Day: December 29, 2022

Startup Claims It’s Sending Sulfur Into the Atmosphere to Fight Climate Change

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A startup says it has begun releasing sulfur particles into Earth’s atmosphere, in a controversial attempt to combat climate change by deflecting sunlight. Make Sunsets, a company that sells carbon offset “cooling credits” for $10 each, is banking on solar geoengineering to cool down the planet and fill its coffers. The startup claims it has Read more about Startup Claims It’s Sending Sulfur Into the Atmosphere to Fight Climate Change[…]

University students are using AI to write essays. Teachers are learning how to embrace that

Posted on by Robin Edgar

As word of students using AI to automatically complete essays continues to spread, some lecturers are beginning to rethink how they should teach their pupils to write. Writing is a difficult task to do well. The best novelists and poets write furiously, dedicating their lives to mastering their craft. The creative process of stringing together Read more about University students are using AI to write essays. Teachers are learning how to embrace that[…]

FSF Warns: Stay Away From iPhones, Amazon, Netflix, and Music Steaming Services

Posted on by Robin Edgar

For the last thirteen years the Free Software Foundation has published its Ethical Tech Giving Guide. But what’s interesting is this year’s guide also tags companies and products with negative recommendations to “stay away from.” Stay away from: iPhones It’s not just Siri that’s creepy: all Apple devices contain software that’s hostile to users. Although Read more about FSF Warns: Stay Away From iPhones, Amazon, Netflix, and Music Steaming Services[…]

Mickey’s Copyright Adventure: Early Disney Creation Will Soon Be Public Property – finally. What lawsuits lie in wait?

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The version of the iconic character from “Steamboat Willie” will enter the public domain in 2024. But those trying to take advantage could end up in a legal mousetrap. From a report: There is nothing soft and cuddly about the way Disney protects the characters it brings to life. This is a company that once Read more about Mickey’s Copyright Adventure: Early Disney Creation Will Soon Be Public Property – finally. What lawsuits lie in wait?[…]

The LastPass disclosure of leaked password vaults is being torn apart by security experts

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Last week, just before Christmas, LastPass dropped a bombshell announcement: as the result of a breach in August, which led to another breach in November, hackers had gotten their hands on users’ password vaults. While the company insists that your login information is still secure, some cybersecurity experts are heavily criticizing its post, saying that Read more about The LastPass disclosure of leaked password vaults is being torn apart by security experts[…]

EarSpy: Spying on Phone Calls via Ear Speaker Vibrations Captured by Accelerometer

Posted on by Robin Edgar

As smartphone manufacturers are improving the ear speakers in their devices, it can become easier for malicious actors to leverage a particular side-channel for eavesdropping on a targeted user’s conversations, according to a team of researchers from several universities in the United States. The attack method, named EarSpy, is described in a paper published just Read more about EarSpy: Spying on Phone Calls via Ear Speaker Vibrations Captured by Accelerometer[…]