FCC fines wireless carriers for sharing user locations without consent

The Federal Communications Commission has leveraged nearly $200 million in fines against wireless carriers AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon for illegally sharing customers’ location data without their consent.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/fcc-fines-wireless-carriers-for-sharing-user-locations-without-consent/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Finnish hacker gets prison for accessing thousands of psychotherapy records and demanding ransoms

A Finnish court has sentenced a 26-year-old man to more than six years in prison for hacking thousands of patient records at a private psychotherapy center and seeking ransom from some patients over the sensitive data.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/finnish-hacker-gets-prison-for-accessing-thousands-of-psychotherapy-records-and-demanding-ransoms/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Facebook and Instagram face European Union scrutiny over possible breaches of digital rulebook

The European Union is scrutinizing Facebook and Instagram over a range of suspected violations of the bloc’s digital rulebook, including not doing enough to protect users from foreign disinformation ahead of EU-wide elections.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/facebook-and-instagram-face-european-union-scrutiny-over-possible-breaches-of-digital-rulebook/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion in AI and cloud infrastructure in Indonesia

Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion over the next four years in new cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia — the single largest investment in Microsoft’s 29-year history in the country.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-will-invest-1-7-billion-in-ai-and-cloud-infrastructure-in-indonesia/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft makes a new push into smaller AI systems

Microsoft has introduced three smaller AI models that are part of a technology family the company has named Phi-3.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-makes-a-new-push-into-smaller-ai-systems/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Generative AI arrives in the gene editing world of CRISPR

Much like ChatGPT generates poetry, a new AI system devises blueprints for microscopic mechanisms that can edit your DNA.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/generative-ai-arrives-in-the-gene-editing-world-of-crispr/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

US opens investigation into Ford crashes involving Blue Cruise partially automated driving system

Two fatal crashes involving Ford’s Blue Cruise partially automated driving system have drawn the attention of U.S. auto safety regulators.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/us-opens-investigation-into-ford-crashes-involving-blue-cruise-partially-automated-driving-system/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft workers, welcome to the world of light rail

Microsoft and other major employers describe the new Eastside 2 Line as an affordable, sustainable option for employees to go between home and office.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-workers-welcome-to-the-world-of-light-rail/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to stream this week: Dua Lipa, Seinfeld’s ‘Unfrosted’ ‘Hacks’ and ‘Welcome to Wrexham’

This week’s new streaming entertainment releases include the return of “Hacks” on Max and the new Jerry Seinfeld movie “Unfrosted” on Netflix.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-this-week-dua-lipa-seinfelds-unfrosted-hacks-and-welcome-to-wrexham/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

This artificially intelligent pin wants to free you from your phone

While the AI Pin was occasionally useful and impressive, it was wrong, unhelpful or inefficient enough times to drive me back to my phone

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/this-artificially-intelligent-pin-wants-to-free-you-from-your-phone/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat

If it feels like TikTok has been around forever, that’s probably because it has, at least if you’re measuring via internet time.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-tiktok-grew-from-a-fun-app-for-teens-into-a-potential-national-security-threat/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google plans to invest $2 billion to build data center in northeast Indiana, officials say

Officials say Google plans to invest $2 billion to build a data center in northeastern Indiana to help power its artificial intelligence technology and cloud business.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-plans-to-invest-2-billion-to-build-data-center-in-northeast-indiana-officials-say/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tech CEOs Altman, Nadella, Pichai and others join government AI safety board led by DHS’ Mayorkas

The CEOs of leading U_S_ technology companies are joining a new artificial intelligence safety board to advise the federal government on how to protect the nation’s critical services from “AI-related disruptions.”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tech-ceos-altman-nadella-pichai-and-others-join-government-ai-safety-board-led-by-dhs-mayorkas/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Online retailer Shein is latest to face strict European Union digital regulations

Online fast-fashion retailer Shein must face the European Union’s strictest level of digital regulations.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/online-retailer-shein-is-latest-to-face-strict-european-union-digital-regulations/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

These are the countries where TikTok is already banned

TikTok is banned in a handful of countries and not allowed on government-issued devices in a number of others.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/these-are-the-countries-where-tiktok-is-already-banned/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

FTC sends $5.6 million in refunds to Ring customers as part of video privacy settlement

The Federal Trade Commission is sending more than $5.6 million in refunds to consumers as part of a settlement with Amazon-owned Ring, which was charged with failing to protect private video footage from outside access.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ftc-sends-5-6-million-in-refunds-to-ring-customers-as-part-of-video-privacy-settlement/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Congo questions Apple over knowledge of conflict minerals in its supply chain

Congo’s government is questioning Apple about the tech company’s knowledge of “blood minerals” from a conflict zone in the African country that could be smuggled into supply chains.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/congo-questions-apple-over-knowledge-of-conflict-minerals-in-its-supply-chain/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

As Biden celebrates computer chip factories, voters wait for the promised production to start

President Joe Biden has a great economic story to tell voters a decade from now — less so in 2024.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/as-biden-celebrates-computer-chip-factories-voters-wait-for-the-promised-production-to-start/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Electric cars and digital connectivity dominate at Beijing auto show

