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Nonprofit Joins Musk's Bid to Halt OpenAI's For-Profit Shift

Nonprofit Joins Musk's Bid to Halt OpenAI's For-Profit Shift

Encode, a nonprofit organization, has filed to support Elon Musk's injunction against OpenAI's transition to a for-profit model. The brief argues that this shift undermines OpenAI's original mission of safe and beneficial AI development. Musk claims the change jeopardizes public interest and favors investor profits over safety. OpenAI contends Musk's allegations are unfounded. Meta, another AI competitor, backs Encode's efforts, warning of significant repercussions for Silicon Valley. The case highlights the tension between innovation and ethical AI governance as public scrutiny of AI grows.

Created at: December 27, 2024 10:00pm

$132K-$149K Salaries: What Seed-Stage Founders Pay Early Employees

$132K-$149K Salaries: What Seed-Stage Founders Pay Early Employees

Kruze Consulting's analysis reveals average salaries for seed-stage startup executives, showing that CEO, CTO, and COO roles earn between $132,000 and $135,000, while Product/CPOs average $149,000. Interestingly, technical roles often command higher salaries than founders. Senior engineers in the Bay Area can earn up to $235,000, while entry-level positions start at $75,000. Additionally, early employees receive equity, with the first hire getting between 0.5% to 4% equity. Founders typically increase their salaries with each funding round, reaching an average of $218,000 by Series B.

Created at: December 26, 2024 7:01pm

TikTok Accounts: A New Asset in Divorce Settlements

TikTok Accounts: A New Asset in Divorce Settlements

The growing trend of couples facing challenges in dividing shared TikTok accounts during divorce is gaining attention. Kat and Mike Stickler's case highlights the complexities of valuing social media assets, with Kat securing their popular account, which facilitated her purchase of a new condo. As influencers like Vivian Tu emphasize the importance of social media for financial opportunity, divorce attorneys are increasingly navigating these digital assets in settlements. The discussions raise questions about ownership and future potential earnings from platforms like TikTok.

Created at: October 25, 2024 12:00am

Chennai Artist Exposes Airport Lounge Scam, Loses Rs 87,000

Chennai Artist Exposes Airport Lounge Scam, Loses Rs 87,000

Bhargavii Mani, a social media-famous Kolam artist from Chennai, fell victim to a credit card scam at Bengaluru's airport, losing over Rs 87,000. The incident occurred when she was misled into downloading an app for lounge access, which turned out to be fraudulent. Despite not using the lounge services, her credit card was exploited for unauthorized transactions. After promptly reporting the scam, Bhargavii urged others to verify app authenticity before downloading. Her experience has sparked online debates about digital safety and the need for caution with app permissions.

Created at: October 23, 2024 3:00pm

11,500 Creatives Unite Against AI Data Scraping

11,500 Creatives Unite Against AI Data Scraping

A petition signed by 11,500 creatives, including notable figures like Kevin Bacon and Kazuo Ishiguro, opposes the unlicensed use of their works for AI training. The signatories warn that this practice threatens their livelihoods. The petition was initiated by composer Ed Newton-Rex, who claims AI companies are 'dehumanizing' creative works. This movement emerges as U.K. lawmakers consider an 'opt-out' model for AI content scraping. The message is clear: protecting creative rights must be prioritized in the face of advancing AI technology.

Created at: October 22, 2024 4:00pm

X's New Terms Ignite Controversy: Your Tweets Train AI Without Consent

X's New Terms Ignite Controversy: Your Tweets Train AI Without Consent

X, formerly Twitter, has updated its terms of service, allowing the platform to use user-generated content to train its AI models. This change has sparked outrage among users, particularly creatives concerned about potential misuse of their work. The new terms grant X broad licensing rights, leading to fears of data exploitation, especially for sensitive content. Many users have begun deleting personal posts in response. As the November 15 deadline looms, uncertainty remains about users' ability to opt out of AI training. Legal challenges may arise as users seek control over their data privacy.

