News/Privacy
Apple details 4 breakthrough AI innovations in new technical report
Apple released a comprehensive technical report detailing how it built its latest artificial intelligence models, offering rare insights into the company's approach to competing in the increasingly crowded AI landscape. The 2025 Apple Intelligence Foundation Language Models Tech Report reveals significant architectural innovations and training improvements that could help close the gap with competitors like OpenAI and Google. Apple Intelligence, the company's suite of AI-powered features launched in 2024, has faced criticism for limited language support and perceived lag behind rivals. However, this technical deep-dive demonstrates Apple's continued investment in both on-device processing and cloud-based AI capabilities, with particular emphasis...
read Jul 21, 2025Synth you’ve been gone: DuckDuckGo launches AI image blocker to combat synthetic search results
DuckDuckGo has launched a new feature that allows users to block AI-generated images from their search results, addressing growing frustration with "AI slop" cluttering image searches. The privacy-focused search engine admits the tool "isn't perfect" but promises to "greatly reduce the number of AI-generated images you see," using manually curated open-source blocklists to filter synthetic content. How it works: The feature relies on established content-blocking technology and offers multiple ways to access cleaner search results. Users can toggle the AI image filter on or off through a dropdown menu in DuckDuckGo's Images tab after conducting a search. For consistent AI-free...
read Jul 18, 2025NYPD taps FDNY to bypass facial recognition ban
The NYPD circumvented its facial recognition ban by using the New York Fire Department to identify a pro-Palestinian protester at Columbia University, according to court documents and a recent lawsuit. The arrangement allowed police to access Clearview AI facial recognition technology and DMV records that are typically restricted under NYPD policy, raising significant concerns about surveillance oversight and government accountability. What happened: Fire marshals used Clearview AI to identify Zuhdi Ahmed, a 21-year-old CUNY pre-med student, after he was accused of throwing a rock at a pro-Israeli protester during April 2024 demonstrations at Columbia University. The FDNY searched social media...
read Jul 18, 2025Study reveals 12.8B-image AI dataset contains millions of personal documents
A new study reveals that DataComp CommonPool, one of the largest open-source AI training datasets with 12.8 billion samples, contains millions of images with personally identifiable information including passports, credit cards, birth certificates, and identifiable faces. The findings highlight a fundamental privacy crisis in AI development, as researchers estimate hundreds of millions of personal documents may be embedded in datasets used to train popular image generation models like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney. What you should know: Researchers audited just 0.1% of CommonPool's data and found thousands of validated identity documents and over 800 job application materials linked to real people....
read Jul 18, 20251 in 3 Britons are fine with sharing sensitive data with AI chatbots
Nearly one in three Britons are sharing confidential personal information with AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, according to new research from cybersecurity company NymVPN. This widespread oversharing includes sensitive health, banking, and financial data, despite 48% of respondents expressing privacy concerns about AI tools, highlighting a concerning gap between awareness and behavior that extends into workplace environments. What you should know: The research reveals alarming patterns of data sharing across both personal and professional contexts. 30% of Britons have provided AI chatbots with confidential personal information, including health and banking data. 26% admitted to disclosing financial information related...
read Jul 17, 2025Delta Air Lines uses AI to assess customer habits, willingness to pay in new pricing scheme
Delta Air Lines has become the first airline to use AI-powered personalized pricing, with about 3% of domestic flights sold through the system over the past six months. The airline plans to expand this to 20% of tickets by year-end, with executives reporting "amazingly favorable results" that could signal the end of standardized flight pricing across the industry. What you should know: Delta's AI pricing system charges different customers varying amounts for identical flights based on their personal data profiles. President Glen William Hauenstein confirmed the pilot program's success on last week's earnings call, stating "We like what we see....
read Jul 16, 2025DOGE employee accidentally leaks xAI API key exposing 52 private AI models
A 25-year-old federal government employee accidentally leaked a sensitive xAI API key to GitHub, potentially exposing access to 52 private large language models including Grok-4. The breach raises serious concerns about data security and national security, as the employee had high-level clearance and access to sensitive databases used by agencies like the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, and the Social Security Administration. What happened: Marko Elez, a software developer with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), accidentally uploaded xAI credentials to GitHub while working on a script titled agent.py. The leaked key granted access to at least 52 private large...
read Jul 15, 2025WeTransfer clarifies it doesn’t use uploaded files to train AI models
WeTransfer has confirmed it does not use files uploaded to its service to train artificial intelligence models, following significant customer backlash over confusing terms of service changes. The file-sharing company updated its language to clarify that content moderation—not AI training—was the intended purpose, highlighting how unclear AI policies can quickly erode user trust in digital platforms. What happened: WeTransfer faced widespread criticism on social media after updating its terms of service in late June or early July with language that users interpreted as granting permission to use their files for AI training. The original terms stated WeTransfer could use content...
