Oh look, iphones *have* been spying on us, all claims to the contrary notwithstanding:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/apple-agrees-to-pay-95m-delete-private-conversations-siri-recorded/
ETA, have muted this
The world's richest man has joined a growing chorus of right-wing voices attacking Wikipedia as part of an intensifying campaign against free and open access information. Why do they hate it so much?
https://www.citationneeded.news/elon-musk-and-the-rights-war-on-wikipedia/
AI and religions both spout plausible sounding bullshit and make a tiny group of asshole men richer and more powerful but at least the medieval brand of artisanal bullshit wasn’t also competing with our species for the world’s available freshwater supply.
If Elon Musk can unlock your Tesla, provide location data to authorities, and recordings of people inside the car,...what else can he (or a hacker) do with your vehicle?
Crash it?
Disable the steering or brakes?
Release conversations to competitors?
Photograph your kids?
Prevent it from starting in an emergency?
Force you to upgrade needlessly?
Make it very expensive to maintain or operate?
Enshittification means paying, but not owning, and certainly doesn't mean control.
"Apple has agreed to pay $95 million to settle a lawsuit alleging that its voice assistant Siri routinely recorded private conversations that were then sold to third parties for targeted ads." https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/apple-agrees-to-pay-95m-delete-private-conversations-siri-recorded/
My whole life I have seen advertisements for desk jobs that required people to have driver's licenses, use of a vehicle, and insurance, even when there was no driving involved in the job at all.
Requiring a driver's license for employment is now prohibited in California if driving is not reasonably expected to be part of the job duties. This is a huge victory for people who use transit and cycling for their mobility.
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/12/28/new-in-2025-protecting-more-workers/
Image classification is basically a solved problem now.
Man, I could really go for a dozen hot dogs with sprinkles right about now.
Source: Photos app on my iPhone.
Yes I wrote about gold plated anal beads, middle east patriarchal customs related to archery in the medieval era, & Ned Flandersification today.
Enjoy.
Edit: and studies from 2009 showing N95s in ideal storage last at least 10 years if not longer at 95% filtration efficiency
I contest the flawed argument that “monopolistic behavior is wrong but remedies should not apply beyond the point that we can’t get paid.”
Such a self-serving and self-interested argument that offers no rationale other than demolishing one’s own integrity.
Sure, people’s jobs are on the line, so does the <del>Open</del> Web platform we love(d). But you can keep all the feelings to yourself and be responsible for your own career, rather than using an advocacy to rally a flawed narrative.
Yes. I am still wearing a mask. If that makes you angry or uncomfortable - ask yourself why. My latest column for Alberta Views - and probably the most controversial piece I’ve written in years. https://albertaviews.ca/masking-fear/ #Covid #masks #masking #SenateofCanada #Canada #Covid19 #yeg #Edmonton