Twitter’s blue check apocalypse is upon us. Here’s what to know

Elon Musk, Twitter’s owner, is changing the platform’s longstanding practice of verifying accounts. That has implications for a range of users.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/twitters-blue-check-apocalypse-is-upon-us-heres-what-to-know/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Court: 2018 Musk tweet unlawfully threatened UAW efforts

A federal appeals court has ruled that a 2018 Twitter post by Tesla CEO Elon Musk unlawfully threatened Tesla employees with the loss of stock options if they decided to be represented by a union.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/court-2018-musk-tweet-unlawfully-threatened-uaw-efforts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

TikTok top attorney reiterates safety measures for users

The top attorney for TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance said Friday the Biden administration hasn’t given any feedback to the company since TikTok’s CEO testified in Congress last week.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tiktok-top-attorney-reiterates-safety-measures-for-users/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Verizon wins FAA technology deal worth up to $2.4 billion

Verizon Communications is getting a technology contract from the Federal Aviation Administration that could be worth $2.4 billion.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/verizon-wins-faa-technology-deal-worth-up-to-2-4-billion/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Italy privacy watchdog blocks ChatGPT, citing data breach

The Italian government's privacy watchdog says it's temporarily blocking the artificial intelligence software ChatGPT in the wake of a data breach.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/italy-privacy-watchdog-blocks-chatgpt-citing-data-breach/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How a little-known agency holds power over TikTok’s future

Under pressure from the U.S. government, TikTok is now facing the music with the possibility of a nationwide ban if it defies a government order to sell to an American company — unless the popular social media app can convince a high-powered panel that its data security restructuring plan sufficiently guards against national security concerns.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-a-little-known-agency-holds-power-over-tiktoks-future/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit slashing 85% of its workforce

Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit is letting go of almost its entire work force with the satellite launch company finding it difficult to secure funding three months after a failed mission.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/richard-bransons-virgin-orbit-slashing-85-of-its-workforce/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Huawei profit sinks in 2022 amid sanctions but sales higher

Huawei on Friday reported a nearly 70% fall in profit last year amid sanctions and pandemic challenges, but saw its enterprise sales rise as the Chinese technology giant sought to pivot into digital industries and reduce its vulnerability to U.S. sanctions.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/huawei-profit-sinks-in-2022-amid-sanctions-but-sales-higher/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Rally faults Meta’s treatment of nontech workers during cutbacks

Cooks, line servers and other Meta food workers in Seattle join a national day of action by café workers affected by uncertainty, layoffs and planned wage cuts.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/rally-faults-metas-treatment-of-non-tech-workers-during-cutbacks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Twitter feed suspended over anti-trans tweets

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said the social media giant disabled the account for several hours and blocked access to tweets about the so-called “Trans Day of Vengeance” rally.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/marjorie-taylor-greenes-twitter-feed-suspended-over-anti-trans-tweets/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China e-commerce giant Alibaba outlines future strategy

The CEO of Chinese e-commerce and financial giant Alibaba says the company is moving toward giving up control of some of its business units in a transition toward becoming a capital operator to unlock the value of its sprawling businesses.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-e-commerce-giant-alibaba-outlines-future-strategy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

An unopened 2007 iPhone can be yours (for $32,000 or more)

A first-generation Apple smartphone still in its original packaging is going up for auction.

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Twitter removes tweets about ‘Trans Day of Vengeance’

Twitter says it has removed tweets showing a poster promoting a ‘Trans Day of Vengeance’ protest in support of transgender rights in Washington, D.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/twitter-removes-tweets-about-trans-day-of-vengeance/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Boeing’s 1st astronaut flight to space delayed until July

Boeing's first launch of astronauts has been delayed again, this time until July.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeings-1st-astronaut-flight-to-space-delayed-until-july/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tech sector H-1B employees’ spouses can work in U.S., judge says

A judge on Tuesday upheld a rule under which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued H-4 visas to the spouses of H-1B workers in the U.S., 70% of whom hold science and engineering jobs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tech-sector-h-1b-employees-spouses-can-work-in-u-s-judge-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

William A. Wulf, pioneering computer scientist who helped open way for internet, dies at 83

