European court tells Serbia to ‘prevent the use of sonic weapons’ after protesters’ claims at rally

The European Court of Human Rights says that Serbia must prevent any potential use of sound devices for crowd control following reports that a sonic weapon was directed at peaceful demonstrators during a huge anti-government rally on March 15.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/european-court-tells-serbia-to-prevent-the-use-of-sonic-weapons-after-protesters-claims-at-rally/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft pledges to protect European operations and unveils data center expansion

Microsoft has pledged to fight any U.S. government order to halt data center operations in Europe, as it sought to soothe concerns among European customers that trans-Atlantic tensions would lead to service disruptions.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/microsoft-pledges-to-protect-european-operations-and-unveils-data-center-expansion/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Samsung reports revenue increase thanks to mobile phone sales but its chip business suffers

Samsung Electronics reported Wednesday a sharp increase in consolidated revenue for the first quarter thanks to strong sales of its new smartphones, but its semiconductor business suffered a setback.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/samsung-reports-revenue-increase-thanks-to-mobile-phone-sales-but-its-chip-business-suffers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Former school athletic director gets 4 months in jail in racist AI deepfake case

A former high school athletics director accused of using artificial intelligence to create a racist and antisemitic deepfake of a Maryland principal has been sentenced to four months in jail as part of a plea deal for disturbing school operations.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/former-school-athletic-director-gets-4-months-in-jail-in-racist-ai-deepfake-case/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

5 takeaways from the final budget approved by the WA Legislature

Washingtonians, including even some state lawmakers, had just about one day to review 1,366 pages of the $78 billion operating budget plan before it was passed Sunday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/5-takeaways-from-the-final-budget-approved-by-the-wa-legislature/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Power outages across Spain and Portugal affected millions. How to prepare for a major blackout

A widespread blackout across Spain and Portugal upended the lives of millions of people across the Iberian Peninsula.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/power-outages-across-spain-and-portugal-affected-millions-how-to-prepare-for-a-major-blackout/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Big Tech’s earnings problem is estimates may be way too high

This week's quarterly results from Microsoft, Apple, Meta Platforms Inc. and Amazon.com Inc will land in a market obsessed with every twist of a trade war that's wiped $5.5 trillion from the S&P 500 Index.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/big-techs-earnings-problem-is-estimates-may-be-way-too-high/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Washington residents, businesses gave $5.3M to Trump inauguration

Buoyed by four $1 million donations, Trump's inaugural festivities reeled in $5.3 million from Washington state residents and businesses.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/washington-residents-businesses-gave-5-3m-to-trump-inauguration/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to Stream: Tina Fey and Steve Carell, Martha Stewart and José Andrés, and Maddie & Tae

Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick going to Italy for a wedding and some mafia intrigue in the movie “Another Simple Favor” and new music from country duo Maddie & Tae are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-tina-fey-and-steve-carell-martha-stewart-and-jose-andres-and-maddie-tae/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

This therapist helped clients feel better. It was AI

Chatting with Therabot for eight weeks meaningfully reduced psychological symptoms among users with depression, anxiety or an eating disorder, a study found.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/this-therapist-helped-clients-feel-better-it-was-ai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tech industry tried reducing AI’s pervasive bias. Now Trump wants to end its ‘woke AI’ efforts

Artificial intelligence technology that works well for the world’s billions of people of color was a business imperative for Google when the company asked sociologist Ellis Monk to help make its AI products more inclusive.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tech-industry-tried-reducing-ais-pervasive-bias-now-trump-wants-to-end-its-woke-ai-efforts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Romanians confront a deluge of online disinformation ahead of a presidential election rerun

Romanians are confronting a deluge of online disinformation ahead of a fraught presidential election redo next week, including ominous claims that the EU and NATO member country is surging toward “imminent war” with Russia.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/romanians-confront-a-deluge-of-online-disinformation-ahead-of-a-presidential-election-rerun/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Oregon agency won’t say if hackers stole data in cyberattack

