DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Opinion: ‘Baby Reindeer’ is a hard-to-watch hit. I hope this will be its legacy
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Jane Carr | Opinion Sara Stewart | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —This essay contains some spoilers for “Baby Reindeer.”The Netflix hit “Baby Reindeer” has taken the world by storm with its nuanced, painfully honest portrayal of one man’s experience of stalking and abuse. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “nearly a quarter of men reported some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime. “There is a hidden epidemic of sexual violence within the queer community that is rarely visible in the media. A man some viewers mistakenly identified as the older television writer in “Baby Reindeer” has gone to the police after receiving threatening messages on social media. Whatever the legacy of “Baby Reindeer” may be, it stands as one of the boldest and most forthright explorations of male victims of stalking and sexual assault.

Persons: Sara Stewart, Sara Stewart Todd Thompson, Richard Gadd, Gadd, Donny, ” Gadd, GQ, “, ‘, ’ ”, he’d, hadn’t, ”, who’s, ” Jeffrey Ingold, ” Ingold, stalkers, Jessica Gunning, Martha, —, he’s, it’s, Teri, she’s Organizations: CNN, Netflix, US Centers for Disease Control, Prevention, Guardian, Independent, Twitter, Facebook Locations: Pennsylvania

☆ How Billie Eilish has transformed her style with colorful hair, from green roots to a blonde bob she regrets
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Amanda Krause | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Eilish debuted a blonde bob in 2021 but later revealed she wasn't happy with the color. Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesSpeaking with Elle in September 2021, Eilish said she chose the color because she "couldn't go anywhere" with her green roots. But despite the freedom she originally felt, Eilish later said the color wasn't the best choice for her. I didn't feel sexy for one second of being blonde," she told Highsnobiety during a 2022 interview. She then told Rolling Stone in April that she also didn't recognize herself with the light hair color.

Persons: Eilish, Billie Eilish, Jamie McCarthy, Elle, I've, Highsnobiety, Rolling Stone Organizations: MTV

☆ Wyoming Banned Abortion. She Opened an Abortion Clinic Anyway.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-10 | by ( Kate Zernike | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

It was not such an implausible idea, back in 2020, when a philanthropist emailed Julie Burkhart to ask if she would consider opening an abortion clinic in Wyoming, one of the nation’s most conservative states and the one that had twice given Donald Trump his biggest margin of victory. Dr. Tiller’s work had drawn the wrath of the nation’s anti-abortion groups — his clinic had been blockaded, bombed and flooded with a hose before he was shot to death while ushering his regular Sunday church service. When she reopened it instead of moving, the death threats and stalkers shifted to Ms. Burkhart, or, as they called her, Julie Darkheart. Running a clinic in a red state had worn her down, and she was looking to put Wichita and all it represented behind her. But if Wyoming was even more conservative than Kansas, she understood that it was more Cowboy State conservatism, shaped by self-reliance and small government, less interested in regulating what people do behind their drapes.

Persons: Julie Burkhart, Donald Trump, Burkhart, George Tiller, Tiller’s, stalkers, Julie Darkheart Locations: Wyoming, Wichita, Kan, Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) — A man accused of stalking Taylor Swift after being spotted multiple times outside the singer's Manhattan townhouse was found unfit to stand trial and will be committed to state custody for psychiatric treatment, attorneys said Friday. David Crowe, 33, was arrested three times late last month in front of the pop star’s home in Manhattan's exclusive Tribeca neighborhood. Crowe was found unfit to stand trial after a psychiatric exam, and the case was dismissed. He will be committed to the custody of the Office of Mental Health to receive treatment, according to the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Swift’s Manhattan townhouse has been the scene of several break-ins when Swift wasn’t there, including by some who were identified as stalkers.

