Google advises to be careful what you say to new AI model Gemini, ChatGPT gains memory, robbers find easy way to sabotage cloud-based alarm systems and more from X-Files — Musk is there exists in
All this and more: It’s Not Las Vegas – What Happens in AI is More than AI – Hashtag Trends Edition. I'm your host, Jim Love. His CIO for IT World in Canada and TechNewsDay in the US.
Google is warning users of its new Gemini app that conversations in the app may not be as private as you think. It turns out that when you're chatting, asking for help, or just killing time, there are human eyes that could be watching your conversation. And here's the part that might give you pause. Even if you press delete, those chats can persist for up to three years.
So what's Google's advice? It's very simple. Don't reveal your secrets to Gemini. It's good that Google is upfront about that. They said, “Hey, we're using some of this chat to make Gemini smarter, and, you know, real people might be able to get a glimpse of what that looks like.” That's what I'm saying.
If you're thinking, “It's no big deal, I'll just delete the chat if I say something I shouldn't,” Google has news for you. If you delete a chat, Google won't delete it. It's saved separately from your Google Account, but it's not deleted.
And it's not just chat information; if you check the Gemini app's privacy hub, you'll see that Gemini doesn't just store your conversations, it also stores information about your location, feedback, and usage.
In an era where AI is becoming more dominant in our lives, Google's warning is a reminder to think before you speak and ask before you trust.
So next time you're about to share something with a Gemini, perhaps ask yourself: Do I want someone else to read this? If not, keep that thought offline.
Sources include: ZDNET
And in another story about AI memory, OpenAI is rolling out a new feature that gives ChatGPT memory.
This means more than just ChatGPT remembering your name and favorite color. It's about tailoring your responses based on previous interactions, making each conversation more relevant and personalized than the last.
This new feature is being tested with a select group of both casual and paid users, but will be rolled out to all users in the future.
You can now ask ChatGPT to remember certain details and settings, and that knowledge will be carried over to future chats. This is similar to custom instructions, but saved conversationally.
OpenAI claims that if you're concerned about privacy, you'll have complete visibility into what ChatGPT remembers, and you can delete anything that's offensive or even go back to a clean slate.
You can also turn off the memory feature, which is a kind of incognito mode, at any time so that your queries don't go unrecorded.
OpenAI also strives to ensure that ChatGPT does not remember sensitive information, such as health details, unless the user explicitly says “okay.”
This is another step into the future of AI interaction, enabling more personalized and perhaps more meaningful conversations, further bridging the gap between human and machine communication. As ChatGPT gets smarter, our chats will become more insightful, more personal, and more human.
Sources include: Axios
And while it seemed like the EU would kick Apple out and force the company to open an app store, Apple's answer was what some are calling “bad compliance.”
Apple plans to allow alternative app stores, and perhaps even allow apps to be “sideloaded” or added without going through the app store, at a cost that's causing a stir among developers.
While technically complying with the new regulations, Apple plans to impose higher fees on developers working outside of its App Store.
For developers, the new policy is a double-edged sword. Apps that have received more than 1 million downloads and have received significant attention will be subject to a “core technology fee” of approximately 0.5 euros per first download. This equates to approximately 53 cents in the US and 75 cents in Canada.
Additionally, app updates are considered new installations.
As one developer who featured it on YouTube pointed out, his first Chrome extension went viral, with millions of downloads. If it had been done under this arrangement, he would have owed Apple millions of dollars.
So Epic Games may have deep pockets to invest so they can finally bring out their own Fortnite game after being banned from the app store for refusing to use Apple's payment system. However, small developers may not be able to pay or be paid. Take risks. And while Apple will be forced to force games to use its own payment methods, it will apparently collect a fee for it, which could end up costing just as much as using Apple Pay. be.
This points out a major difference between the Google and Apple ecosystems. Android has long supported alternative methods of installing apps, giving developers and users more freedom. Platforms like F-Droid and the Aurora store provide a way to distribute apps without the high fees and restrictions imposed by Apple.
Apple claims its policies are in place to protect users, but critics see them as a means to maintain market dominance and profit margins.
The EU Commission is scheduled to review Apple's compliance in March 2024, but considering the reaction from the tech community, one thing is clear: the clash between regulation and corporate strategy is far from over.
Source: Tutanota Blog
In an alarming trend, thieves are increasing their attack power by using Wi-Fi jammers to disable home security systems, demonstrating a sophisticated evolution in home invasion techniques. Nine robberies in one Minnesota town in the past six months are believed to be the result of this tactic, which targets wealthy neighborhoods and specifically chooses vacant properties to avoid confrontations.
These Wi-Fi jammers can be purchased online for anywhere from $40 to $1,000, but they do more than just block signals. Noise floods the network, preventing legitimate traffic from reaching connected devices such as surveillance cameras. This tactic allows thieves to break into homes and steal safes, jewelry, and other valuables without being noticed.
The use of such jammers is illegal under federal law because they interfere with authorized radio communications, such as emergency services and GPS. But that is unlikely to deter crime, and these devices are available from international sellers, making them easy to obtain despite being banned.
Cybersecurity experts have suggested several measures to counter the threat posed by Wi-Fi jammer intrusions. Homeowners can use powerful cameras that connect to local storage, install non-wireless burglar alarms and lights, and leave lights and TVs on when they leave to give the illusion that someone is home. We recommend that you do so.
I think having nosy neighbors might be another low-tech option to consider.
Source: TechSpot
Broadcom has officially ended the era of its free VMware ESXi hypervisor, erasing any doubts that the company isn't interested in the small business market. This decision, revealed in a recent knowledge base article, will result in the removal of his free version of ESXi from his website at VMware.
The free ESXi version is known for its limited core usage, memory, and lack of management features, making it a staple for testing, tinkering, and educational purposes. This served as a gateway to his VMware ecosystem for many IT professionals and enthusiasts, often leading to full production deployments.
VMware will continue to offer trialware versions and maintain VMware User Group (VMUG) “Advantage” licenses, providing a means for users to access the hypervisor at no full cost.
Some industry analysts consider this a minor adjustment given the availability of trial versions and alternative free hypervisors on the market, but it may be of interest to small customers or hobbyists. Some interpret this as a clear message from Broadcom that there is no such thing.
This strategy is consistent with Broadcom's broader goals to improve VMware's profitability, including recent decisions such as a minimum 3,500 core operating requirement for inclusion in the cloud partner program.
The focus on larger, more profitable initiatives has come at the expense of the broad community-driven support that has fueled VMware's growth over the years.
The end of free ESXi and the move to subscription-based and core-count licensing models will reshape VMware's market position, opening small customers to alternatives like Nutanix, Scale Computing, Microsoft, and Red Hat. There is a possibility of migration.
Source: The Register
Journalist and author Seamus O'Reilly said he felt “surreal” when his X account (formerly Twitter) was suspended hours after criticizing it in an article in the Irish Examiner. I experienced what I would describe as a “normal” event. Mr O'Reilly's account, which boasts more than 100,000 followers and has been active for about 14 years, pinpointed the suspension to his own comments about the platform's bot problem and labeled it “unusable.” Ta.
In his article, O'Reilly highlighted the irony of a scam bot with a blue check mark indicating it pays a monthly fee to X, which is owned by Elon Musk. He suggested that the financial model discourages platforms from taking action against such bots. O'Reilly's contestants claim the suspension notice cites “platform manipulation and spam” as reasons.
Some may find this ironic, given Musk's professed commitment to free speech principles. In fact, Mr. Musk has kept people on his platform whose words have been so offensive that sponsors have fled the platform in droves.
O'Reilly, who uses the platform for journalism, has appealed for reinstatement, but his appeal has so far gone unanswered.
Source: Irish Times
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