Oregon's environmental agency won't say if a group of hackers stole data in a cyberattack that was first announced earlier this month.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/oregon-agency-wont-say-if-hackers-stole-data-in-cyberattack/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

See Bezos-backed EV maker’s ‘radically simple’ $20,000 electric truck

A new electric vehicle maker is offering a truck for $20,000. The catch? You'll need an EV credit, and won't get power windows.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/see-bezos-backed-ev-makers-radically-simple-20000-electric-truck/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Elon Musk’s X sues to overturn Minnesota political deepfakes ban

X, the social media platform owned by Trump adviser Elon Musk, is challenging the constitutionality of a Minnesota ban on using deepfakes to influence elections and harm candidates.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/elon-musks-x-sues-to-overturn-minnesota-political-deepfakes-ban/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Yahoo is ready to buy Chrome browser if Google is forced to sell

The head of Yahoo, the leading search engine in the early 2000s, is interested in acquiring Chrome, if a court orders a sale. It probably wouldn't be alone.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/yahoo-is-ready-to-buy-chrome-browser-if-google-is-forced-to-sell/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders see ‘overwhelming’ demand, frustrations for hopeful buyers

U.S. preorders for the Nintendo Switch 2 kicked off shortly after the clock struck midnight Thursday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nintendo-switch-2-preorders-see-overwhelming-demand-frustrations-for-hopeful-buyers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump science cuts roil university labs, targeting bird feeder research, AI literacy work and more

Hundreds of university researchers in the U.S. have had their National Science Foundation funding abruptly canceled to comply with President Donald Trump’s directive to end support of research on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the study of misinformation.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-science-cuts-roil-university-labs-targeting-bird-feeder-research-ai-literacy-work-and-more/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

One Tech Tip: Thinking of buying a secondhand phone? Some tips on what to look for

New smartphones aren’t cheap and prices could get even higher amid global trade tensions.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-tech-tip-thinking-of-buying-a-secondhand-phone-some-tips-on-what-to-look-for/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How a no-buy or low-buy lifestyle can help you save money and be a more intentional consumer

The no-buy or low-buy lifestyle has gained traction this year amid the rise in grocery prices, market volatility and consumer pessimism.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-a-no-buy-or-low-buy-lifestyle-can-help-you-save-money-and-be-a-more-intentional-consumer/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tariff turmoil: How Tesla and other companies are dealing with the uncertainty of the trade war

Uncertainty over tariffs and an unpredictable trade war is weighing heavily on companies as they report their latest financial results and try to give investors financial forecasts.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tariff-turmoil-how-tesla-and-other-companies-are-dealing-with-the-uncertainty-of-the-trade-war/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Changes to WA tax plan; wealth tax still in play as session nears end

Tax proposals out of the Washington state Legislature are moving fast and changing quickly as Sunday's deadline nears. Here's the latest on what's in, out and back in play.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/changes-to-wa-tax-plan-wealth-tax-still-in-play-as-session-nears-end/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The European Union fines Apple 500 million euros and Meta 200 million in separate digital cases

European Union watchdogs fined Apple and Meta hundreds of millions of euros as they stepped up enforcement of the 27-nation bloc’s digital competition rules.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-european-union-fines-apple-500-million-euros-and-meta-200-million-in-separate-digital-cases/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Ex-OpenAI workers ask California and Delaware AGs to block for-profit conversion of ChatGPT maker

Former employees of OpenAI are appealing to the top law enforcement officers in California and Delaware to halt the company’s move to transfer control of its artificial intelligence technology from a nonprofit charity to a for-profit business.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ex-openai-workers-ask-california-and-delaware-ags-to-block-for-profit-conversion-of-chatgpt-maker/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tesla settles lawsuit by Black worker who alleged widespread racism

