Phone searches at the U.S. border are up. How to protect your privacy

Customs agents have broad authority to search the electronic devices of travelers entering and leaving the U.S. Here are tips for keeping your data safe.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/phone-searches-at-the-u-s-border-are-up-how-to-protect-your-privacy/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

State regulators let Seattle-based crypto vendor restart operations

Regulators had also ordered Coinme, which operates in tens of thousands of sites, to refund $8.4 million to customers for unredeemed vouchers.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/local-business/state-regulators-let-seattle-based-crypto-vendor-restart-operations/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meet a U.S. startup trying to break China’s rare-earth monopoly

Companies like Phoenix Tailings are using new processing methods to compete with Chinese suppliers that currently enjoy a near monopoly on the processing of rare-earth elements.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/meet-a-u-s-startup-trying-to-break-chinas-rare-earth-monopoly/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Meta buys startup Manus in latest move to advance its artificial intelligence efforts

Meta is buying artificial intelligence startup Manus, as the owner of Facebook and Instagram continues a push to amp-up AI offerings across its platforms.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/meta-buys-startup-manus-in-latest-move-to-advance-its-artificial-intelligence-efforts/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Seattle no longer tops big cities for share of tech workers

After a pandemic-era surge, Seattle’s tech workforce has shrunk, likely due to layoffs, and the city no longer leads big cities in tech share, writes FYI Guy.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattle-no-longer-tops-big-cities-for-share-of-tech-workers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Federal government slashes Tri-Cities lab, then invests in it

A new operation at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland is designed to run microbial analysis largely with artificial intelligence.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/news/federal-government-slashes-tri-cities-lab-then-invests-in-it/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Court orders release of prominent Turkish journalist from prison pending appeal

A Turkish court has ordered the release of journalist Fatih Altayli from prison while he appeals his conviction for allegedly threatening President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/court-orders-release-of-prominent-turkish-journalist-from-prison-pending-appeal/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

She fell in love with ChatGPT. Then she ghosted it

At the beginning of the year, the MyBoyfriendIsAI community had just a couple of hundred members, but now it has 39,000, and more than double that in weekly visitors.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/she-fell-in-love-with-chatgpt-then-she-ghosted-it/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Gmail to Let Users Change Their Addresses While Keeping Data

In recent days, though, Google has quietly started to roll out a way for users to change their Gmail addresses ending with @gmail.com, and keep all their emails — no matter how old their account.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/gmail-to-let-users-change-their-addresses-while-keeping-data/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Russia sends 3 Iranian satellites into orbit, report says

Iran's state television says that Russia has sent three Iranian communications satellites into orbit.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/russia-sends-3-iranian-satellite-into-orbit-report-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

New York subway ends its MetroCard era and switches fully to tap-and-go fares

The New York City transit system is retiring the MetroCard after more than 30 years.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/new-york-subway-ends-its-metrocard-era-and-switches-fully-to-tap-and-go-fares/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

‘The past gives comfort’: Finding refuge on analog islands amid deepening digital seas

As technology distracts, polarizes and automates, people are still finding refuge on analog islands in the digital sea.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-past-gives-comfort-finding-refuge-on-analog-islands-amid-deepening-digital-seas/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Worn down by worry, parents look longingly at Australia’s social media ban

In Australia, surveys show that most parents support the new rules, while young teenagers have talked about using VPNs and other workarounds.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/worn-down-by-worry-parents-look-longingly-at-australias-social-media-ban/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Microsoft helps WA students try AI, will give schools new tools

Microsoft's one-hour lesson in Bellevue aimed to introduce kids to fast-evolving AI and helping them use it responsibly.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/education-lab/wa-students-try-out-new-tech-at-hour-of-ai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Virtual reality opens doors for older people to build closer connections in real life

Many retirement developments serve as a tranquil refuge for older people who can no longer traveling to faraway places or engaging in bold adventures.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/virtual-reality-opens-doors-for-older-people-to-build-closer-connections-in-real-life/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Chasing an economic boom, White House dismisses risks of AI

The administration has downplayed concerns — from mass job losses to a potential financial bubble — as the president cheers high stock prices and faster growth.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/chasing-an-economic-boom-white-house-dismisses-risks-of-ai/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

EU warns of possible action after the US bars 5 Europeans accused of censorship

The European Union's executive is warning of possible action against the U.S. after travel bans were imposed on five Europeans accused of pressuring American technology firms to censor viewpoints.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/eu-warns-of-possible-action-after-the-us-bars-5-europeans-accused-of-censorship/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Pro-Russian hackers claim cyberattack on French postal service

