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Data Security

McDonald's Job Applicant Data at Risk Due to Weak Chatbot Security

Security researchers discovered that the personal information of 64 million McDonald's job applicants was potentially exposed due to a weak password ("123456") on the company's AI job hiring chatbot, McHire.

Researchers Ian Carroll and Sam Curry identified this vulnerability, along with another in an internal API, during a brief security review. This allowed them to access past conversations between applicants and the chatbot, which is supplied by Paradox.ai.

The exposed data included names, email addresses, home addresses, and phone numbers. Paradox.ai claims to have resolved the issues within hours of the report and asserts that no candidate information was leaked online or made publicly available.

Space Technology

Apolink Secures $4.3M Seed Funding to Revolutionize LEO Satellite Connectivity

Apolink, a Y Combinator-backed space-tech startup, has raised $4.3 million in seed funding to establish a real-time connectivity network for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO). Founded by Onkar Singh Batra, the company aims to address the issue of satellite downtime caused by dead zones.

Apolink's solution involves a constellation of 32 satellites equipped with lasers and radios, ensuring 24/7 connectivity for LEO satellites. The company's technology is backward-compatible and doesn't require specific hardware on the user end.

Apolink plans to launch its initial demo mission in Q2 2026 via a SpaceX rideshare, with a commercial constellation rollout expected in 2028. The startup has already secured over $140 million in letters of intent from various companies.

The seed round was supported by investors including Y Combinator, 468 Capital, Unshackled Ventures, and several angel investors.

Wearable Technology

Samsung Eyes Expansion into Wearable Earrings and Necklaces

Samsung is considering expanding its wearable technology lineup beyond smartwatches and rings. The company is exploring new form factors like glasses, earrings, and necklaces to allow users to communicate and perform tasks without relying on their phones. Won-joon Choi, COO of Samsung’s mobile experience division, highlighted the company's interest in wearable devices that eliminate the need to carry a phone. Samsung is also reportedly collaborating with Google on smart glasses and developing advanced microdisplays for AR glasses.

Business and Technology

Recruit Holdings Cuts 1,300 Jobs at Indeed and Glassdoor Amid AI Integration

Recruit Holdings, parent company of Indeed and Glassdoor, is laying off approximately 1,300 employees as part of a restructuring plan.

The restructuring involves integrating Glassdoor's operations into Indeed and increasing the focus on using AI to streamline hiring processes.

The job cuts will primarily affect R&D, tech, HR, and sustainability divisions in the U.S., but will impact all functions across all countries.

Glassdoor's CEO, Christian Sutherland-Wong, is departing, as is LaFawn Davis, Indeed's chief people and sustainability officer.

The move aligns with a broader trend of tech companies cutting jobs and re-evaluating sustainability initiatives to invest in AI integration.

Technology

RealSense Embarks on Independent Journey to Advance 3D Perception Technology

RealSense, after 14 years under Intel, has spun out as an independent entity to further develop its stereoscopic imaging technology. The company's cameras combine images from different angles with infrared light to provide machines with enhanced depth perception. This technology is used in robots, drones, autonomous vehicles, and facial authentication systems.

CEO Nadav Orbach, formerly an Intel executive, highlighted the increasing demand for real-time, high-accuracy 3D understanding in various industries. RealSense has over 3,000 customers and has seen a surge in interest due to advancements in AI, including applications in robotics and other sectors like fish farming and restaurant automation.

The spinout was approved by former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, and RealSense has secured $50 million in Series A funding from Intel Capital and other investors. The company plans to use the funding to expand its team and improve its technology, with a focus on enhancing safety in human-robot interactions and improving access control.

Autonomous Vehicles

Tesla Seeks to Test Autonomous Vehicles in Arizona, Expanding Robotaxi Ambitions

Tesla has applied to test and operate autonomous vehicles in Arizona, aiming to expand its robotaxi service to the Phoenix Metro area. The company contacted the Arizona Department of Transportation to begin the certification process, expressing interest in both testing with and without a driver. A decision is expected by the end of the month. Tesla's move follows the launch of a limited robotaxi service in South Austin. The company is also seeking regulatory approvals to launch robotaxis in the Bay Area. Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, already operates a driverless robotaxi service in the Phoenix Metro area and holds the necessary permits in Arizona and California.

Artificial Intelligence

Pat Gelsinger's Flourishing AI: A New Benchmark for Human-Aligned AI

Former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has launched Flourishing AI (FAI), a benchmark in partnership with Gloo, to assess how well AI models align with human values.

FAI is based on The Global Flourishing Study, incorporating categories like Character and Virtue, Social Relationships, Happiness, Meaning and Purpose, Mental and Physical Health, and Financial Stability, with an added focus on Faith and Spirituality.

Gelsinger aims to ensure AI models support a flourishing humanity through this new benchmark, reflecting his lifelong involvement in faith tech.

Software and Apps

Mockly Simplifies Fake Conversation Generation Across Multiple Platforms

Developer Maurice Kleine launched Mockly, a user-friendly web app for generating believable fake conversations on various platforms like iMessage, Discord, Instagram, X, Tinder, and WhatsApp.

Unlike many older, less user-friendly fake message generators, Mockly stands out with its usability and support for 13 platforms at launch, surpassing alternatives like Postfully, which only supports iMessage.

While some templates are more convincing than others, Mockly primarily replicates web-based conversation layouts, not mobile versions. Despite potential misuse, the app's imperfections and general awareness of fake DM capabilities may limit its impact in the age of AI-generated disinformation.

Technology

Nvidia to Launch Modified AI Chip for China Amid Export Restrictions

Nvidia is reportedly planning to release a new AI chip tailored for the Chinese market as early as September. This chip will be based on the Blackwell RTX Pro 6000 processor, which has already been modified to comply with U.S. export restrictions. The new chip will lack high-bandwidth memory and NVLink, features present in Nvidia's more advanced AI chips. This move comes after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang indicated the exclusion of the Chinese market from the company's revenue and profit forecasts.

Electric Vehicles

Slate Auto's Rise: From Stealth Mode to EV Industry Disruptor

Slate Auto, an EV startup secretly backed by Jeff Bezos, emerged from stealth in April 2025, aiming to produce a customizable, affordable electric pickup truck. The company's unique approach and backing garnered attention, with prototypes appearing in California. Slate's business model focuses on customization and affordability, targeting a wide audience with a starting price under $20,000 (before tax credit changes). The company plans to manufacture its trucks in a former Indiana printing plant and has already received over 100,000 refundable reservations.