William A. Wulf, who helped to adapt an early Pentagon communications web into the network that eventually grew into the internet, has died. He was 83.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/william-a-wulf-pioneering-computer-scientist-who-helped-open-way-for-internet-dies-at-83/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Montenegro: South Korea, US seek extradition of Do Kwon

Montenegro says both South Korea and the United States have formally requested extradition of Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon, who is wanted in connection with a $40 billion crash of the firm’s cryptocurrency that devastated retail investors around the world.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/montenegro-south-korea-us-seek-extradition-of-do-kwon/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple rolls out buy now, pay later service, with guardrails

Apple is getting into the buy now, pay later space with a few tweaks to the existing model, including no option to pay with a credit card.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-rolls-out-buy-now-pay-later-service-with-guardrails/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Comic Relief launches metaverse fundraiser to fight poverty

Can playing more Roblox make your kids more philanthropic.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/comic-relief-launches-metaverse-fundraiser-to-fight-poverty/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

South Dakota gov’s veto of cryptocurrency regulations upheld

South Dakota’s House has failed to override Gov. Kristi Noem’s recent veto of a bill that would have created government regulations for the use of cryptocurrency in the state.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/south-dakota-govs-veto-of-cryptocurrency-regulations-upheld/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

US to adopt new restrictions on using commercial spyware

The U.S. government will restrict its use of commercial spyware tools that have been used to surveil human rights activists, journalists and dissidents around the world.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/us-to-adopt-new-restrictions-on-using-commercial-spyware/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

AI startup accelerator Neo will partner with OpenAI, Microsoft

Neo will partner with OpenAI and Microsoft to give free software and advice to companies on artificial intelligence. 

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/new-ai-startup-accelerator-will-partner-with-openai-microsoft/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Where did all your Zoom friends go?

As online connections have withered and frenzy has returned to the day to day, many people say their social lives remain stunted.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/where-did-all-your-zoom-friends-go/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple to spend $1 billion a year on films to break into cinemas

The plan is part of an ambitious effort by Apple to raise its profile in Hollywood and lure subscribers to its streaming service.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-to-spend-1-billion-a-year-on-films-to-break-into-cinemas/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Alibaba’s Jack Ma returns to mainland China

Alibaba founder Jack Ma has resurfaced in China after months of overseas travel, visiting a school in the eastern city of Hangzhou where he discussed various topics including artificial intelligence.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/alibabas-jack-ma-returns-to-mainland-china/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Twitter: Parts of its source code leaked online

Some parts of Twitter’s source code _ the fundamental computer code on which the social network runs _ were leaked online, the social media company said in a legal filing on Sunday that was first reported by The New York Times.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/twitter-parts-of-its-source-code-leaked-online/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Factory or farm? Oregon may alter land use for chipmakers

For exactly 50 years, Oregon’s farms and forests have been protected from urban sprawl by the nation’s first statewide law creating urban growth boundaries.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/factory-or-farm-oregon-may-alter-land-use-for-chipmakers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Technical issues at Lufthansa cause delays in Frankfurt

German news agency dpa says Lufthansa’s operations have been disrupted at Frankfurt airport because of technical problems.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technical-issues-at-lufthansa-cause-delays-in-frankfurt/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Biden’s TikTok, oil moves test the loyalty of young voters

Recent moves by President Joe Biden to pressure TikTok and approve oil drilling in an untapped area of Alaska are testing the loyalty of a young voters.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/bidens-tiktok-oil-moves-test-the-loyalty-of-young-voters/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Intel co-founder, philanthropist Gordon Moore dies at 94

Gordon Moore, the Intel Corp. co-founder who set the breakneck pace of progress in the digital age with a simple 1965 prediction of how quickly engineers would boost the capacity of computer chips, has died.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/intel-co-founder-philanthropist-gordon-moore-dies-at-94/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Beijing denies pressuring companies like TikTok to spy for China

TikTok, which has roughly 150 million users in the U.S., has become a flashpoint in the geopolitical tussle between the world’s two largest economies.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/beijing-denies-pressuring-companies-like-tiktok-to-spy-for-china/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

France bans TikTok, Twitter from government staff phones

France says it's banning the “recreational″ use of TikTok, Twitter, Instagram and other apps on government employees' phones.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/france-bans-tiktok-twitter-from-government-staff-phones/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The younger brother caught in the middle of the FTX investigation

