Business & Technology
Study reveals disparities in MMRV vaccine use among low-income and minority families
A new study in King County shows that the MMRV vaccine, which carries a slightly higher risk of febrile seizures, is disproportionately given to vulnerable groups, including low-income and minority toddlers.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 05:37
Volkswagen Group sees 5.8% drop in EV sales
In the first half of 2026, Volkswagen Group's electric vehicle sales fell 5.8% year-on-year, but the company maintained its market lead in Europe.
iAuto.lv · 11 Jul, 05:36
Ransomware negotiator who secretly aided attackers sentenced to 6 years
A former DigitalMint employee hired to negotiate ransomware payments on behalf of victims was sentenced to six years in prison for secretly colluding with the BlackCat ransomware group to maximize extortion amounts.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 04:37
Meta turns off Instagram feature that let users create AI deepfakes from public accounts
Following widespread backlash, Meta has disabled the Instagram feature announced this week that allowed users to generate AI images based on public accounts' content by simply tagging them.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 04:36
OpenAI Head of Safety Systems Departing
OpenAI's head of safety systems, Johannes Heidecke, is leaving the company amid a reorganization that integrates safety teams under VP of research and head of alignment Mia Glaese.
Wired · 11 Jul, 04:36
CISA reveals it had to build incident playbook during the incident
The US cybersecurity agency CISA admitted it lacked a prepared response plan for a May incident, forcing staff to develop one while the breach unfolded.
TechCrunch · 11 Jul, 04:36
Meta disables feature that let people generate AI images of any public Instagram account
Meta removed its Muse Image feature after backlash, citing feedback that it 'missed the mark' by allowing users to create AI deepfakes of public Instagram accounts without permission.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 04:36
FCC approves space mirror satellite despite astronomers' objections
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has granted Reflect Orbital permission to launch a demonstration satellite that reflects sunlight to Earth at night, overriding concerns from scientists about impacts on astronomy and health.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 03:37
US cities ramp up drone surveillance for illegal July 4th fireworks; one fine hits $100K
American cities deployed drones to spot illegal fireworks during the 250th Independence Day celebrations, leading to a $100,000 fine in one case. This is part of a broader trend of first responders using drone surveillance for enforcement.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 03:37
Meta removes controversial Instagram AI feature after backlash
Meta has pulled an AI tool that let users edit photos from public Instagram accounts without notifying the account owners, following criticism over potential misuse.
TechCrunch AI · 11 Jul, 03:36
Flock Safety Denies Sending Fake Cease-and-Desist Letter
Surveillance tech company Flock Safety says a cease-and-desist letter circulating on social media is a forgery, emphasizing it supports open debate about its technology.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 03:36
Phia Accused of ‘Cookie Stuffing’ – Taking Affiliate Credit for Purchases It Didn’t Earn
Phia, a shopping startup co-founded by Bill Gates’ daughter Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni, has been accused of ‘cookie stuffing,’ a practice that allegedly allowed it to claim commissions on sales it did not generate.
TechCrunch · 11 Jul, 03:36
Meta removes new AI image feature after days of backlash
Meta abruptly pulled a new feature that let users create fake images from Instagram public profiles using AI, after facing widespread criticism.
BBC World · 11 Jul, 03:36
StubHub CEO Helps Fund Mass Scalpers on His Own Platform
An investigation reveals that StubHub CEO Eric Baker is a co-owner of a fund that finances large-scale ticket scalpers operating on the very same platform.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 02:38
Quantum error correction can constantly recalibrate a processor
Google researchers have developed a method using reinforcement learning to adjust quantum processor control parameters in real time, improving error correction by 20%.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 02:37
Microsoft Reports 25% Jump in Carbon Emissions
Microsoft's greenhouse gas pollution rose by about 25% last year, driven primarily by data center expansion for AI, according to its new sustainability report. The company still aims to become carbon negative by 2030.
Wired · 11 Jul, 02:36
Apple Sues OpenAI for Trade Secret Theft, Names Ex-Employees and Jony Ive's Startup
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI alleging theft of trade secrets, naming two former employees and the hardware startup io Products, led by Jony Ive, as complicit. The complaint describes OpenAI's hardware business as 'rotten to its core.'
Engadget · 11 Jul, 01:37
China successfully recovers reusable rocket stage using net capture system
China's state-owned rocket developer CASC achieved the first controlled recovery of an orbital-class booster by catching it with a net on a sea platform, emulating and innovating on SpaceX's Starship catch technique.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 01:37
Bluesky’s interim CEO Toni Schneider takes the job permanently
Toni Schneider, who served as Bluesky's interim CEO for four months after Jay Graber stepped down, has been appointed permanent CEO. He plans to focus on creating smaller, more private communities to drive growth.
TechCrunch · 11 Jul, 01:36
Canada's Bill C-36 tackles AI privacy challenges, but experts question its adequacy
Canada introduces Bill C-36, its first major privacy law overhaul in 25 years, recognizing privacy as a fundamental right and strengthening children's data protection, yet experts warn it may not keep pace with AI's ability to infer sensitive information from seemingly innocuous data.
Al Jazeera · 11 Jul, 01:36
FCC fines eight companies for helping DJI bypass US drone ban
The US Federal Communications Commission has fined eight companies $25,000 each for allegedly acting as DJI front companies to evade the US ban on foreign drones.
The Verge · 11 Jul, 01:36
First Images of Shackleton's Final Ship Quest Revealed
The Royal Canadian Geographic Society has released the first images of the Quest shipwreck, the polar exploration vessel used by Sir Ernest Shackleton on his last voyage. The ship sank in 1962 and was discovered in 2024.
Ars Technica · 11 Jul, 00:38
Apple Sues OpenAI, Accusing Hardware Chief of Stealing Trade Secrets
Apple filed a lawsuit on Friday against OpenAI and its hardware head, alleging a systematic theft of trade secrets, including unreleased parts and confidential designs. The suit reveals that OpenAI has hired over 400 former Apple employees and acquired a startup founded by ex-Apple executives.
Wired · 11 Jul, 00:37
New York City Announces New 'Click-to-Cancel' Rule
Starting October 1, New York City residents will benefit from a rule requiring companies to offer simple subscription cancellations, with fines starting at $525 per violation.
Engadget · 11 Jul, 00:36
Pokémon Go finally delivers on its original promise at 10th anniversary
Nearly 2,000 players gathered in Times Square for a Mewtwo raid, realizing the vision of the 2015 trailer.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 23:37
OpenAI discontinues Atlas browser, but integrates its features into ChatGPT app
OpenAI announced the end of its Atlas browser, but its core capabilities have been integrated into the updated ChatGPT desktop app and Chrome extension, indicating a strategic shift rather than a retreat from the browser market.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 23:37
This Week in Latvian Business: Regional Infrastructure Funding and Slower Growth
This week's business news highlights positive infrastructure investments and slower economic growth, underscoring the need for sustainable fiscal policy.
LSM · 10 Jul, 23:36
Apple sues OpenAI over alleged trade secret theft
Apple filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing it of stealing trade secrets through former Apple employees who moved to the AI company.
TechCrunch AI · 10 Jul, 23:36
ICE Threatens to Deport Witnesses of Latest Fatal Shooting in Houston
Immigration officers killed Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston, and now three eyewitnesses held in ICE custody face deportation as the agency disputes their account.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 22:37
Hugging Face CEO: Open Source AI Matters More Than Ever
Hugging Face CEO Clem Delangue highlights the growing importance of open source AI as companies move from closed systems to open models due to cost pressures.
TechCrunch AI · 10 Jul, 22:37
Meta Glasses Backlash Changes How (or If) People Use Them
The backlash against Meta's smart glasses, driven by privacy concerns and misuse, is causing users to reduce or abandon them. Meta responds with a mandatory software update that disables the camera if the LED indicator is tampered with.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 22:36
College Social App Fizz Accuses VC of Sharing Confidential Data with Rival Sidechat
In a new filing, Fizz alleges that venture capitalist Jerry Lu of Maveron met with Fizz under the guise of a potential investment, then shared non-public information with competitor Sidechat.
TechCrunch · 10 Jul, 21:41
Taiwan's ProLogium Aims to Beat Chinese Battery Giants with Solid-State Technology
Taiwanese startup ProLogium claims it will mass-produce solid-state batteries by 2027, potentially disrupting a market dominated by Chinese companies like BYD and CATL.
Wired · 10 Jul, 21:38
Metal Spheres Washing Up on Australian Beach Identified as Space Junk
Six metallic spheres, each about twice the size of a basketball, washed ashore on Forrest Beach in Queensland, Australia. Authorities say they are likely pressure vessels from a rocket – space debris – and pose no danger.
Engadget · 10 Jul, 21:36
SK Hynix raises $26.5B in the biggest foreign IPO in US history, urged to build new US fabs
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix raised $26.5 billion in its US market debut, the largest ever by a non-American company, as demand soared. Meanwhile, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called on SK Hynix and Samsung to build new factories in the United States.
TechCrunch AI · 10 Jul, 20:37
Nvidia's Biggest RAM Supplier SK Hynix Debuts on Wall Street with Record-Breaking IPO
South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix made its Wall Street debut on Friday with shares opening at $170, raising $26.5 billion and surpassing Alibaba's record as the largest initial public offering by a foreign company in the U.S.
The Verge · 10 Jul, 20:36