Tech
Polaroid’s anti-data-center campaign sparks backlash
Polaroid has launched a campaign challenging the use of digital technology, including the installation of a giant billboard bearing the message: "Go jump in some water before the data centers drink it all up" – but critics say the message is hypocritical.
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Germany discloses data over “silent SMS” use for surveillance
The German government has released statistics on the use of silent SMS, with data suggesting that reliance on this digital surveillance method is declining.
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What do we know about Walmart’s emotional recognition technology?
Does every run to the store mean that we’re sacrificing our data for better deals?
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Sony wipes 551 movies from PS libraries, leaving users without content or refunds
Sony’s decision to remove content from PlayStation libraries is prompting users to buy physical copies.
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Danish official warns data stored on US cloud is shared with American spies
Claus Balslev, a head of digitalization at Denmark’s labor agency, has said out loud what many privately fear: data uploaded on an American cloud is directly shared with US intelligence agencies.
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Hackers prank alien invasion in Brazil and Iran's "jellyfish drones"
This week on The Cosmic Report: Brazilians were warned of an alien invasion, China quietly released a mysterious object from orbit, and an American fighter pilot described seeing "jellyfish drones" over Iran.
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European messaging apps enjoy a revival amid sovereignty push
European messaging apps, which market themselves as anonymity-focused alternatives to WhatsApp and Signal, are reporting increasing interest amid the continent’s efforts to break away from US tech.
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Microsoft increases Xbox prices again: “Never thought I'd see the day video games become an investment”
Microsoft is increasing the price of the Xbox for the third time since last year, and there’s no end in sight.
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Microsoft extends Windows 10 update program as users refuse to upgrade
Some users are avoiding the Windows 11 update like the plague and cite numerous reasons why it isn’t actually necessary.
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Cookie banners were on the way out, but France and Germany stepped in
The European Commission has been trying to get rid of cookie banners for a long time. Thanks to the Digital Omnibus, the abolition of these banners was at hand. However, a few EU member states are now standing in the way of accomplishing this.
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EU proposes police cloud and €3bn for Europol
The European Commission wants to strengthen Europol and Eurojust by providing them with new means to combat cross-border crime and terrorism.
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Apple raises Mac and iPad prices as chip shortage drives up costs
Apple has raised prices of its iPad and MacBook line-up, saying it can no longer absorb surging memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI data centre boom, marking a rare move that shows even the world’s most valuable consumer tech company is feeling pressure from a global supply squeeze reshaping the PC and smartphone industry.
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EU plans stricter rules for Amazon and Microsoft cloud services to ease switching between providers
EU antitrust regulators said Amazon and Microsoft's cloud computing services should be designated as “gatekeepers” under landmark tech rules, a step that would subject them to strict obligations aimed at curbing market power.
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Fake Apple Watches at Target: what happened and how to respond
There’s a reason why you might want to unbox your Apple Watch or AirPods while you’re still at the counter.
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What sovereignty? Internet traffic of millions of Europeans flows through Chinese routers
Despite Europe stepping up its efforts to achieve its digital sovereignty, most of the continent’s internet traffic flows through Chinese-made routers, putting Europeans at risk of cyber espionage.
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Samsung thinks a 7-year-old TV might be too old, but users disagree
Samsung says you might be missing out on features that come with a new TV, but users are pushing back: “Where am I supposed to put a perfectly fine TV?”
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What is fearmaxxing? Experts question the self-improvement trend
Fearmaxxing, a viral self-improvement trend that encourages people to confront their biggest fears, is gaining traction online, but experts warn that treating fear as a universal signal for action can lead to impulsive decisions and costly mistakes.
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Windows hibernation may contribute to SSD wear as storage costs rise
Experts are warning that a common Windows feature – hibernation – could be quietly increasing wear on SSDs, at a time when storage prices are rising sharply, and replacements are becoming significantly more expensive.
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Digital euro gains support as Europe seeks payment independence from the US
The European Central Bank secured key parliamentary backing on Tuesday for the launch of a digital euro, an electronic means of payments aimed at making the euro zone less reliant on US credit cards at a time of fraying transatlantic relationships.
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Tensions brew over use of Palantir software in Germany
A coalition party in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia wants law enforcement to ditch Palantir’s software, sparking tensions within the ruling coalition.
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