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AI Under Scrutiny: US Government to Monitor Foundation Model Developments

In a groundbreaking development that signals a shift in how artificial intelligence (AI) is managed at the national level, the US government, through the Defense Production Act, is setting up new measures to oversee the development of foundational AI models. This new directive, which requires AI powerhouses like OpenAI and Google to report their advances, brings the rapidly evolving field of AI under closer governmental scrutiny.

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The AI Mirage: Navigating the Muddied Waters of Truth in the 2024 Election

As we march through the pivotal election year of 2024, a formidable shadow looms over the democratic process. This shadow is not cast by a person or an institution, but by a technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI). Once celebrated as a beacon of innovation, AI now stands accused of distorting the very fabric of truth, particularly in the political arena.

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The Incognito Illusion: Google’s Chrome and the Privacy Paradox

In a recent and quite revelatory turn of events, Google has conceded a point that privacy advocates have long suspected: even when you’re browsing in ‘Incognito’ mode in Google Chrome, you’re not quite as incognito as you might think. This acknowledgment comes in the wake of a $5 billion settlement to dodge a lawsuit from 2020, shining a spotlight on the often-misunderstood realm of digital privacy.

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Apple’s Strategic Pivot: Removing Blood-Oxygen Sensors from Watches Amid Patent Dispute

In a move that underscores the complex interplay of technology, law, and business, Apple is reportedly planning to remove the blood-oxygen sensors from some of its Apple Watches. This decision, seemingly a strategic sidestep, aims to avoid a looming U.S. ban amidst a heated patent dispute.

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The Future of Internet Regulation: What Users Need to Know

In the ever-evolving world of the internet, there’s always something new just around the digital corner. Right now, it’s the buzz about internet regulation changes. You might think, “Regulations? Yawn!” But wait, these updates could really shake up how we surf, share, and experience the web. Let’s unwrap this, shall we?

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Google’s $5 Billion Privacy Settlement

In yet another chapter of the ongoing saga of tech giants and their questionable privacy practices, Google finds itself settling a $5 billion privacy lawsuit. This lawsuit revolves around Google’s alleged tracking of users in Chrome (and other browser’s) “incognito” mode, a practice that we’re sure is continuing unabated.

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Navigating the Rough Waters of AI and Copyright: The New York Times vs. OpenAI and Microsoft

Just today, I stumbled upon a piece of news that’s as intriguing as it is complex. Picture this: The New York Times, a giant in the world of news, is taking on two tech behemoths, OpenAI and Microsoft. Why, you ask? Well, it’s all about copyright infringement, and the plot is thicker than a bowl of oatmeal.

Facebook Meta Responds to Lawsuit Filed by 33 State Attorneys General Plus 9 More
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Facebook Meta Responds to Lawsuit Filed by 33 State Attorneys General Plus 9 More

Facebook parent company Meta has responded to a coordinated series of lawsuits (list of states and the complaint below) which include one filed in Federal court on behalf of 33 states and state Attorneys General, and 9 other related suits each filed in individual states in state court.

The Google-Certified Consent Management Platform We Recommend Works with Wordpress Too
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The Google-Certified Consent Management Platform We Recommend Works with WordPress Too

If you use certain Google publishing products you probably saw the new warning that soon you must use a Google-certified consent management platform (CMP). (But if you’re looking for a list of Google-certified consent management platforms, good luck.) The warning reads “Later this year, Google will require all publishers serving ads to EEA and UK users to use a Google-certified Consent Management Platform (CMP). You can use any Google-certified CMP for this purpose, including Google’s own consent management solution. If you are interested in using Google’s consent management solution, start by setting up your GDPR message.”

Musk Sends Cease and Desist to Zuckerberg Over Meta's New Twitter Killer Threads
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Musk Sends Cease and Desist to Zuckerberg Over Meta’s New ‘Twitter Killer’ Threads – Can a Lawsuit be Far Behind?

Cagematch shmagematch; we predict that it won’t be long before Elon Musk sues Mark Zuckerberg and Meta. Musk does appear to be ready to take his beef with Zuckerberg to the courts instead of the street, sending Mark Zuckerberg a cease and desist letter with claims that Meta’s new Threads app, which many have been calling a ‘Twitter killer’, uses Twitter’s intellectual property. Here’s the full text of the letter from Elon Musk (well, his lawyers) to Mark Zuckerberg.

Biden Administration Barred by Court from Contacting Social Media Sites About Fake News - What it Means and Full Text of Order
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Biden Administration Barred by Court from Contacting Social Media Sites About Fake News – What it Means and Full Text of Order

Here is the full text of the restraining order issued on July 4th barring Biden administration officials from contacting social media companies, and a plain English explanation of what it means. In a stunning and unusual move, and a win for fake Covid news and fake election news, Federal Judge Terry Doughty issued a sweeping restraining order on July 4th (hrrmmm), barring Biden administration agencies and named officials and agents of the administration from contacting social media sites regarding content that appears on the site. This order was aimed squarely at Biden administration efforts to stem the flow of fake news about Covid and fake news about elections.

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Meta’s Grand Misstep: EU’s Top Court Decimates Legal Ground for Facebook’s Targeted Ads

This Independence Day was nothing short of explosive for Meta, and not in the festive sense. The tech behemoth, alongside its industry cohorts, got a shocking present from the European Union’s top court. The verdict? A full-frontal attack on the legal framework that supports Meta’s key business model of targeted advertising.

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Amazon Ring Doorbell Footage Shared With Police Without User Consent

Amazon was caught red-handed, handing over Ring doorbell footage to law enforcement agencies without user permission, subpoenas, warrants, without any of the traditional legal controls which prevent liberal disclosure of non-public data to law enforcement. This disclosure was set to further ignite ongoing debates about privacy and civil liberties in relation to the tech giant’s video-sharing agreements with police departments nationwide.

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Meta Plans to Suspend News Distribution on Facebook and Instagram in Canada Amid New Legislation

In response to the passing of the Online News Act by the Canadian Senate, tech giant Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced it is preparing to cease the dissemination of news on these platforms within Canada. This decision arises in direct reaction to Bill C-18, a legislative piece that requires tech companies such as Meta and Google to negotiate agreements with news publishers regarding compensation for the usage of their content.

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Biden’s Closed-Door Roundtable on AI with Tech Critics: A Recap

Tuesday saw President Biden pulling up a chair with a group of society leaders, known for their skepticism towards the giants of the tech industry, to have a heart-to-heart about the rise of artificial intelligence. This forms part of a broader initiative by the U.S. government to become more engaged in the conversation surrounding AI and its potential dangers.