# 10 Years Later: Malaysia To Resume Hunt For Flight MH370
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 04:22:01 2024-12-21
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Malaysia has agreed to resume the search for the wreckage of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, its transport minister said on Friday, more than 10 years after it disappeared in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. Flight MH370, a Boeing 777 carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew, vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.
[...] MH370's last transmission was about 40 minutes after it took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. The pilots signed off as the plane entered Vietnamese air space over the Gulf of Thailand and soon after its transponder was turned off. "Our responsibility and obligation and commitment is to the next of kin," Transport Minister Anthony Loke told a press conference. "We hope this time will be positive, that the wreckage will be found and give closure to the families."
Further reading: Could Sea Explosions Finally Locate the 2014 Crash Site of Flight MH370?
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/21/0030258/10-years-later-malaysia-to-resume-hunt-for-flight-mh370?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 04:22:01 2024-12-21
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Malaysia has agreed to resume the search for the wreckage of missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, its transport minister said on Friday, more than 10 years after it disappeared in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. Flight MH370, a Boeing 777 carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew, vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on March 8, 2014.
[...] MH370's last transmission was about 40 minutes after it took off from Kuala Lumpur for Beijing. The pilots signed off as the plane entered Vietnamese air space over the Gulf of Thailand and soon after its transponder was turned off. "Our responsibility and obligation and commitment is to the next of kin," Transport Minister Anthony Loke told a press conference. "We hope this time will be positive, that the wreckage will be found and give closure to the families."
Further reading: Could Sea Explosions Finally Locate the 2014 Crash Site of Flight MH370?
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/21/0030258/10-years-later-malaysia-to-resume-hunt-for-flight-mh370?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Cory Doctorow's Prescient Novella About Health Insurance and Murder
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 02:22:02 2024-12-21
Five years ago, journalist and sci-fi author Cory Doctorow published a short story that explored the radicalization of individuals denied healthcare coverage. As The Guardian notes in a recent article, the story "might seem eerily similar" to the recent shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. While it appears that the alleged shooter never read the story, Doctorow said: "I feel like the most important thing about that is that it tells you that this is not a unique insight." Doctorow continued: "that the question that I had is a question other people have had." As an activist in favor of liberalizing copyright laws and a proponent of the Creative Commons organization, it's important to note that Doctorow advocates for systemic reform through collective action rather than violence. Here's an excerpt from the The Guardian's article: In Radicalized, one of four novellas comprising a science fiction novel of the same name, Doctorow charts the journey of a man who joins an online forum for fathers whose partners or children have been denied healthcare coverage by their insurers after his wife is diagnosed with breast cancer and denied coverage for an experimental treatment. Slowly, over the course of the story, the men of the forum become radicalized by their grief and begin plotting -- and executing -- murders of health insurance executives and politicians who vote against universal healthcare.
In the wake of the December 4 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which unleashed a wave of outrage at the U.S. health system, Doctorow's novella has been called prescient. When the American Prospect magazine republished the story last week, it wrote: "It is being republished with permission for reasons that will become clear if you read it." But Doctorow doesn't think he was on to something that no one else in the U.S. understood. [...]
In one part of the story, a man whose young daughter died after an insurance company refused to pay for brain surgery bombs the insurer's headquarters. "It's not vengeance. I don't have a vengeful bone in my body. Nothing I do will bring Lisa back, so why would I want revenge? This is a public service. There's another dad just like me," he shares in a video message on the forum. "And right now, that dad is talking to someone at Cigna, or Humana, or BlueCross BlueShield, and the person on the phone is telling that dad that his little girl has. To. Die. Someone in that building made the decision to kill my little girl, and everyone else in that building went along with it. Not one of them is innocent, and not one of them is afraid. They're going to be afraid, after this."
"Because they must know in their hearts," he goes on. "Them, their lobbyists, the men in Congress who enabled them. They're parents. They know. Anyone who hurt their precious children, they'd hunt that person down like a dog. The only amazing thing about any of this is that no one has done it yet. I'm going to make a prediction right now, that even though I'm the first, I sure as hell will not be the last. There's more to come."
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/21/0021215/cory-doctorows-prescient-novella-about-health-insurance-and-murder?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 02:22:02 2024-12-21
Five years ago, journalist and sci-fi author Cory Doctorow published a short story that explored the radicalization of individuals denied healthcare coverage. As The Guardian notes in a recent article, the story "might seem eerily similar" to the recent shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. While it appears that the alleged shooter never read the story, Doctorow said: "I feel like the most important thing about that is that it tells you that this is not a unique insight." Doctorow continued: "that the question that I had is a question other people have had." As an activist in favor of liberalizing copyright laws and a proponent of the Creative Commons organization, it's important to note that Doctorow advocates for systemic reform through collective action rather than violence. Here's an excerpt from the The Guardian's article: In Radicalized, one of four novellas comprising a science fiction novel of the same name, Doctorow charts the journey of a man who joins an online forum for fathers whose partners or children have been denied healthcare coverage by their insurers after his wife is diagnosed with breast cancer and denied coverage for an experimental treatment. Slowly, over the course of the story, the men of the forum become radicalized by their grief and begin plotting -- and executing -- murders of health insurance executives and politicians who vote against universal healthcare.
In the wake of the December 4 shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, which unleashed a wave of outrage at the U.S. health system, Doctorow's novella has been called prescient. When the American Prospect magazine republished the story last week, it wrote: "It is being republished with permission for reasons that will become clear if you read it." But Doctorow doesn't think he was on to something that no one else in the U.S. understood. [...]
In one part of the story, a man whose young daughter died after an insurance company refused to pay for brain surgery bombs the insurer's headquarters. "It's not vengeance. I don't have a vengeful bone in my body. Nothing I do will bring Lisa back, so why would I want revenge? This is a public service. There's another dad just like me," he shares in a video message on the forum. "And right now, that dad is talking to someone at Cigna, or Humana, or BlueCross BlueShield, and the person on the phone is telling that dad that his little girl has. To. Die. Someone in that building made the decision to kill my little girl, and everyone else in that building went along with it. Not one of them is innocent, and not one of them is afraid. They're going to be afraid, after this."
"Because they must know in their hearts," he goes on. "Them, their lobbyists, the men in Congress who enabled them. They're parents. They know. Anyone who hurt their precious children, they'd hunt that person down like a dog. The only amazing thing about any of this is that no one has done it yet. I'm going to make a prediction right now, that even though I'm the first, I sure as hell will not be the last. There's more to come."