Persons: Taylor Swift, David Crowe, Prosecutors, Crowe, Swift, Attorney Alvin Bragg, “, ” Katherine LeGeros Bajuk Organizations: Seattle, Mental Health, Attorney, New York, Defender Services, Associated Press Locations: Manhattan, Manhattan's, Tribeca, New

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — When it comes to dealing with a Florida college student who uses public data and social media to track the private jets of billionaires, politicians and other celebrities, Taylor Swift apparently can't just shake it off. In that message, he emphasized that while he has never intended to cause harm, he also believes strongly in the importance of transparency and public information. “One should reasonably expect that their jet will be tracked, whether or not I’m the one doing it, as it is public information after all,” he wrote. A spokesperson for Swift echoed the legal complaint, saying that “the timing of stalkers” suggests a connection to Sweeney's flight-tracking sites. At one point Sweeney had more than 30 such accounts on Twitter, now known as X after Elon Musk purchased the site for $44 billion in 2022.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift's, Jack Sweeney, Venable, Sweeney, ” Sweeney, ”, Swift, Sweeney “, Elon Musk, Musk, tweeting Organizations: FRANCISCO, University of Central, Associated Press, Federal Aviation Administration, Swift, FAA, Twitter, Elon Locations: Florida, University of Central Florida

☆ Taylor Swift threatened to sue the college student who tracks her private jet
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Grace Kay | Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementTaylor Swift has threatened to take legal action against the college student who tracks her private jet and manages social-media accounts that publish its flights. Sweeney told BI that he appreciates Swift's music and has no intention of harming those he tracks. Advertisement"I think the people are interested," Sweeney told BI over text. Swift has faced backlash for her private jet travel, even topping a list of celebrities whose private planes emitted the most carbon in 2022. Swift's spokesperson previously told BI the singer had purchased carbon credits to offset her jet use.

Persons: Jack Sweeney, Taylor Swift, Sweeney, Swift, —, Jack Sweeney —, stalkers, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Cruise, James Slater, Slater, Tree Paine, Swift's, Mark Cuban, Musk Organizations: Service, University of Central Florida, Elon, Washington Post, Business, Post, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Federal Aviation, FAA, BI Locations: Florida

☆ Elon Musk says Taylor Swift should be concerned about the college student who tracks celebrity jets
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Taylor Rains | Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Elon Musk weighed in on Taylor Swift's concerns about jet tracking. Musk, who has spoken out against the student who tracks his jet, said Swift should be "concerned." "Taylor Swift is right to be concerned." Taylor Swift is right to be concerned. Sweeney told BI he's never meant any harm to the people whose jets he tracks, but created the accounts because he believes in "transparency and public information."

Persons: Elon Musk, Taylor, Swift, —, Taylor Swift, Jack Sweeney, Sweeney, Musk, Ian Miles Cheong, — Elon, stalkers, Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerburg Organizations: Elon, Service, University of Central Florida, Federation Aviation Administration, FAA

☆ Taylor Swift threatens legal action against Florida student
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-06 | by ( Catherine Thorbecke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Attorneys for Taylor Swift are threatening legal action against the Florida college student who tracks the private jets of celebrities and public figures, including Swift. Jack Sweeney confirmed to CNN on Tuesday that he received a cease-and-desist letter threatening legal action from attorneys for Swift over the social media accounts he runs that track Swift’s flights. Sweeney is the same person who famously drew ire from billionaire Elon Musk for tracking his jet travels online. Sweeney told CNN over email that he received the letter from Swift’s attorneys after headlines that scrutinized the singer’s carbon footprint. Sweeney also told CNN that he never intended any harm with his actions, noting that he is compiling “public information.”“I actually think Swift has some good songs,” Sweeney added.

Persons: Taylor Swift, Swift, Jack Sweeney, Sweeney, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Musk, ” “, ” Sweeney, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Florida, Washington Post, Twitter, Federal Aviation Administration

Prosecutors said Crowe violated a protective order issued Wednesday mandating he stay away from Swift and her home and refrain from any communication with her. Crowe was arrested Wednesday by officers responding to complaints of an emotionally disturbed man acting erratically near Swift’s townhouse. He was arraigned and issued the protection order, but a short time later he was arrested again near Swift’s residence. Court documents say an unidentified security worker had spotted Crowe near the singer’s home about 30 times since Nov. 25. "We rely on the statements made in court today.”Swift’s Manhattan townhouse has been the scene of several break-ins when Swift wasn’t there, including by some who were identified as stalkers.

Persons: Taylor Swift, David Crowe, Alvin Bragg’s, Prosecutors, Crowe, Swift, “, Lupe Todd, Medina Organizations: Seattle, Defender Services Locations: Manhattan's Tribeca, Manhattan, Swift’s, York

☆ Taylor Swift enjoyed time at Chief's game in Buffalo a day after a man may have attempted to break into her New York townhome
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Hannah Getahun | Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

A man was arrested near Taylor Swift's townhome in New York on Saturday. Witnesses told the New York Post that the man tried to enter the singer's home. Swift spent Sunday in Buffalo for a Chiefs game, making it unclear whether she was at home during the arrest. Witnesses said the man tried but failed to enter the superstar's townhouse in the early afternoon, Page Six reported. The Tribeca townhouse has been the scene of several other break-ins and attempts when Swift wasn't there, including some by alleged stalkers.

Persons: Taylor, townhome, Witnesses, Swift, —, Travis Kelce, Travis, Jason Kelce, wouldn't Organizations: New York Post, Chiefs, Service, Tribeca, Police, Authorities, Highmark, Kansas City Chiefs, New York, Bills, Business Locations: New York, Buffalo, New York City, Brooklyn, Tribeca, Beverly Hills , California, Rhode Island

NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift's townhouse in New York City appears to have been the target of another break-in attempt, this time by a man who was arrested near the singer's Tribeca home Saturday as police responded to a report of a disorderly person. Witnesses said the man tried but failed to enter the townhouse in the early afternoon, the New York Post reported. Political Cartoons View All 253 ImagesThe Tribeca townhouse has been the scene of several other break-ins and attempts when Swift wasn't there, including some by alleged stalkers. In 2022, a man was charged with trespassing and stalking after authorities said he entered two Tribeca residences linked to Swift. Also that year, a man was arrested for crashing a car into the townhouse and reportedly told police he wouldn't leave until he met with Swift.

Persons: — Taylor, Witnesses, Travis Kelce, Swift, wouldn't Organizations: Tribeca, New York Post, Police, Authorities, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, NFL, Swift Locations: New York City, Brooklyn, Buffalo , New York, Beverly Hills , California, Rhode Island

☆ Dozens more stalking victims join lawsuit claiming Apple AirTags are a 'weapon for stalkers and abusers'
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-14 | by ( Haley Tenore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

37 people joined a class action lawsuit against Apple over stalkers using AirTags to track them. The lawsuit, filed last year by two women, claimed Apple AirTags had been used by stalkers to track the location of their victims. "One of the most dangerous and frightening technologies employed by stalkers is the use of real-time location information to track victims," the lawsuit says. Others have also used AirTags to plot car thefts. The lawsuit claims that "individuals have been murdered — or murdered others — when using AirTags to track stolen property and confront thieves."

Persons: —, they've, Apple AirTags, Lauren Hughes, stalkers, carjackers, AirTags, Apple, There's, KGET Organizations: Apple, Service, CBS, York Regional Police Locations: Texas, New York City, California, Indiana, USA

☆ A US Green Beret drill with fake guerrilla fighters shows how Sweden has been preparing for an 'unconventional' clash with Russia
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In May and June, US Army Green Berets conducted unconventional warfare training in Sweden. In the US military, unconventional warfare is the bread and butter of the Green Berets of US Army Special Forces. Winning wars unconventionallyUS Army Green Berets demonstrate detainment procedures during training in Kalix, Sweden on May 29. Unconventional warfare can still play an important role in that kind of war, but it would be a supporting role. Cadets talk to role-players during West Point Irregular Warfare Group's Unconventional Warfare Exercise in April 2019.

Persons: Anthony Bryant, Patrik Orcutt, Anthony Bryant Sweden, refocusing, Erwin Rommel, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: US Army Green Berets, Service, NATO, US Green Berets, Swedish Home Guard, US Army, Staff, Green Berets, US Army Special Forces, US Army Special Operations Command, Green, US Special Forces, 10th Special Forces Group, Sweden's, Guard, Home Guard, Operations Command, Green Beret, US Army Green, EU, Army Green Berets, Pentagon, Al, Delta Force, US Military, British Special Air Service, Commonwealth, Group, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: Sweden, Soviet Union, Russia, Wall, Silicon, Kalix, Europe, Soviet, Swedish, Stockholm, Al Qaeda, China, North Africa, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Johns

Their tormentors have also called in false bomb threats to venues using their names in three states. To combat the growing problem, the FBI has begun taking formal measures to get a comprehensive picture of the problem on a national level. Chief Scott Schubert with the bureau's Criminal Justice Information Services headquarters in Clarksburg, West Virginia, told NBC News that the agency formed a national online database in May to facilitate information sharing between hundreds of police departments and law enforcement agencies across the country pertaining to swatting incidents. No central agency has tracked swatting incidents or suspects in the U.S., so official statistics are not available. The couple was mostly recently swatted at their home on Tuesday, bringing the total of swatting incidents to 43.

Persons: Patrick Tomlinson, Niki Robinson, hasn't, Scott Schubert, Schubert, Lauren R, Shapiro, Mark Herring, Niki Robinson.NBC, —, Andrew Finch —, Finch, Swatting, he'd, Norm Macdonald, Tomlinson, It's, impersonators, Swatters, Patti Labelle, Robinson Organizations: Las Vegas, Tribune, Service, Getty, Clemson, Harvard, Cornell, Rutgers, Middlebury College, swatters, FBI, bureau's, Information Services, NBC News, NBC, Google, John Jay College of Criminal, Defamation League, Twitter, Daily, YouTube, Police, Irish, Milwaukee Brewers, Riverside Theater Locations: Milwaukee, U.S, Clemson , Florida, Boston, Pittsburgh, Oklahoma, Clarksburg , West Virginia, Texas, China, Taiwan, Tennessee, Wichita, Wisconsin, Marquette

☆ Supreme Court Raises Bar on Prosecuting Online Stalkers
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Jan Wolfe | Jess Bravin | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com. https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-rules-on-what-is-a-true-threat-of-violence-dd6b8df4

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ How a dysfunctional mission in the Caribbean became 'the pivotal point' for the creation of US Special Operations Command
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Those problems helped spur the creation of US Special Operations Command several years later. According to Maj. Gen. Richard Scholtes, the first commander of Joint Special Operations Command, US military officers involved in the planning soon butted heads. A task force of Delta Force operators, Rangers, and helicopters from the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment also attacked Fort Rupert and Richmond Hill Prison. Bettmann/Getty Images"The Pentagon was waging a frontal and rear assault in opposition to the creation of a special operations command," William Cohen said in the mid-2000s, according to Kukielski's article. Stavros Atlamazoglou is a defense journalist specializing in special operations, a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ), and a Johns Hopkins University graduate.

Persons: —, Peter Carrette, Eagle, JSOC, Reagan, Richard Scholtes, butted, jean, Louis Atlan, Scholtes, Philip Kukielski, frogmen, Fort, Paul Scoon, Bettmann, Formally, William Cohen, Cohen, Nunn, Eric BOUVET, SOCOM, Chance, Stavros Atlamazoglou Organizations: Operations Command, Service, Fury, Pentagon, Delta Force, Soviet Union, Getty, US Atlantic Command, Atlantic Command, US Marine Corps, CIA, State Department, Team, Air Commando, US Defense, Rangers, 2nd Ranger, Porto Salines, Marines, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Radio Free, US, Dover Air Force Base, Special Warfare, Craft, 160th, American, Hellenic Army, 575th Marine Battalion, Army, Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins, School, International Locations: Grenada, Caribbean, Tehran, Cuba, Soviet, Richmond, Porto, Fort Rupert, Rupert, Radio Free Grenada, Grenada's, Point Salinas, Scholtes, Beirut, Grenada —, Persian, Johns

☆ Signal and WhatsApp Are Among the Last Bastions of Digital Privacy - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Julia Angwin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Apple’s proposal would have downloaded onto every device a secret list of IDs corresponding to known exploitation images. It would then use an algorithm to determine whether any photos on the device were similar to those on the list. Like all matching algorithms, Apple’s system makes educated guesses based on statistical probabilities, but those guesses could be wrong. The second, and greater, problem was that scanning for one type of content opens the doors for scanning for other types of content. Do we want to start allowing the government to require companies to conduct suspicionless, warrantless searches of our messages with family, friends and co-workers?

Persons: Sarah Scheffler, Jonathan Mayer, Apple, Taylor Swift, Apple’s Organizations: Apple, Princeton Locations: India, China, Madison, United States

☆ Morgan Stanley broadcast the names and faces of its summer analysts in Times Square, and people are mortified
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Morgan Stanley honored its Summer Analysts by broadcasting their faces and names in Times Square. The investment bank beamed the headshots of its newest summer analysts on the screens at their Times Square headquarters, sharing their full names around the building's video boards. "We celebrated their arrival with a tribute in Times Square and an unforgettable experience on the historic Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum." "Go to Times Square," McClintock says in his video, "so you can source through prospective new spouses who will probably be breadwinners in their future working at Morgan Stanley." "If I found out my company was broadcasting me like that I would release another swarm of bees in Times Square," another said.

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Benton McClintock, McClintock, shyguylene, Morgan Stanley didn't Organizations: Analysts, Times, Associates, Air & Space Museum Locations: North America

☆ Morgan Stanley broadcasted the names and faces of its summer analysts in Times Square, and people are mortified
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Paul Squire | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Persons: Morgan Stanley, Benton McClintock, McClintock, shyguylene, Morgan Stanley didn't Organizations: Analysts, Times, Associates, Air & Space Museum Locations: North America

☆ A lurker's worst nightmare — a Facebook bug sent friend requests to profiles that users were looking at
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-20 | by ( Will Gendron | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Lurkers beware — a Facebook glitch sent automatic friend requests to profiles that users clicked on. It's every lurker's worst nightmare — checking the Facebook profile of a crush, coworker, or someone they might not necessarily know, only to accidentally send a friend request. Facebook's parent company, Meta, which confirmed the issue to Insider, said the glitch occurred as a result of an update to the Facebook app, which "caused Facebook friend requests to be sent mistakenly." "Well, that would explain why I received a surprise friend request from some dumshit flat-earther I was making fun of," said another. This is the latest bug to plague Facebook users — in August 2022, a "configuration change," spammed users' feeds with celebrity posts.

☆ US Special Operations Command's workhorse helicopter is getting upgrades to replace parts that are nearly 50 years old
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

US special operators rely on their variant, the MH-47, for missions at night and behind enemy lines. As such, the US special-operations community's workhorse helicopter is getting upgrades to replace parts that are nearly 50 years old. US Army Special Operations Command has used Chinooks for several decades. Early versions had modifications for special operations. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, nicknamed "the Night Stalkers," is the cream of the crop when it comes to US military aviation.

☆ Opinion | Gun Idolatry Is Destroying the Case for Guns
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-23 | by ( David French | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

And yes, I support gun rights, not just for hunting or shooting sports, but for the purpose of self-defense. I’ve written in support of gun rights for years. In a fallen and dangerous world, a responsible, trained gun owner could help keep his or her family safe. But the gun rights movement is changing. A cheerleader accidentally tries to get in the wrong car and is pursued and shot, along with her friend.

☆ 33 years ago, the US Army's elite Delta Force pulled off its first successful hostage rescue mission
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-31 | by ( Stavros Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Early on December 20, 1989, Delta Force operators descended on a Panamanian prison holding a CIA operative. But it was also the first time that Delta Force successfully completed a large-scale hostage rescue. In the months prior to the mission, the Delta operators practiced the mission multiple times. Once inside the cell, the Delta operators gave Muse a helmet, body armor, and goggles for protection before heading back to the MH-6s. A few minutes later, armored personnel carriers, carrying Delta operators and medics from the main invasion force, rescued them.

Dec 6 (Reuters) - Apple Inc (AAPL.O) has been sued by two women who said its AirTag devices have made it easier for their former partners and other stalkers to track down victims. The plaintiffs called AirTag "the weapon of choice of stalkers and abusers," and said it has been linked to murders this year of women from Akron, Ohio and Indianapolis. One plaintiff in Monday's lawsuit, Lauren Hughes, said her former boyfriend learned where she had moved to avoid him after placing an AirTag in her car's wheel well. The other plaintiff, Jane Doe, said her estranged husband tracked her after putting an AirTag in their child's backpack. The case is Hughes et al v. Apple Inc, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No.

☆ 2 women are suing Apple alleging that former partners hid AirTags in a car and a child's backpack and used the devices to stalk them
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Two women are suing Apple over its AirTag device, saying former partners used the trackers to stalk them. In the class-action suit, filed in San Francisco, one plaintiff says an AirTag was hidden in her car. In response, Apple has introduced updates since its 2021 release – when AirTags were reported by one outlet as being "stalker-proof." She could only get the device to beep once, before finding it hidden in the wheel well of her car. She then found an AirTag in the child's backpack and got rid of it – before it was replaced with another.

Search resuls for: "stalkers"

25 mentions found