Tesla has settled a lawsuit by a worker in its Fremont, Calif., EV factory who claimed she was harassed and discriminated against because she is Black.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tesla-settles-lawsuit-by-black-worker-who-alleged-widespread-racism/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Tesla, hammered by protests and plummeting sales, to report 1st quarter performance

Tesla will be releasing first-quarter financial results after the bell with the electric vehicle maker coping with sluggish sales and fallout from its CEO’s prominent role in the Trump administration.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/tesla-hammered-by-protests-and-plummeting-sales-to-report-1st-quarter-performance/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

A sock-sorting vacuum shows home robots are in their early stages

While a demonstration this month was impressive, it still underscored that home robots are in their early stages even as they begin to go on sale.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/a-sock-sorting-vacuum-shows-home-robots-are-in-their-early-stages/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

This company’s surveillance tech makes immigrants ‘easy pickings’ for Trump

Geo Group has spent the past decade building out a suite of digital tools to surveil immigrants on behalf of the U.S. government, including ankle monitors.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/this-companys-surveillance-tech-makes-immigrants-easy-pickings-for-trump/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Instagram tries using AI to determine if teens are pretending to be adults

Instagram is expanding its use of artificial intelligence to determine if kids are lying about their ages on the app, parent company Meta Platforms said on Monday.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/instagram-tries-using-ai-to-determine-if-teens-are-pretending-to-be-adults/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google to face off with US government in attempt to break up company in search monopoly case

Google on Monday will confront an existential threat as the U.S. government tries to break up the company as punishment for turning its revolutionary search engine into a ruthless monopoly.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-to-face-off-with-us-government-in-attempt-to-break-up-company-in-search-monopoly-case/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Big Tech’s “Magnificent Seven” heads into earnings season reeling from Trump turbulence

As Big Tech kicks off its quarterly earnings season this week, the industry’s bellwether companies have been thrust into a cauldron of uncertainty and turmoil that they didn’t anticipate when Donald Trump re-entered the White House less than 100 days ago.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/big-techs-magnificent-seven-heads-into-earnings-season-reeling-from-trump-turbulence/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Cheaper iPhones and Pixels are here. They are pretty good

Is it a wise idea to save some bucks? The upshot: As is often the case, you get what you pay for.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cheaper-iphones-and-pixels-are-here-they-are-pretty-good/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Countries shore up their digital defenses as global tensions raise the threat of cyberwarfare

Countries around the world are tightening their cyberdefenses as global tensions rise.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/countries-shore-up-their-digital-defenses-as-global-tensions-raise-the-threat-of-cyberwarfare/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google’s digital ad network declared an illegal monopoly, joining its search engine in penalty box

The antitrust ruling Thursday by a federal judge in Virginia follows a similar ruling last summer regarding Google's search engine.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/googles-digital-ad-network-declared-an-illegal-monopoly-joining-its-search-engine-in-penalty-box/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Judge strikes down an Ohio law limiting kids’ use of social media as unconstitutional

A federal judge has permanently struck down an Ohio law that would have required children and teens under 16 to get parental consent to use social media apps.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/judge-strikes-down-an-ohio-law-limiting-kids-use-of-social-media-as-unconstitutional/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

A restaurant in Havana defies Cuba’s tech struggles with digital menus and a robot waitress

For Sonia Pérez, stepping into Havana’s Doña Alicia restaurant felt like entering a movie.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/a-restaurant-in-havana-defies-cubas-tech-struggles-with-digital-menus-and-a-robot-waitress/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

OpenAI picks labor icon Dolores Huerta and other philanthropy advisers as it moves toward for-profit

OpenAI has named labor leader Dolores Huerta and three others to a temporary advisory board that will help guide the artificial intelligence company’s philanthropy as it attempts to shift itself into a for-profit business.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/openai-picks-labor-icon-dolores-huerta-and-other-philanthropy-advisers-as-it-moves-toward-for-profit/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Protests take a satirical approach in ‘Tesla Regret Syndrome’ ad

Activists against Tesla and Elon Musk launched a satirical pharmaceutical advertisement asking viewers if they suffer from "Tesla Regret Syndrome."

