OpenAI boss Sam Altman has finally signed up for his own Worldcoin cryptocurrency, four years after founding the controversial venture. The tech boss, whose AI startup created ChatGPT, recently raised $100 million to finance his crypto side project, which involves scanning millions of people’s eyeballs in order to trade their biometric data for free cryptocurrency. Until this week he had been unable to join the project due to it being unavailable in his native US. On a trip to Europe on Tuesday, where the technology is not restricted, Mr Altman signed up to the venture through a silver orb that uses iris scanning technology to capture user data. This data is used to verify an individual’s “unique personhood”, which entitles them to a free share of Worldcoin tokens when it officially launches. More than 1.5 million people have already signed up for the project, according to the company’s own figures, with the launch expected to take place in the coming weeks. The company describes the cryptocurrency as a “new, collectively owned global currency that will be distributed fairly to as many people as possible”, claiming that everyone in the world is eligible for a free share of it. The Worldcoin tokens, called WLD, is similar to other cryptocurrencies in that it can be used as a store of value or to make payments, with the project’s website stating that it can be used for “remittances, [to] tip artists, [and] buy and sell goods and services”. Worldcoin has generated controversy for collecting biometric data from people in developing countries in exchange for free gifts and cash, but the company claims this unique approach to crypto means it can be distributed fairly and inclusively After scanning a person’s iris with the spherical device, which the company calls the “chrome orb”, a user is given their allotted share of Worldcoin. This means no one is able to get more than their individual free share of the digital currency, though it will still possible to buy and trade it separately, just like any other cryptocurrency. “Nothing like this has ever been done before and the outcome is uncertain,” Mr Altman wrote in a blog post in 2021, alongside other Worldcoin co-founders. “But we are obsessed with the idea that revolutionary new technologies like blockchain and cryptography can let us do something collectively that even governments have not been able to: increase individual empowerment and equality of opportunity on a global scale.” Read More What is superintelligence? How AI could replace humans as the dominant lifeform on Earth

Nearly a dozen Senate Democrats wrote to Google this week with questions about how it deletes users' location history when they have visited sensitive locations such as abortion clinics, expressing concerns that the company may not have been consistently deleting the data as promised.

The streaming service Max may only be hours into its rollout, but it’s already under fire by Hollywood’s top guilds for the way it credits writers and directors

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2023--

Netflix has finally launched its long-awaited crackdown on password sharing in the US and the UK. The move is an attempt to help it grow its subscriptions and profits amid slowing interest in the streaming platform. But it also means that those people who use other people’s accounts – and those who own those accounts – could be facing some significant changes in the way they use the platform. Here’s what the crackdown means for you, and anyone who might be on your account. What are Netflix’s rules about password sharing? Netflix’s rules specifically say that any account is meant for use by one household. It’s very permitted to have more than one person within that household – that is why it offers the “profiles” feature that lets people have multiple lists and viewing histories in one account – but it is not permitted for people to use an account associated with another household. The definition of a household is a little vague, and Netflix defines it as “you and the people you live with”. In practice, that means the other people who live at the same address, at least in terms of ensuring that you won’t get caught up with Netflix’s rules, which are based on location. That doesn’t mean that you can only use Netflix within one house. The company is very happy with people using the app outside of their home, such as when travelling, and again makes allowances for that with features such as being able to download films and TV shows to watch offline. The rules limiting Netflix accounts to one household have long been in place, however. What has changed is that the company is now going to start enforcing them, by kicking people out of accounts if they don’t believe them to be within a household. What does the crackdown mean? The new changes mean that Netflix will be using a variety of tools to spot when people are using another household’s account – and prevent them from doing so. That spotting will happen using a variety of tools, but is primarily about checking a devices IP address and other identifiers to see whether its usage patterns suggest it is not following the rules. If that happens, then Netflix will stop that person accessing the account. Instead, they’ll offer new ways for those people to get online properly. Over time, Netflix expects that there will be some cancellations from people who have so far been sharing accounts, it said in its recent results. But tests have shown that many of those people then come back again, and that it overall leads to more people paying for subscriptions, which is why it has chosen to press ahead. What are the options for people sharing passwords? Netflix is giving those people who have been sharing accounts two different options. First, they can “transfer a profile”. That means the person sharing the account can get their own, new membership but that it will include all of their watch history and other data, so that they don’t lose out when they start over again. Otherwise, you can “buy an extra member” for your account, which essentially means that the person will stay on your account but you will have to pay for them. That is slightly cheaper than buying a full-blown new login, at £4.99 in the UK or $7.99 in the US. What about people who share their accounts? If you are the person lending out your account, rather than the one borrowing it, there isn’t necessarily anything you need to do. Netflix isn’t pursuing people who have shared their password. It does however encourage users to check who’s using the account, to avoid getting told off for lending it. That can be done by heading to Netflix’s settings, which offers the option to sign out any devices that are logged in, as well as changing the password so they can’t get back in. What about if I travel a lot? If you are using your account outside of the house, there’s no big reason to worry. You can still do so, though you might receive some warnings from Netflix if you are away for a long time. During the rollout, Netflix said that it had received some feedback about people getting the warnings because they had been travelling, rather than sharing their accounts. It suggested that has been fixed in the new version of the technology that is monitoring those logins. Read More Netflix begins crackdown on password sharing in the UK and US Netflix begins sending emails to UK customers about account sharing Netflix launches account crackdown in US and UK Teenager given criminal behaviour order after entering home for TikTok ‘prank’ Meta Ireland to cut about 490 jobs New brain technology helps paralysed man with severe spine injury walk again

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2023--

A teenager has been issued with a criminal behaviour order and fined hundreds of pounds after entering a home as part of a TikTok “prank” video. Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, 18, of Manor Road, Hackney, London, appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday. O’Garro appeared in court wearing a black hoodie and a face mask. He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address, and to admit to one count of failing to comply with a community protection notice. Varinder Hayre, prosecuting, told the court that O’Garro was issued with a community protection notice on May 11 last year, and that two of its conditions were that he not trespass on to private property. Ms Hayre said that he then breached that notice by entering a home on May 15 this year. “He went to the home address of the victim,” she said. “The door of the property was open. “Mr O’Garro walked into the property and immediately walked down the stairs. “He was stopped by the home owner. “He went into the living room. He sat down on the sofa and said ‘Is this where the study group is?'” He has caused the family a lot of distress Varinder Hayre, prosecuting Ms Hayre said: “He was asked to leave multiple times by both the victim and the husband.” She added: “It was discovered that he had filmed the entire incident for a TikTok trend about walking into random houses.” Ms Hayre said: “He has caused the family a lot of distress. “The faces of the couple and their two young children can be seen.” She told the court that the mother was under the impression that O’Garro was attempting burglary, and added that the mother takes her family’s privacy “very seriously”. “This has caused the victim great concern,” Ms Hayre said. Lee Sergent, in mitigation, said that O’Garro had apologised to the family. He said that his client was raised by a single parent and had a difficult upbringing. “Mr O’Garro grew up in a single parent household,” Mr Sergent said. “He had an extremely difficult childhood. “He is an intelligent young man and a young man with some potential.” He said that his client was neither in work nor education, but was instead in receipt of Universal Credit. Mr Sergent added that his client had made some legitimate social media content, including playing games and discussing conspiracy theories. Judge Charlotte Crangle issued O’Garro with a two-year criminal behaviour order. The order included that O’Garro must not directly or indirectly post videos on to social media without the documented consent of the people featured in the content, that he must not trespass into private property, and that he must not attend the Westfield Centre in Stratford. She also ordered O’Garro to pay a fine of £200, as well as a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £85 – totalling £365. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live New brain technology helps paralysed man with severe spine injury walk again Meta Ireland to cut about 490 jobs Netflix begins crackdown on password sharing in the UK and US

Microsoft Corp will lodge an appeal by the end of Wednesday against British regulators' decision to block its

In the new BMW 5-series sedan, unveiled Wednesday by the German luxury automaker, drivers will be able to change lanes on the highway just by looking to the side.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2023--

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 24, 2023--

Facebook-parent Meta on Wednesday began cutting employees in its business groups as part of a previously announced round of layoffs, according to social media posts from impacted workers.