North Carolina company owner pleads guilty over attempted technology sale to China

The federal government says the owner of a North Carolina company has pleaded guilty to trying to sell electronic devices that have military applications to China without a required exporting license.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/north-carolina-company-owner-pleads-guilty-over-attempted-technology-sale-to-china/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Judge weighs whether to block Florida’s social media ban for minors

A federal judge is weighing whether to block a Florida law from going into effect that would ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/judge-weighs-whether-to-block-floridas-social-media-ban-for-minors/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft shutting down Skype in May

Microsoft is closing down Skype, the video-calling service it bought for $8.5 billion in 2011.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-shutting-down-skype-in-may/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Skype to shut 14 years after Microsoft’s $8.5 billion purchase

Skype was surpassed by smartphone-native communication apps and Zoom video calls. When Microsoft tried to stretch the Skype brand into the workplace, it lost out to Slack Technologies.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/skype-to-shut-14-years-after-microsofts-8-5-billion-purchase/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Gabbard decries Britain’s reported demand for Apple to provide backdoor access to users’ cloud data

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard says she has serious concerns about the British government’s reported demand that Apple provide backdoor access to any data stored in the cloud.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/gabbard-decries-britains-reported-demand-for-apple-to-provide-backdoor-access-to-users-cloud-data/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

France joining the U.S. in seeking access to Ukraine’s minerals; says it’s in talks

The French defense minister says France is also seeking access to Ukraine’s deposits of critical minerals, indicating that the United States isn’t the only player.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/france-joining-the-u-s-in-seeking-access-to-ukraines-minerals-says-its-in-talks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

One Tech Tip: Getting a lot of unwanted phone calls? Here are ways to stop them

Unwanted phone calls are out of control.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-tech-tip-getting-a-lot-of-unwanted-phone-calls-here-are-ways-to-stop-them/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

FBI accuses North Korean-backed hackers of stealing $1.5 billion in crypto from Dubai-based firm

The FBI has accused North Korean-linked hackers of conducting one of the largest known thefts of cryptocurrency — worth some $1.5 billion from a Dubai-based firm.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/fbi-accuses-north-korean-backed-hackers-of-stealing-1-5-billion-in-crypto-from-dubai-based-firm/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Not known for political coverage, Wired takes a leading role in tracking Elon Musk’s team

The tech outlet Wired set up a new politics team in time for the presidential election — but its most impactful work is coming after the election is over.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/not-known-for-political-coverage-wired-takes-a-leading-role-in-tracking-elon-musks-team/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

GOP Wants Musk’s Starlink to Get a Cut of $42 Billion Biden Internet Plan

Some Republicans want to open the floodgates for Starlink to compete with high-speed fiber-optic lines, potentially shifting billions to Elon Musk.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/gop-wants-musks-starlink-to-get-a-cut-of-42-billion-biden-internet-plan/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple to fix iPhone dictation glitch that suggests replacing the word ‘racist’ with ‘Trump’

Apple says it’s fixing a bug with its dictation feature on some iPhones that briefly suggests the word “Trump” when a word with an R consonant is spoken, including “racist.”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-to-fix-iphone-dictation-glitch-that-suggests-replacing-the-word-racist-with-trump/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

21 federal technology staffers resign rather than help Musk and DOGE slash size of government

Twenty-one civil service employees have resigned from billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, saying they're refusing to use their technical expertise to “dismantle critical public services.”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/21-federal-technology-staffers-resign-rather-than-help-musk-and-doge-slash-size-of-government/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Bitcoin slides under $90,000, erasing some of the gains made under Trump

The price of bitcoin fell below $90,000 and other cryptocurrencies saw large drops Tuesday morning, erasing some of the gains digital assets have made since President Donald Trump took office on a pro-crypto agenda.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/bitcoin-slides-under-90000-erasing-some-of-the-gains-made-under-trump/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

British musicians release a silent album to protest plans to let AI use their work

A new album called “Is This What We Want?”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/british-musicians-release-a-silent-album-to-protest-plans-to-let-ai-use-their-work/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Why Nvidia’s earnings are important to the entire U.S. stock market

Nvidia has led the artificial intelligence boom to become one of the stock market’s biggest companies, as tech giants continue to spend heavily on the company’s chips and data centers needed to train and operate their AI systems.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/why-nvidias-earnings-are-important-to-the-entire-u-s-stock-market/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple to build AI servers in Houston and spend $500 billion in U.S.

