Must read
I’ve scoured the Internet to find you today’s most interesting/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.
1 China is strengthening control of online content
By buying “golden shares” in big tech companies Alibaba and Tencent. (FT $)
+ Didi ride-hailing app is being restored. (Reuters)
+ China wants to censor online comments (MIT Technology Review)
2 The US is suing two crypto exchanges
Genesis and Gemini are accused of selling unregistered securities. (Block)
+ Another exchange, Crypto.com, is cutting its workforce. (TechCrunch)
3 An AI chatbot has learned to sexually harass people
Its aggressive, unwelcome advancements have appalled users. (motherboard)
+ The viral AI avatar app Lensa took my clothes off—without my consent. (MIT Technology Review)
4 Why other viruses may have been suppressed during the pandemic
In part because they can take turns dominating a host. (Knowledge Magazine)
+ People in China are going to Hong Kong to buy private covid boosters. (guard)
5 Google says changing Section 230 could “upgrade the internet”
It claims that the edits will mark the end of censorship as we know it. (WSJ $)
6 cancer deaths in the US have decreased significantly
Better treatment and lower smoking rates may be among the contributing factors. (CNN)
7 The gas stove debate is getting out of control
We know they are bad for our health and climate. But the ban proposals provoked a backlash that refused to die. (slate $)
+ Here’s everything you need to know about the ongoing debate. (Vox)
+ Welcome to the new culture war. (motherboard)
8 Mexican metro drivers must communicate via WhatsApp
They were banned from using cell phones, but the conductor said they had no choice. (The rest of the world)
9 Villages in Indonesia are creating a sensation on YouTube
Tapen is at the heart of the country’s burgeoning YouTube scene. (Wired $)
10 Why space travel is bad for us 🚀
It is a major health hazard. (WP $)
Quote of the day
