Quick reminder: Most old cellphones can still call 911 even without a plan. Federal law requires all cellphones to connect to emergency services, even if they don’t have active service. A 2-year-old in Oklahoma put this to the test by calling for an emergency donut delivery. The dispatcher played along, and the police showed up with Dunkin’ treats.
Posting deepfake nudes is now a federal crime
Finally, victims have protections. That doesn’t mean the internet will forget.
Print, click, bang: Wired just rebuilt a 3D-printed gun tied to a CEO murder plot, and yeah, it works. Despite some federal and state bans, making an untraceable firearm (paywall link) at home is shockingly legal (and easy) in much of the U.S.
$225 million
That’s how much crypto the FBI wants to give back to scam victims. Unheard of, right? Usually, it’s “sorry for your loss,” but this time, federal agents are trying to return stolen Tether to 430+ duped investors. Sounds great until you realize crypto investment fraud racked up $9.3 billion in losses last year alone.
🚨 FBI warns of new phone scam: Criminals are posing as federal agents, telling people they’re about to be arrested unless they pay up. They’re spoofing phone numbers so the calls look like it’s a real government agency asking for money, gift cards or crypto. Hang up and report it.
📸 Talk about driving a point home: Rep. Nancy Mace displayed a censored still of her naked body at a congressional hearing, saying it was taken without her consent by her ex-fiancé’s security cam. She’s pushing two bills to beef up federal voyeurism laws. The ex denies it all. The Founding Fathers did not die for 4K creep shots.
🚫 No ban, no problem: TikTok’s execs are telling advertisers to relax, promising the app’s staying power despite that little thing called a federal ban potentially kicking in next month (paywall link). With 170 million U.S. users and Super Bowl ad ambitions, TikTok says it’s too big to flinch.
🥷 Another gold bar scam: A Florida woman lost over $280,000 after scammers tricked her into thinking her Social Security number was compromised. A fake federal officer told her to protect her assets by buying gold from a bullion store. They arranged a delivery, gave her a secret “password” and then vanished. PSA: No legit agency asks for gift cards, crypto or undercover missions.
The government stores retirement records in a cave
Where are the computers? Believe it or not, federal retiree records are still stored underground.
$2 loss
For every $1 put toward sports betting. As federal and state guidelines have loosened, fewer Americans are investing in stocks and other safer assets. This past January, folks put $14 billion into online sports betting — compare that to $1.1 billion in January 2019.
August 10th, 2024
Google is now considered an illegal monopoly after losing its federal antitrust case. Will this change the internet as we know it? Plus, creep hacks into a kid’s bedroom camera and Neuralink gets its second patient.
Confirmed: Google is a monopoly
A federal judge has ruled that Alphabet’s Google created an illegal monopoly by controlling almost all online searches. With around 90% market share, this decision could be a game-changer for Big Tech.
😬 CrowdStrike’s in the hot seat: Its CEO will testify before Congress after crippling emergency services, hospitals and airlines around the world. Speaking of airlines … Delta is also under federal investigation for leaving solo-traveling kids stranded across the U.S. when its systems went down. Really, Delta?
The state of Arkansas does what the Federal Government won't
Need an ID to be on social? Here’s why Arkansas says you should, in 60 seconds.
Tesla under federal criminal investigation
Did Tesla mislead its customers about its driver assistance technology? That’s what the DOJ wants to find out. Here’s the full story, in 60 seconds.
Feds deal major blow to social media
Are you sick of social media platforms censoring your posts? You need to know about this. Listen to this one-minute podcast for the full story behind a new federal court ruling.
How Bezos, Musk, and Buffett pay no federal taxes and a bonus for anyone who owns a home
ProPublica obtained IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, even nothing. Kim sits down with her tax accountant to get the scoop. Plus, they talk about how to use your own home and special tax credits to lower your taxes.
A Federal judge rules that police can't force you to unlock your cellphone
A judge in northern California ruled that police can’t force anyone to unlock their smartphones using biometrics like a fingerprint or facial ID. But, this case is far from over. In this podcast, Kim looks at what this decision really means and how the battle for privacy is far from over.