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Elon Musk Crypto Giveaway Scam: What You Need to Know!

Please watch out for the Elon Musk crypto giveaway scam, and warn your family and friends!

Elon Musk Crypto Giveaway : What Is It?

People are sharing a video which purportedly shows Elon Musk telling people to go to the ElonFirst website, which claims to be giving away 20 million dollars worth of bitcoins (BTC) and ether (ETH) cryptocurrencies!

And now breaking news. Take out your phones and go to elonfirst.com right now. You will be thanking me forever for this.

If you go to the ElonFirst website, you will see it claim that Elon Musk is the “founder of this event and one of the main sponsors” of the $20,000,000 crypto giveaway.

Elon Musk ’s Crypto Giveaway

X Payments. Coming early 2025.

Why would we pay millions to advertising agencies
instead of giving them to you?
You will forward this to everyone.
A billboard would get us one pair of eyes only..

Elon Musk : The founder of this event and one of the main sponsors of the event

$20,000,000 : Allocated for the giveaway

60 BTC / 300 ETH : Max amount that we can get on your crypto wallet after participating in this event

Terms of participation : Important: you can only participate in this Giveaway 1 time!

Show less

You can visit the website, but do not follow the instructions there, because it’s a scam!

Recommended : Donald Trump Crypto Giveaway Scam Alert!

Why Elon Musk Crypto Giveaway Is A Scam!

Here are the reasons why the Elon Musk crypto giveaway is a just another scam to cheat you of your hard-earned money!

Elon Musk is not giving away free crypto!

First, let me just point out that Elon Musk is not giving away any Bitcoin or Ether. He is a businessman who loves making money, not give it away.

Even his philanthropy appears to be largely self-serving, making him eligible for enormous tax breaks, and helping his businesses. That’s why he’s a billionaire.

There is also no reason why X (formerly Twitter) would ever give away over $2,000,000 worth of BTC and ETH cryptocurrency, when it is in financial trouble with negative cash flow, and has already lost about 80% of its value!

Elon Musk video was digitally-altered

The video of Elon Musk asking you to go to ElonFirst.com appears to be digitally-altered, using AI software to change the movement of Elon Musk’s mouth to match the fake voice-over.

If you watch the original video from the 2024 Annual Tesla Shareholder Meeting, you can see that Elon Musk never asked anyone to go to ElonFirst.com.

ElonFirst.com is a fake / scam websites

The ElonFirst.com website is a fake or scam website, pretending to be owned by Elon Musk. The website domain name is brand new, and was only registered on 9 October 2024.

The domain name also does not belong to Elon Musk, X or Tesla. In fact, its ownership appears to be hidden – a common practice for scam websites.

All we can tell is that the domain was registered in Stockholm, Sweden, and the server it uses appears to be hosted in Russia.

ElonFirst.com

Registered on : 2024-10-09
Expires on : 2025-10-09
Name Servers : ns5.myarena.ru, ns6.myarena.ru

Organization : Redacted for privacy
State : Stockholm
Country : SE (Sweden)

Just like an earlier cryptocurrency scam involving Elon Musk, it is likely the scammers will keep switching the same scam website to different domains every time they get exposed.

This is a double-up crypto scam!

Just like the earlier Elon Musk BTC + ETH scam, this is a similar double-up crypto scam that relies on your greed to cheat you of your cryptocurrency.

Instead of giving you the cryptocurrency you prefer like a real giveaway would, it asks you to send your own BTC or ETH to receive double the amount in return!

In order to receive BTC from our giveaway – you have to send BTC & we will send back to you double the amount, instantly! This is to avoid bad actors exploiting our giveaway.

That’s utter nonsense. Whatever cryptocurrency you send to those addresses will be lost for good. You will never get it back, never mind get double the amount!

To further tempt you into giving even more bitcoin or ether, the scammers offer special bonuses for large transactions:

Send 0.1+ BTC get 0.2+ BTC back

Send 0.5+ BTC get 1+ BTC back

Send 1+ BTC get 2+ BTC back

Send 5+ BTC get 11.25+ BTC back +25% Bonus

Send 10+ BTC get 25+ BTC back +50% Bonus

Send 20 BTC get 60 BTC back +100% Bonus

All that is bullshit. They are just preying on your greed to trick you into giving them more cryptocurrency.

Please do NOT send any bitcoin or ether to those addresses. It is a SCAM!

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X back in Brazil after paying $5M fine and blocking accounts!

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X is back in Brazil, after it caved and paid a hefty $5 million fine, and blocked accounts accused of spreading misinformation! Here is what you need to know…

Elon Musk fight with Brazil over X ban : A quick primer!

The brouhaha between Elon Musk and Brazil started when Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) to remove over 100 accounts that were allegedly spreading misinformation and questioning the legitimacy of President President Lula da Silva’s 2022 election victory.

Musk, who has often claimed to be a staunch advocacy of free speech, publicly opposed these directives, labeling them an infringement on individual rights. His vocal criticisms of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes escalated the situation, leading to heightened scrutiny of X’s operations in Brazil.

In a surprising move, Musk chose to close X offices in Brazil in mid-August, leaving the platform without a legal representative in the country — an essential requirement for operating legally. This led to Justice Moraes ordering internet and mobile service providers in Brazil to block access to X, a significant blow to the platform’s user base in the region.

Elon Musk also publicly mocked Justice Moraes, claiming that the judge has “repeatedly broken the laws he has sworn to uphold“, while sharing a post celebrating X as the top news app on Apple’s App Store in Brazil, stating, “People want to know the truth.”

Last week, X mysteriously reappeared in Brazil after a software update that it claimed resulted in an “inadvertent and temporary service restoration to Brazilian users”. But Justice Moraes called it “wilful, illegal and persistent”, and levied a R$5 million fine (~US$921,000) on X, adding to R$18.3 million (~US$3.37 million) fine that had already been imposed.

X back in Brazil after paying $5M fine and blocking accounts!

However, just three weeks after defying Brazil’s court orders, Elon Musk and X gave up its fight, and agreed to comply with Brazilian court orders to restore access.

This compliance included appointing a legal representative in Brazil and removing the user accounts that the court deemed threats to democracy. X also paid fines totalling 28.6 million reais ($5.1 million / £3.9 million), as part of the resolution.

On 8 October 2024, Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes said that X had met all the necessary requirements to operate again in Brazil, and ordered the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to restore service within 24 hours.

X said that it was proud to return to Brazil, and added that it “will continue to defend freedom of speech, within the boundaries of the law”.

Brazilian Minister of Communications Juscelino Filho labelled it as a “victory for the country“, and stated that “We showed the world that here, our laws should be respected, by whomever it may be“.

Brazil is the sixth biggest market for X globally, with about 21.5 million users according to Statista. However, many of its users migrated to rival platforms like Bluesy and Threads (which is owned by Meta), and it is unknown if they will all return to X.

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Kiplepay and UiTM transform digital payments at 34 campuses!

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UiTM is partnering with Kiplepay to introduce its cutting-edge digital payment platform, streamlining financial processes and efficiency across its 34 campuses. Here is what you need to know…

Kiplepay and UiTM transform digital payments at 34 campuses!

UiTM is set to redefine financial services on its 34 campuses nationwide through a strategic collaboration with Kiplepay, a leading fintech innovator in Malaysia. Through this partnership, UiTM will introduce a cutting-edge digital payment platform to diversify and strengthen its financial management processes, focusing on back-end reconciliation.

This initiative will optimize operational connectivity, ensuring timely financial processes and reducing manual data entry errors. The automation of these processes will significantly improve the accuracy of financial reports, providing reliable data and strategic support to UiTM’s administrative and financial staff.

With this close engagement, Kiplepay’s solutions can help expand the digital payment landscape at UiTM by providing a wide range of innovative payment options, efficient back-end reconciliation, and seamless financial transactions.

Our collaboration goes beyond payments; it’s about enhancing the overall financial experience for everyone at UiTM, ensuring they can streamline their financial management and improve the overall user experience for all.

– Norhizam Kadir, Executive Director, Kiplepay

The deployment of this digital payment platform will allow UiTM to manage and streamline its financial processes in real time. Additionally, it will introduce various digital services, such as cross-border transfers and online payments, facilitated by Kiplepay’s FINePay system. This essential payment platform is already supporting various campus initiatives, including Giving@UiTM, which covers wakaf, donations, endowments, and corporate social responsibility projects.

Enhanced Financial Management: Streamlined back-end reconciliation, optimized operational connectivity, and automated financial processes for improved efficiency and accuracy.
Expanded Payment Options: A wide range of innovative payment methods, including cross-border transfers and online payments.
Enhanced Security: Robust data security measures to protect sensitive financial information.
Improved User Experience: A convenient and user-friendly digital payment platform for students, faculty, and staff.

UiTM is committed to adjusting to the rapidly changing digital landscape. With this collaboration with Kiplepay, we will reinforce UITM’s commitment to push the campus towards cashless payments, a move that is in line with global trends. For UITM, this move is not just focused on enhancing the financial management of the university, but to also raise the trust level of the data security and operational readiness of our administrative system .

– Junita Jamaludin, Acting Treasurer, UiTM

To date, approximately 3,775 projects have registered for this digital payment deployment, processing 543,866 transactions that include various digital payments. This strategic collaboration encompasses seminar and course fees, workshop charges, and other campus-related activities, turning the vision of a cashless ecosystem at UiTM into reality.

The partnership aims to achieve significant operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and a seamless payment experience. UiTM and Kiplepay are confident that this industry-first collaboration will set a new standard for higher education institutions in Malaysia and beyond.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did China officially declare George Soros a global terrorist?!

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Did China just declare that George Soros is a global terrorist, and the son of Satan?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : China officially declares George Soros a global terrorist!

Some people are claiming or suggesting that China just officially declared that George Soros is a global terrorist, and the son of Satan!

Cillian / TruthSetsUFree : BREAKING: China has officially declared George Soros a ‘Global Terrorist’ — and said that he is “the son of Satan and the most evil person in the World.” This is huge!

Captainbara / dustin mills : China declares George Soros a global terrorist and calls him the son of Satan. Thoughts?

Truth : China did not officially declare George Soros a global terrorist!

This appears to be yet another example of fake news created about George Soros, and here are the reasons why…

China did not officially declare George Soros a global terrorist

Let me start by pointing out that China has never officially declared George Soros as a global terrorist.

If China ever issued such an official declaration, it would have been reported widely by media outlets all over the world. Yet such a shocking news has never been reported, never mind corroborated, by any legitimate media outlet.

It was an opinion piece by two anonymous writers

The “source” for this was not the Chinese government, but an opinion piece (archive) that was posted in The Global Times – a daily newspaper run by the Chinese Communist Party.

The opinion piece, titled 补壹刀：这个“全球经济恐怖分子”，正盯着中国！ (To add insult insult to injury : This “global economic terrorist” is eyeing China!), was written by two anonymous writers going by the pen names – 叨叨姐 (Chatterbox Sister) and 刀削面 (Knife-cut Noodles) – hardly the names of Chinese officials.

Article only referred to George Soros insults

The opinion piece did not say that the Chinese government, or even the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), officially declared George Soros a global terrorist, or the son of Satan.

全球经济恐怖分子”“阴谋家”“世界上最邪恶的人”“撒旦的儿子”…… 这些说的都是同一个人：索罗斯。

“Global Economic Terrorist,” “Conspirator,” “The Most Evil Person in the World,” “Son of Satan”… These terms all refer to the same person: Soros.

Even those who used Google Translate can see that the writers were only referring to insults or labels that are often used to mock George Soros.

To be clear – the writers did not claim that the Chinese government, or the CCP, ever referred to George Soros in those terms.

It was posted in September 2021

The article isn’t even new, and was posted more than 3 years ago – on 4 September 2021!

Why would anyone claim or suggest that it just happened, and even used the word “Breaking”???

The screenshot was edited

The screenshot above that some people are sharing is actually of an English article that was posted on a website that no longer exists, on 11 September 2021.

However, to make it appear “new”, it appears that the year (2021) was edited out of the screenshot. If you look carefully at the screenshot above, you can see that there’s a gap between 11th September and @ 1.00pm.

Why would anyone edited out the year of publication, and post it as “Breaking” news???

This is just fake news about George Soros

Ultimately, this is yet another example of fake news about George Soros, like these examples I fact checked earlier;

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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New NetApp ASA A-Series boosts block storage performance!

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NetApp just unveiled its all-flash ASA A-Series storage systems designed to boost block storage performance! Here is what you need to know…

NetApp introduces all-flash ASA A-Series storage systems!

NetApp, a leader in intelligent data infrastructure, has unveiled its cutting-edge NetApp ASA A-Series all-flash storage systems. Designed specifically for block storage, these systems empower organizations to modernize their storage solutions without compromising on operational simplicity, performance, or affordability.

With these new systems and continued advancements to NetApp’s intelligent data infrastructure, customers no longer need to make tradeoffs between operational simplicity, high-end capabilities, and affordability in their storage.

“Our customers tell us that the demands on their infrastructure keep intensifying so they need storage systems that deliver real value through power, affordability and simplicity,” said Sandeep Singh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Storage at NetApp. “With the new NetApp ASA A-Series systems, our customers can modernise their operations to meet the demands of more powerful workloads on block storage without having to choose between operational simplicity and high-end capabilities. Simpler operations at an affordable price point ensure our customers have the time and resources to apply their powerful storage systems to drive innovation across their business.”

NetApp ASA A-Series : Key Benefits

With the new all-flash ASA A-Series, businesses can manage their most demanding block storage workloads through three pivotal benefits:

Simplicity

The ASA A-Series prioritizes ease of use, enabling quick deployment and management:

Fast Deployment: Setup takes just minutes, with provisioning accomplished in seconds.
User-Friendly Management: Thanks to built-in AIOps and seamless integration with VMware, everyday management is streamlined, allowing virtually anyone to operate the system without extensive IT training.

Power

Designed to handle advanced workloads, the ASA A-Series delivers outstanding performance:

Market-Leading Performance: Experience millions of IOPS and consistent sub-millisecond latency, ensuring your VMware and database applications run efficiently.
Advanced Features: Scale-out clustering, workload balancing, and a “six 9s” availability guarantee ensure that your critical operations remain reliable. Additionally, NetApp’s Ransomware Recovery Guarantee and application-aware backup capabilities provide peace of mind.

Affordability

Cost-effective storage solutions are vital for modern organizations:

Lower Upfront Costs: Organizations can enjoy a 25-50% reduction in initial expenses while benefiting from high storage efficiency.
Total Cost of Ownership: With low power consumption and minimal operational overhead, the ASA A-Series significantly reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO), allowing for better budget management over time.

To complement the ASA A-Series, NetApp has upgraded its Data Infrastructure Insights service (formerly Cloud Insights). These enhancements provide customers with improved visibility and optimization capabilities, helping them maximize savings and performance across their data infrastructure.

NetApp ASA A-Series : Models + Availability

At launch, there are five ASA A-Series models – ASA A150, ASA A250, ASA A400, ASA A800, and ASA A900.

NetApp is now accepting orders for the ASA A-Series, which will begin shipping by the end of October 2024.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did WEF just call for social media owners to be imprisoned?!

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Did the WEF just call for social media owners to be imprisoned?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WEF calls for imprisonment of social media owners!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claimed or suggested that the World Economic Forum just called for social media owners to be imprisoned for allowing “non-mainstream” content on their platforms!

Here is an excerpt of the (intentionally?) rambling and confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

WEF Calls for Imprisonment of Social Media Owners Who Allow ‘Non-Mainstream’ Content on Their Platforms

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has called on government’s worldwide to begin imprisoning social media owners who allow ‘non-mainstream’ content on their platforms.

Klaus Schwab’s right-hand man Yuval Noah Harari says people like Elon Musk must be held liable for so-called ‘misinformation’ on X.

Harari’s argument challenges the longstanding defense used by social media companies: freedom of speech. “They always try to protect themselves by appealing to freedom of speech… the companies need to take responsibility for their algorithm,” Harari declared. He insists that platforms must be held accountable not just for user-generated content but for the ways their algorithms amplify or suppress specific messages.

This represents a significant shift in focus, moving beyond content creators and aiming directly at the mechanisms of content distribution. Harari’s stance is clear: “If the algorithm is writing it, then you’re definitely liable for what your algorithm is writing.” This brings into focus the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in moderating online content.

Harari’s comments appear to be a direct shot at Elon Musk, who purchased X with the aim of promoting an open flow of information. Musk has long championed the idea that information should be free, and that a thriving democracy depends on the free exchange of ideas, even controversial ones. Harari dismisses this viewpoint, saying, “Information isn’t truth. Most information in the world is junk… If you think that you just flood the world with information and the truth will float up—no, it will sink.”

Harari suggests that Musk’s hands-off approach—allowing all information to flow freely—creates an environment where truth is overwhelmed by noise. He argues that institutions like newspapers, universities, and courts are necessary to sift through information and determine what is reliable. He draws a comparison to an editor at a major newspaper, noting that just as an editor is responsible for what is placed on the front page, social media companies should be held to the same standard when their algorithms promote content.

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Truth : WEF did not call for imprisonment of social media owners!

This appears to be yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

WEF did not call for imprisonment of social media owners

Let me start by pointing out that the World Economic Forum (WEF) did not call for the imprisonment of social media owners.

If the WEF actually made such a shocking statement, it would have been widely reported by media outlets all over the world, and criticised by people, as well as those social media platforms themselves.

Yet, there has been no media coverage, not even some outrage on social media. No social media platform has condemned such a declaration either. Nada. Zilch. That’s because the WEF never called for the imprisonment of social media owners!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article did not provide any evidence to back up its claims. In fact, it only appeared to refer to imprisonment in its title and lede. There was no further mention of any threat of imprisonment in the rest of the very long article.

Yuval Noah Hariri is not Klaus Schwab’s right-hand man

Yuval Noah Harari is an Israeli professor in the Department of History, at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He does not work for the WEF, and he is certainly not Klaus Schwab’s right-hand man.

Yet again, The People’s Voice article provided no evidence to back up its claim that Yuval Noah Harari is Klaus Schwab’s right-hand man.

Yuval Noah Hariri did not call for imprisonment

Yuval Noah Harari also did not call for social media owners to be imprisoned for allowing “non-mainstream” content on their platforms. In fact, he never call for anyone to be imprisoned, period!

The “evidence” used in The People’s Voice article was a video segment of Yuval Noah Harari being interviewed on CNBC’s Squawk Box on AI’s impact on financial markets, and promote his new book – Nexus (buy in US | UK | AU).

In that interview, Hariri never once said that social media owners should be imprisoned for any reason, never mind for allowing “non-mainstream” content on their platforms.

Yuval Noah Hariri did not call for censorship

Yuval Noah Hariri also did not call for censorship of “non-mainstream” content on social media platforms. He only said that social media platforms should take responsibility for the actions of their algorithms.

In fact, Hariri emphasised that “we should be very, very careful about censoring human users“, but pointed out that the social media companies “need to take responsibility for their algorithms“.

If you watch the video, you can see that Hariri believes social media platforms should be held responsible for what their algorithms promote, and not the content itself (unless it was created by their algorithms).

https://www.techarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Yuval-Noah-Harari-on-social-media-algorithms.mp4?_=1

The People’s Voice is known for fake news

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Founded as Your News Wire in 2014, it was rebranded as NewsPunch in November 2018, before becoming The People’s Voice. A 2017 BuzzFeed report identified NewsPunch as the second-largest source of popular fake news on Facebook that year.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should think twice about sharing anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice. Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Elon Musk surrenders to Brazil over X ban!

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For all of his bravado, Elon Musk quickly surrendered his fight with Brazil over its nationwide ban of X. Here is what you need to know…

Elon Musk fight with Brazil over X ban : A quick primer!

The brouhaha between Elon Musk and Brazil started when Brazil’s Supreme Court ordered X to remove over 100 accounts that were allegedly spreading misinformation and questioning the legitimacy of President Lula da Silva’s 2022 election victory.

Elon Musk surrenders to Brazil over X ban!

In a surprising twist – after three weeks defying Brazil’s court orders, it appears that Elon Musk has given up his fight.

X – the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has agreed to comply with Brazilian court orders to restore access. This compliance included appointing a legal representative in Brazil and removing the user accounts that the court deemed threats to democracy. X also paid outstanding fines, amounting to millions of reais, as part of the resolution.

Despite this apparent victory for Brazilian authorities, the Supreme Court highlighted that X had not filed the necessary documentation confirming the appointment of Rachel de Oliveira Conceicao as its legal representative. The court granted X five days to provide the required paperwork validating her appointment.

Starlink – the satellite Internet service provider owned by Elon Musk, had also capitulated. It was also engaged in a dispute with Brazilian authorities over its refusal to enforce the ban on X. However, it said on 4 September that it would comply with the court orders.

Despite being extremely prolific and vocal on X, Elon Musk has been notably silent on X’s capitulation in Brazil. Neither has X released any statement on why it suddenly decided to comply with the court orders.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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UK imposes ETA on these 83 new countries in 2025!

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The UK will require travellers from 83 new countries to register and pay for ETA in 2025! Here is what you need to know…

UK imposes ETA on 83 new countries in 2025!

On Tuesday, 10 September 2024, the UK government expanded the roll-out of its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system to 83 new countries in 2025.

The ETA is basically digital permission to travel for visitors who currently do not need a visa for short stays, or do not already have a UK immigration status. You will also need to apply for an ETA if you are only transiting through the UK (even if you are not going through border control).

The United Kingdom launched its ETA system in November 2023, with the pilot phase involving citizens of Qatar. It was then expanded in February 2024 to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan (now cancelled).

The expanded roll-out of the UK’s ETA system in 2025 will be split into two stages involving 49 countries in January, and another 34 European countries in April.

Recommended : Do you now need ETA to travel to the UK?

Who must apply for an ETA?

Travellers from the affected countries who do not have a visa will need an ETA to travel to the UK:

for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or short-term study,
for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
for a permitted paid engagement
if transiting through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control

How much does UK ETA cost?

Each ETA application will cost £10 (about €12 / US$13 / RM60), and you cannot get a refund after you apply.

Every person travelling to the UK must have an ETA, including babies and children. Each person must apply separately, although you can apply for other people.

How long does UK ETA last?

Every approved UK ETA will last 2 years, and you will be allowed to make multiple visits to the UK during that two-year period, or until the passport it is tied to expires – whichever is sooner.

How soon does it take to get UK ETA?

The UK government says travellers can typically expect to get a decision on their ETA application within 3 working days, although occasionally, it may take longer than 3 working days.

Applications using the UK ETA app may get a quicker decision, according to the British High Commission.

Once your ETA is approved, you will receive an email confirmation. There is no ETA to print or bring with you. The ETA is linked electronically to the passport you applied with. You must therefore travel to the UK using the same passport.

How to apply for UK ETA?

You can apply for your ETA through this UK government application portal, or using the UK ETA mobile app which you can download from the App Store and Google Play Store.

You will need to take and upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK, and scan your face. You will also need to take and upload a photo of yourself, and answer some questions.

You will then have to pay for your ETA application using a credit card, a debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Please note that you will need to complete your ETA application within 20 minutes, or it will time out and you will need to start the whole process over again.

UK ETA expands to these 49 countries in January 2025

Citizens of these 49 countries and territories will need to have an ETA to travel to the UK from 8 January 2025 onwards. They will be able to apply and pay for ETA authorisation starting 27 November 2024.

Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (including British national overseas)
Israel
Japan
Kiribati
Macao Special Administrative Region
Malaysia
Maldives
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mexico
Federated States of Micronesia
Nauru
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Samoa
Seychelles
Singapore
Solomon Islands
South Korea
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Taiwan (if you have a passport issued by Taiwan that includes in it the number of the identification card issued by the competent authority in Taiwan)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tuvalu
United States
Uruguay

UK ETA expands to European countries in April 2025

Citizens of these 34 European countries will need to have an ETA to travel to the UK without visa from 2 April 2025 onwards. They will be able to apply and pay for ETA authorisation starting 5 March 2025.

Andorra
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Vatican City

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Do you now need ETA to travel to the UK?!

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Do you now need ETA – Electronic Travel Authorisation – to travel to the UK?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Updated @ 2024-09-12
Originally posted @ 2023-09-02

Claim : You now need ETA to travel to the UK!

A video clip called New UK travel requirements has gone viral on WhatsApp and social media. It warns that people who travel to the UK on or after 15 November 2023, must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

This has led some people who already booked their flights to the UK to panic, as they were not aware of such requirements.

Truth : UK is rolling out ETA over time

Here is what you need to know about the UK ETA programme, and what countries are affected.

UK ETA video is genuine

First, I would like to point out that the video is genuine, and was originally posted by the UK Home Office on 9 March 2023.

It appears to have been edited and shared by Homely Stay UK on WhatsApp and social media, where it was shared without context, leading to mass panic.

UK will soon require ETA for non-visa travellers

The warning is, of course, true – the United Kingdom will soon require non-visa travellers to apply and pay for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

The ETA scheme is part of the UK’s plan to fully digitise its borders by 2025. But note that the ETA only applies to travellers who currently do NOT require a visa to travel to the UK.

An Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) will soon be a requirement for people who do not need a visa to come to the UK. It will give you permission to travel to the UK, and it will be electronically linked to your passport.

You’ll need an ETA to:

come to the UK for up to 6 months for tourism, visiting family and friends, business or study
come to the UK for up to 3 months on the Creative Worker visa concession
transit through the UK – including if you’re not going through UK border control

Once it is fully implemented, these travellers will not require an ETA to travel to the UK:

a British or Irish passport
permission to live, work, or study in the UK
a visa to enter the UK

Only Qatar was affected in November 2023

What the video does not reveal is that only travellers from Qatar must have an ETA to travel to the UK from 15 November 2023 onwards.

No other country is affected by this 15 November 2023 deadline, only Qatar. So stop panicking!

If you’re from another country : You do not need to apply for an ETA now. More nationalities will be added to the scheme later.

Even if you are a resident of Qatar, there is no need to panic – you can only apply for an ETA from 25 October 2023 onwards.

UK will roll-out ETA through 2024-2025

The United Kingdom will slowly roll out its ETA programme throughout 2024-2025.

From 22 February 2024 onwards, travellers from these six countries in the Middle East will need an ETA to travel to the UK:

Bahrain
Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates

Even travellers from these countries do not need to apply until 1 February 2024 onwards.

All non-visa travellers from all other countries will need an ETA by 2025. On 10 September 2024, the UK government finally revealed its schedule for 83 new countries to apply for ETA in 2025.

How much does UK ETA cost?

Each traveller will require his or her own ETA, including children and babies. Each ETA will cost £10 per applicant.

How long does each ETA last?

Your ETA will last for 2 years, and can use it to make multiple visits to the UK. However, you should know that having an ETA does not guarantee entry to the UK.

In addition, the ETA is not transferrable to a new / renewed passport. If your passport expires in less than 2 years, you will need to get a new ETA for your new / renewed passport.

How to apply for UK ETA?

You can apply for your UK ETA through the UK government ETA application portal, or using the UK ETA mobile app which you can download from the App Store and Google Play Store.

You will need to take and upload a photo of the passport you will use to travel to the UK, and scan your face. You will also need to take and upload a photo of yourself, and answer some questions.

You will then have to pay for your UK ETA application using a credit card, a debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Please note that you will need to complete your UK ETA application within 20 minutes, or it will time out and you will need to start the whole process over again.

You will usually get a decision within 3 working days, but there may be delays if the UK government needs to make further checks

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Grab starts charging new 1% credit card top-up fee!

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Grab is now charging a new 1% fee for credit card top-ups to its GrabPay Wallet! Here is what you need to know…

Grab: New 1% credit card top-up fee starts today!

Grab has begun charging a new 1% fee for credit card top-ups to its GrabPay Wallet today – from 11 September 2024 onwards!

What this means is Grab will now deduct 1% from all credit card reloads. If you top up your GrabPay Wallet by RM100, you will only receive RM99.

This 1% fee will apply to all credit card reloads to GrabPay Wallet, except for the co-branded Maybank Grab Mastercard Platinum credit card.

This decision by Grab to charge a 1% fee for credit card reloads come after TNG Digital implemented a similar 1% credit card reload fee for its Touch ‘n Go eWallet in February 2024.

How to reload GrabPay Wallet without 1% top-up fee

According to Grab, you can still continue to top-up their GrabPay Wallet for free using your GX account, bank transfers, or using a debit card.

And of course, if you have the Maybank Grab Mastercard Platinum credit card, you will be able to reload your GrabPay Wallet for free.

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Samsung unveils AI For All future at IFA 2024!

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Samsung celebrated 100 years of innovation at IFA 2024, with its showcase of AI For All innovations across devices and ecosystems. Take a look at new AI-powered Samsung home appliances, mobile devices, and more, announced at IFA 2024!

Samsung unveils AI For All future at IFA 2024!

Samsung Electronics marked its 100-year milestone at IFA 2024 with a bold commitment to its “AI For All” vision. The IFA 2024 showcase of new AI-powered devices and appliances highlighted Samsung’s stated mission to democratise AI, and extend its benefits across more devices.

Expanding AI for All

The central theme of Samsung’s presentation was “AI For All,” reflecting the company’s commitment to making AI accessible and beneficial for everyone. During the IFA conference, Samsung showcased the latest developments in its AI technology, demonstrating how it is set to transform daily life through enhanced communication, productivity, and creativity tools.

One UI 6.1.1 Brings Advanced AI Features To More Devices

Samsung’s announcement of the One UI 6.1.1 update was a major highlight. This update is set to expand AI features originally introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 to a broader range of devices, including the Galaxy S24 series, S23 series, S23 FE, Z Fold5, Z Flip5, and Tab S9 series. The update includes advanced tools like Live Translate and Circle To Search, which enhance communication and productivity.

You can read more about the One UI 6.1.1 update in our separate article here.

AI-Enhanced Home Entertainment and Productivity

At IFA 2024, Samsung introduced a range of new products designed to leverage AI for superior performance in home entertainment and productivity:

Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 Projectors: These advanced projectors bring cutting-edge laser technology to home entertainment. They deliver stunning 4K resolution on screens up to 130 inches. AI-powered features like Upscaling enhance content to 4K quality, while Vision Booster adjusts brightness and contrast for optimal viewing in various lighting conditions. These projectors aim to transform any living space into a premium home cinema.
Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: In collaboration with Intel, this device features the new Intel Core Ultra processor and Galaxy AI to offer a top-tier cross-device experience. It includes enhanced graphics and displays for a premium productivity and entertainment experience.
Galaxy Book4 Edge 15-inch: Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon® X Plus processor, this ultra-thin laptop integrates advanced NPU technology for high-end AI capabilities. It combines Copilot+ PC features with Galaxy AI, enhancing creativity and connectivity with a vibrant 15-inch display.

Advancing Sustainability With AI

Samsung continues to lead in sustainability with its AI-driven technologies. The company’s commitment to becoming Net Zero by 2050 is supported by its efforts to enhance energy efficiency across its product lineup:

AI Hybrid Refrigerators: These refrigerators use a combination of compressor and Peltier cooling technology to optimize energy use. For instance, if the refrigerator door is left open, the Peltier technology acts as an additional cooling source, improving overall energy efficiency.
Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™: This all-in-one washer and dryer combo meets and exceeds A-grade energy efficiency requirements. It features advanced heat pump drying technology, which dries clothes quickly and efficiently at lower temperatures.
SmartThings Ecosystem: Samsung’s SmartThings platform connects over 500 million devices, offering seamless control of all Samsung AI-enabled products. The AI Energy Mode in SmartThings Energy can save up to 70% of energy consumption for washing machines, while SmartThings Away Mode ensures appliances are automatically turned off when not in use.

Enhancing User Experience with Smart Technology

Samsung’s focus on enhancing user experience extended to its latest home appliances:

Bespoke AI Appliances: Upgraded with enhanced voice control through Bixby, these appliances now understand multiple commands in a single sentence, recall context for continuous commands, and provide personalized responses. Users can now open refrigerator doors or washing machine doors with simple voice commands, making daily tasks more convenient.
Samsung’s AI TVs: Since 2015, Tizen OS has powered Samsung’s smart TVs, and the 2024 models will continue to receive upgrades for seven years, ensuring consumers have access to the latest features and improved connectivity. The Neo QLED 8K AI screens, equipped with the NQ 8 AI Gen 3 processors, offer a highly customized viewing experience with superior sound and picture quality.
The Frame and Art Store: Samsung introduced new partnerships with Marimekko and Jean-Michel Basquiat, along with an exclusive collection of works by René Magritte. These collaborations bring extraordinary art into homes, enhancing everyday surroundings with a touch of creativity.

Samsung’s showcase at IFA 2024, which ran from September 6-10, highlights its efforts to make AI more accessible and practical for everyday use.

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Is Bill Gates embedding Digital ID in kids by 2025?!

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Is Bill Gates planning to embed a Digital ID under the skin of every child in the world by 2025?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Bill Gates is embedding Digital ID in kids by 2025!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that Bill Gates is planning to embed a Digital ID under the skin of every child in the world by 2025, with or without parental consent!

Here is an excerpt of the (intentionally?) rambling and confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

Gates Insider: Digital ID Will Be Embedded Under the Skin of Every Child by 2025

Globalist billionaire Bill Gates has begun rolling out Digital IDs that will be embedded under the skin of every child in the world – with or without parental consent.

Globalist billionaire Bill Gates is demanding world governments follow the lead of the European Union and India and approve his “global digital ID” system which has inbuilt features designed to exclude people from participating in society if they do not comply with the globalist agenda.

Gates’ plan to punish and exclude people who do not comply with globalist authoritarian rules can only work if everybody in society is using his global digital ID.

That’s why he is planning to embed the digital ID under the skin of every child in the world born in 2025 to ensure the future global society is 100% compliant with globalist goals.

For those who doubt that Gates and the elite would go this far, it’s time to wake up because the plan to microchip every child under the sun with digital ID has already begun.

The elite are making their move and rolling out the digital identification phase of this dystopian plan in almost every WEF-infiltrated nation.

Just like the EU, Canada, and Australia, the UK has announced plans to require all residents in the UK to enroll in Bill Gates’ digital ID system if they wish to continue participating in society.

The Gates Foundation welcomed the news by pumping $4 million into the digital public infrastructure (DPI) scheme, which will oversee the practical implantation of the mandatory IDs in Britain.

Show less

Truth : Bill Gates is not embedding Digital ID in kids by 2025!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Bill Gates is not embedding Digital ID in children

Let me start by simply pointing out that Bill Gates is not rolling out Digital IDs that will be embedded under the skin of every child in the world, with or without parental consent.

If that actually happened, such a shocking news would have been widely reported by the mainstream media all over the world. It would also have resulted in mass outrage. Yet, none of that happened, because it was all made up!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article itself did not provide any evidence to back up its claim.

Fact #2 : Bill Gates did not create “global digital ID”

Bill Gates also did not create any “global digital ID”, much less demand that world governments use such a system.

Needless to say, The People’s Voice article itself did not provide any evidence to back up its claim. In fact, it actually provided evidence to the contrary – that different countries are implementing their own digital ID, instead of a “global digital ID”.

Fact #3 : Digital ID helps authenticate your identity online

A digital ID isn’t some nefarious way to get you to comply with the government. It is merely an electronic representation of your identity that is used to prove who you are online.

Currently, governments and companies are using emails, and phone numbers, to determine someone’s identity online. However, using emails / phone numbers and passwords is not a reliable way to prove your identity as such logins can be stolen, or used by multiple people.

A digital ID would offer a convenient and secure way to authenticate your identity, allowing you to safely access online services, and prevent identity theft.

For example, scammers and hackers can steal the login to your bank account, but you can remove that vulnerability by using a digital ID (instead of a username and password) to authenticate your identity.

Fact #4 : Digital ID is usually just a mobile app

A digital ID can take many forms. In its most basic form, it can be a digital version of existing credentials that are used to authenticate the identity of a person – like a physical identity card, a driving licence, or a passport.

Many countries though are opting for a Digital ID app that can be installed on a smartphone, and used to authenticate your identity online, or even offline. Such a Digital ID app will often include the person’s physical credentials like a driving licence, or a health services card.

Needless to say – it is just silly to embed digital IDs under anyone’s skin. Why go to that trouble, when you can simply install it as an app on your phone??? And how would you update the digital ID if it’s embedded under your skin???

Yet again, The People’s Voice article itself did not provide any evidence to back up its claim that any government plans to embed a Digital ID under the skin of kids.

Fact #5 : Digital IDs are not mandatory

Currently, there are no mandatory digital IDs in the world. That’s because not everyone has a smartphone, and the digital infrastructure do not currently extend to all parts of the world, or any country for the matter.

Countries that implement Digital IDs still accept physical forms of identification, like a national identity card, a driving licence, or a passport.

Fact #6 : It’s pointless to embed children with Digital ID

Even if you actually believe in a nefarious plot to implant people with a Digital ID microchip, it is silly to only do so for children.

For one thing – children are not even allowed to undertake services that would require digital IDs, like opening a bank account, applying for a credit card or a loan, buying a home, paying taxes, etc.

But claiming that evil corporations or governments are trying to microchip your kids is a great way to trigger outrage, and/or get people to share fake news about digital IDs.

Fact #7 : The People’s Voice is known for fake news

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Malaysia reverses decision to block public DNS servers!

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Malaysia just reversed its controversial decision to block use of public DNS servers using DNS redirection! Here is what you need to know…

Malaysia orders DNS redirection, affecting consumers too!

According to an FAQ posted by Maxis, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has ordered all Internet service providers in Malaysia to implement DNS redirection for businesses, governments, and enterprises by 30 September 2024.

DNS redirection basically blocks the use of public DNS servers, by redirecting DNS queries to the ISP’s own DNS servers, where certain websites can be blocked by government directive. In other words – DNS redirection prevents people from circumventing the ISP’s own DNS servers (and the government’s block list).

The Maxis FAQ, which is titled Maxis Business DNS Redirection, states that ISPs in Malaysia were ordered to implement DNS redirection for business/enterprise/government users, blocking their access to public DNS servers.

However, it now appears that the directive actually applied to everyone in Malaysia, not just business, enterprise, or government users!

Malaysia reverses DNS Redirection decision!

After news broke that MCMC quietly ordered Internet service providers to implement DNS redirection in Malaysia, there was a public outcry, and people started looking up ways to bypass it.

The public outrage proved too much for the Malaysian government, and it backtracked on that controversial decision. On Sunday, 8 September 2024, Malaysia Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced that he asked MCMC not to proceed with its DNS redirection directive.

… considering the feedback received through a series of engagements with @MCMC_RASMI and the public, I have requested that MCMC not proceed with the implementation of the Domain Name System (DNS) management redirection method.

At the same time, MCMC will continue its engagement series with all stakeholders to gather views, suggestions, and recommendations to ensure that the goal of a safer internet can be collectively achieved.

With that, Malaysia officially reversed its DNS Redirection decision within days of the news breaking.

There is no doubt that this reversal was due to many Malaysian netizens who spoke up against the controversial decision to hijack access to public DNS servers. So kudos to everyone who spoke up.

It is encouraging to see that public dissent can still force the government of the day to reverse controversial directives. But perhaps the government can avoid such controversies in the future by getting feedback from the public before quietly issuing controversial directives.

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Did Malaysia just block use of public DNS servers?!

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Did MCMC just block the use of public DNS servers in Malaysia?! Here is what we know so far…

MCMC blocks public DNS servers only for business and government?

However, it now appears that the directive may actually apply to everyone in Malaysia, not just business, enterprise, or government users. Or the ISPs may be implementing the directive across the board. Here is what we know so far…

Public DNS servers appear to be blocked in Malaysia!

As far as I can tell, MCMC has not officially announced its DNS redirection order to ISPs. All we are relying on so far is the Maxis FAQ on DNS redirection, which suggested that it applied only to businesses, enterprises, and government agencies.

Why is DNS redirection being implemented for Enterprise/Business/Government services?

DNS redirection is being implemented to assist in preventing the commission or attempted commission of an offence under any written laws of Malaysia or otherwise in enforcing the laws of Malaysia. By blocking access to harmful websites more effectively and quickly, this proactive measure helps ensure compliance. This is particularly important for Enterprise/Business/Government, as it will also reduce the risk of reputational damage and inadvertent commission of offence.

However, the Maxis FAQ also states, in a different section, that “all service providers must implement this measure, and it applies to to all users of their services“, our emphasis in bold below:

The implementation of DNS redirection is a regulatory requirement enforced by MCMC to ensure compliance with Malaysian laws and to protect users from harmful online content. All service providers must implement this measure, and it applies to all users of their services.

If that’s accurate, then the MCMC directive to block the use of public DNS servers may apply to consumer users as well, not just business, enterprise, or government users.

Regular Internet users in Malaysia have started reporting (here, here) that they are no longer able to use public DNS servers from Google or Cloudflare.

The affected ISPs so far appear to be Telekom Malaysia (Unifi), Time, and Maxis. Digi and Celcom appear to be unaffected … so far.

We tested on Unifi and Digi Broadband, and confirmed that we cannot connect to Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4) or Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1). You can test it out yourself using these methods:

Using any Internet browser

Using any Internet browser, just go to the Cloudflare public DNS website – https://1.1.1.1/, which will appear in your Internet browser as https://one.one.one.one/.

But if your ISP has implemented DNS redirect, both domains are no longer accessible. Our tests on Friday, 6 September 2024 show:

Unifi : Unable to connect
Digi Broadband : Connects normally

Using Traceroute / Tracert

For the more technically-inclined, you can try using traceroute (macOS / Linux) or tracert (Windows), to see if your computer can connect to your preferred public DNS server – for example, 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare) or 8.8.8.8 (Google).

It’s pointless to use ping, because pings to the public DNS server IP will get redirected to the ISP’s own DNS server, and you will still get a response.

Using traceroute to connect to 8.8.8.8, our tests on Friday, 6 September 2024 show:

Unifi : Redirected

192.168.0.1 (192.168.0.1)
jhb-113-254-tm.net.my (203.106.113.254)
10.55.52.54 (10.55.52.54)
10.55.52.90 (10.55.52.90)
10.55.52.54 (10.55.52.54)
10.19.129.65 (10.19.129.65)

Digi Broadband : Not redirected

192.168.1.1 (192.168.1.1)
172.16.136.1 (172.16.136.1)
115.164.8.106 (115.164.8.106)
72.14.243.96 (72.14.243.96)
dns.google (8.8.8.8)

As you can see, the traceroute showed that requests to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) on the Unifi network were routed to a Telekom Malaysia server (10.19.129.65) instead.

On the other hand, the same requests on the Digi Broadband network still get routed to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) as intended.

So it does appear that some Internet service providers in Malaysia have started to block access to public DNS servers by redirecting DNS queries to their own DNS servers. However, it is uncertain if MCMC actually ordered those ISPs to implement DNS redirection for consumers.

The blocking of public DNS servers will not matter to people who don’t know how to use these public DNS servers. But it will matter a lot to Malaysian netizens who want to use public DNS servers for faster performance, better privacy and security, as well as bypass government censorship. Some will inevitably see this as a step towards China’s Great Firewall.

While the goal of blocking dangerous or scam websites is admirable, that is already served by existing bans of those websites on the ISP level for regular users. People who are tech-savvy enough to configure their computers to use public DNS servers would know better than to fall for those websites.

Hopefully, MCMC only issued that DNS redirection directive for business/enterprise/government users, and Malaysian ISPs will roll back the implementation for consumers.

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Malaysia orders DNS redirection for business and government!

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MCMC has ordered ISPs in Malaysia to implement DNS redirection for businesses, enterprises, and government agencies! Here is what you need to know…

Malaysia orders DNS redirection for business and government!

The Maxis FAQ, which is titled Maxis Business DNS Redirection, states that this directive by MCMC is meant to “protect users from harmful or illegal online content” by blocking access to “websites involved in online gambling, pornography, copyright violations, scams, and other illegal activities.”

Here is a quick primer on what DNS redirection would mean for Malaysian businesses, enterprises and government agencies.

What is DNS?

When you visit a website, you will normally key in a user-friendly name (like www.techarp.com), but the website itself uses a numerical IP address (like 192.0.2.1).

DNS translates that user-friendly name into the correct IP address, so your computer can access the website.

What is DNS redirection?

By default, most people use the DNS servers provided by their Internet service provider. However, some people choose to use alternative DNS servers from Google or Cloudflare for privacy, faster speeds, or to avoid censorship.

DNS redirection prevents that by redirecting all DNS queries from your phone or computer to the ISP’s own DNS servers, where certain websites can be blocked by government directive. In other words – DNS redirection prevents people from circumventing the ISP’s own DNS servers (and the government’s block list).

Is DNS redirection good or bad?

Blocking access to illegal, or dangerous websites is important for businesses, enterprises, and government agencies, because it reduces the risks of reputational damage, and prevents the inadvertent commission of offence by employees. Blocking scam websites is also an important way to prevent people and companies from getting scammed.

On the other hand, public DNS servers from Google and Cloudflare offer faster speeds with lower latency, and block tracking by ISPs or governments. They also offer enhanced security using DNSSEC – DNS Security Extensions.

Which Malaysian ISPs are affected?

According to the Maxis FAQ, this MCMC directive affects all ISPs offering both mobile and fixed Internet services in Malaysia.

Who will be affected by DNS redirection?

According to the Maxis FAQ, this MCMC directive primarily affects Business / Enterprise / Government customers who use public DNS services. But there are already reports that consumer DNS queries have also been redirected.

Interestingly, the Maxis FAQ also states, in a different section, that “all service providers must implement this measure, and it applies to to all users of their services“. So this MCMC directive may actually apply to consumer users, and not just business, enterprise, or government users.

Which DNS services are affected?

According to the Maxis FAQ, this directive currently affects public DNS services like Google DNS and Cloudflare. OpenDNS was not mentioned, but is likely to be affected too.

Private DNS servers, and encrypted DNS queries like DNS over HTTPS (DoH) or DNS over TLS (DoT) are not affected.

When must Malaysian ISPs implement DNS redirection?

According to the Maxis FAQ, MCMC ordered all Internet service providers in Malaysia to implement its DNS redirection directive by 30 September 2024.

Users on Time, Telekom Malaysia and Maxis networks have reported that DNS redirection is already in effect.

How to check if DNS redirection has been implemented?

DNS redirection is designed to block access to websites deemed illegal by the government of Malaysia. If you access a blocked website, it will be inaccessible.

You can also test by trying to go to the Cloudflare DNS website – https://1.1.1.1/ using your Internet browser. If you see “Unable to connect”, instead of the 1.1.1.1 website, then your DNS queries are being redirected to your ISP’s own DNS servers.

Alternatively, techies can use the tracert command (in Windows command prompt), or traceroute command (in macOS Terminal) to connect to the alternative DNS server (like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8), and see if it gets routed properly.

If the trace route shows your query ending in a different IP address than the alternative DNS server you selected (like 1.1.1.1 or 8.8.8.8), then it is being redirected.

Can you opt out of DNS redirection?

No, unfortunately – you are not allowed to opt out, because it’s a regulatory requirement by MCMC.

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Did Kamala Harris lie about working at McDonald’s?!

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Did Kamala Harris lie about working at McDonald’s during college?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Kamala Harris did not work at McDonald’s!

Some people are claiming or suggesting that Kamala Harris may have lied about working at McDonald’s during college. Here are some examples / excerpts:

Ryan Fournier : BREAKING: McDonald’s Corporate sources have come forth and said they have no record of Kamala Harris working at any of their locations.

Who lies about working at a McDonalds?! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

The Washington Free Beacon : ‘I Did Fries’: Kamala Harris Claims She Worked at McDonald’s, but She Never Mentioned It Until She Ran for President. Did She Really Toil Beneath the Golden Arches?

Harris’s résumé a year after she graduated college makes no mention of McDonald’s

Harris’s work at McDonald’s, which allegedly took place at a franchise in the California Bay Area the summer after her freshman year in college, is a recent addition to her carefully curated life story. For decades, Harris never mentioned it, not on the campaign trail nor in two books. It’s absent from a job application and résumé she submitted a year after she graduated from college. Third-party biographers did not write about it. Not until Harris ran for president in 2019 and spoke to a labor rally in Las Vegas did she mention the job, telling the crowd that she “was a student when I was working in a McDonald’s.”

If some details of the job have varied, while others are murky, that might be because there is no record of Harris mentioning the McDonald’s job before that labor rally in Las Vegas in June 2019. The job goes unmentioned in both of her memoirs, published in July 2010 and January 2019.

The Free Beacon also obtained a copy of Harris’s October 1987 job application for a law clerk position in the Alameda County district attorney’s office. On that form, Harris, who was in law school at the time, listed several jobs—including a month-long clerical job at a stock brokerage—in a section that asked her to list every position she held in the last 10 years. McDonald’s is absent.

Show less

Truth : Kamala Harris likely worked at McDonald’s

This appears to be an example of fake news about Kamala Harris, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Kamala Harris often spoke about working at McDonald’s

Let me start by pointing out that Kamala Harris has often spoken about working as a cashier, fry-maker, and ice-cream server at McDonald’s in Alameda, California during her summer off while studying at Howard University.

It was a short stint – she only worked at McDonald’s during the summer of 1983, but it appeared to be an experience for her. In 2019, Harris would join a picket line of McDonald’s workers who were striking for a $15 minimum wage.

At that time, she said that while she “did the french fries and the ice cream” at the Golden Arches that summer, “there was not a family relying on me to pay the rent, put food on the table, and keep the bills paid by the end of the month” like those McDonald’s workers.

Months before she ran for President, Kamala Harris spoke about working at McDonald’s on The Drew Barrymore Show – “I did fries, and then I did the cashier“.

Kamala Harris has worked at many small jobs, and may be leaning heavily on that summer job at McDonald’s because it’s more relatable to working class and middle class voters.

In contrast, her rival – former President Donald Trump is famous for his love of eating (not working) at McDonald’s, and is not known to have ever worked at any minimum wage job in his life.

Fact #2 : McDonald’s has not commented on Kamala Harris’ summer job

While Ryan Fournier claimed that McDonald’s corporate sources have come forth to say that “they have no record of Kamala Harris working at any of their locations“, he provided no evidence.

More importantly – McDonald’s itself never commented on Kamala Harris’ summer job, much less said that it has “no record of Kamala Harris” ever working at any of its locations.

Fact #3 : McDonald’s would not have franchisee’s employee records

Back in 1982, there were two McDonald’s locations in Alameda, California – at 1346 Park Street, and at 2031 Webster Street. It is not known where Kamala Harris worked that summer.

However, it is more than likely that both McDonald’s restaurants were owned and operated by franchisees, as McDonald’s was expanding rapidly through franchising in the early 1980s. Even today, some 82% of McDonald’s restaurants are owned by franchisees, and not owned by McDonald’s Corporation.

McDonald’s franchisees handle their own employees, and McDonald’s corporate would not have those employee records. So even if someone at McDonald’s Corporation took the effort to look into employee records, they would not be able to see employee records handled by franchisees.

I should also point out that Kamala Harris worked at McDonald’s in the summer of 1983 – 41 years ago. It is highly unlikely that McDonald’s Corporation or even the franchisee would still have employee records going that far back!

Fact #4 : Kamala Harris listed her most recent jobs

The Free Beacon pointed out that when Kamala Harris applied for the position of a law clerk in the Alameda County district attorney’s office in October 1987, she failed to mention her summer job at McDonald’s four years earlier.

If you look at the form below (archive), you can see that Kamala Harris filled the three available slots with her three most recent jobs:

working as a law clerk for Alexander, Miller & McGee from June to August 1987
working as an operator for Charles Schwab & Co from July to August 1986
working as a student assistant for the Federal Trade Commission from April to May 1986

While her other jobs were not listed, it seems more than likely that Kamala Harris would have other jobs to list before she would need to list her stint at McDonalds in the summer of 1983.

In fact, her resume stated that she also worked as a U.S. Senate Intern for Senator Alan Cranston in the summer of 1984 – a year before her summer job at McDonald’s.

It also seems likely that Kamala Harris would have realised that a summer job frying potatoes and working the cash register at McDonald’s might not impress the Alameda County district attorney’s office, even though some people might feel otherwise.

Fact #5 : This is just political fake news

Ultimately, this appears to be yet another example of political fake news surrounding the upcoming 2024 US Presidential election. Here are some other examples I fact checked recently:

As the 2024 US Presidential election draws close, you can expect more of such fake news to appear, so be wary and skeptical!

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Zoom reveals challenges + solutions for hybrid work in APAC!

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Take a look at the latest survey by Zoom, which reveals both the challenges and the solutions for hybrid work in APAC!

Zoom reveals challenges + solutions for hybrid work in APAC!

On 22 August 2024, Zoom released a compelling new survey called “Navigating the Future of Work: Global Perspectives on Hybrid Models and Technology,” which revealed key insights into the hybrid work models in Asia Pacific.

Conducted in partnership with ReworkedINSIGHTS, a leading authority on employee experience and digital workplace trends, the survey highlights both the rising dominance of hybrid work models and the pressing challenge of maintaining employee engagement.

Hybrid Work Models: A Growing Trend

The survey, presented at Zoom’s EX Summit 2024, reveals that a significant shift is underway in workplace models across APAC. With 84% of organizations adopting flexible work arrangements, the hybrid model is particularly prevalent, embraced by 58% of companies, while 26% opt for a fully remote approach.

Productivity remains a critical focus for APAC leaders, with 87% prioritizing it when choosing their work models—higher than the 86% in North America and 81% in Western Europe. Notably, employees in APAC report greater productivity in hybrid settings, with 83% indicating they accomplish more work in hybrid or remote environments compared to traditional in-office settings. This trend underscores the importance of effective technology solutions in maintaining workforce connectivity and efficiency, regardless of physical location.

Key Takeaways In Summary

Hybrid Work Models: 84% of APAC organizations are adopting flexible work arrangements, with hybrid models being the most common.
Employee Productivity: 83% of employees in APAC report higher productivity in hybrid settings.
Generative AI Adoption: APAC leads in AI tool usage, but challenges such as learning curves and job impact concerns persist.
Future Outlook: 77% of APAC leaders expect further changes to workplace models, underscoring the need for ongoing adaptation and feedback integration.

The Search for the Ideal Hybrid Model

Despite the preference for hybrid work, companies in APAC are still experimenting with various models to find the most effective fit. The most common configurations are scheduled hybrid (27%) and flextime hybrid (19%), with 13% of organizations using other role-, location-, or outcome-based hybrid models. Impressively, 97% of APAC leaders have increased workplace flexibility over the past two years.

However, hybrid models are not without their challenges. Around 60% of APAC leaders report a decline in employee engagement associated with hybrid arrangements. Ricky Kapur, Head of Asia Pacific at Zoom, notes, “Workplace flexibility is not only becoming increasingly commonplace in the APAC region, but more diverse in itself — ranging from flextime to location, role, and even rotation-based models. Leaders today are faced with a new challenge of finding the best-fit hybrid model while keeping up with the evolving expectations of a multi-generational workforce and the impact of rapidly advancing technologies like AI.”

Generative AI: A Game-Changer for Hybrid Work

The survey highlights generative AI as a transformative tool for enhancing employee productivity and engagement. Despite its potential, many APAC organizations still need to fully leverage AI’s capabilities. The majority of employees (81%) believe their current remote work tools require improvement—an issue more pronounced in APAC compared to North America (79%) and Western Europe (65%).

Generative AI’s impact is already being felt, with APAC leading the adoption of AI-powered tools such as meeting transcripts and chatbots (53% and 59%, respectively). These tools have been beneficial, with 85% of APAC leaders acknowledging AI’s role in boosting workforce productivity. However, challenges remain: 70% of employees view generative AI as having a high learning curve, 63% feel uneasy about it, and 55% worry about its potential negative impact on their jobs.

