Geoffrey A. Fowler

Oops! I did it again:

I created a Twitter account pretending to be Senator Ed Markey (with his permission) and applied for Blue “verification.”

And once again, Twitter took my $8, asked zero questions and gave the fake account a blue checkmark.

Read @washingtonpost@mstdn.social: https://wapo.st/3VHo2Qg

New by me @washingtonpost@mstdn.social:

"That's a great Facebook account you've got there. It'd be a shame if something happened to it."

Facebook & Twitter asking us to pay for basic account security & service reminds me of a mob protection racket.

Shame on this $$$ grab: https://wapo.st/3xOJucE

A new era of #AI surveillance in education:

Today, 2.1 mil teachers are getting software from Turnitin to detect ChatGPT cheating

5 students helped me test it @washingtonpost@mstdn.social.

In 1 case, it flagged an innocent essay. It got at least half partially wrong.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/04/01/chatgpt-cheating-detection-turnitin/?mc_cid=63000b8e6d&mc_eid=dc54ade7cd

Wowza.

41 states sue Meta, claiming Instagram, Facebook are addictive, harm kids

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/24/meta-lawsuit-facebook-instagram-children-mental-health/

More evidence Twitter verification isn't verifying much:

It just gave a grey check for government to a fake Congressman.

Twitter account @RepZachNunn even says Parody. Real @ZachNunn has no check.

I wrote last week @washingtonpost@mstdn.social about getting verified as a fake Senator: https://wapo.st/3VHo2Qg

In today's @washingtonpost@mstdn.social Tech Friend newsletter, my pal @Shira@journa.host says I live in a nerd paradise with pointless garbage gadgets.

I call her a crusty old lady muttering about why anyone needs ice boxes.

Come for the fun, stay for advice on how to avoid a dumb smarthome: https://wapo.st/3Cv2AqL

Ewwww, but also ohh!

Can a severed finger unlock a phone?

More answers to your digital security questions in today's Tech Friend newsletter by @Shira@journa.host

Sign up, it's free from @washingtonpost@mstdn.social and it's great! https://wapo.st/3koD8x6

Today's @washingtonpost@mstdn.social Tech Friend newsletter is useful for pretty much everyone:

4 ways you’re making your home WiFi worse (and how to fix it): https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/03/03/internet-mistakes-fix-wifi-problems/

(If you don't already subscribe, it's free and brings @Shira@journa.host to you 2x a week. She is your tech friend!)

Why is "influencer" such a dirty word to many?

Great interview with @taylorlorenz@mastodon.social in today's Washington Post Tech Friend newsletter from @Shira@journa.host: https://washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/10/03/extremely-online-taylor-lorenz-influencers/

And check out Taylor's new book EXTREMELY ONLINE, out today! https://extremelyonlinebook.com

Uh-oh, Alexa. Here's what Amazon's new "smarter and more conversational" AI did when we asked it about the smoke in San Francisco ... and the new covid vaccine: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/09/20/amazon-alexia-generative-ai/