Plus, Washington Post’s Geoffrey Fowler learned his $123 HP ink cartridges cost $2 to make — I chat with him about it. Ukrainian women are using AI to “honey trap” Russian soldiers. AI thinks it wrote the Constitution, and tools designed to combat constant lateness.
Do you use these popular apps with ties to China?
While the U.S. government is busy contemplating a ban on TikTok, another popular app has flown under the radar. Turbo VPN has been downloaded over 100 million times — and has had multiple Chinese nationals as directors.
Virtual Private Networks are used to browse the internet anonymously. They act as a layer of protection, disguising your location and preventing sites from tracking you.
But a new report from the Washington Post shows that some VPNs are based in China or are controlled by Chinese nationals. Why does this matter? Under Chinese law, tech companies must turn over the data they collect to government authorities.
If you don’t know where your VPN comes from, you’re not actually browsing anonymously. In the case of Turbo VPN, there’s no way to prove who the real owners are or where they’re located. This lack of transparency is certainly concerning.
By the way, if you need a VPN: ExpressVPN is a sponsor of my national radio show and they’re headquartered right here in the U.S. Use my link, ExpressVPN.com/Kim, to get three extra months for free.
More than just VPNs
Another Chinese-owned app, Lemon8, has risen to the top 10 most downloaded here in the U.S. This app is a lookalike of TikTok and … surprise! It’s owned by ByteDance, the same company that owns TikTok.
Here’s the dark side behind the fun challenges and cute dance videos on TikTok.
These apps are enticing — especially to kids — but it’s important to consider the potential risks. Social media clout just isn’t worth your security.
Check out these headlines reacting to Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter
After weeks of speculation and corporate wrangling, Twitter’s board approved Elon Musk’s $44 billion purchase. It’s big news for the tech industry and social media platforms, but not everybody is thrilled.
Many media outlets are concerned about what it could mean for Twitter in the future.
This is awful: The Washington Post found Google Trends offers an unsettling peek into what people are trying to kill. Top targets? Bugs like ants, fleas and flies. Grass, mold and weeds are also on the hit list. It gets darker. Cats and dogs are among the most searched-for “how to kill” animals. The most popular search, though, is “How to kill yourself.” If you ever think that, call or text 988, please.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos steps down. Who's taking over?
Amazon is a modern-day empire that, for a time, made CEO Jeff Bezos the richest man in the world. With a net worth of $184 billion, he turned a humble online bookstore into the world’s most powerful company.
Now, the emperor is stepping down. After 27 years of leadership, Bezos is ready to set down the crown. He announced Tuesday he will transition to a new position later this year.
Can you trust Apple's new app privacy labels? One report says no
Do you remember in mid-2020 when Apple said it would start requiring app developers to spell out what data they gather from users? Late last year, those changes finally rolled out for iOS 14.3.
Those informational labels’ goal — also known as nutrition labels — is to show what data your apps collect about you. This information has to be submitted to Apple by developers before any updates or new apps will be added to the App Store. Tap or click here for a more in-depth look at Apple’s nutrition labels.
🌒 Don’t believe everything you see: The Washington Post (paywall link) says cell service might go down totally for who knows how long with the massive crowds around Monday’s solar eclipse. They even have a “survival kit” plan. By all means, grab a $20 from the ATM — but I highly doubt anything this dramatic could happen with today’s infrastructure.
AI denies insurance coverage, global ID system & hackers' favorite files
Plus, Washington Post’s Geoffrey Fowler learned his $123 HP ink cartridges cost $2 to make — I chat with him about it. Ukrainian women are using AI to “honey trap” Russian soldiers. AI thinks it wrote the Constitution, and tools designed to combat constant lateness.
You're about to get paid - find out how much coronavirus stimulus money you're entitled to
The economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic could be with us long after the spread of the virus wanes. In just a few short weeks, millions of workers filed for unemployment as vital industries came crashing to a halt.