Mastodawn

Geoffrey A. Fowler Oct 24, 2023

Wowza.

41 states sue Meta, claiming Instagram, Facebook are addictive, harm kids

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/24/meta-lawsuit-facebook-instagram-children-mental-health/

41 states sue Meta, claiming Instagram, Facebook are addictive, harm kids

Dozens of states are accusing Facebook and Instagram parent Meta of designing addictive features that harm children.

The Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Oct 3, 2023

Why is "influencer" such a dirty word to many?

Great interview with @taylorlorenz in today's Washington Post Tech Friend newsletter from @Shira: https://washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/03/extremely-online-taylor-lorenz-influencers/

And check out Taylor's new book EXTREMELY ONLINE, out today! https://extremelyonlinebook.com

‘Influencer’ is a dirty word. It shouldn’t be.

Maybe you think people who post on social media professionally are silly attention hogs. But influencers can teach us the value of forging a sense of belonging.

The Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Sep 20, 2023

Uh-oh, Alexa. Here's what Amazon's new "smarter and more conversational" AI did when we asked it about the smoke in San Francisco ... and the new covid vaccine: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/09/20/amazon-alexia-generative-ai/

Analysis | Amazon unveils a ‘smarter’ Alexa. Its AI has a lot of work to do.

Amazon’s effort to play catch up with ChatGPT is still very much a work in progress — and that includes proving we can trust it.

Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Apr 4, 2023

A new era of #AI surveillance in education:

Today, 2.1 mil teachers are getting software from Turnitin to detect ChatGPT cheating

5 students helped me test it @washingtonpost.

In 1 case, it flagged an innocent essay. It got at least half partially wrong.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/04/01/chatgpt-cheating-detection-turnitin/?mc_cid=63000b8e6d&mc_eid=dc54ade7cd

Analysis | We tested a new ChatGPT-detector for teachers. It flagged an innocent student.

Five high school students helped our tech columnist test a ChatGPT detector coming from Turnitin to 2.1 million teachers. It missed enough to get someone in trouble.

Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Mar 3, 2023

Today's @washingtonpost Tech Friend newsletter is useful for pretty much everyone:

4 ways you’re making your home WiFi worse (and how to fix it): https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/03/internet-mistakes-fix-wifi-problems/

(If you don't already subscribe, it's free and brings @Shira to you 2x a week. She is your tech friend!)

Don’t do that. Four mistakes you’re making with home internet.

Don't shove the router in a corner and other mistakes that might be making your home internet worse.

The Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Feb 23, 2023

New by me @washingtonpost:

"That's a great Facebook account you've got there. It'd be a shame if something happened to it."

Facebook & Twitter asking us to pay for basic account security & service reminds me of a mob protection racket.

Shame on this $$$ grab: https://wapo.st/3xOJucE

Facebook’s new $12 fee is straight out of Don Corleone’s playbook

Big Tech’s new business model is making you pay for security and basic customer service. That’s called a protection racket when mobsters do it.

The Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Feb 3, 2023

Drew Harwell Feb 3, 2023

The senator who wants to ban one of America's most popular apps believes (wrongly) that it's "reading your emails," and other fun facts from @geoffreyfowler's smart reality check on TikTok's risks, both real and overblown

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/02/03/tiktok-delete-advice/

Perspective | TikTok and you: Should you delete the app now?

Our tech columnist examines what TikTok knows about you after its CEO gets a grilling from Congress about ties to China.

Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Jan 17, 2023

Ewwww, but also ohh!

Can a severed finger unlock a phone?

More answers to your digital security questions in today's Tech Friend newsletter by @Shira

Can a severed finger unlock a phone? Answers to your security questions.

Don't freak out about fingerprint and face scans on your phones -- or the risk of a crook using your severed finger to unlock your iPhone.

The Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Jan 13, 2023

More evidence Twitter verification isn't verifying much:

It just gave a grey check for government to a fake Congressman.

Twitter account @RepZachNunn even says Parody. Real @ZachNunn has no check.

I wrote last week @washingtonpost about getting verified as a fake Senator: https://wapo.st/3VHo2Qg

Twitter said it fixed ‘verification.’ So I impersonated a senator (again).

Elon Musk said Twitter would begin authenticating users who pay $8 for Blue. Our tech columnist was still able to get a checkmark for an impostor Sen. Ed Markey.

The Washington Post

Geoffrey A. Fowler Jan 6, 2023

In today's @washingtonpost Tech Friend newsletter, my pal @Shira says I live in a nerd paradise with pointless garbage gadgets.

I call her a crusty old lady muttering about why anyone needs ice boxes.

Come for the fun, stay for advice on how to avoid a dumb smarthome: https://wapo.st/3Cv2AqL

Your smart home can be dumb. Here’s how to do it the right way.

A smart home skeptic and a smart home maximalist square off on which internet-connected home gadgets are useful, which aren't and how to know the difference.

The Washington Post