Created at: October 21, 2024 3:30pm

Lyft Introduces Service Animal Opt-In Feature for Enhanced Accessibility

Lyft Introduces Service Animal Opt-In Feature for Enhanced Accessibility

Lyft is developing a new 'service animal opt-in feature' aimed at improving accessibility for passengers who are blind or visually impaired. This initiative follows protests urging ride-hailing companies to better support disabled riders. Advocacy groups reported instances of drivers passing by or refusing service to those with guide dogs. Lyft plans to notify drivers of a rider’s service animal before pickup, reducing confusion and frustration. The feature is expected to be rolled out by 2025, as the company collaborates with community organizations to enhance inclusivity.

Created at: October 20, 2024 5:30pm

Meta Faces Layoffs as Resource Allocation Shifts

Meta Faces Layoffs as Resource Allocation Shifts

This week, Meta confirmed layoffs impacting multiple teams including those in Reality Labs, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company stated these changes are part of a strategy to reallocate resources but did not disclose the number of affected employees. In related industry news, AWS CEO has mandated a full return to office for employees by 2025, while Tesla's Cybertruck faces scrutiny over safety regulations in Europe. Meanwhile, Byju's founder admits the once-valuable startup is now worth nothing, highlighting the challenges in the edtech sector.

Created at: October 19, 2024 8:30pm

Dr. Rebecca Portnoff: Pioneering AI to Combat Child Sexual Abuse

Dr. Rebecca Portnoff: Pioneering AI to Combat Child Sexual Abuse

In a recent interview, Dr. Rebecca Portnoff, vice president of data science at Thorn, discussed her mission to leverage AI in protecting children from sexual abuse. With a PhD from UC Berkeley, she has dedicated eight years to developing machine learning solutions aimed at identifying victims and preventing abuse. Dr. Portnoff highlighted the collaborative Safety by Design initiative to mitigate generative AI misuse. Despite challenges in a male-dominated field, she urges women to embrace their potential and stresses the importance of ethical AI development. Her insights underscore the urgent need for robust legislation against AI misuse.

Created at: October 19, 2024 5:30pm

Amazon CEO Tells Employees: Return to Office or Find Another Job

Amazon CEO Tells Employees: Return to Office or Find Another Job

Amazon's AWS CEO Matt Garman has issued a stern warning to employees unhappy with the company's new five-day in-office work policy, suggesting they seek employment elsewhere. This decision follows CEO Andy Jassy's announcement of a full return-to-office policy set for 2025, increasing from the three-day requirement previously in place. Garman’s comments echo a growing trend among tech leaders who are tightening remote work policies. Despite these mandates, studies indicate that many remote workers would likely resign if forced back into the office.

Created at: October 18, 2024 1:30am

Automattic Offers Employees Nine Months' Severance to Quit Amid Controversy

Automattic Offers Employees Nine Months' Severance to Quit Amid Controversy

Automattic has presented its employees with a new severance offer, allowing them to leave with nine months' pay, just days after a previous six-month offer was accepted by 159 employees. CEO Matt Mullenweg's latest proposal came with only four hours' notice, prompting immediate decisions. Those who opt for the severance will lose access to Automattic and WordPress.org, effectively banning them from contributing to the open-source platform. The offers come amid an ongoing dispute with WP Engine, which has escalated into legal actions and public accusations. Automattic has not disclosed the number of employees who accepted the new offer.

Created at: October 18, 2024 12:00am

FCC Mandates Hearing Aid Compatibility for All Mobile Phones

FCC Mandates Hearing Aid Compatibility for All Mobile Phones

The FCC has announced new regulations requiring all mobile phones sold in the U.S. to be compatible with hearing aids. This decision follows the FDA's move to make hearing aids accessible without prescriptions. The FCC has yet to specify a compliance timeline but emphasizes a transition period will be in place. Manufacturers are discouraged from using proprietary Bluetooth systems that could restrict compatibility. Additionally, companies must disclose hearing aid compatibility on their websites. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility for users with hearing impairments.

