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☆ Julian Assange’s mission was to change the world - but at what cost?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Lauren Said-Moorhouse | Claudia Rebaza | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Julian Assange leaves a Melbourne court after facing charges of computer hacking in 1995. WikiLeaks/ReutersUnder a global spotlightAs WikiLeaks continued its disclosures, Assange found himself the latest cause célèbre – his every movement intensely scrutinized. … He liked the fuss that (the disclosures) caused but he was oddly incurious actually about the documents.”Others offer alternative explanations for Assange’s eccentricities. There were mounting calls for Assange to leave WikiLeaks and, when he didn’t, many cut ties with it. Outside the confines of his diplomatic shelter, the world questioned whether Assange was trying to circumvent justice.

Persons: London CNN — Julian Assange, ”, He’s, Chelsea Manning, Joe Biden, Assange’s, Anthony Albanese, Assange, “, ” –, Julian Assange, Ian Kenins, Sarah Palin’s, Atika Shubert, Shubert, ” Shubert, célèbre, Fidel Narvaez, “ Assange, ” Narvaez, James Ball, Joe Raedle, ” Ball, Ball, …, Narvaez, Hans Crescent, Lenin Moreno, Moreno, Abu Hamza al, Masri, Stella Assange, Daniel Leal, Stella, “ I’m, Nick Vamos, It’s, Alice Jill Edwards, Agnès Callamard, El País, Der Spiegel, Jameel Jaffer, Xiaofei Xu, Alex Stambaugh Organizations: London CNN, WikiLeaks, Court, Ecuadorian, Army, Australian, Pentagon, NASA, University of Melbourne, Fairfax Media, of Scientology, Republican, CNN, Chelsea, Apache, Reuters, Guardian, Ellingham, Hans, London’s Metropolitan Police, US Justice Department, of Justice, Britain's, Getty, Peters & Peters, Prosecution Service, Human Rights, UN, Amnesty, The New York Times, Columbia University Locations: United States, Australian, London’s, Australia, Townsville, Queensland, cybercrime, Melbourne, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Iraq, London, Afghanistan, ”, Sweden, Ecuador, UK’s, Belmarsh

☆ Google removes links to California news sites, citing proposed state law requiring payment to publishers
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-13 | by ( Eva Rothenberg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

New York CNN —Google is removing links to California news websites in reaction to proposed state legislation requiring big tech companies to pay news outlets for their content, the company announced Friday in a blog post. “It’s time they start paying market value for the journalism they are aggregating at no cost from local media.”Charles F. Champion, the president and CEO of the California News Publishers Association, said Google is suppressing California news. Google has not responded to CNN’s request for comment about the current state of talks with the Canadian government. The company had a similar reaction to a 2021 Australian law that would require platforms to compensate Australian news outlets for using their content. Google said at the time it would pay publishers through its Google News Showcase instead of paying them for links.

Persons: Tempore Mike McGuire, ”, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, “, Charles F, we’ve, CJPA, Jaffer Zaidi Organizations: New, New York CNN, Google, California Journalism, Meta, California, Pro, Tempore, ”, California News Publishers Association, Global, Australian Competition, Consumer Commission Locations: New York, California, America, Canada, Australian, Australia

☆ Google removing links to California news websites as part of test in response to pending legislation
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Alex Koller | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Google headquarters is seen in Mountain View, California, United States on May 15, 2023. Google will begin removing links to California news websites from search results for some Californians in response to a bill that would require online ad companies to pay a fee for connecting state residents to news sources. The recent developments have upended many online publishers that count on Facebook and Google for traffic and are particularly painful for publications that rely on advertising revenue. "If passed, CJPA may result in significant changes to the services we can offer Californians and the traffic we can provide to California publishers," Zaidi wrote. Supporters of the California bill say it will help news publishers receive a fair chunk of the ad profits reaped by tech juggernauts like Apple , Google and Meta.

Persons: Jaffer Zaidi, Zaidi Organizations: Google, California Journalism, Facebook, Meta, Google News, Apple Locations: View , California, United States, California, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

☆ OpenAI poaches Shopify's former head of support as the e-commerce giant's support org faces a shake-up
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

He's the latest among a string of leaders in Shopify's support organization to leave. Shopify's work with AI has incorporated large language models, including those developed by OpenAI. Shopify's Support organization has undergone some leadership changes in recent months. Jen Bebb, previously Shopify's director of global merchant and product support, left the company in March when Worthington left. Miqdad Jaffer, who led companywide AI initiatives as a director of product at Shopify, joined OpenAI's product staff in March.

Persons: OpenAI, Glen Worthington, Worthington, Shopify, Toby Shannan, generalists, Jen Bebb, Clovis Cuqui, Worthington isn't, Miqdad Jaffer Organizations: Business, OpenAI, Operations, Engineering, LinkedIn, WordPress Locations: Shopify, OpenAI, mstone@businessinsider.com

☆ Congress may be going after the wrong social network
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Chew, meanwhile, clapped back, “American social companies don’t have a good track record with data privacy and user security. But if lawmakers were serious about protecting the digital data of millions of American social media users, targeting TikTok alone is a limited way to achieve this goal. Separately, US intelligence authorities have said that Russian operatives were able to exploit US-based social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter as part of an election meddling campaign in the lead-up to the 2016 US presidential vote. Sherman said he thinks some lawmakers are raising important national security concerns regarding TikTok. Ultimately, Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, called the bill a “missed opportunity” for Congress to take real action regarding their concerns about US user data.

☆ Wait, is America actually banning TikTok now?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-08 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Washington CNN —House lawmakers are moving with dizzying speed with a plan that could ban TikTok from the United States. But could a TikTok ban really happen? A man walks past the headquarters of ByteDance, the parent company of video sharing app TikTok, in Beijing. They allege TikTok poses a national security threat because the Chinese government could use its intelligence laws against ByteDance, forcing it to hand over the data of US TikTok users. By that precedent, it would be unconstitutional for the government to ban TikTok even if it were blatantly a direct mouthpiece for the Chinese government, Jaffer said.

Persons: Joe Biden, Greg Baker, Biden, —, “, ” TikTok, Donald Trump, Trump, ByteDance, Mark Zuckerberg, TikTok, Mike Gallagher, Gallagher, ” Biden, Joint Base Andrews, it’s, Washington Sen, Maria Cantwell, ” Cantwell, ”, Jenna Leventoff, Ken White, Brown White, Osborn, White, It’s, Jameel Jaffer, Jaffer Organizations: Washington CNN —, White, Biden —, Apple, Google, House Energy, Commerce, Trump, Facebook, Republican, Biden, Wisconsin Republican, Joint Base, Senate, CNN, American Civil Liberties Union, Columbia University Locations: United States, China, ByteDance, Beijing, AFP, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Washington

The tool, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, will expire at the end of December unless the White House and Congress can cut a deal and resolve an unusually vexing debate that has yielded unlikely alliances at the intersection of privacy and national security. Without the program, administration officials warn, the government won't be able to collect crucial intelligence overseas. National security officials have said that 59% of articles in the president’s daily brief contain Section 702 information. The White House has already dismissed as unworkable the one known legislative proposal that’s been advanced. Despite the clear challenges in reaching a compromise, the last-minute scramble between the White House and Congress has come to be expected each time the government’s surveillance powers are set to be renewed.

Persons: Biden, Matthew Olsen, Ayman al, Donald Trump, Trump, “, ”, Jamil Jaffer, George Mason University’s, That’s, Jim Jordan, Democratic Sen, Ron Wyden, Wyden, Andy Biggs, —, We’re, ” Wyden, “ We’ve, Farnoush Amiri Organizations: WASHINGTON, Foreign Intelligence, House, Department's, Hamas, Trump, White House, Congress, National Security Institute, George, White, Capitol, FBI, Republican Rep, Democratic, Republican, Associated Press Locations: U.S, Russia

☆ Amazon and Shopify sellers are using AI to save time, better understand their customers, and improve their profit margins
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

They're using AI to write product descriptions and analyze reviews to understand their customers. Sellers using e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Shopify are experimenting with AI to help them write product descriptions, optimize for SEO, and collate reviews so they can better understand how customers feel about their products. Matt Rollens owns a drinking-glass brand called Dragon Glassware and sells his wares on Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, and Walmart. Matt RollensHe told Insider he uses Perci, which uses AI to generate optimized product listings for Amazon sellers. Amazon, Shopify, and eBay have all launched their own AI tools and integrated them directly into the platform.

Persons: —, Matt Rollens, Rollens, there's, Mikey Kim, Olivier Toubia, Toubia, Robert Gomez, Gomez, hasn't, Kaffe, they're, Miqdad Organizations: Service, Walmart, Columbia Business School, Target, QVC, eBay Locations: Shopify

☆ Opinion | The Supreme Court’s Social Media Cases Can Strengthen Our Democracy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Jameel Jaffer | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Some officials’ social media accounts have become vital forums for speech relating to those officials’ exercise of government power, and for speech about public policy more broadly. Those two lawsuits are about government officials’ use of social media. Two of the cases concern the constitutionality of social media laws enacted by Florida and Texas. Both states’ laws also require the platforms to provide explanations to users whose posts the platforms take down. A threshold question the court will have to answer is whether platforms’ content moderation policies reflect the exercise of editorial judgment, since editorial judgment is protected by the First Amendment.

Persons: they’re, Donald Trump, Trump Organizations: U.S, Appeals, Second, Supreme Court Locations: Florida, Texas

☆ eBay's first chief AI officer is building AI tools to change how people shop online, saying the AI 'paradigm shift' will happen in three phases
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Madeline Stone | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

E-commerce companies eBay and Shopify are both building tools that enable online sellers to use AI. eBay chief AI officer Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov said he sees AI bringing a "paradigm shift" to e-commerce. AdvertisementAdvertisementNitzan Mekel-Bobrov joined eBay as the company's first chief AI officer in 2021. Internally, eBay is also developing AI tools that are aimed at improving productivity and creativity for its engineers, analysts, and content creators. Jaffer told Insider that business owners often have specific needs that aren't easily solved by the AI tools that are widely accessible today.

Persons: Nitzan, Bobrov, —, We've, Miqdad, Jaffer, Shopify, They've Organizations: eBay, Service, Canadian, eBay's, Harvard Business School Locations: Shopify

On the heels of that decision, a federal appeals court invalidated a federal law that bars an individual who is subject to a domestic violence restraining order from possessing a firearm. A three-judge district court panel struck down the plan in January, saying that race had been the predominant motivating factor. Three years ago, the Supreme Court limited the independence of the CFPB by invalidating its leadership structure. The court’s decision could impact whether the SEC and other agencies can conduct enforcement proceedings in-house, using administrative courts staffed with agency employees, or whether such actions must be brought in federal court. “It’s difficult to think of any other recent First Amendment cases in which the stakes were so high,” Jaffer added.

Persons: Clarence Thomas, ”, Biden, Zackey Rahimi, John Roberts, Taiwan Scott, Thomas, Elizabeth Prelogar, Magnuson, Paul Clement, ” Clement, “, pare, George Jarkesy, Sackler, ” Prelogar, Jameel Jaffer, Jaffer Organizations: CNN, Gun Safety, South Carolina’s Republican, South Carolina State Conference of, NAACP, Democrat, Republican, National Marine Fisheries Service, Chevron, Natural Resources Defense, Stevens Fishery Conservation, Management, Independent, Consumer Financial, Federal Reserve, US, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Securities, Exchange, US Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, Social Security Administration, Circuit, Historic Purdue Pharma, Purdue Pharma, Sackler, Purdue, Facebook, YouTube, Columbia University’s Locations: United States, South Carolina, Alabama, Taiwan, Charleston County, Chevron, Florida, Texas

☆ Knight Institute files lawsuit against Texas's TikTok ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Melissa Mahtani | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Texas’s ban on TikTok at state institutions violates the First Amendment, claims a lawsuit filed Thursday by a group of academics and civil society researchers. The lawsuit specifically challenges Texas’ TikTok ban in relation to public universities, saying it compromises academic freedom and impedes vital research. Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered all Texas state agencies to ban the use of TikTok in early December. The Knight Institute lawsuit notes that Texas has not imposed a ban on other online platforms that collect similar user data, such as Meta and Google. TikTok told CNN last month that it is funding the suit by users and creators on the platform.

Persons: CNN —, Jameel Jaffer, Greg Abbott, “ It’s, ” Jaffer, ”, Dave Karpf, “, TikTok Organizations: CNN, Columbia University, Coalition for Independent Technology Research, Institute, University of North, Texas, Texans, Chinese Communist Party, Knight, Google, Coalition, Independent Technology Research, George Washington University School of Media, Public Affairs Locations: Texas, China, University of North Texas, ” Texas, TikTok . Montana

July 6 (Reuters) - A federal judge's order restricting Biden administration officials from contacting social media companies about moderating their content will face tough legal challenges on appeal, experts said. The Biden administration on Wednesday filed a notice with the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. THREAT OF HARMThe Biden administration has argued that there was no threat of harm because the lawsuit challenged communications that ended more than a year ago. It also said that while it urged social media companies to stop the spread of dangerous misinformation, the companies themselves - including Facebook and Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc (META.O), YouTube owner Alphabet Inc (GOOGL.O) and Twitter Inc - ultimately made their own decisions. Burt Neuborne, a professor at New York University School of Law, was more skeptical of the free speech claims.

Persons: Terry Doughty, Biden, Jonathan Turley, Doughty's, Doughty, Jameel Jaffer, Jaffer, Mark MacCarthy, Burt Neuborne, I'm, You'd, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Brendan Pierson, Andrew Goudsward, Kanishka Singh, Alexia Garamfalvi, Leslie Adler Organizations: Biden, U.S, District, New, Circuit, Appeals, George Washington University Law School, Department of Health, Human Services, Facebook, Inc, Twitter Inc, Meta, Columbia University, Brookings Institution, New York University School of Law, Republican, Democrat, Thomson Locations: Louisiana, New Orleans, Missouri, U.S, New York, Washington

☆ U.S. Officials Face Challenge Sorting Through Intelligence on Wagner Rebellion
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-25 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

While U.S. officials picked up intelligence that pointed to Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin's move on the Russian military , it would have been difficult to anticipate specific outcomes of a revolt with high confidence, former U.S. intelligence officials said. The events of the weekend “were not only unprecedented in modern times, but were also nearly impossible to predict,” said Jamil Jaffer, a former senior counsel to the House Intelligence Committee and national security official in the George W. Bush White House. The intelligence community, former officials said, would have likely been doing some guesswork on how assertively and swiftly Progozhin intended to act and the extent of the challenge to Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime, given the mercurial personalities at play. The difficulty of discerning from communications what was genuine and what amounted to idle venting of frustrations, and the lack of any comparable situation in recent Russian history would have also posed a challenge, former officials said.

Persons: Yevgeny Prigozhin's, ”, Jamil Jaffer, George W, Bush, Vladimir Putin's Organizations: U.S, Wagner Group, House Intelligence, House

☆ G.O.P. Targets Researchers Who Study Disinformation Ahead of 2024 Election
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-19 | by ( Steven Lee Myers | Sheera Frenkel | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Capitol Hill and in the courts, Republican lawmakers and activists are mounting a sweeping legal campaign against universities, think tanks and private companies that study the spread of disinformation, accusing them of colluding with the government to suppress conservative speech online. The effort has encumbered its targets with expansive requests for information and, in some cases, subpoenas — demanding notes, emails and other information related to social media companies and the government dating back to 2015. Complying has consumed time and resources and already affected the groups’ ability to do research and raise money, according to several people involved. They and others warned that the campaign undermined the fight against disinformation in American society when the problem is, by most accounts, on the rise — and when another presidential election is around the corner. Many of those behind the Republican effort had also joined former President Donald J. Trump in falsely challenging the outcome of the 2020 presidential election.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, “, ”, Jameel Jaffer Organizations: Capitol, Republican, Columbia University’s

☆ Factbox: Why a broad US TikTok ban is unlikely to take effect soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Here is why:TRUMPCiting national security concerns, then-President Donald Trump told reporters he planned to ban TikTok in July 2020, threatening to shut it down if it could not be sold by its Chinese owner Bytedance to a U.S. buyer. But Trump's attempt to block TikTok with an executive order derived its power from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Even if it's sidestepped, greater legal questions remain," said John Costello, who oversaw the creation of the office at the Commerce Department to examine certain foreign technology for national security threats. HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAWWashington lawmakers have also launched two separate bills aimed at allowing the president to ban apps like TikTok on grounds they pose a risk to U.S. national security. "To justify a TikTok ban, the government would have to demonstrate that privacy and security concerns can't be addressed in narrower ways.

☆ TikTok CEO faces tough questions from Congress about Chinese influence
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

CEO Shou Zi Chew's testimony before Congress capped a week of actions by the Chinese company aimed at convincing Americans and their lawmakers that the app creates economic value and supports free speech. The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee hearing will be chaired by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican who said she is unconvinced by TikTok's security commitments. Some political experts say a TikTok ban could be damaging to Democrats who have used the platform to reach younger voters. Three House Democrats rallied with TikTok creators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday in opposition to a ban. TikTok last week said President Joe Biden's administration demanded its Chinese owners divest their stakes or face a potential ban.

☆ TikTok CEO to face tough questions amid calls for U.S. ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee hearing will be chaired by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican who says she is unconvinced by TikTok's security commitments. "It's clear that TikTok will say anything to ... ensure that it is not banned in the United States," she told Fox News. Some political experts say a TikTok ban could be damaging to Democrats who have used the platform to reach younger voters. Three House Democrats rallied with TikTok creators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday in opposition to a ban. TikTok last week said President Joe Biden's administration demanded its Chinese owners divest their stakes or face a potential ban.

☆ TikTok CEO to face tough questions as support for U.S. ban grows
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee hearing will be chaired by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican who says she is unconvinced by TikTok's security commitments. Some political experts say a TikTok ban could be damaging to Democrats who have used the platform to reach younger voters. Three House Democrats rallied with TikTok creators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday in opposition to a ban. Last week, TikTok said President Joe Biden's administration demanded its Chinese owners divest their stakes or face a potential ban. Democratic Senator Mark Warner said on Wednesday two additional senators backed his bipartisan legislation with Republican John Thune to give the Biden administration new powers to ban TikTok - raising the total to 10 Democrats and 10 Republicans.

☆ TikTok CEO set for grilling in House hearing. But U.S. lawmakers also face questions
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +15 min

U.S. tech platforms including Meta's Facebook and Instagram, Google's YouTube , Twitter and Snap's Snapchat have raised similar fears for lawmakers and users. Evaluating a potential banThere's little appetite in Washington to accept the potential risks that TikTok's ownership by Chinese company ByteDance poses to U.S. national security. The interagency panel tasked with reviewing national security risks stemming from ByteDance's ownership has threatened a ban if the company won't sell its stake in the app. Trahan said members should ask about national security risks of the app, but those questions should be substantive. Bowman noted lawmakers haven't received a bipartisan congressional briefing from the administration on national security risks stemming from TikTok.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBitcoin rallies above $26,000 as regulators eye bids for Signature Bank: CNBC Crypto WorldCNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what's ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today's show, Zain Jaffer of Blue Field Capital discusses Meta's metaverse vision as the company cuts jobs.

☆ A tiny-home startup has attracted 160,000 customers, including Elon Musk. But disgruntled customers, an empty factory, and a tie to an alleged Iranian agent cloud its future.
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Daniel Geiger | Alex Nicoll | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

A Boxabl Casita being delivered to a SpaceX facility in Texas. Tackling the US housing crisisStamped out on an assembly line, Boxabl homes could finally begin to help quench America's perpetual housing shortage. Homeowners, meanwhile, could rent out Boxabl units as secondary dwellings in their backyards or as Airbnbs. Firooznia, Tiramani said, sometimes provided a tiebreaking vote when the father and son disagreed on business decisions. During a tour of Boxabl's factory in December, a freelance reporter for Insider saw Tiramani's wife, Shauna, arrive with their four young children.

☆ Here's what's driving crypto's recent rally, according to Zain Ventures' founder
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHere's what's driving crypto's recent rally, according to Zain Ventures' founderCNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what's ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today's show, Zain Jaffer of Zain Ventures discusses what's contributing to crypto's rally.

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBitcoin retakes $23,000, and Sen. Cruz wants U.S. Capitol to accept crypto for food: CNBC Crypto WorldCNBC Crypto World features the latest news and daily trading updates from the digital currency markets and provides viewers with a look at what's ahead with high-profile interviews, explainers, and unique stories from the ever-changing crypto industry. On today's show, Zain Jaffer, of Zain Ventures discusses what's contributing to crypto's rally.

Jan 25 (Reuters) - Meta Platforms Inc (META.O) said Wednesday it will reinstate former U.S. President Donald Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts in the coming weeks, following a two-year suspension after the deadly Capitol Hill riot on January 6, 2021. He has 34 million followers on Facebook and 23 million on Instagram, platforms that are key vehicles for political outreach and fundraising. "I worry about Facebook's capacity to understand the real world harm that Trump poses: Facebook has been too slow to act." Whether, and how, Trump will seize upon the opportunity to return to Facebook and Instagram is unclear. He did not indicate if or when he would begin posting on Meta platforms again.

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