South Florida is about as far as you can get from San Francisco and still be in the continental U.S. — geographically and culturally. But over the last few months, a steady tide of venture capitalists, startup founders and other tech industry workers have made the journey from the Bay Area to Miami. For many — just how many is a matter of dispute — it was a one-way … [Read more...] about How I became Florida Man: Why one Bay Area startup founder joined the Miami migration
Technology
Tech platforms’ treatment of pro-Palestinian content raises bias allegations
A visitor to Arabic-speaking corners of Facebook or Instagram in recent days might have encountered a strange anachronism: thousand-year-old Arabic script salvaged from the past in order to trick modern algorithms.Over the last week, as Israeli jets have rained missiles and bombs on the Gaza Strip and Hamas fighters based there have launched rockets at Israeli cities, social … [Read more...] about Tech platforms’ treatment of pro-Palestinian content raises bias allegations
Column: Amid Discovery deal, AT&T also is quietly making late fees more likely
AT&T merging its WarnerMedia assets with Discovery isn’t the only move by the telecom behemoth that could impact consumers’ wallets.This week, the company also is making it harder for some people to pay their bills — and increasing the likelihood of late fees.Tim Ahern pays AT&T about $170 a month for his TV and phone services. He pays his bills on time, so he hasn’t … [Read more...] about Column: Amid Discovery deal, AT&T also is quietly making late fees more likely
DMV probing whether Tesla violates state regulations with self-driving claims
Tesla is “under review” by the California Department of Motor Vehicles to determine whether the company misleads customers by advertising its “full self-driving capability” option, the agency told The Times.A Tesla equipped with the $10,000 FSD package can change lanes, take highway exit ramps, and stop at traffic lights and stop signs on its own, the company says. However, it … [Read more...] about DMV probing whether Tesla violates state regulations with self-driving claims
Musk says Tesla halting bitcoin purchases, citing energy use
Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said the electric-vehicle manufacturer will no longer allow customers to pay with bitcoin, triggering a slide in the value of the digital currency.In a Twitter post Wednesday, Musk cited concerns about “rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions.” The move comes after Tesla disclosed in February that it had … [Read more...] about Musk says Tesla halting bitcoin purchases, citing energy use
Snap suspends anonymous Q&A apps Yolo and LMK after lawsuit over teen’s death
Yolo and LMK, two Snapchat apps that allow users to send anonymous messages, are no longer available to users of the social media platform after parent company Snap suspended them Tuesday.The suspension comes in response to a lawsuit filed Monday on behalf of Kristin Bride, the mother of an Oregon teen who took his own life in 2020 after receiving bullying messages via Yolo … [Read more...] about Snap suspends anonymous Q&A apps Yolo and LMK after lawsuit over teen’s death
Column: That ‘infrastructure’ fee on some internet bills is just a stealth rate hike
Steve Kunzer recently received an email from his internet service provider, Frontier Communications, informing him that the company had made a mistake.It wasn’t charging him enough.“During a recent review, Frontier determined that you are not being charged the Frontier Internet Infrastructure Surcharge, which applied to your service at the expiration of your internet … [Read more...] about Column: That ‘infrastructure’ fee on some internet bills is just a stealth rate hike
A teen who was bullied on Snapchat died. His mom is suing to hold social media liable
One of the last things that Carson Bride did before taking his own life was look to his phone for help.The 16-year-old had been receiving anonymous messages on Snapchat for months, according to a federal lawsuit filed Monday in California, through a popular Snapchat app called YOLO. The messages included sexual comments and taunts over specific incidents, like the time he’d … [Read more...] about A teen who was bullied on Snapchat died. His mom is suing to hold social media liable
Column: Peloton reverses on recall. Killing and hurting kids isn’t a great look
Peloton, a fitness-focused company predicated on people’s well-being, has decided it’s not good business to market products that can kill or injure children.After earlier digging in its heels and refusing to recall its Tread+ exercise machine, which was linked to the death of one child and injuries to dozens more, Peloton now says it will recall the treadmill and expressed … [Read more...] about Column: Peloton reverses on recall. Killing and hurting kids isn’t a great look
Facebook must make final call on permanent Trump ban, board rules
Donald Trump will not be returning to Facebook — at least not immediately, the social media giant’s third-party Oversight Board announced Wednesday morning.“The Board has upheld Facebook’s decision on January 7, 2021, to restrict then-President Donald Trump’s access to posting content on his Facebook page and Instagram account,” the Oversight Board announced in a written … [Read more...] about Facebook must make final call on permanent Trump ban, board rules