Addressing Engagement Through Feedback

As hybrid work models become the norm, 77% of APAC leaders anticipate changes to their workplace models within the next two years, slightly higher than the global average of 75%. To thrive in this new landscape, organizations must remain responsive to employee feedback and adapt their technology strategies accordingly. This includes investing in scalable, adaptable AI tools that align with evolving business needs and employee expectations.

In conclusion, while hybrid work models are gaining traction, the challenge of maintaining high employee engagement remains. Organizations that prioritize technology adoption and actively seek employee feedback will be better positioned to succeed in the future of work. Embracing flexibility and leveraging AI effectively will be key to creating dynamic, engaging, and productive work environments.

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Avanade appoints Rodrigo Caserta as new CEO!

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Avanade – a leading Microsoft solutions provider, has just appointed Rodrigo Caserta as its new CEO, replacing Pamela Maynard! Here is what you need to know…

Avanade appoints Rodrigo Caserta as new CEO!

On 16 August 2024, Avanade – a leading Microsoft solutions provider, has just appointed Rodrigo Caserta as its new CEO, with immediate effect.

Rodrigo Caserta (left in photo below), who was previously the Global Technology Business Group Lead at Avanade, succeeds Pamela Maynard (right in photo below), who will depart at the end of August to join Microsoft as Chief AI Transformation Officer for Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS).

Karthik Narain, Avanade Board Chair and Group Chief Executive at Accenture Technology, expressed enthusiasm for Caserta’s appointment: “Rodrigo’s extensive experience and leadership within Avanade make him the ideal choice for CEO. His deep understanding of our clients and commitment to our team will drive our growth and innovation. I extend my gratitude to Pam for her transformative leadership, which doubled our business and enhanced our focus on inclusion and diversity.”

Rodrigo Caserta’s Vision For Avanade

Rodrigo Caserta is a veteran of nearly a decade at Avanade, who has contributed significantly to Avanade’s success. Under his leadership as General Manager of Brazil and later as President of Growth Markets, Avanade experienced notable revenue and headcount growth in Asia Pacific and Latin America. Originally from Brazil, Caserta recently relocated from Singapore to the United States with his family.

Caserta shared his excitement about his new role: “It’s an honour to follow in Pam’s footsteps. She brought me into Avanade nearly a decade ago and the wisdom I’ve gained from her is invaluable. It’s a privilege to uphold her legacy as Avanade’s next CEO”

“In an era marked by complex challenges, fierce competition, and the imperative to capitalise on AI, our clients have consistently found a trusted partner in Avanade. I am excited and look forward to this opportunity to lead – guided by our deep expertise, bold ambitions and a spirit of collaboration.”

Pamela Maynard’s New Role At Microsoft

Pamela Maynard, who has been a pivotal figure in Avanade’s growth, will transition to Microsoft as Chief AI Transformation Officer for MCAPS – the Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions division.

Judson Althoff, Microsoft’s Chief Commercial Officer, welcomed Maynard to her new role: “We are excited to welcome Pamela to Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions as our first Chief AI Transformation Officer, where she will leverage Microsoft’s AI portfolio to drive our internal transformation and work directly with customers to accelerate theirs. For nearly a decade, Microsoft and Avanade have been at the forefront of AI innovation, with both Pam and Rodrigo playing a critical role in advancing our progress. I look forward to this new chapter, confident in their leadership and expertise, as we further strengthen the longstanding partnership between Microsoft and Avanade and pioneer new advancements in our industry.”

Reflecting on her tenure, Maynard said, “After 16 remarkable years at Avanade, now is the right time to transition to new leadership and Rodrigo is the perfect choice for our next CEO. Reflecting on my five-year tenure as CEO, I am proud of what we’ve achieved as an organization.”

“We’ve solidified Avanade’s position as the preeminent leader in the Microsoft ecosystem – consistently earning recognition from industry analysts, market leaders, and Microsoft itself. And our workplace culture – celebrated by Newsweek, Glassdoor, and more – is a clear reflection of our deep commitment to inclusion, diversity, and wellbeing. As AI continues to transform the industry, I am excited to have the opportunity and grateful for the confidence Microsoft’s leadership has in me to lead critical work in my new role.”

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Microsoft to auto encrypt all Windows 11 devices with BitLocker!

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Microsoft is set to automatically encrypt all Windows 11 computers with BitLocker! Here is what you need to know!

Microsoft to auto encrypt all Windows 11 devices with BitLocker!

Microsoft is set to automatically encrypt all computers with BitLocker device encryption, in the next major update of Windows 11.

Microsoft began making BitLocker device encryption enabled by default on new PCs with the Windows 11 23H2 update. That will be expanded to include clean installs of Windows 11, and Microsoft is also reducing the hardware requirements for automatic device encryption.

Starting with Windows 11 24H2, BitLocker encryption will be open to PCs running the Home edition, and it will no longer require features like Hardware Security Test Interface (HSTI), or Modern Standby. BitLocker encryption will also be enabled even if untrusted direct memory access (DMA) buses / interfaces are detected.

In short – if you buy a new Windows 11 PC, which comes with version 24H2 installed, or you do a clean installation of Windows 11 version 24H2 when it is made available in late September 2024 (or so), device encryption will be enabled by default.

Automatic BitLocker encryption in Windows 11 : Good or bad?

BitLocker isn’t a new feature – Microsoft introduced it in Windows Vista in 2004. But like Windows Vista, it was rather terrible at that time – slow and buggy, and could only encrypt the system partition.

But it has come a long way since then, and now, many people choose to use BitLocker to securely protect their data. Encrypting a drive, or drive partition, with BitLocker ensures that even if someone steals the drive, they cannot access the encrypted data.

That said, encrypting data using BitLocker has some computational cost, which can be significant for older PCs. Newer processors support hardware acceleration for the AES algorithm that BitLocker uses, so any performance deterioration is greatly reduced.

While Tom’s Hardware says BitLocker can reduce SSD performance by up to 45% for certain workloads, but that is frankly not a big concern for most users, who cannot “feel” the difference on SSDs that are already super fast these days.

After all, Android and iOS smartphones and tablets have long implemented device encryption using slower processors and slower eMMC / UFS flash storage, and no one complained, right? Unless you are comparing an encrypted device with one that isn’t, you can’t tell the difference.

The biggest concern is, arguably, the danger of losing all of your data if you get locked out (by a Windows 11 bug, for example), and lose your BitLocker recovery key.

Windows saves the BitLocker recovery key in your Microsoft account, so you can retrieve it if you ever get locked out for any reason. That solves the problem for people who sign up for, or log into, their Microsoft account when they setup a new Windows 11 PC.

However, those who choose to use a local account will have to either print the recovery key, or save it to a USB drive, which could get lost. That could explain why Microsoft is so adamant about getting people to register for, and sign into, a Microsoft account when you setup a new Windows 11 PC.

Of course, you can always prevent the loss of important data even in that rare circumstance, by regularly backing up your data. That’s good practice even if you prefer to leave your computer unencrypted.

But here’s the good news for those who insist on not encrypting their computers – you can avoid automatic BitLocker device encryption by using a local account. When you set up Windows 11 to use a local account for the first time, you will be asked to log into a Microsoft account to encrypt the machine. If you skip that, your Windows 11 computer will remain unencrypted.

Techies can also disrupt the automatic device encryption during the Windows 11 installation wizard by using the Command Prompt (Shift + F10) and using the Registry to change the BitLocker “PreventDeviceEncryption” key to 1.

Of course, even after your machine is encrypted, you can also manually disable BitLocker device encryption in Settings under Privacy & Security -> Device encryption.

But if you ask me – it’s time to get on with the rest of the world, and encrypt your Windows 11 systems. There is really no reason to leave your data unencrypted, even if you have “nothing to hide”.

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X insiders deny DDOS attack during Musk-Trump interview!

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X insiders have refuted Elon Musk who claimed that his disastrous interview of Donald Trump suffered a massive DDOS attack!

Elon Musk : Massive DDOS attack of Trump interview!

On August 11, 2024, X owner Elon Musk announced that he would be conducting an interview of… oh, sorry… a “live conversation” with former President Donald Trump.

Scheduled for 8 PM ET on Monday, August 12, the Musk-Trump “conversation” was hosted on X Spaces (where else?), which should both provide a “safe space” for Donald Trump, and an opportunity for Elon Musk to demonstrate that his “streamlining” of X has not hurt its ability to host major events.

However, the Musk-Trump interview had a disastrous start with a crash. X users who tried to tune in were instead greeted by an error message – “Unable to fetch Space” or “This Space is not available“. Those who somehow managed to get in, only heard lo-fi techno music.

18 minutes later, Elon Musk claimed that X appeared to be under a massive DDOS attack, and X was working to shut it down:

There appears to be a massive DDOS attack on 𝕏. Working on shutting it down.

Worst case, we will proceed with a smaller number of live listeners and post the conversation later.

Several minutes later, Musk claimed that X tested Spaces with 8 million concurrent users, implying that it has to be some kind of nefarious action by someone outside of X.

We tested the system with 8 million concurrent listeners earlier today

When someone suggested that the DDOS attack might have been initiated by the Democrats, Elon Musk agreed.

mark pinkus : Its Dems fighting to ‘save’ Democracy from two massive disrupters!

Elon Musk : Yeah

After the lo-fi techno music finally stopped some 30 minutes later, listeners only heard some rustling from Trump’s microphone, and then silence for another 10-12 minutes, before the interview (sorry, conversation!) finally started.

In the end, the Musk-Trump interview / conversation only hosted some 1 million concurrent listeners on X Spaces – far short of the 8 million Elon Musk claimed Twitter tested earlier.

X insiders deny DDOS attack during Musk-Trump interview!

Oddly, Elon Musk seemed to be hedging his claim with the word “appears”, before offering the 8 million concurrent test as “evidence”. Why would he do that? It’s so weird…

As the owner of X, Musk would clearly know whether X was under “a massive DDOS attack” or not. He wouldn’t need to beat about the bush. He would have network engineers monitoring the traffic, who would be able to spot any suspicious spike in traffic and determine if it was a massive DDOS attack or not.

It now appears that Elon Musk may not have been entirely truthful about the technical issues that beset his disastrous X Spaces conversation with Donald Trump.

At least two X insiders have refuted Elon Musk’s claim. The first confirmed to The Verge that there wasn’t actually a denial-of-service attack on X. Another X staff said that there was a “99 percent” chance Elon Musk was lying about a DDOS attack.

That makes sense, as outside of that Musk-Trump interview, the rest of X (including other X Spaces) was working normally. A massive DDOS attack would have made it impossible for X to function normally. You cannot just target a DDOS attack to hit one specific livestream, and leave the rest of X running normally.

To be clear – there is no evidence of a massive DDOS attack, and there is also no evidence that the Democrats were involved or responsible for the technical failures that marred the disastrous Musk-Trump “live conversation” on X Spaces.

This isn’t the first time X has suffered such failures. Ron DeSantis suffered a similarly embarrassing failure to launch (nod to you SpaceX fans!) when he launched his ill-fated presidential campaign on X Spaces in May 2023.

At that time, Donald Trump mocked the disastrous launch, posting on Truth Social “Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER!” It’s been said that karma is a bitch.

This failure also highlights the drastic changes that Elon Musk made when he purchased Twitter for $44 billion in 2022. He not renamed it X, he gutted about 80% of its staff, leaving just skeleton crews in key areas like site reliability. Karma strikes again?