Apple said Monday that it planned to spend $500 billion in the United States over the next four years, hire 20,000 people and open a new factory in Texas.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-to-build-ai-servers-in-houston-and-spend-500-billion-in-u-s/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Underage users at Meta, Snap show large Australian breaches

About 80% of children in Australia aged between 8 and 12 used at least one platform in 2024.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/underage-users-at-meta-snap-show-large-australian-breaches/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft Has Dropped Some AI Data Center Leases, TD Cowen Says

Microsoft has begun canceling leases for a substantial amount of datacenter capacity in the U.S., TD Cowen said in a report.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-cancels-leases-for-ai-data-centers-analyst-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to stream: The Oscars with Conan O’Brien, Kate Hudson in ‘Running Point’ and ‘Nickel Boys’

The Oscars telecast hosted by Conan O’Brien and Kate Hudson playing a pro basketball team president in a new Netflix series called “Running Point” are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-the-oscars-with-conan-obrien-kate-hudson-in-running-point-and-nickel-boys/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Rich in cash, Japan automaker Toyota builds a city to test futuristic mobility

Woven City near Mount Fuji is where Japanese automaker Toyota plans to test everyday living with robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous zero-emissions transportation.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/rich-in-cash-japan-automaker-toyota-builds-a-city-to-test-futuristic-mobility/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cryptocurrency exchange says it was victim of $1.5 billion hack

A major cryptocurrency exchange says it was the victim of a sophisticated hack that stole about $1.5 billion worth of digital currency, marking one of the biggest online thefts of all time.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cryptocurrency-exchange-says-it-was-victim-of-1-5-billion-hack/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

‘Big Tech censorship’ of users targeted by Trump’s FTC chief

The new leader of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is opening an inquiry into whether a wide range of online services from social media giants such as Meta to ride-sharing companies such as Uber "censor" users. 

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/big-tech-censorship-of-users-targeted-by-trumps-ftc-chief/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Apple drops encryption feature for UK users after government reportedly demanded backdoor access

Apple says it will stop offering an advanced data security option for British users after the government reportedly demanded that the company provide backdoor access for any data those users have stored in the cloud.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/apple-drops-encryption-feature-for-uk-users-after-government-reportedly-demanded-backdoor-access/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Coinbase says SEC has agreed to dismiss case against it, pending commission approval

Coinbase says the Securities and Exchange Commission has agreed to dismiss its case against the cryptocurrency platform, pending commission approval.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/coinbase-says-sec-has-agreed-to-dismiss-case-against-it-pending-commission-approval/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Proposal to ban lab-grown meat in Nebraska gets pushback from ranchers and farm groups

A bill to ban the sale of so-called lab-grown meat might seem like a no-brainer in Nebraska, where beef is king.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/proposal-to-ban-lab-grown-meat-in-nebraska-gets-pushback-from-ranchers-and-farm-groups/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China’s Alibaba sees revenue surge on back of artificial intelligence, e-commerce

Chinese e-commerce firm Alibaba Group Holding posted its fastest revenue growth in over a year, beating analyst expectations as it capitalizes on the artificial intelligence boom in China.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/chinas-alibaba-sees-revenue-surge-on-back-of-artificial-intelligence-e-commerce/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Amazon MGM takes creative reins of James Bond, ending an era of family control of 007

In a James Bond shakeup that stirred the film industry, MGM Amazon announced that the studio has taken the creative reins of the 007 franchise after decades of family control.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon-mgm-takes-creative-reins-of-james-bond-ending-an-era-of-family-control-of-007/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

They’ve been waiting years to go public. They’re still waiting

SAN FRANCISCO — Turo, a car rental startup in San Francisco, has been trying to go public since 2021. But a volatile stock market in early 2022 delayed its listing.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/theyve-been-waiting-years-to-go-public-theyre-still-waiting/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump puts the spotlight anew on a major Alaska gas project. Will it make a difference?

President Donald Trump says his administration will ensure a major natural gas pipeline in Alaska gets built.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-puts-the-spotlight-anew-on-a-major-alaska-gas-project-will-it-make-a-difference/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google agrees to pay Italy $340 million to settle tax evasion investigation

Italian prosecutors say they are seeking to have a tax evasion investigation against Google dropped after the tech giant agreed to pay a 326 million euro ($340 million) settlement.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-agrees-to-pay-italy-340-million-to-settle-tax-evasion-investigation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How US tech giants supplied Israel with AI models, raising questions about tech’s role in warfare

U.S. tech giants have quietly empowered Israel to track and kill many more alleged militants more quickly in Gaza and Lebanon through a sharp spike in artificial intelligence and computing services.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-us-tech-giants-supplied-israel-with-ai-models-raising-questions-about-techs-role-in-warfare/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

As Israel uses US-made AI models in war, concerns arise about tech’s role in who lives and who dies

U.S. tech giants have quietly empowered Israel to track and kill many more alleged militants more quickly in Gaza and Lebanon through a sharp spike in artificial intelligence and computing services.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/as-israel-uses-us-made-ai-models-in-war-concerns-arise-about-techs-role-in-who-lives-and-who-dies/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Pro-Russian hackers attack Italian websites after president compares invasion of Ukraine to Nazis