Global automakers and EV startups are unveiling new models and concept cars at China’s largest auto show, with a focus on the nation’s transformation into a major market and production base for digitally connected, new-energy vehicles.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/electric-cars-and-digital-connectivity-dominate-at-beijing-auto-show/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft and Amazon face scrutiny from UK competition watchdog over recent AI deals

British competition regulators say they’ll scrutinize recent artificial intelligence deals by Microsoft and Amazon over concerns that the moves could thwart competition in the AI industry.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-and-amazon-face-scrutiny-from-uk-competition-watchdog-over-recent-ai-deals/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cisco Systems joins Microsoft, IBM in Vatican pledge to ensure ethical use and development of AI

Tech giant Cisco Systems has joined Microsoft and IBM in signing onto a Vatican-sponsored pledge to ensure artificial intelligence is developed and used ethically.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cisco-systems-joins-microsoft-ibm-in-vatican-pledge-to-ensure-ethical-use-and-development-of-ai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

TikTok may be banned in the US. Here’s what happened when India did it

The hugely popular Chinese app TikTok may be forced out of the U.S., where a measure to outlaw the video-sharing app has won congressional approval and is on its way to President Biden for his signature.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tiktok-may-be-banned-in-the-us-heres-what-happened-when-india-did-it/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google fires more workers who protested its deal with Israel

An activist group says Google fired at least 20 more workers in the aftermath of protests over technology the company is supplying the Israeli government amid the Gaza war.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-fires-more-workers-who-protested-its-deal-with-israel/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Spain reopens a probe into a Pegasus spyware case after a French request to work together

A Spanish judge has reopened a probe into the suspected spying on the cellphone of Spain’s prime minister after receiving a request to collaborate with a similar investigation in France.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/spain-reopens-a-probe-into-a-pegasus-spyware-case-after-a-french-request-to-work-together/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Wall Street is looking to Tesla’s earnings for clues to Musk’s plan to restore company’s wild growth

Faced with falling global sales and a tumbling stock price, Tesla has slashed prices again on some of its electric vehicles and its “Full Self Driving” system.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/wall-street-is-looking-to-teslas-earnings-for-clues-to-musks-plan-to-restore-companys-wild-growth/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft’s AI Copilot is starting to automate the coding industry

Copilot is gradually revolutionizing the working lives of software engineers — the first professional cohort to use generative AI en masse.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsofts-ai-copilot-is-starting-to-automate-the-coding-industry/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Biden is marking Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in federal solar power grants

President Joe Biden is marking Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in federal grants to provide residential solar projects serving 900,000-plus households in low- and middle-income communities.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/biden-is-marking-earth-day-by-announcing-7-billion-in-federal-solar-power-grants/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Japan’s anti-monopoly body orders Google to fix ad search limits affecting Yahoo

Japan’s antitrust watchdog says U.S. search giant Google must fix its advertising search restrictions affecting Yahoo.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japans-anti-monopoly-body-orders-google-to-fix-ad-search-limits-affecting-yahoo/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Australian leader criticizes X for failing to remove church violence content

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized social media platform X for refusing to remove graphic posts about a knife attack on a bishop and priest in a Sydney church last week.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/australian-leader-criticizes-x-for-failing-to-remove-church-violence-content/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to stream this week: A Bon Jovi documentary, Idris Elba in ‘Knuckles’ and ‘Anyone But You’

This week’s new streaming entertainment releases include the Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell hit romantic comedy “Anyone But You” hitting Netflix, two teen ghost detectives who appear in DC comic books star in their own series called “Dead Boy Detectives" and a documentary detailing Bon Jovi’s rise to fame, breakups and breakdowns.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-this-week-a-bon-jovi-documentary-idris-elba-in-knuckles-and-anyone-but-you/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tesla cuts the price of its “Full Self Driving” system by a third to $8,000

Tesla knocked about a third off the price of its “Full Self Driving” system — which can’t drive itself and so drivers must remain alert and be ready to intervene — to $8,000 from $12,000, according to the company website.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tesla-cuts-the-price-of-its-full-self-driving-system-by-a-third-to-8000/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How Amazon became the largest private EV charging operator in the U.S.

In a little more than two years, Amazon has installed more than 17,000 chargers at about 120 warehouses around the United States.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-amazon-became-the-largest-private-ev-charging-operator-in-the-u-s/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The House votes for possible TikTok ban in the US, but don’t expect the app to go away anytime soon

The House has passed legislation that would ban TikTok in the United States if the popular social media platform’s China-based owner doesn’t sell its stake within a year.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-house-votes-for-possible-tiktok-ban-in-the-us-but-dont-expect-the-app-to-go-away-anytime-soon/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

A coffee roastery in Finland has launched an AI-generated blend. The results were surprising

