in the clear: 2024-03-25

This is a running list of various media I've looked at each week. It's mostly for reference and to give an impression of the type of news that I'm exposed to. Bullets are written by me and numbers are summaries of the respective article from an LLM.

If you have any suggestions or know of other good news sources, please leave a comment in the guestbook or reach out to me directly. I can't spend all my time reading about current events, but I like to try and stay informed whenever possible.

Forbes: Feds Ordered Google To Unmask Certain YouTube Users. Critics Say It’s ‘Terrifying.’

1. Federal government ordered Google to reveal information about individuals who viewed specific YouTube videos and livestreams.
2. The orders have been criticized by privacy experts as unconstitutional and a threat to innocent YouTube viewers.
3. The orders aim to identify a person using the online moniker "elonmuskwhm," suspected of selling Bitcoin for cash.
4. Google was asked to provide names, addresses, phone numbers, and user activity of those who viewed the videos.
5. The orders also requested IP addresses of non-Google account users who viewed the videos.
6. The orders have been criticized for potentially turning innocent YouTube viewers into criminal suspects and undermining the 1st and 4th Amendments.

NPR: What's at stake in the Supreme Court mifepristone case

1. The Supreme Court will hear a case challenging the FDA's approval of mifepristone, a medication used for abortion, on March 25, 2024.
2. The case could make medication abortion much harder to access, potentially cutting down on the number of people able to access this medication and undoing telemedicine and retail pharmacies' ability to dispense it.
3. The treatment can potentially ward off weeks of waiting, worrying, and bleeding for those experiencing miscarriage. If mifepristone is restricted or banned, no one will be able to get access to it with ease.
4. A Supreme Court decision that restricts access to mifepristone would affect the whole country, including voters' preferences in blue states.
5. A ruling to limit access to mifepristone would extend into states that have attempted to protect access, interfering with state sovereignty.
6. Drugmakers are concerned about the case, as it could potentially interfere with the FDA's authority to regulate medications without judicial interference, affecting any medicine.

Lawfare: Immigration is Not Invasion

1. Texas has argued that illegal migration and drug smuggling qualify as an "invasion" under Article I of the Constitution, allowing the state to respond militarily without congressional authorization.
2. This argument has been rejected by federal courts in cases such as United States v. Abbott and United States v. Texas.
3. The term "invasion" in the Constitution is linked with "domestic Violence" and refers to armed attacks, not nonviolent actions such as illegal migration or smuggling.
4. Legal scholars and framers of the Constitution, such as James Madison, have consistently used "invasion" to refer to armed incursions.
5. The idea that even small-scale illegal migration or smuggling could trigger a state's power to wage war without congressional authorization is an absurd implication that goes beyond the ordinary meaning of the terms.
6. Founding-era dictionaries do not support the idea that "invasion" includes metaphorical secondary meanings such as an "invasion" by a disease or an "invasion" of rights.

NPR: Meta is limiting how much political content users see. Here's how to opt out of that

1. Meta is limiting political content on Instagram and Threads, not affecting content from followed accounts.
2. The change aims to respect users' appetite for political content, preserving their ability to choose.
3. The new setting will influence recommendations on explore page, reels, feed, and suggested users.
4. Users can update preferences to avoid Instagram limiting political content.
5. The change is an extension of Meta's current approach to political content.
6. Recent algorithm changes aim to reduce political content and misinformation on Meta's platforms.

GSA: Could quantum computing be South Carolina’s next economic draw?

1. The South Carolina Quantum Association (SCQA) has received $15 million in funding to develop quantum computing technology and talent in South Carolina.
2. The initiative aims to make Columbia a center for cutting-edge computer technology by increasing collaboration among academia, entrepreneurs, industry, and government.
3. Quantum computing uses subatomic particles called qubits, which can represent combinations of both ones and zeroes, to solve complex problems more efficiently than traditional digital systems.
4. Funds will be used for workforce development, certificate and micro-credential programs, entrepreneurship support, and quantum demonstration projects.
5. The US government has committed over $1.2 billion for quantum research and development, recognizing it as an "industry of the future" alongside AI and 5G.
6. USC has ongoing quantum computing research, including a prototype quantum-based hedge fund showing strong returns.

NPR: A U.K. court delays extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the U.S.

1. Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has won a partial victory in his battle against extradition to the U.S, where he faces espionage charges.
2. London's High Court has delayed his extradition and given the U.S. government three weeks to provide assurances that Assange would get a fair trial.
3. Assange, 52, is an Australian computer programmer and hacker who founded WikiLeaks in 2006 as a platform for publishing leaked files or documents.
4. He is charged with espionage for publishing classified documents about the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which could result in up to 175 years in prison if convicted.
5. Assange's lawyers argue that his life is in danger if extradited and that the case is politically motivated, setting a dangerous precedent for other journalists.
6. U.S. prosecutors claim Assange endangered lives with the publication of classified documents but maintain that he would receive a fair trial and not face torture or the death penalty.

Economist: China’s banks have a bad-debt problem

1. Chinese banks, including Bank of Jiujiang, are facing a bad-debt problem, which they often conceal through complex transactions with asset-management companies (AMCs).
2. These hidden debts are a ticking time bomb for hundreds of banks, and regulators are starting to take action, imposing penalties for improper handling of debts.
3. The National Administration of Financial Regulation (NAFR), established in 2023, has stronger enforcement capabilities and is taking a more serious approach to concealed bad debts.
4. Banks previously used various tactics to downplay the extent of their bad debt, such as moving them into different asset categories and signaling a good chance of repayment.
5. China's four state-owned AMCs, responsible for hoovering up bad debts, are struggling, with one requiring a $6.6bn bailout in 2021 and others poorly capitalized.
6. The increasing bad debt levels and the AMCs' struggles create challenges for banks like Bank of Jiujiang and hundreds of other lenders.

The Guardian: Two nights of broken sleep can make people feel years older, finds study

1. Two nights of restricted sleep can make individuals feel over four years older, while ample sleep can make them feel three months younger.
2. The perception of being older due to lack of sleep may affect people's health by encouraging unhealthy habits and reducing physical activity.
3. The study found that for each day of poor sleep, individuals felt on average three months older.
4. Feeling older was linked to feeling sleepier, and people's responses to sleep loss varied based on whether they were morning or evening types.
5. The study suggests that protecting sleep can help individuals feel younger and more socially and physically active.
6. Insufficient or poor sleep quality can impact lifestyle behaviors that affect long-term health.

Gizmodo: Facebook Accused of Using Your Phone to Wiretap Snapchat

1. Meta (Facebook) had a secret initiative called "Project Ghostbusters" to spy on Snapchat's data through its VPN service, Onavo, which was available from 2016 to 2019.
2. The project involved creating "kits" to intercept traffic for certain apps, using a "man-in-the-middle" approach, with Onavo users acting as the intermediaries.
3. Meta acquired Onavo from an Israeli firm and used it to spy on rival social media apps, gathering valuable intelligence on competitors.
4. A team of senior executives and around 41 lawyers were involved in Project Ghostbusters, and they were concerned about continuing the program due to press scrutiny.
5. Facebook shut down Onavo in 2019 after Apple removed it from its app store, and Meta is now accused of violating the US Wiretap Act.
6. Prosecutors claim that Project Ghostbusters harmed competition in the ad industry, supporting their argument that Meta is a monopoly in social media.

Lawfare: The Kids Online Safety Act and the State of Tech Policy

1. The "Kids Online Safety Act" (KOSA) is a bill in the US Senate that aims to impose new responsibilities on tech platforms to protect minors.
2. KOSA would require platforms to exercise "reasonable care" in implementing design features to prevent harms to minors, including mental health disorders, addiction-like behaviors, violence, drug use, and deceptive marketing.
3. The bill also includes specific "safeguards" such as default privacy settings for minors and some parental oversight of social media use.
4. KOSA has gained support from both Democrats and Republicans, with 62 co-sponsors in the Senate, but still faces challenges in becoming law.
5. The bill has undergone revisions since its introduction in February 2022, in response to concerns from internet freedom groups and LGBTQ+ advocates about potential over-moderation and censorship.
6. KOSA is part of a larger trend of tech regulation focusing on child safety, particularly at the state level, with 23 new child safety laws passed in 13 states in 2023.