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/protests-take-a-satirical-approach-in-tesla-regret-syndrome-ad/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Is Spotify down? Thousands of users report problems with the music streaming app

Spotify appeared to be experiencing widespread technical issues Wednesday morning — with tens of thousands of users reporting problems with the popular music and audio streamer.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/is-spotify-down-thousands-of-users-report-problems-with-music-streaming-app/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Nvidia shares fall after it says US controls on exports of AI chip will cost it $5.5 billion

Shares in Nvidia slumped in after-hours trading late Tuesday after it said that tighter U.S. government controls on its exports of computer chips used for artificial intelligence will cost it an extra $5.5 billion.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/nvidia-shares-fall-after-it-says-us-controls-on-exports-of-ai-chip-will-cost-it-5-5-billion/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Is your teen sleep-deprived? These expert bedtime tips could help

Bedtime routines aren’t just for toddlers.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/is-your-teen-sleep-deprived-these-expert-bedtime-tips-could-help/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Visa cancellations sow panic for international students, with hundreds fearing deportation

The speed and scope of the federal government’s efforts to terminate the legal status of international students have stunned colleges and universities across the country.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/visa-cancellations-sow-panic-for-international-students-with-hundreds-fearing-deportation/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Japan’s anti-monopoly watchdog accuses Google of violations in smartphones

Japanese regulators have accused U.S. tech giant Google of violating anti-monopoly laws, echoing similar moves in the U.S. and Europe.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/japans-anti-monopoly-watchdog-accuses-google-of-violations-in-smartphones/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Google to help developers make their own AI agents in cloud push

Google envisions its clients using digital agents to respond to customers, write code, create marketing materials and otherwise streamline their operations.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/google-to-help-developers-make-their-own-ai-agents-in-cloud-push/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

After 10 years and $31M, WA workers’ comp upgrade has little to show

An effort to modernize Washington's aging workers' compensation system that has produced few results is getting renewed scrutiny amid the state budget crisis.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/after-10-years-and-31m-wa-workers-comp-upgrade-has-little-to-show/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Sony hikes PlayStation 5 console prices for Europe, UK and Australia citing economic turmoil

Sony says it will raise prices starting Monday for some PlayStation 5 video game consoles in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, citing global economic turmoil.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/sony-hikes-playstation-5-console-prices-for-europe-uk-and-australia-citing-economic-turmoil/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meta faces historic antitrust trial that could force it to break off Instagram, WhatsApp

Meta Platforms Inc. faces a historic antitrust trial Monday that could force the tech giant to break off Instagram and WhatsApp, startups it bought more than a decade ago that have since grown into social media powerhouses.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/meta-faces-historic-antitrust-trial-that-could-force-it-to-break-off-instagram-whatsapp/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to stream: Jude Law as a fed, a ‘Law & Order’ reunion and David Oyelowo in an oddball comedy

Mariska Hargitay reuniting with her old partner, Detective Elliot Stabler, on “Law & Order: Organized Crime” and Jude Law sporting a mustache and an American accent to play an FBI agent are some of this week’s new streaming entertainment releases.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/what-to-stream-jude-law-as-a-fed-a-law-order-reunion-and-david-oyelowo-in-an-oddball-comedy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump aides signal new tariffs on chips, calling exclusions temporary

While the president paused a set of punishing levies on nearly 60 countries last week, his administration has forged ahead with a new 145% tax on Chinese export.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-aides-signal-new-tariffs-on-chips-calling-exclusions-temporary/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Via porn, gore and ultra-violence, extremist groups are sinking hooks online into the very young

Across Europe and further afield, counterterrorism agencies are grappling with a new generation of young people who are being radicalized online and consuming ultraviolent content produced by extremist groups and their supporters.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/via-porn-gore-and-ultra-violence-extremist-groups-are-sinking-hooks-online-into-the-very-young/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology