Amazon’s Alexa favored Harris over Trump after AI upgrade
Internal Amazon documents reveal what caused voice assistant Alexa to apparently favor Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in a viral video this week.
By Caroline O'DonovanYouTube takes down right-wing channels linked to DOJ Russia indictments
YouTube “terminated” Tenet Media and other channels run by Lauren Chen, who was accused by the DOJ Wednesday of using Russian government money to pay right-wing influencers.
By Gerrit De VynckVerizon offers to buy Frontier in multibillion bid to expand network
If approved by Frontier Communications shareholders, the deal would expand Verizon’s landline footprint beyond the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
By Aaron GreggNew Mexico sues Snapchat over sexual predation of minors
Snapchat is a “breeding ground” for predators seeking to collect sexually explicit images of children and extort them, the state of New Mexico argues in a lawsuit.
By Cat ZakrzewskiCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk is overflowing with AI bills
The Washington Post’s essential guide to tech policy news.
By Gerrit De Vynck and Will OremusGot a Change Healthcare letter about a data breach? Here’s what to do.
Nervous about that Change Healthcare data breach letter that came in the mail? Take these steps if you’re worried you’ve been affected by a data breach.
By Tatum HunterMeta content court rules ‘from the river to the sea’ isn’t hate speech
Meta’s Oversight Board ruled the phrase “from the river to the sea” isn’t necessarily hate speech, a decision likely to fuel debate over Israel-Gaza war content.
By Naomi NixNational Novel Writing Month faces backlash over allowing AI: What to know
Authors are criticizing NaNoWriMo for not objecting to the use of artificial intelligence in its annual event challenging people to write a novel in a month.
By Adela SulimanA telltale clue reveals shady ads on Facebook and Instagram
Links to Telegram on Meta’s platforms often lead to drugs and scams, researchers find.
By Will OremusFew have tried OpenAI’s Google killer. Here’s what they think.
OpenAI’s search tool shows promise but lacks Google’s specialized functions and can suffer from hallucinations.
By Lisa Bonos and Gerrit De VynckHow to master small talk at work
Engaging in small talk at work can boost your career and well-being. Follow these expert tips.
By Danielle AbrilSpyware vendors thwart restrictions with new names and locations
International efforts to rein in online surveillance tools are being systematically skirted, researchers say.
By Joseph MennStock markets suffer worst day since early August meltdown
The Dow Jones Industrial Average falls more than 600 points, a 1.5 percent drop for the day.
By Hannah ZieglerThis is what happened to the world’s most pointless website
How it started and how it’s going with the dumbest website in the world, the company whose fans turned against and your favorite simple technology.
By Shira OvideSilicon Valley had Harris’s back for decades. Will she return the favor?
Some critics of Big Tech worry the Democratic presidential nominee’s deep ties to large tech companies could prompt friendlier treatment.
By Cristiano Lima-Strong and Cat ZakrzewskiMusk’s Twitter investors have lost billions in value
Musk bought X with a combination of his own money, bank loans and capital raised from friends and associates. Here’s how far underwater his investors are today.
By Faiz SiddiquiMusk and Durov are facing the revenge of the regulators
For years, internet moguls like Elon Musk and Pavel Durov have flown above the law as captains of free speech. Now they’re hitting turbulence.
By Will OremusBrazilian judge orders suspension of X in dispute with Elon Musk
X owner Elon Musk has refused to reestablish an office in the country to respond to government requests to take down accounts that spread fake news.
By Terrence McCoy, Trisha Thadani and Marina DiasWhy killer AI is such an alluring horror villain
The new horror movie “AfrAId” shows that malicious AI is now the go-to villain for Hollywood and our nightmares.
By Shira OvideTelegram’s Pavel Durov built a haven for free speech — and child predators
Telegram’s anything-goes approach to online content has also made it one of the internet’s largest havens for child predators, experts say.
By Pranshu Verma, Will Oremus and Gerrit De Vynck