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Challenging technology to serve the public good. Send tips: http://mrkup.org/tips. Subscribe: http://mrkup.org/klaxon. Support: http://mrkup.org/donate.
Tech companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft are ignoring data controls mandated under California law, researchers say.
Websites break California privacy law at ‘industrial scale,’ survey finds – The Markup
Tech companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft are ignoring data controls mandated under California law, researchers say.
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Community colleges are spending millions on AI-powered chatbots that students say often give inaccurate answers. Many might see upgrades this year.
California colleges spend millions on faulty AI systems: 'The chatbot is outdated’ – The Markup
Community colleges are spending millions on AI-powered chatbots that students say often give inaccurate answers. Many might see upgrades this year.
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We asked experts to break down the top questions about how the transplant system works — and why equity matters.
Ten answers that could save a life: Organ donation explained – The Markup
We asked experts to break down the top questions about how the transplant system works — and why equity matters.
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AI-written applications, an impersonator and a recruiter scam followed just one remote job posting.
Hiring in an era of fake candidates, real scams and AI slop – The Markup
AI-written applications, an impersonator and a recruiter scam followed just one remote job posting.
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A consortium of journalists is revealing how the industry influences governments in Latin America and globally.
How American Big Tech guards the profits it extracts around the world – The Markup
A consortium of journalists is revealing how the industry influences governments in Latin America and globally.
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Mental health providers are increasingly using AI technology to record conversations, raising privacy concerns among patients and practitioners.
Your medical provider might be recording your mental health care visits – The Markup
Mental health providers are increasingly using AI technology to record conversations, raising privacy concerns among patients and practitioners.
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A new state tool lets you tell data brokers to stop tracking you. Will they comply? Help us investigate.
Californians can protect their personal data with one click. Help us test if it works – The Markup
A new state tool lets you tell data brokers to stop tracking you. Will they comply? Help us investigate.
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Since 2016, California enacted more AI regulations than any other state. The president's new order against such laws worries state officials.
State AI regulation is in the crosshairs of Trump executive order – The Markup
Since 2016, California enacted more AI regulations than any other state. The president's new order against such laws worries state officials.
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California is leading on kids’ data privacy in the U.S. but still lags internationally.
Brazil gives parents social media controls for their kids. Should the US? – The Markup
California is leading on kids’ data privacy in the U.S. but still lags internationally.
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Dancers say their craft can’t be duplicated by AI. Our tests show they’re right — for now.
Generative AI is eating culture. See how close it’s getting to disrupting dance – The Markup
Dancers say their craft can’t be duplicated by AI. Our tests show they’re right — for now.
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None of the videos produced by the leading AI platforms showed the actual dances we requested.
How we tested and evaluated AI-generated dance videos – The Markup
None of the videos produced by the leading AI platforms showed the actual dances we requested.
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The civil lawsuit, citing the Dating App Reporting Project, argues that dating apps could kick off serial rapists, but don’t.
Dating App Rape Survivors File Lawsuit Accusing Hinge, Tinder of “Accommodating Rapists” – The Markup
The civil lawsuit filed Tuesday, citing the Dating App Reporting Project, argues that dating apps could kick off serial rapists, but don’t.
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The California Courier likes to run Facebook ads against Democrats. Its funding, and most of its writers, are a mystery.
Could this mysterious website influence the 2026 election? – The Markup
The California Courier likes to run Facebook ads against Democrats. Its funding, and most of its writers, are a mystery.
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California is leading on kids’ data privacy in the U.S. but still lags internationally.
Brazil gives parents social media controls for their kids. Should the US? – The Markup
California is leading on kids’ data privacy in the U.S. but still lags internationally.
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Lawsuits in California federal and state court are unearthing documents embarrassing to tech companies — and may be a tipping point into federal regulation.
‘We’re basically pushers:’ How a battle over kids on social media is unfolding in two California courtrooms – The Markup
Lawsuits in California federal and state court are unearthing documents embarrassing to tech companies — and may be a tipping point into federal regulation.
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As California passed various child privacy laws, countries like Brazil passed comprehensive legislation that overlaps with some California policies, while going even further. bit.ly/4fDCeWt 📸 Zaydee Sanchez
Dark patterns force patients to share their data with big healthcare networks, even when the privacy form they’re signing explicitly says they can opt-out.
The form asked my permission to share my health data. Then it wouldn’t let me say no. – The Markup
Dark patterns force patients to share their data with big healthcare networks, even when the privacy form they’re signing explicitly says they can opt-out.
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Call center nurses at Kaiser Permanente said workplace surveillance tools and AI prioritize speed and cost savings over quality and safety.
Kaiser nurses say surveillance of them is undermining healthcare – The Markup
Call center nurses at Kaiser Permanente said workplace surveillance tools and AI prioritize speed and cost savings over quality and safety.
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A tool called DROP lets California residents fill out a few forms to keep their personal data from being tracked or sold by data brokers.
How Californians can use a new state website to block hundreds of data brokers – The Markup
A tool called DROP lets California residents fill out a few forms to keep their personal data from being tracked or sold by data brokers.
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A congressional investigation estimates broker breaches have cost consumers $20 billion in identity theft. Major brokers now promise to make it easier to opt out of their databases.
Following Markup investigation, Congress finds data brokers cost consumers tens of billions of dollars – The Markup
A congressional investigation estimates broker breaches have cost consumers $20 billion in identity theft. Major brokers now promise to make it easier to opt out of their databases.
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We’ve updated The Markup’s privacy tool to help you understand how sites are tracking you through TikTok and X pixels.
Are TikTok and X tracking you across the internet? Our privacy tool can now tell you – The Markup
We’ve updated The Markup’s privacy tool to help you understand how sites are tracking you through TikTok and X pixels.
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A legislative battle is under way over gaps that allow companies to collect and sell students’ personal information.
California tried to protect students’ data. Tech companies found loopholes – The Markup
A legislative battle is under way over gaps that allow companies to collect and sell students’ personal information.
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Dozens of companies are hiding how you can delete your personal data, The Markup and CalMatters found. After our reporters reached out for comment, multiple companies have stopped the practice.
We caught companies making it harder to delete your personal data online – The Markup
Dozens of companies are hiding how you can delete your personal data, The Markup and CalMatters found. After our reporters reached out for comment, multiple companies have stopped the practice.
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Southern California residents are noticing new license plate readers that appear to be operated by the Border Patrol. Some have had confusing encounters with agents.
He saw an abandoned trailer. Then, he uncovered a surveillance network on California's border – The Markup
Southern California residents are noticing new license plate readers that appear to be operated by the Border Patrol. Some have had confusing encounters with agents.
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Google organized business owners against California legislation to force its Chrome web browser to safeguard personal data.
Google kept its lobbying on this privacy bill super, super quiet – The Markup
Google organized business owners against California legislation to force its Chrome web browser to safeguard personal data.
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The Markup and CalMatters showed how website code could make it harder for Californians to exercise their right to remove personal data. Now much of that code has disappeared.
It’s easier for Californians to escape data brokers following a Markup investigation – The Markup
The Markup and CalMatters showed how website code could make it harder for Californians to exercise their right to remove personal data. Now much of that code has disappeared.
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For years a race-based medical calculation delayed Black patients access to life-saving kidney transplants
Is the patient Black? Check this box for yes – The Markup
For years a race-based medical calculation delayed Black patients access to life-saving kidney transplants
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Legislation recently enacted in California will make it easier for consumers nationwide to protect their data
Why a new California law could change the way all Americans browse the internet – The Markup
Legislation recently enacted in California will make it easier for consumers nationwide to protect their data
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The Lincoln Media Foundation has spent big to push ‘local’ conservative messaging
It was John Wayne’s political club. Now it’s spending millions on online influence – The Markup
The Lincoln Media Foundation has spent big to push ‘local’ conservative messaging
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Tech companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft are ignoring data controls mandated under California law, researchers say.
Websites break California privacy law at ‘industrial scale,’ survey finds – The Markup
Tech companies like Google, Facebook and Microsoft are ignoring data controls mandated under California law, researchers say.
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