NPR: Here's what to know about dengue, as Puerto Rico declares a public health emergency

1. Puerto Rico declared a public health emergency due to a rapid increase in dengue cases in 2024.
2. Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease, with an estimated 100-400 million annual global infections.
3. Symptoms are typically mild, but severe cases can lead to hospitalization and be potentially fatal.
4. The vaccine, Dengvaxia, is available for use in certain age groups and regions, with no specific medicine to treat dengue.
5. Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to avoid contracting dengue, using repellents, protective clothing, and removing standing water.
6. Dengue is endemic in over 100 countries, with a rising trend in tropical and subtropical climates, including parts of Europe.

NPR: People say they're leaving religion due to anti-LGBTQ teachings and sexual abuse

1. One quarter of Americans identify as religiously unaffiliated, the largest religious group in the U.S.
2. The number of those identifying as atheists and agnostic has significantly increased since 2013.
3. The majority of religiously unaffiliated people were formerly Catholic or mainline Protestant.
4. The Catholic Church is experiencing a net loss of members, but retains more Hispanic Catholics.
5. The top reasons for leaving a religion are stopping belief in teachings and negative treatment of LGBTQ people.
6. Younger Americans, particularly those under 30, are more likely to leave due to negative teachings about LGBTQ people.

Lawfare: To Govern AI, We Must Govern Compute

1. Computing power (compute) is essential for AI progress, with usage increasing by 350 million over 13 years.
2. Governments use compute governance to pursue AI policy goals, such as limiting misuse risks or supporting domestic industries.
3. Compute is detectable, excludable, and quantifiable, making it a feasible tool for AI governance.
4. The AI supply chain is highly concentrated, enhancing compute's detectability and excludability.
5. Compute governance can support widely shared goals like safety but should be used cautiously, as it can also infringe on civil liberties and entrench power structures.
6. Compute plays a crucial role in AI progress, with significant increases in compute usage leading to major AI breakthroughs.

NPR: The White House issued new rules on how government can use AI. Here's what they do

1. The Biden administration released new rules on how government agencies can implement AI, aiming for safe use and innovation balance.
2. Each agency must appoint a chief artificial intelligence officer to oversee AI implementation.
3. Agencies have to implement AI safeguards by Dec 1, or stop using the technology if they can't meet the requirements.
4. The government plans to grow the AI workforce, hiring at least 100 professionals in the field by this summer.
5. Agencies are required to share an annual inventory of AI usage and related risks, promoting transparency and public scrutiny.
6. The guidance encourages AI innovation in government agencies while emphasizing safety guardrails.

NYT Opinion: The Great Tension Inside the Trump G.O.P.

1. The article discusses the disconnect between the views of Republican voters and the party's policy proposals, particularly on government spending and taxation.
2. The American Compass poll shows that more Republicans support increased government support for social programs, while a Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll suggests that many support raising taxes on the wealthy.
3. The Republican Study Committee's budget proposal, however, aims to make Trump-era tax cuts permanent, extend corporate tax cuts, and eliminate the estate tax, paid for by reducing spending on Medicaid, Obamacare, and entitlements.
4. The author suggests that despite the increasing populism of constituents, the pendulum swings back to libertarian policies when the G.O.P. is in power.
5. Three explanations for this disconnect are proposed: the "Thomas Frank thesis," the "postmaterialism argument," and the "small-government conservatism is fake" theory.
6. The "Thomas Frank thesis" argues that Republican politicians trick middle-class voters into supporting libertarian policies, while the "postmaterialism argument" suggests that voters prioritize cultural issues over economic ones. The "small-government conservatism is fake" theory posits that voters don't fear limited-government conservatism because it has never succeeded in making significant spending cuts.

NYT Opinion: There’s No Such Thing as an American Bible

1. The page discusses a special edition Bible, called "God Bless the USA Bible," which includes the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance, and parts of a country song.
2. The Bible, endorsed by Donald Trump and Lee Greenwood, is a King James Version with unique features, but its cover has an American flag instead of traditional Christian symbols.
3. The author finds this messaging unsettling and wrong, as it focuses on God's blessing of one particular nation, which they consider an example of Christian nationalism and syncretism.
4. The author emphasizes the universal nature of the Christian faith, celebrated by diverse people on every continent, and the core messages of love, service, and vulnerability.
5. The piece highlights the dangers of empires and imperial modes of thinking, contrasting them with the primacy of love and service in the Christian faith.
6. The author criticizes the idea of a nation-specific Bible, suggesting that it misunderstands the Bible's message and the nature of the Christian faith as a global, transnational community.