French prosecutors say a pro-Russian hacking group has claimed responsibility for a major cyberattack on France’s national postal service.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/pro-russian-hackers-claim-cyberattack-on-french-postal-service/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Bolivia lifts restrictions on satellite companies like Starlink to upgrade its internet connectivity

Bolivia’s new government has issued a decree that will allow global satellite internet companies such as Starlink or Kuiper to provide internet access across the Andean nation as it tries to upgrade its technology and speed up its notoriously slow connectivity rates.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/bolivia-lifts-restrictions-on-satellite-companies-like-starlink-to-upgrade-its-internet-connectivity/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump administration moves to overhaul how H-1B visas are granted, ending lottery system

The Department of Homeland Security is replacing its lottery system for H-1B visas with a new approach prioritizing skilled, higher-paid foreign workers.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-administration-moves-to-overhaul-how-h-1b-visas-are-granted-ending-lottery-system/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

US stocks rose again in 2025 after overcoming turbulence from tariffs and Trump’s fight with the Fed

This was a scary good year for investors.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/us-stocks-rose-again-in-2025-after-overcoming-turbulence-from-tariffs-and-trumps-fight-with-the-fed/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Robotics pioneer says the field has lost its way

Robust.AI co-founder Rodney Brooks, a pioneering roboticist and co-creator of the widely selling Roomba robot vacuum, believes that the humanoid robot craze in Silicon Valley is doomed to fail.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/robotics-pioneer-says-the-field-has-lost-its-way/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

World shares are mixed and Japan’s yen slips after AI stocks push higher on Wall Street

Shares have opened lower in Europe after gains in Asia that tracked a Wall Street rally led by AI-related stocks.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/asian-shares-advance-yen-slips-after-ai-stocks-push-higher-on-wall-street/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Uber and Lyft plan to bring robotaxis to London in partnerships with China’s Baidu

Uber and Lyft plan to bring robotaxi services to London next year through partnerships with Chinese tech giant Baidu.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/uber-and-lyft-plan-to-bring-robotaxis-to-london-in-partnerships-with-chinas-baidu/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Western intelligence suspects Russia is developing new weapon to target Musk’s Starlink satellites

NATO-nation intelligence services believe Russia is developing a weapon to target Starlink satellites.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/western-intelligence-suspects-russia-is-developing-new-weapon-to-target-musks-starlink-satellites/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to Stream: ‘Stranger Things,’ Jennifer Lawrence, ‘Ne Zha II’ and Kate Winslet

Jennifer Lawrence playing a new mother whose behavior becomes increasingly erratic in “Die My Love” and three more “Stranger Things” episodes 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-stranger-things-jennifer-lawrence-ne-zha-ii-and-kate-winslet/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

These influencers are teaching Christianity online — and young people are listening

Christian influencers are reaching hundreds of thousands of young people online.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/these-influencers-are-teaching-christianity-online-and-young-people-are-listening/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How Amazon, Microsoft and Boeing are helping after WA floods

As Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing and others give emergency responders financial support, they're also tapping into their own services to help with flood recovery.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/how-amazon-microsoft-and-more-are-helping-after-wa-floods/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

The online scam that hits travelers at their most distracted

Part of the problem is the explosion of AI tools, which are "supercharging fraud."

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/the-online-scam-that-hits-travelers-at-their-most-distracted/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

At a Silicon Valley summit, robots fold laundry — and investors open their wallets

Robots from around the world converged on Silicon Valley to provide a glimpse of a potential future.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/at-a-silicon-valley-summit-robots-fold-laundry-and-investors-open-their-wallets/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

India’s Parliament approves bill to open civil nuclear power sector to private firms

India’s Parliament has approved new legislation to open the civil nuclear power sector to private companies.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/indias-parliament-approves-bill-to-open-civil-nuclear-power-sector-to-private-firms/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Trump Media to merge with nuclear fusion company

Trump Media & Technology will merge with a fusion power company in an all-stock deal that the companies say is valued at more than $6 billion.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/trump-media-to-merge-with-nuclear-fusion-company/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Myanmar declares a ‘zero tolerance’ policy for cyberscams. But the fraud goes on

Myanmar’s military leadership has vowed to crack down on cyberscam centers, starting with the notorious KK Park.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/myanmar-declares-a-zero-tolerance-policy-for-cyberscams-but-the-fraud-goes-on/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

France probes ‘foreign interference’ after remote control malware found on passenger ferry

French authorities are investigating a suspected cyberattack plot targeting an international passenger ferry.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/technology/france-probes-foreign-interference-after-remote-control-malware-found-on-passenger-ferry/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Warner Bros asks investors to reject takeover bid from Paramount Skydance

