Technology

Would-be reality TV contestants ‘not looking real’

[ad_1] Valerie Penso-CuculichTV producer Ms Penso-Cuculich says reality TV applicants are using too much AI to alter how they lookValerie Penso-Cuculich knows a thing or two about picking contestants for reality TV shows.She’s a casting director for such programmes as Love Island USA, The Real Housewives of Dubai, and The Millionaire Matchmaker.Ms Penso-Cuculich says that AI has made her first contact with applicants far more complicated.“Potential contestants are increasingly using
Technology

Instagram removes 63,000 ‘sextortion’ accounts in Nigeria

[ad_1] Instagram owner Meta says it has removed thousands of accounts in Nigeria that were trying to target people in sextortion schemes.Such scammers typically pose as young women online to trick people into sending sexually explicit material before blackmailing them.Victims of sextortion crimes have taken their own lives due to the stress, stigma and shame felt after being scammed.Meta said in a blogpost on Wednesday it had removed about 63,000
Technology

Google dunks long-running plan to cut cookies

[ad_1] In a surprise move Google has abandoned a plan to block third-party cookies from its Chrome internet browser.The idea was first announced four years ago, but after a series of delays it has now been cancelled entirely.Cookies are small files stored on your computer which allow advertisers to track internet activity and target advertising.Google says it will instead pursue a new approach which will give users an “informed choice
Technology

IT outage exposes fragility of tech infrastructure

[ad_1] As the global chaos subsides and systems continue to return online, the enormous IT outage which caused havoc around the world on Friday reveals a few uncomfortable truths about the foundations of our digital lives - and how fragile they might be.The outage showed that even the platform of an enormous firm like Microsoft, with its deep pockets and huge investment in robust system security, could be knocked sideways
Technology

Australian banks, media, airlines hit by major IT outage

[ad_1] A raft of Australian businesses - including major banks, media outlets and an airline - have reported being hit by a mass IT outage.Jetstar has been crippled at Sydney airport, supermarkets are experiencing checkout chaos, and broadcast networks have been left scrambling on air as autocue and graphics failed.Outage website Downdetector also shows issues being reported by the National Australia Bank, telecom firm Telstra, Google and more.The cause of
Technology

Microsoft’s hire of start-up staff probed as possible merger

[ad_1] Microsoft is being investigated in the UK over whether it has effectively merged with an artificial intelligence (AI) start-up firm by hiring its staff.Key employees at Inflection AI left the company in March to join the tech giant, with co-founder Mustafa Suleyman becoming head of its new AI division.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it would investigate whether this constituted a merger, and if so, whether it could
Technology

Disney investigating massive leak of internal messages

[ad_1] Disney has confirmed it is investigating an apparent leak of internal messages by a hacking group, which claims it is "protecting artists' rights".The group, Nullbulge, said it had gained access to thousands of communications from Disney employees and had downloaded "every file possible".It is not clear how commercially sensitive the information is for the media and theme park giant, but it is reported to include messages about upcoming projects