3 ways you're a target online

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Single? Posting vacation pics? Sharing Instagram videos? These everyday habits can put you in a scammer’s crosshairs. Also, China’s stolen military secrets, why Gen Z is ditching cars, and the best way to clean up duplicate photos.

Tags: Target, videos


🙏🏻 Forgive me, Father, for AI have sinned: A church in Switzerland is using an AI “Jesus” in its digital confessional booths. The holy bot dishes out advice in over 100 languages. Call it a gimmick, but two-thirds of those who’ve tried it called it a “spiritual experience.” Naysayers, don’t be so cross about it.

97 years old

Isn’t too old for cheerleading! Ilagene Doehring got a blast from the past when Michigan’s Merrill High cheer team surprised her at her nursing home. Over 80 years after her stint as a high school cheerleader, she joined the squad for a performance. You have to see the video! What did the cheerleader drink before the big game? A root beer!

🗞️ We’re in trouble: Nearly 40% of Gen Zers get their news from social media influencers. X is the go-to news source, with Instagram close behind. Male influencers outnumber women 2-to-1, and news influencers lean a bit more right than left (27% to 21%). Wonder how long it’ll take for TikTokkers to be moderating debates.

Alexa-ly what you need: The Echo Show 21 ($399) has a big 21-inch 1080p display, better sound than previous models and is Wi-Fi 6E ready. If you prefer a smaller model, there’s the upgraded Echo Show 15 ($299). Both include wall-mounting equipment. If you want a countertop stand, that’s an extra $100. Both make great gifts for any Echo lover.

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🏥 The hologram will see you now: A hospital outside of Dallas is the first in the country to use a $65,000 Holobox. The device beams a 3D image of your doctor inside what looks like a futuristic vending machine for a slightly more personal telehealth appointment. Good news for areas with doctor shortages.

Real men cannot be stolen: A woman is going viral on TikTok for the way she discovered her boyfriend of eight years was cheating for the last two years. Yes, you read that right! Mr. “Lyin’ King” got a new iPhone and lost all his contacts. She sent him a text that read, “Hey sexy,” so he could save her number. He replied, saying he needed to leave his apartment but was on his way to bed her, thinking she was the other woman. Yikes.

There’s no fun in these funerals: Scammers are creating 24/7 fake funeral livestreams on Facebook and tricking people into handing over their credit card info. They use real photos and details about a person who’s passed, then they ask for a card “to verify your location” and secretly set you up for recurring payments.

$20 billion 

Google Chrome’s estimated value on the open market. In August, a judge ruled Google is monopolizing web search. Selling Chrome is one way to fix that big problem. With 3 billion monthly users and a 61% market share, it’s a behemoth. Microsoft Bing could go out with a bang!

470,000 feet

Altitude reached by the University of Southern California’s student-built rocket. Aftershock II broke the previous record of 380,000 feet, becoming the first non-governmental or private-company-owned rocket to reach this far into space. Oh, space is a vacuum, but it doesn’t suck.

🤖 Kim’s new BFF: Nope, not me Kim — the other Kim K.! Kim Kardashian’s showing off her new butt Tesla robot on X and Instagram. In one clip, she makes half of a heart with her hand and the bot completes it. In another, she teaches it to blow a kiss and tries the game Rock, Paper, Scissors. Optimus goes into full production by 2026 for $20,000 to $30,000 a pop. I wonder if this Kim K. can get a freebie …