### Issue 1507 - Friday 3rd December, 2021

## In Today's Issue

- USA joins the UK and EU over concern about Nvidia buying Arm
- Twitter's new privacy policy used by Nazis to erase their hate crimes from public view
- Former employee arrested for Ubiquiti hack & extortion
- Tesla's Cyberwhistle and Cyberquad for Kids are distractions from their own failures
- Friday Forum Update
- Cheap Lenovo bone conduction headphones, Crucial SSD, Lian Li mini-ITX case, Google Nest Hub, Samsung SSD, Xiaomi Zigbee door/window sensors, SanDisk SSD, refurb AirPods Pro, Remarkable 2

## The News

### USA joins the UK and EU over concern about Nvidia buying Arm

The EU, UK and now the USA don't want Nvidia buying Arm, with the USA's FTC suing Nvidia today to block the acquisition. The FTC reckons the deal would "give one of the largest chip companies control over the computing technology and designs that rival firms rely on to develop their own competing chips" and "alleges that the combined firm would have the means and incentive to stifle innovative next-generation technologies". Something very true, despite Nvidia's constant promises that no such thing would happen. Governments are really shy on these tech mega mergers after years of allowing Facebook and Google to swallow up competitors and now realising that probably wasn't the brightest idea.

### Twitter's new privacy policy used by Nazis to erase their hate crimes from public view

It has long been against Twitter's rules to post someone's address, phone number and similar private info. Now they've expanded that policy to include "media of private individuals without the permission of the person(s) depicted". Post a photo of me on Twitter that I didn't give you permission to? I can tell Twitter about it and they'll remove it/sin-bin/ban you. Sounds good in theory, but unfortunately the policy has already been used by "neo-Nazis and far-right activists" to force Twitter into removing evidence of their presence at hate crimes. Be careful what you wish for.

### Former employee arrested for Ubiquiti hack & extortion

Remember that big hack Ubiquiti was accused of covering up in around March this year? The Department of Justice has now arrested someone over it and surprise, it was all the actions of a former employee that was extorting Ubiquiti for US$2m! Nickolas Sharp not only stole data from his employer and sent in the anonymous demand for 50 Bitcoin, but also lead the investigation into what went on. When Ubiquiti didn't play along he was the one who leaked to the media about a big hack. He was hiding behind a VPN when doing his dirty business, but "due to a brief internet outage in his home that caused his VPN to stop working", his IP address was revealed and the FBI got him.

## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Tesla's Cyberwhistle and Cyberquad for Kids are distractions from their own failures

When Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck, they also had a quad bike roll out of the back that also looked like the Cybertruck that they promised they were going to sell. That is yet to materialise, but they have made a mini version for kids. Cyberquad for Kids will cost US$1900 and is made by Radio Flyer, not Tesla. A few days earlier Tesla went to new "are they taking the piss???" heights, selling a US$50 "Cyberwhistle" which Elon announced on Twitter with the comment "blow the whistle on Tesla!". A slap in the face for all the Tesla whistle-blowers over the years who have exposed their ratshit work practices. Tesla has absolutely no shame.

## Friday Forum Update

Here's five interesting discussions over on The Sizzle's paid subscriber forum for you to enjoy over the weekend. If you are not a paid subscriber but want to get involved, visit https://thesizzle.com.au/payme to get onboard.

- voltagex discovered QANTIM (the Qantas Travel Itinerary Manager) and shared some screenshots
- toothbrush made their own Spotify client for macOS called Spotiqueue that's way leaner and snappier than Spotify's
- robcorr "bought a Streamdeck on a whim" and wants to know what other owners of Streamdecks use them for
- Chris wants to know what unions or union-like organisations are around for Australian IT workers
- devraj needs a new monitor for their M1 Mac and is keen to know what you lot are using

## Bargains

- Lenovo X3 bone conduction Bluetooth waterproof headphones - $26.64 from Mysmartaccess
- Crucial MX500 1TB SATA SSD - $119.20 from gg.tech365's eBay store
- Lian Li Q58X3 TG mini-ITX white PC case - $149 from PC Case Gear
- Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen - $77 at JB Hi-Fi
- Samsung T7 1TB portable SSD - $149 at Amazon & Officeworks
- 4x Xiaomi Aqara E1 Zigbee 3.0 smart window/door sensors - $57 from Banggood
- SanDisk 1TB SDSSDE30-1T00-G25 portable USB-C SSD - $109 after $20 cashback from Shopping Express
- Refurbished Apple AirPod Pro earbuds with wireless charging case - $199 from eShop Downunder (refurb earbuds? God speed)
- Remarkable 2 e-ink tablet with 3 months free Connect Plan - $499 from Remarkable

## The End

📻 Dead In A Ditch - Cosmic Psychos

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