The collapse of Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto business empire has led federal prosecutors to scrutinize his brother, Gabe, who ran a pandemic-prevention group.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-younger-brother-caught-in-the-middle-of-the-ftx-investigation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

UK watchdog softens position on Microsoft Activision deal

British antitrust regulators scrutinizing Microsoft’s blockbuster purchase of videogame maker Activision Blizzard have dropped concerns that the deal would hurt the console gaming market.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/uk-watchdog-softens-position-on-microsoft-activision-deal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Falling lithium prices are making electric cars more affordable

Something surprising has happened recently: lithium's price has fallen, helping to make electric vehicles more affordable.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/falling-lithium-prices-are-making-electric-cars-more-affordable/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Why does US see Chinese-owned TikTok as a security threat?

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has endured a nearly six-hour grilling by U.S. lawmakers, some of whom are pushing to ban the popular short-video app nationwide.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/why-does-us-see-chinese-owned-tiktok-as-a-security-threat/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Utah 1st state to try limiting teens access to social media

Utah became the first state Thursday to sign into law legislation that attempts to limit teenagers’ access to social media sites.

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TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew: 3 things to know

TikTok's CEO was relatively unknown to the U.S. public before Thursday, when he testified before a congressional committee concerned about data protections on the popular video-sharing app.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/things-to-know-about-tiktok-ceo-shou-zi-chew/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon’s pricey stock is getting harder to justify, analysts say

Amazon's expansion is slowing, and many investors are now balking at paying up for the e-commerce giant.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazons-pricey-stock-is-getting-harder-to-justify-analysts-say/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Short seller accuses Jack Dorsey’s Block of facilitating fraud

Hindenburg Research is accusing Jack Dorsey's Block of overstating its user base and failing to stamp out illegal activity on its platforms — particularly Cash App.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/short-seller-accuses-jack-dorseys-block-of-facilitating-fraud/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Police: Crypto firm founder Do Kwon arrested in Montenegro

Police in Montenegro say they have arrested Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon, who is wanted in South Korea in connection with a $40 billion crash of the firm’s cryptocurrency.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/police-crypto-firm-founder-do-kwon-arrested-in-montenegro/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China criticizes possible US plan to force TikTok sale

China’s government says it would oppose possible U.S. plans to force TikTok’s Chinese owner to sell the short-video service as a security risk and warned such a move would hurt investor confidence in the United States.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-criticizes-possible-us-plan-to-force-tiktok-sale/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Turing Award won by co-inventor of ethernet technology

In the 1970s, Bob Metcalfe helped develop the primary technology that lets you send email or connect with a printer over an office network.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/turing-award-won-by-co-inventor-of-ethernet-technology/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Holocaust survivor shares on TikTok to educate young people

Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman is a TikTok star at age 85, thanks to her 17-year-old grandson.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/holocaust-survivor-shares-on-tiktok-to-educate-young-people/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Thai police bust call scammers who preyed on older Americans

Thai police busted an international gang that operated call centers to deceive older Americans into wiring them money and netted $87 million.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/thai-police-bust-call-scammers-who-preyed-on-older-americans/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Why TikTok’s security risks keep raising fears

The battle between the U.S. and China over TikTok will come into full view when the social media platform’s CEO testifies before Congressional lawmakers.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/why-tiktoks-security-risks-keep-raising-fears-2/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

March Madness: Athletes balance privacy, online profile

The NIL age has opened a vast new world of earning potential for student-athletes the NCAA long insisted were amateurs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/march-madness-athletes-balance-privacy-online-profile/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

TikTok CEO to tell Congress app is safe, urge against ban

TikTok’s CEO plans to tell Congress that the video-sharing app is committed to user safety, data protection and security, and keeping the platform free from Chinese government influence.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tiktok-ceo-to-tell-congress-app-is-safe-urge-against-ban/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

German group sues Facebook owner Meta over death threats

A German environmental group says it's suing Facebook’s parent company Meta over persistent death threats posted on the social network against its staff.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/german-group-sues-facebook-owner-meta-over-death-threats/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Pulling the plug on TikTok will be harder than it looks

The tensions over the Chinese-owned social media app TikTok will come to a head on Thursday, when the company’s chief executive testifies on Capitol Hill.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/pulling-the-plug-on-tiktok-will-be-harder-than-it-looks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology