 | Edition 2460 |
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If you’re receiving this now, there was some issue with the send out before so sorry it’s a bit late. |
The News |
OpenAI caught in data breach but thankfully they didn’t get your AI GF chatlogs |
OpenAI has been caught up in a third party data breach with a leak of personal information belonging to ChatGPT users. (BleepingComputer). OpenAI said a hacker broke into web analytics provider Mixpanel and took data about some of its ChatGPT API customers including name, email, location (OpenAI). Crucially, it did not include any information about the AI use itself like user prompts. |
The Sizzle: Are you ready? This feels like a dress rehearsal for the inevitable disaster that a major AI company is popped and it reveals just how much people are revealing to this tech. I really, really think that the vast majority of people using AI chatbots like ChatGPT do not think about anyone ever seeing what they’re prompting an AI to do. |
Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
The UK wants to do something about VPNs |
The UK government is trying to figure out how it’s going to deal with all the people using VPNs to get around its age restriction laws that came into effect in July (The Verge). While the government has ruled out banning VPNs, public figures like the UK Children’s Commissioner are saying things like VPNs are “absolutely a loophole that needs closing”. One idea? Age verification for VPNs is apparently something that’s being mooted. Anyway, UK’s internet regulator is apparently monitoring VPN use. |
The Sizzle: I have a slightly controversial take: VPNs are generally that not useful to most people, and they also present a huge potential privacy and safety risk. Even with the top providers, it’s hard to know how to trust their claims that they don’t snoop on your traffic, let alone the super dodgy free ones that will likely become popular when our teen social media ban kicks in. |
About a year or so ago, I had a chat with someone high up in the government who essentially was like “I wish we could crack down on VPN providers for being shitty but it would only be interpreted as an government authoritarian 1984 takeover so we’ll leave it.” I get it! |
Relatedly: the top apps in Australia right now are obscure social media platforms that are being promoted by teens trying to get around the ban |
Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
The Sizzler Say: BOM design cost, smart photo frame reccos and Nvidia’s dominance |
Unsurprisingly, you folk have thoughts about the BOM website redesign costs. Also, I appreciated this email from Adam: My perspective on the expensive BoM website is that it’s essentially critical national infrastructure. They clearly messed up the launch comms and user engagement a bit, but the previous site was so out of date and the content they are displaying is so complex that it’s no surprise it cost a lot. The reaction to the launch shows how much people value the site and the service. For the cost of a few questionable consultant reports we’ve gotten the modern weather site we’ve needed for years! Tobes dropped some info about the forthcoming SMS register in the Slack. BOGLOAD asked and received some suggestions for a smart photo frame that “doesn’t have a junk app”. TinBane has a great, in-depth post about Nvidia’s dominance on the forum. Heard from a few of you about Kagi’s new browser — like Stephen who said “Have downloaded the 1.0 version and it seems rock-solid and fast. I’m using it as my daily driver right now and there are no indications that I shouldn’t continue to do so.”
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As always, if you wanna get involved (or even be able to read what’s on Slack) you can join the Slack server and forum via these links. |
Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
Leftovers |
Australia: |
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Rest of the world: |
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Discuss these links in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
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Oh, Also |
Remember a time before AI slop? |
If you miss the pre-AI slop internet, you should check out Slop Evader which lets you search platforms like Google, Reddit, etc. for content made before ChatGPT was released 3 years ago (almost to the day). |
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It’s a browser extension that hooks into Google’s API for finding content pre-November 30, 2022, back when we could feel safe knowing that the poorly-written, error-riddled content on the internet was human-made <3. |
Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
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Bargains |
Electrical & Electronics |
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Computing |
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Mobile |
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The End |
😎 The Sizzle is written by Cam Wilson and emailed every weekday. It was created by Anthony “decryption” Agius. |
🤖 We love robots at the Sizzle but this newsletter has always been and will always be written by humans for humans. Also by Aussies for Aussies — so all prices are in dollarydoos, of course. |
🗣️ Have any feedback, a tip or just want to chat? Send me an email or Signal message. I promise to reply! |
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Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land |
The Sizzle is created on Gadigal land and acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay my respect to them and their cultures and to elders both past and present. |
