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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.