.com Stack Overflow signs deal with OpenAI to supply data to its models | TechCrunch
Stack Overflow, the developer Q&A site, has inked a licensing agreement with OpenAI to supply data to its models.
> Stack Overflow, the developer Q&A site, has inked a licensing agreement with OpenAI to supply data to its models.
- Logitech Launches An “AI” Mouse That’s Just A 2022 Mouse With A Mappable Buttonwww.techdirt.com Logitech Launches An “AI” Mouse That’s Just A 2022 Mouse With A Mappable Button
“AI,” or semi-cooked language learning models are very cool. There’s a world of possibility there in terms of creativity and productivity tools to scientific research. But early a…
> “AI,” or semi-cooked language learning models are very cool. There’s a world of possibility there in terms of creativity and productivity tools to scientific research. But early a…
- Yubico bolsters authentication security with updated YubiKey 5 series deviceswww.theverge.com Yubico bolsters authentication security with updated YubiKey 5 series devices
Existing keys can’t be updated to the new 5.7 firmware though.
> Existing keys can’t be updated to the new 5.7 firmware though.
- Recruiters Are Going Analog to Fight the AI Application Overloadwww.wired.com Recruiters Are Going Analog to Fight the AI Application Overload
Indeed and LinkedIn are incorporating more generative AI to improve the recruiting and job-hunting processes. Some recruiters are still unconvinced.
> Indeed and LinkedIn are incorporating more generative AI to improve the recruiting and job-hunting processes. Some recruiters are still unconvinced.
Archived version: https://archive.ph/I3WjA
- Microsoft Creates Top Secret Generative AI Service for US Spieswww.bloomberg.com Microsoft Creates Top Secret Generative AI Service for US Spies
Microsoft Corp. has deployed a generative AI model entirely divorced from the internet, saying US intelligence agencies can now safely harness the powerful technology to analyze top-secret information.
> Microsoft Corp. has deployed a generative AI model entirely divorced from the internet, saying US intelligence agencies can now safely harness the powerful technology to analyze top-secret information.
Archived version: https://archive.ph/yuW4b
- Jack Dorsey says he’s no longer on the Bluesky boardtechcrunch.com Jack Dorsey says he’s no longer on the Bluesky board | TechCrunch
It sounds like Bluesky’s most prominent backer is no longer on its board. On Saturday, Jack Dorsey posted on X about grants for open protocols from his
> It sounds like Bluesky’s most prominent backer is no longer on its board. On Saturday, Jack Dorsey posted on X about grants for open protocols from his
- US to fund digital twin research in semiconductorswww.theverge.com US to fund digital twin research in semiconductors
The government will also make a CHIPS manufacturing institute.
> The government will also make a CHIPS manufacturing institute.
- Threads is testing cross-posting from Instagram globallytechcrunch.com Threads is testing cross-posting from Instagram globally | TechCrunch
In its latest experiment, Meta is providing an easy toggle for users to cross-post from Instagram to Threads to increase engagement.
> In its latest experiment, Meta is providing an easy toggle for users to cross-post from Instagram to Threads to increase engagement.
- Finland warns of Android malware attacks breaching bank accountswww.bleepingcomputer.com Finland warns of Android malware attacks breaching bank accounts
Finland's Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) has issued a warning about an ongoing Android malware campaign targeting banking accounts.
> Finland's Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) has issued a warning about an ongoing Android malware campaign targeting banking accounts.
- Spotify just hid song lyrics behind its subscriptionwww.androidpolice.com Spotify just hid song lyrics behind its subscription
Spotify makes song lyrics a Premium-exclusive feature 🤌
> Spotify makes song lyrics a Premium-exclusive feature 🤌
- Why NASA is betting on a 36-pixel cameratechcrunch.com Why NASA is betting on a 36-pixel camera | TechCrunch
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is making strides in astronomy with its 122-megapixel primarily infrared photos taken 1.5 million kilometers away from
> NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is making strides in astronomy with its 122-megapixel primarily infrared photos taken 1.5 million kilometers away from
- First high-resolution 3D nanoscale chemical imaging achieved with multi-modal tomographyphys.org First high-resolution 3D nanoscale chemical imaging achieved with multi-modal tomography
By exploiting a smart learning algorithm that fuses two microscopy signals, University of Michigan researchers have accomplished high-resolution, efficient 3D chemical imaging for the first time at the one-nanometer scale. For context, a nanometer is one-millionth of a millimeter, or one-hundred-tho...
> By exploiting a smart learning algorithm that fuses two microscopy signals, University of Michigan researchers have accomplished high-resolution, efficient 3D chemical imaging for the first time at the one-nanometer scale. For context, a nanometer is one-millionth of a millimeter, or one-hundred-thousandth the width of a human hair.
- Hours After Aussie Gov’t Greenlights Online Age Verification Pilot, Breach Of Mandated Verification Database For Bars Is Revealedwww.techdirt.com Hours After Aussie Gov’t Greenlights Online Age Verification Pilot, Breach Of Mandated Verification Database For Bars Is Revealed
It’s almost laughable that these two stories happened so close to one another. The Australian government has just announced a pilot program to test an online age verification system: And then, just…
> It’s almost laughable that these two stories happened so close to one another. The Australian government has just announced a pilot program to test an online age verification system: And then, just…
- Microsoft ties executive pay to security following multiple failures and breachesarstechnica.com Microsoft ties executive pay to security following multiple failures and breaches
Microsoft has been criticized for "preventable" failures and poor communication.
> Microsoft has been criticized for "preventable" failures and poor communication.
- Iranian hackers pose as journalists to push backdoor malwarewww.bleepingcomputer.com Iranian hackers pose as journalists to push backdoor malware
The Iranian state-backed threat actor tracked as APT42 is employing social engineering attacks, including posing as journalists, to breach corporate networks and cloud environments of Western and Middle Eastern targets.
> The Iranian state-backed threat actor tracked as APT42 is employing social engineering attacks, including posing as journalists, to breach corporate networks and cloud environments of Western and Middle Eastern targets.
- AT&T announces $7 monthly add-on fee for “Turbo” 5G speedsarstechnica.com AT&T announces $7 monthly add-on fee for “Turbo” 5G speeds
AT&T Turbo puts you in a faster lane but requires unlimited data and extra fee.
> AT&T Turbo puts you in a faster lane but requires unlimited data and extra fee.