 | Edition 2354 |
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The News |
You should probably stop using SMS for two-factor authentication |
A million two-factor authentication text messages obtained as part of an investigation into a scummy Swiss telecom company is a good reminder why SMS is a really bad way to secure your life (Bloomberg, archived). The quite short, easy-to-read article suggests that this Fink Telecom, which has links to government spy agencies and surveillance companies, has probably been handing over SMS 2FA data to enable hacks around the world. While it’s easy to think of SMS as a global system, it’s actually this opaque network of babushka doll-like companies that we trust to pass on our messages like Chinese whispers — which makes it vulnerable to this kind of attack.
(Speaking of attacks: TechCrunch wrote about researchers who invented a way to use “the microphone of a compromised smartwatch to receive ultrasonic signals from an infected air-gapped computer” 👀.) |
Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
Aussies might get more news online but that doesn’t mean they trust the people posting it |
Australians are getting more of their news from online video but that doesn’t mean they’re just listening to influencers, according to this year’s survey of Australian news media habits which is always an interesting read (University of Canberra). If you have a spare half an hour, I recommend scrolling through, but here’s some of my big and not always intuitive takeaways: |
Even as Aussies are getting more of their info from platforms like TikTok and YouTube or news websites, they’re still getting a lot of it from “traditional media” (i.e. existing publishers and broadcasters) on those platforms, as my colleague Crystal pointed out at Crikey ($) That could be in part because Australians view influencers/personalities as the biggest threat of misinformation (57%), followed by activists groups (51%) and foreign governments (49%) (The Conversation). Again, despite the hype, Australians still get their news mostly from TV (37%), with social media (26%) and online news (23%) still ages behind.
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What does this all mean? Technology is obviously changing how we get news but maybe not as much as we think — for now. |
Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
WhatsApp ads are here because Mark Zuckerberg ain’t running a charity |
In the least surprising development ever, the ad company — Meta — is going to put ads — its main source of revenue — in the thing that it paid lots of money for — WhatsApp (The Verge). Right now, it’s going to start putting them in the “Status” tab which you’ve probably never used. Ads suck, but there’s two reasons why I’m not super alarmed: 1) WhatsApp is designed in a way that’s a lot harder to get heaps of data from and, 2) no-one’s really nailed advertising on messaging apps — look at Snapchat! — so it’s not like there’s a clear enshittification playbook here. Although, if anyone could figure it out… |
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Discuss in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
Leftovers |
Mwave acquired by Digidirect, as parent company goes into voluntary administration (CRN) Union push for workers to have right to refuse to use AI (AFR, $) Fortescue takes delivery of first battery electric locomotive as it races to “real zero” (The Driven) Vocus adds secure connectivity for Starlink (ARN) Founder of 23andMe buys back company out of bankruptcy auction (Ars Technica) OpenAI wins $200 million U.S. defense contract (CNBC) How scammers are using AI to steal college financial aid (AP) UK passes bill allowing AI to be trained on copyrighted data (Cyber Daily AU) Tesla blows past stopped school bus and hits kid-sized dummies in Full Self-Driving tests (Engadget) Makers of air fryers and smart speakers told to respect users’ right to privacy (Guardian) Goodbye Dark Inc. - Hello Darklang Inc. (Darklang) Google Pixel 10 leaks reveal new AI 'Magic Cue' assistant and upgraded speakers (The Shortcut) Jokes and Humour in the public Android API (ROLLerozxa) Microsoft accidentally swapped Windows 11’s startup sound with Vista’s (The Verge) Try This Free Version of Microsoft Office That Runs in Your Browser (WIRED, $) LibreOffice adds voice to 'ditch Windows for Linux' campaign (The Register) Start your own Internet Resiliency Club (Bowshock)
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Discuss these links in the Sizzle Slack or forum. |
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Oh, Also |
TRUMP PHONE TRUMP PHONE TRUMP PHONE |
A few editions ago, I shared about Trump’s iPhone use. Now, I’m even more excited to introduce you to the official Trump Mobile network’s Trump T1 Phone (Variety). I mean who else could be brilliant enough to sell a MVNO plan that’s more expensive than its competitors along with a clearly photoshopped phone that it claims is made in the US, despite the fact that no manufacturer makes a phone with these specs (The Verge) and that pre-ordering the phone charges the wrong amount and confirms shipping despite not asking for a shipping address (404 Media, $). |
 | I’m personally hanging out for the Albanese A1 |
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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. |
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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. |
