Share:
23andMe is struggling and searching for new ways to make money. One of those options? Selling your genetic data. Plus, the Hurricane Helene forecast scandal, fake election donation sites, and four key times to change your password.
🎓 History is outdated; it’s full of old news: A Massachusetts couple is suing their son’s high school after he got a bad grade and detention for using AI on a history project. Their argument? The student handbook doesn’t explicitly ban AI and this grade will hurt the little cheater’s college applications. The school’s response? The handbook says no “unauthorized technology.”
Has shrunk while the price has stayed the same (or gone down). It’s called “shrinkflation.” Paper products and cereal are big offenders. Take Angel Soft toilet paper: You now get 25% less TP for 13% more money. Talk about being on a roll! Hit this link for product comparisons.
Finally, a full-color Kindle: Amazon’s new Kindle Colorsoft is easy on the eyes like the classic models but way better for reading colorful comics and magazines. It lasts up to eight weeks on a single charge, and it’s wireless-charging-compatible and waterproof. Preorder one for $280 and Oct. 30 shipping. Pro tip: Trade your old Kindle back to Amazon for 20% off your upgrade.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
23andMe class-action lawsuit: Hackers stole the personal info of 6.9 million customers in 2023, and 23andMe is now paying out a $30 million settlement. We’re talking up to $10,000 per person if you’ve faced identity fraud or other big issues related to the breach. The settlement still needs final approval, but when it happens, you can count on me to give you the link to apply.
🚀 Secret space mission: X-37B is a top-secret U.S. space plane suspected of carrying spy gear, satellites or even weapons. It’s working on a new trick called “aerobraking,” or dipping into Earth’s atmosphere to slow down and change orbit. What’s the big deal? The maneuver could help X-37B evade detection and save fuel in the process.
Busted by a bot: A New York judge roasted an expert witness who used Microsoft’s Copilot AI chatbot to assess the damages in a real estate case. The witness couldn’t explain how it works, forgot the prompts he used and didn’t know where the info came from. When the court tested it, they got three different estimates. Nail in the coffin: The bot itself says outputs should always be verified by experts. D’oh.
AI needs a ton of juice: Google and Kairos Power are building seven nuclear reactors in the U.S. The first is set to be operational by 2030. Get this: One AI query uses 10 times the power of a typical Google search. Think about that the next time you ask a bot something. At full capacity, the plants will produce a combined 500 megawatts of power — enough for a mid-sized city!
Target Windows every single day. Microsoft’s latest report with all the gory details says more than 99% of attacks go after your passwords. Antivirus software is a must, folks.
❌ Big win: The FTC just finalized its click-to-cancel rule, making it easier to cancel subscriptions. If you signed up for an app or service, you won’t need to call a live agent or dig through complicated account settings to cancel. Businesses now have to clearly disclose their subscription terms and get your OK before charging you, too. Not so fast — this won’t happen until July 2025.
Headed for the U.S. Treasury. It’s the stolen proceeds from the Dark Web drug marketplace Silk Road, valued at $4.6 billion at current prices. It took four years for the government to establish ownership. Crazy twist: The agent who secured the money is sitting in jail.
