The Comunicano for Wednesday, November 20th, 2024

Let’s take a moment to reflect on the landscape we’re building together. The news today reminds us how the digital and physical worlds are colliding in ways that demand clarity, responsibility, and courage. If we don’t navigate this intersection carefully, we risk creating systems that serve profits but fail people.

You’ll learn today that location data meant for digital ads is exposing military personnel and their families. Imagine the very networks designed to connect and inform are instead becoming tools for tracking and endangerment. This isn’t just a privacy issue—it’s a fundamental breach of trust, a reminder that technology without boundaries can do harm….And it doesn’t end there. Forensic tools like GrayKey are constantly testing the strength of the devices we carry everywhere. These tools reveal the tug-of-war between security and access. It’s a battle where, frankly, no one wins if trust in our products erodes. People don’t buy security features for show; they buy them to protect their lives.

Meanwhile, ransomware continues to haunt critical infrastructure. Industries that transport us, power us, sustain us are underprepared for these threats. Patchwork efforts are failing, and it’s clear that piecemeal solutions can’t address systemic vulnerabilities. If technology is the backbone of modern society, then security must be its lifeblood….But there’s hope. Companies like Microsoft are showing leadership by inviting scrutiny, even rewarding it, through expanded bug bounty programs. This isn’t just good business—it’s transparency in action. It’s a model for how we can all move forward: with openness and accountability…..Yet innovation is also taking unexpected forms. AI-generated influencers are reshaping how we see identity and creativity. Some celebrate this as progress; others see it as an erosion of authenticity. The same tools that unlock extraordinary potential also challenge our sense of what’s real.

In every headline, there is one recurring question: Will technology serve humanity, or will it control us? It’s not a question of innovation alone but of intention. The decisions we make today will define whether we build tools that empower people or undermine them.

Our job isn’t to predict the future—it’s to create it. Let’s make sure it’s one we’re proud to live in. So, today, those stories and more are here, to help you decide, in The Comunicano!!!

Andy Abramson

Privacy Watch

Nuclear Burn—A recent investigation by WIRED, Bayerischer Rundfunk, and Netzpolitik.org has uncovered that U.S. companies collecting digital advertising data are inadvertently enabling the tracking of American military and intelligence personnel overseas. This unregulated sale of mobile location data exposes service members and their families to significant risks, highlighting the urgent need for robust privacy legislation to restrict data collection and retention. The Federal Trade Commission's plan to designate U.S. military installations as protected sites is a step forward, but comprehensive privacy reforms are essential to safeguard national security and individual privacy.

You’re Not Secure—Leaked documents reveal that GrayKey, a forensic tool used by law enforcement to unlock smartphones, currently retrieves only partial data from iPhones running iOS 18 and 18.0.1. The documents, obtained by 404 Media, detail GrayKey's capabilities against both iOS and Android devices, highlighting the ongoing battle between forensic companies and smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Google. This leak is unprecedented for Grayshift, the company behind GrayKey, and offers a rare glimpse into the tool's effectiveness and limitations.

Security Watch

Dangerous Travels—The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is facing criticism for not adequately monitoring the transportation sector's efforts to combat ransomware. A recent U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report revealed that, since 2018, TSA has not fully implemented four out of six cybersecurity recommendations, including assessing the adoption of leading ransomware prevention practices within the sector. Despite issuing five cybersecurity directives post the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, TSA lacks qualitative or quantitative metrics to evaluate their effectiveness. Industry leaders have also expressed concerns over TSA's regulatory approach, citing confusion and redundancy with existing requirements.

Microsoft’s Bugging Out—Microsoft is intensifying its security efforts by allocating an additional $4 million to its bug bounty program, specifically targeting vulnerabilities in cloud and AI systems. This initiative, announced at the Ignite conference in Chicago, is part of the "Zero Day Quest," which includes a 2025 hacking event at Microsoft's Redmond headquarters. The company plans to double bounties for AI security flaws, supplementing its existing $16 million annual payouts to security researchers. CEO Satya Nadella's directive to "embrace the red" encourages transparency in addressing security challenges, underscoring Microsoft's commitment to robust cybersecurity measures.

Games Watch

Playing In The Cloud—Sony has announced a significant system update for the PlayStation Portal remote player, enhancing its audio capabilities and introducing a beta feature for cloud streaming. The update includes refined audio adjustments, such as better speaker volume control and the ability to manage PlayStation Link settings directly on the device. Additionally, a beta program will allow PlayStation Plus Premium members to stream select PS5 games directly from the cloud without requiring a PS5 console. The beta supports 1080p/60fps streaming, DualSense controller features, and PlayStation Plus Cloud storage. Though still experimental, this update marks a step forward in evolving the Portal’s gaming experience.

