MITRE CVE Program Funding Halt Imminence

April 15, 2025, 8:20 pm

The MITRE Corporation alerted that its stewardship of the world’s centralized Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program might end shortly because the federal government has chosen not to renew its contract. In tandem, government funding was abruptly halted, casting uncertainty over the continuity of a critical system that monitors and catalogs security flaws in products. This decision is raising concerns among cybersecurity experts who fear that losing established support may disrupt coordinated vulnerability management and delay remediation efforts, potentially impacting both public and private sector security measures.

Bluesky: @fergdawg.bsky.social, @infosec.skyfleet.blue

theregister.com / US abruptly turns off funding for CVE program

therecord.media / MITRE warns of lapse with CVE program as contract with US set to expire

theregister.com / Uncle Sam abruptly turns off funding for CVE program. Yes, that CVE program

5 stories from 4 sources in 1 hour ago ... #cybersecurity #software #open-source #infosec #datascience +

US Export Controls Spark $5.5B Charge on Nvidia H20 Chips

April 15, 2025, 6:20 pm

The U.S. government has imposed new export license restrictions on Nvidia’s H20 chips destined for China, citing the risk that these products could be diverted to supercomputers. Nvidia has warned that the licensing requirement, effective indefinitely, will force the company to record a quarterly charge of roughly $5.5 billion due to inventory purchase commitments and related reserves. The announcement has led to significant market reactions, with investors closely monitoring its financial and operational impact.

theregister.com / Trump derails Chinese H20 GPU sales, forcing Nvidia to eat $5.5B this quarter

wsj.com / Nvidia Says U.S. Implements Chip Export Restrictions to China, Warns of $5.5 Billion Charge

techcrunch.com / Nvidia H20 chip exports hit with license requirement by US government

5 stories from 5 sources in 3 hours ago ... #hardware #china #chips #ai #semiconductors +

Trump Admin Seeks to Rescind Federal Funds for PBS and NPR

April 15, 2025, 4:20 pm

Two separate reports outline the Trump administration’s move to eliminate federal funding for public broadcasters PBS and NPR. Citing claims of inherent political bias and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars, the plan aims to cut billions from the federal budget, including funds allocated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This strategic effort is part of a broader initiative to reposition government spending and media oversight.

zerohedge.com / Trump Admin Moves To Defund Left-Leaning PBS, NPR

arstechnica.com / White House calls NPR and PBS a “grift,” will ask Congress to rescind funding

2 stories from 2 sources in 5 hours ago ... #techpolicy #doge +

"DOGE Unit Controversy Sparks Legal and Whistleblower Concerns

April 15, 2025, 2:20 pm

Two pieces cover a controversial development within a Trump-era DOGE unit at the US Treasury. One report explains that a federal judge has partially lifted an injunction to permit a lone staff member access to sensitive Treasury systems, while the other details allegations of a whistleblower being stalked by a drone after lodging a DOGE-related complaint. Both stories highlight serious legal and security concerns over the operations and oversight of this unit.

google.com / DOGE trumpets unemployment fraud that government already found - AP News

theregister.com / All right, you can have one: DOGE access to Treasury IT OK'd judge

google.com / Whistleblower org says DOGE may have caused 'significant cyber breach' at US labor watchdog - Reuters

4 stories from 4 sources in 7 hours ago ... #cybersecurity #dataprivacy #techpolicy #doge #infosec +

OpenAI develops X-like social media network prototype

April 15, 2025, 12:20 pm

Several reports confirm that OpenAI is exploring the creation of its own social media platform modeled on X, integrating ChatGPT’s image generation capabilities and social feed functionality. The early-stage project aims to reshape how users interact online by leveraging OpenAI’s advanced AI models to offer a unique, integrated social experience.

Reddit: r/singularity, r/artificial, r/ChatGPT

Bluesky: @snmrrw.bsky.social, @hoonofthe.day, @lorak.bsky.social, @culturecrave.co

macrumors.com / OpenAI Working on Social Network With Image Generation Features

gizmodo.com / OpenAI Is Reportedly Building Its Own Social Media Platform

winbuzzer.com / OpenAI Develops Social Media Prototype Powered by ChatGPT’s AI Image Generator

zerohedge.com / OpenAI Building "X-Like" Social Network After Grok "Made Everyone Jealous"

techcrunch.com / OpenAI is reportedly developing its own X-like social media platform

bgr.com / OpenAI is reportedly making its own social network to rival X

google.com / OpenAI is working on X-like social media platform, the Verge reports - Reuters

theverge.com / OpenAI is building a social network

15 stories from 10 sources in 9 hours ago ... #ai #software #ml #openai #startups +

Zuckerberg defends Meta in FTC antitrust trial testimony

April 15, 2025, 9:20 am

In a US District Court proceeding related to the FTC’s antitrust case against Meta, Mark Zuckerberg testified about the company’s strategic shifts amid claims that its Instagram and WhatsApp acquisitions harmed competition. During his testimony, he referenced internal debates—including a past consideration to delete everyone’s Facebook friends—as part of a broader effort to counter allegations of anti-competitive behavior. His detailed remarks underscore the legal and regulatory challenges facing Meta, a case that could have far‐reaching implications for tech industry practices.

Bluesky: @jeriellsworth.bsky.social, @chriskeall.bsky.social, @laurenfeiner.bsky.social, @alexeheath.com, @sarahp.bsky.social

theverge.com / Zuckerberg’s antitrust testimony aired his wildest ideas in Meta’s history

wsj.com / Mark Zuckerberg's failed negotiations with the FTC to end Meta's antitrust case

appleinsider.com / Meta says its not a monopoly, claims iMessage is more popular than Facebook Messenger

wsj.com / Inside Mark Zuckerberg’s Failed Negotiations to End Antitrust Case

theverge.com / Meta’s antitrust trial slide redactions aren’t actually hiding anything

wsj.com / Zuckerberg, on Witness Stand, Rebuffs Claims Meta Monopolizes Social Media Market

cnet.com / Is Meta a Monopoly? What to Know About the FTC's Antitrust Case

theverge.com / Mark Zuckerberg once suggested wiping all Facebook friends lists to boost usage

theverge.com / Mark Zuckerberg suggested spinning off Instagram

cnbc.com / Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram from Facebook in 2018: FTC trial

19 stories from 11 sources in 12 hours ago ... #dataprivacy #techpolicy #meta #digital-transformation #cybersecurity +

Nvidia RTX 5060 series launch shakes up mid‐range GPU market

April 15, 2025, 9:08 am

Several reports announce Nvidia’s official launch of its new GeForce RTX 5060 series, including two variants of the RTX 5060 Ti along with a standard RTX 5060 model. The announcement highlights competitive pricing and robust technical specifications, with entry prices starting at $299 for the RTX 5060 and higher for the Ti versions. This launch is set to expand Nvidia’s lineup in the mid-range GPU segment, targeting both gamers and creative professionals amid evolving market trends.

androidheadlines.com / The RTX 5060 family brings DLSS 4 magic to the budget GPU market

tomshardware.com / Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti and 5060 graphics card roundup: Every announced card from every AIB partner

winbuzzer.com / Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti Launches April 16th from $379

arstechnica.com / Nvidia nudges mainstream gaming PCs forward with RTX 5060 series, starting at $299

8 stories from 7 sources in 12 hours ago ... #hardware #innovation #gaming #semiconductors #chips +

Japan clamps down on Google for anticompetitive mobile practices

April 15, 2025, 7:58 am

Japanese regulators have issued an antitrust order demanding that Google cease its practices forcing smartphone manufacturers to favor its applications. This landmark decision marks Japan’s first such intervention against the U.S. tech giant and aims to restore competitive balance within the mobile ecosystem. Authorities contend that such practices distort market competition and limit consumer choice, prompting a regulatory crackdown meant to foster fairer market conditions and set a precedent for global antitrust enforcement.

theverge.com / Google must stop favoring Search and Chrome on Android in Japan

androidheadlines.com / Google’s Android Monopoly Is Under Fire, Now Japan’s Joining the Fight

wsj.com / Japan Regulator Orders Google to Stop Anticompetitive Practices

4 stories from 4 sources in 13 hours ago ... #dataprivacy #mobile #google #techpolicy #mobiletech +

US faces supply shock as China’s rare earth controls tighten global dependency

April 15, 2025, 7:58 am

New export controls imposed by China on critical rare earth elements have raised alarm bells in the United States, spotlighting a strategic vulnerability in its defense and technology sectors. Analysts warn that the struggle to secure alternative sources could undermine crucial military and industrial production capabilities. This scenario underscores the risks associated with heavy reliance on Chinese imports and fuels calls for boosted domestic production.

Reddit: r/NoShitSherlock

theregister.com / Pentagon needs China's rare earths, Beijing just put them behind a permit wall. Oops

cnbc.com / U.S.' inability to replace rare earths supply from China poses a threat to its defense, warns CSIS

zerohedge.com / The US Relies Heavily On Rare Earth Imports From China

4 stories from 4 sources in 13 hours ago ... #semiconductors #dataviz #china #defensetech #techpolicy +

DOJ indicts New Mexico arsonist targeting Tesla showroom and GOP HQ

April 15, 2025, 7:58 am

Federal prosecutors have charged a New Mexico man with setting fire to both a Tesla showroom and a Republican headquarters. The indictment comes amid heightened political tensions and vigorous law enforcement efforts to address politically charged criminal acts. Authorities stress the dual nature of the case, noting its potential ripple effects within politically sensitive environments. The charges reveal the federal commitment to countering arson attacks that may carry broader political or symbolic motivations.

Reddit: r/law, r/inthenews, r/politics

Bluesky: @carolinehaskins.bsky.social, @erinhavel.bsky.social, @wired.com, @wired.com, @wired.com, @wired.com

gizmodo.com / DOJ Charges New Mexico Man With Arson Against Tesla Showroom and Republican HQ

wired.com / A New Mexico Man Faces Federal Charges for Allegedly Setting Fire to a Tesla Showroom

11 stories from 4 sources in 13 hours ago ... #cybersecurity #software #innovation #digital-transformation #automation +