Warner Bros. is telling shareholders to reject a takeover bid from Paramount Skydance, saying that a rival bid from Netflix will be better for customers.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/warner-bros-asks-investors-to-reject-takeover-bid-from-paramount-skydance/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

China exploits US-funded research on nuclear technology, a congressional report says

A congressional report says China is exploiting partnerships with U.S. researchers to provide the Chinese military with access to sensitive nuclear technology and other innovations with economic and national security applications.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/china-exploits-us-funded-research-on-nuclear-technology-a-congressional-report-says/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

To find living donors for kidney transplants, a pilot program turns to social networks

Fernando Moreno has been waiting for a kidney transplant for about two years.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/to-find-living-donors-for-kidney-transplants-a-pilot-program-turns-to-social-networks/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Hyundai and Kia will repair millions of vehicles under a deal to fix anti-theft technology

Automakers Hyundai and Kia have reached a settlement with dozens of states over anti-theft technology in models of their vehicles.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/hyundai-and-kia-will-repair-millions-of-vehicles-under-a-deal-to-fix-anti-theft-technology/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

How tech’s biggest companies are offloading the risks of the AI boom

The data centers used for work on AI can cost tens of billions to build. Tech giants are finding ways to avoid being on the hook for some of those costs.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/how-techs-biggest-companies-are-offloading-the-risks-of-the-ai-boom/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Weeks after huge layoff, Amazon makes new, smaller cut to WA workforce

Amazon is laying off more than 80 employees but says the move isn't part of a broader trend.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/weeks-after-huge-layoff-amazon-makes-new-smaller-cut-to-wa-workforce/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

With new memoir, Tom Freston hopes to show young people there are multiple paths to success

Tom Freston could tell endless stories about the formative days of MTV and late nights with rock stars.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/with-new-memoir-tom-freston-hopes-to-show-young-people-there-are-multiple-paths-to-success/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Merriam-Webster’s 2025 word of the year is ‘slop’

“Slop” was first used in the 1700s to mean soft mud, but it evolved more generally to mean something of little value.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/merriam-websters-2025-word-of-the-year-is-slop/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

What to Stream: ‘Emily in Paris,’ iHeartRadio Jingle Ball, ‘Him,’ Peter Criss and Riz Ahmed

Marlon Wayans starring in the Jordan Peele-produced football thriller “Him” and the iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2025 featuring Conan Gray, Ed Sheeran, Jelly Roll and Olivia Dean 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-emily-in-paris-iheartradio-jingle-ball-him-peter-criss-and-riz-ahmed/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

One man is fighting for our right to control our garage door openers

Scores of dissatisfied MyQ users have opted instead for RATGDO: a utilitarian computer housed in a piece of blue plastic, along with some electrical wires.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/one-man-is-fighting-for-our-right-to-control-our-garage-door-openers/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Attacks on higher education risk social, economic benefits | Jon Talton

An attack by the White House on universities and colleges is a time to assess their value to Seattle, Washington and society, in terms economic and beyond, Jon Talton writes.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/attacks-on-higher-education-risk-social-economic-benefits-jon-talton/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Humanoid robots take center stage at Silicon Valley summit, but skepticism remains

The commercial boom in artificial intelligence has sparked interest in humanoid robots.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/humanoid-robots-take-center-stage-at-silicon-valley-summit-but-skepticism-remains/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Germany summons Russian ambassador over alleged sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference

An official says Germany has summoned the Russian ambassador following accusations of sabotage, cyberattacks and election interference.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/germany-summons-russian-ambassador-over-alleged-sabotage-cyberattacks-and-election-interference/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Converts are finding Eastern Orthodoxy online. The church wants to help them commune face-to-face

Eastern Orthodoxy in the U.S. is experiencing a surge in converts, partly due to online content.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/converts-are-finding-eastern-orthodoxy-online-the-church-wants-to-help-them-commune-face-to-face/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Ford turns to stepped-up tech and cooperation with police to thwart F-150 pickup thieves

Ford Motor Co. has stepped up technology in its popular F-150 pickup to combat ever-evolving techniques car thieves have at their disposal.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ford-turns-to-stepped-up-tech-and-cooperation-with-police-to-thwart-f-150-pickup-thieves/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology

Pakistan urges social media platforms to crack down on militant accounts to avoid legal action

Pakistan has urged major social media platforms to crack down on accounts linked to militant groups.

source https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/pakistan-urges-social-media-platforms-to-crack-down-on-militant-accounts-to-avoid-legal-action/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_technology