EU fines X $140 million over ‘deceptive’ blue checkmarks
EU fines X $140 million over 'deceptive' blue checkmarks The European Union has served Elon Musk’s X with a €120 million (about $140 million) penalty for violating the bloc’s digital service rulebook, in part for the “deceptive design” of its blue checkmark. Today’s announcement marks the first time that a company has been fined under […]
The new silicon valley (literally)
The new silicon valley (literally) Arizona’s economy was once dominated by the “five C’s”: cotton, cattle, citrus, copper, and climate. But a new C has emerged that could grow to overshadow the rest: chips. New semiconductor manufacturing facilities are springing up across the greater Phoenix area, stretching across blocks of new roads with names like […]
Google’s Nano Banana Pro generates excellent conspiracy fuel
Google's Nano Banana Pro generates excellent conspiracy fuel The Gemini app produced this image of a second shooter hidden in the bushes with the Book Depository in the background. | AI Image: The Verge via Google Gemini It was really easy getting Google’s Gemini app to make an image of a second shooter at Dealey […]
The FCC wants to roll back steps meant to stop a repeat of a massive telecom hack
The FCC wants to roll back steps meant to stop a repeat of a massive telecom hack After one of the biggest telecom hacks in US history, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) moved to enforce strict standards on carriers’ cybersecurity measures. On Thursday, the agency is set to vote to roll back those requirements, arguing […]
WhatsApp is launching third-party chat integration in Europe
WhatsApp is launching third-party chat integration in Europe Meta is on the cusp of launching third-party integration with WhatsApp in Europe — something that’s required by the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It’s rolling out “over the coming months” with WhatsApp’s level of end-to-end encryption (E2EE) maintained. Meta says that BirdyChat and Haiket will be the first third-party services to […]
How deep-sea mining could threaten a vital ocean food source
How deep-sea mining could threaten a vital ocean food source Nodules containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese rest atop these core samples taken from the deep ocean floor. | Photo: Getty Images The race to mine battery minerals from the ocean floor would create a new stream of waste that could rob sea life of a […]
UK fines 4Chan over online safety compliance
UK fines 4Chan over online safety compliance The penalties are fairly paltry. The United Kingdom has slapped 4Chan with a £20,000 (around $26,000) fine in a bid to clamp down on platforms that are hindering Online Safety Act (OSA) investigations. UK telecoms regulator Ofcom says the fine was issued after the controversial social media site […]
Brendan Carr wants to let internet providers charge hidden fees again
Brendan Carr wants to let internet providers charge hidden fees again Broadband customers may find themselves blighted by unexpected charges again, thanks to Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr. The FCC has submitted a proposal to revise “unnecessary” requirements for internet service providers to itemize every fee on monthly bills, citing that it “may confuse […]
Apple warns of more feature delays in Europe
Apple warns of more feature delays in Europe Apple says it’s having to delay bringing some product features to Europe because it’s struggling to make them compliant with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a statement published on Wednesday, Apple said that DMA rules have created “more complexity and more risks for our EU […]
The EU is scrutinizing how Apple, Google, and Microsoft tackle online scams
The EU is scrutinizing how Apple, Google, and Microsoft tackle online scams The European Union wants to assess if Apple, Google, and Microsoft are doing enough to prevent the proliferation of online scams on their platforms. The Financial Times reports that EU regulators are formally requesting information from the three US tech companies under the […]