Net neutrality’s back

April 27, 2024

Net neutrality’s back: The FCC voted to restore net neutrality, saying ISPs can’t speed up, slow down or block access to specific sites or services. The FCC also wants to stop ISPs from selling customers’ personal info or using this info to train AI models. Now, the pros and cons of net neutrality are a 20-minute lecture starting with: Do we really want to open the door to government interference and regulation of private enterprise? Drop me a note here if you want to talk about net neutrality or another burning tech topic.

Tags: cons, FCC, models, personal info, pros, regulation, restore, selling, services, speed, tech

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3 steps to protect your kids from identity theft

Last year, a Hawaii couple was convicted of living for decades under the identities of dead babies. Stories like this always disgust me, but after this long in tech, they don’t surprise me.

Crooks have no shame, folks: 2% of identity theft cases reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last year involved the personal info of Americans age 19 or younger. Many more go unreported, partly because they aren’t discovered until the victim attempts to apply for their first loan or credit card.

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Researchers found playing 20 minutes of a certain computer game after a car accident or other trauma can reduce intrusive memories in the coming weeks. Is it … A.) Solitaire, B.) Pac-Man, C.) Tetris or D.) Minesweeper?

Find the answer here →

$132,000 in profits lost for every EV Ford sold in Q1

Issues cited include stiff competition, high R&D costs and only 10,000 vehicles sold all quarter. Ford execs say the EV business will be profitable “in the near future.” Something tells me they can’t af-ford those numbers for long.

49.8% of the population will be nearsighted and need glasses by 2050

That’s up from 20% in 2000. Screens aren’t totally to blame — all “near work” like reading, writing and, yes, watching, contributes, along with time indoors. A good reminder to get outside and make sure you have vision insurance.

$9,420 flamethrowing robot

The 26-pound Thermonator robo-pup has an ARC flamethrower on its back. Throwflame, the Ohio flamethrower manufacturer, says the fiery Fido can be used for “wildfire control and prevention” and “snow and ice removal.” Shipping is free, but good luck ordering — the website crashed. Ruff!

So you want to make money with YouTube. What’s the best time to post your video masterpiece to give it the best chance of going viral? Is it … 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 7 p.m.?

Find the answer here →

28 million people use Meta’s Threads each day

That’s 27% more than X’s 22 million daily users. More people still use X each month, but the daily active user count is a better indicator. Point: Zuckerberg. Musk, your move.

The FTC just banned noncompete clauses, which companies use to keep workers from going to competitors. With the ban, does the FTC expect a decrease in A.) Wages earned, B.) Startups founded, C.) Patents filed, or D.) Health care costs?

Find the answer here →

93.7-foot wave surfed in Nazaré, Portugal

The feat breaks German surfer Sebastian Steudtner’s previous record from 2020 — an 86-foot wave in the same spot. His goal? 100 feet. A classic “good for him, not for me” if there ever was one.

6-day workweek for Samsung executives after a bad earnings report

The rule is meant to “impose a sense of crisis” after their net profits dropped 72%. Not good. FYI, Samsung still made $11.24 billion in 2023. Excuse me while I play a sad song on the world’s smallest violin.

3 steps to protect your kids from identity theft

$132,000 in profits lost for every EV Ford sold in Q1

49.8% of the population will be nearsighted and need glasses by 2050

​​$9,420 flamethrowing robot

28 million people use Meta’s Threads each day

93.7-foot wave surfed in Nazaré, Portugal

6-day workweek for Samsung executives after a bad earnings report

$9,420 flamethrowing robot