​Google just put an AI in charge of keeping its data centers cool

Google is putting an artificial intelligence system in charge of its data center cooling after the system proved it could cut energy use. Now Google and its AI company DeepMind are taking the project further; instead of recommendations being implemented by human staff, the AI system is directly controlling cooling in the data centers that Read more about ​Google just put an AI in charge of keeping its data centers cool[…]

How AI Can Spot Exam Cheats and Raise Standards

AI is being deployed by those who set and mark exams to reduce fraud — which remains overall a small problem — and to create far greater efficiencies in preparation and marking, and to help improve teaching and studying. From a report, which may be paywalled: From traditional paper-based exam and textbook producers such as Read more about How AI Can Spot Exam Cheats and Raise Standards[…]

Spyware Company Leaves ‘Terabytes’ of Selfies, Text Messages, and Location Data Exposed Online

A company that sells surveillance software to parents and employers left “terabytes of data” including photos, audio recordings, text messages and web history, exposed in a poorly-protected Amazon S3 bucket. Image: Shutterstock This story is part of When Spies Come Home, a Motherboard series about powerful surveillance software ordinary people use to spy on their Read more about Spyware Company Leaves ‘Terabytes’ of Selfies, Text Messages, and Location Data Exposed Online[…]

Woman sentenced to more than 5 years for leaking info about Russia hacking attempts. Trump still on the loose.

A former government contractor who pleaded guilty to leaking U.S. secrets about Russia’s attempts to hack the 2016 presidential election was sentenced Thursday to five years and three months in prison. It was the sentence that prosecutors had recommended — the longest ever for a federal crime involving leaks to the news media — in Read more about Woman sentenced to more than 5 years for leaking info about Russia hacking attempts. Trump still on the loose.[…]

How a hacker network turned stolen press releases into $100 million

At a Kiev nightclub in the spring of 2012, 24-year-old Ivan Turchynov made a fateful drunken boast to some fellow hackers. For years, Turchynov said, he’d been hacking unpublished press releases from business newswires and selling them, via Moscow-based middlemen, to stock traders for a cut of the sizable profits. Oleksandr Ieremenko, one of the Read more about How a hacker network turned stolen press releases into $100 million[…]

Android data slurping measured and monitored – scary amounts and loads of location tracking

Google’s passive collection of personal data from Android and iOS has been monitored and measured in a significant academic study. The report confirms that Google is no respecter of the Chrome browser’s “incognito mode” aka “porn mode”, collecting Chrome data to add to your personal profile, as we pointed out earlier this year. It also Read more about Android data slurping measured and monitored – scary amounts and loads of location tracking[…]

Bitcoin mining now apparently accounts for almost one percent of the world’s energy consumption

According to testimony provided by Princeton computer scientist Arvind Narayanan to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, no matter what you do to make cryptocurrency mining harware greener, it’s a drop in the bucket compared to the overall network’s flabbergasting energy consumption. Instead, Narayanan told the committee, the only thing that really determines Read more about Bitcoin mining now apparently accounts for almost one percent of the world’s energy consumption[…]

Huawei reverses its stance, will no longer allow bootloader unlocking – will lose many customers

In order to deliver the best user experience and prevent users from experiencing possible issues that could arise from ROM flashing, including system failure, stuttering, worsened battery performance, and risk of data being compromised, Huawei will cease providing bootloader unlock codes for devices launched after May 25, 2018. For devices launched prior to the aforementioned Read more about Huawei reverses its stance, will no longer allow bootloader unlocking – will lose many customers[…]