Created at: October 17, 2024 8:00pm

Instagram Fights Sextortion With New Features to Protect Teens

Instagram Fights Sextortion With New Features to Protect Teens

Instagram has announced a series of new measures aimed at combating sextortion scams targeting users, particularly teens. These features include blocking screenshots from disappearing stories, restricting suspicious accounts from accessing follower information, and issuing geolocation alerts for chats with users from other countries. Additionally, 'Teen Accounts' will have stricter safety protocols, including automatic blurring of nude images in direct messages. These initiatives come in response to rising sextortion cases involving minors, with Meta striving to enhance online safety and user privacy.

Created at: October 17, 2024 5:00pm

Russia's GPS Jamming in Norway: A New Aviation Crisis

Russia's GPS Jamming in Norway: A New Aviation Crisis

In Northeastern Norway, pilots are increasingly facing dangerous GPS jamming, which has become a regular occurrence attributed primarily to Russian interference. This disruption, lasting between six to eight minutes, forces aviators to revert to outdated navigation methods. The situation has escalated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, affecting not only aviation but also agricultural operations. Local authorities have ceased documenting these incidents, raising safety concerns. With growing reliance on GPS, Norway is now testing countermeasures, although experts warn that the problem may extend beyond its borders.

Created at: October 17, 2024 1:00pm

Instagram Enhances Safety for Teens with New Anti-Sextortion Features

Instagram Enhances Safety for Teens with New Anti-Sextortion Features

Instagram has announced new safety measures aimed at protecting teens from sextortion scams. The platform will now prevent users from screenshotting ephemeral content sent via direct messages, ensuring that images meant for single viewing remain private. Additionally, Instagram is rolling out Teen Accounts that limit messaging capabilities from unknown users and enhance follow request filtering. New safety notices will alert teens when communicating with potentially deceptive accounts, while nudity protection features will automatically blur inappropriate content. The company is also partnering with Crisis Text Line to provide support for affected users.

Created at: October 17, 2024 11:00am

Meta Announces Workforce Reductions Across Key Teams

Meta Announces Workforce Reductions Across Key Teams

Meta confirmed layoffs affecting multiple teams, including Threads, recruiting, legal operations, and design, as part of a resource reallocation strategy. A spokesperson stated these changes align with long-term goals and location strategies. While the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed, reports indicate over a dozen layoffs occurred via video calls. Severance packages of six weeks were offered to some impacted staff. This follows a series of substantial workforce reductions at Meta, totaling over 21,000 employees since 2022 due to post-pandemic adjustments.

Created at: October 17, 2024 2:00am

TechCrunch Mourns the Loss of Steve O'Hear, a Remarkable Journalist

TechCrunch Mourns the Loss of Steve O'Hear, a Remarkable Journalist

Steve O'Hear, a cherished former journalist at TechCrunch, has passed away at 49 after a brief illness. Known for his prolific writing and unique voice, Steve contributed over 3,200 posts during his decade-long tenure. Despite living with muscular dystrophy, he was a relentless news hound and an advocate for accessibility in tech. He co-founded a startup and later established a communications consultancy. Colleagues remembered him for his generosity, humor, and love of music, underscoring the profound impact he had on the TechCrunch community.

Created at: October 14, 2024 10:00pm

2024 Sees Unprecedented Data Breaches: Over 1 Billion Records Compromised

2024 Sees Unprecedented Data Breaches: Over 1 Billion Records Compromised

2024 has been marked by some of the largest data breaches in history, affecting millions. AT&T revealed breaches impacting nearly all its 110 million customers, while Change Healthcare lost sensitive medical data on a substantial portion of Americans. A ransomware attack on Synnovis disrupted major hospitals in London, and Snowflake faced a massive data theft involving 560 million records from Ticketmaster. The fallout from these incidents poses serious risks to personal security and privacy, as criminals exploit the stolen data. The ongoing security crisis raises urgent questions about data protection measures across industries.

