Technology

US Supreme Court examines govt efforts to curb online misinformation
US Supreme Court examines govt efforts to curb online misinformation

The US Supreme Court was hearing arguments on Monday in a social media case involving free speech rights and government efforts to curb misinformation online. The case stems from a lawsuit brought by the Republican attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri, who allege that government officials went too far in their efforts to get platforms to combat vaccine and election misinformation.

TikTok and its 'secret sauce' caught in US-China tussle
TikTok and its 'secret sauce' caught in US-China tussle

As a US campaign to sever TikTok from its Chinese parent heads to the Senate, analysts say Beijing's response to a forced sale of the app -- and its 'secret sauce' algorithm -- will be clear: Hands off. - 'The secret sauce' - That ByteDance algorithm has helped drive TikTok's stratospheric success since the app was launched for the international market in 2017.

Blinken says fighting disinfo 'vital US national security interest'
Blinken says fighting disinfo 'vital US national security interest'

Fighting disinformation including AI-enabled content is a "vital" national security interest and diplomatic priority for the United States, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday at a democracy summit in Seoul. "Building a more resilient information environment is a vital US national security interest and an urgent priority for our diplomacy," he said.

Monsters, asteroids, vampires: AI conspiracies flood TikTok
Monsters, asteroids, vampires: AI conspiracies flood TikTok

From vampires and wendigos to killer asteroids, TikTok users are pumping out outlandish end-of-the-world conspiracy theories, researchers say, in yet another misinformation trend on a platform whose fate in the United States hangs in the balance.

Prosecutors urge 40-50 years for crypto fraudster Bankman-Fried
Prosecutors urge 40-50 years for crypto fraudster Bankman-Fried

US prosecutors have requested that a court sentence disgraced crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried to between 40 and 50 years imprisonment for massive fraud that cost customers $8 billion, court documents showed Friday. "A sentence of 40 to 50 years' imprisonment... is necessary to reflect the seriousness of the defendant's crimes," the prosecution's sentencing memorandum said.

El Salvador stashes $406 million in bitcoin in 'cold wallet': Bukele
El Salvador stashes $406 million in bitcoin in 'cold wallet': Bukele

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele said Thursday that his country has stored more than $400 million in bitcoin in an offline "cold wallet" as the cryptocurrency forges new record highs. The cold wallet protects cryptocurrency investments by keeping them offline to prevent hacking attacks.

Cancer patients in the Philippines falling for alternative 'cures'
Cancer patients in the Philippines falling for alternative 'cures'

Filipino single mother Mary Ann Eduarte delayed chemotherapy for her breast cancer for several years and instead took food supplements falsely promoted on social media as cures for the deadly disease. Eduarte is one of many Filipinos duped by medical misinformation flooding the social media platforms where they rank among the world's heaviest users.

Online view pixel