AP Top Technology News at 7:06 a.m. EDT
How TikTok grew from a fun app for teens into a potential national security threat
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Yahoo FinanceGoogle Search gets biggest overhaul in years with new generative AI features
Google is bringing some of the biggest changes to its search platform in years.
- TechCrunch
UnitedHealth data breach should be a wake-up call for the UK and NHS
The ransomware attack that has engulfed U.S. health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group and its tech subsidiary Change Healthcare is a data privacy nightmare for millions of U.S. patients, with CEO Andrew Witty confirming this week that it may impact as much as one-third of the country. As one of the largest healthcare companies in the U.S., UnitedHealth is well known domestically, intersecting with every facet of the healthcare industry from insurance and billing and winding all the way through the physician and pharmacy networks -- it's a $500 billion juggernaut, and the 11th largest company globally by revenue.
- TechCrunch
OnlyFans hits UK regulator's radar for age-verification failures around porn access
U.K. regulator Ofcom is investigating OnlyFans, an online adult content subscription service, for failing to prevent children from accessing pornography through the platform. Ofcom, the official regulatory body for the U.K.'s broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries, says it has grounds to suspect that OnlyFans' parent company, Fenix International Limited, failed to implement age-verification measures sufficiently. The regulator is also investigating whether Fenix may have provided incomplete or inaccurate information as part of two information request notices issued by Ofcom — one in June 2022, and another in June 2023.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
UnitedHealthcare CEO says 'maybe a third' of US citizens were affected by recent hack
Two months after hackers broke into Change Healthcare systems stealing and then encrypting company data, it’s still unclear how many Americans were impacted by the cyberattack. Last month, Andrew Witty, the CEO of Change Healthcare’s parent company UnitedHealth Group, said that the stolen files include the personal health information of “a substantial proportion of people in America.” On Wednesday, during a House hearing, when pushed to give a more definitive answer, Witty testified that the breach impacted “I think, maybe a third [of Americans] or somewhere of that level.”
- Engadget
OpenAI is reportedly working on a search feature for ChatGPT
According to Bloomberg, the company is currently developing the capability, which can scour the web for answers to your queries and spit out results complete with citations to their sources.
- 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.
- TechCrunch
Retell AI lets companies build 'voice agents' to answer phone calls
Call centers are embracing automation. According to research firm TechSci Research, the global market for contact center AI could grow to nearly $3 billion in 2028, from $2.4 billion in 2022. Meanwhile, a recent survey found that around half of contact centers plan to adopt some form of AI in the next year.
- Yahoo Sports
NFL schedule release: The top 10 must watch games of the regular season
What are the most anticipated games for this NFL season?
- Yahoo Sports
2024 NBA Mock Draft 7.0: Who will the Hawks take at No. 1? Our projections for every pick with lottery order now set
With the lottery order set, here's a look at Yahoo Sports' projections for both rounds of the 2024 NBA Draft.
- Yahoo Sports
What scouts think of Bronny James' NBA prospects
The biggest question looming over the NBA draft combine this week: How will Bronny James do?
- Yahoo Sports
Fox Sports host Doug Gottlieb hired as Green Bay's coach, will reportedly still host radio show
Gottlieb's repeatedly courted controversy in his media role and will reportedly continue to host his nationally syndicated radio show while coaching Green Bay.
- Yahoo Sports
Your favorite WNBA rookies didn’t make the cut. So what’s their path back to the league?
For rookies who were waived, the climb to their pro dreams is steeper, but the path ahead is well-worn with trail markers of established success.
- Yahoo Sports
Rory McIlroy files for divorce from wife Erica after seven years of marriage
On the eve of the PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy has filed for divorce from his wife, Erica.
- Yahoo Sports
The Spin: Making a call on 5 slumping fantasy baseball stars
All five of these hitters were drafted highly in fantasy baseball leagues. So far, they have not lived up to their ADPs — and that's an understatement. Scott Pianowski analyzes.
- Yahoo Sports
Where does Jared Goff’s $212M extension leave Dak Prescott and Cowboys?
In one scenario, Dallas makes Prescott the highest paid player in NFL history. In another, the Cowboys decline that commitment, at which point another team will make him the top paid player in NFL history.
- Yahoo Finance
JPMorgan gives a lift to another troubled regional bank
JPMorgan Chase is once again providing a lift to another troubled regional lender a year after it helped calm a banking crisis. This time, it's NYCB.
- Yahoo Finance
Utility stocks are on fire — here are Wall Street analysts' top picks
Utility stocks are outperforming the broader markets. Here's a look at three top picks from analysts.