AI Watch

Training Microsoft’s AI—HarperCollins has entered into a three-year agreement with Microsoft to license select nonfiction backlist titles for AI model training. Authors can opt into this program, with reported compensation of $2,500 per book for a three-year licensing term. This collaboration aims to respect authors' rights by implementing clear guidelines on model output. Previously, HarperCollins' parent company, News Corp, partnered with OpenAI to allow the use of its news content for AI training.

Copy Cats—Instagram is experiencing a surge in AI-generated influencers who repurpose content from real models and adult creators, overlaying AI-generated faces onto their bodies. These accounts monetize through links to dating sites, platforms like Patreon, OnlyFans alternatives, and various AI applications. This trend has escalated, with numerous AI-generated accounts emerging. Adult content creators, such as Elaina St James, report a significant decline in engagement, attributing it to competition with these AI-generated profiles. Despite the proliferation of such accounts, Instagram appears unable or unwilling to curb this influx, raising concerns about the platform's future as AI-generated content potentially overshadows human creators.

Meta’s Gaining Ground—Mark Zuckerberg's strategic pivot towards artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly revitalized Meta Platforms. Following the 2022 release of OpenAI's ChatGPT, Zuckerberg intensified Meta's AI investments, leading to the development of the open-source Llama project, which gained rapid traction. This AI-centric approach has propelled Meta's market valuation to $1.5 trillion, positioning Zuckerberg as the world's third-richest individual. Despite regulatory challenges and legal disputes, Zuckerberg maintains unparalleled control over Meta, with investors continuing to support his vision, as evidenced by the company's strong stock performance.

Building Business—Meta Platforms is introducing advanced AI tools to enhance business operations across its platforms. These tools include AI-generated chatbots for WhatsApp, designed to improve customer interactions, and AI-driven ad creation features that assist businesses in developing more effective advertising campaigns. By integrating these AI capabilities, Meta aims to streamline communication and marketing processes for businesses, fostering increased engagement and efficiency.

AI Inside—The Financial Times' interactive feature "AI and Robots" delves into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence and robotics across various sectors. It highlights advancements in manufacturing, healthcare, and daily life, showcasing how AI-driven robots are enhancing efficiency and productivity. The feature also addresses ethical considerations, such as job displacement and the necessity for regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible AI integration. Through multimedia content and expert analyses, it provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent machines.

Google Watch

The Art of Concealment—Today’s New York Times article exposes Google’s systematic efforts over 15 years to minimize internal communication transparency in the face of antitrust scrutiny. The company promoted policies that encouraged employees to avoid documenting sensitive topics, used "off the record" instant messaging tools, and routinely marked communications as attorney-client privileged, even without legal necessity. Federal judges in ongoing antitrust cases have criticized Google’s practices, calling them a “culture of concealment” and accusing the company of evidence suppression. While Google denies wrongdoing, the revelations highlight its deliberate strategy to shield itself from regulatory and legal challenges by limiting its paper trail.

No Cheating—Google is intensifying its crackdown on "parasite SEO" content—articles that exploit a website's ranking by publishing irrelevant material. This includes hidden coupon codes on news blogs or unrelated affiliate marketing on educational sites. Initially addressed in March, Google now explicitly states that publishing such content, whether created by the site itself or outsourced, violates search policies. Chris Nelson from Google's search quality team emphasized that complex business arrangements or partial site ownership do not exempt sites from compliance. Notable instances include Sports Illustrated publishing third-party AI-generated product recommendations and similar content spread by AdVon Commerce across sites like USA Today. Google's policy update ensures that sites cannot evade penalties by claiming the content was not directly produced by them.

Streaming Watch

Free Time—Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers in the U.S., Canada, and the UK now receive one free audiobook per month from Audible's extensive library of over one million titles. This benefit is available to individual subscribers and primary account holders of family plans. If a subscriber doesn't finish the audiobook within the month, they can continue listening the following month. However, access to the audiobook is lost if the subscription is canceled or paused. Amazon Music Unlimited is priced at $9.99 per month (or $99 per year) for Prime members and $10.99 for non-Prime customers. This offer is similar to Spotify's benefit provided to Premium listeners.

Social Watch

Taking Stock—ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has initiated a new stock option program to reward its top-performing employees. This initiative allows these employees to exchange their annual bonuses for company stock at a rate of US$142 per share, reflecting a 7.5% increase from the previous buy-back price of US$132 per share in October 2021. This move aims to incentivize and retain high achievers within the organization.

Space Watch

Now That’s A Noisemaker—The BBC article explores the immense noise produced by powerful rockets like SpaceX's Starship and NASA's Saturn V. While the Saturn V reached a deafening 204 decibels, researchers suggest Starship, with its 74MN thrust, could exceed these levels. During its 2024 test, Starship's noise was measured at 120 decibels from 6.5 miles away, setting off car alarms up to 10 miles distant. The article highlights the challenges rockets face from their own sound waves, which can cause structural damage. Sound suppression systems, such as water-filled trenches, are critical to mitigate these effects, emphasizing the complexity of managing such launches.