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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/] | [TOKENS: 2846] |
Gaming // Gaming & Entertainment Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer steps down after 38 years with company Microsoft CoreAI exec Asha Sharma will take over in surprise executive shake-up. Kyle Orland – 2/20/2026 | 73 Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer steps down after 38 years with company Microsoft CoreAI exec Asha Sharma will take over in surprise executive shake-up. Meta’s flagship metaverse service leaves VR behind The company asserts it will continue to make VR headsets, though. Samuel Axon – 2/20/2026 | 50 Meta’s flagship metaverse service leaves VR behind The company asserts it will continue to make VR headsets, though. Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its “lead platform” Director says PC is the “foundation” when targeting “high-end environments first.” Kyle Orland – 2/20/2026 | 48 Why Final Fantasy is now targeting PC as its “lead platform” Director says PC is the “foundation” when targeting “high-end environments first.” Nintendo brings GBA-era Pokémon to the Switch, but not Switch Online subscribers Games appear to be mostly unmodified ports of the well-regarded remakes. Andrew Cunningham – 2/20/2026 | 41 Nintendo brings GBA-era Pokémon to the Switch, but not Switch Online subscribers Games appear to be mostly unmodified ports of the well-regarded remakes. Diablo II’s new Warlock is a great excuse to revisit a classic game New skill tree paths offer a fun twist on some generally familiar mechanics. Kyle Orland – 2/19/2026 | 40 Diablo II’s new Warlock is a great excuse to revisit a classic game New skill tree paths offer a fun twist on some generally familiar mechanics. GameHub will give Mac owners another imperfect way to play Windows games GameHub’s existing Windows emulator on Android has its fair share of issues. Kyle Orland – 2/17/2026 | 67 GameHub will give Mac owners another imperfect way to play Windows games GameHub’s existing Windows emulator on Android has its fair share of issues. RAM shortage hits Valve’s four-year-old Steam Deck, now available “intermittently” Forget launching new stuff—Valve is even having problems with existing hardware. Andrew Cunningham – 2/17/2026 | 85 RAM shortage hits Valve’s four-year-old Steam Deck, now available “intermittently” Forget launching new stuff—Valve is even having problems with existing hardware. Party like it’s 2001: Diablo II gets a new expansion, new playable class Alongside new endgame content, Blizzard says the Warlock is coming to other Diablo games soon. Kyle Orland – 2/12/2026 | 67 Party like it’s 2001: Diablo II gets a new expansion, new playable class Alongside new endgame content, Blizzard says the Warlock is coming to other Diablo games soon. Just look at Ayaneo’s absolute unit of a Windows gaming “handheld” The Ayaneo Next II pushes past 3 pounds, is 13 inches wide, and costs up to $4,300. Kyle Orland – 2/9/2026 | 120 Just look at Ayaneo’s absolute unit of a Windows gaming “handheld” The Ayaneo Next II pushes past 3 pounds, is 13 inches wide, and costs up to $4,300. No humans allowed: This new space-based MMO is designed exclusively for AI agents SpaceMolt envisions a world where AI plays with itself and the humans just watch. Kyle Orland – 2/9/2026 | 153 No humans allowed: This new space-based MMO is designed exclusively for AI agents SpaceMolt envisions a world where AI plays with itself and the humans just watch. Why $700 could be a “death sentence” for the Steam Machine Analysts expect Valve might be hit particularly hard by soaring RAM, storage prices. Kyle Orland – 2/6/2026 | 186 Why $700 could be a “death sentence” for the Steam Machine Analysts expect Valve might be hit particularly hard by soaring RAM, storage prices. The Switch 2 is getting a new Virtual Console (kind of) Hamster Corp.’s new “Console Archives” does what Nintendon’t. Kyle Orland – 2/5/2026 | 43 The Switch 2 is getting a new Virtual Console (kind of) Hamster Corp.’s new “Console Archives” does what Nintendon’t. Steam Machine and Steam Frame delays are the latest product of the RAM crisis Valve says it still hopes to ship both devices “in the first half of the year.” Andrew Cunningham – 2/5/2026 | 144 Steam Machine and Steam Frame delays are the latest product of the RAM crisis Valve says it still hopes to ship both devices “in the first half of the year.” Nintendo Switch is the second-bestselling game console ever, behind only the PS2 Switch 2 has already beaten the Wii U and is on its way to overtaking GameCube. Andrew Cunningham – 2/3/2026 | 96 Nintendo Switch is the second-bestselling game console ever, behind only the PS2 Switch 2 has already beaten the Wii U and is on its way to overtaking GameCube. Wing Commander III: “Isn’t that the guy from Star Wars?” C:\ArsGames looks at a vanguard of the multimedia FMV future that never quite came to pass. Lee Hutchinson – 2/3/2026 | 126 Wing Commander III: “Isn’t that the guy from Star Wars?” C:\ArsGames looks at a vanguard of the multimedia FMV future that never quite came to pass. Looking back at Catacomb 3D, the game that led to Wolfenstein 3D Romero, Carmack, and colleagues discuss an oft-forgotten piece of PC gaming history. Kyle Orland – 2/2/2026 | 54 Looking back at Catacomb 3D, the game that led to Wolfenstein 3D Romero, Carmack, and colleagues discuss an oft-forgotten piece of PC gaming history. Why Civilization VII is the way it is, and how its devs plan to win critics back Firaxis’ Ed Beach and Dennis Shirk talk major overhauls in “Test of Time” update. Samuel Axon – 2/2/2026 | 119 Why Civilization VII is the way it is, and how its devs plan to win critics back Firaxis’ Ed Beach and Dennis Shirk talk major overhauls in “Test of Time” update. Here’s what Cities: Skylines 2’s new developer is updating first Visual upgrades include new UI, realistic snow cover, better lighting. Kyle Orland – 2/2/2026 | 53 Here’s what Cities: Skylines 2’s new developer is updating first Visual upgrades include new UI, realistic snow cover, better lighting. Why reviving the shuttered Anthem is turning out tougher than expected Despite proof-of-concept video, EA’s Frostbite Engine servers are difficult to pick apart. Kyle Orland – 1/28/2026 | 29 Why reviving the shuttered Anthem is turning out tougher than expected Despite proof-of-concept video, EA’s Frostbite Engine servers are difficult to pick apart. Ryzen 9850X3D review: AMD’s bragging-rights gaming CPU gets more to brag about The tradeoffs in the $499 9850X3D make it hard to get excited about. Andrew Cunningham – 1/28/2026 | 67 Ryzen 9850X3D review: AMD’s bragging-rights gaming CPU gets more to brag about The tradeoffs in the $499 9850X3D make it hard to get excited about. How to get Doom running on a pair of earbuds No display? No problem for the UART-to-web-server “Doombuds” project. Kyle Orland – 1/26/2026 | 53 How to get Doom running on a pair of earbuds No display? No problem for the UART-to-web-server “Doombuds” project. TR-49 is interactive fiction for fans of deep research rabbit holes Dense narrative deduction game tells a compellingly academia-tinged sci-fi tale. Kyle Orland – 1/23/2026 | 42 TR-49 is interactive fiction for fans of deep research rabbit holes Dense narrative deduction game tells a compellingly academia-tinged sci-fi tale. Finally, a new controller that solves the Switch 2’s “flat Joy-Con” problem But Nyxi’s Hyperion 3 upgrade comes with a pretty high asking price. Kyle Orland – 1/22/2026 | 68 Finally, a new controller that solves the Switch 2’s “flat Joy-Con” problem But Nyxi’s Hyperion 3 upgrade comes with a pretty high asking price. Why adding modern controls to 1996’s Tomb Raider simply doesn’t work For our C:\ArsGames series, we look at the controls conundrum of early 3D. Samuel Axon – 1/21/2026 | 102 Why adding modern controls to 1996’s Tomb Raider simply doesn’t work For our C:\ArsGames series, we look at the controls conundrum of early 3D. The first new Marathon game in decades will launch on March 5 Development hasn’t exactly been smooth since the extraction shooter’s 2023 announcement. Kyle Orland – 1/19/2026 | 179 The first new Marathon game in decades will launch on March 5 Development hasn’t exactly been smooth since the extraction shooter’s 2023 announcement. Reports of ad-supported Xbox game streams show Microsoft’s lack of imagination Xbox maker needs some fresher ideas for expanding access to cloud gaming. Kyle Orland – 1/19/2026 | 82 Reports of ad-supported Xbox game streams show Microsoft’s lack of imagination Xbox maker needs some fresher ideas for expanding access to cloud gaming. 10 things I learned from burning myself out with AI coding agents Opinion: As software power tools, AI agents may make people busier than ever before. Benj Edwards – 1/19/2026 | 326 10 things I learned from burning myself out with AI coding agents Opinion: As software power tools, AI agents may make people busier than ever before. Meta’s layoffs leave Supernatural fitness users in mourning Supernatural has had its staff cut and won’t receive any more content updates. WIRED – 1/17/2026 | 137 Meta’s layoffs leave Supernatural fitness users in mourning Supernatural has had its staff cut and won’t receive any more content updates. Bully Online mod taken down abruptly one month after launch Developers say “this was not something we wanted” as they purge open source project. Kyle Orland – 1/15/2026 | 29 Bully Online mod taken down abruptly one month after launch Developers say “this was not something we wanted” as they purge open source project. I can’t stop shooting Oddcore’s endless waves of weird little guys Zippy action, fun upgrade system make for a great pick-up-and-play shooter. Kyle Orland – 1/14/2026 | 29 I can’t stop shooting Oddcore’s endless waves of weird little guys Zippy action, fun upgrade system make for a great pick-up-and-play shooter. Civilization VII is headed to iPhone and iPad with “Arcade Edition” Apple’s platforms are also getting Retrocade, a library of classic arcade games. Samuel Axon – 1/14/2026 | 76 Civilization VII is headed to iPhone and iPad with “Arcade Edition” Apple’s platforms are also getting Retrocade, a library of classic arcade games. Is this the beginning of the end for GameStop? The sudden closure of hundreds of storefronts isn’t exactly a great sign… Kyle Orland – 1/12/2026 | 128 Is this the beginning of the end for GameStop? The sudden closure of hundreds of storefronts isn’t exactly a great sign… Seasonal Switch 2 sales show significant slowing as annual cycle sunsets After record-setting launch, Western holiday sales are down compared to the first Switch. Kyle Orland – 1/8/2026 | 107 Seasonal Switch 2 sales show significant slowing as annual cycle sunsets After record-setting launch, Western holiday sales are down compared to the first Switch. SteamOS continues its slow spread across the PC gaming landscape Legion Go 2 support announced at CES, wide support for Arm hardware coming soon. Kyle Orland – 1/7/2026 | 119 SteamOS continues its slow spread across the PC gaming landscape Legion Go 2 support announced at CES, wide support for Arm hardware coming soon. With GeForce Super GPUs missing in action, Nvidia focuses on software upgrades Nvidia’s only GeForce announcements this year were about software improvements. Andrew Cunningham – 1/6/2026 | 97 With GeForce Super GPUs missing in action, Nvidia focuses on software upgrades Nvidia’s only GeForce announcements this year were about software improvements. Nvidia’s new G-Sync Pulsar monitors target motion blur at the human retina level Four new monitors promise “effective motion clarity of a theoretical 1,000 Hz monitor.” Kyle Orland – 1/6/2026 | 83 Nvidia’s new G-Sync Pulsar monitors target motion blur at the human retina level Four new monitors promise “effective motion clarity of a theoretical 1,000 Hz monitor.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://www.bbc.com/news/wales/wales_politics] | [TOKENS: 937] |
NewsNewsWalesWales PoliticsDefence minister refuses to give timescale on troubled Ajax armoured vehiclesThe multi-million pound Ajax vehicles, made in Merthyr Tydfil, have been beset by problems. 16 hrs agoWalesDon't make us security guards, says teacher stabbed by pupilThe ex-Ysgol Dyffryn Aman teacher says staff are not security guards and giving them handheld scanners would not help.1 day agoWalesNew railway stations part of £14bn UK government funding promiseSir Keir Starmer backs long list of Welsh railway projects, including seven new stations.3 days agoWalesPlaid promises Welsh communities share of renewable energy profitsPlaid Cymru says renewable energy projects would have to hand over stakes of up to 25% to local communities.3 days agoWalesHospital waiting lists in Wales lowest in almost three yearsWaiting lists are falling but there is more pressure at emergency units in Wales, data shows.2 days agoWalesCouncillors to get 6% pay rise despite pleas from councils The body that approved the pay rise said it recognised how tight finances were for councils and the public.2 days agoWalesPlaid Cymru leader abandons net zero emissions pledgeRhun ap Iorwerth said the target is not realistic, after his party had committed to net zero by 2035.2 days agoWales'Check your payslip' warns nurse who overpaid nearly £3k in taxGemma Belby says she only found she was paying "double tax" after chatting with her colleagues.Tories will outlast Farage's Reform, party's ex-Welsh leader claimsBut Paul Davies admits his party has had a bruising year after a series of high profile defections.Retired NHS staff would form reserve service under Welsh Tories, party saysParty says a bank of retired staff would help the Welsh NHS through "crisis" if it wins next Senedd election.It's tough for Tories but we can fix Wales, Kemi Badenoch saysThe Tory leaders admits it's not an "easy time" after defections to Reform, but insists there's a plan for Senedd wins.A simple guide to the May elections in England, Scotland and WalesMillions will vote in parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, and local elections in England. NewsNews Wales Defence minister refuses to give timescale on troubled Ajax armoured vehicles The multi-million pound Ajax vehicles, made in Merthyr Tydfil, have been beset by problems. Don't make us security guards, says teacher stabbed by pupil The ex-Ysgol Dyffryn Aman teacher says staff are not security guards and giving them handheld scanners would not help. New railway stations part of £14bn UK government funding promise Sir Keir Starmer backs long list of Welsh railway projects, including seven new stations. Plaid promises Welsh communities share of renewable energy profits Plaid Cymru says renewable energy projects would have to hand over stakes of up to 25% to local communities. Hospital waiting lists in Wales lowest in almost three years Waiting lists are falling but there is more pressure at emergency units in Wales, data shows. Councillors to get 6% pay rise despite pleas from councils The body that approved the pay rise said it recognised how tight finances were for councils and the public. Plaid Cymru leader abandons net zero emissions pledge Rhun ap Iorwerth said the target is not realistic, after his party had committed to net zero by 2035. 'Check your payslip' warns nurse who overpaid nearly £3k in tax Gemma Belby says she only found she was paying "double tax" after chatting with her colleagues. Tories will outlast Farage's Reform, party's ex-Welsh leader claims But Paul Davies admits his party has had a bruising year after a series of high profile defections. Retired NHS staff would form reserve service under Welsh Tories, party says Party says a bank of retired staff would help the Welsh NHS through "crisis" if it wins next Senedd election. It's tough for Tories but we can fix Wales, Kemi Badenoch says The Tory leaders admits it's not an "easy time" after defections to Reform, but insists there's a plan for Senedd wins. A simple guide to the May elections in England, Scotland and Wales Millions will vote in parliamentary elections in Scotland and Wales, and local elections in England. Copyright 2026 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/reviews/] | [TOKENS: 2708] |
Reviews // Hardware & Software Rubik’s WOWCube adds complexity, possibility by reinventing the puzzle cube Technology is a double-edged sword in the $399 Rubik’s Cube-inspired toy. Scharon Harding – 2/19/2026 | 60 Rubik’s WOWCube adds complexity, possibility by reinventing the puzzle cube Technology is a double-edged sword in the $399 Rubik’s Cube-inspired toy. The Splay is a subpar monitor but an exciting portable projector Splay can be a monitor and takes a lot of the stress out of projectors, too. Scharon Harding – 12/23/2025 | 31 The Splay is a subpar monitor but an exciting portable projector Splay can be a monitor and takes a lot of the stress out of projectors, too. OnePlus 15 review: The end of range anxiety OnePlus delivers its second super-fast phone of 2025. Ryan Whitwam – 11/19/2025 | 98 OnePlus 15 review: The end of range anxiety OnePlus delivers its second super-fast phone of 2025. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: The ultimate Google phone Google delivers another phone that is slightly better than its predecessor—is that enough? Ryan Whitwam – 10/8/2025 | 82 Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review: The ultimate Google phone Google delivers another phone that is slightly better than its predecessor—is that enough? Reviewing iOS 26 for power users: Reminders, Preview, and more These features try to turn iPhones into more powerful work and organization tools. Scharon Harding – 9/25/2025 | 56 Reviewing iOS 26 for power users: Reminders, Preview, and more These features try to turn iPhones into more powerful work and organization tools. iOS 26 review: A practical, yet playful, update Spotlighting the most helpful new features of iOS 26. Scharon Harding – 9/17/2025 | 225 iOS 26 review: A practical, yet playful, update Spotlighting the most helpful new features of iOS 26. Google Pixel 10 series review: Don’t call it an Android Google’s new Pixel phones are better, but only a little. Ryan Whitwam – 8/29/2025 | 231 Google Pixel 10 series review: Don’t call it an Android Google’s new Pixel phones are better, but only a little. Video player looks like a 1-inch TV from the ’60s and is wondrous, pointless fun TV static and remote included. Scharon Harding – 8/28/2025 | 116 Video player looks like a 1-inch TV from the ’60s and is wondrous, pointless fun TV static and remote included. Corsair’s PC-dockable screen helped me monitor my PC components and news feeds Corsair’s Xeneon Edge is the best at what it does but is software-dependent. Scharon Harding – 8/27/2025 | 57 Corsair’s PC-dockable screen helped me monitor my PC components and news feeds Corsair’s Xeneon Edge is the best at what it does but is software-dependent. Murena’s Pixel Tablet is helping to wean me off Google More gadgets should push privacy as a competitive feature. Scharon Harding – 8/5/2025 | 57 Murena’s Pixel Tablet is helping to wean me off Google More gadgets should push privacy as a competitive feature. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Quantum leap Samsung’s new flagship foldable is a huge improvement over last year’s model. Ryan Whitwam – 7/31/2025 | 111 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 review: Quantum leap Samsung’s new flagship foldable is a huge improvement over last year’s model. Nothing Phone 3 review: Nothing ventured, nothing gained The Nothing Phone 3 is the company’s best phone by a wide margin, but is that enough? Ryan Whitwam – 7/18/2025 | 75 Nothing Phone 3 review: Nothing ventured, nothing gained The Nothing Phone 3 is the company’s best phone by a wide margin, but is that enough? The curious rise of giant tablets on wheels Hands-on with KTC’s 32-inch Android tablet on a rolling pedestal, the A32Q7 Pro. Scharon Harding – 7/5/2025 | 127 The curious rise of giant tablets on wheels Hands-on with KTC’s 32-inch Android tablet on a rolling pedestal, the A32Q7 Pro. Android 16 review: Post-hype The age of big, exciting Android updates is probably over. Ryan Whitwam – 6/30/2025 | 93 Android 16 review: Post-hype The age of big, exciting Android updates is probably over. Find my… bicycle? Knog’s Scout gives bikes a motion-sensitive alarm and Bluetooth tracking. John Timmer – 5/6/2025 | 84 Find my… bicycle? Knog’s Scout gives bikes a motion-sensitive alarm and Bluetooth tracking. Hands-on: Handwriting recognition app brings sticky notes into the 21st century Rocketbook Reusable Sticky Notes are an excessive solution for too many sticky notes. Scharon Harding – 4/10/2025 | 44 Hands-on: Handwriting recognition app brings sticky notes into the 21st century Rocketbook Reusable Sticky Notes are an excessive solution for too many sticky notes. Better than the real thing? Spark 2 packs 33 amp sims into $300 Bluetooth speaker Digital amp modeling goes very, very portable. Nate Anderson – 3/10/2025 | 106 Better than the real thing? Spark 2 packs 33 amp sims into $300 Bluetooth speaker Digital amp modeling goes very, very portable. Hands-on: This 3.5-inch smart display makes my digital calendars more digestible The Deskbuddy is a $100 desktop calendar display that may take simplicty too far. Scharon Harding – 2/25/2025 | 68 Hands-on: This 3.5-inch smart display makes my digital calendars more digestible The Deskbuddy is a $100 desktop calendar display that may take simplicty too far. The iPhone accessories that let me ditch my laptop while traveling Getting the desktop experience from my tiniest computer. Scharon Harding – 12/10/2024 | 111 The iPhone accessories that let me ditch my laptop while traveling Getting the desktop experience from my tiniest computer. Are any of Apple’s official MagSafe accessories worth buying? When MagSafe was introduced, it promised an accessories revolution. Meh. Samuel Axon – 11/26/2024 | 210 Are any of Apple’s official MagSafe accessories worth buying? When MagSafe was introduced, it promised an accessories revolution. Meh. After working with a dual-screen portable monitor for a month, I’m a believer More pixels and versatility, but without the sacrifices of dual-screen PCs. Scharon Harding – 11/14/2024 | 76 After working with a dual-screen portable monitor for a month, I’m a believer More pixels and versatility, but without the sacrifices of dual-screen PCs. Pixel 9 phones: The Gemini AI stuff, reviewed A newcomer dives into AI with the Pixel 9 Pro. Kevin Purdy – Updated 8/21/2024 | 65 Pixel 9 phones: The Gemini AI stuff, reviewed A newcomer dives into AI with the Pixel 9 Pro. Synology BeeStation review: A great way to start getting real about backups If you’re not ready for full-on NAS gear, consider this clever little drive. Kevin Purdy – 7/29/2024 | 209 Synology BeeStation review: A great way to start getting real about backups If you’re not ready for full-on NAS gear, consider this clever little drive. Rumored new 4K Chromecast may fix long-standing storage issues It’s still $50, would have a new remote, and will hopefully not have 8GB of storage. Ron Amadeo – 4/23/2024 | 98 Rumored new 4K Chromecast may fix long-standing storage issues It’s still $50, would have a new remote, and will hopefully not have 8GB of storage. The Maven: A user-friendly, $2K Cargo e-bike perfect for families on the go The $2K bike is aimed at smaller riders who want a manageable cargo e-bike. It delivers. Beth Mole – 4/5/2024 | 328 The Maven: A user-friendly, $2K Cargo e-bike perfect for families on the go The $2K bike is aimed at smaller riders who want a manageable cargo e-bike. It delivers. Getting a charge: An exercise bike that turns your pedaling into power LifeSpan’s Ampera offers a solid workout, but it has a lot of quirks. John Timmer – 3/28/2024 | 74 Getting a charge: An exercise bike that turns your pedaling into power LifeSpan’s Ampera offers a solid workout, but it has a lot of quirks. Canon plans to disrupt chipmaking with low-cost “stamp” machine Company is challenging industry leader ASML with its nanoprint lithography tech. David Keohane and Kana Inagaki, Financial Times – 1/29/2024 | 119 Canon plans to disrupt chipmaking with low-cost “stamp” machine Company is challenging industry leader ASML with its nanoprint lithography tech. I’ve used a foldable laptop for a month, and I’m ready to return to a clamshell Foldable PCs unite superior portablility with distinctive design challenges. Scharon Harding – 12/14/2023 | 105 I’ve used a foldable laptop for a month, and I’m ready to return to a clamshell Foldable PCs unite superior portablility with distinctive design challenges. Review: Apple’s 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro crams Ultra-level speed into a laptop A solid generational upgrade for a laptop that wouldn’t be possible with Intel. Andrew Cunningham – 11/6/2023 | 515 Review: Apple’s 16-inch M3 Max MacBook Pro crams Ultra-level speed into a laptop A solid generational upgrade for a laptop that wouldn’t be possible with Intel. Android 14 review: There’s always next year Android 14 offers a lightly customizable lock screen and not much else. Ron Amadeo – 10/29/2023 | 177 Android 14 review: There’s always next year Android 14 offers a lightly customizable lock screen and not much else. Review: The Fall of the House of Usher is a gloriously Gothic horror delight Mike Flanagan knocks it out of the park with his last limited series for Netflix. Jennifer Ouellette – 10/13/2023 | 34 Review: The Fall of the House of Usher is a gloriously Gothic horror delight Mike Flanagan knocks it out of the park with his last limited series for Netflix. Fast times and loose steering: The Heybike Tyson e-bike reviewed This foldable e-bike looks the part but is tough to recommend. Eric Bangeman – 10/6/2023 | 54 Fast times and loose steering: The Heybike Tyson e-bike reviewed This foldable e-bike looks the part but is tough to recommend. Review: Framework Laptop finally gets an AMD Ryzen config—and it’s pretty good Battery life is a sticking point, but the speed is generally worth it. Andrew Cunningham – 10/3/2023 | 116 Review: Framework Laptop finally gets an AMD Ryzen config—and it’s pretty good Battery life is a sticking point, but the speed is generally worth it. iPhone 15 and 15 Pro review: The final form Years of iteration have led to a great phone, but where do we go from here? Samuel Axon – 9/29/2023 | 324 iPhone 15 and 15 Pro review: The final form Years of iteration have led to a great phone, but where do we go from here? macOS 14 Sonoma: The Ars Technica review If at first you don’t create usable desktop widgets, try, try again. Andrew Cunningham – 9/26/2023 | 197 macOS 14 Sonoma: The Ars Technica review If at first you don’t create usable desktop widgets, try, try again. A partial car substitute? Trek’s new cargo bike, reviewed A pricey but feature-rich offering from Trek had me pedaling for my groceries. John Timmer – 9/25/2023 | 397 A partial car substitute? Trek’s new cargo bike, reviewed A pricey but feature-rich offering from Trek had me pedaling for my groceries. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/discord-and-persona-end-partnership-after-shady-uk-age-test-sparks-outcry/] | [TOKENS: 4601] |
Broken trust Fury over Discord’s age checks explodes after shady Persona test in UK Persona confirmed all age-check data from Discord’s UK test was deleted. Ashley Belanger – Feb 20, 2026 5:41 pm | 49 Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor | NurPhoto Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor | NurPhoto Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Shortly after Discord announced that all users will soon be defaulted to teen experiences until their ages are verified, the messaging platform faced immediate backlash. One of the major complaints was that Discord planned to collect more government IDs as part of its global age verification process. It shocked many that Discord would be so bold so soon after a third-party breach of a former age check partner’s services recently exposed 70,000 Discord users’ government IDs. Attempting to reassure users, Discord claimed that most users wouldn’t have to show ID, instead relying on video selfies using AI to estimate ages, which raised separate privacy concerns. In the future, perhaps behavioral signals would override the need for age checks for most users, Discord suggested, seemingly downplaying the risk that sensitive data would be improperly stored. Discord didn’t hide that it planned to continue requesting IDs for any user appealing an incorrect age assessment, and users weren’t happy, since that is exactly how the prior breach happened. Responding to critics, Discord claimed that the majority of ID data was promptly deleted. Specifically, Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, told The Verge that IDs shared during appeals “are deleted quickly—in most cases, immediately after age confirmation.” It’s unsurprising then that backlash exploded after Discord posted, and then weirdly deleted, a disclaimer on an FAQ about Discord’s age assurance policies that contradicted Discord’s hyped short timeline for storing IDs. An archived version of the page shows the note shared this warning: “Important: If you’re located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted. For ID document verification, all details are blurred except your photo and date of birth, so only what’s truly needed for age verification is used.” Critics felt that Discord was obscuring not just how long IDs may be stored, but also the entities collecting information. Discord did not provide details on what the experiment was testing or how many users were affected, and Persona was not listed as a partner on its platform. Asked for comment, Discord told Ars that only a small number of users was included in the experiment, which ran for less than one month. That test has since concluded, Discord confirmed, and Persona is no longer an active vendor partnering with Discord. Moving forward, Discord promised to “keep our users informed as vendors are added or updated.” While Discord seeks to distance itself from Persona, Rick Song, Persona’s CEO, has been stuck responding to the mounting backlash. Hoping to quell fears that any of the UK data collected during the experiment risked being breached, he told Ars that all the data of verified individuals involved in Discord’s test was deleted immediately upon verification. Persona draws fire amid Discord fury This all seemingly started after Discord was forced to find age verification solutions when Australia’s under-16 social media ban and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act came into effect. It seems that in the UK, Discord struggled to find partners, as the messaging service wasn’t just trying to stop minors from accessing adult content but also needed to block adults from messaging minors. Setting aside known issues with accuracy in today’s age estimation technology, there’s an often-overlooked nuance to how age solutions work, particularly when the safety of children is involved in platforms’ decisions. Age checks that are good enough to block kids from accessing adult content may not work as well as age checks to stop tech-savvy adults with malicious intentions bent on contacting minors; the UK’s OSA required that Discord’s age checks block both. It seems likely that Discord expected Persona to be a partner that the UK’s OSA enforcers would approve. OSA had previously approved Persona as an age verification service on Reddit, which shares similarly complex age verification goals with Discord. For Persona, the partnership came at a time when many Discord users globally were closely monitoring the service, trying to decided whehter they trusted Discord with their age check data. After Discord shocked users by abruptly retracting the disclaimer about the Persona experiment, mistrust swelled, and scrutiny of Persona intensified. On X and other social media platforms, critics warned that Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund was a major investor in Persona. They worried Thiel might have influence over Persona or access to Persona’s data, or, worse, that Thiel’s ties to the Trump administration might mean the government had access to it. Fearing that Discord data may one day be fed into government facial recognition systems, conspiracies swirled, increasing heat on Persona and leaving Song with no choice but to cautiously confront allegations. Hackers probe Persona Perhaps most problematic for Persona, the mass outrage prompted cybersecurity researchers to investigate. They quickly exposed a “workaround” to avoid Persona’s age checks on Discord, The Rage, an independent publication that covers financial surveillance, reported. But more concerning for privacy advocates, researchers also found the uncompressed of Persona’s frontend code “exposed to the open Internet on a US government authorized server.” “In 2,456 publicly accessible files, the code revealed the extensive surveillance Persona software performs on its users, bundled in an interface that pairs facial recognition with financial reporting—and a parallel implementation that appears designed to serve federal agencies,” The Rage reported. As The Rage reported, and Song confirmed to Ars, Persona does not currently have any government contracts. Instead, the exposed service “appears to be powered by an OpenAI chatbot,” The Rage noted. In correspondence with one of the researchers, Song clarified that this product is based on publicly available records for sanctions and warnings, and the service does not store any user data sent to it. Song told Ars that the product does not leverage AI. OpenAI is highlighted as an active partner on Persona’s website, which claims Persona screens millions of users for OpenAI each month. According to The Rage, “the publicly exposed domain, titled ‘openai-watchlistdb.withpersona.com,’” appears to “query identity verification requests on an OpenAI database” that has a “FedRAMP-authorized parallel implementation of the software called ‘withpersona-gov.com.’” Hackers warned “that OpenAI may have created an internal database for Persona identity checks that spans all OpenAI users via its internal watchlistdb,” seemingly exploiting the “opportunity to go from comparing users against a single federal watchlist, to creating the watchlist of all users themselves.” OpenAI did not immediately respond to Ars’ request to comment. Persona denies government, ICE ties On Wednesday, Persona’s chief operating officer, Christie Kim, sought to reassure Persona customers as the Discord controversy grew. In an email, Kim said that Persona invests “heavily in infrastructure, compliance, and internal training to ensure sensitive data is handled responsibly,” and not exposed. “Over the past week, multiple social media posts and online articles have circulated repeating misleading claims about Persona, insinuating conspiracies around our work with Discord and our investors,” Kim wrote. Noting that Persona does not “typically engage with online speculation,” Kim said that the scandal required a direct response “because we operate in a sensitive space and your trust in us is foundational to our partnership.” As expected, Kim noted that Persona is not partnered with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Transparently, we are actively working on a couple of potential contracts which would be publicly visible if we move forward,” Kim wrote. “However, these engagements are strictly for workforce account security of government employees and do not include ICE or any agency within the Department of Homeland Security.” Kim acknowledged that Thiel’s Founders Fund is an investor but said that investors do not have access to Persona data and that Thiel was not involved in Persona’s operations. “He is not on our board, does not advise us, has no role in our operations or decision-making, and is not directly involved with Persona in any way,” Kim wrote. “Persona and Palantir share no board members and have no business relationship with each other.” In the email, Kim confirmed that Persona was planning a press campaign to go on the defensive, speaking with media to clarify the narrative. She apologized for any inconvenience that the heightened scrutiny on the company’s services may have caused. That scrutiny has likely spooked partners that may have previously gravitated to Persona as a partner that seems savvy about government approvals. Persona combats ongoing trust issues For Persona, the PR nightmare comes at a time when age verification laws are gaining popularity and beginning to take force in various parts of the world. Persona’s background in verifying identities for financial services to prevent fraud seems to make its services—which The Rage noted combine facial recognition with financial reporting—an appealing option for platforms seeking a solution that will appease regulators. Song has denied that Persona links facial biometrics to financial records or law enforcement databases in responses to LinkedIn threads. But because of Persona’s background in financial services and fraud protection, its data retention policies—which require some data be retained for legal and audit purposes—will likely leave anyone uncomfortable with a tech company gathering a massive database of government IDs. Such databases are viewed as hugely attractive targets for bad actors behind costly breaches, and Discord’s users have already been burned once. On X, Song responded to one of the hackers—a user named Celeste with the handle @vmfunc—aiming to provide more transparency into how Persona was addressing the flagged issues. In the thread, he shared screenshots of emails documenting his correspondence with Celeste over security concerns. The correspondence showed that Celeste credited Persona for quickly fixing the front-end issue but also noted that it was hard to trust Persona’s story about government and Palantir ties, since the company wouldn’t put more information on the record. Additionally, Persona’s compliance team should be concerned that the company had not yet started an “in-depth security review,” Celeste said. “Unfortunately, there is no way I can fully trust you here and you know this,” Celeste wrote, “but I’m trying to act in good faith” by explicitly stating that “we found zero references” to ICE or other entities concerning critics “in all source files we found.” But Song and Celeste eventually ironed out some of the misunderstandings, with Celeste agreeing that flagged security concerns were not of such great severity. On Friday, Celeste posted on X that “I see a lot of misinformation going online about our recent post about Persona.” Later correspondence shared with Ars showed Celeste thanked Song for his honesty in responding to questions, noting that the CEO putting statements on the record countering the rumors carried weight in a situation where Persona’s claims couldn’t all necessarily be independently verified. This story has been updated to include additional insights from Persona. Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 49 Comments Fury over Discord’s age checks explodes after shady Persona test in UK Persona confirmed all age-check data from Discord’s UK test was deleted. Shortly after Discord announced that all users will soon be defaulted to teen experiences until their ages are verified, the messaging platform faced immediate backlash. One of the major complaints was that Discord planned to collect more government IDs as part of its global age verification process. It shocked many that Discord would be so bold so soon after a third-party breach of a former age check partner’s services recently exposed 70,000 Discord users’ government IDs. Attempting to reassure users, Discord claimed that most users wouldn’t have to show ID, instead relying on video selfies using AI to estimate ages, which raised separate privacy concerns. In the future, perhaps behavioral signals would override the need for age checks for most users, Discord suggested, seemingly downplaying the risk that sensitive data would be improperly stored. Discord didn’t hide that it planned to continue requesting IDs for any user appealing an incorrect age assessment, and users weren’t happy, since that is exactly how the prior breach happened. Responding to critics, Discord claimed that the majority of ID data was promptly deleted. Specifically, Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, told The Verge that IDs shared during appeals “are deleted quickly—in most cases, immediately after age confirmation.” It’s unsurprising then that backlash exploded after Discord posted, and then weirdly deleted, a disclaimer on an FAQ about Discord’s age assurance policies that contradicted Discord’s hyped short timeline for storing IDs. An archived version of the page shows the note shared this warning: “Important: If you’re located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted. For ID document verification, all details are blurred except your photo and date of birth, so only what’s truly needed for age verification is used.” Critics felt that Discord was obscuring not just how long IDs may be stored, but also the entities collecting information. Discord did not provide details on what the experiment was testing or how many users were affected, and Persona was not listed as a partner on its platform. Asked for comment, Discord told Ars that only a small number of users was included in the experiment, which ran for less than one month. That test has since concluded, Discord confirmed, and Persona is no longer an active vendor partnering with Discord. Moving forward, Discord promised to “keep our users informed as vendors are added or updated.” While Discord seeks to distance itself from Persona, Rick Song, Persona’s CEO, has been stuck responding to the mounting backlash. Hoping to quell fears that any of the UK data collected during the experiment risked being breached, he told Ars that all the data of verified individuals involved in Discord’s test was deleted immediately upon verification. Persona draws fire amid Discord fury This all seemingly started after Discord was forced to find age verification solutions when Australia’s under-16 social media ban and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act came into effect. It seems that in the UK, Discord struggled to find partners, as the messaging service wasn’t just trying to stop minors from accessing adult content but also needed to block adults from messaging minors. Setting aside known issues with accuracy in today’s age estimation technology, there’s an often-overlooked nuance to how age solutions work, particularly when the safety of children is involved in platforms’ decisions. Age checks that are good enough to block kids from accessing adult content may not work as well as age checks to stop tech-savvy adults with malicious intentions bent on contacting minors; the UK’s OSA required that Discord’s age checks block both. It seems likely that Discord expected Persona to be a partner that the UK’s OSA enforcers would approve. OSA had previously approved Persona as an age verification service on Reddit, which shares similarly complex age verification goals with Discord. For Persona, the partnership came at a time when many Discord users globally were closely monitoring the service, trying to decided whehter they trusted Discord with their age check data. After Discord shocked users by abruptly retracting the disclaimer about the Persona experiment, mistrust swelled, and scrutiny of Persona intensified. On X and other social media platforms, critics warned that Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund was a major investor in Persona. They worried Thiel might have influence over Persona or access to Persona’s data, or, worse, that Thiel’s ties to the Trump administration might mean the government had access to it. Fearing that Discord data may one day be fed into government facial recognition systems, conspiracies swirled, increasing heat on Persona and leaving Song with no choice but to cautiously confront allegations. Hackers probe Persona Perhaps most problematic for Persona, the mass outrage prompted cybersecurity researchers to investigate. They quickly exposed a “workaround” to avoid Persona’s age checks on Discord, The Rage, an independent publication that covers financial surveillance, reported. But more concerning for privacy advocates, researchers also found the uncompressed of Persona’s frontend code “exposed to the open Internet on a US government authorized server.” “In 2,456 publicly accessible files, the code revealed the extensive surveillance Persona software performs on its users, bundled in an interface that pairs facial recognition with financial reporting—and a parallel implementation that appears designed to serve federal agencies,” The Rage reported. As The Rage reported, and Song confirmed to Ars, Persona does not currently have any government contracts. Instead, the exposed service “appears to be powered by an OpenAI chatbot,” The Rage noted. In correspondence with one of the researchers, Song clarified that this product is based on publicly available records for sanctions and warnings, and the service does not store any user data sent to it. Song told Ars that the product does not leverage AI. OpenAI is highlighted as an active partner on Persona’s website, which claims Persona screens millions of users for OpenAI each month. According to The Rage, “the publicly exposed domain, titled ‘openai-watchlistdb.withpersona.com,’” appears to “query identity verification requests on an OpenAI database” that has a “FedRAMP-authorized parallel implementation of the software called ‘withpersona-gov.com.’” Hackers warned “that OpenAI may have created an internal database for Persona identity checks that spans all OpenAI users via its internal watchlistdb,” seemingly exploiting the “opportunity to go from comparing users against a single federal watchlist, to creating the watchlist of all users themselves.” OpenAI did not immediately respond to Ars’ request to comment. Persona denies government, ICE ties On Wednesday, Persona’s chief operating officer, Christie Kim, sought to reassure Persona customers as the Discord controversy grew. In an email, Kim said that Persona invests “heavily in infrastructure, compliance, and internal training to ensure sensitive data is handled responsibly,” and not exposed. “Over the past week, multiple social media posts and online articles have circulated repeating misleading claims about Persona, insinuating conspiracies around our work with Discord and our investors,” Kim wrote. Noting that Persona does not “typically engage with online speculation,” Kim said that the scandal required a direct response “because we operate in a sensitive space and your trust in us is foundational to our partnership.” As expected, Kim noted that Persona is not partnered with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Transparently, we are actively working on a couple of potential contracts which would be publicly visible if we move forward,” Kim wrote. “However, these engagements are strictly for workforce account security of government employees and do not include ICE or any agency within the Department of Homeland Security.” Kim acknowledged that Thiel’s Founders Fund is an investor but said that investors do not have access to Persona data and that Thiel was not involved in Persona’s operations. “He is not on our board, does not advise us, has no role in our operations or decision-making, and is not directly involved with Persona in any way,” Kim wrote. “Persona and Palantir share no board members and have no business relationship with each other.” In the email, Kim confirmed that Persona was planning a press campaign to go on the defensive, speaking with media to clarify the narrative. She apologized for any inconvenience that the heightened scrutiny on the company’s services may have caused. That scrutiny has likely spooked partners that may have previously gravitated to Persona as a partner that seems savvy about government approvals. Persona combats ongoing trust issues For Persona, the PR nightmare comes at a time when age verification laws are gaining popularity and beginning to take force in various parts of the world. Persona’s background in verifying identities for financial services to prevent fraud seems to make its services—which The Rage noted combine facial recognition with financial reporting—an appealing option for platforms seeking a solution that will appease regulators. Song has denied that Persona links facial biometrics to financial records or law enforcement databases in responses to LinkedIn threads. But because of Persona’s background in financial services and fraud protection, its data retention policies—which require some data be retained for legal and audit purposes—will likely leave anyone uncomfortable with a tech company gathering a massive database of government IDs. Such databases are viewed as hugely attractive targets for bad actors behind costly breaches, and Discord’s users have already been burned once. On X, Song responded to one of the hackers—a user named Celeste with the handle @vmfunc—aiming to provide more transparency into how Persona was addressing the flagged issues. In the thread, he shared screenshots of emails documenting his correspondence with Celeste over security concerns. The correspondence showed that Celeste credited Persona for quickly fixing the front-end issue but also noted that it was hard to trust Persona’s story about government and Palantir ties, since the company wouldn’t put more information on the record. Additionally, Persona’s compliance team should be concerned that the company had not yet started an “in-depth security review,” Celeste said. “Unfortunately, there is no way I can fully trust you here and you know this,” Celeste wrote, “but I’m trying to act in good faith” by explicitly stating that “we found zero references” to ICE or other entities concerning critics “in all source files we found.” But Song and Celeste eventually ironed out some of the misunderstandings, with Celeste agreeing that flagged security concerns were not of such great severity. On Friday, Celeste posted on X that “I see a lot of misinformation going online about our recent post about Persona.” Later correspondence shared with Ars showed Celeste thanked Song for his honesty in responding to questions, noting that the CEO putting statements on the record countering the rumors carried weight in a situation where Persona’s claims couldn’t all necessarily be independently verified. This story has been updated to include additional insights from Persona. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://www.fast.ai/index.html] | [TOKENS: 1901] |
fast.ai—Making neural nets uncool again What analog and AI education both get wrong Sinister variations on the positive state of flow Experiments in reading with LLMs Chronic boredom causes stress, disengagement, and poor well-being in adults. So why do we glorify it for children? An overview of the features of the Solveit platform, which is designed to make exploration and iterative development easier and faster. Chris Lattner on software craftsmanship and AI A text and code version of Karpathy’s famous tokenizer video. An email sent to all fast.ai forum users. Introducing fasttransform, a Python library that makes data transformations reversible and extensible through the power of multiple dispatch. A friendly introduction to Foundation Models for Computational Pathology fast.ai is joining Answer.AI, and we’re announcing a new kind of educational experience, ‘How To Solve It With Code’ Pundits say my husband and I are parenting wrong. Answer.AI is a new kind of AI R&D lab which creates practical end-user products based on foundational research breakthroughs. We’ve noticed an unusual training pattern in fine-tuning LLMs. At first we thought it’s a bug, but now we think it shows LLMs can learn effectively from a single example. Moving AI ethics beyond explainability and fairness to justice Model licensing & surveillance will likely be counterproductive by concentrating power in unsustainable ways The history of technology suggests that the greatest risks come not from the tech, but from the people who control it Mojo is a new programming language, based on Python, which fixes Python’s performance and deployment problems. We’ve released our new course with over 30 hours of video content. Language is a source of limitation and liberation. GPT 4 pushes this idea to the extreme by giving us access to unlimited language. Last year, I became captivated by a new topic in a way that I hadn’t felt since I first discovered machine learning 4 videos from Practical Deep Learning for Coders Part 2, 2022 have been released as a special early preview of the new course. Signups are now open for Practical Deep Learning for Coders Part 2, 2022. Scholarships are available for fast.ai community contributors, open source developers, and diversity scholars. Practical Deep Learning for Coders part 2, 2022 Prior to 2020, we never expected to homeschool, and now we have committed to it long-term. Previously, using git with Jupyter could create conflicts and break notebooks. With nbdev2, the problem has been totally solved. Our favorite tool for software engineering productivity–nbdev, now re-written with Quarto A complete from-scratch rewrite of fast.ai’s most popular course, that’s been 2 years in the making. Notes taken whilst preparing a paper on mask efficacy from Nov to Jan 2022. My previous paper on this was written in April 2020 and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science Following the thread of any seemingly quantitative issue in AI ethics (such as determining if software to rate loan applicants is racially biased or evaluating YouTube’s recommendation system) quickly leads to a host of qualitative questions. Unfortunately, there is often a large divide between computer scientists and social scientists, with over-simplified assumptions and fundamental misunderstandings of one another. In the west, our ideas of harm are largely anchored to an individual being harmed by a particular action at a discrete moment in time. Yet the harms caused by algorithmic systems are often collective and communal. Many cultural factors, misconceptions, stereotypes, and obstacles turn people off to math. Lightning talks by Australian experts on a range of topics related to data science ethics, including machine learning in medicine, explainability, Indigenous-led AI, and the role of policy While data for social good projects can be useful, there are also pitfalls to avoid. Things can go disastrously wrong on data science and machine learning projects when we undervalue data work, use data in contexts that it wasn’t gathered for, or ignore the crucial role that humans play in the data science pipeline. All approved SARS-CoV-2 vaccines provide far more benefits than risks. The very rare risk of VITT from the AZ and JJ vaccines is not due to the spike proteins, but is most likely due to details of their formulation. Statistical tests need to be paired with proper data and study design to yield valid results. A recent review paper on Long Covid in children provides a useful example of how researchers can get this wrong. We use causal diagrams to decompose the problem and illustrate where errors were made. From covid-19 to HIV research to the long history of wrongly assuming women’s illnesses are psychosomatic, we have seen again and again that medicine, like all science, is political. Letter to the editor of the New Yorker on the irresponsible description of a suicide, undisclosed financial conflicts of interest, and omission of relevant medical research and historical context in their recent long covid article By using better masks, monitoring and improving indoor air quality, and rolling out rapid tests, we could quickly halt the current outbreaks in the Australian states of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. If we fail to do so, and open up before 80% of all Australians are vaccinated, we may have tens of thousands of deaths, and hundreds of thousands of children with chronic illness which could last for years. You can use filters in your mask, your home central air, and your fans to clean the air in your home. We’re releasing Practical Deep Learning for Coders (2020), fastai v2, fastcore, and fastgpu. To celebrate the release of fast.ai’s new course, book, and software libraries on August 21st, we’re making available the foreword that Soumith Chintala (the co-creator of PyTorch) wrote for the book Free, online course from fast.ai and University of San Francisco Data Institute covering disinformation, bias & fairness, ethical foundations, practical tools, privacy & surveillance, the silicon valley ecosystem, and algorithmic colonialism. You can permanently damage your back, neck, and wrists from working without an ergonomic setup. Learn how to create one for less at home. DIY masks aren’t just for protecting those around you. They can protect you too, but material and fit matters a lot. Learn what works, based on the latest research. SARS-CoV-2 does not float in the air. It’s expelled as large droplets, which are easily caught by a cloth mask. The University of San Francisco Center for Applied Data Ethics welcomes its first cohort of research fellows. Wearing a mask decreases the number of people infected by an infectious wearer, because it reduces by around 99% the number of droplets that are ejected during speech Most scientific evidence points in the same direction: keep your droplets to yourself - wear a mask At the CADE Tech Policy Workshop, members of local government, activists, researchers, and those in industry shared prespectives on how to understand the uses, risks, and opporutnities around government use of technology. An initiative from STEM teachers in Hong Kong to make reusable masks, for the community, by the community At the CADE Tech Policy Workshop, experts Renee DiResta and Guillaume Chaslot spoke on disinformation, including the dyanmics that cause it to go viral and attempts towards addressing it. At the CADE Tech Policy Workshop, Y-Vonne Hutchinson spoke about the role of tech in facilitating mass atrocity, and Catherine Bracy spoke on the need for empathy and collective action. As governments consider new uses of technology, in public places, this raises issues around surveillance of vulnerable populations, unintended consequences, and potential misuse. There are several principles to keep in mind in how these decisions can be made in a healthier and more responsible manner. With Jupyter Notebooks and fast_template, we can easily share prose, code, tables, charts, and more! Overview of 4 part series explaining how to host your own blog without any coding We show how to use fast_template’s special ‘screenshot’ feature to get high-resolution screenshots With GitHub Pages you can synchronize your blog with your computer, and write posts with MS Word or Google Docs An easy and free approach to using an entirely browser-based interface for all your blogging needs Pretrain a model using labels that are naturally part of the input data, instead of using external labels There’s a lot more to creating useful data projects than just training an accurate model nbdev is a Python programming environment which allows you to create complete python packages, including tests and a rich documentation system, all in Jupyter Notebooks Three months after the launch of CADE, find out what we’ve been up to and how you can get involved. Unthinkingly optimizing metrics can lead to a variety of grave harms, and what most current AI approaches do is to optimize metrics. 8 important truths about surveillance Fixing the delegation program using delegates decorator and GetAttr University of San Francisco is launching a Center of Applied Data Ethics, and Rachel Thomas is the director of the new center. fast.ai’s newest course is Code-First Intro to NLP. It covers a blend of traditional NLP techniques, recent deep learning approaches, and urgent ethical issues. Today we are releasing a new course, Deep Learning from the Foundations, which shows how to build a state of the art deep learning model from scratch. |
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[SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoencoder] | [TOKENS: 6659] |
Contents Autoencoder An autoencoder is a type of artificial neural network used to learn efficient codings of unlabeled data (unsupervised learning). An autoencoder learns two functions: an encoding function that transforms the input data, and a decoding function that recreates the input data from the encoded representation. The autoencoder learns an efficient representation (encoding) for a set of data, typically for dimensionality reduction, to generate lower-dimensional embeddings for subsequent use by other machine learning algorithms. Variants exist which aim to make the learned representations assume useful properties. Examples are regularized autoencoders (sparse, denoising and contractive autoencoders), which are effective in learning representations for subsequent classification tasks, and variational autoencoders, which can be used as generative models. Autoencoders are applied to many problems, including facial recognition, feature detection, anomaly detection, and learning the meaning of words. In terms of data synthesis, autoencoders can also be used to randomly generate new data that is similar to the input (training) data. Mathematical principles An autoencoder is defined by the following components: Two sets: the space of encoded messages Z {\displaystyle {\mathcal {Z}}} ; the space of decoded messages X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} . Typically X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} and Z {\displaystyle {\mathcal {Z}}} are Euclidean spaces, that is, X = R m , Z = R n {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}=\mathbb {R} ^{m},{\mathcal {Z}}=\mathbb {R} ^{n}} with m > n . {\displaystyle m>n.} Two parametrized families of functions: the encoder family E ϕ : X → Z {\displaystyle E_{\phi }:{\mathcal {X}}\rightarrow {\mathcal {Z}}} , parametrized by ϕ {\displaystyle \phi } ; the decoder family D θ : Z → X {\displaystyle D_{\theta }:{\mathcal {Z}}\rightarrow {\mathcal {X}}} , parametrized by θ {\displaystyle \theta } . For any x ∈ X {\displaystyle x\in {\mathcal {X}}} , we usually write z = E ϕ ( x ) {\displaystyle z=E_{\phi }(x)} , and refer to it as the code, the latent variable, latent representation, latent vector, etc. Conversely, for any z ∈ Z {\displaystyle z\in {\mathcal {Z}}} , we usually write x ′ = D θ ( z ) {\displaystyle x'=D_{\theta }(z)} , and refer to it as the (decoded) message. Usually, both the encoder and the decoder are defined as multilayer perceptrons (MLPs). For example, a one-layer-MLP encoder E ϕ {\displaystyle E_{\phi }} is: where σ {\displaystyle \sigma } is an element-wise activation function, W {\displaystyle W} is a "weight" matrix, and b {\displaystyle b} is a "bias" vector. An autoencoder, by itself, is simply a tuple of two functions. To judge its quality, we need a task. A task is defined by a reference probability distribution μ r e f {\displaystyle \mu _{ref}} over X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} , and a "reconstruction quality" function d : X × X → [ 0 , ∞ ] {\displaystyle d:{\mathcal {X}}\times {\mathcal {X}}\to [0,\infty ]} , such that d ( x , x ′ ) {\displaystyle d(x,x')} measures how much x ′ {\displaystyle x'} differs from x {\displaystyle x} . With those, we can define the loss function for the autoencoder as L ( θ , ϕ ) := E x ∼ μ r e f [ d ( x , D θ ( E ϕ ( x ) ) ) ] {\displaystyle L(\theta ,\phi ):=\mathbb {\mathbb {E} } _{x\sim \mu _{ref}}[d(x,D_{\theta }(E_{\phi }(x)))]} The optimal autoencoder for the given task ( μ r e f , d ) {\displaystyle (\mu _{ref},d)} is then arg min θ , ϕ L ( θ , ϕ ) {\displaystyle \arg \min _{\theta ,\phi }L(\theta ,\phi )} . The search for the optimal autoencoder can be accomplished by any mathematical optimization technique, but usually by gradient descent. This search process is referred to as "training the autoencoder". In most situations, the reference distribution is just the empirical distribution given by a dataset { x 1 , . . . , x N } ⊂ X {\displaystyle \{x_{1},...,x_{N}\}\subset {\mathcal {X}}} , so that μ r e f = 1 N ∑ i = 1 N δ x i {\displaystyle \mu _{ref}={\frac {1}{N}}\sum _{i=1}^{N}\delta _{x_{i}}} where δ x i {\displaystyle \delta _{x_{i}}} is the Dirac measure, the quality function is just L2 loss: d ( x , x ′ ) = ‖ x − x ′ ‖ 2 2 {\displaystyle d(x,x')=\|x-x'\|_{2}^{2}} , and ‖ ⋅ ‖ 2 {\displaystyle \|\cdot \|_{2}} is the Euclidean norm. Then the problem of searching for the optimal autoencoder is just a least-squares optimization: min θ , ϕ L ( θ , ϕ ) , where L ( θ , ϕ ) = 1 N ∑ i = 1 N ‖ x i − D θ ( E ϕ ( x i ) ) ‖ 2 2 {\displaystyle \min _{\theta ,\phi }L(\theta ,\phi ),\qquad {\text{where }}L(\theta ,\phi )={\frac {1}{N}}\sum _{i=1}^{N}\|x_{i}-D_{\theta }(E_{\phi }(x_{i}))\|_{2}^{2}} An autoencoder has two main parts: an encoder that maps the message to a code, and a decoder that reconstructs the message from the code. An optimal autoencoder would perform as close to perfect reconstruction as possible, with "close to perfect" defined by the reconstruction quality function d {\displaystyle d} . The simplest way to perform the copying task perfectly would be to duplicate the signal. To suppress this behavior, the code space Z {\displaystyle {\mathcal {Z}}} usually has fewer dimensions than the message space X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} . Such an autoencoder is called undercomplete. It can be interpreted as compressing the message, or reducing its dimensionality. At the limit of an ideal undercomplete autoencoder, every possible code z {\displaystyle z} in the code space is used to encode a message x {\displaystyle x} that really appears in the distribution μ r e f {\displaystyle \mu _{ref}} , and the decoder is also perfect: D θ ( E ϕ ( x ) ) = x {\displaystyle D_{\theta }(E_{\phi }(x))=x} . This ideal autoencoder can then be used to generate messages indistinguishable from real messages, by feeding its decoder arbitrary code z {\displaystyle z} and obtaining D θ ( z ) {\displaystyle D_{\theta }(z)} , which is a message that really appears in the distribution μ r e f {\displaystyle \mu _{ref}} . If the code space Z {\displaystyle {\mathcal {Z}}} has dimension larger than (overcomplete), or equal to, the message space X {\displaystyle {\mathcal {X}}} , or the hidden units are given enough capacity, an autoencoder can learn the identity function and become useless. However, experimental results found that overcomplete autoencoders might still learn useful features. In the ideal setting, the code dimension and the model capacity could be set on the basis of the complexity of the data distribution to be modeled. A standard way to do so is to add modifications to the basic autoencoder, to be detailed below. Variations Variational autoencoders (VAEs) belong to the families of variational Bayesian methods. Despite the architectural similarities with basic autoencoders, VAEs are architected with different goals and have a different mathematical formulation. The latent space is, in this case, composed of a mixture of distributions instead of fixed vectors. Given an input dataset x {\displaystyle x} characterized by an unknown probability function P ( x ) {\displaystyle P(x)} and a multivariate latent encoding vector z {\displaystyle z} , the objective is to model the data as a distribution p θ ( x ) {\displaystyle p_{\theta }(x)} , with θ {\displaystyle \theta } defined as the set of the network parameters so that p θ ( x ) = ∫ z p θ ( x , z ) d z {\displaystyle p_{\theta }(x)=\int _{z}p_{\theta }(x,z)dz} . Inspired by the sparse coding hypothesis in neuroscience, sparse autoencoders (SAE) are variants of autoencoders, such that the codes E ϕ ( x ) {\displaystyle E_{\phi }(x)} for messages tend to be sparse codes, that is, E ϕ ( x ) {\displaystyle E_{\phi }(x)} is close to zero in most entries. Sparse autoencoders may include more (rather than fewer) hidden units than inputs, but only a small number of the hidden units are allowed to be active at the same time. Encouraging sparsity improves performance on classification tasks. There are two main ways to enforce sparsity. One way is to simply clamp all but the highest-k activations of the latent code to zero. This is the k-sparse autoencoder. The k-sparse autoencoder inserts the following "k-sparse function" in the latent layer of a standard autoencoder: f k ( x 1 , . . . , x n ) = ( x 1 b 1 , . . . , x n b n ) {\displaystyle f_{k}(x_{1},...,x_{n})=(x_{1}b_{1},...,x_{n}b_{n})} where b i = 1 {\displaystyle b_{i}=1} if | x i | {\displaystyle |x_{i}|} ranks in the top k, and 0 otherwise. Backpropagating through f k {\displaystyle f_{k}} is simple: set gradient to 0 for b i = 0 {\displaystyle b_{i}=0} entries, and keep gradient for b i = 1 {\displaystyle b_{i}=1} entries. This is essentially a generalized ReLU function. The other way is a relaxed version of the k-sparse autoencoder. Instead of forcing sparsity, we add a sparsity regularization loss, then optimize for min θ , ϕ L ( θ , ϕ ) + λ L sparse ( θ , ϕ ) {\displaystyle \min _{\theta ,\phi }L(\theta ,\phi )+\lambda L_{\text{sparse}}(\theta ,\phi )} where λ > 0 {\displaystyle \lambda >0} measures how much sparsity we want to enforce. Let the autoencoder architecture have K {\displaystyle K} layers. To define a sparsity regularization loss, we need a "desired" sparsity ρ ^ k {\displaystyle {\hat {\rho }}_{k}} for each layer, a weight w k {\displaystyle w_{k}} for how much to enforce each sparsity, and a function s : [ 0 , 1 ] × [ 0 , 1 ] → [ 0 , ∞ ] {\displaystyle s:[0,1]\times [0,1]\to [0,\infty ]} to measure how much two sparsities differ. For each input x {\displaystyle x} , let the actual sparsity of activation in each layer k {\displaystyle k} be ρ k ( x ) = 1 n ∑ i = 1 n a k , i ( x ) {\displaystyle \rho _{k}(x)={\frac {1}{n}}\sum _{i=1}^{n}a_{k,i}(x)} where a k , i ( x ) {\displaystyle a_{k,i}(x)} is the activation in the i {\displaystyle i} -th neuron of the k {\displaystyle k} -th layer upon input x {\displaystyle x} . The sparsity loss upon input x {\displaystyle x} for one layer is s ( ρ ^ k , ρ k ( x ) ) {\displaystyle s({\hat {\rho }}_{k},\rho _{k}(x))} , and the sparsity regularization loss for the entire autoencoder is the expected weighted sum of sparsity losses: L sparse ( θ , ϕ ) = E x ∼ μ X [ ∑ k ∈ 1 : K w k s ( ρ ^ k , ρ k ( x ) ) ] {\displaystyle L_{\text{sparse}}(\theta ,\phi )=\mathbb {\mathbb {E} } _{x\sim \mu _{X}}\left[\sum _{k\in 1:K}w_{k}s({\hat {\rho }}_{k},\rho _{k}(x))\right]} Typically, the function s {\displaystyle s} is either the Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence, as or the L1 loss, as s ( ρ , ρ ^ ) = | ρ − ρ ^ | {\displaystyle s(\rho ,{\hat {\rho }})=|\rho -{\hat {\rho }}|} , or the L2 loss, as s ( ρ , ρ ^ ) = | ρ − ρ ^ | 2 {\displaystyle s(\rho ,{\hat {\rho }})=|\rho -{\hat {\rho }}|^{2}} . Alternatively, the sparsity regularization loss may be defined without reference to any "desired sparsity", but simply force as much sparsity as possible. In this case, one can define the sparsity regularization loss as L sparse ( θ , ϕ ) = E x ∼ μ X [ ∑ k ∈ 1 : K w k ‖ h k ‖ ] {\displaystyle L_{\text{sparse}}(\theta ,\phi )=\mathbb {\mathbb {E} } _{x\sim \mu _{X}}\left[\sum _{k\in 1:K}w_{k}\|h_{k}\|\right]} where h k {\displaystyle h_{k}} is the activation vector in the k {\displaystyle k} -th layer of the autoencoder. The norm ‖ ⋅ ‖ {\displaystyle \|\cdot \|} is usually the L1 norm (giving the L1 sparse autoencoder) or the L2 norm (giving the L2 sparse autoencoder). Denoising autoencoders (DAE) try to achieve a good representation by changing the reconstruction criterion. A DAE, originally called a "robust autoassociative network" by Mark A. Kramer, is trained by intentionally corrupting the inputs of a standard autoencoder during training. A noise process is defined by a probability distribution μ T {\displaystyle \mu _{T}} over functions T : X → X {\displaystyle T:{\mathcal {X}}\to {\mathcal {X}}} . That is, the function T {\displaystyle T} takes a message x ∈ X {\displaystyle x\in {\mathcal {X}}} , and corrupts it to a noisy version T ( x ) {\displaystyle T(x)} . The function T {\displaystyle T} is selected randomly, with a probability distribution μ T {\displaystyle \mu _{T}} . Given a task ( μ ref , d ) {\displaystyle (\mu _{\text{ref}},d)} , the problem of training a DAE is the optimization problem: min θ , ϕ L ( θ , ϕ ) = E x ∼ μ X , T ∼ μ T [ d ( x , ( D θ ∘ E ϕ ∘ T ) ( x ) ) ] {\displaystyle \min _{\theta ,\phi }L(\theta ,\phi )=\mathbb {\mathbb {E} } _{x\sim \mu _{X},T\sim \mu _{T}}[d(x,(D_{\theta }\circ E_{\phi }\circ T)(x))]} That is, the optimal DAE should take any noisy message and attempt to recover the original message without noise, thus the name "denoising". Usually, the noise process T {\displaystyle T} is applied only during training and testing, not during downstream use. The use of DAE depends on two assumptions: Example noise processes include: A contractive autoencoder (CAE) adds the contractive regularization loss to the standard autoencoder loss: min θ , ϕ L ( θ , ϕ ) + λ L cont ( θ , ϕ ) {\displaystyle \min _{\theta ,\phi }L(\theta ,\phi )+\lambda L_{\text{cont}}(\theta ,\phi )} where λ > 0 {\displaystyle \lambda >0} measures how much contractive-ness we want to enforce. The contractive regularization loss itself is defined as the expected square of Frobenius norm of the Jacobian matrix of the encoder activations with respect to the input: L cont ( θ , ϕ ) = E x ∼ μ r e f ‖ ∇ x E ϕ ( x ) ‖ F 2 {\displaystyle L_{\text{cont}}(\theta ,\phi )=\mathbb {E} _{x\sim \mu _{ref}}\|\nabla _{x}E_{\phi }(x)\|_{F}^{2}} To understand what L cont {\displaystyle L_{\text{cont}}} measures, note the fact ‖ E ϕ ( x + δ x ) − E ϕ ( x ) ‖ 2 ≤ ‖ ∇ x E ϕ ( x ) ‖ F ‖ δ x ‖ 2 {\displaystyle \|E_{\phi }(x+\delta x)-E_{\phi }(x)\|_{2}\leq \|\nabla _{x}E_{\phi }(x)\|_{F}\|\delta x\|_{2}} for any message x ∈ X {\displaystyle x\in {\mathcal {X}}} , and small variation δ x {\displaystyle \delta x} in it. Thus, if ‖ ∇ x E ϕ ( x ) ‖ F 2 {\displaystyle \|\nabla _{x}E_{\phi }(x)\|_{F}^{2}} is small, it means that a small neighborhood of the message maps to a small neighborhood of its code. This is a desired property, as it means small variation in the message leads to small, perhaps even zero, variation in its code, like how two pictures may look the same even if they are not exactly the same. The DAE can be understood as an infinitesimal limit of CAE: in the limit of small Gaussian input noise, DAEs make the reconstruction function resist small but finite-sized input perturbations, while CAEs make the extracted features resist infinitesimal input perturbations. A minimum description length autoencoder (MDL-AE) is an advanced variation of the traditional autoencoder, which leverages principles from information theory, specifically the Minimum Description Length (MDL) principle. The MDL principle posits that the best model for a dataset is the one that provides the shortest combined encoding of the model and the data. In the context of autoencoders, this principle is applied to ensure that the learned representation is not only compact but also interpretable and efficient for reconstruction. The MDL-AE seeks to minimize the total description length of the data, which includes the size of the latent representation (code length) and the error in reconstructing the original data. The objective can be expressed as L code + L error {\displaystyle L_{\text{code}}+L_{\text{error}}} , where L code {\displaystyle L_{\text{code}}} represents the length of the compressed latent representation and L error {\displaystyle L_{\text{error}}} denotes the reconstruction error. The concrete autoencoder is designed for discrete feature selection. A concrete autoencoder forces the latent space to consist only of a user-specified number of features. The concrete autoencoder uses a continuous relaxation of the categorical distribution to allow gradients to pass through the feature selector layer, which makes it possible to use standard backpropagation to learn an optimal subset of input features that minimize reconstruction loss. Advantages of depth Autoencoders are often trained with a single-layer encoder and a single-layer decoder, but using many-layered (deep) encoders and decoders offers many advantages. Geoffrey Hinton developed the deep belief network technique for training many-layered deep autoencoders. His method involves treating each neighboring set of two layers as a restricted Boltzmann machine so that pretraining approximates a good solution, then using backpropagation to fine-tune the results. Researchers have debated whether joint training (i.e. training the whole architecture together with a single global reconstruction objective to optimize) would be better for deep auto-encoders. A 2015 study showed that joint training learns better data models along with more representative features for classification as compared to the layerwise method. However, their experiments showed that the success of joint training depends heavily on the regularization strategies adopted. History (Oja, 1982) noted that PCA is equivalent to a neural network with one hidden layer with identity activation function. In the language of autoencoding, the input-to-hidden module is the encoder, and the hidden-to-output module is the decoder. Subsequently, in (Baldi and Hornik, 1989) and (Kramer, 1991) generalized PCA to autoencoders, a technique which they termed "nonlinear PCA". Immediately after the resurgence of neural networks in the 1980s, it was suggested in 1986 that a neural network be put in "auto-association mode". This was then implemented in (Harrison, 1987) and (Elman, Zipser, 1988) for speech and in (Cottrell, Munro, Zipser, 1987) for images. In (Hinton, Salakhutdinov, 2006), deep belief networks were developed. These train a pair restricted Boltzmann machines as encoder-decoder pairs, then train another pair on the latent representation of the first pair, and so on. The first applications of AE date to early 1990s. Their most traditional application was dimensionality reduction or feature learning, but the concept became widely used for learning generative models of data. Some of the most powerful AIs in the 2010s involved autoencoder modules as a component of larger AI systems, such as VAE in Stable Diffusion, discrete VAE in Transformer-based image generators like DALL-E 1, etc. During the early days, when the terminology was uncertain, the autoencoder has also been called identity mapping, auto-associating, self-supervised backpropagation, or Diabolo network. Applications The two main applications of autoencoders are dimensionality reduction and information retrieval (or associative memory), but modern variations have been applied to other tasks. Dimensionality reduction was one of the first deep learning applications. For Hinton's 2006 study, he pretrained a multi-layer autoencoder with a stack of RBMs and then used their weights to initialize a deep autoencoder with gradually smaller hidden layers until hitting a bottleneck of 30 neurons. The resulting 30 dimensions of the code yielded a smaller reconstruction error compared to the first 30 components of a principal component analysis (PCA), and learned a representation that was qualitatively easier to interpret, clearly separating data clusters. Reducing dimensions can improve performance on tasks such as classification. Indeed, the hallmark of dimensionality reduction is to place semantically related examples near each other. If linear activations are used, or only a single sigmoid hidden layer, then the optimal solution to an autoencoder is strongly related to principal component analysis (PCA). The weights of an autoencoder with a single hidden layer of size p {\displaystyle p} (where p {\displaystyle p} is less than the size of the input) span the same vector subspace as the one spanned by the first p {\displaystyle p} principal components, and the output of the autoencoder is an orthogonal projection onto this subspace. The autoencoder weights are not equal to the principal components, and are generally not orthogonal, yet the principal components may be recovered from them using the singular value decomposition. However, the potential of autoencoders resides in their non-linearity, allowing the model to learn more powerful generalizations compared to PCA, and to reconstruct the input with significantly lower information loss. Information retrieval benefits particularly from dimensionality reduction in that search can become more efficient in certain kinds of low dimensional spaces. Autoencoders were indeed applied to semantic hashing, proposed by Salakhutdinov and Hinton in 2007. By training the algorithm to produce a low-dimensional binary code, all database entries could be stored in a hash table mapping binary code vectors to entries. This table would then support information retrieval by returning all entries with the same binary code as the query, or slightly less similar entries by flipping some bits from the query encoding. An autoencoder hippocampus network is a neural network that combines the principles of an autoencoder with a model of the hippocampus's memory functions to perform tasks like skill acquisition and recall in artificial systems. An autoencoder compresses policy function parameters into a compressed "skill vector" and then reconstructs the original data, mirroring the hippocampus's ability to encode and recall information. This framework can be used to learn, store, and retrieve different skills or memories, such as policy function parameters for a robot, by creating a latent space representation of these skills. Another application for autoencoders is anomaly detection. By learning to replicate the most salient features in the training data under some of the constraints described previously, the model is encouraged to learn to precisely reproduce the most frequently observed characteristics. When facing anomalies, the model should worsen its reconstruction performance. In most cases, only data with normal instances are used to train the autoencoder; in others, the frequency of anomalies is small compared to the observation set so that its contribution to the learned representation could be ignored. After training, the autoencoder will accurately reconstruct "normal" data, while failing to do so with unfamiliar anomalous data. Reconstruction error (the error between the original data and its low dimensional reconstruction) is used as an anomaly score to detect anomalies. Typically, this means that on a validation set the empirical distribution of reconstruction errors is recorded and then (e.g.) the empirical 95-percentile x p {\displaystyle x_{p}} is taken as threshold t := x p {\displaystyle t:=x_{p}} to flag anomalous data points: loss ( x , reconstruction ( x ) ) > t ⟹ anomaly {\displaystyle {\text{loss}}(x,{\text{reconstruction}}(x))>t\implies {\text{anomaly}}} . Since the threshold is an empirical quantile estimate, there is an inherent difficulty with "correctly" setting this threshold: In many cases the distribution of the empirical quantile is asymptotically a normal distribution empirical p-quantile ∼ N ( μ = p , σ 2 = p ( 1 − p ) n f ( x p ) 2 ) , {\displaystyle {\text{empirical p-quantile}}\sim {\mathcal {N}}\left(\mu =p,\sigma ^{2}={\frac {p(1-p)}{nf(x_{p})^{2}}}\right),} with f ( x p ) {\displaystyle f(x_{p})} the probability density at the quantile. This means that the variance grows if an extreme quantile is considered (because f ( x p ) {\displaystyle f(x_{p})} is small there). This means that there is a, potentially, a big uncertainty in what is the right choice for the threshold since it is estimated from a validation set. Recent literature has however shown that certain autoencoding models can, counterintuitively, be very good at reconstructing anomalous examples and consequently not able to reliably perform anomaly detection. Intuitively, this can be understood by considering those one layer auto encoders which are related to PCA - also in this case there can be perfect rein reconstructions for points which are far away from the data region but which lie on a principal component axis. It is best to analyze if the anomalies which are flagged by the auto encoder are true anomalies. In this sense all the metrics in Evaluation of binary classifiers can be considered. The fundamental challenge which comes with the unsupervised (self-supervised) learning setting is, that labels for rare events do not exist (in which case the labels first have to be gathered and the data set will be imbalanced) or anomaly indicating labels are very rare, introducing larger confidence intervals for these performance estimates. The characteristics of autoencoders are useful in image processing. One example can be found in lossy image compression, where autoencoders outperformed other approaches and proved competitive against JPEG 2000. Another useful application of autoencoders in image preprocessing is image denoising. Autoencoders found use in more demanding contexts such as medical imaging where they have been used for image denoising as well as super-resolution. In image-assisted diagnosis, experiments have applied autoencoders for breast cancer detection and for modelling the relation between the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease and the latent features of an autoencoder trained with MRI. In 2019 molecules generated with variational autoencoders were validated experimentally in mice. Recently, a stacked autoencoder framework produced promising results in predicting popularity of social media posts, which is helpful for online advertising strategies. Autoencoders have been applied to machine translation, which is usually referred to as neural machine translation (NMT). Unlike traditional autoencoders, the output does not match the input - it is in another language. In NMT, texts are treated as sequences to be encoded into the learning procedure, while on the decoder side sequences in the target language(s) are generated. Language-specific autoencoders incorporate further linguistic features into the learning procedure, such as Chinese decomposition features. Machine translation is rarely still done with autoencoders, due to the availability of more effective transformer networks. Autoencoders in communication systems are important because they help in encoding data into a more resilient representation for channel impairments, which is crucial for transmitting information while minimizing errors. In Addition, AE-based systems can optimize end-to-end communication performance. This approach can solve the several limitations of designing communication systems such as the inherent difficulty in accurately modeling the complex behavior of real-world channels. See also Further reading References |
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Cars // All things automotive Tesla slashes Cybertruck prices as it tries to move (unpainted) metal The stainless steel pickup truck is Tesla’s first real flop. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/20/2026 | 330 Tesla slashes Cybertruck prices as it tries to move (unpainted) metal The stainless steel pickup truck is Tesla’s first real flop. F1: Preseason tests show how different 2026 will be Everyone’s trying to get mileage as F1 undergoes huge technical changes. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/19/2026 | 53 F1: Preseason tests show how different 2026 will be Everyone’s trying to get mileage as F1 undergoes huge technical changes. Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. Tim Stevens – 2/19/2026 | 39 Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. Chevy Bolt, BMW i3, or something else? 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Gitlin – 2/17/2026 | 295 Ford is focusing on efficiency to make its 2027 $30,000 EV pickup affordable A smaller battery means a cheaper truck, but customers still expect plenty of range. Looks a lot like an electric station wagon: the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland A little more ground clearance and a lot more cargo room make the bZ compelling. Chad Kirchner – 2/17/2026 | 142 Looks a lot like an electric station wagon: the 2026 Toyota bZ Woodland A little more ground clearance and a lot more cargo room make the bZ compelling. Sideways on the ice, in a supercar: Stability control is getting very good To test stability control, it helps to have a wide-open space with very low grip. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/16/2026 | 81 Sideways on the ice, in a supercar: Stability control is getting very good To test stability control, it helps to have a wide-open space with very low grip. What if riders don’t close a robotaxi door after a ride? Try DoorDash. Robotaxis can’t escape the gig economy as Waymo tries to solve a human problem. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/13/2026 | 177 What if riders don’t close a robotaxi door after a ride? Try DoorDash. Robotaxis can’t escape the gig economy as Waymo tries to solve a human problem. 2026 Nissan Leaf review: The best budget EV on sale right now A week with the new Leaf in frigid weather did not cool our feelings for the car. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/12/2026 | 167 2026 Nissan Leaf review: The best budget EV on sale right now A week with the new Leaf in frigid weather did not cool our feelings for the car. America, it’s time to think beyond leather for luxury car seats Some brands are already ahead of the curve, while others leave the US in the cold. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/11/2026 | 276 America, it’s time to think beyond leather for luxury car seats Some brands are already ahead of the curve, while others leave the US in the cold. The Kia PV5 electric van combines futuristic looks and thoughtful design Forget VW’s expensive retro bus—this is the electric van we’ve been waiting for. Alex Goy – 2/10/2026 | 172 The Kia PV5 electric van combines futuristic looks and thoughtful design Forget VW’s expensive retro bus—this is the electric van we’ve been waiting for. Ive and Newson bring old-school charm to Ferrari’s first EV interior Analogue dials, aluminum switches, and plenty of buttons for the Ferrari Luce. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/9/2026 | 176 Ive and Newson bring old-school charm to Ferrari’s first EV interior Analogue dials, aluminum switches, and plenty of buttons for the Ferrari Luce. Waymo leverages Genie 3 to create a world model for self-driving cars With Genie 3, Waymo wants to explore rare and even impossible driving conditions. Ryan Whitwam – 2/6/2026 | 115 Waymo leverages Genie 3 to create a world model for self-driving cars With Genie 3, Waymo wants to explore rare and even impossible driving conditions. Driven: The 2026 Lamborghini Temerario raises the bar for supercars This V8 hybrid with more than 900 hp replaces the V10 Huracán. Bradley Iger – 2/6/2026 | 115 Driven: The 2026 Lamborghini Temerario raises the bar for supercars This V8 hybrid with more than 900 hp replaces the V10 Huracán. Stellantis swallows $26 billion costs as it rethinks its EV strategy The automaker follows Ford and GM in writing down huge sums after betting wrong. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/6/2026 | 332 Stellantis swallows $26 billion costs as it rethinks its EV strategy The automaker follows Ford and GM in writing down huge sums after betting wrong. Tesla slipped behind VW in European EV sales last year Electric vehicle sales increased by 29% in 2025, even as overall sales grew 2.2%. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/5/2026 | 267 Tesla slipped behind VW in European EV sales last year Electric vehicle sales increased by 29% in 2025, even as overall sales grew 2.2%. China bans all retractable car door handles, starting next year The pop-out door handle ban starts in 2027 for new cars, 2029 for existing models. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/3/2026 | 605 China bans all retractable car door handles, starting next year The pop-out door handle ban starts in 2027 for new cars, 2029 for existing models. How far does $5,000 go when you want an electric car? You won’t be going on road trips, but a very cheap electric runabout is possible. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/30/2026 | 212 How far does $5,000 go when you want an electric car? You won’t be going on road trips, but a very cheap electric runabout is possible. Tesla kills Models S and X to build humanoid robots instead EVs that were once industry-leading have long since been left behind. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/29/2026 | 518 Tesla kills Models S and X to build humanoid robots instead EVs that were once industry-leading have long since been left behind. Tesla: 2024 was bad, 2025 was worse as profit falls 46 percent More than half its profit came from emissions credits as sales fell 8.6 percent. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/28/2026 | 431 Tesla: 2024 was bad, 2025 was worse as profit falls 46 percent More than half its profit came from emissions credits as sales fell 8.6 percent. Volvo invented the three-point seat belt 67 years ago; now it has improved it The EX60 senses a passenger’s size and weight, determining how much force to use. Kristin Shaw – 1/27/2026 | 152 Volvo invented the three-point seat belt 67 years ago; now it has improved it The EX60 senses a passenger’s size and weight, determining how much force to use. Why NASA, IMSA, and tech companies are teaming up on tech transfer IMSA Labs will use the vast amount of race car data collected during a race to improve simulations. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/27/2026 | 5 Why NASA, IMSA, and tech companies are teaming up on tech transfer IMSA Labs will use the vast amount of race car data collected during a race to improve simulations. Tesla kills Autopilot, locks lane-keeping behind $99/month fee With falling sales and shrinking profits, the recurring revenue will be most welcome. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/23/2026 | 566 Tesla kills Autopilot, locks lane-keeping behind $99/month fee With falling sales and shrinking profits, the recurring revenue will be most welcome. 2026 Lucid Air Touring review: This feels like a complete car now It’s efficient, easy to live with, and smooth to drive. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/23/2026 | 189 2026 Lucid Air Touring review: This feels like a complete car now It’s efficient, easy to live with, and smooth to drive. Here’s Volvo’s new EX60 $60,000 electric midsize SUV The EX60 goes into production in April 2026. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/21/2026 | 164 Here’s Volvo’s new EX60 $60,000 electric midsize SUV The EX60 goes into production in April 2026. Feds give Tesla another five weeks to respond to FSD probe Regulators want to know why Tesla’s system ignores red lights and runs into traffic. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/16/2026 | 240 Feds give Tesla another five weeks to respond to FSD probe Regulators want to know why Tesla’s system ignores red lights and runs into traffic. Ferrari doing what it does best: The 12Cilindri review Retro design and a naturally aspirated V12 deliver tremendous appeal, but it’ll cost ya. Bradley Iger – 1/16/2026 | 104 Ferrari doing what it does best: The 12Cilindri review Retro design and a naturally aspirated V12 deliver tremendous appeal, but it’ll cost ya. The difficulty of driving an EV in the “most beautiful race in the world” Jet lag and charging added plenty of complications to this regularity road rally. Michael Teo Van Runkle – 1/15/2026 | 39 The difficulty of driving an EV in the “most beautiful race in the world” Jet lag and charging added plenty of complications to this regularity road rally. Exclusive: Volvo tells us why having Gemini in your next car is a good thing In-car personal assistants are about to get useful, it looks like. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/15/2026 | 187 Exclusive: Volvo tells us why having Gemini in your next car is a good thing In-car personal assistants are about to get useful, it looks like. Is 2026 the year buttons come back to cars? Crash testers say yes. The requirements won’t go far enough for many, but it’s a start. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/14/2026 | 204 Is 2026 the year buttons come back to cars? Crash testers say yes. The requirements won’t go far enough for many, but it’s a start. BMW’s first electric M car is coming in 2027—with one motor per wheel Here’s what we know about the first BMW EV to wear a proper M badge. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/13/2026 | 91 BMW’s first electric M car is coming in 2027—with one motor per wheel Here’s what we know about the first BMW EV to wear a proper M badge. This one could use less power: The Jeep Wagoneer S EV Poorly calibrated pedal mapping marred the Wagoneer S experience. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/13/2026 | 56 This one could use less power: The Jeep Wagoneer S EV Poorly calibrated pedal mapping marred the Wagoneer S experience. The Chevrolet Bolt is back… but for how long? The new LFP battery pack has 262 miles of range and fast-charges at 150 kW. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/12/2026 | 216 The Chevrolet Bolt is back… but for how long? The new LFP battery pack has 262 miles of range and fast-charges at 150 kW. General Motors writes down $6 billion as domestic EV sales plans change Canceled contracts and scaled-back product plans turn out to be costly. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/9/2026 | 235 General Motors writes down $6 billion as domestic EV sales plans change Canceled contracts and scaled-back product plans turn out to be costly. Volvo says new EX60 has 400-mile range, charges up to 400 kW The new EX60 will be unveiled later this month; here’s what we know. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/8/2026 | 160 Volvo says new EX60 has 400-mile range, charges up to 400 kW The new EX60 will be unveiled later this month; here’s what we know. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/02/nasa-reports-no-significant-leaks-in-artemis-ii-fueling-test-eyes-march-6-launch/] | [TOKENS: 3040] |
Clear path After fueling test, optimism grows for March launch of Artemis II to the Moon “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt … there is still pending work.” Stephen Clark – Feb 20, 2026 6:55 pm | 25 NASA's Space Launch System stands more than 320 feet tall on Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky NASA's Space Launch System stands more than 320 feet tall on Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav A second fueling test on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket ended Thursday night, giving senior managers enough confidence to move forward with plans to launch four astronauts around the Moon as soon as March 6. Unlike the first attempt to load propellants into the SLS rocket on February 2, there were no major leaks during Thursday’s practice countdown at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians swapped seals at the launch pad after hydrogen gas leaked from the rocket’s main fueling line earlier this month. This time, the seals held. “For the most part, those fixes all performed pretty well yesterday,” said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s exploration programs. “We were able to fully fuel the SLS rocket within the planned timeline.” The results keep the Artemis II mission on track for liftoff as soon as next month. NASA gave up on a series of February launch opportunities after encountering a persistent hydrogen leak during the first Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt,” Glaze said. “I am going to caveat that. I want to be open, transparent with all of you that there is still pending work. There’s work, a lot of forward work, that remains.” If teams complete all of that work, liftoff of the Artemis II mission could occur within a two-hour window opening at 8:29 pm EST on March 6 (01:29 UTC on March 7). NASA has other launch dates available on March 7, 8, 9, and 11, but the mission may have to wait until April. There are approximately five days per month that the mission can depart the Earth after accounting for the position of the Moon in its orbit, the flight’s trajectory, and thermal and lighting constraints. The Artemis II mission will last between nine and 10 days, taking NASA’s Orion spacecraft with commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Wiseman’s crew will set the record for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth, and will become the first people to fly to the vicinity of the Moon since 1972. Artemis II is a precursor for follow-in missions that will target landings at the Moon’s south pole. NASA aims to land the first Artemis mission on the Moon by 2028, but the schedule comes with uncertainties, such as the readiness of a human-rated lander, spacesuits, and the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. A successful Artemis II mission would help demonstrate that the SLS rocket and Orion will be ready. “The excitement for Artemis II is really, really starting to build,” Glaze said. “We can really start to feel it. It’s coming.” “A good day for us” But getting to launch day for Artemis II has not been smooth sailing for NASA. The mission’s first fueling test ran several hours behind schedule on February 2. The launch team paused loading propellant into the rocket after identifying a leak in the connection where supercold liquid hydrogen flows from the launch platform into the SLS core stage. Sensors near the connection detected hydrogen concentrations exceeding NASA’s safety limit of 16 percent during the first countdown rehearsal. The launch team temporarily contained the leak within limits by stopping and restarting the flow of hydrogen, but the hydrogen leak again tripped the safety threshold as the core stage fuel tank began to pressurize in the final 10 minutes of the countdown. NASA called an end to the test, drained propellants from the rocket, and ordered workers to replace seals on the fueling umbilical, setting up for the second WDR this week. This time, the hydrogen sensors topped out at 1.6 percent, about one-tenth of NASA’s limit. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, said her team saw “very good performance” from the hydrogen seals on Thursday. The countdown ran close to the planned schedule, allowing the launch team to complete two runs through the final 10-minute terminal countdown sequence before ending the test at T-minus 29 seconds. “When we wrapped all that up, we still had launch window remaining,” Blackwell-Thompson said. “So, very successful day. I’m very proud of this team and all that they accomplished to get us to yesterday and then to go execute with such precision.” Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, and John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team, speak to reporters at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Friday, February 20, 2026. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, and John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team, speak to reporters at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Friday, February 20, 2026. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett Engineers will spend the next few days examining all the data from Thursday’s countdown. Several other issues popped up during the test. The launch team overcame a communications problem and briefly paused the countdown to assess a potential issue with a booster avionics system. Blackwell-Thompson said engineers will continue assessing the avionics system to ensure it is ready for launch. “So far, we don’t have any indications of anything that we’re worried about, but we’re just getting started [with the data review],” said John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team. “So, we’ll go through that and see what the teams come up with and address those as needed, but overall, it was a good day for us.” “Forward work” There is no guarantee, of course, that the hydrogen seals will work as well the next time NASA fuels the SLS rocket. The seals, made of Teflon, have a history of fickleness. NASA encountered persistent hydrogen leaks ahead of the launch of the first SLS rocket on the Artemis I mission 2022. But the seals worked better on Thursday than they did during any of the prior fueling operations. There are no plans to go in and replace them again before launch. “I’ve got a pretty high level of confidence in the configuration that we’re in right now,” Honeycutt said. The “forward work” ahead for the Artemis II team includes a Flight Readiness Review late next week, when senior agency leaders will convene to formally certify the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for flight. Over the next few days, technicians at Kennedy Space Center will retest the rocket’s range safety destruct system. The Artemis II astronauts entered NASA’s standard two-week-long preflight medical quarantine on Friday at their home base in Houston. Wiseman and his crewmates will fly to Florida about five to seven days before launch. Stephen Clark Space Reporter Stephen Clark Space Reporter Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the world’s space agencies. Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. 25 Comments After fueling test, optimism grows for March launch of Artemis II to the Moon “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt … there is still pending work.” A second fueling test on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket ended Thursday night, giving senior managers enough confidence to move forward with plans to launch four astronauts around the Moon as soon as March 6. Unlike the first attempt to load propellants into the SLS rocket on February 2, there were no major leaks during Thursday’s practice countdown at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians swapped seals at the launch pad after hydrogen gas leaked from the rocket’s main fueling line earlier this month. This time, the seals held. “For the most part, those fixes all performed pretty well yesterday,” said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s exploration programs. “We were able to fully fuel the SLS rocket within the planned timeline.” The results keep the Artemis II mission on track for liftoff as soon as next month. NASA gave up on a series of February launch opportunities after encountering a persistent hydrogen leak during the first Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt,” Glaze said. “I am going to caveat that. I want to be open, transparent with all of you that there is still pending work. There’s work, a lot of forward work, that remains.” If teams complete all of that work, liftoff of the Artemis II mission could occur within a two-hour window opening at 8:29 pm EST on March 6 (01:29 UTC on March 7). NASA has other launch dates available on March 7, 8, 9, and 11, but the mission may have to wait until April. There are approximately five days per month that the mission can depart the Earth after accounting for the position of the Moon in its orbit, the flight’s trajectory, and thermal and lighting constraints. The Artemis II mission will last between nine and 10 days, taking NASA’s Orion spacecraft with commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Wiseman’s crew will set the record for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth, and will become the first people to fly to the vicinity of the Moon since 1972. Artemis II is a precursor for follow-in missions that will target landings at the Moon’s south pole. NASA aims to land the first Artemis mission on the Moon by 2028, but the schedule comes with uncertainties, such as the readiness of a human-rated lander, spacesuits, and the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. A successful Artemis II mission would help demonstrate that the SLS rocket and Orion will be ready. “The excitement for Artemis II is really, really starting to build,” Glaze said. “We can really start to feel it. It’s coming.” “A good day for us” But getting to launch day for Artemis II has not been smooth sailing for NASA. The mission’s first fueling test ran several hours behind schedule on February 2. The launch team paused loading propellant into the rocket after identifying a leak in the connection where supercold liquid hydrogen flows from the launch platform into the SLS core stage. Sensors near the connection detected hydrogen concentrations exceeding NASA’s safety limit of 16 percent during the first countdown rehearsal. The launch team temporarily contained the leak within limits by stopping and restarting the flow of hydrogen, but the hydrogen leak again tripped the safety threshold as the core stage fuel tank began to pressurize in the final 10 minutes of the countdown. NASA called an end to the test, drained propellants from the rocket, and ordered workers to replace seals on the fueling umbilical, setting up for the second WDR this week. This time, the hydrogen sensors topped out at 1.6 percent, about one-tenth of NASA’s limit. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, said her team saw “very good performance” from the hydrogen seals on Thursday. The countdown ran close to the planned schedule, allowing the launch team to complete two runs through the final 10-minute terminal countdown sequence before ending the test at T-minus 29 seconds. “When we wrapped all that up, we still had launch window remaining,” Blackwell-Thompson said. “So, very successful day. I’m very proud of this team and all that they accomplished to get us to yesterday and then to go execute with such precision.” Engineers will spend the next few days examining all the data from Thursday’s countdown. Several other issues popped up during the test. The launch team overcame a communications problem and briefly paused the countdown to assess a potential issue with a booster avionics system. Blackwell-Thompson said engineers will continue assessing the avionics system to ensure it is ready for launch. “So far, we don’t have any indications of anything that we’re worried about, but we’re just getting started [with the data review],” said John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team. “So, we’ll go through that and see what the teams come up with and address those as needed, but overall, it was a good day for us.” “Forward work” There is no guarantee, of course, that the hydrogen seals will work as well the next time NASA fuels the SLS rocket. The seals, made of Teflon, have a history of fickleness. NASA encountered persistent hydrogen leaks ahead of the launch of the first SLS rocket on the Artemis I mission 2022. But the seals worked better on Thursday than they did during any of the prior fueling operations. There are no plans to go in and replace them again before launch. “I’ve got a pretty high level of confidence in the configuration that we’re in right now,” Honeycutt said. The “forward work” ahead for the Artemis II team includes a Flight Readiness Review late next week, when senior agency leaders will convene to formally certify the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for flight. Over the next few days, technicians at Kennedy Space Center will retest the rocket’s range safety destruct system. The Artemis II astronauts entered NASA’s standard two-week-long preflight medical quarantine on Friday at their home base in Houston. Wiseman and his crewmates will fly to Florida about five to seven days before launch. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/science/] | [TOKENS: 2783] |
Science // Science & Exploration “Million-year-old” fossil skulls from China are far older—and not Denisovans The revised age may help make sense of 2-million-year-old stone tools elsewhere in China. Kiona N. Smith – 2/20/2026 | 44 “Million-year-old” fossil skulls from China are far older—and not Denisovans The revised age may help make sense of 2-million-year-old stone tools elsewhere in China. Rocket Report: Chinese launch firm raises big money; Falcon 9 back to the Bahamas The company that attempted China’s first orbital-class rocket landing says it will soon try again. Stephen Clark – 2/20/2026 | 73 Rocket Report: Chinese launch firm raises big money; Falcon 9 back to the Bahamas The company that attempted China’s first orbital-class rocket landing says it will soon try again. From chickens to humans, animals think “bouba” sounds round There seems to be a deep-seated association between sounds and shapes. John Timmer – 2/19/2026 | 64 From chickens to humans, animals think “bouba” sounds round There seems to be a deep-seated association between sounds and shapes. Rare gifted word-learner dogs like to share their toys “It raises the possibility that social motivation plays a role in why some dogs end up learning object names.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/19/2026 | 74 Rare gifted word-learner dogs like to share their toys “It raises the possibility that social motivation plays a role in why some dogs end up learning object names.” Microsoft’s new 10,000-year data storage medium: glass Femtosecond lasers etch data into a very stable medium. John Timmer – 2/18/2026 | 201 Microsoft’s new 10,000-year data storage medium: glass Femtosecond lasers etch data into a very stable medium. X-rays reveal kingfisher feather structure in unprecedented detail Synchrotron radiation imaging revealed a porous, almost sponge-like nanostructure to create bright hues Jennifer Ouellette – 2/18/2026 | 18 X-rays reveal kingfisher feather structure in unprecedented detail Synchrotron radiation imaging revealed a porous, almost sponge-like nanostructure to create bright hues There’s a lot of big talk about sovereign launch—who is doing something about it? As alliances fray, these are the nations investing in sovereign access to space. Stephen Clark – 2/17/2026 | 75 There’s a lot of big talk about sovereign launch—who is doing something about it? As alliances fray, these are the nations investing in sovereign access to space. Scientists hunting mammoth fossils found whales 400 km inland Sometimes, new data raises more questions than it answers. Kiona N. Smith – 2/17/2026 | 35 Scientists hunting mammoth fossils found whales 400 km inland Sometimes, new data raises more questions than it answers. A fluid can store solar energy and then release it as heat months later Sunlight can cause a molecule to change structure, and then release heat later. Jacek Krywko – 2/16/2026 | 127 A fluid can store solar energy and then release it as heat months later Sunlight can cause a molecule to change structure, and then release heat later. Ancient Mars was warm and wet, not cold and icy Kaolinite pebbles show evidence of alteration under high rainfall conditions. The Conversation – 2/15/2026 | 113 Ancient Mars was warm and wet, not cold and icy Kaolinite pebbles show evidence of alteration under high rainfall conditions. “It ain’t no unicorn”: These researchers have interviewed 130 Bigfoot hunters What prompts this community to spend time looking for a creature that likely doesn’t exist? The Conversation – 2/15/2026 | 204 “It ain’t no unicorn”: These researchers have interviewed 130 Bigfoot hunters What prompts this community to spend time looking for a creature that likely doesn’t exist? NASA has a new problem to fix before the next Artemis II countdown test “We observed materially lower leak rates compared to prior observations during WDR-1.” Stephen Clark – 2/14/2026 | 222 NASA has a new problem to fix before the next Artemis II countdown test “We observed materially lower leak rates compared to prior observations during WDR-1.” Astronomers are filling in the blanks of the Kuiper Belt Next-generation telescopes are mapping this outer frontier. Becky Ferreira, wired.com – 2/14/2026 | 87 Astronomers are filling in the blanks of the Kuiper Belt Next-generation telescopes are mapping this outer frontier. Tiny, 45 base long RNA can make copies of itself Self-copying RNAs may have been a key stop along the pathway to life. John Timmer – 2/13/2026 | 57 Tiny, 45 base long RNA can make copies of itself Self-copying RNAs may have been a key stop along the pathway to life. When Amazon badly needed a ride, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket delivered This was the first launch of the Ariane 64, the most powerful rocket in European space history. Stephen Clark – 2/12/2026 | 126 When Amazon badly needed a ride, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket delivered This was the first launch of the Ariane 64, the most powerful rocket in European space history. Bringing the “functionally extinct” American chestnut back from the dead Wiped out in its native range by invasive pathogens, the trees may make a comeback. John Timmer – 2/12/2026 | 80 Bringing the “functionally extinct” American chestnut back from the dead Wiped out in its native range by invasive pathogens, the trees may make a comeback. Unique structure of elephant whiskers give them built-in sensing “intelligence” The material properties change gradually from base to tip for better navigation, more precise manipulation. Jennifer Ouellette – 2/12/2026 | 14 Unique structure of elephant whiskers give them built-in sensing “intelligence” The material properties change gradually from base to tip for better navigation, more precise manipulation. SpaceX takes down Dragon crew arm, giving Starship a leg up in Florida SpaceX’s crew missions will now launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Stephen Clark – 2/11/2026 | 67 SpaceX takes down Dragon crew arm, giving Starship a leg up in Florida SpaceX’s crew missions will now launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Trump orders the military to make agreements with coal power plants The administration’s “reasoning” for doing so has little connection to reality. John Timmer – 2/11/2026 | 274 Trump orders the military to make agreements with coal power plants The administration’s “reasoning” for doing so has little connection to reality. Did seabird poop fuel rise of Chincha in Peru? Guano dramatically boosted the production of maize, and the surplus helped fuel the Chincha Kingdom’s economy. Jennifer Ouellette – 2/11/2026 | 11 Did seabird poop fuel rise of Chincha in Peru? Guano dramatically boosted the production of maize, and the surplus helped fuel the Chincha Kingdom’s economy. What’s next after the Trump administration revokes key finding on climate change? The EPA is revoking the finding for legal, not scientific, reasons. Inside Climate News – 2/11/2026 | 113 What’s next after the Trump administration revokes key finding on climate change? The EPA is revoking the finding for legal, not scientific, reasons. SpaceX’s next-gen Super Heavy booster aces four days of “cryoproof” testing The next Starship flight is a key precursor for more ambitious missions. Stephen Clark – 2/10/2026 | 178 SpaceX’s next-gen Super Heavy booster aces four days of “cryoproof” testing The next Starship flight is a key precursor for more ambitious missions. After Republican complaints, judicial body pulls climate advice Meant to help judges handle scientific issues, document is now climate-free. John Timmer – 2/10/2026 | 142 After Republican complaints, judicial body pulls climate advice Meant to help judges handle scientific issues, document is now climate-free. NIH head, still angry about COVID, wants a second scientific revolution Can we pander to MAHA, re-litigate COVID, and improve science at the same time? John Timmer – 2/9/2026 | 233 NIH head, still angry about COVID, wants a second scientific revolution Can we pander to MAHA, re-litigate COVID, and improve science at the same time? Under Trump, EPA’s enforcement of environmental laws collapses, report finds The Environmental Protection Agency has drastically pulled back on holding polluters accountable. Inside Climate News – 2/7/2026 | 152 Under Trump, EPA’s enforcement of environmental laws collapses, report finds The Environmental Protection Agency has drastically pulled back on holding polluters accountable. COVID-19 cleared the skies but also supercharged methane emissions Less pollution meant lower amounts of a methane-destroying chemical. Jacek Krywko – 2/6/2026 | 34 COVID-19 cleared the skies but also supercharged methane emissions Less pollution meant lower amounts of a methane-destroying chemical. New critique debunks claim that trees can sense a solar eclipse Controversial 2025 study “represents the encroachment of pseudoscience into the heart of biological research.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/6/2026 | 56 New critique debunks claim that trees can sense a solar eclipse Controversial 2025 study “represents the encroachment of pseudoscience into the heart of biological research.” Lawmakers ask what it would take to “store” the International Space Station NASA shall evaluate the “viability of transferring the ISS to a safe orbital harbor” after retirement. Stephen Clark – 2/6/2026 | 236 Lawmakers ask what it would take to “store” the International Space Station NASA shall evaluate the “viability of transferring the ISS to a safe orbital harbor” after retirement. Rocket Report: SpaceX probes upper stage malfunction; Starship testing resumes Amazon has booked 10 more launches with SpaceX, citing a “near-term shortage in launch capacity.” Stephen Clark – 2/6/2026 | 278 Rocket Report: SpaceX probes upper stage malfunction; Starship testing resumes Amazon has booked 10 more launches with SpaceX, citing a “near-term shortage in launch capacity.” Watch Kanzi the bonobo pretend to have a tea party “Kanzi is able to generate an idea of this pretend object and at the same time know it’s not real.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/5/2026 | 39 Watch Kanzi the bonobo pretend to have a tea party “Kanzi is able to generate an idea of this pretend object and at the same time know it’s not real.” This black hole “burps” with Death Star energy Dubbed “Jetty McJetface,” the tidal disruption event’s energy keeps getting brighter and should peak in 2027. Jennifer Ouellette – 2/5/2026 | 43 This black hole “burps” with Death Star energy Dubbed “Jetty McJetface,” the tidal disruption event’s energy keeps getting brighter and should peak in 2027. Museums incorporate “scent of the afterlife” into Egyptian exhibits “Smell added an emotional and sensory depth that text labels alone could never provide.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/5/2026 | 47 Museums incorporate “scent of the afterlife” into Egyptian exhibits “Smell added an emotional and sensory depth that text labels alone could never provide.” Court orders restart of all US offshore wind construction Trump admin’s “it’s classified” ploy put on hold in five different cases. John Timmer – 2/2/2026 | 132 Court orders restart of all US offshore wind construction Trump admin’s “it’s classified” ploy put on hold in five different cases. A century of hair samples proves leaded gas ban worked “We should not forget the lessons of history. And the lesson is those regulations have been very important.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/2/2026 | 100 A century of hair samples proves leaded gas ban worked “We should not forget the lessons of history. And the lesson is those regulations have been very important.” Judge rules Department of Energy’s climate working group was illegal Meant to undercut EPA regulations, the group tried to work in secret. John Timmer – 2/2/2026 | 47 Judge rules Department of Energy’s climate working group was illegal Meant to undercut EPA regulations, the group tried to work in secret. Narwhals become quieter as the Arctic Ocean grows louder Increasing shipping traffic is interfering with the whales’ ability to hunt and communicate. Inside Climate News – 2/2/2026 | 13 Narwhals become quieter as the Arctic Ocean grows louder Increasing shipping traffic is interfering with the whales’ ability to hunt and communicate. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/02/microsoft-gaming-chief-phil-spencer-steps-down-after-38-years-with-company/#comments] | [TOKENS: 1671] |
Ex-xbox Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer steps down after 38 years with company Microsoft CoreAI exec Asha Sharma will take over in surprise executive shake-up. Kyle Orland – Feb 20, 2026 6:28 pm | 73 Microsoft's Phil Spencer speaks at the 2018 DICE conference in Las Vegas. Credit: Kyle Orland Microsoft's Phil Spencer speaks at the 2018 DICE conference in Las Vegas. Credit: Kyle Orland Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Microsoft Executive Vice President for Gaming Phil Spencer announced he will retire after 38 years at Microsoft and 12 years leading the company’s video game efforts. Asha Sharma, an executive currently in charge of Microsoft’s CoreAI division, will take his place. Xbox President Sarah Bond, who many assumed was being groomed as Spencer’s eventual replacement, is also resigning from the company. Current Xbox Studios Head Matt Booty, meanwhile, is being promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer and will work closely with Sharma. In his departure note, Spencer said he told Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella last fall that he was “thinking about stepping back and starting the next chapter of my life.” Spencer will remain at Microsoft “in an advisory role” through the summer to help Sharma during the transition, he wrote. Spencer, who got his start at Microsoft as an intern in 1988, served as a manager and executive at Microsoft Game Studios in 2003. In 2014, he took over as Head of Xbox, guiding the company through the aftermath of the troubled, Kinect-bundled launch of the Xbox One. More recently, he helped shepherd the company’s 2020 purchase of Bethesda Softworks and its $68.7 billion merger with Activision Blizzard, including the many regulatory battles that followed that latter announcement. Meet the new boss Sharma, who joined Microsoft just two years ago after stints at Meta and Instacart, promised in an introductory message to preside over “the return of Xbox,” and a “recommit[ment] to our core fans and players.” That commitment would “start with console which has shaped who we are,” but expand “across PC, mobile, and cloud,” Sharma wrote. Incoming Microsoft Gaming EVP and CEO Asha Sharma Credit: Microsoft Incoming Microsoft Gaming EVP and CEO Asha Sharma Credit: Microsoft Sharma also promised the company would “invent new business models and new ways to play,” without treating its core gaming properties “as static IP to milk and monetize.” And despite Sharma’s history of managing AI products at Microsoft, she drew a line in the sand against certain types of machine-generated content. “As monetization and AI evolve and influence this future, we will not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop,” Sharma promised. “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us.” Nadella said that he is still “long on gaming and its role at the center of our consumer ambition” amid the executive moves. “I’m excited for how we will capture the opportunity ahead and define what comes next, while staying grounded in what players and creators value.” The executive shakeup comes at a delicate time for an Xbox brand that debuted nearly 25 years ago. Amid cratering sales for Xbox hardware, Microsoft has recently been pivoting its gaming business to be less dependent on console exclusives and less focused on dedicated game consoles in general. Last year, in the wake of the Windows-free Steam Deck, Microsoft extended its branding to the Xbox ROG Ally line of Windows-based, gaming-focused portables. While Microsoft still promises that a new, dedicated Xbox console is in the works, what form it will take is a matter of public speculation. In an October interview with Japan’s Famitsu magazine, Spencer pointed to the Xbox ROG Ally as an example of how the “Xbox software platform will evolve in the future, connecting all devices at one point.” Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper. 73 Comments Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer steps down after 38 years with company Microsoft CoreAI exec Asha Sharma will take over in surprise executive shake-up. Microsoft Executive Vice President for Gaming Phil Spencer announced he will retire after 38 years at Microsoft and 12 years leading the company’s video game efforts. Asha Sharma, an executive currently in charge of Microsoft’s CoreAI division, will take his place. Xbox President Sarah Bond, who many assumed was being groomed as Spencer’s eventual replacement, is also resigning from the company. Current Xbox Studios Head Matt Booty, meanwhile, is being promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer and will work closely with Sharma. In his departure note, Spencer said he told Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella last fall that he was “thinking about stepping back and starting the next chapter of my life.” Spencer will remain at Microsoft “in an advisory role” through the summer to help Sharma during the transition, he wrote. Spencer, who got his start at Microsoft as an intern in 1988, served as a manager and executive at Microsoft Game Studios in 2003. In 2014, he took over as Head of Xbox, guiding the company through the aftermath of the troubled, Kinect-bundled launch of the Xbox One. More recently, he helped shepherd the company’s 2020 purchase of Bethesda Softworks and its $68.7 billion merger with Activision Blizzard, including the many regulatory battles that followed that latter announcement. Meet the new boss Sharma, who joined Microsoft just two years ago after stints at Meta and Instacart, promised in an introductory message to preside over “the return of Xbox,” and a “recommit[ment] to our core fans and players.” That commitment would “start with console which has shaped who we are,” but expand “across PC, mobile, and cloud,” Sharma wrote. Sharma also promised the company would “invent new business models and new ways to play,” without treating its core gaming properties “as static IP to milk and monetize.” And despite Sharma’s history of managing AI products at Microsoft, she drew a line in the sand against certain types of machine-generated content. “As monetization and AI evolve and influence this future, we will not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop,” Sharma promised. “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us.” Nadella said that he is still “long on gaming and its role at the center of our consumer ambition” amid the executive moves. “I’m excited for how we will capture the opportunity ahead and define what comes next, while staying grounded in what players and creators value.” The executive shakeup comes at a delicate time for an Xbox brand that debuted nearly 25 years ago. Amid cratering sales for Xbox hardware, Microsoft has recently been pivoting its gaming business to be less dependent on console exclusives and less focused on dedicated game consoles in general. Last year, in the wake of the Windows-free Steam Deck, Microsoft extended its branding to the Xbox ROG Ally line of Windows-based, gaming-focused portables. While Microsoft still promises that a new, dedicated Xbox console is in the works, what form it will take is a matter of public speculation. In an October interview with Japan’s Famitsu magazine, Spencer pointed to the Xbox ROG Ally as an example of how the “Xbox software platform will evolve in the future, connecting all devices at one point.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/02/nasa-reports-no-significant-leaks-in-artemis-ii-fueling-test-eyes-march-6-launch/#comments] | [TOKENS: 3040] |
Clear path After fueling test, optimism grows for March launch of Artemis II to the Moon “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt … there is still pending work.” Stephen Clark – Feb 20, 2026 6:55 pm | 25 NASA's Space Launch System stands more than 320 feet tall on Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky NASA's Space Launch System stands more than 320 feet tall on Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav A second fueling test on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket ended Thursday night, giving senior managers enough confidence to move forward with plans to launch four astronauts around the Moon as soon as March 6. Unlike the first attempt to load propellants into the SLS rocket on February 2, there were no major leaks during Thursday’s practice countdown at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians swapped seals at the launch pad after hydrogen gas leaked from the rocket’s main fueling line earlier this month. This time, the seals held. “For the most part, those fixes all performed pretty well yesterday,” said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s exploration programs. “We were able to fully fuel the SLS rocket within the planned timeline.” The results keep the Artemis II mission on track for liftoff as soon as next month. NASA gave up on a series of February launch opportunities after encountering a persistent hydrogen leak during the first Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt,” Glaze said. “I am going to caveat that. I want to be open, transparent with all of you that there is still pending work. There’s work, a lot of forward work, that remains.” If teams complete all of that work, liftoff of the Artemis II mission could occur within a two-hour window opening at 8:29 pm EST on March 6 (01:29 UTC on March 7). NASA has other launch dates available on March 7, 8, 9, and 11, but the mission may have to wait until April. There are approximately five days per month that the mission can depart the Earth after accounting for the position of the Moon in its orbit, the flight’s trajectory, and thermal and lighting constraints. The Artemis II mission will last between nine and 10 days, taking NASA’s Orion spacecraft with commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Wiseman’s crew will set the record for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth, and will become the first people to fly to the vicinity of the Moon since 1972. Artemis II is a precursor for follow-in missions that will target landings at the Moon’s south pole. NASA aims to land the first Artemis mission on the Moon by 2028, but the schedule comes with uncertainties, such as the readiness of a human-rated lander, spacesuits, and the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. A successful Artemis II mission would help demonstrate that the SLS rocket and Orion will be ready. “The excitement for Artemis II is really, really starting to build,” Glaze said. “We can really start to feel it. It’s coming.” “A good day for us” But getting to launch day for Artemis II has not been smooth sailing for NASA. The mission’s first fueling test ran several hours behind schedule on February 2. The launch team paused loading propellant into the rocket after identifying a leak in the connection where supercold liquid hydrogen flows from the launch platform into the SLS core stage. Sensors near the connection detected hydrogen concentrations exceeding NASA’s safety limit of 16 percent during the first countdown rehearsal. The launch team temporarily contained the leak within limits by stopping and restarting the flow of hydrogen, but the hydrogen leak again tripped the safety threshold as the core stage fuel tank began to pressurize in the final 10 minutes of the countdown. NASA called an end to the test, drained propellants from the rocket, and ordered workers to replace seals on the fueling umbilical, setting up for the second WDR this week. This time, the hydrogen sensors topped out at 1.6 percent, about one-tenth of NASA’s limit. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, said her team saw “very good performance” from the hydrogen seals on Thursday. The countdown ran close to the planned schedule, allowing the launch team to complete two runs through the final 10-minute terminal countdown sequence before ending the test at T-minus 29 seconds. “When we wrapped all that up, we still had launch window remaining,” Blackwell-Thompson said. “So, very successful day. I’m very proud of this team and all that they accomplished to get us to yesterday and then to go execute with such precision.” Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, and John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team, speak to reporters at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Friday, February 20, 2026. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, and John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team, speak to reporters at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Friday, February 20, 2026. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett Engineers will spend the next few days examining all the data from Thursday’s countdown. Several other issues popped up during the test. The launch team overcame a communications problem and briefly paused the countdown to assess a potential issue with a booster avionics system. Blackwell-Thompson said engineers will continue assessing the avionics system to ensure it is ready for launch. “So far, we don’t have any indications of anything that we’re worried about, but we’re just getting started [with the data review],” said John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team. “So, we’ll go through that and see what the teams come up with and address those as needed, but overall, it was a good day for us.” “Forward work” There is no guarantee, of course, that the hydrogen seals will work as well the next time NASA fuels the SLS rocket. The seals, made of Teflon, have a history of fickleness. NASA encountered persistent hydrogen leaks ahead of the launch of the first SLS rocket on the Artemis I mission 2022. But the seals worked better on Thursday than they did during any of the prior fueling operations. There are no plans to go in and replace them again before launch. “I’ve got a pretty high level of confidence in the configuration that we’re in right now,” Honeycutt said. The “forward work” ahead for the Artemis II team includes a Flight Readiness Review late next week, when senior agency leaders will convene to formally certify the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for flight. Over the next few days, technicians at Kennedy Space Center will retest the rocket’s range safety destruct system. The Artemis II astronauts entered NASA’s standard two-week-long preflight medical quarantine on Friday at their home base in Houston. Wiseman and his crewmates will fly to Florida about five to seven days before launch. Stephen Clark Space Reporter Stephen Clark Space Reporter Stephen Clark is a space reporter at Ars Technica, covering private space companies and the world’s space agencies. Stephen writes about the nexus of technology, science, policy, and business on and off the planet. 25 Comments After fueling test, optimism grows for March launch of Artemis II to the Moon “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt … there is still pending work.” A second fueling test on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket ended Thursday night, giving senior managers enough confidence to move forward with plans to launch four astronauts around the Moon as soon as March 6. Unlike the first attempt to load propellants into the SLS rocket on February 2, there were no major leaks during Thursday’s practice countdown at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Technicians swapped seals at the launch pad after hydrogen gas leaked from the rocket’s main fueling line earlier this month. This time, the seals held. “For the most part, those fixes all performed pretty well yesterday,” said Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s exploration programs. “We were able to fully fuel the SLS rocket within the planned timeline.” The results keep the Artemis II mission on track for liftoff as soon as next month. NASA gave up on a series of February launch opportunities after encountering a persistent hydrogen leak during the first Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR). “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt,” Glaze said. “I am going to caveat that. I want to be open, transparent with all of you that there is still pending work. There’s work, a lot of forward work, that remains.” If teams complete all of that work, liftoff of the Artemis II mission could occur within a two-hour window opening at 8:29 pm EST on March 6 (01:29 UTC on March 7). NASA has other launch dates available on March 7, 8, 9, and 11, but the mission may have to wait until April. There are approximately five days per month that the mission can depart the Earth after accounting for the position of the Moon in its orbit, the flight’s trajectory, and thermal and lighting constraints. The Artemis II mission will last between nine and 10 days, taking NASA’s Orion spacecraft with commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Wiseman’s crew will set the record for the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth, and will become the first people to fly to the vicinity of the Moon since 1972. Artemis II is a precursor for follow-in missions that will target landings at the Moon’s south pole. NASA aims to land the first Artemis mission on the Moon by 2028, but the schedule comes with uncertainties, such as the readiness of a human-rated lander, spacesuits, and the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft. A successful Artemis II mission would help demonstrate that the SLS rocket and Orion will be ready. “The excitement for Artemis II is really, really starting to build,” Glaze said. “We can really start to feel it. It’s coming.” “A good day for us” But getting to launch day for Artemis II has not been smooth sailing for NASA. The mission’s first fueling test ran several hours behind schedule on February 2. The launch team paused loading propellant into the rocket after identifying a leak in the connection where supercold liquid hydrogen flows from the launch platform into the SLS core stage. Sensors near the connection detected hydrogen concentrations exceeding NASA’s safety limit of 16 percent during the first countdown rehearsal. The launch team temporarily contained the leak within limits by stopping and restarting the flow of hydrogen, but the hydrogen leak again tripped the safety threshold as the core stage fuel tank began to pressurize in the final 10 minutes of the countdown. NASA called an end to the test, drained propellants from the rocket, and ordered workers to replace seals on the fueling umbilical, setting up for the second WDR this week. This time, the hydrogen sensors topped out at 1.6 percent, about one-tenth of NASA’s limit. Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis II launch director, said her team saw “very good performance” from the hydrogen seals on Thursday. The countdown ran close to the planned schedule, allowing the launch team to complete two runs through the final 10-minute terminal countdown sequence before ending the test at T-minus 29 seconds. “When we wrapped all that up, we still had launch window remaining,” Blackwell-Thompson said. “So, very successful day. I’m very proud of this team and all that they accomplished to get us to yesterday and then to go execute with such precision.” Engineers will spend the next few days examining all the data from Thursday’s countdown. Several other issues popped up during the test. The launch team overcame a communications problem and briefly paused the countdown to assess a potential issue with a booster avionics system. Blackwell-Thompson said engineers will continue assessing the avionics system to ensure it is ready for launch. “So far, we don’t have any indications of anything that we’re worried about, but we’re just getting started [with the data review],” said John Honeycutt, NASA’s chair of the Artemis II Mission Management Team. “So, we’ll go through that and see what the teams come up with and address those as needed, but overall, it was a good day for us.” “Forward work” There is no guarantee, of course, that the hydrogen seals will work as well the next time NASA fuels the SLS rocket. The seals, made of Teflon, have a history of fickleness. NASA encountered persistent hydrogen leaks ahead of the launch of the first SLS rocket on the Artemis I mission 2022. But the seals worked better on Thursday than they did during any of the prior fueling operations. There are no plans to go in and replace them again before launch. “I’ve got a pretty high level of confidence in the configuration that we’re in right now,” Honeycutt said. The “forward work” ahead for the Artemis II team includes a Flight Readiness Review late next week, when senior agency leaders will convene to formally certify the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft for flight. Over the next few days, technicians at Kennedy Space Center will retest the rocket’s range safety destruct system. The Artemis II astronauts entered NASA’s standard two-week-long preflight medical quarantine on Friday at their home base in Houston. Wiseman and his crewmates will fly to Florida about five to seven days before launch. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/02/maha-moms-threaten-to-turn-this-car-around-as-rfk-jr-flips-on-pesticide/#comments] | [TOKENS: 1689] |
Revolt MAHA moms threaten to turn this car around as RFK Jr. flips on pesticide MAHA members call movement a “sham” after Kennedy supports glyphosate order. Beth Mole – Feb 20, 2026 6:14 pm | 124 US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gestures while speaking during the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) summit in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025. Credit: Getty | Alex WROBLEWSKI US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gestures while speaking during the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) summit in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025. Credit: Getty | Alex WROBLEWSKI Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Members of the Make America Health Again movement are in open revolt after founder Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly backed President Trump’s executive order Wednesday that would increase domestic production of glyphosate—a pesticide the MAHA movement and Kennedy have railed against. Vani Hari, an ally of Kennedy who goes by “Food Babe,” told The Washington Post she was left “speechless” by the move. “We truly were hoping that this administration would put people over corporate power,” she said, “but this action moves us away from that commitment.” Trump’s executive order invoked the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer’s Roundup products. Currently, the US imports large quantities of glyphosate from China, according to Reuters. The MAHA movement has been vehemently opposed to the use of glyphosate, claiming it contributes to childhood health problems. In 2024, Kennedy—an anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer who was then running for president—wrote on social media: “The herbicide Glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic. … Shockingly, much of our exposure comes from its use as a desiccant on wheat, not as an herbicide. From there it goes straight into our bodies. My USDA will ban that practice.” But now, after becoming US health secretary under Trump, Kennedy is supporting domestic glyphosate production. In a statement to CNBC, Kennedy said that Trump’s executive order “puts America first where it matters most—our defense readiness and our food supply.” “We must safeguard America’s national security first, because all of our priorities depend on it. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they weaken our security. By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families,” he said. Fallout Dave Murphy, founder and CEO of United We Eat and former finance manager on Kennedy’s presidential campaign, told Reuters that the order was a “strategic mistake” that could serve as an election liability. “Trump would not be in the White House this second time without those followers, and we expect him to live up to his word,” Murphy said. Fallout has continued online over the move, and MAHA organizers are scrambling. Alex Clark, a health and wellness podcaster for the conservative group Turning Point USA, told The New York Times that “Women feel like they were lied to, that MAHA movement is a sham,” he said. “How am I supposed to rally these women to vote red in the midterms? How can we win their trust back? I am unsure if we can.” Meanwhile, MAHA influencer Kelly Ryerson, who goes by the moniker “Glyphosate Girl” online, told Politico, “I’m witnessing the bottom falling out on MAHA. People came along on MAHA because of pesticides and foods. It wasn’t because of vaccines.” Zen Honeycutt, executive director of the grassroots group Moms Across America, told Politico in a statement that the fallout will have real consequences. “To put toxic farming and businesses before the health and safety of our children is a betrayal of every voter who voted for him to [Make America Healthy Again],” she said. “The repercussions are not going to just affect the midterms, but the health of millions of Americans for generations to come.” Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technica’s Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 124 Comments MAHA moms threaten to turn this car around as RFK Jr. flips on pesticide MAHA members call movement a “sham” after Kennedy supports glyphosate order. Members of the Make America Health Again movement are in open revolt after founder Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly backed President Trump’s executive order Wednesday that would increase domestic production of glyphosate—a pesticide the MAHA movement and Kennedy have railed against. Vani Hari, an ally of Kennedy who goes by “Food Babe,” told The Washington Post she was left “speechless” by the move. “We truly were hoping that this administration would put people over corporate power,” she said, “but this action moves us away from that commitment.” Trump’s executive order invoked the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer’s Roundup products. Currently, the US imports large quantities of glyphosate from China, according to Reuters. The MAHA movement has been vehemently opposed to the use of glyphosate, claiming it contributes to childhood health problems. In 2024, Kennedy—an anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer who was then running for president—wrote on social media: “The herbicide Glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic. … Shockingly, much of our exposure comes from its use as a desiccant on wheat, not as an herbicide. From there it goes straight into our bodies. My USDA will ban that practice.” But now, after becoming US health secretary under Trump, Kennedy is supporting domestic glyphosate production. In a statement to CNBC, Kennedy said that Trump’s executive order “puts America first where it matters most—our defense readiness and our food supply.” “We must safeguard America’s national security first, because all of our priorities depend on it. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they weaken our security. By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families,” he said. Fallout Dave Murphy, founder and CEO of United We Eat and former finance manager on Kennedy’s presidential campaign, told Reuters that the order was a “strategic mistake” that could serve as an election liability. “Trump would not be in the White House this second time without those followers, and we expect him to live up to his word,” Murphy said. Fallout has continued online over the move, and MAHA organizers are scrambling. Alex Clark, a health and wellness podcaster for the conservative group Turning Point USA, told The New York Times that “Women feel like they were lied to, that MAHA movement is a sham,” he said. “How am I supposed to rally these women to vote red in the midterms? How can we win their trust back? I am unsure if we can.” Meanwhile, MAHA influencer Kelly Ryerson, who goes by the moniker “Glyphosate Girl” online, told Politico, “I’m witnessing the bottom falling out on MAHA. People came along on MAHA because of pesticides and foods. It wasn’t because of vaccines.” Zen Honeycutt, executive director of the grassroots group Moms Across America, told Politico in a statement that the fallout will have real consequences. “To put toxic farming and businesses before the health and safety of our children is a betrayal of every voter who voted for him to [Make America Healthy Again],” she said. “The repercussions are not going to just affect the midterms, but the health of millions of Americans for generations to come.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/] | [TOKENS: 2719] |
Policy // Civilization & Discontents Fury over Discord’s age checks explodes after shady Persona test in UK Persona confirmed all age-check data from Discord’s UK test was deleted. Ashley Belanger – 2/20/2026 | 49 Fury over Discord’s age checks explodes after shady Persona test in UK Persona confirmed all age-check data from Discord’s UK test was deleted. FCC asks stations for “pro-America” programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance Brendan Carr wants “patriotic” shows for Trump’s yearlong America 250 celebration. Jon Brodkin – 2/20/2026 | 146 FCC asks stations for “pro-America” programming, like daily Pledge of Allegiance Brendan Carr wants “patriotic” shows for Trump’s yearlong America 250 celebration. Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. Jon Brodkin – 2/20/2026 | 59 Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. Supreme Court blocks Trump’s emergency tariffs, billions in refunds may be owed Economists estimated more than $175 billion may need to be refunded. Ashley Belanger – 2/20/2026 | 272 Supreme Court blocks Trump’s emergency tariffs, billions in refunds may be owed Economists estimated more than $175 billion may need to be refunded. Microsoft deletes blog telling users to train AI on pirated Harry Potter books The now-deleted Harry Potter dataset was “mistakenly” marked public domain. Ashley Belanger – 2/20/2026 | 90 Microsoft deletes blog telling users to train AI on pirated Harry Potter books The now-deleted Harry Potter dataset was “mistakenly” marked public domain. Lawsuit: ChatGPT told student he was “meant for greatness”—then came psychosis “AI Injury Attorneys” target the chatbot design itself. Cyrus Farivar – 2/19/2026 | 296 Lawsuit: ChatGPT told student he was “meant for greatness”—then came psychosis “AI Injury Attorneys” target the chatbot design itself. Verizon acknowledges “pain” of new unlock policy, suggests change is coming Report: Verizon’s goal is “immediate unlock for all payment methods really soon.” Jon Brodkin – 2/18/2026 | 66 Verizon acknowledges “pain” of new unlock policy, suggests change is coming Report: Verizon’s goal is “immediate unlock for all payment methods really soon.” Lawsuit: EPA revoking greenhouse gas finding risks “thousands of avoidable deaths” EPA sued for abandoning its mission to protect public health. Ashley Belanger – 2/18/2026 | 63 Lawsuit: EPA revoking greenhouse gas finding risks “thousands of avoidable deaths” EPA sued for abandoning its mission to protect public health. Inside the DHS forum where ICE agents trash talk one another Forum members have discussed their discomfort with mass deportation efforts. WIRED – 2/18/2026 | 177 Inside the DHS forum where ICE agents trash talk one another Forum members have discussed their discomfort with mass deportation efforts. Stephen Colbert says CBS forbid interview of Democrat because of FCC threat Colbert: “I want to assure you this decision is for purely financial reasons.” Jon Brodkin – 2/17/2026 | 241 Stephen Colbert says CBS forbid interview of Democrat because of FCC threat Colbert: “I want to assure you this decision is for purely financial reasons.” Warner Bros. rejects Paramount again but asks for “best and final offer” WB board officially recommends Netflix deal but asks Paramount to increase price. Jon Brodkin – 2/17/2026 | 42 Warner Bros. rejects Paramount again but asks for “best and final offer” WB board officially recommends Netflix deal but asks Paramount to increase price. EU launches probe into xAI over sexualized images “Large-scale” investigation could result in massive fines. Financial Times – 2/17/2026 | 147 EU launches probe into xAI over sexualized images “Large-scale” investigation could result in massive fines. Best Buy worker used manager’s code to get 99% off MacBooks, cops say Employee allegedly exploited Best Buy’s discount system for months. Ashley Belanger – 2/16/2026 | 148 Best Buy worker used manager’s code to get 99% off MacBooks, cops say Employee allegedly exploited Best Buy’s discount system for months. ByteDance backpedals after Seedance 2.0 turned Hollywood icons into AI “clip art” Hollywood backlash puts spotlight on ByteDance’s sketchy launch of Seedance 2.0. Ashley Belanger – 2/16/2026 | 103 ByteDance backpedals after Seedance 2.0 turned Hollywood icons into AI “clip art” Hollywood backlash puts spotlight on ByteDance’s sketchy launch of Seedance 2.0. Michigan antitrust lawsuit says oil companies hobbled EVs and renewables The energy industry is pressing for laws that would ban climate liability lawsuits. Dana Drugman, Inside Climate News – 2/16/2026 | 74 Michigan antitrust lawsuit says oil companies hobbled EVs and renewables The energy industry is pressing for laws that would ban climate liability lawsuits. Aided by AI, California beach town broadens hunt for bike lane blockers Hayden AI’s cameras will scan for violations from 7 city vehicles. Cyrus Farivar – 2/13/2026 | 164 Aided by AI, California beach town broadens hunt for bike lane blockers Hayden AI’s cameras will scan for violations from 7 city vehicles. Verizon imposes new roadblock on users trying to unlock paid-off phones Verizon unlocks have 35-day waiting period after paying off device plan online. Jon Brodkin – 2/13/2026 | 109 Verizon imposes new roadblock on users trying to unlock paid-off phones Verizon unlocks have 35-day waiting period after paying off device plan online. Ring cancels Flock deal after dystopian Super Bowl ad prompts mass outrage “This is definitely not about dogs,” senator says, urging a pause on Ring face scans. Ashley Belanger – 2/13/2026 | 182 Ring cancels Flock deal after dystopian Super Bowl ad prompts mass outrage “This is definitely not about dogs,” senator says, urging a pause on Ring face scans. Platforms bend over backward to help DHS censor ICE critics, advocates say Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem sued for coercing platforms into censoring ICE posts. Ashley Belanger – 2/13/2026 | 176 Platforms bend over backward to help DHS censor ICE critics, advocates say Pam Bondi and Kristi Noem sued for coercing platforms into censoring ICE posts. EPA kills foundation of greenhouse gas regulations The agency is betting the the Supreme Court will reverse a prior ruling. John Timmer – 2/12/2026 | 117 EPA kills foundation of greenhouse gas regulations The agency is betting the the Supreme Court will reverse a prior ruling. Trump FTC wants Apple News to promote more Fox News and Breitbart stories FTC claims Apple News suppresses conservatives, cites study by pro-Trump group. Jon Brodkin – 2/12/2026 | 216 Trump FTC wants Apple News to promote more Fox News and Breitbart stories FTC claims Apple News suppresses conservatives, cites study by pro-Trump group. US consumers, business pay 90% of tariff costs, says Federal Reserve The Fed’s research contradict Trump’s claim foreign companies would bear the burden. Financial Times – 2/12/2026 | 182 US consumers, business pay 90% of tariff costs, says Federal Reserve The Fed’s research contradict Trump’s claim foreign companies would bear the burden. Trump orders the military to make agreements with coal power plants The administration’s “reasoning” for doing so has little connection to reality. John Timmer – 2/11/2026 | 274 Trump orders the military to make agreements with coal power plants The administration’s “reasoning” for doing so has little connection to reality. US decides SpaceX is like an airline, exempting it from Labor Relations Act US labels SpaceX a common carrier by air, will regulate firm under railway law. Jon Brodkin – 2/11/2026 | 134 US decides SpaceX is like an airline, exempting it from Labor Relations Act US labels SpaceX a common carrier by air, will regulate firm under railway law. Archive.today CAPTCHA page executes DDoS; Wikipedia considers banning site DDoS hit blog that tried to uncover Archive.today founder’s identity in 2023. Jon Brodkin – 2/10/2026 | 106 Archive.today CAPTCHA page executes DDoS; Wikipedia considers banning site DDoS hit blog that tried to uncover Archive.today founder’s identity in 2023. After Republican complaints, judicial body pulls climate advice Meant to help judges handle scientific issues, document is now climate-free. John Timmer – 2/10/2026 | 142 After Republican complaints, judicial body pulls climate advice Meant to help judges handle scientific issues, document is now climate-free. Trump FCC investigates The View, reportedly says “fake news” will be punished FCC recently issued equal-time warning to late-night and daytime talk shows. Jon Brodkin – 2/9/2026 | 174 Trump FCC investigates The View, reportedly says “fake news” will be punished FCC recently issued equal-time warning to late-night and daytime talk shows. Discord faces backlash over age checks after data breach exposed 70,000 IDs Discord to block adult content unless users verify ages with selfies or IDs. Ashley Belanger – 2/9/2026 | 224 Discord faces backlash over age checks after data breach exposed 70,000 IDs Discord to block adult content unless users verify ages with selfies or IDs. Under Trump, EPA’s enforcement of environmental laws collapses, report finds The Environmental Protection Agency has drastically pulled back on holding polluters accountable. Inside Climate News – 2/7/2026 | 152 Under Trump, EPA’s enforcement of environmental laws collapses, report finds The Environmental Protection Agency has drastically pulled back on holding polluters accountable. Lawyer sets new standard for abuse of AI; judge tosses case Behold the most overwrought AI legal filings you will ever gaze upon. Ashley Belanger – 2/6/2026 | 139 Lawyer sets new standard for abuse of AI; judge tosses case Behold the most overwrought AI legal filings you will ever gaze upon. EU says TikTok needs to drop “addictive design” Regulators say design choices that hook users could breach EU’s digital rules. Financial Times – 2/6/2026 | 67 EU says TikTok needs to drop “addictive design” Regulators say design choices that hook users could breach EU’s digital rules. “ICE Out of Our Faces Act” would ban ICE and CBP use of facial recognition Senator: ICE and CBP “have built an arsenal of surveillance technologies.” Jon Brodkin – 2/5/2026 | 153 “ICE Out of Our Faces Act” would ban ICE and CBP use of facial recognition Senator: ICE and CBP “have built an arsenal of surveillance technologies.” Neocities founder stuck in chatbot hell after Bing blocked 1.5 million sites Microsoft won’t explain why Bing blocked 1.5 million Neocities websites. Ashley Belanger – 2/5/2026 | 103 Neocities founder stuck in chatbot hell after Bing blocked 1.5 million sites Microsoft won’t explain why Bing blocked 1.5 million Neocities websites. FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone Post reporter was compelled to unlock MacBook Pro with fingerprint, however. Jon Brodkin – 2/4/2026 | 282 FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone Post reporter was compelled to unlock MacBook Pro with fingerprint, however. Judge gives Musk bad news, says Trump hasn’t intervened to block SEC lawsuit Musk is stuck fighting SEC suit seeking $150M in disgorgements from his Twitter takeover. Ashley Belanger – 2/4/2026 | 105 Judge gives Musk bad news, says Trump hasn’t intervened to block SEC lawsuit Musk is stuck fighting SEC suit seeking $150M in disgorgements from his Twitter takeover. “Capture it all”: ICE urged to explain memo about collecting info on protesters Sen. Markey: Database of peaceful protesters, if it exists, should be shut down. Jon Brodkin – 2/4/2026 | 213 “Capture it all”: ICE urged to explain memo about collecting info on protesters Sen. Markey: Database of peaceful protesters, if it exists, should be shut down. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/wikipedia-bans-archive-today-after-site-executed-ddos-and-altered-web-captures/] | [TOKENS: 2943] |
Blacklisted Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. Jon Brodkin – Feb 20, 2026 1:35 pm | 59 Credit: Getty Images | Anadolu Credit: Getty Images | Anadolu Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav The English-language edition of Wikipedia is blacklisting Archive.today after the controversial archive site was used to direct a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack against a blog. In the course of discussing whether Archive.today should be deprecated because of the DDoS, Wikipedia editors discovered that the archive site altered snapshots of webpages to insert the name of the blogger who was targeted by the DDoS. The alterations were apparently fueled by a grudge against the blogger over a post that described how the Archive.today maintainer hid their identity behind several aliases. “There is consensus to immediately deprecate archive.today, and, as soon as practicable, add it to the spam blacklist (or create an edit filter that blocks adding new links), and remove all links to it,” stated an update today on Wikipedia’s Archive.today discussion. “There is a strong consensus that Wikipedia should not direct its readers towards a website that hijacks users’ computers to run a DDoS attack (see WP:ELNO#3). Additionally, evidence has been presented that archive.today’s operators have altered the content of archived pages, rendering it unreliable.” More than 695,000 links to Archive.today are distributed across 400,000 or so Wikipedia pages. The archive site is commonly used to bypass news paywalls, and the FBI has sought information on the site operator’s identity with a subpoena to domain registrar Tucows. “Those in favor of maintaining the status quo rested their arguments primarily on the utility of archive.today for verifiability,” said today’s Wikipedia update. “However, an analysis of existing links has shown that most of its uses can be replaced. Several editors started to work out implementation details during this RfC [request for comment] and the community should figure out how to efficiently remove links to archive.today.” Editors urged to remove links Guidance published as a result of the decision asked editors to help remove and replace links to the following domain names used by the archive site: archive.today, archive.is, archive.ph, archive.fo, archive.li, archive.md, and archive.vn. The guidance says editors can remove Archive.today links when the original source is still online and has identical content; replace the archive link so it points to a different archive site, like the Internet Archive, Ghostarchive, or Megalodon; or “change the original source to something that doesn’t need an archive (e.g., a source that was printed on paper), or for which a link to an archive is only a matter of convenience.” The Wikipedia guidance points out that the Internet Archive and its website, Archive.org, are “uninvolved with and entirely separate from archive.today.” The Internet Archive is a nonprofit based in the US. As we previously reported, malicious code in Archive.today’s CAPTCHA page was used to direct a DDoS against the Gyrovague blog written by a man named Jani Patokallio. The Archive.today maintainer demanded that Patokallio take down a 2023 blog post that discussed the archive site founder’s possible identity. Patokallio wasn’t able to determine who runs Archive.today but mentioned apparent aliases such as “Denis Petrov” and “Masha Rabinovich,” and described evidence that the site is operated by someone from Russia. When we last wrote about this topic, the Archive.today maintainer told Ars Technica that it would not provide any comment on the Wikipedia discussion unless we removed references to Patokallio’s blog, which we did not do. Archive.today maintainer sent threats Patokallio told Ars today that he is pleased by the Wikipedia community’s decision. “I’m glad the Wikipedia community has come to a clear consensus, and I hope this inspires the Wikimedia Foundation to look into creating its own archival service,” he told us. In emails sent to Patokallio after the DDoS began, “Nora” from Archive.today threatened to create a public association between Patokallio’s name and AI porn and to create a gay dating app with Patokallio’s name. These threats were discussed by Wikipedia editors in their deliberations over whether to blacklist Archive.today, and then editors noticed that Patokallio’s name had been inserted into some Archive.today captures of webpages. “Honestly, I’m kind of in shock,” one editor wrote. “Just to make sure I’m understanding the implications of this: we have good reason to believe that the archive.today operator has tampered with the content of their archives, in a manner that suggests they were trying to further their position against the person they are in dispute with???” “If this is true it essentially forces our hand, archive.today would have to go,” another editor replied. “The argument for allowing it has been verifiability, but that of course rests upon the fact the archives are accurate, and the counter to people saying the website cannot be trusted for that has been that there is no record of archived websites themselves being tampered with. If that is no longer the case then the stated reason for the website being reliable for accurate snapshots of sources would no longer be valid.” Blog capture tampered with One example discussed by Wikipedia editors involved Jani Patokallio’s name being inserted into an Archive.today capture of a blog post that was mentioned by Patokallio in his February 2026 write-up of the DDoS incident. This blog is related to the “Nora” alias used by the Archive.today maintainer, which now appears to be the name of an actual person. “It appears increasingly likely that the identity of ‘Nora’ has been appropriated from an actual person, whose only connection to archive.today was a request to take down some content,” Patokallio wrote in an update to his blog today. “As a courtesy, I have redacted their last name from this post.” Evidence presented in the Wikipedia discussion showed that Archive.today replaced Nora’s name with Patokallio’s name in the aforementioned blog post. The Archive.today capture has since been reverted to what appears to be the original version. In other cases, Archive.today captures included a “Comment as: Jani Patokallio” string on captures that previously had a “Comment as: Nora [last name redacted]” string. Even if the snapshot alterations hadn’t helped convince Wikipedia’s volunteer editors to deprecate Archive.today, the Wikimedia Foundation itself might have stepped in. In its comments on the DDoS, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia said on February 10 that it had not ruled out intervening due to “the seriousness of the security concern for people who click the links that appear across many wikis.” Jon Brodkin Senior IT Reporter Jon Brodkin Senior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 59 Comments Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. The English-language edition of Wikipedia is blacklisting Archive.today after the controversial archive site was used to direct a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack against a blog. In the course of discussing whether Archive.today should be deprecated because of the DDoS, Wikipedia editors discovered that the archive site altered snapshots of webpages to insert the name of the blogger who was targeted by the DDoS. The alterations were apparently fueled by a grudge against the blogger over a post that described how the Archive.today maintainer hid their identity behind several aliases. “There is consensus to immediately deprecate archive.today, and, as soon as practicable, add it to the spam blacklist (or create an edit filter that blocks adding new links), and remove all links to it,” stated an update today on Wikipedia’s Archive.today discussion. “There is a strong consensus that Wikipedia should not direct its readers towards a website that hijacks users’ computers to run a DDoS attack (see WP:ELNO#3). Additionally, evidence has been presented that archive.today’s operators have altered the content of archived pages, rendering it unreliable.” More than 695,000 links to Archive.today are distributed across 400,000 or so Wikipedia pages. The archive site is commonly used to bypass news paywalls, and the FBI has sought information on the site operator’s identity with a subpoena to domain registrar Tucows. “Those in favor of maintaining the status quo rested their arguments primarily on the utility of archive.today for verifiability,” said today’s Wikipedia update. “However, an analysis of existing links has shown that most of its uses can be replaced. Several editors started to work out implementation details during this RfC [request for comment] and the community should figure out how to efficiently remove links to archive.today.” Editors urged to remove links Guidance published as a result of the decision asked editors to help remove and replace links to the following domain names used by the archive site: archive.today, archive.is, archive.ph, archive.fo, archive.li, archive.md, and archive.vn. The guidance says editors can remove Archive.today links when the original source is still online and has identical content; replace the archive link so it points to a different archive site, like the Internet Archive, Ghostarchive, or Megalodon; or “change the original source to something that doesn’t need an archive (e.g., a source that was printed on paper), or for which a link to an archive is only a matter of convenience.” The Wikipedia guidance points out that the Internet Archive and its website, Archive.org, are “uninvolved with and entirely separate from archive.today.” The Internet Archive is a nonprofit based in the US. As we previously reported, malicious code in Archive.today’s CAPTCHA page was used to direct a DDoS against the Gyrovague blog written by a man named Jani Patokallio. The Archive.today maintainer demanded that Patokallio take down a 2023 blog post that discussed the archive site founder’s possible identity. Patokallio wasn’t able to determine who runs Archive.today but mentioned apparent aliases such as “Denis Petrov” and “Masha Rabinovich,” and described evidence that the site is operated by someone from Russia. When we last wrote about this topic, the Archive.today maintainer told Ars Technica that it would not provide any comment on the Wikipedia discussion unless we removed references to Patokallio’s blog, which we did not do. Archive.today maintainer sent threats Patokallio told Ars today that he is pleased by the Wikipedia community’s decision. “I’m glad the Wikipedia community has come to a clear consensus, and I hope this inspires the Wikimedia Foundation to look into creating its own archival service,” he told us. In emails sent to Patokallio after the DDoS began, “Nora” from Archive.today threatened to create a public association between Patokallio’s name and AI porn and to create a gay dating app with Patokallio’s name. These threats were discussed by Wikipedia editors in their deliberations over whether to blacklist Archive.today, and then editors noticed that Patokallio’s name had been inserted into some Archive.today captures of webpages. “Honestly, I’m kind of in shock,” one editor wrote. “Just to make sure I’m understanding the implications of this: we have good reason to believe that the archive.today operator has tampered with the content of their archives, in a manner that suggests they were trying to further their position against the person they are in dispute with???” “If this is true it essentially forces our hand, archive.today would have to go,” another editor replied. “The argument for allowing it has been verifiability, but that of course rests upon the fact the archives are accurate, and the counter to people saying the website cannot be trusted for that has been that there is no record of archived websites themselves being tampered with. If that is no longer the case then the stated reason for the website being reliable for accurate snapshots of sources would no longer be valid.” Blog capture tampered with One example discussed by Wikipedia editors involved Jani Patokallio’s name being inserted into an Archive.today capture of a blog post that was mentioned by Patokallio in his February 2026 write-up of the DDoS incident. This blog is related to the “Nora” alias used by the Archive.today maintainer, which now appears to be the name of an actual person. “It appears increasingly likely that the identity of ‘Nora’ has been appropriated from an actual person, whose only connection to archive.today was a request to take down some content,” Patokallio wrote in an update to his blog today. “As a courtesy, I have redacted their last name from this post.” Evidence presented in the Wikipedia discussion showed that Archive.today replaced Nora’s name with Patokallio’s name in the aforementioned blog post. The Archive.today capture has since been reverted to what appears to be the original version. In other cases, Archive.today captures included a “Comment as: Jani Patokallio” string on captures that previously had a “Comment as: Nora [last name redacted]” string. Even if the snapshot alterations hadn’t helped convince Wikipedia’s volunteer editors to deprecate Archive.today, the Wikimedia Foundation itself might have stepped in. In its comments on the DDoS, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia said on February 10 that it had not ruled out intervening due to “the seriousness of the security concern for people who click the links that appear across many wikis.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/02/microsoft-gaming-chief-phil-spencer-steps-down-after-38-years-with-company/] | [TOKENS: 1671] |
Ex-xbox Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer steps down after 38 years with company Microsoft CoreAI exec Asha Sharma will take over in surprise executive shake-up. Kyle Orland – Feb 20, 2026 6:28 pm | 73 Microsoft's Phil Spencer speaks at the 2018 DICE conference in Las Vegas. Credit: Kyle Orland Microsoft's Phil Spencer speaks at the 2018 DICE conference in Las Vegas. Credit: Kyle Orland Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Microsoft Executive Vice President for Gaming Phil Spencer announced he will retire after 38 years at Microsoft and 12 years leading the company’s video game efforts. Asha Sharma, an executive currently in charge of Microsoft’s CoreAI division, will take his place. Xbox President Sarah Bond, who many assumed was being groomed as Spencer’s eventual replacement, is also resigning from the company. Current Xbox Studios Head Matt Booty, meanwhile, is being promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer and will work closely with Sharma. In his departure note, Spencer said he told Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella last fall that he was “thinking about stepping back and starting the next chapter of my life.” Spencer will remain at Microsoft “in an advisory role” through the summer to help Sharma during the transition, he wrote. Spencer, who got his start at Microsoft as an intern in 1988, served as a manager and executive at Microsoft Game Studios in 2003. In 2014, he took over as Head of Xbox, guiding the company through the aftermath of the troubled, Kinect-bundled launch of the Xbox One. More recently, he helped shepherd the company’s 2020 purchase of Bethesda Softworks and its $68.7 billion merger with Activision Blizzard, including the many regulatory battles that followed that latter announcement. Meet the new boss Sharma, who joined Microsoft just two years ago after stints at Meta and Instacart, promised in an introductory message to preside over “the return of Xbox,” and a “recommit[ment] to our core fans and players.” That commitment would “start with console which has shaped who we are,” but expand “across PC, mobile, and cloud,” Sharma wrote. Incoming Microsoft Gaming EVP and CEO Asha Sharma Credit: Microsoft Incoming Microsoft Gaming EVP and CEO Asha Sharma Credit: Microsoft Sharma also promised the company would “invent new business models and new ways to play,” without treating its core gaming properties “as static IP to milk and monetize.” And despite Sharma’s history of managing AI products at Microsoft, she drew a line in the sand against certain types of machine-generated content. “As monetization and AI evolve and influence this future, we will not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop,” Sharma promised. “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us.” Nadella said that he is still “long on gaming and its role at the center of our consumer ambition” amid the executive moves. “I’m excited for how we will capture the opportunity ahead and define what comes next, while staying grounded in what players and creators value.” The executive shakeup comes at a delicate time for an Xbox brand that debuted nearly 25 years ago. Amid cratering sales for Xbox hardware, Microsoft has recently been pivoting its gaming business to be less dependent on console exclusives and less focused on dedicated game consoles in general. Last year, in the wake of the Windows-free Steam Deck, Microsoft extended its branding to the Xbox ROG Ally line of Windows-based, gaming-focused portables. While Microsoft still promises that a new, dedicated Xbox console is in the works, what form it will take is a matter of public speculation. In an October interview with Japan’s Famitsu magazine, Spencer pointed to the Xbox ROG Ally as an example of how the “Xbox software platform will evolve in the future, connecting all devices at one point.” Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland Senior Gaming Editor Kyle Orland has been the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica since 2012, writing primarily about the business, tech, and culture behind video games. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He once wrote a whole book about Minesweeper. 73 Comments Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer steps down after 38 years with company Microsoft CoreAI exec Asha Sharma will take over in surprise executive shake-up. Microsoft Executive Vice President for Gaming Phil Spencer announced he will retire after 38 years at Microsoft and 12 years leading the company’s video game efforts. Asha Sharma, an executive currently in charge of Microsoft’s CoreAI division, will take his place. Xbox President Sarah Bond, who many assumed was being groomed as Spencer’s eventual replacement, is also resigning from the company. Current Xbox Studios Head Matt Booty, meanwhile, is being promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer and will work closely with Sharma. In his departure note, Spencer said he told Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella last fall that he was “thinking about stepping back and starting the next chapter of my life.” Spencer will remain at Microsoft “in an advisory role” through the summer to help Sharma during the transition, he wrote. Spencer, who got his start at Microsoft as an intern in 1988, served as a manager and executive at Microsoft Game Studios in 2003. In 2014, he took over as Head of Xbox, guiding the company through the aftermath of the troubled, Kinect-bundled launch of the Xbox One. More recently, he helped shepherd the company’s 2020 purchase of Bethesda Softworks and its $68.7 billion merger with Activision Blizzard, including the many regulatory battles that followed that latter announcement. Meet the new boss Sharma, who joined Microsoft just two years ago after stints at Meta and Instacart, promised in an introductory message to preside over “the return of Xbox,” and a “recommit[ment] to our core fans and players.” That commitment would “start with console which has shaped who we are,” but expand “across PC, mobile, and cloud,” Sharma wrote. Sharma also promised the company would “invent new business models and new ways to play,” without treating its core gaming properties “as static IP to milk and monetize.” And despite Sharma’s history of managing AI products at Microsoft, she drew a line in the sand against certain types of machine-generated content. “As monetization and AI evolve and influence this future, we will not chase short-term efficiency or flood our ecosystem with soulless AI slop,” Sharma promised. “Games are and always will be art, crafted by humans, and created with the most innovative technology provided by us.” Nadella said that he is still “long on gaming and its role at the center of our consumer ambition” amid the executive moves. “I’m excited for how we will capture the opportunity ahead and define what comes next, while staying grounded in what players and creators value.” The executive shakeup comes at a delicate time for an Xbox brand that debuted nearly 25 years ago. Amid cratering sales for Xbox hardware, Microsoft has recently been pivoting its gaming business to be less dependent on console exclusives and less focused on dedicated game consoles in general. Last year, in the wake of the Windows-free Steam Deck, Microsoft extended its branding to the Xbox ROG Ally line of Windows-based, gaming-focused portables. While Microsoft still promises that a new, dedicated Xbox console is in the works, what form it will take is a matter of public speculation. In an October interview with Japan’s Famitsu magazine, Spencer pointed to the Xbox ROG Ally as an example of how the “Xbox software platform will evolve in the future, connecting all devices at one point.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/features/] | [TOKENS: 2954] |
Features Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. Jon Brodkin – 2/20/2026 | 59 Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. Tim Stevens – 2/19/2026 | 39 Zero grip, maximum fun: A practical guide to getting into amateur ice racing Where we’re racing, we don’t need roads. Password managers’ promise that they can’t see your vaults isn’t always true Contrary to what password managers say, a server compromise can mean game over. Dan Goodin – 2/17/2026 | 167 Password managers’ promise that they can’t see your vaults isn’t always true Contrary to what password managers say, a server compromise can mean game over. 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Ryan Whitwam – 2/12/2026 | 122 We let Chrome’s Auto Browse agent surf the web for us—here’s what happened Auto Browse is capable of some impressive things, but it can also crash and burn spectacularly. America, it’s time to think beyond leather for luxury car seats Some brands are already ahead of the curve, while others leave the US in the cold. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 2/11/2026 | 276 America, it’s time to think beyond leather for luxury car seats Some brands are already ahead of the curve, while others leave the US in the cold. NIH head, still angry about COVID, wants a second scientific revolution Can we pander to MAHA, re-litigate COVID, and improve science at the same time? John Timmer – 2/9/2026 | 233 NIH head, still angry about COVID, wants a second scientific revolution Can we pander to MAHA, re-litigate COVID, and improve science at the same time? Why Darren Aronofsky thought an AI-generated historical docudrama was a good idea Production source says it takes “weeks” to produce just minutes of usable video. Kyle Orland – 2/6/2026 | 339 Why Darren Aronofsky thought an AI-generated historical docudrama was a good idea Production source says it takes “weeks” to produce just minutes of usable video. So yeah, I vibe-coded a log colorizer—and I feel good about it Some semi-unhinged musings on where LLMs fit into my life—and how I’ll keep using them. Lee Hutchinson – 2/4/2026 | 275 So yeah, I vibe-coded a log colorizer—and I feel good about it Some semi-unhinged musings on where LLMs fit into my life—and how I’ll keep using them. Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra review: Intel’s best laptop CPU in a very long time Intel manages big boosts to CPU and GPU speed without blowing up battery life. Andrew Cunningham – 2/2/2026 | 77 Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra review: Intel’s best laptop CPU in a very long time Intel manages big boosts to CPU and GPU speed without blowing up battery life. Inside Nvidia’s 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device ever “Selfishly, a little bit, we built Shield for ourselves.” Ryan Whitwam – 1/30/2026 | 177 Inside Nvidia’s 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device ever “Selfishly, a little bit, we built Shield for ourselves.” Does Anthropic believe its AI is conscious, or is that just what it wants Claude to think? We have no proof that AI models suffer, but Anthropic acts like they might for training purposes. Benj Edwards – 1/29/2026 | 278 Does Anthropic believe its AI is conscious, or is that just what it wants Claude to think? We have no proof that AI models suffer, but Anthropic acts like they might for training purposes. Ryzen 9850X3D review: AMD’s bragging-rights gaming CPU gets more to brag about The tradeoffs in the $499 9850X3D make it hard to get excited about. Andrew Cunningham – 1/28/2026 | 67 Ryzen 9850X3D review: AMD’s bragging-rights gaming CPU gets more to brag about The tradeoffs in the $499 9850X3D make it hard to get excited about. Former astronaut on lunar spacesuits: “I don’t think they’re great right now” “These are just the difficulties of designing a spacesuit for the lunar environment.” Stephen Clark – 1/26/2026 | 324 Former astronaut on lunar spacesuits: “I don’t think they’re great right now” “These are just the difficulties of designing a spacesuit for the lunar environment.” 2026 Lucid Air Touring review: This feels like a complete car now It’s efficient, easy to live with, and smooth to drive. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/23/2026 | 189 2026 Lucid Air Touring review: This feels like a complete car now It’s efficient, easy to live with, and smooth to drive. Has Gemini surpassed ChatGPT? We put the AI models to the test. Did Apple make the right choice in partnering with Google for Siri’s AI features? Kyle Orland – 1/21/2026 | 172 Has Gemini surpassed ChatGPT? We put the AI models to the test. Did Apple make the right choice in partnering with Google for Siri’s AI features? 10 things I learned from burning myself out with AI coding agents Opinion: As software power tools, AI agents may make people busier than ever before. Benj Edwards – 1/19/2026 | 326 10 things I learned from burning myself out with AI coding agents Opinion: As software power tools, AI agents may make people busier than ever before. This may be the grossest eye pic ever—but the cause is what’s truly horrifying Hypervirulent germ nearly destroys man, invading brain and blowing out an eye. Beth Mole – 1/16/2026 | 174 This may be the grossest eye pic ever—but the cause is what’s truly horrifying Hypervirulent germ nearly destroys man, invading brain and blowing out an eye. The difficulty of driving an EV in the “most beautiful race in the world” Jet lag and charging added plenty of complications to this regularity road rally. Michael Teo Van Runkle – 1/15/2026 | 39 The difficulty of driving an EV in the “most beautiful race in the world” Jet lag and charging added plenty of complications to this regularity road rally. Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike wants to do for AI what he did for messaging Introducing Confer, an end-to-end AI assistant that just works. Dan Goodin – 1/13/2026 | 113 Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike wants to do for AI what he did for messaging Introducing Confer, an end-to-end AI assistant that just works. The most fascinating monitors at CES 2026 Big sizes, big resolution, and big ideas. Scharon Harding – 1/12/2026 | 177 The most fascinating monitors at CES 2026 Big sizes, big resolution, and big ideas. Is Orion’s heat shield really safe? 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Film Technica: Our top picks for the best films of 2025 Streamers made a strong showing this year, as did horror. Big tentpoles, superhero sagas mostly fell flat. Jennifer Ouellette – 1/1/2026 | 106 Film Technica: Our top picks for the best films of 2025 Streamers made a strong showing this year, as did horror. Big tentpoles, superhero sagas mostly fell flat. From prophet to product: How AI came back down to earth in 2025 In a year where lofty promises collided with inconvenient research, would-be oracles became software tools. Benj Edwards – 12/31/2025 | 208 From prophet to product: How AI came back down to earth in 2025 In a year where lofty promises collided with inconvenient research, would-be oracles became software tools. The 10 best vehicles Ars Technica drove in 2025 Of all the cars we’ve driven and reviewed this year, these are our picks. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 12/30/2025 | 156 The 10 best vehicles Ars Technica drove in 2025 Of all the cars we’ve driven and reviewed this year, these are our picks. Big Tech basically took Trump’s unpredictable trade war lying down From Apple gifting a gold statue to the US taking a stake in Intel. Ashley Belanger – 12/29/2025 | 306 Big Tech basically took Trump’s unpredictable trade war lying down From Apple gifting a gold statue to the US taking a stake in Intel. Ars Technica’s Top 20 video games of 2025 A mix of expected sequels and out-of-nowhere indie gems made 2025 a joy. Kyle Orland – 12/26/2025 | 336 Ars Technica’s Top 20 video games of 2025 A mix of expected sequels and out-of-nowhere indie gems made 2025 a joy. TV Technica: Our favorite shows of 2025 Netflix and Apple TV dominate this year’s list with thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, and murder. Jennifer Ouellette – 12/24/2025 | 221 TV Technica: Our favorite shows of 2025 Netflix and Apple TV dominate this year’s list with thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, and murder. No one loves President Trump more than FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Carr used to insist on FCC independence. Now he uses FCC to fight Trump’s battles. Jon Brodkin – 12/22/2025 | 100 No one loves President Trump more than FCC Chairman Brendan Carr Carr used to insist on FCC independence. Now he uses FCC to fight Trump’s battles. Discworld, Daleks, and Deep 13: A geeky holiday TV and movie watchlist There’s obviously more to Christmas flicks than Netflix romcoms. Anna Washenko – 12/21/2025 | 124 Discworld, Daleks, and Deep 13: A geeky holiday TV and movie watchlist There’s obviously more to Christmas flicks than Netflix romcoms. The inside story of SpaceX’s historic rocket landing that changed launch forever “It’s hard to describe how epic this comeback was after our first Falcon 9 launch failure.” Eric Berger – 12/18/2025 | 185 The inside story of SpaceX’s historic rocket landing that changed launch forever “It’s hard to describe how epic this comeback was after our first Falcon 9 launch failure.” “A Band-Aid on a giant gash”: Trump’s attacks on science may ruin his AI moonshot Trump’s AI “Manhattan Project” will fail if DOGE cuts are kept, critics say. Ashley Belanger – 12/17/2025 | 98 “A Band-Aid on a giant gash”: Trump’s attacks on science may ruin his AI moonshot Trump’s AI “Manhattan Project” will fail if DOGE cuts are kept, critics say. Verizon refused to unlock man’s iPhone, so he sued the carrier and won Verizon changed policy after he bought the phone, wouldn’t unlock it despite FCC rule. Jon Brodkin – 12/15/2025 | 180 Verizon refused to unlock man’s iPhone, so he sued the carrier and won Verizon changed policy after he bought the phone, wouldn’t unlock it despite FCC rule. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/] | [TOKENS: 2823] |
Tech // Product News & Reviews Meta’s flagship metaverse service leaves VR behind The company asserts it will continue to make VR headsets, though. Samuel Axon – 2/20/2026 | 50 Meta’s flagship metaverse service leaves VR behind The company asserts it will continue to make VR headsets, though. Rubik’s WOWCube adds complexity, possibility by reinventing the puzzle cube Technology is a double-edged sword in the $399 Rubik’s Cube-inspired toy. Scharon Harding – 2/19/2026 | 60 Rubik’s WOWCube adds complexity, possibility by reinventing the puzzle cube Technology is a double-edged sword in the $399 Rubik’s Cube-inspired toy. 5 changes to know about in Apple’s latest iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas The 26.3 updates were mostly invisible; these changes are more significant. Andrew Cunningham – 2/18/2026 | 132 5 changes to know about in Apple’s latest iOS, macOS, and iPadOS betas The 26.3 updates were mostly invisible; these changes are more significant. Google’s Pixel 10a arrives on March 5 for $499 with specs and design of yesteryear Google’s new budget phone is here, but don’t expect a big upgrade. Ryan Whitwam – 2/18/2026 | 113 Google’s Pixel 10a arrives on March 5 for $499 with specs and design of yesteryear Google’s new budget phone is here, but don’t expect a big upgrade. RAM shortage hits Valve’s four-year-old Steam Deck, now available “intermittently” Forget launching new stuff—Valve is even having problems with existing hardware. Andrew Cunningham – 2/17/2026 | 85 RAM shortage hits Valve’s four-year-old Steam Deck, now available “intermittently” Forget launching new stuff—Valve is even having problems with existing hardware. The first Android 17 beta is now available on Pixel devices Don’t expect big changes yet. Ryan Whitwam – 2/13/2026 | 29 The first Android 17 beta is now available on Pixel devices Don’t expect big changes yet. DIY PC maker Framework has needed monthly price hikes to navigate the RAM shortage And Framework expects things to get worse before they get better. Andrew Cunningham – 2/12/2026 | 38 DIY PC maker Framework has needed monthly price hikes to navigate the RAM shortage And Framework expects things to get worse before they get better. It took two years, but Google released a YouTube app on Vision Pro App arrives months after Google requested takedowns of third-party options. Samuel Axon – 2/12/2026 | 26 It took two years, but Google released a YouTube app on Vision Pro App arrives months after Google requested takedowns of third-party options. Byte magazine artist Robert Tinney, who illustrated the birth of PCs, dies at 78 He became one of the first to visualize personal computing by painting vivid cover art. Benj Edwards – 2/11/2026 | 68 Byte magazine artist Robert Tinney, who illustrated the birth of PCs, dies at 78 He became one of the first to visualize personal computing by painting vivid cover art. “Windows 11 26H1” is a special version of Windows exclusively for new Arm PCs Arm PCs have enjoyed special treatment from Microsoft for the past two years. Andrew Cunningham – 2/11/2026 | 55 “Windows 11 26H1” is a special version of Windows exclusively for new Arm PCs Arm PCs have enjoyed special treatment from Microsoft for the past two years. Google recovers “deleted” Nest video in high-profile abduction case Users only get three hours of free Nest video storage, but Google can retrieve videos much later. Ryan Whitwam – 2/11/2026 | 106 Google recovers “deleted” Nest video in high-profile abduction case Users only get three hours of free Nest video storage, but Google can retrieve videos much later. Apple releases iOS 26.3 with updates that mainly benefit non-Apple devices It’s getting a little easier to move from iOS to Android, if that’s your thing. Andrew Cunningham – Updated 2/11/2026 | 47 Apple releases iOS 26.3 with updates that mainly benefit non-Apple devices It’s getting a little easier to move from iOS to Android, if that’s your thing. Smart home PSA: Apple’s “new architecture” for Home app becomes mandatory today Updated Home app is required for Matter support and some types of accessories. Andrew Cunningham – 2/11/2026 | 49 Smart home PSA: Apple’s “new architecture” for Home app becomes mandatory today Updated Home app is required for Matter support and some types of accessories. Windows’ original Secure Boot certificates expire in June—here’s what you need to do PCs without the new certificates could eventually have trouble booting new OSes. Andrew Cunningham – 2/10/2026 | 136 Windows’ original Secure Boot certificates expire in June—here’s what you need to do PCs without the new certificates could eventually have trouble booting new OSes. Upgraded Google safety tools can now find and remove more of your personal info The Results About You tool is getting an upgrade. Ryan Whitwam – 2/10/2026 | 42 Upgraded Google safety tools can now find and remove more of your personal info The Results About You tool is getting an upgrade. Alphabet selling very rare 100-year bonds to help fund AI investment Alphabet becomes first tech company to issue 100-year bonds in nearly three decades. Financial Times – 2/10/2026 | 222 Alphabet selling very rare 100-year bonds to help fund AI investment Alphabet becomes first tech company to issue 100-year bonds in nearly three decades. Report: Imminent Apple hardware updates include MacBook Pro, iPads, and iPhone 17e High-end Macs and less-expensive iPhones and iPads are all on the docket. Andrew Cunningham – 2/9/2026 | 144 Report: Imminent Apple hardware updates include MacBook Pro, iPads, and iPhone 17e High-end Macs and less-expensive iPhones and iPads are all on the docket. Google hints at big AirDrop expansion for Android “very soon” AirDrop came to the Pixel 10 last year, and more Android phones will join the party in 2026. Ryan Whitwam – 2/5/2026 | 51 Google hints at big AirDrop expansion for Android “very soon” AirDrop came to the Pixel 10 last year, and more Android phones will join the party in 2026. Steam Machine and Steam Frame delays are the latest product of the RAM crisis Valve says it still hopes to ship both devices “in the first half of the year.” Andrew Cunningham – 2/5/2026 | 144 Steam Machine and Steam Frame delays are the latest product of the RAM crisis Valve says it still hopes to ship both devices “in the first half of the year.” User blowback convinces Adobe to keep supporting 30-year-old 2D animation app Despite the about-face, some customers think “the damage is done.” Scharon Harding – 2/4/2026 | 93 User blowback convinces Adobe to keep supporting 30-year-old 2D animation app Despite the about-face, some customers think “the damage is done.” Netflix says users can cancel service if HBO Max merger makes it too expensive Eighty percent of HBO Max subscribers subscribe to Netflix, Sarandos tells Senate. Scharon Harding – 2/3/2026 | 171 Netflix says users can cancel service if HBO Max merger makes it too expensive Eighty percent of HBO Max subscribers subscribe to Netflix, Sarandos tells Senate. Nintendo Switch is the second-bestselling game console ever, behind only the PS2 Switch 2 has already beaten the Wii U and is on its way to overtaking GameCube. Andrew Cunningham – 2/3/2026 | 96 Nintendo Switch is the second-bestselling game console ever, behind only the PS2 Switch 2 has already beaten the Wii U and is on its way to overtaking GameCube. Streaming service Crunchyroll raises prices weeks after killing its free tier Sony has made streaming anime pricier since buying Crunchyroll. Scharon Harding – 2/2/2026 | 101 Streaming service Crunchyroll raises prices weeks after killing its free tier Sony has made streaming anime pricier since buying Crunchyroll. Ongoing RAM crisis prompts Raspberry Pi’s second price hike in two months The more RAM the Pi board has, the more its price is increasing. Andrew Cunningham – 2/2/2026 | 54 Ongoing RAM crisis prompts Raspberry Pi’s second price hike in two months The more RAM the Pi board has, the more its price is increasing. Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra review: Intel’s best laptop CPU in a very long time Intel manages big boosts to CPU and GPU speed without blowing up battery life. Andrew Cunningham – 2/2/2026 | 77 Intel Panther Lake Core Ultra review: Intel’s best laptop CPU in a very long time Intel manages big boosts to CPU and GPU speed without blowing up battery life. The TV industry finally concedes that the future may not be in 8K With virtually no content and limited benefits, 8K TVs were doomed. Scharon Harding – 1/30/2026 | 399 The TV industry finally concedes that the future may not be in 8K With virtually no content and limited benefits, 8K TVs were doomed. Inside Nvidia’s 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device ever “Selfishly, a little bit, we built Shield for ourselves.” Ryan Whitwam – 1/30/2026 | 177 Inside Nvidia’s 10-year effort to make the Shield TV the most updated Android device ever “Selfishly, a little bit, we built Shield for ourselves.” People complaining about Windows 11 hasn’t stopped it from hitting 1 billion users Windows 11 clears a milestone as Windows 10 continues its slow fade. Andrew Cunningham – 1/29/2026 | 245 People complaining about Windows 11 hasn’t stopped it from hitting 1 billion users Windows 11 clears a milestone as Windows 10 continues its slow fade. Seven things to know about how Apple’s Creator Studio subscriptions work For the Mac versions of pro apps, things aren’t actually changing much (yet). Andrew Cunningham – 1/28/2026 | 92 Seven things to know about how Apple’s Creator Studio subscriptions work For the Mac versions of pro apps, things aren’t actually changing much (yet). Google begins rolling out Chrome’s “Auto Browse” AI agent today The Auto Browse agent is available to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers, but there are some limits. Ryan Whitwam – 1/28/2026 | 85 Google begins rolling out Chrome’s “Auto Browse” AI agent today The Auto Browse agent is available to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers, but there are some limits. Ryzen 9850X3D review: AMD’s bragging-rights gaming CPU gets more to brag about The tradeoffs in the $499 9850X3D make it hard to get excited about. Andrew Cunningham – 1/28/2026 | 67 Ryzen 9850X3D review: AMD’s bragging-rights gaming CPU gets more to brag about The tradeoffs in the $499 9850X3D make it hard to get excited about. LG’s new subscription program charges up to £277 per month to rent a TV Significant discounts come with committing to 1- to 3-year rental periods. Scharon Harding – 1/27/2026 | 157 LG’s new subscription program charges up to £277 per month to rent a TV Significant discounts come with committing to 1- to 3-year rental periods. Apple patches ancient iOS versions to keep iMessage, FaceTime, other services working Apple renews certificates for old iOS versions to keep the lights on longer. Andrew Cunningham – 1/27/2026 | 100 Apple patches ancient iOS versions to keep iMessage, FaceTime, other services working Apple renews certificates for old iOS versions to keep the lights on longer. Apple’s AirTag 2 is easier to find thanks to new chip This is the first major upgrade since Apple introduced AirTags five years ago. Samuel Axon – 1/26/2026 | 94 Apple’s AirTag 2 is easier to find thanks to new chip This is the first major upgrade since Apple introduced AirTags five years ago. How to encrypt your PC’s disk without giving the keys to Microsoft Storing recovery keys with Microsoft allows the company to unlock your disk. Andrew Cunningham – 1/26/2026 | 157 How to encrypt your PC’s disk without giving the keys to Microsoft Storing recovery keys with Microsoft allows the company to unlock your disk. Demand for Intel’s processors is apparently there, but the supply is not Intel is allocating more of its own production to its money-making server chips. Andrew Cunningham – 1/23/2026 | 139 Demand for Intel’s processors is apparently there, but the supply is not Intel is allocating more of its own production to its money-making server chips. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://www.fast.ai/posts/2026-01-28-dark-flow/index.html] | [TOKENS: 2079] |
Breaking the Spell of Vibe Coding Rachel Thomas January 28, 2026 On this page Vibe coding is the creation of large quantities of highly complex AI-generated code, often with the intention that the code will not be read by humans. It has cast quite a spell on the tech industry. Executives push lay-offs claiming AI can handle the work. Managers pressure employees to meet quotas of how much of their code must be AI-generated or risk poor performance reviews. Software developers worry that everyone around them is a “10x developer” and that they’ve fallen behind. College students wonder if it is worth studying computer science now that AI has automated coding. People of all career stages hesitate to invest in their own career development. Won’t AI be able to do their jobs for them anyway a year from now? What is the point? I work at an AI company, and we use AI every day. AI is useful! However, we approach vibe coding with caution and have seen that much can go wrong. The results of vibe coding have been far from what early enthusiasts promised. Well-known software developer Armin Ronacher powerfully described some of the issues with AI coding agents. “When [I first got] hooked on Claude, I did not sleep. I spent two months excessively prompting the thing and wasting tokens. I ended up building and building and creating a ton of tools I did not end up using much… Quite a few of the tools I built I felt really great about, just to realize that I did not actually use them or they did not end up working as I thought they would.” Armin titled his post “agent psychosis”. The term “psychosis” is a strong label. What is it about this technology which could be trapping such productive and experienced developers? The reason may be similar to the addictive qualities of gambling, a sinister under-current of the normally positive state of flow. Not all Focus is Flow When coding or doing other creative work, many of us experience a state of flow: full absorption and energized focus. This concept was first formalized by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi in the 1970s. In his 1990 best-selling book, he described flow as “a sense that one’s skills are adequate to cope with the challenges at hand, in a goal-directed, rule-bound action system that provides clear clues as to how well one is performing.” There are activities that can produce feelings of absorption and engaged focus that don’t meet this positive definition of flow. Consider gambling. A key aspect of flow is that the challenge faced be reasonably matched to the person’s skills. “Roulette players develop elaborate systems to predict the turn of the wheel,”Csikszentmihalyi writes of how gamblers often believe their skills are playing a significant role, even in games governed entirely by chance. Another key aspect of this kind of flow is that the activity should provide “clear clues as to how well one is performing.” The makers of modern slot machines have gone to great lengths to do the opposite, creating the outcome of a Loss Disguised as a Win (LDW). On a traditional slot machine, you either win or lose. In contrast, multiline slot machines have 20 rows going at once and reward partial “credits” that create a false sense of winning even as you lose. For example, you can gamble 20 cents and receive a 15 cent “credit”. This is actually a 5 cent loss, yet the slot machine plays celebratory noises that trigger a positive dopamine reaction. Research shows these games induce a similar physiological reaction to an actual win and players are more likely to enter a highly absorbed, flow-like state. Researchers on gambling addiction have coined the term “dark flow” to describe this insidious variation on true flow. In a 2014 interview, Csikszentmihalyi defined the idea of “junk flow”: “Junk flow is when you are actually becoming addicted to a superficial experience that may be flow at the beginning, but after a while becomes something that you become addicted to instead of something that makes you grow. The problem is that it’s much easier to find pleasure or enjoyment in things that are not growth-producing but are attractive and seductive.” The concepts of “junk flow” or “dark flow” align with many people’s experience of vibe coding. The results can be disastrous. Parallels between Vibe Coding and Gambling Look back at Armin’s experience again: “Quite a few of the tools I built I felt really great about, just to realize that I did not actually use them or they did not end up working as I thought they would.” This sounds like the Loss Disguised as a Win concept from gambling addiction. Consider the hundreds of lines of code, all the apps being created: some of these are genuinely useful, but much of this code is too complex to maintain or modify in the future, and it often contains hidden bugs. One thing many of us love about computer programming is our experiences of flow. On the surface, vibe coding can seem to induce a similar flow. However, it often violates the same characteristics of flow that fail with gambling: With vibe coding, people often report not realizing until hours, weeks, or even months later whether the code produced is any good. They find new bugs or they can’t make simple modifications; the program crashes in unexpected ways. Moreover, the signs of how hard the AI coding agent is working and the quantities of code produced often seem like short-term indicators of productivity. These can trigger the same feelings as the celebratory noises from the multiline slot machine. Vibe coding provides a misleading feeling of agency. The coder specifies what they want to build and is often presented with choices from the LLM on how to proceed. However, those options are quite different than the architectural choices that a programmer would make on their own, directing them down paths they wouldn’t otherwise take. Both slot machines and LLMs are explicitly engineered to maximize your psychological reaction. For slot machines, the makers want to maximize how long you play and how much you gamble. LLMs are fine-tuned to give answers that humans like, encouraging sycophancy and that they will keep coming back. As I wrote in a previous blog post and academic paper, AI can be too good at optimizing metrics, often leading to harmful outcomes in the process. Unreliable narrators With “junk” (or “dark”) flow we lose our ability to accurately assess our productivity levels and the quality of our work. A study from METR found that when developers used AI tools, they estimated that they were working 20% faster, yet in reality they worked 19% slower. That is nearly a 40% difference between perceived and actual times! It is difficult to evaluate claims from those who enthuse about their productivity with vibe coding. While prior expertise in software engineering and knowledge on providing effective context are useful, their impact on vibe coding results is non-linear and opaque. I found myself unable to read the latest 2 posts of a blog by a leading AI researcher that I have subscribed to (and previously enjoyed) for 10 years. I happened to skip ahead to a subsection of one of the posts, where the author revealed that he had used AI to generate these latest 2 posts. He wrote that he was producing writing of the same quality, only much faster than before. The writer is an intelligent and highly accomplished person whom I respect, yet he seemed unaware that these posts read quite differently than his earlier work. For me at least, they were less readable than his previous articles. Social media is full of accounts saying how much more they are accomplishing with AI. People may genuinely believe what they are saying, yet individuals are terrible judges of their own productivity. Failed Predictions It is worth experimenting with AI coding agents to see what they can do, but don’t abandon the development of your current skillset. Part of the appeal of vibe coding is claimed extrapolation about how effective it will be 6 or 12 months from now. These predictions are pure guesswork, often based more on hope than reality. Renowned AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton predicted that AI would replace radiologists by 2021. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and head of AI Jeff Dean predicted that all data scientists would be using neural net architecture search to generate customized architectures for their individual problems by 2023. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicted that by late 2025, AI would be writing 90% of all code. There is an entire wikipedia page documenting the failed predictions of Elon Musk on when we would have autonomous vehicles. Should you gamble your career? We all make mistakes and I am not trying to pick on the people listed above. However, it is important to ask if you want to stop investing in your own skills because of a speculative prediction made by an AI researcher or tech CEO. Consider the case where you don’t grow your software engineering or problem-solving skills, yet the forecasts of AI coding agents being able to handle ever expanding complexity don’t come to pass. Where does this leave you? While AI tools are genuinely impressive and continue to make improvements, the forecasts from major foundation labs has consistently overstated the pace they will develop. This is nothing new. Tech companies have been overhyping their products for decades. Human Creativity and Thinking Still Matter AI coding agents can produce syntactically correct code. However, they don’t produce useful layers of abstraction nor meaningful modularization. They don’t value conciseness or improving organization in a large code base. We have automated coding, but not software engineering. Similarly, AI can produce grammatically correct, plausible sounding text. However, it does not directly sharpen your ideas. It does not generate the most precise formulations or identify the heart of the matter. “People who go all in on AI agents now are guaranteeing their obsolescence. If you outsource all your thinking to computers, you stop upskilling, learning, and becoming more competent,” Jeremy Howard shared in his Nvidia Developer interview. AI is a useful tool, but it doesn’t replace core human abilities. Thank you to Jeremy for feedback on earlier drafts of this essay. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/02/maha-moms-threaten-to-turn-this-car-around-as-rfk-jr-flips-on-pesticide/] | [TOKENS: 1689] |
Revolt MAHA moms threaten to turn this car around as RFK Jr. flips on pesticide MAHA members call movement a “sham” after Kennedy supports glyphosate order. Beth Mole – Feb 20, 2026 6:14 pm | 124 US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gestures while speaking during the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) summit in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025. Credit: Getty | Alex WROBLEWSKI US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gestures while speaking during the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) summit in Washington, DC, on November 12, 2025. Credit: Getty | Alex WROBLEWSKI Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Members of the Make America Health Again movement are in open revolt after founder Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly backed President Trump’s executive order Wednesday that would increase domestic production of glyphosate—a pesticide the MAHA movement and Kennedy have railed against. Vani Hari, an ally of Kennedy who goes by “Food Babe,” told The Washington Post she was left “speechless” by the move. “We truly were hoping that this administration would put people over corporate power,” she said, “but this action moves us away from that commitment.” Trump’s executive order invoked the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer’s Roundup products. Currently, the US imports large quantities of glyphosate from China, according to Reuters. The MAHA movement has been vehemently opposed to the use of glyphosate, claiming it contributes to childhood health problems. In 2024, Kennedy—an anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer who was then running for president—wrote on social media: “The herbicide Glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic. … Shockingly, much of our exposure comes from its use as a desiccant on wheat, not as an herbicide. From there it goes straight into our bodies. My USDA will ban that practice.” But now, after becoming US health secretary under Trump, Kennedy is supporting domestic glyphosate production. In a statement to CNBC, Kennedy said that Trump’s executive order “puts America first where it matters most—our defense readiness and our food supply.” “We must safeguard America’s national security first, because all of our priorities depend on it. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they weaken our security. By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families,” he said. Fallout Dave Murphy, founder and CEO of United We Eat and former finance manager on Kennedy’s presidential campaign, told Reuters that the order was a “strategic mistake” that could serve as an election liability. “Trump would not be in the White House this second time without those followers, and we expect him to live up to his word,” Murphy said. Fallout has continued online over the move, and MAHA organizers are scrambling. Alex Clark, a health and wellness podcaster for the conservative group Turning Point USA, told The New York Times that “Women feel like they were lied to, that MAHA movement is a sham,” he said. “How am I supposed to rally these women to vote red in the midterms? How can we win their trust back? I am unsure if we can.” Meanwhile, MAHA influencer Kelly Ryerson, who goes by the moniker “Glyphosate Girl” online, told Politico, “I’m witnessing the bottom falling out on MAHA. People came along on MAHA because of pesticides and foods. It wasn’t because of vaccines.” Zen Honeycutt, executive director of the grassroots group Moms Across America, told Politico in a statement that the fallout will have real consequences. “To put toxic farming and businesses before the health and safety of our children is a betrayal of every voter who voted for him to [Make America Healthy Again],” she said. “The repercussions are not going to just affect the midterms, but the health of millions of Americans for generations to come.” Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth Mole Senior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technica’s Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 124 Comments MAHA moms threaten to turn this car around as RFK Jr. flips on pesticide MAHA members call movement a “sham” after Kennedy supports glyphosate order. Members of the Make America Health Again movement are in open revolt after founder Robert F. Kennedy Jr. publicly backed President Trump’s executive order Wednesday that would increase domestic production of glyphosate—a pesticide the MAHA movement and Kennedy have railed against. Vani Hari, an ally of Kennedy who goes by “Food Babe,” told The Washington Post she was left “speechless” by the move. “We truly were hoping that this administration would put people over corporate power,” she said, “but this action moves us away from that commitment.” Trump’s executive order invoked the Defense Production Act to boost domestic production of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer’s Roundup products. Currently, the US imports large quantities of glyphosate from China, according to Reuters. The MAHA movement has been vehemently opposed to the use of glyphosate, claiming it contributes to childhood health problems. In 2024, Kennedy—an anti-vaccine activist and environmental lawyer who was then running for president—wrote on social media: “The herbicide Glyphosate is one of the likely culprits in America’s chronic disease epidemic. … Shockingly, much of our exposure comes from its use as a desiccant on wheat, not as an herbicide. From there it goes straight into our bodies. My USDA will ban that practice.” But now, after becoming US health secretary under Trump, Kennedy is supporting domestic glyphosate production. In a statement to CNBC, Kennedy said that Trump’s executive order “puts America first where it matters most—our defense readiness and our food supply.” “We must safeguard America’s national security first, because all of our priorities depend on it. When hostile actors control critical inputs, they weaken our security. By expanding domestic production, we close that gap and protect American families,” he said. Fallout Dave Murphy, founder and CEO of United We Eat and former finance manager on Kennedy’s presidential campaign, told Reuters that the order was a “strategic mistake” that could serve as an election liability. “Trump would not be in the White House this second time without those followers, and we expect him to live up to his word,” Murphy said. Fallout has continued online over the move, and MAHA organizers are scrambling. Alex Clark, a health and wellness podcaster for the conservative group Turning Point USA, told The New York Times that “Women feel like they were lied to, that MAHA movement is a sham,” he said. “How am I supposed to rally these women to vote red in the midterms? How can we win their trust back? I am unsure if we can.” Meanwhile, MAHA influencer Kelly Ryerson, who goes by the moniker “Glyphosate Girl” online, told Politico, “I’m witnessing the bottom falling out on MAHA. People came along on MAHA because of pesticides and foods. It wasn’t because of vaccines.” Zen Honeycutt, executive director of the grassroots group Moms Across America, told Politico in a statement that the fallout will have real consequences. “To put toxic farming and businesses before the health and safety of our children is a betrayal of every voter who voted for him to [Make America Healthy Again],” she said. “The repercussions are not going to just affect the midterms, but the health of millions of Americans for generations to come.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/culture/] | [TOKENS: 2936] |
Culture It’s outright war for the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon S3 teaser “The king has abdicated his throne. A new line is coming. A new line of unsullied kings.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/20/2026 | 22 It’s outright war for the Iron Throne in House of the Dragon S3 teaser “The king has abdicated his throne. A new line is coming. A new line of unsullied kings.” Here’s the fun, action-packed trailer for Mandolorian and Grogu “Gangsters. War criminals. We’ll take out every bad guy in your deck of cards.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/17/2026 | 93 Here’s the fun, action-packed trailer for Mandolorian and Grogu “Gangsters. War criminals. We’ll take out every bad guy in your deck of cards.” A Valentine’s Day homage to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Ang Lee’s gorgeous 2000 masterpiece has awe-inspiring martial arts stunts and a tragic love story for the ages. Jennifer Ouellette – 2/14/2026 | 96 A Valentine’s Day homage to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Ang Lee’s gorgeous 2000 masterpiece has awe-inspiring martial arts stunts and a tragic love story for the ages. $1.8 million MST3K Kickstarter brings in (almost) everyone from the old show MST3K‘s 2010s revival looked forward; this one is emphatically looking backward. Andrew Cunningham – 2/13/2026 | 112 $1.8 million MST3K Kickstarter brings in (almost) everyone from the old show MST3K‘s 2010s revival looked forward; this one is emphatically looking backward. Spider-Noir teaser comes in colorized “True Hue” and black and white Nicolas Cage described his character as “70 percent Humphrey Bogart and 30 percent Bugs Bunny.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/12/2026 | 88 Spider-Noir teaser comes in colorized “True Hue” and black and white Nicolas Cage described his character as “70 percent Humphrey Bogart and 30 percent Bugs Bunny.” Disclosure Day Super Bowl trailer: Could it be… aliens? Bonus: Mandalorian and Grogu 30-second spot shows duo being pulled through the snow by Tauntauns. Jennifer Ouellette – 2/9/2026 | 72 Disclosure Day Super Bowl trailer: Could it be… aliens? Bonus: Mandalorian and Grogu 30-second spot shows duo being pulled through the snow by Tauntauns. A Project Hail Mary final trailer? Yes please. “There are infinite possibilities for this to go wrong.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/8/2026 | 122 A Project Hail Mary final trailer? Yes please. “There are infinite possibilities for this to go wrong.” Godlike Titan threatens humanity in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2 trailer “This Titan is like a god, and the sea creatures worship it.” Jennifer Ouellette – 2/3/2026 | 31 Godlike Titan threatens humanity in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2 trailer “This Titan is like a god, and the sea creatures worship it.” Stranded boys struggle to survive in Lord of the Flies trailer “We need to think about food and shelter. We need to help each other and be good camp mates.” Jennifer Ouellette – 1/28/2026 | 46 Stranded boys struggle to survive in Lord of the Flies trailer “We need to think about food and shelter. We need to help each other and be good camp mates.” Australian plumber is a YouTube sensation Bruce of Drain Cleaning Australia wants everyone to share his deep abiding love for a free-flowing drain. Jennifer Ouellette – 1/27/2026 | 127 Australian plumber is a YouTube sensation Bruce of Drain Cleaning Australia wants everyone to share his deep abiding love for a free-flowing drain. The brothers meet Yoshi in Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer Toad: “So some dinosaur just shows up and he’s now part of the group. Cool.” Jennifer Ouellette – 1/26/2026 | 30 The brothers meet Yoshi in Super Mario Galaxy Movie trailer Toad: “So some dinosaur just shows up and he’s now part of the group. Cool.” A decade of Star Trek-themed fart jokes: The Greatest Generation podcast turns 10 How two podcasters turned a Star Trek side project into a full-time career. Cyrus Farivar – 1/25/2026 | 42 A decade of Star Trek-themed fart jokes: The Greatest Generation podcast turns 10 How two podcasters turned a Star Trek side project into a full-time career. Check out the first trailer for Masters of the Universe “Talking tigers, spaceships, and magic swords that can make a man as mighty as a god.” Jennifer Ouellette – 1/22/2026 | 213 Check out the first trailer for Masters of the Universe “Talking tigers, spaceships, and magic swords that can make a man as mighty as a god.” Star Trek: Starfleet Academy tries something different, and I don’t hate it An interesting new take on Trek includes some characters you already know. Jonathan M. Gitlin – 1/15/2026 | 236 Star Trek: Starfleet Academy tries something different, and I don’t hate it An interesting new take on Trek includes some characters you already know. A British redcoat’s lost memoir resurfaces Shadrack Byfield lost his left arm in the War of 1812; his life sheds light on post-war re-integration. Jennifer Ouellette – 1/14/2026 | 64 A British redcoat’s lost memoir resurfaces Shadrack Byfield lost his left arm in the War of 1812; his life sheds light on post-war re-integration. Musk and Hegseth vow to “make Star Trek real” but miss the show’s lessons AI weapons systems may annihilate their creators. Cyrus Farivar – 1/14/2026 | 369 Musk and Hegseth vow to “make Star Trek real” but miss the show’s lessons AI weapons systems may annihilate their creators. Scott Adams, Dilbert creator, dead at 68 “I had an amazing life. I gave it everything I had.” Nate Anderson – 1/13/2026 | 572 Scott Adams, Dilbert creator, dead at 68 “I had an amazing life. I gave it everything I had.” A new Titan emerges in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2 teaser Apple TV’s sci-fi series is part of Legendary Entertainment’s MonsterVerse and is set after 2014’s Godzilla. Jennifer Ouellette – 1/13/2026 | 30 A new Titan emerges in Monarch: Legacy of Monsters S2 teaser Apple TV’s sci-fi series is part of Legendary Entertainment’s MonsterVerse and is set after 2014’s Godzilla. That time Will Smith helped discover new species of anaconda Footage of the 2024 discovery appears in NatGeo’s new documentary series Pole to Pole with Will Smith. Jennifer Ouellette – 1/11/2026 | 101 That time Will Smith helped discover new species of anaconda Footage of the 2024 discovery appears in NatGeo’s new documentary series Pole to Pole with Will Smith. US Black Hawk helicopter trespasses on private Montana ranch to grab elk antlers Crazy, but that’s how it goes. Nate Anderson – 1/9/2026 | 214 US Black Hawk helicopter trespasses on private Montana ranch to grab elk antlers Crazy, but that’s how it goes. “Ungentrified” Craigslist may be the last real place on the Internet People still use Craigslist to find jobs, love, and even to cast creative projects. WIRED – 1/9/2026 | 127 “Ungentrified” Craigslist may be the last real place on the Internet People still use Craigslist to find jobs, love, and even to cast creative projects. Review: Stranger Things’ frustrating finale didn’t quite stick the landing Sure, there were many great moments, but in the end, they didn’t add up to a satisfying whole. Jennifer Ouellette and Beth Mole – 1/7/2026 | 157 Review: Stranger Things’ frustrating finale didn’t quite stick the landing Sure, there were many great moments, but in the end, they didn’t add up to a satisfying whole. Magneto, Xavier reunite in new Avengers: Doomsday teaser “The question isn’t ‘are you prepared to die?’ The question is ‘who will you be when you close your eyes?’” Jennifer Ouellette – 1/6/2026 | 149 Magneto, Xavier reunite in new Avengers: Doomsday teaser “The question isn’t ‘are you prepared to die?’ The question is ‘who will you be when you close your eyes?’” Marvel rings in new year with Wonder Man trailer “Acting is the sum of everything you’ve experienced. The joy. Sadness. Loss, Heartbreak.” Jennifer Ouellette – 1/1/2026 | 82 Marvel rings in new year with Wonder Man trailer “Acting is the sum of everything you’ve experienced. The joy. Sadness. Loss, Heartbreak.” Film Technica: Our top picks for the best films of 2025 Streamers made a strong showing this year, as did horror. Big tentpoles, superhero sagas mostly fell flat. Jennifer Ouellette – 1/1/2026 | 106 Film Technica: Our top picks for the best films of 2025 Streamers made a strong showing this year, as did horror. Big tentpoles, superhero sagas mostly fell flat. Stranger Things series finale trailer is here Netflix’s finale will also have a two-day theatrical release to more than 600 locations. Jennifer Ouellette – 12/30/2025 | 95 Stranger Things series finale trailer is here Netflix’s finale will also have a two-day theatrical release to more than 600 locations. A quirky guide to myths and lore based in actual science Folklorist/historian Adrienne Mayor on her new book Mythopedia: A Brief Compendium of Natural History Lore Jennifer Ouellette – 12/29/2025 | 48 A quirky guide to myths and lore based in actual science Folklorist/historian Adrienne Mayor on her new book Mythopedia: A Brief Compendium of Natural History Lore Embark on a visual voyage of art inspired by black holes Art and science converge in Lynn Gamwell’s book, Conjuring the Void: The Art of Black Holes Jennifer Ouellette – 12/26/2025 | 27 Embark on a visual voyage of art inspired by black holes Art and science converge in Lynn Gamwell’s book, Conjuring the Void: The Art of Black Holes TV Technica: Our favorite shows of 2025 Netflix and Apple TV dominate this year’s list with thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, and murder. Jennifer Ouellette – 12/24/2025 | 221 TV Technica: Our favorite shows of 2025 Netflix and Apple TV dominate this year’s list with thrillers, fantasy, sci-fi, and murder. Leaked Avengers: Doomsday teaser is now public It’s purportedly the first of four planned teasers, one per week, showing before Avatar: Fire and Ash. Jennifer Ouellette – 12/23/2025 | 193 Leaked Avengers: Doomsday teaser is now public It’s purportedly the first of four planned teasers, one per week, showing before Avatar: Fire and Ash. Odyssey trailer brings the myth to vivid life “After years of war, no one could stand between my men and home. Not even me.” Jennifer Ouellette – 12/22/2025 | 170 Odyssey trailer brings the myth to vivid life “After years of war, no one could stand between my men and home. Not even me.” Discworld, Daleks, and Deep 13: A geeky holiday TV and movie watchlist There’s obviously more to Christmas flicks than Netflix romcoms. Anna Washenko – 12/21/2025 | 124 Discworld, Daleks, and Deep 13: A geeky holiday TV and movie watchlist There’s obviously more to Christmas flicks than Netflix romcoms. Strava puts popular “Year in Sport” recap behind an $80 paywall Strava’s most viral feature is suddenly locked away. Cyrus Farivar – 12/19/2025 | 114 Strava puts popular “Year in Sport” recap behind an $80 paywall Strava’s most viral feature is suddenly locked away. Neural DSP models John Mayer’s entire amp and effects rig—and it sounds great Mayer gets the “Archetype” treatment. Nate Anderson – 12/18/2025 | 57 Neural DSP models John Mayer’s entire amp and effects rig—and it sounds great Mayer gets the “Archetype” treatment. Stranger Things S5 trailer teases Vol. 2 “Everything we’ve ever assumed about the Upside Down has been dead wrong.” Jennifer Ouellette – 12/15/2025 | 34 Stranger Things S5 trailer teases Vol. 2 “Everything we’ve ever assumed about the Upside Down has been dead wrong.” Filmmaker Rob Reiner, wife, killed in horrific home attack The Reiners’ troubled 32-year-old son, Nick, has been arrested in conjunction with the killings. Jennifer Ouellette – 12/15/2025 | 143 Filmmaker Rob Reiner, wife, killed in horrific home attack The Reiners’ troubled 32-year-old son, Nick, has been arrested in conjunction with the killings. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/space/] | [TOKENS: 2856] |
Space After fueling test, optimism grows for March launch of Artemis II to the Moon “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt … there is still pending work.” Stephen Clark – 2/20/2026 | 25 After fueling test, optimism grows for March launch of Artemis II to the Moon “We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt … there is still pending work.” Rocket Report: Chinese launch firm raises big money; Falcon 9 back to the Bahamas The company that attempted China’s first orbital-class rocket landing says it will soon try again. Stephen Clark – 2/20/2026 | 73 Rocket Report: Chinese launch firm raises big money; Falcon 9 back to the Bahamas The company that attempted China’s first orbital-class rocket landing says it will soon try again. NASA chief classifies Starliner flight as “Type A” mishap, says agency made mistakes “The most troubling failure revealed by this investigation is not hardware.” Eric Berger – 2/19/2026 | 271 NASA chief classifies Starliner flight as “Type A” mishap, says agency made mistakes “The most troubling failure revealed by this investigation is not hardware.” There’s a lot of big talk about sovereign launch—who is doing something about it? As alliances fray, these are the nations investing in sovereign access to space. Stephen Clark – 2/17/2026 | 75 There’s a lot of big talk about sovereign launch—who is doing something about it? As alliances fray, these are the nations investing in sovereign access to space. Space Station returns to a full crew complement after a month “It’s only possible because of the incredibly talented workforce we have.” Eric Berger – 2/15/2026 | 27 Space Station returns to a full crew complement after a month “It’s only possible because of the incredibly talented workforce we have.” NASA has a new problem to fix before the next Artemis II countdown test “We observed materially lower leak rates compared to prior observations during WDR-1.” Stephen Clark – 2/14/2026 | 222 NASA has a new problem to fix before the next Artemis II countdown test “We observed materially lower leak rates compared to prior observations during WDR-1.” Why is Bezos trolling Musk on X with turtle pics? Because he has a new Moon plan. “It’s time to go back to the Moon—this time to stay.” Eric Berger – 2/13/2026 | 347 Why is Bezos trolling Musk on X with turtle pics? Because he has a new Moon plan. “It’s time to go back to the Moon—this time to stay.” Rocket Report: Say cheerio to Orbex; China is getting good at booster landings “You absolutely have to have a plan to compete with SpaceX on price.” Eric Berger – 2/13/2026 | 177 Rocket Report: Say cheerio to Orbex; China is getting good at booster landings “You absolutely have to have a plan to compete with SpaceX on price.” When Amazon badly needed a ride, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket delivered This was the first launch of the Ariane 64, the most powerful rocket in European space history. Stephen Clark – 2/12/2026 | 126 When Amazon badly needed a ride, Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket delivered This was the first launch of the Ariane 64, the most powerful rocket in European space history. ULA’s Vulcan rocket suffers another booster problem on the way to orbit Vulcan’s Blue Origin-made BE-4 engines appear to have saved the rocket from failure. Stephen Clark – 2/12/2026 | 121 ULA’s Vulcan rocket suffers another booster problem on the way to orbit Vulcan’s Blue Origin-made BE-4 engines appear to have saved the rocket from failure. SpaceX takes down Dragon crew arm, giving Starship a leg up in Florida SpaceX’s crew missions will now launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Stephen Clark – 2/11/2026 | 67 SpaceX takes down Dragon crew arm, giving Starship a leg up in Florida SpaceX’s crew missions will now launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. El Paso airport closed after military used new anti-drone laser to zap party balloon “I want to be very, very clear that this should’ve never happened.” Eric Berger – 2/11/2026 | 254 El Paso airport closed after military used new anti-drone laser to zap party balloon “I want to be very, very clear that this should’ve never happened.” Yes, Rocket Lab is blowing up engines. No, it’s not a big deal, CEO says. “We are in the part of the program where we are doing very nasty things to the engine.” Eric Berger – 2/11/2026 | 63 Yes, Rocket Lab is blowing up engines. No, it’s not a big deal, CEO says. “We are in the part of the program where we are doing very nasty things to the engine.” China showcases new Moon ship and reusable rocket in one extraordinary test The test marks a significant step in China’s push to land humans on the Moon by 2030. Stephen Clark – 2/11/2026 | 148 China showcases new Moon ship and reusable rocket in one extraordinary test The test marks a significant step in China’s push to land humans on the Moon by 2030. The Feds closed air space around El Paso on Wednesday to address “cartel” drones Violators were told they would be shot down. Eric Berger – 2/11/2026 | 290 The Feds closed air space around El Paso on Wednesday to address “cartel” drones Violators were told they would be shot down. SpaceX’s next-gen Super Heavy booster aces four days of “cryoproof” testing The next Starship flight is a key precursor for more ambitious missions. Stephen Clark – 2/10/2026 | 178 SpaceX’s next-gen Super Heavy booster aces four days of “cryoproof” testing The next Starship flight is a key precursor for more ambitious missions. Why would Elon Musk pivot from Mars to the Moon all of a sudden? “SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon.” Eric Berger – 2/9/2026 | 1.0k Why would Elon Musk pivot from Mars to the Moon all of a sudden? “SpaceX has already shifted focus to building a self-growing city on the Moon.” To reuse or not reuse—the eternal debate of New Glenn’s second stage reignites A new job posting suggests the debate may be swinging back toward reusing GS2. Eric Berger – 2/6/2026 | 111 To reuse or not reuse—the eternal debate of New Glenn’s second stage reignites A new job posting suggests the debate may be swinging back toward reusing GS2. Lawmakers ask what it would take to “store” the International Space Station NASA shall evaluate the “viability of transferring the ISS to a safe orbital harbor” after retirement. Stephen Clark – 2/6/2026 | 236 Lawmakers ask what it would take to “store” the International Space Station NASA shall evaluate the “viability of transferring the ISS to a safe orbital harbor” after retirement. NASA stage show explores “outer” outer space with Henson’s Fraggles “Our two worlds that on paper wouldn’t seem connected, made a lot of sense to connect.” Robert Pearlman – 2/6/2026 | 22 NASA stage show explores “outer” outer space with Henson’s Fraggles “Our two worlds that on paper wouldn’t seem connected, made a lot of sense to connect.” Rocket Report: SpaceX probes upper stage malfunction; Starship testing resumes Amazon has booked 10 more launches with SpaceX, citing a “near-term shortage in launch capacity.” Stephen Clark – 2/6/2026 | 278 Rocket Report: SpaceX probes upper stage malfunction; Starship testing resumes Amazon has booked 10 more launches with SpaceX, citing a “near-term shortage in launch capacity.” NASA changes its mind, will allow Artemis astronauts to take iPhones to the Moon “We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments.” Eric Berger – 2/5/2026 | 140 NASA changes its mind, will allow Artemis astronauts to take iPhones to the Moon “We are giving our crews the tools to capture special moments.” US House takes first step toward creating “commercial” deep space program “We will continue to rely on the ingenuity of the private sector.” Eric Berger – 2/4/2026 | 88 US House takes first step toward creating “commercial” deep space program “We will continue to rely on the ingenuity of the private sector.” Russian spy satellites have intercepted EU communications satellites Unencrypted European communications are being targeted by Moscow. Financial Times – 2/4/2026 | 100 Russian spy satellites have intercepted EU communications satellites Unencrypted European communications are being targeted by Moscow. NASA finally acknowledges the elephant in the room with the SLS rocket “You know, you’re right, the flight rate—three years is a long time.” Eric Berger – 2/4/2026 | 401 NASA finally acknowledges the elephant in the room with the SLS rocket “You know, you’re right, the flight rate—three years is a long time.” Unable to tame hydrogen leaks, NASA delays launch of Artemis II until March NASA spent most of Monday trying to overcome hydrogen leaks on the Artemis II rocket. Stephen Clark – 2/3/2026 | 210 Unable to tame hydrogen leaks, NASA delays launch of Artemis II until March NASA spent most of Monday trying to overcome hydrogen leaks on the Artemis II rocket. SpaceX acquires xAI, plans to launch a massive satellite constellation to power it “This marks not just the next chapter, but the next book in SpaceX and xAI’s mission.” Eric Berger – 2/2/2026 | 629 SpaceX acquires xAI, plans to launch a massive satellite constellation to power it “This marks not just the next chapter, but the next book in SpaceX and xAI’s mission.” NASA gears up for one more key test before launching Artemis II to the Moon A good test would clear the way for launch of Artemis II as soon as next Sunday, February 8. Stephen Clark – 2/2/2026 | 107 NASA gears up for one more key test before launching Artemis II to the Moon A good test would clear the way for launch of Artemis II as soon as next Sunday, February 8. Here’s why Blue Origin just ended its suborbital space tourism program “This program has laid the groundwork for our company’s future success.” Eric Berger – 1/30/2026 | 97 Here’s why Blue Origin just ended its suborbital space tourism program “This program has laid the groundwork for our company’s future success.” NASA faces a crucial choice on a Mars spacecraft—and it must decide soon “We think that’s a really important mission, and something that we can do.” Eric Berger – 1/30/2026 | 83 NASA faces a crucial choice on a Mars spacecraft—and it must decide soon “We think that’s a really important mission, and something that we can do.” Rocket Report: How a 5-ton satellite fell off a booster; will SpaceX and xAI merge? “We’re seeing remarkable growth year after year.” Eric Berger – 1/30/2026 | 241 Rocket Report: How a 5-ton satellite fell off a booster; will SpaceX and xAI merge? “We’re seeing remarkable growth year after year.” US spy satellite agency declassifies high-flying Cold War listening post The JUMPSEAT satellites loitered over the North Pole to spy on the Soviet Union. Stephen Clark – 1/29/2026 | 71 US spy satellite agency declassifies high-flying Cold War listening post The JUMPSEAT satellites loitered over the North Pole to spy on the Soviet Union. Do you have ideas about how to improve America’s space program? “Any time there’s dynamic change, there’s the opportunity for new ideas.” Eric Berger – 1/29/2026 | 158 Do you have ideas about how to improve America’s space program? “Any time there’s dynamic change, there’s the opportunity for new ideas.” I bought “Remove Before Flight” tags on eBay in 2010—it turns out they’re from Challenger “This is an attempt to learn more…” Robert Pearlman – 1/28/2026 | 44 I bought “Remove Before Flight” tags on eBay in 2010—it turns out they’re from Challenger “This is an attempt to learn more…” Japan lost a 5-ton navigation satellite when it fell off a rocket during launch Imagine: You lost your car’s cargo rack, but didn’t notice until you reached your destination. Stephen Clark – 1/28/2026 | 88 Japan lost a 5-ton navigation satellite when it fell off a rocket during launch Imagine: You lost your car’s cargo rack, but didn’t notice until you reached your destination. A WB-57 pilot just made a heroic landing in Houston after its landing gear failed “A thorough investigation will be conducted by NASA into the cause.” Eric Berger – 1/27/2026 | 148 A WB-57 pilot just made a heroic landing in Houston after its landing gear failed “A thorough investigation will be conducted by NASA into the cause.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/wikipedia-bans-archive-today-after-site-executed-ddos-and-altered-web-captures/#comments] | [TOKENS: 2943] |
Blacklisted Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. Jon Brodkin – Feb 20, 2026 1:35 pm | 59 Credit: Getty Images | Anadolu Credit: Getty Images | Anadolu Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav The English-language edition of Wikipedia is blacklisting Archive.today after the controversial archive site was used to direct a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack against a blog. In the course of discussing whether Archive.today should be deprecated because of the DDoS, Wikipedia editors discovered that the archive site altered snapshots of webpages to insert the name of the blogger who was targeted by the DDoS. The alterations were apparently fueled by a grudge against the blogger over a post that described how the Archive.today maintainer hid their identity behind several aliases. “There is consensus to immediately deprecate archive.today, and, as soon as practicable, add it to the spam blacklist (or create an edit filter that blocks adding new links), and remove all links to it,” stated an update today on Wikipedia’s Archive.today discussion. “There is a strong consensus that Wikipedia should not direct its readers towards a website that hijacks users’ computers to run a DDoS attack (see WP:ELNO#3). Additionally, evidence has been presented that archive.today’s operators have altered the content of archived pages, rendering it unreliable.” More than 695,000 links to Archive.today are distributed across 400,000 or so Wikipedia pages. The archive site is commonly used to bypass news paywalls, and the FBI has sought information on the site operator’s identity with a subpoena to domain registrar Tucows. “Those in favor of maintaining the status quo rested their arguments primarily on the utility of archive.today for verifiability,” said today’s Wikipedia update. “However, an analysis of existing links has shown that most of its uses can be replaced. Several editors started to work out implementation details during this RfC [request for comment] and the community should figure out how to efficiently remove links to archive.today.” Editors urged to remove links Guidance published as a result of the decision asked editors to help remove and replace links to the following domain names used by the archive site: archive.today, archive.is, archive.ph, archive.fo, archive.li, archive.md, and archive.vn. The guidance says editors can remove Archive.today links when the original source is still online and has identical content; replace the archive link so it points to a different archive site, like the Internet Archive, Ghostarchive, or Megalodon; or “change the original source to something that doesn’t need an archive (e.g., a source that was printed on paper), or for which a link to an archive is only a matter of convenience.” The Wikipedia guidance points out that the Internet Archive and its website, Archive.org, are “uninvolved with and entirely separate from archive.today.” The Internet Archive is a nonprofit based in the US. As we previously reported, malicious code in Archive.today’s CAPTCHA page was used to direct a DDoS against the Gyrovague blog written by a man named Jani Patokallio. The Archive.today maintainer demanded that Patokallio take down a 2023 blog post that discussed the archive site founder’s possible identity. Patokallio wasn’t able to determine who runs Archive.today but mentioned apparent aliases such as “Denis Petrov” and “Masha Rabinovich,” and described evidence that the site is operated by someone from Russia. When we last wrote about this topic, the Archive.today maintainer told Ars Technica that it would not provide any comment on the Wikipedia discussion unless we removed references to Patokallio’s blog, which we did not do. Archive.today maintainer sent threats Patokallio told Ars today that he is pleased by the Wikipedia community’s decision. “I’m glad the Wikipedia community has come to a clear consensus, and I hope this inspires the Wikimedia Foundation to look into creating its own archival service,” he told us. In emails sent to Patokallio after the DDoS began, “Nora” from Archive.today threatened to create a public association between Patokallio’s name and AI porn and to create a gay dating app with Patokallio’s name. These threats were discussed by Wikipedia editors in their deliberations over whether to blacklist Archive.today, and then editors noticed that Patokallio’s name had been inserted into some Archive.today captures of webpages. “Honestly, I’m kind of in shock,” one editor wrote. “Just to make sure I’m understanding the implications of this: we have good reason to believe that the archive.today operator has tampered with the content of their archives, in a manner that suggests they were trying to further their position against the person they are in dispute with???” “If this is true it essentially forces our hand, archive.today would have to go,” another editor replied. “The argument for allowing it has been verifiability, but that of course rests upon the fact the archives are accurate, and the counter to people saying the website cannot be trusted for that has been that there is no record of archived websites themselves being tampered with. If that is no longer the case then the stated reason for the website being reliable for accurate snapshots of sources would no longer be valid.” Blog capture tampered with One example discussed by Wikipedia editors involved Jani Patokallio’s name being inserted into an Archive.today capture of a blog post that was mentioned by Patokallio in his February 2026 write-up of the DDoS incident. This blog is related to the “Nora” alias used by the Archive.today maintainer, which now appears to be the name of an actual person. “It appears increasingly likely that the identity of ‘Nora’ has been appropriated from an actual person, whose only connection to archive.today was a request to take down some content,” Patokallio wrote in an update to his blog today. “As a courtesy, I have redacted their last name from this post.” Evidence presented in the Wikipedia discussion showed that Archive.today replaced Nora’s name with Patokallio’s name in the aforementioned blog post. The Archive.today capture has since been reverted to what appears to be the original version. In other cases, Archive.today captures included a “Comment as: Jani Patokallio” string on captures that previously had a “Comment as: Nora [last name redacted]” string. Even if the snapshot alterations hadn’t helped convince Wikipedia’s volunteer editors to deprecate Archive.today, the Wikimedia Foundation itself might have stepped in. In its comments on the DDoS, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia said on February 10 that it had not ruled out intervening due to “the seriousness of the security concern for people who click the links that appear across many wikis.” Jon Brodkin Senior IT Reporter Jon Brodkin Senior IT Reporter Jon is a Senior IT Reporter for Ars Technica. He covers the telecom industry, Federal Communications Commission rulemakings, broadband consumer affairs, court cases, and government regulation of the tech industry. 59 Comments Wikipedia blacklists Archive.today, starts removing 695,000 archive links If DDoSing a blog wasn’t bad enough, archive site also tampered with web snapshots. The English-language edition of Wikipedia is blacklisting Archive.today after the controversial archive site was used to direct a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack against a blog. In the course of discussing whether Archive.today should be deprecated because of the DDoS, Wikipedia editors discovered that the archive site altered snapshots of webpages to insert the name of the blogger who was targeted by the DDoS. The alterations were apparently fueled by a grudge against the blogger over a post that described how the Archive.today maintainer hid their identity behind several aliases. “There is consensus to immediately deprecate archive.today, and, as soon as practicable, add it to the spam blacklist (or create an edit filter that blocks adding new links), and remove all links to it,” stated an update today on Wikipedia’s Archive.today discussion. “There is a strong consensus that Wikipedia should not direct its readers towards a website that hijacks users’ computers to run a DDoS attack (see WP:ELNO#3). Additionally, evidence has been presented that archive.today’s operators have altered the content of archived pages, rendering it unreliable.” More than 695,000 links to Archive.today are distributed across 400,000 or so Wikipedia pages. The archive site is commonly used to bypass news paywalls, and the FBI has sought information on the site operator’s identity with a subpoena to domain registrar Tucows. “Those in favor of maintaining the status quo rested their arguments primarily on the utility of archive.today for verifiability,” said today’s Wikipedia update. “However, an analysis of existing links has shown that most of its uses can be replaced. Several editors started to work out implementation details during this RfC [request for comment] and the community should figure out how to efficiently remove links to archive.today.” Editors urged to remove links Guidance published as a result of the decision asked editors to help remove and replace links to the following domain names used by the archive site: archive.today, archive.is, archive.ph, archive.fo, archive.li, archive.md, and archive.vn. The guidance says editors can remove Archive.today links when the original source is still online and has identical content; replace the archive link so it points to a different archive site, like the Internet Archive, Ghostarchive, or Megalodon; or “change the original source to something that doesn’t need an archive (e.g., a source that was printed on paper), or for which a link to an archive is only a matter of convenience.” The Wikipedia guidance points out that the Internet Archive and its website, Archive.org, are “uninvolved with and entirely separate from archive.today.” The Internet Archive is a nonprofit based in the US. As we previously reported, malicious code in Archive.today’s CAPTCHA page was used to direct a DDoS against the Gyrovague blog written by a man named Jani Patokallio. The Archive.today maintainer demanded that Patokallio take down a 2023 blog post that discussed the archive site founder’s possible identity. Patokallio wasn’t able to determine who runs Archive.today but mentioned apparent aliases such as “Denis Petrov” and “Masha Rabinovich,” and described evidence that the site is operated by someone from Russia. When we last wrote about this topic, the Archive.today maintainer told Ars Technica that it would not provide any comment on the Wikipedia discussion unless we removed references to Patokallio’s blog, which we did not do. Archive.today maintainer sent threats Patokallio told Ars today that he is pleased by the Wikipedia community’s decision. “I’m glad the Wikipedia community has come to a clear consensus, and I hope this inspires the Wikimedia Foundation to look into creating its own archival service,” he told us. In emails sent to Patokallio after the DDoS began, “Nora” from Archive.today threatened to create a public association between Patokallio’s name and AI porn and to create a gay dating app with Patokallio’s name. These threats were discussed by Wikipedia editors in their deliberations over whether to blacklist Archive.today, and then editors noticed that Patokallio’s name had been inserted into some Archive.today captures of webpages. “Honestly, I’m kind of in shock,” one editor wrote. “Just to make sure I’m understanding the implications of this: we have good reason to believe that the archive.today operator has tampered with the content of their archives, in a manner that suggests they were trying to further their position against the person they are in dispute with???” “If this is true it essentially forces our hand, archive.today would have to go,” another editor replied. “The argument for allowing it has been verifiability, but that of course rests upon the fact the archives are accurate, and the counter to people saying the website cannot be trusted for that has been that there is no record of archived websites themselves being tampered with. If that is no longer the case then the stated reason for the website being reliable for accurate snapshots of sources would no longer be valid.” Blog capture tampered with One example discussed by Wikipedia editors involved Jani Patokallio’s name being inserted into an Archive.today capture of a blog post that was mentioned by Patokallio in his February 2026 write-up of the DDoS incident. This blog is related to the “Nora” alias used by the Archive.today maintainer, which now appears to be the name of an actual person. “It appears increasingly likely that the identity of ‘Nora’ has been appropriated from an actual person, whose only connection to archive.today was a request to take down some content,” Patokallio wrote in an update to his blog today. “As a courtesy, I have redacted their last name from this post.” Evidence presented in the Wikipedia discussion showed that Archive.today replaced Nora’s name with Patokallio’s name in the aforementioned blog post. The Archive.today capture has since been reverted to what appears to be the original version. In other cases, Archive.today captures included a “Comment as: Jani Patokallio” string on captures that previously had a “Comment as: Nora [last name redacted]” string. Even if the snapshot alterations hadn’t helped convince Wikipedia’s volunteer editors to deprecate Archive.today, the Wikimedia Foundation itself might have stepped in. In its comments on the DDoS, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia said on February 10 that it had not ruled out intervening due to “the seriousness of the security concern for people who click the links that appear across many wikis.” Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/02/discord-and-persona-end-partnership-after-shady-uk-age-test-sparks-outcry/#comments] | [TOKENS: 4601] |
Broken trust Fury over Discord’s age checks explodes after shady Persona test in UK Persona confirmed all age-check data from Discord’s UK test was deleted. Ashley Belanger – Feb 20, 2026 5:41 pm | 49 Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor | NurPhoto Credit: NurPhoto / Contributor | NurPhoto Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Shortly after Discord announced that all users will soon be defaulted to teen experiences until their ages are verified, the messaging platform faced immediate backlash. One of the major complaints was that Discord planned to collect more government IDs as part of its global age verification process. It shocked many that Discord would be so bold so soon after a third-party breach of a former age check partner’s services recently exposed 70,000 Discord users’ government IDs. Attempting to reassure users, Discord claimed that most users wouldn’t have to show ID, instead relying on video selfies using AI to estimate ages, which raised separate privacy concerns. In the future, perhaps behavioral signals would override the need for age checks for most users, Discord suggested, seemingly downplaying the risk that sensitive data would be improperly stored. Discord didn’t hide that it planned to continue requesting IDs for any user appealing an incorrect age assessment, and users weren’t happy, since that is exactly how the prior breach happened. Responding to critics, Discord claimed that the majority of ID data was promptly deleted. Specifically, Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, told The Verge that IDs shared during appeals “are deleted quickly—in most cases, immediately after age confirmation.” It’s unsurprising then that backlash exploded after Discord posted, and then weirdly deleted, a disclaimer on an FAQ about Discord’s age assurance policies that contradicted Discord’s hyped short timeline for storing IDs. An archived version of the page shows the note shared this warning: “Important: If you’re located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted. For ID document verification, all details are blurred except your photo and date of birth, so only what’s truly needed for age verification is used.” Critics felt that Discord was obscuring not just how long IDs may be stored, but also the entities collecting information. Discord did not provide details on what the experiment was testing or how many users were affected, and Persona was not listed as a partner on its platform. Asked for comment, Discord told Ars that only a small number of users was included in the experiment, which ran for less than one month. That test has since concluded, Discord confirmed, and Persona is no longer an active vendor partnering with Discord. Moving forward, Discord promised to “keep our users informed as vendors are added or updated.” While Discord seeks to distance itself from Persona, Rick Song, Persona’s CEO, has been stuck responding to the mounting backlash. Hoping to quell fears that any of the UK data collected during the experiment risked being breached, he told Ars that all the data of verified individuals involved in Discord’s test was deleted immediately upon verification. Persona draws fire amid Discord fury This all seemingly started after Discord was forced to find age verification solutions when Australia’s under-16 social media ban and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act came into effect. It seems that in the UK, Discord struggled to find partners, as the messaging service wasn’t just trying to stop minors from accessing adult content but also needed to block adults from messaging minors. Setting aside known issues with accuracy in today’s age estimation technology, there’s an often-overlooked nuance to how age solutions work, particularly when the safety of children is involved in platforms’ decisions. Age checks that are good enough to block kids from accessing adult content may not work as well as age checks to stop tech-savvy adults with malicious intentions bent on contacting minors; the UK’s OSA required that Discord’s age checks block both. It seems likely that Discord expected Persona to be a partner that the UK’s OSA enforcers would approve. OSA had previously approved Persona as an age verification service on Reddit, which shares similarly complex age verification goals with Discord. For Persona, the partnership came at a time when many Discord users globally were closely monitoring the service, trying to decided whehter they trusted Discord with their age check data. After Discord shocked users by abruptly retracting the disclaimer about the Persona experiment, mistrust swelled, and scrutiny of Persona intensified. On X and other social media platforms, critics warned that Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund was a major investor in Persona. They worried Thiel might have influence over Persona or access to Persona’s data, or, worse, that Thiel’s ties to the Trump administration might mean the government had access to it. Fearing that Discord data may one day be fed into government facial recognition systems, conspiracies swirled, increasing heat on Persona and leaving Song with no choice but to cautiously confront allegations. Hackers probe Persona Perhaps most problematic for Persona, the mass outrage prompted cybersecurity researchers to investigate. They quickly exposed a “workaround” to avoid Persona’s age checks on Discord, The Rage, an independent publication that covers financial surveillance, reported. But more concerning for privacy advocates, researchers also found the uncompressed of Persona’s frontend code “exposed to the open Internet on a US government authorized server.” “In 2,456 publicly accessible files, the code revealed the extensive surveillance Persona software performs on its users, bundled in an interface that pairs facial recognition with financial reporting—and a parallel implementation that appears designed to serve federal agencies,” The Rage reported. As The Rage reported, and Song confirmed to Ars, Persona does not currently have any government contracts. Instead, the exposed service “appears to be powered by an OpenAI chatbot,” The Rage noted. In correspondence with one of the researchers, Song clarified that this product is based on publicly available records for sanctions and warnings, and the service does not store any user data sent to it. Song told Ars that the product does not leverage AI. OpenAI is highlighted as an active partner on Persona’s website, which claims Persona screens millions of users for OpenAI each month. According to The Rage, “the publicly exposed domain, titled ‘openai-watchlistdb.withpersona.com,’” appears to “query identity verification requests on an OpenAI database” that has a “FedRAMP-authorized parallel implementation of the software called ‘withpersona-gov.com.’” Hackers warned “that OpenAI may have created an internal database for Persona identity checks that spans all OpenAI users via its internal watchlistdb,” seemingly exploiting the “opportunity to go from comparing users against a single federal watchlist, to creating the watchlist of all users themselves.” OpenAI did not immediately respond to Ars’ request to comment. Persona denies government, ICE ties On Wednesday, Persona’s chief operating officer, Christie Kim, sought to reassure Persona customers as the Discord controversy grew. In an email, Kim said that Persona invests “heavily in infrastructure, compliance, and internal training to ensure sensitive data is handled responsibly,” and not exposed. “Over the past week, multiple social media posts and online articles have circulated repeating misleading claims about Persona, insinuating conspiracies around our work with Discord and our investors,” Kim wrote. Noting that Persona does not “typically engage with online speculation,” Kim said that the scandal required a direct response “because we operate in a sensitive space and your trust in us is foundational to our partnership.” As expected, Kim noted that Persona is not partnered with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Transparently, we are actively working on a couple of potential contracts which would be publicly visible if we move forward,” Kim wrote. “However, these engagements are strictly for workforce account security of government employees and do not include ICE or any agency within the Department of Homeland Security.” Kim acknowledged that Thiel’s Founders Fund is an investor but said that investors do not have access to Persona data and that Thiel was not involved in Persona’s operations. “He is not on our board, does not advise us, has no role in our operations or decision-making, and is not directly involved with Persona in any way,” Kim wrote. “Persona and Palantir share no board members and have no business relationship with each other.” In the email, Kim confirmed that Persona was planning a press campaign to go on the defensive, speaking with media to clarify the narrative. She apologized for any inconvenience that the heightened scrutiny on the company’s services may have caused. That scrutiny has likely spooked partners that may have previously gravitated to Persona as a partner that seems savvy about government approvals. Persona combats ongoing trust issues For Persona, the PR nightmare comes at a time when age verification laws are gaining popularity and beginning to take force in various parts of the world. Persona’s background in verifying identities for financial services to prevent fraud seems to make its services—which The Rage noted combine facial recognition with financial reporting—an appealing option for platforms seeking a solution that will appease regulators. Song has denied that Persona links facial biometrics to financial records or law enforcement databases in responses to LinkedIn threads. But because of Persona’s background in financial services and fraud protection, its data retention policies—which require some data be retained for legal and audit purposes—will likely leave anyone uncomfortable with a tech company gathering a massive database of government IDs. Such databases are viewed as hugely attractive targets for bad actors behind costly breaches, and Discord’s users have already been burned once. On X, Song responded to one of the hackers—a user named Celeste with the handle @vmfunc—aiming to provide more transparency into how Persona was addressing the flagged issues. In the thread, he shared screenshots of emails documenting his correspondence with Celeste over security concerns. The correspondence showed that Celeste credited Persona for quickly fixing the front-end issue but also noted that it was hard to trust Persona’s story about government and Palantir ties, since the company wouldn’t put more information on the record. Additionally, Persona’s compliance team should be concerned that the company had not yet started an “in-depth security review,” Celeste said. “Unfortunately, there is no way I can fully trust you here and you know this,” Celeste wrote, “but I’m trying to act in good faith” by explicitly stating that “we found zero references” to ICE or other entities concerning critics “in all source files we found.” But Song and Celeste eventually ironed out some of the misunderstandings, with Celeste agreeing that flagged security concerns were not of such great severity. On Friday, Celeste posted on X that “I see a lot of misinformation going online about our recent post about Persona.” Later correspondence shared with Ars showed Celeste thanked Song for his honesty in responding to questions, noting that the CEO putting statements on the record countering the rumors carried weight in a situation where Persona’s claims couldn’t all necessarily be independently verified. This story has been updated to include additional insights from Persona. Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley Belanger Senior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 49 Comments Fury over Discord’s age checks explodes after shady Persona test in UK Persona confirmed all age-check data from Discord’s UK test was deleted. Shortly after Discord announced that all users will soon be defaulted to teen experiences until their ages are verified, the messaging platform faced immediate backlash. One of the major complaints was that Discord planned to collect more government IDs as part of its global age verification process. It shocked many that Discord would be so bold so soon after a third-party breach of a former age check partner’s services recently exposed 70,000 Discord users’ government IDs. Attempting to reassure users, Discord claimed that most users wouldn’t have to show ID, instead relying on video selfies using AI to estimate ages, which raised separate privacy concerns. In the future, perhaps behavioral signals would override the need for age checks for most users, Discord suggested, seemingly downplaying the risk that sensitive data would be improperly stored. Discord didn’t hide that it planned to continue requesting IDs for any user appealing an incorrect age assessment, and users weren’t happy, since that is exactly how the prior breach happened. Responding to critics, Discord claimed that the majority of ID data was promptly deleted. Specifically, Savannah Badalich, Discord’s global head of product policy, told The Verge that IDs shared during appeals “are deleted quickly—in most cases, immediately after age confirmation.” It’s unsurprising then that backlash exploded after Discord posted, and then weirdly deleted, a disclaimer on an FAQ about Discord’s age assurance policies that contradicted Discord’s hyped short timeline for storing IDs. An archived version of the page shows the note shared this warning: “Important: If you’re located in the UK, you may be part of an experiment where your information will be processed by an age-assurance vendor, Persona. The information you submit will be temporarily stored for up to 7 days, then deleted. For ID document verification, all details are blurred except your photo and date of birth, so only what’s truly needed for age verification is used.” Critics felt that Discord was obscuring not just how long IDs may be stored, but also the entities collecting information. Discord did not provide details on what the experiment was testing or how many users were affected, and Persona was not listed as a partner on its platform. Asked for comment, Discord told Ars that only a small number of users was included in the experiment, which ran for less than one month. That test has since concluded, Discord confirmed, and Persona is no longer an active vendor partnering with Discord. Moving forward, Discord promised to “keep our users informed as vendors are added or updated.” While Discord seeks to distance itself from Persona, Rick Song, Persona’s CEO, has been stuck responding to the mounting backlash. Hoping to quell fears that any of the UK data collected during the experiment risked being breached, he told Ars that all the data of verified individuals involved in Discord’s test was deleted immediately upon verification. Persona draws fire amid Discord fury This all seemingly started after Discord was forced to find age verification solutions when Australia’s under-16 social media ban and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act came into effect. It seems that in the UK, Discord struggled to find partners, as the messaging service wasn’t just trying to stop minors from accessing adult content but also needed to block adults from messaging minors. Setting aside known issues with accuracy in today’s age estimation technology, there’s an often-overlooked nuance to how age solutions work, particularly when the safety of children is involved in platforms’ decisions. Age checks that are good enough to block kids from accessing adult content may not work as well as age checks to stop tech-savvy adults with malicious intentions bent on contacting minors; the UK’s OSA required that Discord’s age checks block both. It seems likely that Discord expected Persona to be a partner that the UK’s OSA enforcers would approve. OSA had previously approved Persona as an age verification service on Reddit, which shares similarly complex age verification goals with Discord. For Persona, the partnership came at a time when many Discord users globally were closely monitoring the service, trying to decided whehter they trusted Discord with their age check data. After Discord shocked users by abruptly retracting the disclaimer about the Persona experiment, mistrust swelled, and scrutiny of Persona intensified. On X and other social media platforms, critics warned that Palantir co-founder Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund was a major investor in Persona. They worried Thiel might have influence over Persona or access to Persona’s data, or, worse, that Thiel’s ties to the Trump administration might mean the government had access to it. Fearing that Discord data may one day be fed into government facial recognition systems, conspiracies swirled, increasing heat on Persona and leaving Song with no choice but to cautiously confront allegations. Hackers probe Persona Perhaps most problematic for Persona, the mass outrage prompted cybersecurity researchers to investigate. They quickly exposed a “workaround” to avoid Persona’s age checks on Discord, The Rage, an independent publication that covers financial surveillance, reported. But more concerning for privacy advocates, researchers also found the uncompressed of Persona’s frontend code “exposed to the open Internet on a US government authorized server.” “In 2,456 publicly accessible files, the code revealed the extensive surveillance Persona software performs on its users, bundled in an interface that pairs facial recognition with financial reporting—and a parallel implementation that appears designed to serve federal agencies,” The Rage reported. As The Rage reported, and Song confirmed to Ars, Persona does not currently have any government contracts. Instead, the exposed service “appears to be powered by an OpenAI chatbot,” The Rage noted. In correspondence with one of the researchers, Song clarified that this product is based on publicly available records for sanctions and warnings, and the service does not store any user data sent to it. Song told Ars that the product does not leverage AI. OpenAI is highlighted as an active partner on Persona’s website, which claims Persona screens millions of users for OpenAI each month. According to The Rage, “the publicly exposed domain, titled ‘openai-watchlistdb.withpersona.com,’” appears to “query identity verification requests on an OpenAI database” that has a “FedRAMP-authorized parallel implementation of the software called ‘withpersona-gov.com.’” Hackers warned “that OpenAI may have created an internal database for Persona identity checks that spans all OpenAI users via its internal watchlistdb,” seemingly exploiting the “opportunity to go from comparing users against a single federal watchlist, to creating the watchlist of all users themselves.” OpenAI did not immediately respond to Ars’ request to comment. Persona denies government, ICE ties On Wednesday, Persona’s chief operating officer, Christie Kim, sought to reassure Persona customers as the Discord controversy grew. In an email, Kim said that Persona invests “heavily in infrastructure, compliance, and internal training to ensure sensitive data is handled responsibly,” and not exposed. “Over the past week, multiple social media posts and online articles have circulated repeating misleading claims about Persona, insinuating conspiracies around our work with Discord and our investors,” Kim wrote. Noting that Persona does not “typically engage with online speculation,” Kim said that the scandal required a direct response “because we operate in a sensitive space and your trust in us is foundational to our partnership.” As expected, Kim noted that Persona is not partnered with federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Transparently, we are actively working on a couple of potential contracts which would be publicly visible if we move forward,” Kim wrote. “However, these engagements are strictly for workforce account security of government employees and do not include ICE or any agency within the Department of Homeland Security.” Kim acknowledged that Thiel’s Founders Fund is an investor but said that investors do not have access to Persona data and that Thiel was not involved in Persona’s operations. “He is not on our board, does not advise us, has no role in our operations or decision-making, and is not directly involved with Persona in any way,” Kim wrote. “Persona and Palantir share no board members and have no business relationship with each other.” In the email, Kim confirmed that Persona was planning a press campaign to go on the defensive, speaking with media to clarify the narrative. She apologized for any inconvenience that the heightened scrutiny on the company’s services may have caused. That scrutiny has likely spooked partners that may have previously gravitated to Persona as a partner that seems savvy about government approvals. Persona combats ongoing trust issues For Persona, the PR nightmare comes at a time when age verification laws are gaining popularity and beginning to take force in various parts of the world. Persona’s background in verifying identities for financial services to prevent fraud seems to make its services—which The Rage noted combine facial recognition with financial reporting—an appealing option for platforms seeking a solution that will appease regulators. Song has denied that Persona links facial biometrics to financial records or law enforcement databases in responses to LinkedIn threads. But because of Persona’s background in financial services and fraud protection, its data retention policies—which require some data be retained for legal and audit purposes—will likely leave anyone uncomfortable with a tech company gathering a massive database of government IDs. Such databases are viewed as hugely attractive targets for bad actors behind costly breaches, and Discord’s users have already been burned once. On X, Song responded to one of the hackers—a user named Celeste with the handle @vmfunc—aiming to provide more transparency into how Persona was addressing the flagged issues. In the thread, he shared screenshots of emails documenting his correspondence with Celeste over security concerns. The correspondence showed that Celeste credited Persona for quickly fixing the front-end issue but also noted that it was hard to trust Persona’s story about government and Palantir ties, since the company wouldn’t put more information on the record. Additionally, Persona’s compliance team should be concerned that the company had not yet started an “in-depth security review,” Celeste said. “Unfortunately, there is no way I can fully trust you here and you know this,” Celeste wrote, “but I’m trying to act in good faith” by explicitly stating that “we found zero references” to ICE or other entities concerning critics “in all source files we found.” But Song and Celeste eventually ironed out some of the misunderstandings, with Celeste agreeing that flagged security concerns were not of such great severity. On Friday, Celeste posted on X that “I see a lot of misinformation going online about our recent post about Persona.” Later correspondence shared with Ars showed Celeste thanked Song for his honesty in responding to questions, noting that the CEO putting statements on the record countering the rumors carried weight in a situation where Persona’s claims couldn’t all necessarily be independently verified. This story has been updated to include additional insights from Persona. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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[SOURCE: https://arstechnica.com/security/] | [TOKENS: 2785] |
Security Password managers’ promise that they can’t see your vaults isn’t always true Contrary to what password managers say, a server compromise can mean game over. Dan Goodin – 2/17/2026 | 167 Password managers’ promise that they can’t see your vaults isn’t always true Contrary to what password managers say, a server compromise can mean game over. Once-hobbled Lumma Stealer is back with lures that are hard to resist ClickFix bait, combined with advanced Castleloader malware, is installing Lumma “at scale.” Dan Goodin – 2/11/2026 | 20 Once-hobbled Lumma Stealer is back with lures that are hard to resist ClickFix bait, combined with advanced Castleloader malware, is installing Lumma “at scale.” Windows’ original Secure Boot certificates expire in June—here’s what you need to do PCs without the new certificates could eventually have trouble booting new OSes. Andrew Cunningham – 2/10/2026 | 136 Windows’ original Secure Boot certificates expire in June—here’s what you need to do PCs without the new certificates could eventually have trouble booting new OSes. Malicious packages for dYdX cryptocurrency exchange empties user wallets Incident is at least the third time the exchange has been targeted by thieves. Dan Goodin – 2/6/2026 | 34 Malicious packages for dYdX cryptocurrency exchange empties user wallets Incident is at least the third time the exchange has been targeted by thieves. Microsoft releases urgent Office patch. Russian-state hackers pounce. The window to patch vulnerabilities is shrinking rapidly. Dan Goodin – 2/4/2026 | 77 Microsoft releases urgent Office patch. Russian-state hackers pounce. The window to patch vulnerabilities is shrinking rapidly. The rise of Moltbook suggests viral AI prompts may be the next big security threat We don’t need self-replicating AI models to have problems, just self-replicating prompts. Benj Edwards – 2/3/2026 | 115 The rise of Moltbook suggests viral AI prompts may be the next big security threat We don’t need self-replicating AI models to have problems, just self-replicating prompts. Notepad++ users take note: It’s time to check if you’re hacked Suspected China-state hackers used update infrastructure to deliver backdoored version. Dan Goodin – 2/2/2026 | 113 Notepad++ users take note: It’s time to check if you’re hacked Suspected China-state hackers used update infrastructure to deliver backdoored version. Web portal leaves kids’ chats with AI toy open to anyone with Gmail account Just about anyone with a Gmail account could access Bondu chat transcripts. WIRED – 1/30/2026 | 45 Web portal leaves kids’ chats with AI toy open to anyone with Gmail account Just about anyone with a Gmail account could access Bondu chat transcripts. County pays $600,000 to pentesters it arrested for assessing courthouse security Settlement comes more than 6 years after Gary DeMercurio and Justin Wynn’s ordeal began. Dan Goodin – 1/29/2026 | 96 County pays $600,000 to pentesters it arrested for assessing courthouse security Settlement comes more than 6 years after Gary DeMercurio and Justin Wynn’s ordeal began. Site catering to online criminals has been seized by the FBI One of the last holdouts for ransomware discussions, RAMP is taken down. Dan Goodin – 1/28/2026 | 40 Site catering to online criminals has been seized by the FBI One of the last holdouts for ransomware discussions, RAMP is taken down. There’s a rash of scam spam coming from a real Microsoft address Abusing Microsoft’s reputation may make scam harder to spot. Dan Goodin – 1/27/2026 | 49 There’s a rash of scam spam coming from a real Microsoft address Abusing Microsoft’s reputation may make scam harder to spot. Why has Microsoft been routing example.com traffic to a company in Japan? Company’s autodiscover caused users’ test credentials to be sent outside Microsoft networks. Dan Goodin – 1/26/2026 | 70 Why has Microsoft been routing example.com traffic to a company in Japan? Company’s autodiscover caused users’ test credentials to be sent outside Microsoft networks. How to encrypt your PC’s disk without giving the keys to Microsoft Storing recovery keys with Microsoft allows the company to unlock your disk. Andrew Cunningham – 1/26/2026 | 157 How to encrypt your PC’s disk without giving the keys to Microsoft Storing recovery keys with Microsoft allows the company to unlock your disk. Poland’s energy grid was targeted by never-before-seen wiper malware Destructive payload unleashed on tenth anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s grid. Dan Goodin – 1/24/2026 | 188 Poland’s energy grid was targeted by never-before-seen wiper malware Destructive payload unleashed on tenth anniversary of Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s grid. Overrun with AI slop, cURL scraps bug bounties to ensure “intact mental health” The onslaught includes LLMs finding bogus vulnerabilities and code that won’t compile. Dan Goodin – 1/22/2026 | 90 Overrun with AI slop, cURL scraps bug bounties to ensure “intact mental health” The onslaught includes LLMs finding bogus vulnerabilities and code that won’t compile. Hacker who stole 120,000 bitcoins wants a second chance—and a security job Crypto theft was “the worst thing I had ever done.” Cyrus Farivar – 1/22/2026 | 65 Hacker who stole 120,000 bitcoins wants a second chance—and a security job Crypto theft was “the worst thing I had ever done.” Millions of people imperiled through sign-in links sent by SMS Even well-known services with millions of users are exposing sensitive data. Dan Goodin – 1/21/2026 | 70 Millions of people imperiled through sign-in links sent by SMS Even well-known services with millions of users are exposing sensitive data. Mandiant releases rainbow table that cracks weak admin password in 12 hours Windows laggards still using the vulnerable hashing function: Your days are numbered. Dan Goodin – 1/16/2026 | 24 Mandiant releases rainbow table that cracks weak admin password in 12 hours Windows laggards still using the vulnerable hashing function: Your days are numbered. Why I’m withholding certainty that “precise” US cyber-op disrupted Venezuelan electricity NYT says US hackers were able to turn off power and then quickly turn it back on. Dan Goodin – 1/15/2026 | 72 Why I’m withholding certainty that “precise” US cyber-op disrupted Venezuelan electricity NYT says US hackers were able to turn off power and then quickly turn it back on. Many Bluetooth devices with Google Fast Pair vulnerable to “WhisperPair” hack Even Google’s own earbuds are vulnerable to the Fast Pair hack. Ryan Whitwam – 1/15/2026 | 42 Many Bluetooth devices with Google Fast Pair vulnerable to “WhisperPair” hack Even Google’s own earbuds are vulnerable to the Fast Pair hack. A single click mounted a covert, multistage attack against Copilot Exploit exfiltrating data from chat histories worked even after users closed chat windows. Dan Goodin – 1/14/2026 | 69 A single click mounted a covert, multistage attack against Copilot Exploit exfiltrating data from chat histories worked even after users closed chat windows. US gov’t: House sysadmin stole 200 phones, caught by House IT desk Scheme allegedly cost taxpayers $150,000. Nate Anderson – 1/14/2026 | 65 US gov’t: House sysadmin stole 200 phones, caught by House IT desk Scheme allegedly cost taxpayers $150,000. Never-before-seen Linux malware is “far more advanced than typical” VoidLink includes an unusually broad and advanced array of capabilities. Dan Goodin – 1/13/2026 | 48 Never-before-seen Linux malware is “far more advanced than typical” VoidLink includes an unusually broad and advanced array of capabilities. Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike wants to do for AI what he did for messaging Introducing Confer, an end-to-end AI assistant that just works. Dan Goodin – 1/13/2026 | 113 Signal creator Moxie Marlinspike wants to do for AI what he did for messaging Introducing Confer, an end-to-end AI assistant that just works. Rocket Report: A new super-heavy launch site in California; 2025 year in review SpaceX opened its 2026 launch campaign with a mission for the Italian government. Stephen Clark – 1/9/2026 | 196 Rocket Report: A new super-heavy launch site in California; 2025 year in review SpaceX opened its 2026 launch campaign with a mission for the Italian government. Michigan man learns the hard way that “catch a cheater” spyware apps aren’t legal Spying doesn’t become legal just because “cheaters” are the targets. Nate Anderson – 1/8/2026 | 166 Michigan man learns the hard way that “catch a cheater” spyware apps aren’t legal Spying doesn’t become legal just because “cheaters” are the targets. ChatGPT falls to new data-pilfering attack as a vicious cycle in AI continues Will LLMs ever be able to stamp out the root cause of these attacks? Possibly not. Dan Goodin – 1/8/2026 | 65 ChatGPT falls to new data-pilfering attack as a vicious cycle in AI continues Will LLMs ever be able to stamp out the root cause of these attacks? Possibly not. The nation’s strictest privacy law just took effect, to data brokers’ chagrin Californians can now submit demands requiring 500 brokers to delete their data. Dan Goodin – 1/5/2026 | 98 The nation’s strictest privacy law just took effect, to data brokers’ chagrin Californians can now submit demands requiring 500 brokers to delete their data. Supply chains, AI, and the cloud: The biggest failures (and one success) of 2025 The past year has seen plenty of hacks and outages. Here are the ones topping the list. Dan Goodin – 12/31/2025 | 17 Supply chains, AI, and the cloud: The biggest failures (and one success) of 2025 The past year has seen plenty of hacks and outages. Here are the ones topping the list. Browser extensions with 8 million users collect extended AI conversations The extensions, available for Chromium browsers, harvest full AI conversations over months. Dan Goodin – 12/17/2025 | 75 Browser extensions with 8 million users collect extended AI conversations The extensions, available for Chromium browsers, harvest full AI conversations over months. Microsoft will finally kill obsolete cipher that has wreaked decades of havoc The weak RC4 for administrative authentication has been a hacker holy grail for decades. Dan Goodin – 12/15/2025 | 64 Microsoft will finally kill obsolete cipher that has wreaked decades of havoc The weak RC4 for administrative authentication has been a hacker holy grail for decades. Admins and defenders gird themselves against maximum-severity server vuln Open source React executes malicious code with malformed HTML—no authentication needed. Dan Goodin – 12/3/2025 | 83 Admins and defenders gird themselves against maximum-severity server vuln Open source React executes malicious code with malformed HTML—no authentication needed. Fraudulent gambling network may actually be something more nefarious Researchers say there’s more to the network, which has operated for 14 years. Dan Goodin – 12/3/2025 | 19 Fraudulent gambling network may actually be something more nefarious Researchers say there’s more to the network, which has operated for 14 years. This hacker conference installed a literal antivirus monitoring system Organizers had a way for attendees to track CO2 levels throughout the venue—even before they arrived. WIRED – 11/22/2025 | 104 This hacker conference installed a literal antivirus monitoring system Organizers had a way for attendees to track CO2 levels throughout the venue—even before they arrived. Oops. Cryptographers cancel election results after losing decryption key. Voting system required three keys. One of them has been “irretrievably lost.” Dan Goodin – 11/21/2025 | 181 Oops. Cryptographers cancel election results after losing decryption key. Voting system required three keys. One of them has been “irretrievably lost.” How to know if your Asus router is one of thousands hacked by China-state hackers So far, the hackers are laying low, likely for later use. Dan Goodin – 11/21/2025 | 99 How to know if your Asus router is one of thousands hacked by China-state hackers So far, the hackers are laying low, likely for later use. Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don’t need to know everything, only what’s important. |
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