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Privacy report card: Which AI flunked
AI bots are our digital sidekicks. They’ve helped me write emails faster, plan my vacations, you name it. But the more we share, the more these bots learn about us. That can come back to bite you. Let’s lock down your data before your secrets become someone else’s payday.
🤖 Hall of shame
Not all AI tools treat your personal info the same way. Here’s how the top players stack up on data privacy.
And surprise, surprise, the worst offenders don’t let you opt out of training their models with your prompts.
🤐 TMI for AI
Every word you type is saved, even if you hit “delete” on the convo. Before you spill your life story, keep these in mind:
- Medical records: Your doctor is bound by HIPAA. AI bots aren’t. Scrub out anything that identifies you, like your name, birthdate or patient ID.
- Legal trouble: AI companies can be forced to hand over logs. Your “private” chats could become Exhibit A.
- Sensitive photos: Give apps access to your pics and they can scan, store and share your camera roll.
👉 Bottom line: Treat these chats like you’re being recorded (because you are).
💸 Your data, their profit
Here’s the kicker: Even if you’ve never used AI in your life, these bots learn from public sources. This means your phone number, address and your Facebook comments from 2015 are all there.
And the rest? They buy it. Data brokers collect and sell your info to advertisers, spammers and any creep with a checkbook. Once it’s out there, there’s no getting it back.
Adapt with the times
👩💻 Complicated setups are out. Simple, smart solutions are in.
- 🛜 Bye, buffering: Boost your signal up to 12,880 sq. ft. with a Wi-Fi extender (64% off).
- Transfer like lightning: This card reader (23% off) handles MicroSD and SD at once.
- 📱 Solid hold: Keep your phone handy on a sturdy dock (20% off). 4.7 stars and 101,000+ reviews.
- Label like a boss: From logos to QR codes, this Bluetooth printer (39% off) does it all.
- 🔊 Beats on the go: A waterproof portable speaker (21% off) makes a great gift year-round.
🤖 Skip the endless scrolling: I’ve put today’s top tech deals all in one place … aka my Amazon storefront. That click will save you a ton of money!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🚨 You must read this before your next Uber ride
⚠️ Warning: This story contains details about sexual assault that may be disturbing.
I know two women who were raped by an Uber driver. That’s not hearsay or a story I read online. They trusted the ride, believed the app was safe and paid the price in the most horrific way possible.
You might be paying for subscriptions you don’t even remember. Rocket Money tracks them all and helps you cancel what you don’t need. The first time I used it, I saved $435. Give it a try and see how much you save!
👁️ A vision of perfection: I told you this would be reality 11 years ago! New FDA-approved VIZZ drops promise crisp near vision for 10 hours, no glasses needed. Using aceclidine, it “pinhole” focuses your pupils without messing with distance sight. Basically, your eyeballs get an instant camera upgrade. This is great, now I can read warning labels before ignoring them. (lol)
GPT-5 is taking over
It’s faster, smarter, and more honest. Here’s why you should be using it.
34 years
That’s how long AOL’s dial-up has been screeching. Come Sept. 30, 2025, the iconic modem handshake will join Blockbuster late fees in the nostalgia graveyard. Broadband won years ago, this is just a very late funeral. If you’ve never heard it, imagine R2-D2 having a panic attack through a kazoo. Hey, in the mood to go back in time? Check out these home pages from way back to log on to memory lane.
▶️ Control Facebook video autoplay: You can choose whether videos in your feed play automatically. On PC, go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Media and toggle off Autoplay animations. On mobile, go to Settings & privacy > Settings > Media > Autoplay and tap Never or On Wi-Fi only.
This package is dangerous
A mystery box shows up at your door with a free gift. Seems harmless, right? Think again. Here’s how to stay safe.
📈 Stocks meet small talk: Google Finance is getting an AI brain transplant. Starting in the coming weeks, you can ask it detailed market questions, get fancy charts, track commodities and crypto and see live news in one place. “AI, why is my portfolio crying?” — now answerable. Maybe even in a Shakespearean tragedy voice.
Feel better for under $25
💪 Because staying healthy shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg.
- 📉 Hit your goals: Track BMI, muscle mass and more on a smart scale (10% off). 4.7 stars & 111,000+ reviews.
- 😁 Smile saver: This water flosser (35% off) keeps your teeth sparkling. Your dentist will be impressed.
- 🌡️ Feverish? Find out fast with a no-touch thermometer (20% off). Makes late-night temp checks easy.
- ☑️ Soreness solved: Microwave or freeze these reusable gel packs (15% off) for quick pain relief.
- ❤️🩹 First aid in a bottle: Bactine’s cleansing spray (28% off) is a must-have for cuts, burns and bug bites.
🏃 Keep the good vibes going: You’ve seen the short list, but there are 25 more feel-good finds waiting for you on my Amazon page.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Free airport Wi-Fi is a trap
So you’re checking email before your flight? Bad move. Scammers could be stealing your data. In this episode of The Current, my AI employee George and I dig into the latest tricks thieves use to target travelers.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
Safes cracked in seconds: Researchers revealed two ways to break into Securam ProLogic electronic safes (used for guns, cash, etc.). No drills or special gear required for eight brands. If your lock says “Securam ProLogic” on the keypad, it’s at risk. Only fix? Swap the lock. Company’s not patching old ones.
Customize your Gmail inbox: By default, Gmail shows 1–50 conversations per page. The alternative? Go to Settings (top right) > See all settings > General > Maximum page size. Now pick between 10 and 100, scroll down and hit Save Changes.
AI brings back a school shooting victim
Jim Acosta interviewed an AI avatar of Joaquin Oliver, a 17-year-old killed in the Parkland shooting. Was that too far? A listener uses ChatGPT to get better at painting. Plus, Zuckerberg’s Hawaiian compound, a scary new bank scam, and AI wedding vows.
Rack and roll
👕 If your clothes could talk, they’d beg for this glow-up list.
- ⚡ Fuzz buster: This fabric shaver (20% off) turns old tops from “meh” into “whoa, is that new?”
- 🧩 Closet Tetris, solved: These space-saving hangers (30% off, six-pack) will double your wardrobe.
- 🧺 Laundry day lifesaver: Four wheels + removable bag = one sleek rolling hamper (14% off).
- 🔥 Suck it up: Keep lint from building up and causing a fire with this dryer vent hose (20% off).
- 🌸 Iron in a bottle: Downy’s wrinkle releaser spray (5% off) is your secret weapon for crumpled shirts.
🛍️ Essentially awesome: From smart gadgets to handy tools, I’ve rounded up the best finds on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
📌 Can’t pin an app to the Windows 11 taskbar? Usually, you right-click the desktop shortcut and select Pin to taskbar. If that option’s missing, use the search bar instead. Just type the app’s name, and when it appears, click Pin to taskbar on the right side of the menu.
🤓 Bookworms are winning on dating apps: Looking for love? A new study says 75% of people would rather date someone well-read than someone hot. Yup, apparently emotional intelligence is beating out abs and jawlines. So go ahead, hold a big ol’ novel in your profile pic. It might be your best wingman to make sure you’re booked solid. (See what I did right there?)