The FTC May (Finally) Protect Americans From Data Brokers

On August 29, the Federal Trade Commission announced it had filed a landmark lawsuit against data broker Kochava for “selling geolocation data from hundreds of millions of mobile devices” that can be used to trace individuals’ time-stamped movements to sensitive locations. These include reproductive health clinics, places of worship, addiction recovery centers, and shelters for… Continue reading The FTC May (Finally) Protect Americans From Data Brokers

Microsoft found a severe one-click exploit in TikTok’s Android app

A serious vulnerability found by Microsoft in the TikTok Android app could have allowed hackers to hijack millions of accounts. On Wednesday, the company’s 365 Defender Research Team detailed a one-click exploit it informed TikTok of in February. The good news is that the social media company promptly patched the vulnerability before today’s disclosure and… Continue reading Microsoft found a severe one-click exploit in TikTok’s Android app

Chinese tech giant NetEase is buying Quantic Dream as its first European game studio

Three and a half years after Chinese tech conglomerate NetEase snapped up a minority stake in Quantic Dream (of Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human fame), it is gobbling up the rest of the developer. NetEase didn’t reveal how much it’s spending to buy out the studio, which will be its first in Europe. After… Continue reading Chinese tech giant NetEase is buying Quantic Dream as its first European game studio

Samsung’s first QD-OLED gaming monitor arrives later this year

Earlier this year, the first gaming monitor with a Samsung QD-OLED panel arrived. We called the Alienware AW3423DW an ultrawide marvel, praising it for its bright and beautiful screen. When Samsung showed off QD-OLED at CES 2022, it promised the new panels would be available in more than one monitor, and now the company is… Continue reading Samsung’s first QD-OLED gaming monitor arrives later this year

Crypto.com refunded someone $7.2 million by mistake

When Australian woman Thevamanogari Manivel put in a Crypto.com refund request last year, she got far more than she bargained for. Manivel asked for a refund of $100 AUD (now worth around $68 USD). Instead, seemingly due to an employee entering her account number into a payment section of a refund form by mistake, the… Continue reading Crypto.com refunded someone $7.2 million by mistake

‘The Last of Us Part I’ is a gorgeous, faithful, expensive remake

A complete visual redesign Naughty Dog has a reputation for building intricate, vast and beautiful worlds, and as the company’s first PS5 game, The Last of Us Part I continues that tradition. From the very first scene through the end credits, I marveled at the detail and richness of the world Naughty Dog created —… Continue reading ‘The Last of Us Part I’ is a gorgeous, faithful, expensive remake

The shift to electric vehicles is about to overwhelm meager US mining operations

Electric vehicles are very helpful for fighting climate change. But EVs need batteries, and batteries need minerals like nickel, cobalt, and lithium. The US has some of these minerals underground, and it wants to dig them up, expeditiously, so that it doesn’t have to rely as much on other countries, including China. But this is… Continue reading The shift to electric vehicles is about to overwhelm meager US mining operations

T-Mobile will let you try its network free for three months

T-Mobile is pushing some new app features focused on getting prospective customers to switch with as little friction as possible, all thanks to eSIM technology. There’s a new version of the existing Test Drive program called Network Pass, which allows people to try out T-Mobile’s network with unlimited data for three months. Another new feature… Continue reading T-Mobile will let you try its network free for three months

Get ready for a rare ‘triple-dip’ La Niña

We’re about to see the first “triple-dip” La Niña of the century, spanning three consecutive Northern hemisphere winters, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) predicts. The organization issued a forecast today warning of the unusual turn of events: the current La Niña, a weather pattern that can drive severe weather, will likely persist over the next… Continue reading Get ready for a rare ‘triple-dip’ La Niña

Toyota triples U.S. EV investment in North Carolina

Toyota said Wednesday it will triple its planned investment for its first U.S. battery factory due to rising consumer demand for electric vehicles. The automaker now plans to spend $3.8 billion, up from the initial $1.3 billion announced, to build a plant near Greensboro, North Carolina. Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina is expected to begin… Continue reading Toyota triples U.S. EV investment in North Carolina