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TikTok executives have rushed to respond to what they view as an inaccurate and unfair narrative about its content. Photo: Alyssa Schukar for The Wall Street JournalTikTok is facing what it views as perhaps its biggest crisis yet, with the world’s most popular app facing an intense backlash over the perception it favors pro-Palestinian and, at times, antisemitic content. Citing anti-Israel posts that surfaced on TikTok since the Gaza conflict began and a decades-old Osama bin Laden letter that circulated this week, Washington lawmakers have renewed calls to ban the app in the U.S.

Persons: Alyssa Schukar, Osama Organizations: Wall Locations: Gaza, Washington, U.S

☆ Google Sues to Block AI Ads Preying on Small Businesses
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Google says hackers are posting ads offering to download its Bard AI chatbot, which is a free web-based platform and isn’t available through download. Photo: Gabby Jones/Bloomberg NewsScammers are capitalizing on the rush of consumer interest in artificial-intelligence tools to steal U.S. small businesses’ social-media-account passwords, Google alleges in a new lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed Monday, targets unnamed individuals in India and Vietnam. Google said the hackers have been tricking small-business owners into clicking on Facebook ads that offer to download Google’s Bard artificial-intelligence chatbot. When they do, the ads hit them with malware that steals their social-media credentials.

Persons: chatbot, Gabby Jones Organizations: Google, Bloomberg Locations: India, Vietnam

President Biden announced a deal with seven tech companies to put more safeguards in AI technologies. “Realizing the promise of AI by managing the risk is going to require some new laws, regulations, and oversight,” said Biden. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—The Biden administration plans to invoke emergency federal powers as part of a new executive order aimed at reining in the risks of artificial intelligence, a new technology as powerful as it is potentially disruptive. President Biden will release on Monday an order invoking the Korean War-era Defense Production Act which would compel major AI companies to notify the government when developing any system that poses a “serious risk to national security, national economic security or national public health and safety,” according to fact sheet that White House aides shared over the weekend.

Persons: Biden, ”, Andrew Caballero, Reynolds, WASHINGTON — Organizations: Getty, WASHINGTON Locations: AFP

President Biden is expected to sign an order next week that, among other things, aims to establish guideposts for the use of AI by federal agencies. Photo: Evan Vucci/Associated PressWASHINGTON—President Biden is expected to sign an executive order next week addressing rapid advances in artificial intelligence, laying the groundwork for Washington’s embrace of AI as a tool in the national security arsenal while also pressuring companies to develop the technology safely. The order, which hasn’t been finalized and was described by people briefed on its expected contents, is aimed at establishing guideposts for federal agencies’ own use of AI, while also leveraging the government’s purchasing power to steer companies to what it considers best practices.

Persons: Biden, Evan Vucci, hasn’t Organizations: Associated Press WASHINGTON

☆ The Billionaire Keeping TikTok on Phones in the U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | Stu Woo | ) 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/politics/policy/jeff-yass-tiktok-bytedance-ban-congress-15a41ec4

Persons: Dow Jones, 15a41ec4 Locations: yass, tiktok

☆ Congress Heads to Wall Street to Urge Curbs on Investments in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | James T. Areddy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Elon Musk Withheld Twitter Data to ‘Cozy Up’ to Donald Trump, Judge Suggests
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) 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/musk-withheld-twitter-data-to-cozy-up-to-trump-judge-suggests-48af2e91

Persons: Dow Jones, 48af2e91

☆ ChatGPT Comes Under Investigation by Federal Trade Commission
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | Ryan Tracy | ) 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/chatgpt-under-investigation-by-ftc-21e4b3ef

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: ftc

☆ ChatGPT Under Investigation by FTC
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Ryan Tracy | John D. Mckinnon | ) 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/chatgpt-under-investigation-by-ftc-21e4b3ef

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: ftc

☆ U.S. Looks to Restrict China’s Access to Cloud Computing to Protect Advanced Technology
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Yuka Hayashi | John D. Mckinnon | ) 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/u-s-looks-to-restrict-chinas-access-to-cloud-computing-to-protect-advanced-technology-f771613

Persons: Dow Jones

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/u-s-considers-new-curbs-on-ai-chip-exports-to-china-56b17feb

Persons: Dow Jones

☆ Chuck Schumer Joins Crowd Clamoring for AI Regulations
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) 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/chuck-schumer-joins-crowd-clamoring-for-ai-regulations-7fd8a882

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: schumer

☆ Biden Team Takes Aim at TikTok With Commerce Department Move
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-16 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) 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/commerce-move-on-foreign-apps-shows-biden-team-taking-aim-at-tiktok-a734d0cf

Persons: Dow Jones, biden

☆ Microsoft Settles Charges Over Data Collection on Children Using Xbox
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) 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/microsoft-settles-charges-over-data-collection-on-children-using-xbox-90db4c3c

Persons: Dow Jones Organizations: microsoft

☆ Supreme Court Hands Win to Twitter, Facebook, Google in Liability Cases
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Jan Wolfe | John D. Mckinnon | ) 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-says-twitter-didnt-aid-terrorism-78492128

☆ Supreme Court Hands Win to Twitter, Facebook and Google in Liability Cases
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Jan Wolfe | John D. Mckinnon | ) 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-says-twitter-didnt-aid-terrorism-78492128

☆ Biden Administration Warns of AI’s Dangers. There’s a Limit to What White House Can Do.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Sabrina Siddiqui | John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

New AI voice and video tools can look and sound like you. But can they fool your family—or bank? WSJ’s Joanna Stern replaced herself with her AI twin for the day to find out. Photo illustration: Elena ScottiWASHINGTON—The Biden administration is confronting the rapidly expanding use of artificial intelligence, warning of the dangers the technology poses to public safety, privacy and democracy while having limited authority to regulate it. Vice President Kamala Harris, who met Thursday with the chief executives of leading AI companies Google, Microsoft , OpenAI and Anthropic, said the technology “has the potential to dramatically increase threats to safety and security, infringe civil rights and privacy, and erode public trust and faith in democracy.”

☆ FTC Proposes New Sanctions for Facebook Owner Meta
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Federal Trade Commission gave Meta Platforms 30 days to respond. Photo: Tony Avelar/Associated PressWASHINGTON—The Federal Trade Commission proposed barring Meta Platforms from profiting off data it collects from young users, after concluding that the company repeatedly violated its privacy promises. The FTC action Wednesday represents an unwelcome return to controversy for Meta and its major platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. The company agreed in 2019 to pay a $5 billion civil penalty following a previous FTC investigation into its privacy practices.

☆ FTC Proposes Barring Meta From Monetizing Young Users’ Data
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Meta could be subject to new limitations on its use of facial-recognition technology and be required to provide additional protections for users. Photo: Tony Avelar/Associated PressWASHINGTON—The Federal Trade Commission proposed barring Meta Platforms from profiting off data it collects from young users, after concluding that the company repeatedly violated its privacy promises. The FTC action Wednesday represents an unwelcome return to controversy for Meta and its major platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. The company agreed in 2019 to pay a $5 billion civil penalty following a previous FTC investigation into its privacy practices.

☆ U.S. Begins Planning for 6G Wireless Communications
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The next generation of wireless telecommunications, years away from deployment, could pave the way for global internet access still unavailable with the current 5G standard. Photo: Tang Ke/Costfoto/Future Publishing/Getty ImagesWASHINGTON—The Biden administration is beginning to plan for 6G wireless telecommunications, seeking to expand internet access while reasserting U.S. leadership in a sector where China has notched gains. The White House on Friday will meet with corporate, government and academic experts to begin developing goals and strategies for the new 6G communications technology, which would have the ability to take cloud computing and the mobile internet to true global ubiquity, among other improvements.

☆ Biden Administration Weighs Action Against Russian Cybersecurity Firm
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-07 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | Dustin Volz | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Moscow-based Kaspersky Lab has denied that it works with Russia or any government to facilitate cyber espionage. WASHINGTON—President Biden’s Commerce Department is weighing an enforcement action under its online-security rules against Kaspersky Lab, a Russian cybersecurity company that has long faced accusations of posing a threat to the U.S., according to people familiar with the matter. The action—if it materializes—could become a test case for the Commerce Department’s growing role in policing threats online, according to some of the people, who said the U.S. might deploy the same online-security rules against Chinese-controlled technologies, possibly including TikTok.

☆ TikTok CEO Seeks to Convince Congress Chinese-Owned App Isn’t Security Threat
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | Ryan Tracy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

WASHINGTON—TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies Thursday morning at a high-stakes congressional hearing, as safety and security concerns over the Chinese-controlled platform deepen even as its popularity in the U.S. grows. Mr. Chew, a Harvard-educated Singaporean army reservist and former Goldman Sachs banker, will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, whose members have already signaled concerns that Beijing could influence TikTok content and harvest user data.

U.S.-China relations were dealt another blow as lawmakers at a House hearing pummeled TikTok’s chief executive over the popular app’s ties to China, and as Beijing said it would fight any U.S. attempt to force the company’s sale by its Chinese owners. The hearing Thursday, peppered with withering attacks on TikTok from both Democrats and Republicans, ran more than five hours and underscored growing concern about Beijing’s potential influence over the app. U.S.-China relations are already frayed over trade, Taiwan, technology and geopolitical rivalries.

☆ TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew Promises Firewall to Shield User Data
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is scheduled to speak before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. WASHINGTON—TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew plans to offer a series of broad promises on platform safety and security at a much-anticipated congressional hearing on Thursday, according to his testimony. Mr. Chew will pledge to keep safety on Chinese-owned TikTok a top priority—especially for teenagers—and also will promise to firewall U.S. user data from foreign access and keep the platform free from government interference.

☆ TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew to Face Skeptical Lawmakers
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( John D. Mckinnon | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Photo: Alyssa Schukar for The Wall Street JournalTikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew is set to testify before lawmakers this week. WASHINGTON—TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew can expect a chilly reception when he testifies before the powerful House Energy and Commerce committee this week, Republican aides said Monday. Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R., Wash.) and other lawmakers plan to lay out the threat posed by TikTok to Americans’ national security and privacy, and particularly its potential to harm children, aides said.

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