👉 The what and the why

On July 19, 2024, a global cyber outage caused by a defect in CrowdStrike's "Falcon Sensor" software led to widespread disruptions across multiple industries.

This software glitch caused Microsoft Windows systems to crash, resulting in the infamous "Blue Screen of Death." The issue was not a result of a security breach but a technical problem stemming from a software update.

CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm, counts over 20,000 subscription customers, including more than half of Fortune 500 companies, amplifying the impact of the outage.

The extent of the incident

Major airlines such as American, Delta, and United grounded flights, while airports in Spain, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and India faced operational challenges.

The outage also affected broadcasters like Sky News, healthcare booking systems in the UK, and financial services globally, from Australia to Germany.

Microsoft and CrowdStrike worked to deploy a fix, but the manual nature of the resolution process meant that full restoration of services would take several days.

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👉 The implications for you

The outage disrupted business processes across various sectors, highlighting the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures, but also how vulnerable our infrastructure is when many rely on one source for protection.

• Out of work: Chances are that if you were affected by these events, it was mostly resolved. However, the result is still there; if you’re a business owner, it’s likely you lost out on important work or missed deadlines.

• Safety: With the events affecting even healthcare services, it can be seen as an important reminder that perhaps we should be more self-reliant. Services go, and what then?

Overall, the main implications of this blackout have already been resolved for the most part. So, instead of focusing on what it did to some of us, let’s focus on what to do going forward.

🔥 Our take on it

Our societal digital infrastructures are very fragile. Friday proved that.

Services from banking, healthcare, public transport, emergency services, international travel, and hundreds of others all have one thing in common – they’re run digitally.

While that’s usually great and offers speed, reliability, and ease of use, it also poses a massive problem. What happens if the digital platform we rely on goes dark?

Should we go analog?

The problem isn’t necessarily the fact that we’re all digital today, but rather its fragility. If one server blacks out, most of our everyday services go out.

That probably doesn’t mean businesses should swap out server racks for bookshelves, but rather that we should consider how reliant we are on the tools we use.

What we’re getting at here is that having millions of devices rely on one software like Crowdstrike is likely a terrible idea. No matter how safe, secure, and reliable a software is, there is always a risk of human error and malicious third-party attacks.

So, from now on, will we see any changes? Not sure. What do you think?

👋 See you on Thursday!

Share your thoughts! Reply directly to this email, we’d love to know what you think of today’s story.

👉 What the fact?!

Proton was founded in Switzerland in 2014. From the very start, its goal has been to create what it calls 'privacy-default' alternatives to the applications we see today. Since then, it has released privacy-focused email, VPN, calendar password manager, and cloud storage services.

And now, they've released Proton Scribe, an AI-powered writing assistant for their email tool.

Functionality

Like most AI assistants, Proton Scribe can help you write better emails and correct spelling and grammatical errors, but it has one key differentiator: privacy.

• 100% private: Proton has committed to never sharing your data with any third-party entities, ensuring you never need to worry about sharing sensitive information.

• Local processing: Additionally, Proton Scribe can be deployed locally, ensuring user data remains on the device and its AI assistant doesn’t learn from it, crucial for enterprise privacy.

Proton addresses real data privacy concerns that have made businesses cautious about generative AI. In the future, they plan to extend Scribe into other areas like document editing and note-taking.

And with Proton's non-profit approach it goes perfectly in line with their existing ambitions.

🔥 Potential impact

This new release can potentially shake up the writing assistant market, which big-name companies like Google and Microsoft currently dominate.

Proton could attract many users looking for alternatives that align with their values and needs by offering a more privacy-focused option.

Enterprise companies

Proton Scribe's emphasis on privacy could greatly improve enterprise companies, especially those in sectors where data confidentiality is paramount, like finance, healthcare, and legal services.

Proton Scribe provides a level of security that can help businesses comply with strict data protection regulations. It ensures that all data remains local and that no information is shared with third parties.

Ultimately, this move could result in larger enterprise-level businesses adopting AI tools and services more widely, potentially opening the door for major deals for AI startups.

👋 See you next Tuesday!

Please share your thoughts in a direct reply to this email. We’d love to hear your take on today’s news!

🫶 A word from us, to you

Good morning (or evening depending on where you are)!

Today we're coming at you with the 28th issue of Klick Click, and we've got some exciting potential news as we close in on the 30th edition next week. We want to engage you, the reader, and create a community of people invested in not only their own professional growth, but also Klick Click's future.

Anyway, more on that next week. Keep your eyes peeled!

👉 The What and the Why

Chances are that you've at some point signed an NDA while being onboarded with an employer or new client. Most of the time these are just standard practice document stating that you shouldn't share any confidential information about any involved party, sometimes however, this is not the case.

In the case of OpenAI, the terms of the NDAs some of their employees are forced to sign has proven borderline illegal as stated by a recent whistleblower. (source).

What happened

The Washington Post recently received an anonymous letter claiming that OpenAI is violating several SEC laws in their NDAs. Specifically, the letter outlines:

Several outlets have contacted OpenAI's in hopes of a response, after which a spokesperson eventually responded saying their whistleblowing policy stops them for commenting on the matter for employee privacy reasons.

The SEC also made a comment to TechCrunch saying:

So it's fair to say that even the SEC agrees with the claims of malicious NDA practices by OpenAI.

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👀 The Implications for You

This story is likely less about whistleblowing itself and more about the practices OpenAI applies with its standard NDA employees sign.

It's not uncommon for NDAs to be relatively restrictive, often too restrictive, but still legal. This often affects what clients a business can work with, what employers a worker can apply to work for and as a result a loss of income.

While a loss of income is bad in itself, it at least doesn't cause any legal concerns.

So to break it down, before signing an NDA, here are couple things to keep in mind:

• Legality: No matter how much you want the work, always ask yourself "Is this legal?". May seem obvious but often times, as shown with OpenAI recently, it is not the case.

• Restrictions: NDAs occasionally restrict how/when you can vest any owned shares in the company you work for. And breaking the NDA might make you lose ownership of these shares.

