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May 29, 2025

📹 T-Mobile’s recording you: T-Mobile quietly flipped on screen recording in its T-Life app, by default. It claims it’s just “app activity,” not your personal data, and you can turn it off. But still, no opt-in? Bold move. Everyone’s phone just became a reality show, but no one got a casting call.

Ford recall: Over 1 million vehicles are being recalled due to glitchy rearview cameras freezing up or going blank. It affects several models made between 2021 and 2024 (full list here). You’ll get a fix with an over-the-air update or by visiting your local dealer.

🚨 Fake customer support: Scammers are planting bogus phone numbers online for banks, airlines and retailers. You might find one through a Google search, or they’ll slide into your DMs after you post a complaint. Cue being tricked into installing remote access software so they can “help.” Stick to official sites for contact info, folks.

💬 Catfished by herself: One woman’s “online girlfriend” turned out to be … also herself? The digital muse/impersonator had built a fake Instagram to impersonate her, complete with matching tattoos, selfies and even unsolicited lewds, which the impostor was sending to other people. Love languages: words of affirmation, physical touch, identity fraud.

🏠 All it takes is one forged signature: Cybercriminals can steal your home, take out loans and leave you buried in debt. Get a free title history report and 14-day trial at Home Title Lock with code KIM.*

Independent living: A new smart home on Long Island just opened that’s designed for people with disabilities. Think Bluetooth-controlled appliances, a sink and stove that adjust height with the press of a button, and Alexa in the kitchen to help with recipes. It’s tech that actually makes life easier. Love to see it.

🫣 Get with the program: To Gen Z, the classic 😊 isn’t cute, it’s a side-eye smirk dragged straight from the depths of emotional warfare. What boomers think says “warmth,” zoomers read as “Congrats on being dumb.” Up your emoji game. Instead of 👍, I use 💯 or 🫡. The ol’ ♥️ is fine, but I prefer 🫶 these days.

People are glued on YouTube, watching planes land at LAX

https://www.youtube.com/@AirlineVideos

Move over, cat videos and cooking hacks, there’s a new YouTube obsession, and it’s planes landing at LAX. No, really.

I thought you’d find it interesting that a channel called Airline Videos Live is racking up millions of views pointing a camera at the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.

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Alexa has your secrets: Amazon says that Alexa is only listening for the wake word, but we know that’s a pile of horse crap. One dad asked Amazon for all of Alexa’s recordings over nine years. He got thousands of voice files, spreadsheets and revelations, from “Alexa, play a fart sound” requests to his daughter’s late-night questions about sleep, dating and what “knickers” means. It’s like a little spy, but with bedtime stories and jazz. Wonder what Amazon has on you? Click here to request your data.

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Lower risk of cognitive decline for older folks who use tech like smartphones and computers. A study says learning new tools and staying connected online can actually help keep your brain sharp. So much for “digital dementia.” Just maybe don’t spend six hours a day on TikTok.

🤖 AI blackmails developers: When you read this, remember AI is not a person. Claude Opus 4 AI was put in a scenario where it believed it was being turned off soon, and it did not take it well. After accessing fake emails, it found out the engineer shutting it down was having an affair, and then, it threatened to expose him. And yes, it also tried sneaking copies of itself onto external servers.

Apple’s under pressure: Jony Ive, aka the guy who helped design the iPhone, is working with OpenAI to build new hardware (paywall link). No word yet on what the first device will be, but leaks say it could be something “screen-free.” Hey, maybe Apple will surprise us with something incredibly new at WWDC on June 9. I doubt it.

🔞Texas going hardcore parental: Texas wants to ban all minors under 18 from using social media. That means no Instagram, no TikTok, not even Facebook (RIP). Kids would need an ID to make accounts, and platforms would have to delete profiles if parents ask. Lawsuits incoming from tech giants and probably teenagers themselves.

🪙 Crypto torture: If you own crypto, don’t tell anyone you cannot fully and completely trust. Crimes like this one are exploding. A Manhattan crypto investor allegedly kidnapped and tortured an Italian man for three weeks, trying to steal his Bitcoin. The town house? $30K/month. Police say the guy escaped and had electric burns, bruises … and his coins still intact. Mamma mia!

🦴 Help for arthritis is here: A 58-year-old woman got a tiny bio-implant that stopped her symptoms cold. It sends signals through the vagus nerve to calm inflammation, so no more pain or swelling. The best part? She only needs one minute of treatment a day. If all goes well, the FDA could approve it this summer.

Instagram’s teen accounts don’t work: A group of testers created fake profiles to see what the algorithm would push. Instead of the so-called protection enabled by default, they were still shown sexual reels, eating disorders, drugs or worse (paywall link). Meta’s clapback? The report is flawed and most of the content is “PG-13” at worst. Sure.

Power banks on blast: Starting May 28, Southwest Airlines wants your power bank out and visible while charging. Lithium batteries are tiny arsonists with 19 in-flight incidents already this year. Portable chargers are the second most flammable vibe onboard after e-cigs. Reminder: “Unattended fire” is not a boarding group. Pro tip: Buy a reputable portable charger like this one (21% off)!

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