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Did the US hide logo of new Chinese crane with US flag?!

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Did the Americans try to hide the logo on a new Chinese crane with the US flag, so that people won’t know that they were made in China?

Take a look at the new viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Did the US hide logo of new Chinese crane with US flag?

People are sharing a video showing the US flag falling from a Chinese crane, revealing the ZPMC logo, together with this message :

During opening ceremony of new gantry cranes in USA. A sudden gust of wind blew away the board covering Chinese brand name. You can see the board is black on one side and has American flag on the other.

What an embarrassment trying to hide the Chinese made cranes.

Truth : The US did not hide logo of new Chinese crane with US flag!

The video is genuine, but taken out of context. Here are the facts…

Fact #1 : Video was recorded on 29 March 2013

The viral message was intentionally vague on when it happened, suggesting that it was new. The truth is – the video was recorded many years ago – on 29 March 2013 in Miami, Florida.

At that time, the President of the United States was Barack Obama, not Joe Biden or Donald Trump.

Fact #2 : It was not an opening ceremony of any kind

The viral message said that this incident happened during an “opening ceremony of new gantry cranes” in the United States. That is completely FALSE.

The video was recorded at the Port of Miami Tunnel project in Miami, Florida – just before President Obama spoke about his infrastructure plan.

It was related to the Port of Miami tunnel project on Dodge Island, which would connect the port to the interstate highway system, and had nothing to do with the gantry cranes.

Fact #3 : The logo was covered for optics

As President Obama was going to speak about shipping “products made in America” through ports like the Port of Miami, so it would have been awkward optics to have Chinese logos in the background.

Therefore, members of the White House advance team decided to cover up the ZPMC logo with a US flag. Not only did the ZPMC have Chinese characters, it was also a Chinese state-owned company. Awkward indeed!

Fact #4 : They left the ZPMC logo visible

After wind blew the American flag off the logo, a member of the White House team went onto the gantry to retrieve the flag. But instead of putting it back over the logo, he shifted the American flag to the side of the gantry.

Ultimately, the ZPMC logo was left visible during President Obama’s speech, as this picture shows.

Fact #5 : The Chinese gantry cranes were not new

The gantry cranes seen in the picture appear to be ZPMC Super Post-Panamax (SPP) cranes that were delivered in January 2005.

They were more than 8 years old when President Obama spoke at the Port of Miami in 2013, and more than 16.5 years old when this fake news started circulating in 2021.

So the claim that the Americans were trying to pass off new Chinese cranes as American-made cranes is nothing but fake news.

Now that you know the truth, please SHARE this fact check so other people won’t be fooled by it!

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Is Bill Gates selling fake, lab-grown chickens in stores?!

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Are Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos selling fake, lab-grown chickens in stores?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Bill Gates is selling fake, lab-grown chickens in stores!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims or suggests that Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos have partnered up to sell fake, lab-grown chickens in stores!

It also shared a method by which you can spot and avoid such fake, lab-grown chickens being sold by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos.

Here is excerpts of the article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

How to Spot and Avoid Bill Gates’ Lab-Grown Chicken in Stores for Your Health

Lab-grown chicken has started appearing on US supermarket shelves following Bill Gates’ multi-million dollar investments in the fake meat industry.

Researchers from the University of São Paulo and Imperial College London assessed the diets of more than 118,000 people living in the UK aged 40 to 69 years old. They found that those who ate Bill Gates’ fake meat products became severely sick and disease-ridden within a matter of months.

What can you do to make sure you do not accidentally purchase a Bill Gates chicken that has been raised in a lab?

A woman uploaded a viral video to social media offering important guidance for consumers in the supermarket in this era of fake meat.

“Make sure you are checking your labels,” said the woman. “Make sure when you guys are buying chicken, you look for this: ‘hatched, raised and harvested in the USA.’”

“If it does not say ‘hatched’ then you will know that it is lab-grown fake meat.”

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Truth : Bill Gates is not selling fake, lab-grown chickens in stores!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : There is no such thing as lab-grown chickens

Let me start by pointing out that technically, there is no such thing as lab-grown chickens. What people refer to as “lab-grown chicken” is actually “cultivated meat” or “lab-grown meat”.

Such cultivated meat is grown in steel tanks from cells of animals like chicken or cow. The cells are then formed into shapes to make them look like cutlets, nuggets, shredded meat, etc.

In other words, lab-grown chicken-based meat will look like chicken meat products, not actual chickens. So claims that the slaughtered whole chicken you see at the stores might be fake, lab-grown chicken is nonsense.

Fact #2 : Hatched label is used to denote origin

It is not true that the only to determine whether you are buying a real chicken is to look for the label “hatched, raised and harvested in the USA“. That label is used to denote the origin of the chicken – it was born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States of America (USA).

As the American National Chicken Council explained, USDA Agriculture Marketing Service regulations require that chickens sold in retail stores “clearly and accurately identify” its “country of origin”.

USDA AMS regulations already require that chicken sold at retail clearly and accurately identify the product’s country of origin. Consumers seeking USA chicken can already find the ‘Hatched, Raised & Harvested in the U.S.’ label on American chicken.

– NCC President Mike Brown

In short – that label only tells you where the chickens were born or raised. It has nothing to do with whether the chicken product is fake or lab-grown, or made from chickens hatched at a farm.

Fact #3 : Almost all chickens in US will have this label

Almost all slaughtered chickens and chicken products sold in the US were hatched, raised and processed in the United States, and will come with that “hatched, raised and harvested in the USA” label.

More than 99% of the chicken we consume is of domestic origin and can easily be identified.

The remainder are imported from Canada, which has food safety and quality standards similar to the US. Those chickens would not have the “hatched, raised and harvested in the USA” label, but that does not mean they are fake or lab-grown chickens!

Fact #4 : Hatched label may be replaced by Product of USA

In 2023, the USDA proposed allowing meat, poultry and egg products made from animals born, bred and processed in the US to use the alternative labels of “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA“.

Real chickens and chicken products made in the United States may use those labels instead of the usual “hatched, raised and harvested in the USA” label. So just because you don’t see the “hatched, raised and harvested in the USA” label, it does not mean that the chicken is fake, lab-grown, or imported from some unknown country.

Fact #5 : Lab-grown meat is very expensive

Instead of listening to bad advice from people who don’t even understand what origin labels are for, here’s a simple way to differentiate lab-grown chicken meat from “naturally-farmed” chicken meat – lab-grown meat is rare and expensive.

Because the production of cultivated or lab-grown meat cannot be scaled like farmed chickens, it is rare and much more expensive than regular chicken meat. Hence, companies offering cultivated meat will highlight its uniqueness in their packaging and labels in order to justify the high cost.

In short – you are unlikely to be “tricked” into buying cultivated meat. Only those who are willing to pay a premium price to try lab-grown meat will actively look for, and purchase, these rare meat products.

Recommended : Is Bill Gates adding mRNA to our food?!

Fact #6 : Lab-grown meat is safe

The People’s Voice article suggests that cultivated meat or lab-grown meat is dangerous to consume. That’s not true.

Cultivated meat is basically meat cells grown in a steel tank, and so has similar nutritional content. It even tastes the same – people who have actually tried cultivated chicken meat have said that it looks slightly paler (due to a lack of blood vessels), but tastes just like chicken.

There is nothing in cultivated meat that makes it dangerous to consume, which is why the US FDA are approving such meat products for sale after testing them.

Fact #7 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Its articles have been regularly debunked as fake news, so you should never share anything from NewsPunch / The People’s Voice. Here are some of its fake stories that I fact checked earlier:

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He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Avanade study: Familiarity reduces workplace fears of AI!

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Here is our summary of a new study by Avanade on how growing familiarity eases workplace fears about generative AI!

Avanade study: Familiarity reduces workplace fears of AI!

A recent study by Avanade highlights a significant shift in workplace attitudes towards generative AI, offering valuable insights into how organisations can encourage employees to embrace generative AI.

The Avanade report explored the experience of 700 global employees at Avanade who used Copilot for Microsoft 365 through a seven-week study. This study represents the largest pilot of Copilot for Microsoft 365 conducted during the Early Access Program.

The study investigated the impact of the generative AI tool on six human metrics in the workplace: communication, creativity, trust, work satisfaction, belongingness, and organisational citizenship behaviour. Overall findings revealed increased structured creativity, idea sharing and problem solving, but limited improvements to spontaneously generated or original thinking.

Key findings from Avanade study on workplace fears of AI

The Avanade study sheds light on how familiarity with generative AI is alleviating workplace fears, leading to greater acceptance and integration. Here are key findings from the Avanade study…

Communication

Initially, 72% of employees were apprehensive about how Copilot for Microsoft 365 would handle meeting transcriptions. By the end of the study, 45% of employees felt less cautious about their communications, reflecting a shift towards more open dialogue as familiarity with the tool grew.

Creativity and Innovation

Avanade observed a 2% increase in overall creativity and innovation, with the score rising to 82%. Acceptance of new working methods improved from 80% to 89%. However, there was a slight decrease in preference for tasks requiring original thinking.

Trust

The study found that 88% of employees felt Copilot for Microsoft 365 aligned with corporate values, while 65% believed it matched their personal values. Satisfaction with the tool’s assistance was at 75%, but concerns about transparency (78%) and accountability (65%) highlighted the need for clearer decision-making processes and governance.

Work Satisfaction

After implementing Copilot for Microsoft 365, 85% of employees reported a strong sense of accomplishment, and 80% remained engaged with their tasks. This suggests that the tool integrated smoothly into daily workflows without diminishing job satisfaction.

Belongingness

Team cohesion levels remained stable, with 85% of employees feeling consistent support from colleagues. Nevertheless, there was a 2% decline in the sense of belonging and team collaboration, indicating potential areas for improvement.Its seamless integration into Zoom Workplace not only provides a unified platform for communication and collaboration, it also ensures that users can access all their tools and documents in one place, streamlining workflows and enhancing overall efficiency.

Organisational Citizenship Behaviour

The study showed an increase in technological adaptability to 86%, suggesting that Copilot for Microsoft 365 promotes technical skill development. Altruism and courtesy remained steady at 88%, indicating the tool did not negatively impact the collaborative and supportive culture of the organization.

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Zoom Docs transforms collaboration + meeting efficiency with AI

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Discover how Zoom Docs, the new AI-driven tool from Zoom, transforms team collaboration, document creation, and project planning for enhanced meeting effectiveness.

Zoom Docs transforms collaboration + meeting efficiency with AI

On August 5, 2024, Zoom officially launched Zoom Docs, a new AI-first solution designed to revolutionise the way teams collaborate and manage documents. As part of Zoom Workplace, this collaborative document solution with generative AI aims to enhance meeting effectiveness and streamline project planning.

Zoom Docs is our first Zoom Workplace product with generative AI built in from the ground up; it effortlessly transforms information from Zoom Meetings into actionable documents and knowledge bases, so teams can stay focused on meaningful work.

Zoom Docs is included at no additional cost with Zoom Workplace paid licenses, creating even more value for our customers. With AI Companion available every step of the way, Zoom Docs is purpose-built to empower people to ‘work happy’ and give them more time back in their day.

– Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom

Zoom Docs represents a significant advancement in collaborative technology, combining the power of AI with the versatility of Zoom Workplace. Here is how it offers businesses a cutting-edge solution for enhancing team collaboration and productivity.