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/21/0021215/cory-doctorows-prescient-novella-about-health-insurance-and-murder?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# 'Yes, I am a Human': Bot Detection Is No Longer Working
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 02:22:02 2024-12-21
The rise of AI has rendered traditional CAPTCHA tests increasingly ineffective, as bots can now "[solve] these puzzles in milliseconds using artificial intelligence (AI)," reports The Conversation. "How ironic. The tools designed to prove we're human are now obstructing us more than the machines they're supposed to be keeping at bay." The report warns that the imminent arrival of AI agents -- software programs designed to autonomously interact with websites on our behalf -- will further complicate matters. From the report: Developers are continually coming up with new ways to verify humans. Some systems, like Google's ReCaptcha v3 (introduced in 2018), don't ask you to solve puzzles anymore. Instead, they watch how you interact with a website. Do you move your cursor naturally? Do you type like a person? Humans have subtle, imperfect behaviors that bots still struggle to mimic. Not everyone likes ReCaptcha v3 because it raises privacy issues -- plus the web company needs to assess user scores to determine who is a bot, and the bots can beat the system anyway. There are alternatives that use similar logic, such as "slider" puzzles that ask users to move jigsaw pieces around, but these too can be overcome.
Some websites are now turning to biometrics to verify humans, such as fingerprint scans or voice recognition, while face ID is also a possibility. Biometrics are harder for bots to fake, but they come with their own problems -- privacy concerns, expensive tech and limited access for some users, say because they can't afford the relevant smartphone or can't speak because of a disability. The imminent arrival of AI agents will add another layer of complexity. It will mean we increasingly want bots to visit sites and do things on our behalf, so web companies will need to start distinguishing between "good" bots and "bad" bots. This area still needs a lot more consideration, but digital authentication certificates are proposed as one possible solution.
In sum, Captcha is no longer the simple, reliable tool it once was. AI has forced us to rethink how we verify people online, and it's only going to get more challenging as these systems get smarter. Whatever becomes the next technological standard, it's going to have to be easy to use for humans, but one step ahead of the bad actors. So the next time you find yourself clicking on blurry traffic lights and getting infuriated, remember you're part of a bigger fight. The future of proving humanity is still being written, and the bots won't be giving up any time soon.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2331225/yes-i-am-a-human-bot-detection-is-no-longer-working?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 02:22:02 2024-12-21
The rise of AI has rendered traditional CAPTCHA tests increasingly ineffective, as bots can now "[solve] these puzzles in milliseconds using artificial intelligence (AI)," reports The Conversation. "How ironic. The tools designed to prove we're human are now obstructing us more than the machines they're supposed to be keeping at bay." The report warns that the imminent arrival of AI agents -- software programs designed to autonomously interact with websites on our behalf -- will further complicate matters. From the report: Developers are continually coming up with new ways to verify humans. Some systems, like Google's ReCaptcha v3 (introduced in 2018), don't ask you to solve puzzles anymore. Instead, they watch how you interact with a website. Do you move your cursor naturally? Do you type like a person? Humans have subtle, imperfect behaviors that bots still struggle to mimic. Not everyone likes ReCaptcha v3 because it raises privacy issues -- plus the web company needs to assess user scores to determine who is a bot, and the bots can beat the system anyway. There are alternatives that use similar logic, such as "slider" puzzles that ask users to move jigsaw pieces around, but these too can be overcome.
Some websites are now turning to biometrics to verify humans, such as fingerprint scans or voice recognition, while face ID is also a possibility. Biometrics are harder for bots to fake, but they come with their own problems -- privacy concerns, expensive tech and limited access for some users, say because they can't afford the relevant smartphone or can't speak because of a disability. The imminent arrival of AI agents will add another layer of complexity. It will mean we increasingly want bots to visit sites and do things on our behalf, so web companies will need to start distinguishing between "good" bots and "bad" bots. This area still needs a lot more consideration, but digital authentication certificates are proposed as one possible solution.
In sum, Captcha is no longer the simple, reliable tool it once was. AI has forced us to rethink how we verify people online, and it's only going to get more challenging as these systems get smarter. Whatever becomes the next technological standard, it's going to have to be easy to use for humans, but one step ahead of the bad actors. So the next time you find yourself clicking on blurry traffic lights and getting infuriated, remember you're part of a bigger fight. The future of proving humanity is still being written, and the bots won't be giving up any time soon.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2331225/yes-i-am-a-human-bot-detection-is-no-longer-working?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# EU Wants Apple To Open AirDrop and AirPlay To Android
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 01:22:01 2024-12-21
The EU is pushing Apple to make iOS more interoperable with other platforms, requiring features like AirDrop and AirPlay to work seamlessly with Android and third-party devices, while also enabling background app functionality and cross-platform notifications. 9to5Google reports: A new document released (PDF) by the European Commission this week reveals a number of ways the EU wants Apple to change iOS and its features to be more interoperable with other platforms. There are some changes to iOS itself, such as opening up notifications to work on third-party smartwatches as they do with the Apple Watch. Similarly, the EU wants Apple to let iOS apps work in the background as Apple's first-party apps do, as this is a struggle of some apps, especially companion apps for accessories such as smartwatches (other than the Apple Watch, of course). But there are also some iOS features that the EU directly wants Apple to open up to other platforms, including Android. [...]
As our sister site 9to5Mac points out, Apple has responded (PDF) to this EU document, prominently criticizing the EU for putting out a mandate that "could expose your private information." Apple's document primarily focuses in on Meta, which the company says has made "more interoperability requests" than anyone else. Apple says that opening AirPlay to Meta would "[create] a new class of privacy and security issues, while giving them data about users homes." The EU is taking consultation on this case until January 9, 2025, and if Apple doesn't comply when the order is eventually put into effect, it could result in heavy fines.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2320225/eu-wants-apple-to-open-airdrop-and-airplay-to-android?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 01:22:01 2024-12-21
The EU is pushing Apple to make iOS more interoperable with other platforms, requiring features like AirDrop and AirPlay to work seamlessly with Android and third-party devices, while also enabling background app functionality and cross-platform notifications. 9to5Google reports: A new document released (PDF) by the European Commission this week reveals a number of ways the EU wants Apple to change iOS and its features to be more interoperable with other platforms. There are some changes to iOS itself, such as opening up notifications to work on third-party smartwatches as they do with the Apple Watch. Similarly, the EU wants Apple to let iOS apps work in the background as Apple's first-party apps do, as this is a struggle of some apps, especially companion apps for accessories such as smartwatches (other than the Apple Watch, of course). But there are also some iOS features that the EU directly wants Apple to open up to other platforms, including Android. [...]
As our sister site 9to5Mac points out, Apple has responded (PDF) to this EU document, prominently criticizing the EU for putting out a mandate that "could expose your private information." Apple's document primarily focuses in on Meta, which the company says has made "more interoperability requests" than anyone else. Apple says that opening AirPlay to Meta would "[create] a new class of privacy and security issues, while giving them data about users homes." The EU is taking consultation on this case until January 9, 2025, and if Apple doesn't comply when the order is eventually put into effect, it could result in heavy fines.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2320225/eu-wants-apple-to-open-airdrop-and-airplay-to-android?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# 10,000 Amazon Workers Go On Strike Ahead of Holiday Rush
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 00:22:01 2024-12-21
An anonymous reader quotes a report from PCMag: Amazon employees are striking after the online retail giant missed a deadline to begin negotiations for a union contract. Roughly 10,000 employees have gone on strike as of Dec. 19. Workers are forming picket lines in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco, and Skokie, IL. Per a press release from the Teamsters, employees at other facilities have authorized strikes as well. Local unions are also putting up picket lines at hundreds of fulfillment centers nationwide, which could cause package delays ahead of the holidays.
"If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon's insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it," says Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they've pushed workers to the limit and now they're paying the price. This strike is on them."
The Teamsters say this is "the largest strike against Amazon in US history." Amazon tells CBS News it doesn't expect it to impact its operations; the company employs 1.5 million people in its warehouses and corporate offices. The workers claim that Amazon has engaged in illegal anti-union behavior while failing to provide employees with better pay and better working conditions. "They talk a big game about taking care of their workers, but when it comes down to it, Amazon does not respect us and our right to negotiate for better working conditions and wages," said Gabriel Irizarry, a driver at DIL7 in Skokie, IL. "We can't even afford to pay our bills." For its part, Amazon claims the Teamsters have "continued to intentionally mislead the public" about the situation.
An Amazon spokesperson told NBC News: "The truth is that Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union."
You can read the Teamster's press release here.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2253215/10000-amazon-workers-go-on-strike-ahead-of-holiday-rush?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 00:22:01 2024-12-21
An anonymous reader quotes a report from PCMag: Amazon employees are striking after the online retail giant missed a deadline to begin negotiations for a union contract. Roughly 10,000 employees have gone on strike as of Dec. 19. Workers are forming picket lines in New York City, Atlanta, Southern California, San Francisco, and Skokie, IL. Per a press release from the Teamsters, employees at other facilities have authorized strikes as well. Local unions are also putting up picket lines at hundreds of fulfillment centers nationwide, which could cause package delays ahead of the holidays.
"If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can blame Amazon's insatiable greed. We gave Amazon a clear deadline to come to the table and do right by our members. They ignored it," says Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien. "These greedy executives had every chance to show decency and respect for the people who make their obscene profits possible. Instead, they've pushed workers to the limit and now they're paying the price. This strike is on them."
The Teamsters say this is "the largest strike against Amazon in US history." Amazon tells CBS News it doesn't expect it to impact its operations; the company employs 1.5 million people in its warehouses and corporate offices. The workers claim that Amazon has engaged in illegal anti-union behavior while failing to provide employees with better pay and better working conditions. "They talk a big game about taking care of their workers, but when it comes down to it, Amazon does not respect us and our right to negotiate for better working conditions and wages," said Gabriel Irizarry, a driver at DIL7 in Skokie, IL. "We can't even afford to pay our bills." For its part, Amazon claims the Teamsters have "continued to intentionally mislead the public" about the situation.
An Amazon spokesperson told NBC News: "The truth is that Teamsters have actively threatened, intimidated, and attempted to coerce Amazon employees and third-party drivers to join them, which is illegal and is the subject of multiple pending unfair labor practice charges against the union."
You can read the Teamster's press release here.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2253215/10000-amazon-workers-go-on-strike-ahead-of-holiday-rush?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Justice Department Unveils Charges Against Alleged LockBit Developer
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 00:22:01 2024-12-21
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Russian-Israeli national, Rostislav Panev, for his alleged role as a developer in the LockBit ransomware group, accused of designing malware and maintaining infrastructure for attacks that extorted over $500 million and caused billions in global damages. CyberScoop reports: The arrest is part of a broader campaign by international law enforcement agencies to dismantle LockBit. In February, a coordinated operation led by the U.K.'s National Crime Agency in cooperation with the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department disrupted LockBit's infrastructure, seizing websites and servers critical to its operations. These efforts significantly curtailed the group's ability to launch further attacks and extort victims.
Panev is one of several individuals charged in connection with LockBit. Alongside him, other key figures have been indicted, including Dmitry Khoroshev, alleged to be "LockBitSupp," the group's primary creator and administrator. Khoroshev, still at large, is accused of developing the ransomware and coordinating attacks on an international scale. The State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for his capture.
Meanwhile, numerous members linked to LockBit remain fugitives, such as Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, each facing charges for deploying ransomware against multiple industries globally. Mikhail Matveev, another alleged LockBit affiliate, is also at large, with a $10 million reward for his capture. Matveev was recently charged with computer crimes in Russia. You can read the full criminal complaint against Panev here (PDF).
[ Read more of this story ]( https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2231217/justice-department-unveils-charges-against-alleged-lockbit-developer?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 00:22:01 2024-12-21
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged Russian-Israeli national, Rostislav Panev, for his alleged role as a developer in the LockBit ransomware group, accused of designing malware and maintaining infrastructure for attacks that extorted over $500 million and caused billions in global damages. CyberScoop reports: The arrest is part of a broader campaign by international law enforcement agencies to dismantle LockBit. In February, a coordinated operation led by the U.K.'s National Crime Agency in cooperation with the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department disrupted LockBit's infrastructure, seizing websites and servers critical to its operations. These efforts significantly curtailed the group's ability to launch further attacks and extort victims.
Panev is one of several individuals charged in connection with LockBit. Alongside him, other key figures have been indicted, including Dmitry Khoroshev, alleged to be "LockBitSupp," the group's primary creator and administrator. Khoroshev, still at large, is accused of developing the ransomware and coordinating attacks on an international scale. The State Department has offered a reward of up to $10 million for his capture.
Meanwhile, numerous members linked to LockBit remain fugitives, such as Russian nationals Artur Sungatov and Ivan Kondratyev, each facing charges for deploying ransomware against multiple industries globally. Mikhail Matveev, another alleged LockBit affiliate, is also at large, with a $10 million reward for his capture. Matveev was recently charged with computer crimes in Russia. You can read the full criminal complaint against Panev here (PDF).
[ Read more of this story ]( https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2231217/justice-department-unveils-charges-against-alleged-lockbit-developer?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Qualcomm Processors Properly Licensed From Arm, US Jury Finds
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 23:22:02 2024-12-20
Jurors delivered a mixed verdict on Friday, ruling that Qualcomm had properly licensed its central processor chips from Arm. This decision effectively concludes Arm's lawsuit against Qualcomm, which had the potential to disrupt the global smartphone and PC chip markets.
The dispute stemmed from Qualcomm's $1.4 billion acquisition of chip startup Nuvia in 2021. Arm claimed Qualcomm breached contract terms by using Nuvia's designs without permission, while Qualcomm maintained its existing agreement covers the acquired technology. Arm demanded Qualcomm destroy the Nuvia designs created before the acquisition. Reuters reports: An eight-person jury in U.S. federal court deadlocked on the question of whether Nuvia, a startup that Qualcomm purchased for $1.4 billion in 2021, breached the terms of its license with Arm. But the jury found that Qualcomm did not breach Nuvia's license with Arm.
The jury also found that Qualcomm's chips created using Nuvia technology, which have been central to Qualcomm's push into the personal computer market, are properly licensed under its own agreement with Arm, clearing the way for Qualcomm to continue selling them.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2216253/qualcomm-processors-properly-licensed-from-arm-us-jury-finds?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 23:22:02 2024-12-20
Jurors delivered a mixed verdict on Friday, ruling that Qualcomm had properly licensed its central processor chips from Arm. This decision effectively concludes Arm's lawsuit against Qualcomm, which had the potential to disrupt the global smartphone and PC chip markets.
The dispute stemmed from Qualcomm's $1.4 billion acquisition of chip startup Nuvia in 2021. Arm claimed Qualcomm breached contract terms by using Nuvia's designs without permission, while Qualcomm maintained its existing agreement covers the acquired technology. Arm demanded Qualcomm destroy the Nuvia designs created before the acquisition. Reuters reports: An eight-person jury in U.S. federal court deadlocked on the question of whether Nuvia, a startup that Qualcomm purchased for $1.4 billion in 2021, breached the terms of its license with Arm. But the jury found that Qualcomm did not breach Nuvia's license with Arm.
The jury also found that Qualcomm's chips created using Nuvia technology, which have been central to Qualcomm's push into the personal computer market, are properly licensed under its own agreement with Arm, clearing the way for Qualcomm to continue selling them.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2216253/qualcomm-processors-properly-licensed-from-arm-us-jury-finds?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Arizona's Getting an Online Charter School Taught Entirely By AI
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 22:22:01 2024-12-20
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: The newest online-only school greenlighted (PDF) by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools comes with a twist: The academic curriculum will be taught entirely by AI. Charter schools -- independently operated but publicly funded -- typically get greater autonomy compared to traditional public schools when it comes to how subjects are taught. But Unbound Academy's application, which proposes an "AI-driven adaptive learning technology" that "condenses academic instruction into a two-hour window," is a first for the model. (Unbound's founders have been running a similar program at a "high-end private school" in Texas, which appears to be in-person.)
Unbound's approach leans on edtech platforms like IXL and Khan Academy, and students engage with "interactive, AI-powered platforms that continuously adjust to their individual learning pace and style." There will be humans, just fewer of them, and maybe not actual accredited teachers: It will adopt a "human-in-the-loop" approach with "skilled guides" monitoring progress who can provide "targeted interventions" and coaching for each student. Academic instruction is whittled down to just two hours. The remainder of the students' day will include "life-skills workshops" covering areas such as critical thinking, creative problem-solving, financial literacy, public speaking, goal setting, and entrepreneurship. The online-only school targets students from fourth to eighth grades.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2211207/arizonas-getting-an-online-charter-school-taught-entirely-by-ai?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 22:22:01 2024-12-20
An anonymous reader quotes a report from TechCrunch: The newest online-only school greenlighted (PDF) by the Arizona State Board for Charter Schools comes with a twist: The academic curriculum will be taught entirely by AI. Charter schools -- independently operated but publicly funded -- typically get greater autonomy compared to traditional public schools when it comes to how subjects are taught. But Unbound Academy's application, which proposes an "AI-driven adaptive learning technology" that "condenses academic instruction into a two-hour window," is a first for the model. (Unbound's founders have been running a similar program at a "high-end private school" in Texas, which appears to be in-person.)
Unbound's approach leans on edtech platforms like IXL and Khan Academy, and students engage with "interactive, AI-powered platforms that continuously adjust to their individual learning pace and style." There will be humans, just fewer of them, and maybe not actual accredited teachers: It will adopt a "human-in-the-loop" approach with "skilled guides" monitoring progress who can provide "targeted interventions" and coaching for each student. Academic instruction is whittled down to just two hours. The remainder of the students' day will include "life-skills workshops" covering areas such as critical thinking, creative problem-solving, financial literacy, public speaking, goal setting, and entrepreneurship. The online-only school targets students from fourth to eighth grades.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/2211207/arizonas-getting-an-online-charter-school-taught-entirely-by-ai?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# CFPB Sues America's Largest Banks For 'Allowing Fraud To Fester' on Zelle
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 22:22:01 2024-12-20
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing America's three largest banks, accusing the institutions of failing to protect customers from fraud on Zelle, the payment platform they co-own. From a report: According to the suit, which also targets Early Warning Services LLC, Zelle's official operator, Zelle users have lost more than $870 million over the network's seven-year existence due to these alleged failures. "The nation's largest banks felt threatened by competing payment apps, so they rushed to put out Zelle," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in a statement. "By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves."
Among the charges:
1. Poor identity verification methods, which have allowed bad actors to quickly create accounts and target Zelle users.
2. Allowing repeat offenders to continue to gain access to the platform
3. Ignoring and failing to report instances of fraud
4. Failing to properly investigate consumer complaints
The CFPB's suit seeks to change the platform's operations, as well as obtain a civil money penalty, that would be paid into the CFPB's victims relief fund.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1851237/cfpb-sues-americas-largest-banks-for-allowing-fraud-to-fester-on-zelle?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 22:22:01 2024-12-20
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is suing America's three largest banks, accusing the institutions of failing to protect customers from fraud on Zelle, the payment platform they co-own. From a report: According to the suit, which also targets Early Warning Services LLC, Zelle's official operator, Zelle users have lost more than $870 million over the network's seven-year existence due to these alleged failures. "The nation's largest banks felt threatened by competing payment apps, so they rushed to put out Zelle," said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra in a statement. "By their failing to put in place proper safeguards, Zelle became a gold mine for fraudsters, while often leaving victims to fend for themselves."
Among the charges:
1. Poor identity verification methods, which have allowed bad actors to quickly create accounts and target Zelle users.
2. Allowing repeat offenders to continue to gain access to the platform
3. Ignoring and failing to report instances of fraud
4. Failing to properly investigate consumer complaints
The CFPB's suit seeks to change the platform's operations, as well as obtain a civil money penalty, that would be paid into the CFPB's victims relief fund.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1851237/cfpb-sues-americas-largest-banks-for-allowing-fraud-to-fester-on-zelle?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Apple Pulls Lightning-Equipped iPhones From Swiss Stores Ahead of EU USB-C Mandate
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 21:22:01 2024-12-20
Apple has started pulling its iPhone SE and iPhone 14 models from sale in Switzerland, signaling broader discontinuation across the European Union ahead of new USB-C charging requirements taking effect December 28.
The devices, which use Apple's proprietary Lightning port, disappeared from Swiss online stores today. Switzerland, while not an EU member, follows EU market rules. Apple-authorized resellers can continue selling existing stock until depleted. A new USB-C compatible iPhone SE is expected in March.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1839234/apple-pulls-lightning-equipped-iphones-from-swiss-stores-ahead-of-eu-usb-c-mandate?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 21:22:01 2024-12-20
Apple has started pulling its iPhone SE and iPhone 14 models from sale in Switzerland, signaling broader discontinuation across the European Union ahead of new USB-C charging requirements taking effect December 28.
The devices, which use Apple's proprietary Lightning port, disappeared from Swiss online stores today. Switzerland, while not an EU member, follows EU market rules. Apple-authorized resellers can continue selling existing stock until depleted. A new USB-C compatible iPhone SE is expected in March.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://apple.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1839234/apple-pulls-lightning-equipped-iphones-from-swiss-stores-ahead-of-eu-usb-c-mandate?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Michael Dell Says Adoption of AI PCs is 'Definitely Delayed'
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 21:22:01 2024-12-20
Dell CEO Michael Dell has acknowledged delays in corporate adoption of AI-enabled PCs but remains confident in their eventual widespread uptake, citing his four decades of industry experience with technology transitions.
The PC maker's chief executive told Fortune that while the current refresh cycle is "definitely delayed," adoption is inevitable once sufficient features drive customer demand. Meanwhile, Dell's infrastructure division saw 80% revenue growth last quarter from AI-server sales. The company is supplying servers for xAI's Colossus supercomputer project in Memphis and sees opportunities in "sovereign AI" systems for nations seeking technological independence. "Pick a country ranked by GDP, the [top] 49 other than the U.S., they all need one," Dell said.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/181253/michael-dell-says-adoption-of-ai-pcs-is-definitely-delayed?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 21:22:01 2024-12-20
Dell CEO Michael Dell has acknowledged delays in corporate adoption of AI-enabled PCs but remains confident in their eventual widespread uptake, citing his four decades of industry experience with technology transitions.
The PC maker's chief executive told Fortune that while the current refresh cycle is "definitely delayed," adoption is inevitable once sufficient features drive customer demand. Meanwhile, Dell's infrastructure division saw 80% revenue growth last quarter from AI-server sales. The company is supplying servers for xAI's Colossus supercomputer project in Memphis and sees opportunities in "sovereign AI" systems for nations seeking technological independence. "Pick a country ranked by GDP, the [top] 49 other than the U.S., they all need one," Dell said.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/181253/michael-dell-says-adoption-of-ai-pcs-is-definitely-delayed?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# We're About To Fly a Spacecraft Into the Sun For the First Time
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 20:22:01 2024-12-20
NASA's Parker Solar Probe will make its closest approach yet to the Sun on Christmas Eve, flying within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface and entering its atmosphere for the first time.
The spacecraft, which travels at speeds up to 430,000 miles per hour, aims to study the origins of solar wind -- the stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun's corona. The probe's heat shield will endure temperatures exceeding 2,500-degree Fahrenheit during the flyby, requiring specialized materials like sapphire crystal tubes and niobium wiring to protect its instruments.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1821229/were-about-to-fly-a-spacecraft-into-the-sun-for-the-first-time?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 20:22:01 2024-12-20
NASA's Parker Solar Probe will make its closest approach yet to the Sun on Christmas Eve, flying within 3.8 million miles of the solar surface and entering its atmosphere for the first time.
The spacecraft, which travels at speeds up to 430,000 miles per hour, aims to study the origins of solar wind -- the stream of charged particles emanating from the Sun's corona. The probe's heat shield will endure temperatures exceeding 2,500-degree Fahrenheit during the flyby, requiring specialized materials like sapphire crystal tubes and niobium wiring to protect its instruments.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1821229/were-about-to-fly-a-spacecraft-into-the-sun-for-the-first-time?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Why Online Returns Are a Hassle Now
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 20:22:01 2024-12-20
U.S. retailers are cracking down on free returns as costs spiral out of control, The Atlantic reports. Return rates have more than doubled since 2019, with shoppers expected to send back nearly $900 billion in merchandise this year.
Major chains like REI and JCPenney are now charging fees or requiring in-store drop-offs, abandoning years of customer-friendly policies. With each $100 return costing stores up to $30 to process, some retailers have given up entirely -- telling customers to keep cheap items rather than send them back.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1816259/why-online-returns-are-a-hassle-now?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 20:22:01 2024-12-20
U.S. retailers are cracking down on free returns as costs spiral out of control, The Atlantic reports. Return rates have more than doubled since 2019, with shoppers expected to send back nearly $900 billion in merchandise this year.
Major chains like REI and JCPenney are now charging fees or requiring in-store drop-offs, abandoning years of customer-friendly policies. With each $100 return costing stores up to $30 to process, some retailers have given up entirely -- telling customers to keep cheap items rather than send them back.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1816259/why-online-returns-are-a-hassle-now?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# OpenAI Unveils o3, a Smarter AI Model With Improved Reasoning Skills
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
OpenAI has unveiled a new AI model that it says takes longer to solve problems but gets better results, following Google's similar announcement a day earlier. The model, called o3, replaces o1 from September and spends extra time working through questions that need step-by-step reasoning.
It scores three times higher than o1 on ARC-AGI, a test measuring how well AI handles complex math and logic problems it hasn't seen before. "This is the beginning of the next phase of AI," CEO Sam Altman said during a livestream Friday.
The Microsoft-backed startup is keeping o3 under wraps for now but plans to let outside researchers test it.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1836246/openai-unveils-o3-a-smarter-ai-model-with-improved-reasoning-skills?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
OpenAI has unveiled a new AI model that it says takes longer to solve problems but gets better results, following Google's similar announcement a day earlier. The model, called o3, replaces o1 from September and spends extra time working through questions that need step-by-step reasoning.
It scores three times higher than o1 on ARC-AGI, a test measuring how well AI handles complex math and logic problems it hasn't seen before. "This is the beginning of the next phase of AI," CEO Sam Altman said during a livestream Friday.
The Microsoft-backed startup is keeping o3 under wraps for now but plans to let outside researchers test it.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1836246/openai-unveils-o3-a-smarter-ai-model-with-improved-reasoning-skills?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# US Data-Center Power Use Could Nearly Triple By 2028, DOE-Backed Report Says
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
U.S. data center power demand could nearly triple in the next three years, and consume as much as 12% of the country's electricity, as the industry undergoes an AI transformation, according to an unpublished Department of Energy-backed report seen by Reuters. The publication adds: The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report, which is expected to be released on Friday, comes as the U.S. power industry and government agencies attempt to understand how the sudden rise of Big Tech's data-center demand will affect electrical grids, power bills and the climate.
By 2028, data-center annual energy use could reach between 74 and 132 gigawatts, or between 6.7% and 12% of total U.S. electricity consumption, according to the Berkeley Lab report. The industry standard-setting report included ranges that depended partly on the availability and demand for a type of AI chip known as GPUs. Currently, data centers make up a little more than 4% of the country's power load. "This really signals to us where the frontier is in terms of growing energy demand in the U.S.," said Avi Shultz, director of the DOE's Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1755236/us-data-center-power-use-could-nearly-triple-by-2028-doe-backed-report-says?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
U.S. data center power demand could nearly triple in the next three years, and consume as much as 12% of the country's electricity, as the industry undergoes an AI transformation, according to an unpublished Department of Energy-backed report seen by Reuters. The publication adds: The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report, which is expected to be released on Friday, comes as the U.S. power industry and government agencies attempt to understand how the sudden rise of Big Tech's data-center demand will affect electrical grids, power bills and the climate.
By 2028, data-center annual energy use could reach between 74 and 132 gigawatts, or between 6.7% and 12% of total U.S. electricity consumption, according to the Berkeley Lab report. The industry standard-setting report included ranges that depended partly on the availability and demand for a type of AI chip known as GPUs. Currently, data centers make up a little more than 4% of the country's power load. "This really signals to us where the frontier is in terms of growing energy demand in the U.S.," said Avi Shultz, director of the DOE's Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1755236/us-data-center-power-use-could-nearly-triple-by-2028-doe-backed-report-says?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# FDA Sets Stricter Rules for 'Healthy' Food Labels
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has unveiled stricter criteria for food manufacturers to label their products as "healthy," marking the first major update to the definition in 30 years.
The new rule requires products to meet specific thresholds for nutrients while limiting sodium, saturated fat and added sugars. Under the guidelines, foods must contain minimum amounts of nutrient-dense ingredients like fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Saturated fats cannot exceed 5% of daily recommended value, while sodium is capped at 10%. Manufacturers have until February 2028 to comply with the regulations.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1721248/fda-sets-stricter-rules-for-healthy-food-labels?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has unveiled stricter criteria for food manufacturers to label their products as "healthy," marking the first major update to the definition in 30 years.
The new rule requires products to meet specific thresholds for nutrients while limiting sodium, saturated fat and added sugars. Under the guidelines, foods must contain minimum amounts of nutrient-dense ingredients like fruits, vegetables, or whole grains. Saturated fats cannot exceed 5% of daily recommended value, while sodium is capped at 10%. Manufacturers have until February 2028 to comply with the regulations.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1721248/fda-sets-stricter-rules-for-healthy-food-labels?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Academic Writing is Getting Harder To Read
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
Academic writing has become significantly less readable over the past 80 years, particularly in humanities and social sciences, according to an analysis of 347,000 PhD abstracts by The Economist. Using the Flesch reading-ease test, researchers found that readability scores in humanities and social sciences plunged from 37 in the 1940s to 18 in the 2020s. The decline was observed across all disciplines, with humanities and social sciences becoming as complex as natural sciences by the 1990s. The study, examining abstracts from 1812 to 2023, covered English-language doctoral theses from British universities.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1524250/academic-writing-is-getting-harder-to-read?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 19:22:01 2024-12-20
Academic writing has become significantly less readable over the past 80 years, particularly in humanities and social sciences, according to an analysis of 347,000 PhD abstracts by The Economist. Using the Flesch reading-ease test, researchers found that readability scores in humanities and social sciences plunged from 37 in the 1940s to 18 in the 2020s. The decline was observed across all disciplines, with humanities and social sciences becoming as complex as natural sciences by the 1990s. The study, examining abstracts from 1812 to 2023, covered English-language doctoral theses from British universities.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://news.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1524250/academic-writing-is-getting-harder-to-read?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Japanese Firm's USB-C Cable Rotates 360 Degrees
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 16:22:01 2024-12-20
Japanese electronics manufacturer Sanwa Supply has launched a rotating USB-C cable capable of 240W power delivery but sadly USB 2.0 transfer speeds, Tom'sHardware reports. The $16 cable features a 360-degree rotating connector and is available in 1-meter and 1.8-meter lengths, with both USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to USB-C options, the report adds.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://it.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1512221/japanese-firms-usb-c-cable-rotates-360-degrees?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 16:22:01 2024-12-20
Japanese electronics manufacturer Sanwa Supply has launched a rotating USB-C cable capable of 240W power delivery but sadly USB 2.0 transfer speeds, Tom'sHardware reports. The $16 cable features a 360-degree rotating connector and is available in 1-meter and 1.8-meter lengths, with both USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to USB-C options, the report adds.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://it.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1512221/japanese-firms-usb-c-cable-rotates-360-degrees?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Steam Gamers Spend Just 15% of Time on New Releases
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 16:22:01 2024-12-20
Steam users spent only 15% of their total gaming time on new releases in 2024, according to the platform's year-end review, an increase from 9% in 2023 but below 2022's 17%.
Legacy titles dominated playtime, with 47% spent on games released in the past seven years and 37% on titles older than eight years. New online games like Helldivers 2 and Black Myth: Wukong helped drive 2024's modest uptick in new game engagement across Steam's library of over 200,000 titles, while established service games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2 maintained their long-standing popularity.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://games.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/151224/steam-gamers-spend-just-15-of-time-on-new-releases?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 16:22:01 2024-12-20
Steam users spent only 15% of their total gaming time on new releases in 2024, according to the platform's year-end review, an increase from 9% in 2023 but below 2022's 17%.
Legacy titles dominated playtime, with 47% spent on games released in the past seven years and 37% on titles older than eight years. New online games like Helldivers 2 and Black Myth: Wukong helped drive 2024's modest uptick in new game engagement across Steam's library of over 200,000 titles, while established service games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2 maintained their long-standing popularity.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://games.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/151224/steam-gamers-spend-just-15-of-time-on-new-releases?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Google Cuts Managers and VPs in Efficiency Drive
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 15:22:01 2024-12-20
Google has reduced its senior management positions by 10% as part of an ongoing efficiency initiative, CEO Sundar Pichai announced during a company-wide meeting earlier this week.
The restructuring affected managers, directors, and vice presidents, with some roles eliminated and others converted to non-management positions, a Google spokesperson told BusinessInsider. The move follows Google's January 2023 layoff of 12,000 employees and Pichai's September 2022 goal to improve company efficiency by 20%.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1438217/google-cuts-managers-and-vps-in-efficiency-drive?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 15:22:01 2024-12-20
Google has reduced its senior management positions by 10% as part of an ongoing efficiency initiative, CEO Sundar Pichai announced during a company-wide meeting earlier this week.
The restructuring affected managers, directors, and vice presidents, with some roles eliminated and others converted to non-management positions, a Google spokesperson told BusinessInsider. The move follows Google's January 2023 layoff of 12,000 employees and Pichai's September 2022 goal to improve company efficiency by 20%.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/1438217/google-cuts-managers-and-vps-in-efficiency-drive?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Senators Rip Into Automakers For Selling Customer Data and Blocking Right To Repair
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 14:22:01 2024-12-20
A bipartisan group of senators is calling out the auto industry for its "hypocritical, profit-driven" opposition to national right-to-repair legislation, while also selling customer data to insurance companies and other third-party interests. From a report: In a letter sent to the CEOs of the top automakers, the trio of legislators -- Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) -- urge them to better protect customer privacy, while also dropping their opposition to state and national right-to-repair efforts.
"Right-to-repair laws support consumer choice and prevent automakers from using restrictive repair laws to their financial advantage," the senators write. "It is clear that the motivation behind automotive companies' avoidance of complying with right-to-repair laws is not due to a concern for consumer security or privacy, but instead a hypocritical, profit-driven reaction."
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/147242/senators-rip-into-automakers-for-selling-customer-data-and-blocking-right-to-repair?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 14:22:01 2024-12-20
A bipartisan group of senators is calling out the auto industry for its "hypocritical, profit-driven" opposition to national right-to-repair legislation, while also selling customer data to insurance companies and other third-party interests. From a report: In a letter sent to the CEOs of the top automakers, the trio of legislators -- Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) -- urge them to better protect customer privacy, while also dropping their opposition to state and national right-to-repair efforts.
"Right-to-repair laws support consumer choice and prevent automakers from using restrictive repair laws to their financial advantage," the senators write. "It is clear that the motivation behind automotive companies' avoidance of complying with right-to-repair laws is not due to a concern for consumer security or privacy, but instead a hypocritical, profit-driven reaction."
[ Read more of this story ]( https://tech.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/147242/senators-rip-into-automakers-for-selling-customer-data-and-blocking-right-to-repair?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# This VPN Lets Anyone Use Your Internet Connection. What Could Go Wrong?
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 12:22:01 2024-12-20
Teenagers using Meta's virtual reality headsets to cheat at the popular game Gorilla Tag are unknowingly selling access to their home internet connections to potential cybercriminals, cybersecurity researchers found. The players have been side-loading Big Mama VPN, a free Android app, onto their VR headsets to create lag that makes it easier to win the tag-based game. However, the app simultaneously operates as a residential proxy service, selling access to users' IP addresses on a marketplace frequented by cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro discovered VR headsets were the third most common devices using Big Mama VPN, after Samsung and Xiaomi devices. The company's proxy services have been promoted on cybercrime forums and were linked to at least one cyberattack, according to research from security firms Trend Micro and Kela.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/0458214/this-vpn-lets-anyone-use-your-internet-connection-what-could-go-wrong?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 12:22:01 2024-12-20
Teenagers using Meta's virtual reality headsets to cheat at the popular game Gorilla Tag are unknowingly selling access to their home internet connections to potential cybercriminals, cybersecurity researchers found. The players have been side-loading Big Mama VPN, a free Android app, onto their VR headsets to create lag that makes it easier to win the tag-based game. However, the app simultaneously operates as a residential proxy service, selling access to users' IP addresses on a marketplace frequented by cybercriminals.
Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro discovered VR headsets were the third most common devices using Big Mama VPN, after Samsung and Xiaomi devices. The company's proxy services have been promoted on cybercrime forums and were linked to at least one cyberattack, according to research from security firms Trend Micro and Kela.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://yro.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/0458214/this-vpn-lets-anyone-use-your-internet-connection-what-could-go-wrong?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# China's TCL Overtakes Samsung in Premium Market For Ultra-Large TVs
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 10:22:02 2024-12-20
Chinese TVs, once dismissed as "cheap and low-quality," are making strides in the premium market, overtaking Samsung, the world's top TV manufacturer. From a report: TCL, a leading Chinese TV brand, surpassed Samsung in the 80-inch and larger TV market for the first time in the second quarter. Another Chinese electronics company, Hisense, is closely trailing Samsung in this market.
TCL maintained the lead in the 80-inch and larger TV market in the third quarter with a 23% market share( based on shipments), surpassing Samsung Electronics for the second consecutive quarter, according to market research firm Omdia on Dec. 19.
Samsung's share fell from 26% in the third quarter of last year to 19% this year. Hisense is also closing in on Samsung, narrowing the market share gap from 11 percentage points to just 1.65 points over the past year. LG Electronics is facing similar challenges, losing its third-place market share position to Hisense last year.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/0514242/chinas-tcl-overtakes-samsung-in-premium-market-for-ultra-large-tvs?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 10:22:02 2024-12-20
Chinese TVs, once dismissed as "cheap and low-quality," are making strides in the premium market, overtaking Samsung, the world's top TV manufacturer. From a report: TCL, a leading Chinese TV brand, surpassed Samsung in the 80-inch and larger TV market for the first time in the second quarter. Another Chinese electronics company, Hisense, is closely trailing Samsung in this market.
TCL maintained the lead in the 80-inch and larger TV market in the third quarter with a 23% market share( based on shipments), surpassing Samsung Electronics for the second consecutive quarter, according to market research firm Omdia on Dec. 19.
Samsung's share fell from 26% in the third quarter of last year to 19% this year. Hisense is also closing in on Samsung, narrowing the market share gap from 11 percentage points to just 1.65 points over the past year. LG Electronics is facing similar challenges, losing its third-place market share position to Hisense last year.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://entertainment.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/0514242/chinas-tcl-overtakes-samsung-in-premium-market-for-ultra-large-tvs?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Russia Space Chief Says Country Will Fly On Space Station Until 2030
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 07:22:01 2024-12-20
Ars Technica's Eric Berger reports: In a wide-ranging interview with a Russian television station, the chief executive of Russia's main space corporation said the country is now planning to participate in the International Space Station project all the way to NASA's desired goal of 2030. "In coordination with our American colleagues, we plan to de-orbit the station sometime around the beginning of 2030," the country's chief space official, Yuri Borisov, said during the interview. "The final scenario will probably be specified after the transition to a new NASA administration."
While the documents for such an extension have not been signed, these comments appear to represent a change in tone from Russia. When he first became head of Roscosmos in 2022, Borisov said Russia would leave the station partnership "after" 2024, which was interpreted as shortly thereafter. Later, Russia committed to working with NASA to keep the orbital outpost flying only through 2028. The US space agency has expressed a consistent desire to keep flying the station until 2030, after which point it hopes that private space station operators can provide one or more replacement facilities.