Created at: October 14, 2024 6:30pm

Windows Users Alert: Lumma Stealer Malware Spreading via Fake CAPTCHA Pages

Windows Users Alert: Lumma Stealer Malware Spreading via Fake CAPTCHA Pages

Security experts have warned Windows users about the Lumma Stealer malware, which is being disseminated through fake human verification pages masquerading as Google's CAPTCHA. These phishing sites lure users into clicking a button that triggers the download of malware via a PowerShell script. Once executed, the malware connects to attacker-controlled domains to steal sensitive information. The malware, initially discovered by Palo Alto Networks, spreads through a zip file named 'dengo.zip.' Users are advised to update their software and be cautious of suspicious verification pages to avoid infection.

Created at: October 14, 2024 3:00pm

FCC Offers Subsidies for Internet Services to Hurricane-Affected Households

FCC Offers Subsidies for Internet Services to Hurricane-Affected Households

In response to recent hurricanes impacting the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the FCC has announced that those affected can receive temporary subsidies for broadband and mobile services. The Lifeline program, designed to reduce internet costs for low-income households, will now allow new applicants receiving FEMA assistance due to hurricane impacts to enroll. While the maximum subsidy is $9.25, it can provide crucial support for families facing financial strain. This waiver will remain in effect for six months, potentially expanding the reach of the Lifeline program to more households in need.

Created at: October 11, 2024 8:00pm

LinkedIn: 10 Million Freelancers Join Services Marketplace Amid Tech Layoffs

LinkedIn: 10 Million Freelancers Join Services Marketplace Amid Tech Layoffs

LinkedIn has announced that 10 million users have signed up on its Services Marketplace, reflecting a 48% increase over the past year. This surge comes as over 100,000 tech workers were laid off in 2024, leading many to explore freelance opportunities. Service requests on the platform are also up by 65% year-over-year. Despite these gains, LinkedIn has not disclosed sales figures or pricing trends. The company aims to boost engagement and premium subscriptions, which have risen by 51%, contributing to $1.7 billion in revenue this fiscal year.

Created at: October 10, 2024 5:00pm

China Detains Foxconn Workers Amid Rising Tensions with Taiwan

China Detains Foxconn Workers Amid Rising Tensions with Taiwan

In a surprising turn of events, China has detained four Taiwanese employees at Foxconn's Zhengzhou plant, a key supplier for Apple's iPhone production. The Taiwanese government expressed concerns over the detentions, which are suspected to be politically motivated amid escalating tensions between China and Taiwan. Local authorities have not disclosed specific reasons for the detentions, leading to fears among investors regarding the safety of operations in China. The situation has prompted Taiwanese nationals to avoid non-essential travel to China and has raised alarms about the potential impact on Apple's reliance on Chinese manufacturing.

Created at: October 10, 2024 4:00pm

Reporter Uses AI to Spam 2,843 Job Applications in One Hour

Reporter Uses AI to Spam 2,843 Job Applications in One Hour

In a remarkable experiment, reporter Jason Koebler applied to 2,843 jobs using the AI tool AI Hawk while working a restaurant shift. The tool automated tasks such as entering personal information, generating resumes, and writing customized cover letters. This phenomenon highlights a growing trend where AI is increasingly replacing human involvement in job applications and hiring processes. A 2023 survey revealed that 42% of companies utilize AI screening tools. The long-term effects on traditional applicants remain uncertain as the job market evolves.

Created at: October 10, 2024 2:30pm

Russia Bans Discord Despite Military Reliance on the App

Russia Bans Discord Despite Military Reliance on the App

Russia has officially banned the popular chat platform Discord, which has been used by its military for secure communications. This move adds Discord to a growing list of blocked platforms, including Facebook and X, amidst the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The country's internet regulator cited the app's hosting of extremist content, including child sexual abuse material, as the reason for the ban. Following Russia, Turkey also blocked Discord after it refused to share user data. Discord acknowledged the reports of accessibility issues in both countries and is currently investigating.

