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TechCrunchRansomware gang's new extortion trick? Calling the front desk
Instead, two different employees put him on hold until Beth, from HR, answers the call. “Hi, Beth, how are you doing?” the hacker said. After a minute in which the two have trouble hearing each other, Beth tells the hacker that she is not familiar with the data breach that the hacker claimed.
- Engadget
EU criticizes Meta's 'privacy for cash' business model
The European Data Protection Board states Meta and other big players should forego "consent or pay" models.
- TechCrunch
Nvidia acquires AI workload management startup Run:ai for $700M, sources say
Nvidia is acquiring Run:ai, a Tel Aviv-based company that makes it easier for developers and operations teams to manage and optimize their AI hardware infrastructure. CTech reported earlier this morning the companies were in "advanced negotiations" that could see Nvidia pay upwards of $1 billion for Run:ai. Nvidia says that it'll continue to offer Run:ai’s products "under the same business model" and invest in Run:ai's product roadmap as part of Nvidia's DGX Cloud AI platform, which gives enterprise customers access to compute infrastructure and software that they can use to train models for generative and other forms of AI.
- TechCrunch
Google goes all in on generative AI at Google Cloud Next
This week in Las Vegas, 30,000 folks came together to hear the latest and greatest from Google Cloud. What they heard was all generative AI, all the time. Google Cloud is first and foremost a cloud infrastructure and platform vendor.
- TechCrunch
US says Russian hackers stole federal government emails during Microsoft cyberattack
U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has confirmed that Russian government-backed hackers stole emails from several U.S. federal agencies as a result of an ongoing cyberattack at Microsoft. In a statement published Thursday, the U.S. cyber agency said the cyberattack, which Microsoft initially disclosed in January, allowed the hackers to steal federal government emails "through a successful compromise of Microsoft corporate email accounts."
- TechCrunch
Twitter co-founder Biz Stone joins board of Mastodon's new US nonprofit
Biz Stone, a Twitter co-founder, is among those who have joined the board of directors of Mastodon's new U.S. nonprofit, Mastodon CEO Eugen Rochko announced over the weekend. Mastodon's service, an open source, decentralized social network and rival to Elon Musk's X, has gained increased attention following the Twitter acquisition as users sought alternatives to X's would-be "everything app" that felt more like the old Twitter of days past. Mastodon only somewhat fits that bill.
- TechCrunch
How United Airlines uses AI to make flying the friendly skies a bit easier
When you board a United Airlines plane, the gate agents, flight attendants and others involved in making sure your plane leaves on time are in a chatroom coordinating a lot of the work that you, as a passenger, will hopefully never notice. When a flight is delayed, a message with an explanation will arrive by text and in the United app. Jason Birnbaum, who became United's CIO in 2022, manages a team of over 1,500 employees and about 2,000 contractors who are responsible for all of the tech that makes this happen.
- Engadget
The European Union will reportedly open a new investigation into Meta over election policies
The European Union is getting ready to launch a new investigation into Meta over its handling of election-related content.
- Engadget
ISPs roll out mandatory broadband 'nutrition' labels that show speeds, fees and data allowances
Starting today, big ISPs with more than 100,000 subscribers will be required to display "nutrition labels" both in store and online under a new FCC rule.
- TechCrunch
Indian audio giant boAt says it's investigating suspected customer data breach
India's largest audio and wearables brand boAt is investigating a possible data breach after hackers advertised a cache of alleged customer data online. A sample of alleged customer data was uploaded on a known cybercrime forum, which includes full names, phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses and order numbers. In a statement emailed to TechCrunch, boAt said it was investigating the matter but did not disclose specifics.
- Engadget
From its start, Gmail conditioned us to trade privacy for free services
If Gmail proved anything, it was that people would, for the most part, accept any terms of service. Or at least not care enough to read the fine-print closely.
- TechCrunch
Meta to close Threads in Turkey to comply with injunction prohibiting data sharing with Instagram
Meta said on Monday that it plans to "temporarily" shutter Threads in Turkey from April 29, in response to an interim injunction imposed by the Turkish competition authority last month over the way Meta shares data between Threads and Instagram. The Turkish Competition Authority (TCA), known as Rekabet Kurumu, noted on March 18 that its investigations found that Meta was abusing its dominant market position by combining the data of users who create Threads profiles with that of their Instagram account — without giving users the choice to opt in.
- TechCrunch
TechCrunch Minute: FTC bans noncompetes, court challenge incoming
The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 this week to ban noncompete agreements. While the FTC estimates that nearly one in five American workers is subject to a noncompete, these agreements haven’t been a huge issue in Silicon Valley, because they’re not enforceable in California. This has arguably been one of the region’s competitive advantages, as it allows employees to start something new without worrying (in most cases) that they’ll have to spend the next few years battling their old employer in court.
- Yahoo Life Shopping
These ultra-flattering one-piece swimsuits are 30% off during Target Circle Week — they start at just $14
Is the beach beckoning? Stay stylish, comfortable and covered without overspending.
- Yahoo Sports
Formula 1: Miami Grand Prix sends cease and desist letter to prevent Donald Trump fundraiser during race
Race organizers say they'll revoke a Trump fundraiser's suite license if he holds an event for the former president on Sunday at the race.
- Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams | Zero Blitz
Jason Fitz and Frank Schwab join forces to recap the draft in the best way they know how: letter grades! Fitz and Frank discuss all 32 teams division by division as they give a snapshot of how fans should be feeling heading into the 2024 season. The duo have key debates on the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and more.
- Yahoo Sports
New details emerge in alleged gambling ring behind Shohei Ohtani-Ippei Mizuhara scandal
It turns out the money was going from Ohtani's bank account to an illegal bookie to ... casinos.
- Yahoo Life Shopping
Does castor oil really help with hair growth? We asked the experts, and their answer may surprise you
It's inexpensive, but is it effective? Dermatologists' verdict is in — and it's unanimous.
- Yahoo Sports
NFL Draft: Bears take Iowa punter, who immediately receives funny text from Caleb Williams
There haven't been many punters drafted in the fourth round or higher like Tory Taylor just was. Chicago's No. 1 overall pick welcomed him in unique fashion.
- Yahoo Sports
Chiefs sign Travis Kelce to new contract that reportedly makes him highest-paid TE in NFL
Travis Kelce has reportedly gotten a raise.