A pro-Russian hacker group is attacking Italian government websites in what it said was a reaction to a speech by Italian President Sergio Mattarella that compared Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the Nazis’ “wars of conquest.”.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/pro-russian-hackers-attack-italian-websites-after-president-compares-invasion-of-ukraine-to-nazis/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Huawei’s tri-foldable phone hits global markets in a show of defiance amid US curbs

Chinese tech giant Huawei has held a global launch for the industry’s first tri-foldable phone.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/huaweis-tri-foldable-phone-hits-global-markets-in-a-show-of-defiance-amid-us-curbs/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Latino workers working to overcome divide brought on by automation, AI

Latinos remain an integral part of jobs in agriculture, construction, retail and food services but these jobs are also at risk of automation.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/latino-workers-working-to-overcome-a-technological-divide-brought-on-by-automation-ai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Coins, watches and more: A look at Trump’s crypto-related ventures, by the numbers

Donald Trump has leaned into his unofficial role as the “crypto president” in ways that can both help the crypto industry and enrich himself and his family.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/coins-watches-and-more-a-look-at-trumps-crypto-related-ventures-by-the-numbers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Downloads of DeepSeek’s AI apps paused in South Korea over privacy concerns

DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence startup, has temporarily paused downloads of its chatbot apps in South Korea while it works with local authorities to address privacy concerns, according to South Korean officials on Monday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/downloads-of-deepseeks-ai-apps-paused-in-south-korea-over-privacy-concerns/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Conservative author Ashley St. Clair claims to have secretly had Elon Musk’s 13th child

Elon Musk is now a father of 13 after allegedly welcoming his latest child with conservative author Ashley St. Clair.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/conservative-author-ashley-st-clair-claims-to-have-secretly-had-elon-musks-13th-child/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What changes to the CHIPS act could mean for AI growth and consumers

President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on semiconductors, arguing that production must be returned to the United States.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/what-changes-to-the-chips-act-could-mean-for-ai-growth-and-consumers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

One Tech Tip: How to block your phone from tracking your location

Phones use various signals to find your location, including cell tower pings, Wi-Fi access points, Bluetooth and GPS. Here are some tips to make sure location tracking is kept to a minimum.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-tech-tip-how-to-block-your-phone-from-tracking-your-location/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump Media says it lost more than $400 million last year

The parent company of President Donald Trump’s social networking site Truth Social says it lost $400.9 million last year and its annual revenue declined 12% to $3.6 million.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-media-says-it-lost-more-than-400-million-last-year/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

OpenAI board unanimously rejects Elon Musk’s $97.4 billion proposal

OpenAI says its board of directors has unanimously rejected a $97.4 billion takeover bid by Elon Musk.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/openai-board-unanimously-rejects-elon-musks-97-4-billion-proposal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Seattle-area tech firms are ready for China’s DeepSeek AI breakthrough

Jon Talton examines the affect of Chinese startup DeepSeek on Microsoft and Amazon.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/seattle-area-tech-firms-are-ready-for-chinas-deepseek-ai-breakthrough/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Bill Gates looks to his Seattle past, pushes Trump for a better future

In his new memoir, "Source Code," Gates explores his childhood in Seattle, deep friendships and his early path in coding, computers and technology.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/bill-gates-looks-to-his-seattle-past-pushes-trump-for-a-better-future/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google hub in Poland to develop AI use in energy and cybersecurity sectors

Google and Poland have signed a memorandum for developing the use of artificial intelligence in the country’s energy, cybersecurity and other sectors.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-hub-in-poland-to-develop-ai-use-in-energy-and-cybersecurity-sectors/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Musk says he’ll withdraw $97.4 billion bid for OpenAI if ChatGPT maker remains nonprofit

Elon Musk says he will abandon his $97.4 billion offer to buy the nonprofit behind OpenAI if the ChatGPT maker drops its plan to convert into a for-profit company.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/musk-says-hell-withdraw-97-4-billion-bid-for-openai-if-chatgpt-maker-remains-nonprofit/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Japan’s Sony raises forecast on solid results in its game business

Japanese electronics and entertainment company Sony is reporting a 3% gain in October-December profit, and raised its full-year forecast.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japans-sony-raises-forecast-on-solid-results-in-its-game-business/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Thomson Reuters scores early win in AI copyright battles in the US

Thomson Reuters has won an early battle in court over the question of fair use in artificial intelligence-related copyright cases.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/thomson-reuters-scores-early-win-in-ai-copyright-battles-in-the-us/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Looking for love this Valentine’s Day? Don’t fall for Instagram romance scams

Meta Platforms reminds users of some common themes that might suggest that your social media suitor is too good to be true.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/looking-for-love-this-valentines-day-dont-fall-for-instagram-romance-scams/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How photos lost in American disasters find their way home, with a little help from people who care

In the wake of deadly disasters, communities across the United States have banded together to search for lost photographs stuck in rivers and trees, or buried in the rubble.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/how-photos-lost-in-american-disasters-find-their-way-home-with-a-little-help-from-people-who-care/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology