This Week in Tech: EU Charges, AI Innovations, and Privacy Upgrades (S3) S25

Welcome to The JMOR Tech Talk Show's weekly recap! Stay up-to-date with the latest in tech, from groundbreaking innovations to critical regulatory actions. Here’s a rundown of the top tech stories that caught our attention this week.

 

1️⃣ Apple and Meta Face EU Charges 🍏🌍

 

    EU regulators are poised to charge Apple and Meta with non-compliance under landmark tech rules. The preliminary findings, expected before August, aim to rein in the power of these tech giants.

 

2️⃣ Microsoft Grilled Over China Ties 🖥️🇨🇳

 

    Microsoft President Brad Smith was questioned by US lawmakers about security breaches linked to Chinese and Russian hackers. The scrutiny highlights growing concerns over cybersecurity and Microsoft's role in national security.

 

3️⃣ Electronic Skin for Robots 🤖🖐️

 

    Scientists are developing electronic skin that could give robots a sense of touch. This breakthrough could revolutionize how robots interact with their environment and perform tasks.

 

4️⃣ Life Without Smartphones for Students 🎓📵

 

    College students share their experiences living without smartphones, highlighting benefits like better sleep and reduced fear of missing out (FOMO).

 

5️⃣ Cement as a Giant Battery 🏠🔋

 

    Researchers have created a supercapacitor from concrete that could potentially turn homes into giant batteries, addressing renewable energy storage challenges.

 

6️⃣ Autonomous EV Charging Robots 🚗⚡

 

    Seattle entrepreneurs are developing robots to provide hassle-free EV charging, envisioning a future where drivers can charge their vehicles effortlessly.

 

7️⃣ AI Priest Created by Catholic Organization ✝️🤖

 

    A Catholic organization has introduced an AI priest named Father Justin to answer questions about faith, though the chatbot has faced unexpected challenges.

 

8️⃣ Wells Fargo Fires Employees for Faking Work 🏦⌨️

 

    Wells Fargo dismissed over a dozen employees for using devices to fake keyboard activity, underscoring ongoing trust issues within the bank.

 

9️⃣ Massachusetts to Outlaw 'Revenge Porn' 📵📸

 

    Massachusetts is on the verge of passing a law to ban the non-consensual sharing of explicit images, leaving South Carolina as the only state without such legislation.

 

🔟 EU Acts Against Pornhub and Others 🇪🇺🔞

- The European Commission has taken action against Pornhub, XVideos, and Stripchat under the Digital Services Act, demanding measures to protect minors and prevent gender-based violence.

 

1️⃣1️⃣ Cockpit Warning System for Plane Safety ✈️⚠️

- A new cockpit warning system is being developed to prevent close calls between planes, aiming to improve runway safety at US airports.

 

1️⃣2️⃣ X Hides Users' Likes for Privacy 💻🔒

- Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has made likes private to enhance user privacy, ending a feature long used by many.

 

1️⃣3️⃣ Windows Wi-Fi Vulnerability 💻🔓

- A vulnerability in Windows 10 Version 1809 allows hackers to sneak into PCs over Wi-Fi, highlighting the need for urgent updates and security measures.

 

1️⃣4️⃣ YouTube Tests Anti-Ad Blocker Measures 📺🚫

- YouTube is experimenting with new ways to combat ad blockers, ensuring users see ads despite efforts to block them.

 

Tune in to The JMOR Tech Talk Show for more in-depth discussions and insights on these stories and more!