• Duration: Pay attention to how long the NDA is effective. Some agreements have a time limit, while others can be indefinite. Knowing how long you're bound by the terms can help you make a smarter decision about whether to sign.

Ultimately its always best to check with legal counsel, but you probably already knew that.

🔥 Our take on it

As someone who has experience working with large and small companies alike (me Jonathan, the writer), I've noticed some clear trends in how NDAs shaped. Typically, the larger the company the more restrictive and borderline abuse the contract is.

The question is though – is this because large companies are inherently evil? Probably not. More likely, it's because the larger the company is, the more potential damage a breached NDA can do. Perhaps OpenAI is just trying to protect itself and its interests, but at what cost?

Companies and individuals alike should always strive for a fair balance between protecting their own interests as well the others.

Protecting company assets at the expense of an employee's future possibilities, income, or even legal obligations is not a great look for anyone.

And how does all of this start? Fair and transparent NDAs.

👋 See you on Thursday!

Share your thoughts! Reply directly to this email, we’d love to know what you think of today’s story.

Also in the news:

Google backs Indian open-source Uber rival | TechCrunch

Google has joined investors backing Moving Tech, the parent firm of open-source ride-sharing app Namma Yatri.

techcrunch.com

Google is close to making its biggest acquisition ever

Google owner Alphabet is in advanced discussions to buy fast-growing cybersecurity startup Wiz for roughly $23 billion.

finance.yahoo.com

NATO commander warns critical undersea cables and pipes 'under threat' from Russia and other foes

Deep sea cables and pipelines that are at risk of attack pose a security challenge for NATO countries.

www.businessinsider.com

👉 What the fact?!

OpenAI and Thrive Global have partnered to create an AI health coach. The announcement has been met with mixed reactions. Some are excited about the possibilities, while others fear the risks.

Thrive Global is a health technology company co-founded in 2016 by Arianna Huffington and has since garnered considerable attention in the industry. Their goal is to improve well-being and performance through science-backed solutions.

But an important question to ask is: "Why is this better than a human being?" The answer could potentially be the accuracy of advice. With Thrive having access to detailed health data about you from wearables, etc., the coach will be able to give hyper-specific advice on various situations.

However, that is not to say that there are risks involved as well.

❗The risks

The elephant in the room should be addressed; any data stored online will sooner or later be accessed by malicious actors.

While apps like Apple Health already store a lot of private information, what OpenAI and Thrive is suggesting would also store conversations of its users sharing things like feelings, state of mind, etc. In a perfect world these two combined sets the stage for a really solid health coach, however, the world is not perfect.

On top of this, the special sauce of human coaches is that they're human. In its current state, there may be difficulties for LLMs in mimicking that special sauce.

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🔥 Potential impact

The health market is enormous. OpenAI and Thrive have the potential to form one of the most significant collaborations the world has ever witnessed. The app's free access will make it accessible to a wide range of people and have the potential to significantly impact overall health and well-being.

Not only that, but imagine the possibilities for remote areas or individuals who may not have access to human coaches. AI health coaches can offer personalized support and guidance in real time, anytime, anywhere.

So to break it down, the likely impact of this news is:

• Cheaper access: Utilizing AI technology can significantly reduce costs compared to traditional human-based services, making it more affordable for a wider range of users.

• Ease of communication: Interacting with AI can provide a more comfortable and stress-free experience for individuals who are shy, anxious, or prefer anonymity.

• A new massive conglomerate: The health industry is massive. And the likelihood of the first-to-market becoming the future leader is very large.

While the idea of an AI health coach can seem a bit like science fiction, it's fascinating how technology continues to shape our daily lives.

Sure, there are risks, and it's essential to address them head-on, but the potential benefits of having access to affordable, personalized health advice can't be ignored. As we move forward, balance and cautious optimism will be key.

👋 See you next Tuesday!

Please share your thoughts in a direct reply to this email. We’d love to hear your take on today’s news!

👉 The what and the why

Tech enthusiasts and casual users alike have long craved modularity and the ability to repair their own devices. This simple desire has been notoriously hard to fulfill (looking at you, Apple).

Enter Nothing, a company founded by Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus. Nothing aims to bring simplicity and innovation back into technology, focusing on user-centric design and functionality. Yesterday, they introduced the modular CMF Phone 1, sparking considerable excitement among the audience.

💭 What is CMF Phone 1?

Imagine effortlessly swapping out parts of your phone, making repairs or upgrades as easy as pie. That's the CMF Phone 1.

This innovative device features interchangeable modules for components like the battery, camera, and display. By doing so, it could create an era where users no longer need to rely on companies to fix their phones; you pop the back open and replace parts yourself.

🛠 The modularity

Some of the parts you'll be able to replace with Nothing's new phone are:

• Battery Module: Something most users probably have wanted to do at some point or another throughout the lifespan of their phones is swapping their battery. And finally we're able to do it again, almost like we're back in the early 2000s.

• Camera Module: Pretty great for that one friend who refuses to use a case (you know who you are).

• Display Module: Dropped the phone on your chin while browsing Reddit at 1am? Must've hurt, but at least now you can replace the cracked screen.

• Processor and Memory Modules: Buying one model of a phone no longer locks you in for life. Simply buy a new processor, and bam, you've got yourself a faster device. No complete replacement is necessary.

• Connectivity and Ports: Remember back when phones had headphone jacks? Well, you can bring it back now. Plus, you can switch between USB-C and Lightning ports depending on your needs.

Essentially, the CMF Phone 1’s modular design aims to make tech maintenance and upgrades easy to do on your own, giving users back control of their belongings.

Furthermore, while they haven't publicly commented, industry insiders suggest that this launch could prompt giants like Apple and Samsung to revisit their product strategies.

👉 The implications for you

The arrival of CMF by Nothing could mark a significant shift among tech giants.

Nothing empowers consumers by giving them the right to repair and customize their devices, a stark contrast to companies like Apple's approach that often restricts such freedoms. This initiative not only challenges the status quo but also promotes sustainability by potentially reducing electronic waste.

Additionally, this move could lead to a ripple effect in the industry, where other companies may offer more user-friendly and modular devices. This also allows smaller, independent companies to enter the market and provide unique and customizable options for consumers.

These smaller players could introduce innovative features and designs, catering to niche markets that larger companies might overlook. With more competition, the likelyhood of prices being driven down also increases.

In the end, it's a win-win situation for all involved—more user control, more competition among tech companies, and, most likely, less electronic waste in landfills.

🤑 Potential gold mine

This launch could prove to be a golden opportunity for those working in parts manufacturing or product design.

Whether it's upgraded camera sensors, high-capacity batteries, or special display types, the demand for quality, compatible parts will likely grow exponentially.

As more consumers adopt modular devices, there's a potential goldmine for companies that can provide innovative, durable, and budget-friendly parts.

🔥 Our take on it

The CMF Phone 1 by Nothing is like a breath of fresh air in a world where tech giants often have the final say over our devices.

By handing control back to the users, Nothing is giving consumers what tech giants like Apple have denied us for so long. In a way, it's even a step back in time as the early 2000s had phones that, for the most part, were modular and replaceable by default.

Along those lines, Nothing has also set the stage for a potential shake-up amongst the big players.

Apple's ears must be burning right now as they might need to rethink their strategies to keep up. It’s like Nothing has lit a fire under them, pushing these tech giants to consider more user-friendly and modular designs for their devices.

And as if that weren’t enough, we at Klick Click are probably most excited about the opportunity this could prove to be for third-party manufacturers.

Smaller companies and new entrants could seize this moment to introduce innovative and customizable components.

The phone market might get a lot more exciting and competitive going forward!

👋 See you on Thursday!

Share your thoughts! Reply directly to this email, we’d love to know what you think of today’s story.

👉 The what and the why

Perplexity, the search engine and AI assistant platform, is being accused of plagiarism and unethical web scraping.

Like most chatbots, the platform lets users ask questions and spits out the answers for you. The difference, however, is that Perplexity searches the web and functions similarly to a search engine, even providing references for its information.

While providing sources is a great move, many news outlets are now expressing concerns that perplexity may be ignoring web scraping standards.

The accusations

The accusations originally came from Wired on June 19th 2024, and has since been picked up by other sources as well. Specifically, the accusations center around:

• Plagiarism: Forbes specifically alleged that Perplexity plagiarized one of its articles, while Wired reported that the AI assistant closely paraphrased its content with minimal attribution.

• Unethical web scraping: The second major accusation is that Perplexity AI has engaged in unethical web scraping. Wired's investigation revealed that Perplexity ignored the Robots Exclusion Protocol, a standard that allows websites to specify which parts should not be accessed by web crawlers.

While acknowledging the accusations, Perplexity maintains their position that they have done nothing wrong. Furthermore, they claim they are only doing what’s legal within fair use copyright laws and have not scraped content that is requested to be excluded.

It’s also worth noting that publishers have direct monetary benefits to accusing Perplexity and similar platforms as the two stand as direct competitors.

👉 The implications for you

The Perplexity situation brings up some important points for anyone working with or using AI in their professional life.

Depending on which side of the fence you find yourself, this may be bad or great news.

Publishers

Publishers will likely demand more transparency from AI companies about how their content is being used and seek greater control over access to their websites. Two key points are:

• Content Protection and Attribution: It’s challenging, if not impossible, to fully protect your content online from unauthorized use. And the allegations against Perplexity highlight the need for stronger measures to safeguard intellectual property online.

• Revenue Concerns: The potential long-term impact of AI summarization on original content creation and revenue streams is at the heart of these accusations. Publishers may need to explore new monetization strategies or partnerships with AI companies to maintain their financial viability.
  

AI users & developers:

AI developers are under increased scrutiny regarding their data collection methods, and the need to ensure ethical and legal scraping practices is all the more important.

• Legal and Regulatory Challenges: AI developers may face potential legal issues and regulatory scrutiny. They need to be prepared to defend their practices and possibly adapt their technologies to comply with evolving legal standards

• Credit where credit is due: In today's digital world, it's super easy to share information, but it's really important to acknowledge the original sources. It's not just a legal thing – it's about being fair and trustworthy, whether you're an individual or a business.

🔥 Our take on it

We believe the Perplexity situation can be seen in two ways; a tech company doing morally questionable things, or a stagnant news publisher is desperately grasping for air as the market outpaces them.

To a certain extent, both can be true.

Most importantly, however, both sides will need to meet somewhere in the middle. Publishers aren’t going away; they will likely need to change format or structure, but they will indeed remain. And AI advancements aren’t going to slow down any time soon.

So, finding a middle ground will be crucial for a couple of reasons.

Call us biased, but publishers serve an important role in society: providing accurate, impartial news to the public. Artificial intelligence platforms like Perplexity will continue to grow as investors pump money into them.

Ultimately, this news serves as a reminder that with any fast-developing technology, we also quickly need to establish clear guidelines and ethical standards.

👋 See you on Thursday!

Share your thoughts! Reply directly to this email, we’d love to know what you think of today’s story.

Also in the news:

China sets its sights on human brain-computer interface standards

A new committee is hearing opinions on various issues — including technical aspects as well as ethics and safety concerns — that will be key to the future of the technology.

www.computerworld.com/article/2512949/china-sets-its-sights-on-human-brain-computer-interface-standards.html

noplace, a mashup of Twitter and Myspace for Gen Z, hits No. 1 on the App Store | TechCrunch

Noplace had already gone viral ahead of its public launch.

techcrunch.com/2024/07/03/noplace-a-mashup-of-twitter-and-myspace-for-gen-z-hits-no-1-on-the-app-store

Twilio says hackers identified cell phone numbers of two-factor app Authy users | TechCrunch

Twilio says "threat actors were able to identify" phone numbers of people who use the two-factor app Authy.

techcrunch.com/2024/07/03/twilio-says-hackers-identified-cell-phone-numbers-of-two-factor-app-authy-users

👉 The what and the why

The Electrifly project is set to operate electric flights between airports in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany from July 1 to August 31, 2024. This pioneering initiative aims to demonstrate the possibility of zero-emission aviation and pave the way for sustainable air travel.

The star of the show is the Pipistrel Velis Electro, a two-seater electric aircraft certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). With flight durations ranging from 16 to 26 minutes, it's perfect for short-range travel between the participating airports.

While this is all about pushing the boundaries of electric aviation and sustainable travel, there’s a few key reasons why it matters:

• Regulatory breakthrough: The flights will use the Pipistrel Velis Electro, which is currently the only electric aircraft certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This certification is a crucial step in proving the safety and viability of electric aircraft for commercial use.

• Shifting perceptions: Successfully operating these flights could help change public and industry perceptions about the feasibility and safety of electric aircraft, potentially accelerating their adoption and development.

• Emissions reduction potential: The aviation sector is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. These electric flights showcase a tangible path towards reducing the carbon footprint of short and medium-range air travel, which could have substantial environmental impacts if widely adopted.

👉 The implications for you

For the curious – anyone, including you, can book a seat on this historic electric flight for 120€ (129$). The catch, however, is that only one passenger is allowed per flight + passengers can’t bring any luggage onboard.

Furthermore, the total weight of you and the pilot can’t exceed 178 kg (392 lbs), making things slightly more complicated.

Ignoring these early-adopter challenges, this new technology will likely speed up electric aviation adoption worldwide and ultimately improving connections and lowering prices for you.

👀 A couple of noteworthy things:

• Improved reliability: With fewer moving parts, electric aircraft may experience fewer mechanical issues. This could lead to fewer delays and cancellations, improving the overall reliability of air travel.

• Expanded airport locations: Due to their quieter operation, electric planes could potentially operate from airports closer to city centers or in more densely populated areas. This could reduce travel time to and from airports for many passengers.

• Lower ticket prices: As electric aircraft become more common, airlines may be able to significantly reduce their operating costs. Lower fuel and maintenance expenses could translate into more affordable ticket prices for travelers, making air travel more accessible to a broader range of people.

In the future, we might see more routes, larger electric aircraft, and potentially lower prices for eco-friendly air travel.

🔥 Our take on it

We're crazy excited about this development. It's not just a cool new way to travel - it's a glimpse into a potentially greener future for aviation.

🤩 The potential

While the current limitations on passenger numbers and luggage mean that this initiative won't replace traditional flights in the near future, it serves as an important proof of concept. It offers a glimpse into a future where air travel could be significantly cleaner and more sustainable.

Furthermore, the Electrifly project has the potential to spark further innovation and investment in electric aviation technologies. It may lead to advancements in battery technology, aircraft design, and supporting infrastructure.

The success of these flights could also help shift public and industry perceptions about the viability and safety of electric aircraft, potentially accelerating their adoption and development.

🤔 The reality

While the Electrifly project is undeniably a massive step towards sustainable aviation, it's very important to maintain a realistic perspective on the current limitations and challenges.

One of the primary hurdles is the limited energy density of contemporary battery technology. This constraint significantly restricts the flight range and payload capacity of electric aircraft.

For instance, powering a larger aircraft like an Airbus A320 with today's battery technology would drastically increase its weight, making it impractical for commercial use. As a result, the current electric aircraft are only suitable for short-range flights with minimal passenger and luggage capacity.

Also, the infrastructure required to support widespread electric aviation is still in early stages. Airports must have charging stations and maintenance facilities specifically designed for electric aircraft.

Experts estimate that fully electric commercial airliners may still be 15-20 years away from becoming a reality. Despite this, however, we’re very optimistic about how this will impact your travel habits.

👋 See you on Thursday!

Share your thoughts! Reply directly to this email, we’d love to know what you think of today’s story.

More stories in the news

Meta Charged Under EU Antitrust Law

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has been charged by European Union antitrust regulators for violating the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

www.perplexity.ai/page/meta-charged-under-eu-antitrus-p2yIy5sWSmGTuW3HXoONYQ

NASA Hires SpaceX to Destroy the International Space Station

NASA has officially chosen SpaceX to develop a "deorbit vehicle" in order to destroy the International Space Station in 2030.

futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-hires-spacex-destroy-international-space-station

Japan's 310-mile conveyor belt to carry freight of 25,000 trucks a day

Autoflow-Road will function 24 hours a day, with pallets holding up to 1 tonne of cargo, replacing the work of 25,000 drivers per day.

interestingengineering.com/innovation/japan-automated-conveyor-belts-freight

👉 What the fact?!

As of May 2024, Starlink has over 6000 satellites in orbit, and on June 4th 2024, SpaceX launched an additional 20, 13 of which equipped with Direct to Cell technology.

Similar to the already available portable satellite dishes from Starlink, this new technology will enable the same functionality, but directly to your LTE phone.

This means that most users with Android or iPhone phones will be able to browse the web even in the most remote areas.

What is ‘Direct to Cell’?

Unlike traditional mobile networks that rely on a network of cell towers, Direct to Cell connects mobile phones directly to Starlink's satellites in orbit. The satellites are equipped with technology acting as special cell phone towers in space.

This essentially cuts out the middleman and eliminates the need for an extra satellite dish or cell tower. The technology will start its rollout during 2024 and 2025, and is set to enable text messages, voice calls, and data usage.

🔥 Potential impact

On the most extreme side of the spectrum, Direct to Cell will enable disaster response teams to have voice and text connectivity in remote areas reliably. And on the other end, it will enable the average Joe to visit his family’s farm without worrying about connection issues.

Let’s imagine some of the most impactful areas:

• Global Connectivity: This technology can provide mobile service in areas where traditional cell towers are not feasible, such as remote or underserved regions.

• Disaster Response: Direct Cell can ensure continuous communication for emergency services and affected populations in natural disasters where ground infrastructure is damaged.

• Seamless Integration: Since the service works with existing LTE phones without requiring any hardware or firmware changes, adoption can be swift and widespread. This ease of integration can accelerate the deployment of the service globally

• IoT Expansion: The service also supports IoT devices, which can greatly assist industries like agriculture by providing reliable connectivity in remote locations.

While the initial investment to build and launch a satellite into orbit may be large, the payoff of providing internet access anywhere in the world is tremendous. Not only financially for the technology providers but most importantly for its consumers like us.

👋 See you next Tuesday!

Please share your thoughts in a direct reply to this email. We’d love to hear your take on today’s news!

👉 The what and the why

Apple recently announced that it is integrating various AI functionalities across its device ecosystem. However, according to several sources, these features may not be available in the EU at all.

The features were set to be integrated natively on an operating system level, making it seamless and easy to use. While features like AI writing, summarizing information, and prioritizing notifications are handy, they also create challenges with privacy.

Apple addressed the privacy concerns during the WWDC keynote, citing several measures it has taken to safeguard user privacy.

However, despite these measures, several sources claim Apple Intelligence may not be released to the public in the EU at all.

Digital Markets Act

The Digital Markets Act (DMA), introduced in 2023, aims to curb the dominance of major tech companies and support smaller businesses.

This legislation mandates that basic functions across various devices and ecosystems must be interoperable, affecting not just iPhones and iPads but also Macs, particularly with features like iPhone Mirroring.

Apple has expressed concerns that complying with the DMA's interoperability requirements could compromise the integrity of its products, potentially jeopardizing user privacy and data security.

The company is currently in discussions with the European Commission to find a way to offer these features to EU customers without compromising safety.

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👉 The implications for you

The obvious part is that anyone living in the EU may not be able to use basic features that are part of the Apple ecosystem elsewhere in the world.

Some of the affected features are:

• Math Notes: Apple Math Notes is a newly announced feature part of the iPadOS lineup that allows users to do complex math calculations inside the Notes app.

• GenMojis: Announced at WWDC 2024, GenMojis are emojis created with generative AI, allowing users to go beyond the standard set of premade emojis.

• Writing assistant: Also showcased at WWDC, the inline writing assistant lets users edit, change, and rewrite text simply by highlighting it.

• Image editing: These regulatory challenges may affect future image editing functionality powered by AI.

If the European Commission and Apple fail to reach a deal favoring all parties, this will have massive impacts on customers as it creates a separation in functionality between different continents. These negotiations will most likely take a very long time, though, and we’ll likely see more updates far into the future.

🔥 Our take on it

☁️ High-level perspective

While the delay is partly due to Apple's commitment to maintaining high privacy and security standards, the real deal here is Apple wants to maintain a locked-down system. Reason? Because it favors them financially.

This is not necessarily a bad thing; it simply is a fact that a publicly traded company needs to perform for investors.

However, this could also spark a louder conversation about how the EU is often perceived to hinder technological progress, which is already a common talking point.

Further, if the regulations are seen as too restrictive, consumer groups or even EU member states could backlash against the DMA. This might lead to amendments in the law to balance innovation with regulatory oversight.

🧑 Consumer perspective

Of course, at a consumer level, feature disparity between continents is rarely a good thing. The infamous blue bubble difference between Android and iPhone proves how even the slightest difference can cause major friction for users.

Imagine living in the US, talking to a friend in the EU, and trying to use functionality that is simply not available to them. This sounds like a headache, which definitely is not something Apple wants to create in its ecosystem.

Apple is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and devices that ‘just work’. These regulatory challenges can potentially cause a lot of friction and ultimately hurt sales.

Going forward, we’ll probably see long negotiations, and any solution will likely be far down the line. Meanwhile, let’s enjoy these features while everyone has them.

👋 See you on Thursday!

Share your thoughts! Reply directly to this email, we’d love to know what you think of today’s story.

👉 What the fact?!

The fight against tobacco has been ongoing for decades with various strategies employed with varying degrees of success. One solution, however, has been widely adopted through the years and you’re probably already familiar with it; the graphic warning label.

A similar warning label may become a reality on social media platforms as well as recently proposed by United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.

Murthy made the call for action as nearly half of adolescents have reported feeling worse about their bodies due to social media. These reports are further backed up by similar studies on social media and their relation to anxiety and depression.

🤔 Why social media?

It is widely known that people spend a lot of time online, specifically, on social media. In 2024, people aged 16 to 64 spent an average of 2,5 hours on social media per day.

This comes as no surprise as social media, by design, is made to feel as rewarding (read addictive) as possible while using it. Keeping the user engaged, scrolling, clicking, and watching for as long as possible is the only goal of all major platforms.

This, however, doesn’t mean social media engineers are somehow evil, it’s simply a business model. And when the product of the business model is potentially harmful to its users, a warning label might be reasonable, according to Murthy.

🚭 The connection with tobacco

Murthy made connections with how tobacco saw a steep decline in usage by adolescents after the 1965 law forcing all cigarette manufacturers to put warning labels on their packages.

These labels are now found worldwide on cigarettes. Since then we’ve seen a decrease from 42% in 1965 to 11.5% in 2021 in the United States.

📝 Legislation

Other than warning labels, Murthy also strongly suggested to implement a range of other measures. Some of which include:

• Schools should have phone-free social time and classrooms.

• Parents should reconsider how early they give their kids access to social media.

Ultimately, Murthy emphasized that his proposal is similar to other measures aimed as safeguarding consumer health and safety.

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👊 The impact

While too much legislations in an industry can slow growth and make it harder to compete internationally, a healthy dose is often needed.

The two currently fastest-growing industries are creator-led businesses and AI, one of which is evolving faster than legislators can keep up with, and the other is somewhat forgotten about.

Seeing more legislation surrounding the use and creation of social media will likely have a positive impact on the way adults, teens, and kids alike use these mediums. Especially as we know reducing screen time has strong connections with a decrease in anxiety and depression among individuals.

🔥 Our take on it

Social media, in its current format, has only existed for roughly 20 years if you use MySpace as the first. During those 20 years, we’ve seen a lot of big changes happening.

Multiple platforms created, launched, and bankrupt. Monetization systems created, changed, and improved. Jobs we never even could’ve imagined to exist are now a common sight.

During those same 20 years, we have seen very little legislation around the use and creation of both the platforms themselves but also the content on them.

Put like that, it is surprising to say the least.

Social media, whether you love it or hate it, is a massive part of our everyday lives. Some spend hours consuming content, and others make a very healthy living off of it.

As the industry matures and starts getting older than some of the youngest people on it, so does the regulation surrounding it need to as well.

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👉 The what and the why

As the US approaches the 2024 elections, platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok have focused on reducing the spread of misinformation.

The most recent step in this direction is a feature called “Notes,” released by YouTube on an invitation-only basis. This feature lets users add additional information to content posted on the platform, with the primary goal of combating misinformation by enabling the community to provide additional insights.

This initiative is part of YouTube's broader strategy to improve content moderation and ensure that viewers have access to accurate information.

How it works:

1. Access: Notes is currently in a pilot phase where a select handful of candidates have access to use the feature.

2. Users contribute: Eligible users can append notes to videos, providing context such as clarifying if a song is a parody or if old footage is being misrepresented as current

3. Contributions are reviewed: Viewers will encounter notes under videos and will be asked to rate them as "helpful," "somewhat helpful," or "unhelpful." They can also provide explanations for their ratings, such as the presence of high-quality sources or neutral language

During this testing phase, YouTube expects errors and emphasizes that this is a learning process. Feedback from viewers, contributors, and creators will be used to refine the feature.

As the system improves, YouTube plans to gradually expand the feature, potentially making it available to a broader audience and across more video categories.

👉 The implications for you

Overall, the key here is it will improve the ability to trust the content you consume. Whether it's educational, a political speech, or a bold statement in a podcast, all of these will be checked by the public. And if proven false, will be publically visible to be so.

Summarized, some of the areas it can help you are:

• Improved Credibility: The ability to add context and corrections will likely improve the overall credibility of content published on YouTube.

• Fewer fake content: With the rise of AI it is becoming easier every day to create fake content of someone saying, doing, or showing something they have nothing to do with. Notes will likely help combat these types of misinformation.

• Educational Value: For users relying on YouTube for educational content, this new feature is likely to drastically improve their trust in the content they consume.

🔥 Our take on it

Even in a world with AI and enormous data centers, fact-checking basic statements remains challenging online.

Last year, X (formerly Twitter) rebranded Birdwatch to what is now called Community Notes. This move made it possible for any user to fact-check and, if desired, add additional information to any post on the platform, similar to what YouTube Notes is doing.

The move was initially met with skepticism but has proven to be very effective for accounts ranging from politicians to random unknown accounts going viral.

We believe that YouTube’s move to embrace this community-focused approach will likely improve the credibility of the online content.

A great example is how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were fooled by false videos claiming that the protective masks were actually contaminated with larvae. This led to people using the masks less, and ultimately increasing the spread of the virus.

Seeing YouTube’s Notes feature roll out in a year of US elections is now a surprise, and time will tell how it affects users and their content.

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👉 What the fact?!

Earlier this week the 2024 edition of Apple’s WWDC conference took place. During the conference, they announced a range of new features, with the native integration of AI into its devices taking center stage.

While the announcements have been met with a majority positive response (and stock prices surging 7%) one notable person remains skeptical; Elon Musk.

The OpenAI co-founder turned critic has stated that if Apple proceeds with the native OS-level integration of OpenAI into its devices, Musk will ban all iOS devices from his companies. In practice, this means any person entering the Tesla or SpaceX premises must check their iOS device at the entrance in a faraday cage to stop any potential wireless interference.

The allegations Elon Musk has made can be summarized in two parts:

• Privacy: Musk has long been a loud critic of OpenAI, accusing them of using a black box business model, and even selling out user data for profit.

• Inability to protect: While Apple has been thorough in emphasizing their focus on user privacy, Musk remains skeptical. He claims the company is incapable of creating privacy barriers good enough to protect user data.

🍎 Apple’s response

Despite these accusations, Apple stands firm in its stance on protecting user privacy and promises that:

• The core of AI processing will be done on-device and only larger requests requires cloud computing. These external requests will also go through the new Private Cloud Compute feature, ensuring data is not stored longer than needed for the specific request.

• Users will also be able to manually control when ChatGPT is used and will be asked before any of their data is shared.

Worth noting in all of this is that Elon Musk has long been a critic of OpenAI ever since he left as a co-founder of the company. Furthermore, after launching his startup xAI last year, he stands as a direct competitor to OpenAI.

🔥 Potential impact

As we see AI being integrated closer and closer into our everyday lives, it is important to remain in control of what information is shared. Instances like Reddit licensing their data for training AI rightfully poses the question of what we can do as users to protect our information.

Up until recently, sharing photos on Instagram, or engaging in conversations on Facebook, was relatively low risk. The biggest concern was having your data sold to advertisers. While that in itself is a conversation to be had, for-profit companies training AI models on data you shared for free can seem questionable.

Personalities like Elon Musk who is in the public eye have a massive opportunity (potentially even responsibility?) to shape the way AI will be intertwined with our lives.

While the criticism by Musk likely will mostly result in some headlines in media outlets, it can also spark a very valuable conversation.

Generally, the average user is not aware of how their data is used online, and if it is, how it affects them. Often times this is fine, however in the age of AI, it might actually be a requirement to deepen one’s knowledge.

So while critics of Musk may call his recent statements as nothing more than yet another tantrum, it’s a conversation that needs to happen.

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Apple’s WWDC logo.

👉 The what and the why

Recently in the tech industry, AI has been taking the center stage at most conferences and investment announcements, and Apple’s WWDC keynote was no different.

During the keynote they announced a range of features, some of which include

• Apple Intelligence: The AI system will be integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS 15. It will provide features such as AI-powered summarizations, reply suggestions, and a revamped Siri with improved app control

• Siri Updates: Siri will be revamped to include real-time AI transcription and summarization features, as well as improved app control

• AI-Generated Emojis: Apple will introduce AI-generated emojis and a partnership with OpenAI

• Image Playground: Users can generate playful images based on an existing image as input. Results can vary from different themes, backgrounds, and illustration styles.

These features will be available to the public as it releases in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and MacOS Sequoia later this fall.

🔐 Privacy

With these functionalities Apple puts an emphasis on user privacy with what people have been referring to as a “cloud black box”. What this means is that a majority of queries will be done locally on-device and larger requests will be sent to an external “black box” server.

What sets this approach apart from competitors is that the information can’t be used for further AI training and even Apple employees themselves won’t have access to the data.

To combat potential user mistrust, Apple has pledged to release transparency reports outlining data usage, ensuring users are aware of how their data is being used.

However, important to note, is that while no one has intended access to the data, it still is online – which by default means it is hackable.

👉 The implications for you

While these features may at first glance feel like just another AI tech announcement, the truth is that it dramatically affects the average Apple consumer.

• Privacy: While Apple emphasizes on-device processing for enhanced privacy, some tasks will still be processed in the cloud. This means that users will need to trust Apple's cloud infrastructure and data handling practices.

• Enhanced User Experience: Apple Intelligence will make everyday tasks easier and more personalized, and a revamped Siriwith improved app control.

Furthermore, for developers actively creating software for the Apple ecosystem, these changes present an opportunity to be the first to adopt AI into their Apple software.

🔥 Our take on it

While we have seen some advancements to integrate AI into our everyday carry devices from companies such as Samsung, the truth is that it up until this has been relatively unsatifactory.

With Apple often being one of the last among tech giants to implement hot new features, them announcing these features will likely push the race forward. Tech giants are likely watching each other, seeing what the other is doing, attempting to one-up the other, and this time around will likely be no different.

With AI now inside of the Apple ecosystem, future updates are likely to not only improve on existing functionality but introduce new ones. How deep it will be integrated in for example MacOS or iPadOS remains to be seen.

Ultimately, the recent announcements from Apple's WWDC 2024 have generated significant excitement and curiosity about the company's new AI system.

A win for innovation, and opportunity for those who knows how to capitalize on it. Competitors like Samsung, Google Pixel, and HUAWEI are likely to feel the pressure and also step up to the plate.

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👉 The what and the why

Sony Pictures CEO Tony Vinciquerra

AI is already revolutionizing the way we produce video and photos, with examples ranging from OpenAI’s video generator Sora to the hyper-realistic images produced by Midjourney.

However, until recently, it remained largely unused by the big-budget creative industry. That is, until Tony Vinciquerra (Sony Pictures CEO) stated that they’re doubling down on its use of AI in filmmaking.

This move is said to decrease production costs, speed up production cycles, aid creatives in their existing work, and even create completely new animation styles.

Similarly to the actors and writers strike, unions like IATSE are once again highlighting the potential impact on the job market and job security. They claim an increasing amount of creative professionals are seeing their jobs partially and fully replaced by AI tools.

How will Sony Pictures use AI in its production process?

As we continue to see new advancements in the AI space almost daily, the potential use cases for it remain to be seen.

The most likely areas are animation and post-production work. It could, for example, be used to create entirely new animation styles or aid animators in their existing work.

The full extent to which AI can be implemented needs to be defined by the agreements resulting from the strikes of IATSE and Teamsters.

👉 The implications for you

The integration of AI in the film industry will have a widespread impact, affecting some professionals more than others. It will likely result in a couple of negative and positive changes in how creatives work;

• 🔻 Job displacement: AI's efficiency in various filmmaking tasks has led to job displacement and increased competition for roles such as post-production technicians, editors, actors, and visual effects artists.

• 🔻 Loss of “the human touch”: While highly subjective, there is a concern that the replacement of writers and other creatives with AI will result in a “soul-less” feeling lacking the human touch.

• 🔻 Ethics and legal concerns: The use of AI in filmmaking raises ethical dilemmas, such as the potential misuse of deep fake technologies, biases in algorithms, and issues related to copyright and ownership of AI-generated content.

• 💚 New job opportunities: While AI may replace some traditional roles, it also has the potential to create new job opportunities that require human intelligence and expertise, such as overseeing AI systems and integrating AI-generated content with human creativity.

• 💚 Enhanced efficiency and creativity: AI can streamline filmmaking processes, from screenwriting to post-production, allowing for faster and more efficient production cycles. This can enable studios to undertake more projects and focus on creative aspects.

Regardless of which of these points ends up being true, creative professionals will no doubt need to stay alert as the industry moves forward. Learning new technologies and staying up to date on trends will continue to be increasingly important.

🔥 Our take on it

AI is, by default, a very controversial topic. From doomsday visions to copyright concerns, it’s a topic that is highly debated.

Regardless of what we may think of technology, though, it is here to stay. And moving along with it instead of catching up to it will be the key to remaining relevant in the future professional scene.

Concerns about job displacement is to us an irrelevant concern as trying to fight it will likely only slow the development down, but not stop it forever. Meaning that eventually we all will have to learn to co-exist with the capabilities of AI.

There is no doubt that we are right around the corner from a massive shift in how humans work, and all one can do is try to stay relevant.

Going forward, creative works that focus on the human experience with a heavy dose of “human touch” will likely remain, at the very least, a niche in demand. However, big production houses like Sony Pictures will also likely continue to produce mainstream material that relies more heavily on AI-generated content.

Finally, the only thing we do know about the near future is this; the importance of staying ahead trends will only increase.

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👉 What the fact?!

MrBeast has for a long time ruled YouTube as the largest creator on the platform, with videos boasting an impressive 100+ million views on several occasions.

And on May 28th 2024, MrBeast announced the launch of YouTube analytics platform Viewstats. It positions itself as a direct competitor to other platforms like Tubebuddy and Socialblade.

It is built from the ground up by the MrBeast team and hopes to provide users with an in-depth analytics experience. In fact, it is built on top of internal tools the team has already used to grow their own media empire.

Viewstats launches with 4 key features:

• Video alerts: Allows users to monitor keywords, and set thresholds for specific metrics, and automatically notify the user when these are met.

• Thumbnails search: Input one video or image and the tool will display other videos with similar thumbnails.

• AB tests: Test different thumbnails and titles and get to know which one is the best performing.

• Curation: Brainstorm, search, and discover videos, then curate them in collections for future reference.

🕰️ The history

MrBeast started as a young guy in his parents bedroom, making videos with little to no budget. Now, the average spending per video has reached a mind-blowing 1 million USD, and the team has grown to an impressive 250+ people.

To fund these videos and further business development, the team has launched several products like chocolate bars, a fast food chain, and now, a YouTube analytics platform called Viewstats.

This announcement aligns perfectly with the bigger vision of MrBeast. Build an empire of companies benefiting from the massive reach of the YouTube video library.

🔥 Potential impact

As creators like MrBeast and others launch products separate from their YouTube channels, it solidifies their business revenue and improves longevity.

There are a few different ways to look at the launch of Viewstats. Let’s explore both.

🥊 More competition

The YouTube analytics space is ruled by a handful of titans like Tubebuddy and Socialblade. These platforms have been the go-to place for analytics and so far haven’t seen any signs of going away or even being affected by competition.

To affect titans like these, you need another titan; hence, MrBeast stepping into the ring is a big deal.

Only someone with a large enough reach or marketing budget (ideally both) can meaningfully compete in a mature market like this.

This could potentially result in competitors losing customers, having higher acquisition costs, and, worst case, going bankrupt.

🤑 Obvious business move

As creators grow, it becomes increasingly important to diversify their revenue sources.

Simply relying on YouTube Adsense and sponsors is often not a sustainable way to grow a business when you’ve got employees who depend on you for their living.

So, expanding the business strategy to building tools, businesses, and products outside of YouTube is a great way to not be fully reliant on just one revenue source.

––––

Ultimately, the most realistic scenario is that Viewstats will continue to coexist with its competitors, naturally creating a healthy market with options for all kinds of users.

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👉 The what and the why

Screenshot from Microsoft’s presentation about Recall, their latest feature.

Last week Microsoft announced a new lineup of devices, Surface Laptop 7 and Surface Pro 11. These new devices will have a feature called “Recall” which has been described as a search history for your entire digital life.

It functions like this:

• Every two seconds, a new screenshot of the entire screen is taken and saved locally on the device.

• Users can then open a timeline-like interface showing all recent and past screenshots, allowing you to grab information like text and images from these.

It's a dream come true for people with short memories, but according to security experts and critics, it's a massive privacy risk. Just two days after its announcement, UK watchdog organisation ICO said they are investigating Microsoft for potential privacy risks.

Having a log of all device activity essentially eliminates the need for a bad actor to have real-time access to the device, instead relying on an easy-to-use timeline of screenshots.

Microsoft has since responded, saying they “built Recall with responsible AI principles”.

👉 The implications for you

We’ve seen devices like Limitless AI and others logging both real-life and on-device information. And Microsoft is likely only the first of many tech giants to adopt such features into their devices.

While this could be great, the question looming over everyone’s shoulder is, “What about privacy?”

Seeing more widespread adoption of features like the Limitless AI was only a matter of time. However, it forces regular people purchasing these products to be increasingly aware of what information their devices collect.

Staying informed about privacy risks, regulations, and how your data is processed on your devices is no longer a “good to have” but rather a need.

🔥 Our take on it

Considering that the Surface device lineup is primarily geared toward working professionals, it seems odd that Microsoft would implement a feature that drastically impacts user privacy.

Professionals often deal with sensitive client information, and any way a bad actor could gain access to their device is a massive concern.

To improve security, we believe Microsoft needs to enable additional data encryption, even if stored locally. Having a physical key, 2FA, or other means of verification would likely make the feature a viable option for more professionals and casual users alike.

Moving forward, tightly integrated AI functionality will also put more responsibility on the businesses producing them.

And without proper regulatory oversight, it could lead to Black Mirror-like situations.

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TLDR; OpenAI and Reddit have reached a deal enabling both companies to access each other’s proprietary technology. This deal comes shortly after Google signed a similar deal earlier this year. Reactions are yet to be seen, but Reddit users have historically disliked these types of advancements toward AI.

👉 The what and the why

Reddit and OpenAI has recently reached a deal giving the two tech platforms access to each other’s proprietary data and technology.

The deal will “enable Reddit to bring new AI-powered features to Redditors and mods” and gives OpenAI access to real-time data through it’s API. While no announcements has been made on what specific features these new accesses will result in, some speculations include:

• Reddit has for some time now spoken about bringing AI-powered news to its platform, something which OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology can massively help with.

• OpenAI continuously need more, better, and up-to-date training data to stay competitive. And with Reddit being one of, if not the largest, forum for up-to-date user-generated content the deal is a match made in heaven.

While the product features are exciting, Reddit users are less than happy about the deal. Users have historically expressed concern over how executives manage the platform and have previously attempted to delete their own posts in protest to Reddit’s licensing of user data.

While we’ve seen no major backlash in response to this most recent deal, time will tell if users agree to continue using the platform.

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👉 The implications for you

If you are an avid Reddit user, this could affect you by your favorite subreddit going dark, being removed, or the user base decreasing considerably purely in protest.

This is because Reddit is unique in its platform structure.

Reddit Inc. owns the platform, but users running the individual subreddits (essentially niche forums within the platform) remain largely in control of the content moderation.

By extension, subreddits tend to have a very engaged and dedicated user base, often aligned with a common purpose. This means that whoever moderates the subreddit can have a real impact on the company and platform at large.

Especially as Reddit Inc. recently went public.

🔥 Our take on it

Reddit is a unique place for many reasons.

It’s home to stock trading communities, niche interests, people giving life advice, NSFW content, and communities skyrocketing public stock prices.

It’s unique not only because of the range of content but also for its setup. As described previously the content moderation is partially in the hands of users. Meaning users have partial control of the platform.

This is in contrast to platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter/X where moderation and content is entirely managed by the platform itself.

While the ultimate call obviously lies in Reddit Inc.'s hands, a user base displaying growing concerns over the platform’s direction is never a good sign.

Ultimately, as always, only time can tell how things play out.

Will users accept the continuation of AI LLM third-party deals, or will a massive protest take place?

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