Borisov said the aging station, elements of which have now been in space for more than a quarter of a century, are becoming difficult to maintain. "Today our cosmonauts have to spend more time repairing equipment and less and less time conducting experiments," he said. Borisov also discussed Russia's challenges of getting private investment in space-related activities, saying: "In the West, particularly in America, 70 percent of space services are provided by satellite constellations created by private companies. This process has only just begun with us. This is a very risky business for potential investors."
"Right now, the dynamic growth of private space is being influenced by the general economic situation (likely referring to Russia's costly war in Ukraine), high inflation and interest rates, which leads to expensive money for private investors. We can hope that this will be a temporary period and more favorable times will come soon."
[ Read more of this story ]( https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/004223/russia-space-chief-says-country-will-fly-on-space-station-until-2030?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 07:22:01 2024-12-20
Ars Technica's Eric Berger reports: In a wide-ranging interview with a Russian television station, the chief executive of Russia's main space corporation said the country is now planning to participate in the International Space Station project all the way to NASA's desired goal of 2030. "In coordination with our American colleagues, we plan to de-orbit the station sometime around the beginning of 2030," the country's chief space official, Yuri Borisov, said during the interview. "The final scenario will probably be specified after the transition to a new NASA administration."
While the documents for such an extension have not been signed, these comments appear to represent a change in tone from Russia. When he first became head of Roscosmos in 2022, Borisov said Russia would leave the station partnership "after" 2024, which was interpreted as shortly thereafter. Later, Russia committed to working with NASA to keep the orbital outpost flying only through 2028. The US space agency has expressed a consistent desire to keep flying the station until 2030, after which point it hopes that private space station operators can provide one or more replacement facilities.
Borisov said the aging station, elements of which have now been in space for more than a quarter of a century, are becoming difficult to maintain. "Today our cosmonauts have to spend more time repairing equipment and less and less time conducting experiments," he said. Borisov also discussed Russia's challenges of getting private investment in space-related activities, saying: "In the West, particularly in America, 70 percent of space services are provided by satellite constellations created by private companies. This process has only just begun with us. This is a very risky business for potential investors."
"Right now, the dynamic growth of private space is being influenced by the general economic situation (likely referring to Russia's costly war in Ukraine), high inflation and interest rates, which leads to expensive money for private investors. We can hope that this will be a temporary period and more favorable times will come soon."
[ Read more of this story ]( https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/12/20/004223/russia-space-chief-says-country-will-fly-on-space-station-until-2030?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
# Is There a Brain Microbiome?
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 04:22:02 2024-12-20
An anonymous reader quotes an opinion piece from The Guardian, written by Prof Mark Pallen and Dr Aimee Parker (Quadram Institute, Norwich), Prof Nick Loman (University of Birmingham), Prof Alan Walker (University of Aberdeen): Contrary to what is implied in [this article], the weight of expert opinion in medical microbiology rejects the existence of a "brain microbiome" in the sense of a resident microbial community in healthy human brains. While pathogenic microbes -- such as Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease, or fungal pathogens like Cryptococcus neoformans -- can invade the brain and cause neurological symptoms, these are examples of infections, not evidence of a native microbial community.
Similarly, cognitive benefits of vaccines can be explained by their role in preventing infections or modulating immune responses and inflammation, rather than any impact on a "brain microbiome." Furthermore, the studies cited in the article have not undergone independent validation, nor do they provide any kind of consistent picture. This mirrors controversies around other supposed microbiomes -- such as that of the placenta -- which have failed to withstand independent scrutiny. Over a decade of research indicates that contamination, typically from laboratory reagents, is the most plausible explanation for such findings, particularly when even supposedly ultrapure water has been shown to harbor DNA signatures and culturable microbes.
If diverse microbes are truly abundant in the brain, why have they not been repeatedly and consistently cultured in over a century and a half of medical microbiology? Why have they not been observed in numerous microscopy studies of human brain tissue? Efforts to explore overlooked roles of microbes in neurological conditions are welcome, but they must be grounded in robust and reproducible science -- not speculative discussion of a "brain microbiome." In the article mentioned above, author Amy Fleming discusses the emerging research connecting infections such as Borrelia, Cryptococcus, and herpes viruses to reversible dementia, challenging the long-held belief that the brain is sterile.
She highlights the Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative, which investigates how brain infections may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's, with the goal of developing new diagnostic tools and treatments. Vaccines like BCG and zoster have shown protective effects, while good hygiene, oral health, and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce risks.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/12/19/2353219/is-there-a-brain-microbiome?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.
robot (spnet, 1) → All – 04:22:02 2024-12-20
An anonymous reader quotes an opinion piece from The Guardian, written by Prof Mark Pallen and Dr Aimee Parker (Quadram Institute, Norwich), Prof Nick Loman (University of Birmingham), Prof Alan Walker (University of Aberdeen): Contrary to what is implied in [this article], the weight of expert opinion in medical microbiology rejects the existence of a "brain microbiome" in the sense of a resident microbial community in healthy human brains. While pathogenic microbes -- such as Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease, or fungal pathogens like Cryptococcus neoformans -- can invade the brain and cause neurological symptoms, these are examples of infections, not evidence of a native microbial community.
Similarly, cognitive benefits of vaccines can be explained by their role in preventing infections or modulating immune responses and inflammation, rather than any impact on a "brain microbiome." Furthermore, the studies cited in the article have not undergone independent validation, nor do they provide any kind of consistent picture. This mirrors controversies around other supposed microbiomes -- such as that of the placenta -- which have failed to withstand independent scrutiny. Over a decade of research indicates that contamination, typically from laboratory reagents, is the most plausible explanation for such findings, particularly when even supposedly ultrapure water has been shown to harbor DNA signatures and culturable microbes.
If diverse microbes are truly abundant in the brain, why have they not been repeatedly and consistently cultured in over a century and a half of medical microbiology? Why have they not been observed in numerous microscopy studies of human brain tissue? Efforts to explore overlooked roles of microbes in neurological conditions are welcome, but they must be grounded in robust and reproducible science -- not speculative discussion of a "brain microbiome." In the article mentioned above, author Amy Fleming discusses the emerging research connecting infections such as Borrelia, Cryptococcus, and herpes viruses to reversible dementia, challenging the long-held belief that the brain is sterile.
She highlights the Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative, which investigates how brain infections may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's, with the goal of developing new diagnostic tools and treatments. Vaccines like BCG and zoster have shown protective effects, while good hygiene, oral health, and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce risks.
[ Read more of this story ]( https://science.slashdot.org/story/24/12/19/2353219/is-there-a-brain-microbiome?utm_source=atom1.0moreanon&utm_medium=feed ) at Slashdot.