The Comunicano for Monday (PM) June 16th 2025
Let’s take a walk through today’s digital minefield. Shall we?
At the top, the OpenAI–Microsoft bromance is on the rocks. What started as innovation is now a power play. OpenAI wants more autonomy—especially over compute and Windsurf IP—while Microsoft wants more control, maybe even a bigger piece of the pie. With $20 billion and a December deadline on the line, this isn’t just tension—it’s a tectonic fault.
Now, zoom out. AI’s not the productivity messiah we hoped for. According to the FT, we’ve mistaken speed for progress. Sure, AI writes faster, but it doesn’t think deeper. Incremental gains, not breakthroughs. That’s not innovation. That’s automation with a press release.
Over in Meta-land, privacy’s become a public affair. Meta AI’s Discover feed is broadcasting your private prompts. Divorce, depression, legal advice—pushed into the spotlight unless you dig into the settings and opt out. It’s not a feature; it’s a risk.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp just broke the final seal—ads are coming to your Status tab. Sacred no more, Meta’s monetization machine has arrived at your doorstep with its shoes on.
In security: SMS 2FA? It’s not just outdated—it’s dangerous. Your codes are hopping through telecom servers like a bar crawl, and hackers are following the trail. Time to upgrade to something smarter.
Streaming? Amazon and Roku just shook hands in what may be the biggest ad pact since cable. It’s reach, retargeting, and revenue all in one neat, monetized bow. Roku jumped 10%—and that’s no glitch.
Finally, Instagram bans are dropping like thunderclaps. AI moderation is overcorrecting, and users are the collateral damage. No answers. No transparency. Just silence and locked accounts.
So here’s your recap: Big Tech is selling privacy, outsourcing judgment to AI, and calling it progress. Meanwhile, the real innovation battle—who controls the future—is just getting started." Just like we are this week, in THE COMUNICANO!!!
Andy Abramson
Microsoft Watch
OpenAI and Microsoft Tensions Are Reaching a Boiling Point (Wall Street Journal)
Tensions are flaring between OpenAI and Microsoft as the two navigate growing disputes over power and profit. OpenAI wants more control, particularly around compute access and Windsurf IP, while Microsoft eyes a deeper stake. With the clock ticking toward a pivotal December deadline, unresolved issues could cost OpenAI as much as 20 billion dollars in future funding. Regulatory action and lawsuits may loom, making this a high-stakes balancing act between innovation and enterprise control.
Read more here
AI Watch
AI Alone Cannot Solve the Productivity Puzzle (Financial Times)—Carl Benedikt Frey argues that AI's efficiency gains won’t solve the productivity slump plaguing global economies. History shows real growth stems from breakthrough discoveries, not faster execution of routine tasks. Despite advances in computing and AI, research output has grown more incremental, not transformative. Tools like large language models often reinforce consensus rather than ignite innovation. While AI helps lighten workloads, it doesn't foster the deep, original thinking that drives economic miracles. To reverse stagnation, institutions must shift focus from volume to originality, backing risk-taking and giving creators room to roam. Read more here
WhatsApp Watch
WhatsApp to Show Ads in Status Screen (New York Times)—Meta is finally flipping the switch on ads inside WhatsApp, targeting the once-sacrosanct Status tab. Long shielded from monetization, the platform will now test ad formats aimed at its global user base. This follows Meta's broader push into paid features and revenue diversification. The move marks a definitive shift in how WhatsApp integrates into Meta’s profit strategy, setting a new tone for messaging apps everywhere. Read more here
Meta Watch
How to Stop Meta AI from Sharing Your Prompts (MakeUseOf)—Meta AI’s Discover feed can make your private chats public without warning. Users must manually toggle off a setting that allows prompts to be shared. The privacy risk is very real: sensitive data like legal or personal matters could easily end up public. To stay safe, jump into the app’s settings and disable “Allow public sharing” under the profile tab—quick, simple, and essential. Read more here
Meta AI Public Feed Sparks Privacy Backlash (Business Insider)—Meta AI's Discover feed is unintentionally turning personal prompts into public content. From divorce questions to mental health disclosures, users unknowingly exposed themselves until Meta rolled out a confirmation screen warning of public visibility. The company’s delayed fix shows how even well-meaning AI tools can create unintended data spillovers when defaults aren’t clear.
Read more here
Security Watch
2FA Codes Often Travel Insecure Routes (Bloomberg)—Despite being a security staple, SMS-based two-factor authentication is riddled with risks. Bloomberg reveals that codes can pass through multiple telecom hops, increasing the chance of interception. Experts now recommend moving to more secure methods like authenticator apps or biometrics. In a world of increasing cyber threats, securing the second factor has never been more important.Read more here
Streaming Watch
Amazon and Roku Forge Landmark Ad Pact (Deadline)—In a major shakeup for connected TV, Amazon Ads and Roku have inked a deal that combines reach and targeting. Advertisers will be able to access Roku’s 80 million US households via Amazon’s DSP, creating one of the largest programmatic TV ecosystems to date. This pact is already moving markets—Roku stock jumped over 10 percent—while ad buyers anticipate 40 percent more reach and less viewer fatigue.
Read more here
Social Watch
Instagram Users Hit by Mass Bans Blame AI (TechCrunch)—A wave of unexpected account bans has users furious at Instagram, pointing the finger squarely at overzealous AI moderation. Many claim they were banned without cause, triggering concerns over transparency and accuracy. Meta remains silent, but trust is eroding fast as users call for clarity and control in how automated enforcement is deployed. Read more here