read Jul 9, 2025McDonald’s AI hiring chatbot exposed 64M job applicants’ personal data
McDonald's AI hiring chatbot exposed the personal data of millions of job applicants due to laughably weak security measures, including a password set to "123456." Security researchers Ian Carroll and Sam Curry discovered they could access up to 64 million applicant records through the McHire platform built by Paradox.ai, a software company that creates AI-powered hiring tools, potentially exposing names, email addresses, and phone numbers of people who applied for McDonald's jobs over several years. What you should know: The security breach occurred through basic vulnerabilities that should never exist in enterprise systems handling sensitive data. Researchers gained administrator access...
read Jul 9, 2025Perplexity’s new Comet browser passes through cyberspace with built-in AI assistant
Perplexity AI has launched Comet, its first web browser designed to challenge Google Chrome's 68% market dominance by integrating conversational AI directly into browsing sessions. The Chromium-based browser transforms passive web searches into real-time conversations through its built-in Comet Assistant, allowing users to ask questions about any webpage without opening new tabs or switching between sites. What makes Comet different: The browser integrates Perplexity's conversational AI directly into every browsing session through the Comet Assistant sidebar. Users can ask questions about any page they're viewing, whether shopping for products, booking hotels, or summarizing news stories. The assistant eliminates the need...
read Jul 7, 2025Watch out, Hallmark, Google’s Gemini AI writes personal birthday letters with user data
Google's AI assistant Gemini has demonstrated an unprecedented ability to write personalized content by leveraging the company's vast data ecosystem, as evidenced by its creation of a remarkably authentic birthday letter that drew from years of personal information stored across Google's services. This development signals Google's emerging advantage in the race to build hyper-personalized AI assistants, positioning the company to potentially leapfrog competitors like OpenAI by utilizing decades of user data already within its ecosystem. What happened: A writer discovered that Gemini could craft an unnervingly personal birthday letter using only a nine-word prompt containing her friend's name and age....
read Jul 1, 2025Facebook tests AI access to your camera roll for content suggestions
Facebook is testing a new feature that allows Meta AI to access users' camera rolls to generate content suggestions, even for photos that haven't been uploaded to the platform yet. The feature, currently being tested in the US and Canada, represents a significant expansion of how social media companies can access personal data, potentially raising new privacy concerns as Meta seeks to compete for younger users who have been abandoning the platform. What you should know: Users encountering Facebook's Story feature are being prompted to enable "cloud processing" through a pop-up that grants Meta AI access to their entire camera...
read Jun 25, 2025WhatsApp launches AI message summaries with privacy-first approach
WhatsApp has officially rolled out Meta AI-powered message summaries for users in the United States, allowing people to get AI-generated recaps of unread messages in any chat. The feature uses what Meta calls "Private Processing technology" to ensure neither Meta nor WhatsApp can access users' messages or the summaries themselves, addressing privacy concerns while offering a practical solution for catching up on busy group chats and conversations. What you should know: The message summary feature is designed to help users quickly catch up on conversations without scrolling through every message. Summaries work for any chat and can condense everything from...
read Jun 25, 2025HPE and Nvidia expand AI factory portfolio with Blackwell-powered systems
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) and Nvidia unveiled an expanded portfolio of AI factory technologies at HPE Discover in Las Vegas, designed to accelerate enterprise AI adoption across industries. The partnership introduces several new systems built on Nvidia's Blackwell architecture, including AI-ready servers and enhanced private cloud solutions, while expanding global reach through strategic implementations in Japan and testing partnerships with Accenture. Key innovations: The companies revealed multiple new AI infrastructure offerings to streamline enterprise deployment. • AI-ready RTX PRO servers provide businesses with enhanced computing capabilities for AI workloads. • The new HPE Compute XD690 system delivers optimized performance for...
read Jun 25, 2025Suspicious Google Gemini emails claim phone app access starting July 7
Users have reported receiving suspicious emails claiming to announce major privacy changes to Google Gemini, with the messages stating the AI assistant would gain broad access to phone apps including Messages, WhatsApp, and utilities starting July 7. The emails raise significant privacy concerns due to unclear language and claims that Gemini would access these apps regardless of user privacy settings, though Google has not confirmed these changes are legitimate. What you should know: The reported emails contain several red flags that suggest they may not be authentic Google communications. The emails claim Gemini will access Phone, Messages, WhatsApp, and Utilities...
read Jun 25, 2025Let ’em cook: Gen Alpha slang stumps AI moderation systems 92% of the time
A new study reveals that Generation Alpha's rapidly evolving internet slang is creating blind spots for AI content moderation systems and adults trying to protect young people online. Research conducted by Manisha Mehta, a 14-year-old student, and Fausto Giunchiglia at the University of Trento, Italy, found that while 92% of Gen Alpha users can detect harmful intent in coded messages, AI models only catch about 40% of cases—and parents perform even worse. What you should know: The research analyzed 100 popular Generation Alpha expressions from gaming and social media platforms, testing comprehension across different groups. Among 24 volunteers aged 11-14,...
read Jun 24, 2025Le Chat tops AI privacy rankings while Meta AI ranks worst, according to study
Privacy has become the new battleground in artificial intelligence, and the stakes couldn't be higher for businesses choosing which AI tools to deploy. While these powerful systems promise to revolutionize everything from customer service to content creation, they're simultaneously vacuuming up unprecedented amounts of user data to fuel their capabilities. A comprehensive new analysis from Incogni, a data removal service, reveals stark differences in how major AI platforms handle user privacy. The findings matter because the AI assistant you choose for your organization could determine whether sensitive business conversations end up training competitors' models or get shared with unknown third...
read Jun 24, 2025North Carolina school district launches AI pilot with strict privacy controls
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced plans to implement artificial intelligence initiatives across dozens of "AI champion schools" starting this fall, while addressing significant privacy and data security concerns. The North Carolina district is developing comprehensive AI policies through community engagement sessions with students, teachers, and parents, positioning itself as a national leader in public school AI adoption. What you should know: CMS will roll out AI programs in select schools to evaluate and shape district-wide policies before broader implementation. The district plans to update K-12 curriculum and staff training programs before releasing detailed policy guidelines in August. Currently, students cannot access AI...
read Jun 24, 2025Maing it personal: Google facilitates AI Mode prompts using your search history
Google is now personalizing AI Mode prompt suggestions based on users' search history to encourage more people to try the feature. This targeted approach replaces the generic prompts previously shown to all users, making the suggestions more relevant and likely to drive engagement with Google's AI-powered search experience. What you should know: The personalized prompts appear under "Based on your Google activity" and refresh each time users visit the "Meet AI Mode" page through various entry points. Previous generic suggestions included prompts about gym offers, mattress comparisons, and staycation ideas that were identical for all users. The new system generates...
read Jun 19, 2025License to snoop, snipe? Plaud AI sells 1M voice recorders as workplace privacy debates intensify
Plaud AI has sold over one million of its voice-recording devices that use artificial intelligence to transcribe and summarize conversations in real-time. The wearable gadgets, priced at $159 each, are positioning themselves as productivity tools for corporate executives and professionals, but they're raising significant questions about workplace privacy and recording ethics as they prepare to hit Best Buy shelves this August. What you should know: Plaud offers two AI-powered recording devices designed to streamline workplace note-taking and meeting documentation. The Plaud Note slips into a phone case or shirt pocket, while the smaller Note Pin can be worn as a...
read Jun 13, 2025Meta AI’s confusing share button exposes private chats to public feed
Meta's standalone AI chatbot app contains a privacy trap that's catching users off guard: a confusing sharing feature that accidentally broadcasts private conversations to a public feed visible to all app users. The issue stems from Meta AI's poorly designed interface, which makes it surprisingly easy to publish sensitive chats without realizing the consequences. The Meta AI app, which launched in April as a direct competitor to ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, includes an unexpected social component called the Discover feed. Unlike other AI assistants that keep conversations private by default, Meta AI encourages users to share their interactions publicly—but the...
read Jun 13, 2025Why you can’t legally prevent becoming an AI ghost after death
As artificial intelligence capabilities expand, a new digital dilemma is emerging: AI-powered tools can now create realistic digital replicas of deceased individuals using their photos, videos, messages, and social media posts. These "AI ghosts"—chatbots, voice simulators, and even video representations trained on a person's digital footprint—are becoming increasingly sophisticated and accessible to anyone with basic technical skills. The technology raises profound questions about consent, privacy, and the rights of the deceased. While some families find comfort in these digital memorials, others view them as disturbing violations of their loved ones' memory. This tension has sparked a complex legal and ethical...
read Jun 11, 2025Belgian artist launches dating app that matches users by browser history
Browser Dating, a new experimental platform created by Belgian artist Dries Depoorter, matches singles based on their browser histories rather than curated profiles. Users upload up to 5,000 recent searches, which AI transforms into "browsing personality profiles" for compatibility matching, challenging the heavily curated nature of modern dating apps with radical transparency about users' private online behaviors. What you should know: Browser Dating requires users to share their complete recent search history through a Chrome or Firefox extension, creating matches based on genuine internet behavior rather than self-selected profile information. Users download an extension to export and upload their browser...
read Jun 6, 2025Altman pushes for AI privilege amid New York Times user data retention demands
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is advocating for "AI privilege" that would protect ChatGPT conversations like attorney-client or doctor-patient confidentiality, as The New York Times has requested a court order forcing the company to retain all user chat data indefinitely as part of its ongoing copyright lawsuit. This legal battle could fundamentally reshape user privacy expectations for AI interactions, potentially requiring OpenAI to permanently store conversations that users believe are deleted within 30 days. What you should know: The New York Times lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft centers on allegations that ChatGPT was trained using millions of copyrighted articles without permission....
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