Technology

In a significant update, the social media platform known as “X” has significantly expanded its availability across Brazil, aiming to connect more users across the country’s diverse media landscape. The development marks a pivotal moment for digital inclusivity in Brazil, reflecting the platform’s commitment to improving connectivity and engagement among users across diverse demographics. The recent software upgrade has successfully expanded the network's capacity, allowing more Brazilians to access its features, which include real-time communication, media sharing and global networking. The initiative is part of 'X's broader strategy to increase its presence in emerging markets, where Internet access is quickly…

In a significant move to safeguard election integrity, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed groundbreaking legislation aimed at regulating AI-powered voter impersonations, commonly known as “deepfakes.” The new mandates, signed Tuesday, are designed to force social media platforms to actively moderate such content. Among the bills passed, one bill stands out as particularly innovative, establishing unprecedented standards for social media oversight. This bill, along with two others, focuses on prohibiting or mandating clear labeling of AI-generated misleading content that could influence elections. While only one of these laws will be effective in time to impact the upcoming 2024 presidential election,…

Caroline Ellison, once a key figure in Sam Bankman-Fried’s cryptocurrency network, could receive a lenient sentence due to her extensive cooperation with federal authorities, the latest indictment documents indicate. Ellison, a former executive at the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 24, following her guilty plea to fraud charges related to the exchange’s dramatic collapse. Ellison’s legal team asked Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to impose a sentence of three years’ probation with no prison time, demonstrating his substantial assistance to the prosecution. Although prosecutors declined to suggest a specific sentence, they acknowledged his cooperation as…

Instagram has announced significant updates aimed at protecting its youngest users, responding to growing concerns about the safety of children on its platform. The social media giant, a subsidiary of Meta, is rolling out features designed to safeguard privacy and reduce the negative impact of social media on teens. Starting soon, Instagram will set the accounts of all users under the age of 18 to private by default. This change ensures that only approved followers can see their posts. Additionally, the company is limiting late-night interactions by disabling notifications for these users from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., promoting better…

In a key legal battle in Washington, D.C., TikTok and its Chinese parent company ByteDance are facing intense scrutiny from U.S. federal courts. The proceedings examine TikTok’s challenge to a proposed U.S. law that could severely limit its operations in the country. During these court sessions, the focus has been on probing questions posed to TikTok’s legal team, centered on issues of data security and the implications of foreign ownership on U.S. national security interests. These legal battles are not only crucial to TikTok’s future in the U.S., but also to the broader tech industry, encapsulating significant debates about privacy…

In a historic achievement for private space exploration, billionaire Jared Isaacman and SpaceX engineer Sarah Gillis have successfully completed the inaugural private spacewalk. This landmark event, part of the Polaris Dawn mission, marked a significant milestone in the use of commercial space technologies. In the early hours of a Thursday morning, the two astronauts ventured out of their spacecraft, the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which does not have a traditional airlock. The method, reminiscent of early spacewalk techniques used in the 1960s by NASA and Soviet astronauts, involved depressurizing the entire cabin to allow for egress and reentry. Isaacman, who is…

In a recent incident at the Vineyard Wind 1 facility off the coast of Massachusetts, a wind turbine blade over 300 feet long failed catastrophically. This event has raised significant concerns among local communities, particularly affecting the fishing industry due to debris that poses hazards to navigation. The breakage of this blade in July not only led to the closure of beaches near Nantucket, but also increased anxiety among local fishermen, who fear potential damage to their boats. The incident underscores the growing problems associated with the burgeoning clean energy sector, which tries to balance ecological benefits with practical challenges…

Elon Musk has significantly improved his personal security record as threats against him have increased. Recognized as one of the wealthiest individuals on the planet, Musk now employs a team of bodyguards that operate with the efficiency and rigor of a small-scale secret service. The need for such stringent security measures became clear the day before Musk was scheduled to speak at the launch event for Tesla’s innovative Cybertruck in November. A disturbing incident occurred when Paul Overeem was arrested near Tesla’s Austin facility. Authorities charged him with planning a mass casualty event, highlighting the grave security concerns surrounding high-profile…

In a recent presentation, Apple introduced its latest suite of gadgets, capturing the attention of tech enthusiasts around the world. Highlights included the new AirPods, designed to double as hearing aids, and updates to the Apple Watch that can detect sleep apnea. These innovations highlight Apple's continued push to integrate health and accessibility into its product lineup. In conjunction with our discussion of the best times to buy the latest iPhone, we also delve into the thoughts of Yuval Noah Harari, the renowned author of bestselling books like "Sapiens" and "Homo Deus." Harari recently shared his thoughts on the potential…

Sam Bankman-Fried, the embattled founder of the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange FTX, has launched an appeal against his conviction on multiple criminal charges, including fraud and money laundering. Convicted last fall, he is currently serving a 25-year sentence. The appeal, filed Friday, challenges decisions made by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan during the trial, which took place in Federal District Court in Manhattan. Bankman-Fried's legal team argues that the judge's decisions severely limited the defense's ability to present certain evidence, thereby compromising a fair trial. The appeal document, which runs to more than 100 pages, calls for a new trial to reevaluate…