An artisan roastery based in the Finnish capital has introduced a coffee blend that has been developed by artificial intelligence in a trial in which it’s hoped that technology can ease the workload in a sector that traditionally prides itself on manual work.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/a-coffee-roastery-in-finland-has-launched-an-ai-generated-blend-the-results-were-surprising/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tesla recalling more than 3,000 of its 2024 Cybertrucks due to faulty pedal

Tesla is recalling more than 3,000 of its 2024 Cybertrucks because of the possibility that a pedal can get stuck, increasing the risk of a crash.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tesla-recalling-more-than-3000-of-its-2024-cybertrucks-due-to-faulty-pedal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Olympic organizers unveil strategy for using artificial intelligence in sports

Olympic organizers have unveiled their plans to use artificial intelligence in sports, joining the global rush to capitalize on the rapidly advancing technology.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/olympic-organizers-unveil-strategy-for-using-artificial-intelligence-in-sports/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Japanese doctors demand damages from Google over “groundless” reviews

A group of Japanese doctors has filed a civil lawsuit against U.S. search giant Google, demanding damages for what they say are results showing unpoliced derogatory and often false comments.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japanese-doctors-demand-damages-from-google-over-groundless-reviews/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meta’s newest AI model beats some peers, but confuses Facebook users

Generative AI is advancing so quickly that the latest chatbots available today could be out of date tomorrow.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/metas-newest-ai-model-beats-some-peers-but-its-amped-up-ai-agents-are-confusing-facebook-users/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google fires 28 workers after office sit-ins to protest cloud contract with Israel

Google has fired 28 employees who were involved in protests over the tech company’s cloud computing contract with the Israeli government.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-fires-28-workers-after-office-sit-ins-to-protest-cloud-contract-with-israel/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nokia sees double-digit fall in January-March sales as weak market for 5G technology prevails

Wireless and fixed-network equipment maker Nokia has reported a smaller-than-expected profit and a substantial double-digit fall in sales in the first quarter due to a market weakened by a lack of investment by clients in 5G technology.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nokia-sees-double-digit-fall-in-january-march-sales-as-weak-market-for-5g-technology-prevails/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Boeing workers still scared to raise safety concerns, say FAA-appointed experts

The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing Wednesday with three members of an expert panel convened to investigate Boeing’s safety culture.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-workers-still-scared-to-raise-safety-concerns-says-faa-appointed-experts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tesla to ask shareholders to reinstate $55 billion pay package for Musk rejected by Delaware judge

Tesla will ask shareholders to reinstate the compensation package for CEO Elon Musk that was rejected by a judge in Delaware this year and to move the electric carmaker’s corporate home from Delaware to Texas.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tesla-will-ask-shareholders-to-reinstate-pay-package-rejected-by-delaware-judge/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

North Korea is buying Chinese surveillance cameras in a push to tighten control, report says

A report from the website 38 North says that North Korea is putting surveillance cameras in schools and workplaces in a technology-driven push to monitor its population even more closely.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/north-korea-is-buying-chinese-surveillance-cameras-in-a-push-to-tighten-control-report-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft, beset by hacks, grapples with problem years in the making

Microsoft has embarked on its biggest security reboot in two decades, but critics question whether it has wherewithal to complete the job.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/microsoft-beset-by-hacks-grapples-with-problem-years-in-the-making/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft makes high-stakes play in tech cold war with Emirates AI deal

Microsoft plans to invest $1.5 billion in G42, an Emirati company with ties to China, as Washington and Beijing maneuver to secure tech influence in the Gulf.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-makes-high-stakes-play-in-tech-cold-war-with-emirates-ai-deal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How tech giants cut corners to harvest data for AI

OpenAI, Google and Meta ignored corporate policies, altered their own rules and discussed skirting copyright law as they sought information to train their newest AI systems.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-tech-giants-cut-corners-to-harvest-data-for-ai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Biden administration agrees to provide $6.4 billion to Samsung for making computer chips in Texas

The Biden administration has reached an agreement to provide up to $6.4 billion in direct funding for Samsung Electronics to develop a computer chip manufacturing and research cluster in Texas.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/biden-administration-agrees-to-provide-6-4-billion-to-samsung-for-making-computer-chips-in-texas/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to stream this week: Conan O’Brien travels, ‘Migration’ soars and Taylor Swift will reign

This week’s new streaming entertainment releases include Taylor Swift's eagerly anticipated album “The Tortured Poets Department,” a family of ducks is coaxed into flying south for the winter in the kid-friendly animated movie “Migration” and Conan O’Brien makes himself the brunt of jokes in his new travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” for Max.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-this-week-conan-obrien-travels-migration-soars-and-taylor-swift-will-reign/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

AI-generated fashion models could bring more diversity to the industry – or leave it with less

AI fashion modeling is on the rise but its use has complicated implications for diversity.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ai-generated-fashion-models-could-bring-more-diversity-to-the-industry-or-leave-it-with-less/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Axios sees artificial intelligence coming, and shifts its strategy

“The premium for people who can tell you things you do not know will only grow in importance, and no machine will do that,” says Jim VandeHei, CEO of Axios.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/axios-sees-artificial-intelligence-coming-and-shifts-its-strategy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology