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Data Security

Data Spill Exposes Sensitive Indian Bank Transfer Records

A data spill from an unsecured cloud server exposed hundreds of thousands of sensitive bank transfer documents in India, revealing account numbers, transaction figures, and individuals’ contact details. Cybersecurity firm UpGuard discovered the publicly accessible Amazon-hosted storage server containing 273,000 PDF documents. The exposed files contained transaction forms intended for processing via the National Automated Clearing House (NACH). The data was linked to at least 38 different banks and financial institutions. NuPay confirmed that it addressed a configuration gap in an Amazon S3 storage bucket that contained the bank transfer forms. UpGuard disputed NuPay’s claims, stating that only a few hundred files appeared to contain test data or had NuPay’s name on the forms.

Clean Technology

Anode Technology Company: Moxion's Founder Relaunches with $9M Seed Funding

Paul Huelskamp, co-founder of the bankrupt battery startup Moxion Power, has launched Anode Technology Company with $9 million in seed funding. Anode aims to replace diesel generators at construction sites and live events, similar to Moxion's goal.

Anode's focus is on optimizing the cost of delivered energy by using contract manufacturers, a lesson learned from Moxion's in-house manufacturing struggles. The company has designed an inverter suitable for EV charging, construction sites, and live events.

Anode will use AI to optimize its operations, including charging and delivery, with the goal of reducing costs to approach parity with grid electricity. Investors are drawn to the project due to the learnings from Moxion's previous challenges.

Data Security

Unsecured Server Exposes Sensitive Indian Bank Transfer Data

An unsecured cloud server exposed hundreds of thousands of sensitive bank transfer documents in India, revealing account numbers, transaction figures, and individuals’ contact details. Cybersecurity firm UpGuard discovered the publicly accessible Amazon-hosted storage server containing 273,000 PDF documents related to bank transfers of Indian customers. The exposed files contained completed transaction forms intended for processing via the National Automated Clearing House (NACH). The data was linked to at least 38 different banks and financial institutions. UpGuard notified Aye Finance and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The exposed data was eventually secured after UpGuard alerted India’s computer emergency response team, CERT-In. However, nobody seems to want to take responsibility for the security lapse.

Environmental Policy

Tesla Defies Automakers, Urges EPA to Maintain Emissions Standards Amidst Climate Change Doubts

Tesla has requested the EPA to uphold current vehicle emission standards, diverging from other major automakers seeking eased regulations. This request coincides with President Trump's skepticism towards climate change, despite Tesla CEO Elon Musk's past support. Tesla also defends the 2009 Endangerment Finding, crucial for environmental regulations. While advocating for maintaining standards, Tesla is open to streamlining mechanisms. Tesla benefits financially from stricter regulations through emissions credit sales to automakers falling short of goals.

Music Streaming

Spotify Clarifies Terms of Use Amid Misinformation

Spotify has addressed misinformation regarding its terms of use, clarifying that recent updates do not affect artists' distribution rights. The company stated that the new terms apply to features like user-created playlist covers and comments, not the rights of artists, podcasters, creators, and authors. This announcement follows criticism over artist compensation, with ongoing debates about streaming royalties. Despite these concerns, Spotify claims to have paid out $10 billion to the music industry in 2024.

Social Media

Threads Explores User-Controlled Algorithm Configuration

Instagram is experimenting with algorithm control tools for Threads, allowing users to 'tag' the algorithm to customize their feed. Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi discovered the code, and Instagram confirmed the internal prototype. Users can tag an account to indicate desired content. This mirrors Elon Musk's plan for X. Instagram is revamping its app to focus on Reels and recommendations. These changes respond to concerns about social media's influence on youth and the rise of open social networks like Bluesky.

Artificial Intelligence

ChatGPT Pulse: OpenAI's Proactive AI Assistant for Personalized Morning Briefs

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Pulse, a new feature designed to proactively generate personalized reports for users, delivering five to ten daily briefs. This aims to encourage users to start their day with ChatGPT, similar to checking social media or news apps.

Pulse is part of OpenAI's shift towards asynchronous AI interaction, positioning ChatGPT as a proactive assistant rather than a reactive chatbot. Initially available for $200-a-month Pro plan subscribers, Pulse offers news roundups, personalized briefs, and travel itineraries based on user context. It leverages ChatGPT's Connectors for integration with apps like Google Calendar and Gmail.

The service is designed to be different from engagement-optimized social media apps, intentionally limiting the number of reports generated. OpenAI envisions Pulse becoming more agentic in the future, capable of making reservations and drafting emails, though this is a long-term goal.

Artificial Intelligence

Clarifai's Reasoning Engine Boosts AI Model Efficiency

Clarifai has launched a new reasoning engine designed to accelerate AI model performance and reduce costs. According to Clarifai, the engine can make running AI models twice as fast and 40% less expensive. The engine is adaptable to various models and cloud hosts, employing optimizations to enhance inference power.
Third-party firm Artificial Analysis verified the results, reporting industry-best records for throughput and latency. The engine focuses on inference, which addresses the computing demands of operating trained AI models, particularly beneficial for multi-step agentic models.
Clarifai's CEO, Matthew Zeiler, believes optimizing existing infrastructure is crucial, emphasizing the potential of software and algorithm improvements to reduce the need for extensive data centers.

Social Media & Teen Safety

Meta Expands Teen Accounts Globally on Facebook and Messenger with Enhanced Safety Features

Meta has expanded its Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger globally, offering built-in protections and parental controls for younger users. Originally launched on Instagram, these accounts automatically limit inappropriate content and unwanted contact for teens under 16, requiring parental permission to change settings.
Teens will only receive messages from people they follow or have messaged before, and their stories, tags, mentions, and comments will be limited to their friends. They will also receive reminders to leave the social networks after an hour of daily use and will be enrolled in "Quiet mode" overnight.
Meta also launched the School Partnership Program, allowing educators to report safety concerns directly to Instagram for quicker review and removal. This initiative aims to address teen mental health concerns tied to social media, which have been raised by the U.S. Surgeon General and several states.

Logistics & Delivery

Doorstep Secures $8M Seed Funding to Revolutionize Delivery Tracking

Doorstep, founded by Shashwat Murarka and Sheel Patel, has raised an $8 million seed round led by Canaan Partners to improve delivery tracking. The company's technology integrates into existing delivery apps, using phone sensors to track drivers inside buildings and provide real-time, verifiable data to platforms like UberEats and DoorDash. This helps automate dispute resolution, validate deliveries, and rebuild trust between platforms, customers, and drivers. The funding will be used to move the technology from pilot to full production and expand the team.