Created at: October 9, 2024 8:00pm

TikTok Sued for Alleged Financial Exploitation of Minors via Virtual Currency

TikTok Sued for Alleged Financial Exploitation of Minors via Virtual Currency

TikTok is facing a lawsuit from a bipartisan coalition of 13 state attorneys general, accusing the platform of exploiting children financially through its virtual currency system, TikTok Coins. The complaint alleges that the app operates without necessary licenses, akin to a casino, allowing minors to purchase tokens with real money. The suit highlights concerns over the app's weak age verification mechanisms, which enable easy access for young users. TikTok dismissed the allegations as misleading, but the case could influence how social media companies manage virtual currencies and protect younger audiences.

Created at: October 9, 2024 3:31pm

Glassdoor Boosts User Engagement with New Features Inspired by LinkedIn

Glassdoor Boosts User Engagement with New Features Inspired by LinkedIn

Glassdoor has launched new features including short videos, polls, and images to enhance community interaction, drawing inspiration from LinkedIn's successful strategies. The platform aims to mimic the engagement levels seen on social media giants like TikTok and Instagram. Additionally, Glassdoor introduced 'Worklife Pros,' a curated group of industry experts providing career advice. With a significant rise in user engagement, the platform now boasts 63 million monthly visitors. These updates reflect Glassdoor's strategy to strengthen its position as a key player in workplace insights and professional networking.

Created at: October 9, 2024 1:31pm

Glassdoor Embraces Short Videos, Polls, and Images Inspired by LinkedIn

Glassdoor Embraces Short Videos, Polls, and Images Inspired by LinkedIn

Glassdoor is launching new features including short videos, polls, and images to enhance community engagement, taking cues from LinkedIn's success with similar formats. The platform aims to replicate LinkedIn's engagement metrics while introducing Worklife Pros, a curated group sharing insights on remote work and mental health. Since implementing anonymous community features, Glassdoor has grown its active user base from 7 million to 25 million and now boasts 63 million monthly unique visitors. The enhancements reflect a significant shift in user interaction and overall platform growth.

Created at: October 9, 2024 12:00pm

2024 Tech Layoff Wave Continues: Over 130,000 Jobs Cut

2024 Tech Layoff Wave Continues: Over 130,000 Jobs Cut

The ongoing tech layoff wave has seen more than 130,000 job cuts across 457 companies in 2024, as reported by Layoffs.fyi. Major players like Tesla, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have announced significant layoffs. Smaller startups are also affected, with some shutting down entirely. These job losses raise concerns about the impact on innovation and highlight a shift towards AI and automation. The situation underlines the human cost of layoffs and the challenges faced by the tech industry amid economic uncertainties.

Created at: October 8, 2024 5:01pm

Starlink Provides Free Satellite Internet to Hurricane Helene Victims in Partnership with Biden Administration

Starlink Provides Free Satellite Internet to Hurricane Helene Victims in Partnership with Biden Administration

Starlink, led by Elon Musk, has announced it will provide free satellite internet access to victims of Hurricane Helene. In collaboration with the Biden Administration, the company will dispatch over 500 internet kits to the severely affected Appalachia region. This initiative aims to assist those impacted by the disaster, allowing them to connect and seek help. Previously, Starlink has offered similar support in war-torn areas like Ukraine and Gaza. The service will remain free for 30 days, ensuring critical communication during the recovery phase.

Created at: October 8, 2024 8:30am

Starlink's Direct-to-Cell Service Approved by FCC for Hurricane Helene Relief

Starlink's Direct-to-Cell Service Approved by FCC for Hurricane Helene Relief

The FCC has granted temporary approval for Starlink's direct-to-cell service in partnership with T-Mobile to assist Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina and other affected areas. This initiative aims to provide essential SMS messaging and emergency alerts via satellite connections, enhancing communication in disaster-stricken regions. Starlink's technology will be available on a best-effort basis to T-Mobile subscribers, though the service is still in a testing phase. SpaceX emphasizes its commitment to restoring connectivity and aiding recovery efforts for those impacted by the hurricane.

Created at: October 8, 2024 8:26am