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An iPhone to HDMI adapter was discovered that, when plugged in, runs a program prompting users to download an app. This EZ Cast app collects extensive personal data and sends it to China for ad targeting. It requires location access, photos, and installs tracking cookies. The adapter appears designed to mimic official Apple products. While its intentions are unclear, it demonstrates how such devices could enable privacy risks by introducing untrusted software into a user's devices. Analysis of a similar EZCast dongle found it was vulnerable and not designed with security in mind. Reviews complain the app is useless or a scam. The adapter may have originated as unsold Amazon returns later acquired by electronics recyclers. Its existence relates to concerns about privacy and navigation issues on online marketplaces.

House Republicans unveiled a budget blueprint proposing trillions in spending cuts over 10 years, targeting steep reductions to Medicaid and food assistance programs. The plan seeks $2 trillion in Medicaid cuts and $800 billion from SNAP. It also calls for establishing a commission to propose changes to Social Security and Medicare. Democrats criticized the proposal as pushing "cruel cuts" that will hurt access to healthcare and raise costs for many. If enacted, the budget would slash nearly $5 trillion from discretionary spending and $9 trillion from mandatory programs over a decade. However, the proposal is unlikely to become law given Democratic control of the Senate. The resolution indicates Republicans remain committed to large cuts across many public services and low-income programs.

Sridhar Ramaswamy, former CEO of the privacy-focused search engine Neeva, believes the window for AI systems to truly disrupt Google's dominance in consumer search is closing following Snowflake's acquisition of Neeva. At Snowflake, Ramaswamy sees more potential in using AI for enterprise applications and knowledge discovery. While chatbots like ChatGPT showed promise early this year, Google's own Bard system is improving and the lack of integration between services limits disruption. In the enterprise space, Snowflake trusts allow it to securely leverage customers' data to help them use AI. Ramaswamy notes that success in large language models remains unpredictable, as platforms that once dominated like BlackBerry and Nokia have fallen. Overall, the acquisition allows Neeva's team to apply their search technology to Snowflake's structured and unstructured enterprise data.

The Indiana Attorney General sued Indiana University Health, the state's largest hospital system, claiming it violated patient privacy laws in the case of a 10-year-old Ohio girl who received an abortion in Indiana. Attorney General Todd Rokita has taken repeated legal actions targeting the doctor who discussed the girl's case publicly. The lawsuit says the hospital prioritized protecting the doctor over patient privacy. It alleges the hospital violated both HIPAA and an Indiana law by not keeping the girl's information private. While the medical board reprimanded the doctor for not following privacy protocols, Rokita had sought a suspension of her license. The hospital argues the doctor did not break any laws. Notably, a 28-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison for raping the 10-year-old girl, highlighting the severity of the situation that sparked the national abortion debate.

For the first time, Apple discussed repairability during its iPhone launch event. An engineer mentioned the new iPhone 15 Pro models were designed with a structural frame that makes the back glass easier to replace. This comes after the iPhone 14 introduced a design that allows removal of the front or back. Repair advocates welcomed the acknowledgment but will still examine the devices for barriers like parts pairing. While praising initiatives to reduce emissions, critics argue the most sustainable option is not buying a new phone annually. The conversation on repairability is complex as commitments face scrutiny versus past actions restricting repair. Only time will tell if Apple's claims translate to meaningful improvements or are more superficial than substantive.

The US child poverty rate more than doubled in 2022 according to new Census data, rising to 12.4% from 5.2% the previous year. This sharp increase was largely due to the expiration of the expanded Child Tax Credit program that was part of the American Rescue Plan but was not extended due to opposition from Senator Joe Manchin and Republicans. The boosted Child Tax Credit had significantly reduced child poverty in 2021. Experts say child poverty would not have risen so drastically last year if the expanded tax credit was maintained. The data underscores the significant impact policy decisions around social programs can have on poverty levels.

Virginia implemented new anti-transgender policies for schools, but Fairfax County Public Schools will not comply with them. The new policies go against federal law by restricting bathroom access for transgender students and allowing teachers to ignore using students' chosen names and pronouns. Studies show that affirming policies help transgender students feel safer and have better educational outcomes. FCPS affirmed its commitment to protecting transgender students and allowing them to fully participate as their authentic selves. The policies have faced opposition from residents, students, and civil rights groups who argue they violate nondiscrimination laws and harm transgender youth. Superintendent Reid echoed that affirming policies are critical to providing quality education for all students. Overall, the new state policies have ignited debate around balancing students' welfare with claims of parental rights.

cross-posted from: https://beehaw.org/post/7714318

Grindr Inc. has lost about 45% of its staff as it enforces a strict return-to-office policy that was introduced after a majority of employees announced a plan to unionize.

About 80 of the 178 employees at the LGBTQ dating app company were forced to resign after the company in August mandated workers return to work in person two days a week at assigned “hub” offices or be fired, the Communications Workers of America said in a statement Wednesday.

The West Hollywood, California-based company also gave a severance package to staff who were unable to relocate, in what the CWA alleged was an attempt “to silence workers from speaking out about their working conditions,” according to a statement from the organization. The CWA filed a new labor complaint against the company on Wednesday, the second such complaint in about a month.

Grindr Inc. has lost about 45% of its staff as it enforces a strict return-to-office policy that was introduced after a majority of employees announced a plan to unionize.

About 80 of the 178 employees at the LGBTQ dating app company were forced to resign after the company in August mandated workers return to work in person two days a week at assigned “hub” offices or be fired, the Communications Workers of America said in a statement Wednesday.

The West Hollywood, California-based company also gave a severance package to staff who were unable to relocate, in what the CWA alleged was an attempt “to silence workers from speaking out about their working conditions,” according to a statement from the organization. The CWA filed a new labor complaint against the company on Wednesday, the second such complaint in about a month.

In an interview, former president Donald Trump claimed he was allowed to do whatever he wanted with classified documents under the Presidential Records Act. However, the act actually requires classified materials to be handed over to the National Archives at the end of a president's term. When asked if he would testify at his upcoming trial over classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago after leaving office, Trump said he would and looked forward to it, comparing it to the Russia investigation. He also said he would love to debate Meghan Markle and criticized how she treated the Queen. Overall, Trump maintained in the interview that he did nothing wrong and was within his rights regarding the classified materials.

Several Republican politicians, including a state senator in Georgia and a former Alaska governor, have suggested that civil war could result if Donald Trump is prosecuted for his various criminal trials. They argue that prosecuting Trump would be treason and have warned that conservatives may need to take up arms. The author notes that these kinds of inflammatory rhetoric from political leaders risk inciting violence, as evidenced by those involved in the January 6th attack who echoed such messages. Even Trump himself alluded to the possibility of further unrest, praising the "passion" and "love" of the January 6th mob. As political divisions continue intensifying in the U.S., explicitly calling for civil war is irresponsible and could have dangerous consequences, according to the author.

Also starting next spring, the Al Companion will give "real-time feedback' on people's presence in meetings plus coaching on their conversational and presentation skills.