Mastodawn

Looks like Google's 'default' status is getting a judicial nudge! A judge ruled their search & AI contracts must be capped at one year, sparking yearly renegotiations.

Will this actually boost competition or just keep Google's legal team busy?

#TechPolicy #Google #Search #AI #Competition
Link: https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/judge-puts-a-one-year-limit-on-googles-contracts-for-default-search-placement-215549614.html?src=rss

Judge puts a one-year limit on Google's contracts for default search placement

Google will have to renegotiate its contracts every year, a judge ruled on Friday.

Engadget

Diogo Vicente Mendes 12h ago

Europe has avoided building a state surveillance system...

So it is subsidising a corporate panopticon instead.

The EU is now asking platforms with poor safety records to grade their own risk for child safety and analyse user behaviour.

They're outsourcing the surveillance of their citizens to foreign companies.

Who is at risk, who is gonna profit from this, what can be done?

Read - https://medium.com/@Diogo_Mendes/chat-control-by-proxy-03c1134380ce

#tech #techpolicy #chatcontrol #ethics #digitalsovereignty

Xavier Mareca 19h ago

⚡ One data center in Frankfurt may force Germany to build new gas power plants.
This highlights the enormous energy footprint of AI infrastructure. As cloud computing and AI models scale, data centers are consuming electricity at levels that challenge existing power grids.
The intersection of AI growth and energy policy is becoming critical for sustainability.
#DataCenter #AI #Energy #Germany #Sustainability #CloudComputing #TechPolicy #GreenTech

TechNadu 22h ago

New research published in Nature & Science shows AI chatbots can influence voter preferences more effectively than political ads.

The strongest persuasion effects came from models instructed to use “facts and evidence,” though these same models also produced more inaccuracies.
The studies underscore a growing need for:
• Transparent political-topic handling
• Accuracy auditing
• Clear governance frameworks
• Safety interventions for election-related AI use

Thoughts on how political-persuasive AI should be regulated?

💬 Engage below
🔄 Boost & Follow for more neutral research-driven insights

Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/12/04/1128824/ai-chatbots-can-sway-voters-better-than-political-advertisements/

#Infosec #AIEthics #CyberSecurity #AIResearch #Misinformation #ElectionSecurity #TechPolicy #ResponsibleAI

The Internet is Crack 1d ago

A ventilator only a corporation can unlock…

Cory Doctorow shares how one firm cornered the ventilator market and blocked independent repairs.
In the full episode, he breaks down how monopolies—tech and beyond—tighten control over the internet and what we must do to push back.

🔗 https://youtu.be/4KXJyfl7hBg

#RightToRepair #Monopoly #TechPolicy #OpenWeb #podcast #TheInternetIsCrack

Mind Lude 1d ago

EU regulators just handed X a €140M fine, citing 'deceptive' blue checkmarks, zero ad transparency, and blocking researcher access to data. It seems the wild west of social media is finally getting some sheriffs. Is this the push needed for more accountability, or just another drop in the digital ocean?

Elon Musk's X Hit With $140M Fine Over 'Deceptive' Blue Checkmark Design

EU regulators also reprimanded the social media company for its lack of ad transparency and failure to provide researchers with access to data.

CNET

Winbuzzer 1d ago

https://winbuzzer.com/2025/12/05/eu-fines-x-e120m-for-deceptive-blue-checks-in-historic-first-dsa-penalty-xcxwbn/

EU Fines X €120M for ‘Deceptive’ Blue Checks in Historic First DSA Penalty

#EU #DSA #X #ElonMusk #SocialMedia #Regulation #TikTok #BlueCheck #DigitalSafety #JDVance #EuropeanCommission #TechPolicy

Mind Lude 1d ago

The EU just hit X with its inaugural Digital Services Act fine: a cool €120M for its 'deceptive' blue check system. Turns out, letting anyone *buy* 'verification' isn't flying with regulators.

Do you think this sets a major precedent for how social platforms handle authenticity and trust?
#TechPolicy #DigitalServicesAct #XCorp #SocialMedia #TechNews
Link: https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/05/in-its-first-dsa-penalty-eu-fines-x-e120m-for-deceptive-blue-check-verification-system/

In its first DSA penalty, EU fines X €120M for 'deceptive' blue check verification system | TechCrunch

The EC is taking issue with the fact that X, the social network formerly known as Twitter, has been allowing anyone to buy a "blue checkmark," the platform's long-standing symbol that a user has been verified to be who they are claiming to be.

TechCrunch

TechNadu 1d ago

Edmonton Police have begun a controlled pilot of Axon body cameras capable of facial recognition.

The system compares footage to existing mugshot databases, with human-verified matches and privacy officials requesting strict accuracy standards and impact assessments.

What do you think are the essential technical and governance safeguards here?

Source: https://therecord.media/canadian-police-department-trials-facial-recognition-body-cameras

Follow for more non-sensational infosec analysis.

#Privacy #FacialRecognition #AI #PublicSafety #DigitalEthics #LawEnforcement #TechPolicy #TechNadu