AI-Driven Document Creation

Zoom Docs leverages advanced artificial intelligence to assist in creating documents quickly and accurately. ith features like content generation, automated editing suggestions, and optimized formatting, users can create and refine documents faster and more accurately. The AI assists in structuring content, suggesting improvements, and ensuring consistency, making document management simpler and more effective.

Enhanced Team Collaboration

Thanks to its AI Companion, teams can collaborate in real-time on documents, share feedback instantly, and track changes seamlessly. The integration of AI tools facilitates smoother collaboration by automating routine tasks, highlighting important changes, and ensuring that all team members are on the same page.

Streamlined Project Planning

Zoom Docs supports comprehensive project planning by providing tools for task management, scheduling, and progress tracking. AI-driven insights help teams prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and allocate resources efficiently. This streamlined approach to project planning ensures that teams can stay organized and focused on achieving their goals.

Benefits for Meeting Efficiency

Meeting productivity is enhanced by allowing participants to access and edit documents directly within the Zoom meeting platform. This integration reduces the need for switching between applications, saving time and improving focus during meetings.

Seamless Integration Into Zoom Workplace

Its seamless integration into Zoom Workplace not only provides a unified platform for communication and collaboration, it also ensures that users can access all their tools and documents in one place, streamlining workflows and enhancing overall efficiency.

Zoom Docs with AI Companion Price + Availability

Zoom Docs is available beginning today for users of the Zoom Workplace app, version 6.1.6 or later, which can be downloaded from the Zoom website. It can also be accessed from the Docs web homepage or the Zoom Web App.

Zoom Docs with AI Companion is included with all paid Zoom Workplace plans*. Basic (free) users can create up to 10 shared docs and unlimited personal docs without AI Companion but can upgrade to Zoom Workplace Pro, Business, or Enterprise plans for access to AI Companion capabilities across Zoom Workplace, including Docs. Account owners and admins may enable or disable AI Companion.

*Note: AI Companion is included at no additional cost with the paid services assigned to Zoom accounts. However, it may not be available for all regions and industry verticals.

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Is Stallone opening anti-woke coffee shops to counter Starbucks?!

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Is Sylvester Stallone opening a chain of anti-woke coffee shops to counter Starbucks?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Stallone is opening anti-woke coffee shops to counter Starbucks!

Some websites are claiming that Sylvester Stallone is opening a chain of anti-woke coffee shops called Knockout Brews to counter Starbucks!

Top News In USA / Animal News / Food News : Breaking: Sylvester Stallone to Open Chain of Anti-Woke Coffee Shops to Compete with Starbucks

2024 News : Breaking: Sylvester Stallone to Open Chains of Anti-Woke Coffee Shops to Counter Starbucks

Here is an excerpt from those articles, which is extremely long and (intentionally?) confusing. So feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

In a bold move that melds celebrity entrepreneurship with cultural commentary, Sylvester Stallone has announced his plans to open a chain of coffee shops, envisioned as a direct counter to Starbucks, focusing on a ‘no-nonsense’, traditional coffee experience. This new venture, dubbed “Knockout Brews,” aims to offer an alternative to what Stallone describes as the “overly politicized atmosphere” of mainstream coffee chains.

The idea came to Stallone after a visit to a local Starbucks, where he felt the environment had become too infused with corporate advocacy and cultural statements, which he believes detracts from the simple pleasure of enjoying a good cup of coffee. “Coffee should be about comfort, about a moment of peace in your day,” Stallone remarked during the announcement of his new business venture. “Knockout Brews is about bringing that back, focusing solely on quality and service, leaving politics out the door.

Stallone’s vision for Knockout Brews is clear: to provide a coffee shop experience that prioritizes the product and the customer without venturing into social or political discussions. The decor of each location will feature a blend of rustic and modern aesthetics, with memorabilia from Stallone’s films subtly incorporated to enhance the brand’s identity without overpowering the core focus on coffee.

Knockout Brews plans to source beans from non-conflict zones, emphasizing quality and sustainability. The menu will be straightforward, eschewing the often complex and exotic offerings of larger chains for classic coffee drinks done right. “We’re going back to basics, but we’re going to nail those basics,” Stallone asserted.

In addition to coffee, Knockout Brews will offer a selection of pastries and simple, hearty breakfast items, all sourced from local suppliers whenever possible. Stallone is keen on supporting local economies, stating, “It’s about community, about sitting down and enjoying a moment of your day without any agenda.”

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Truth : Stallone is not opening anti-woke coffee shops to counter Starbucks!

This is yet another example of fake news created to generate page views / ad revenue, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Slyvester Stallone is not opening any coffee shop

Let me start by pointing out Sylvester Stallone is not opening any coffee shop, much less a chain of them to compete with Starbucks.

We know that for sure because he never mentioned opening a coffee shop even once in his official website, or official social media accounts on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly Twitter), where he shares personal photos and highlights, as well as his latest ventures and projects.

In addition, such a major venture would have been covered widely, not just by celebrity websites and blogs, but also the mainstream media across the world. Why would such a momentous decision only be covered by some unknown websites???

Simple answer is – it was all made up! Sylvester Stallone isn’t opening up any coffee shop, much less a whole chain of them to compete with Starbucks, which has over 38,000 outlets globally!

Unsurprisingly, none of those websites ever provided any evidence to back up their claims, not even a photo of the announcement event.

Fact #2 : They Were AI-Generated

I also ran the text through generative AI detectors, and they all confirmed that the “article” about Sylvester Stallone opening anti-woke coffee shops were created using AI writing tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, etc.

QuillBot : 100% of text is likely AI-generated

Scribbr : 80% chance your text is generated by AI

ZeroGPT : 78.76% your text is AI/GPT generated

Copyleaks : AI content detected

Undetectable AI : Your content is detected as written by AI

Thanks to the ease in creating large amounts of text using generative AI, it appears that many people are creating these nonsensical websites filled with fake stories to generate page views, and ad revenue.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Support my work through a bank transfer / PayPal / credit card!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Is WEF plotting grid outage to reset America before election?!

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Is the WEF plotting a catastrophic grid outage to permanently reset American before the 2024 Presidential Election?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WEF plots grid outage to reset America before election!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that the WEF is plotting a catastrophic grid outage to permanently reset American before the 2024 Presidential Election!

Here is an excerpt of the (intentionally?) confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

WEF Plotting ‘Catastrophic Grid Outage’ That Will ‘Permanently Reset America’ Before Election

The World Economic Forum in Davos is planning what they describe as a “catastrophic grid outage” with the stated goal of “creating a permanent reset” in the US before the November election.

According to insiders, the CrowdStrike outage was the final preparation for a devastating cyber attack on the US power grid that will disconnect the public from the internet, wipe out savings, and plunge the nation into chaos for years, allowing the elite to roll out the next phase of their totalitarian master plan.

Evil never sleeps and we are seeing Schwab’s modus operandi play out before our eyes. The WEF has infiltrated governments across the globe, with every Western nation falling under their control.

Davos has also infiltrated the corporate world, centralizing power and influence around their puppet businesses including Blackrock which owns a huge stake in CrowdStrike.

CrowdStrike, a WEF company with very close ties to the DNC and three-letter agencies, is also operating on a massive level, integrated into the grid, government, financial, transportation, and hospital systems.

Now the globalist elite have ordered a series of devastating cyber attacks and they are using WEF-afiliated companies including CrowdStrike to attack America from the inside.

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Truth : WEF is not plotting grid outage to reset America before election!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

WEF is not plotting grid outage in America

Let me start by simply pointing out that the WEF (World Economic Forum) is not plotting any grid outage to reset America, or any other nefarious purposes, before or after the 2024 US Presidential election.

If such a plot exists, it would have been widely reported by the mainstream media, not by a well-known fake news website! In fact, it would have triggered a criminal investigation! Yet none of that happened, because… it was all made up!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article did not provide any evidence to back up its “fact checked” claim.

CrowdStrike outage was due to buggy update

The People’s Voice article claims that the CrowdStrike outage was “the final preparation for a devastating cyber attack on the US power grid”, but provided no evidence to back up its claim.

That’s likely because the CrowdStrike outage was due to a buggy driver update, and was not a cyberattack at all! In fact, the buggy driver was only pushed to Windows-based system, and did not affect CrowdStrike clients who used Linux or Mac computers.

While the threat of a cyberattack on U.S. utilities is a real possibility, it won’t be caused by a buggy driver update being issued by CrowdStrike or other software companies.

CrowdStrike outage did not disrupt electricity supply

While the CrowdStrike outage impacted the U.S. Department of Energy, and a number of American utilities, it did not disrupt electricity supply. The outage only impacted ancillary services at those utilities (source):

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio was also experiencing issues, they said, impacting their docketing information system and call center. The City of Corpus Christi said its utility billing software and development services software, including customer portals, are both down. The Department of Energy’s website was down for a couple of hours. Avangrid subsidiary New York State Electric & Gas said its customer electricity outage information is not available due to the outage.

That’s not surprising as the CrowdStrike outage only affected Windows-based computers running its Falcon software, which would naturally only be installed in computers connected to the Internet.

It is not easy to take down entire power grid

While the The People’s Voice article suggests that it would be pretty easy for nefarious parties to take down the American power grid, it isn’t simple at all.

Critical systems are air-gapped (not connected to the Internet), and American utilities have to follow the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Reliability Standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC).

American utilities therefore have separate networks, so hackers or malware gaining access to the IT network, would not be able to get to the OT (Operations Technology) network that keeps the lights on for everyone.

The Ukrainian blackout of 2015 was the first-ever confirmed case of hackers causing a power outage. But even though that cyberattack likely required months of planning, and dozens of hackers working together, the attack only affected three facilities, with the blackout only impacting 250,000 Ukrainians for just six hours (source).

WEF post on X is fake!

The cover image used in The People’s Voice article and video has a screenshot which purportedly shows the World Economic Forum posting on X (formerly Twitter) that:

The next CrowdStrike outage will result in a #PermanentReset

That is a fake screenshot, because there is no such post on X by the World Economic Forum! If the WEF actually made such a shocking post, it would have been reported by the media across the world, and mocked and criticised on social media.

But of course, that didn’t happen, because the WEF never made such a bizarre post! Why would The People’s Voice article use a fake screenshot???

The People’s Voice is known for fake news

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

Please help us FIGHT FAKE NEWS by sharing this fact check article out, and please SUPPORT our work!

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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Microsoft / CrowdStrike: Who is responsible for global IT outage?

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Is Microsoft or CrowdStrike to blame for the global IT outage of Windows-based systems?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Microsoft Is Responsible For Global IT Outrage, Not CrowdStrike!

On Friday, 19 July 2024 – a day that will live in digital infamy, businesses and organisations worldwide were hit by an IT outage on their Windows-based systems. Inevitably, some people are blaming Microsoft for this debacle…

Circulating on WhatsApp : Very interesting to see how the media is playing down on the disaster.

Question remains “Not sure how microsoft is going to rollback the update or to install the patch as affected pcs have locked themselves out.”

S.L. Kanthan : Blue screens of death all over the world, from airports and ATM machines to grocery stores and even vending machines!

Thanks, Microsoft! 🤡 #outage

BRICS should create alternative operating systems. Very dangerous for the world to rely on one company.

Max Tegmark : With their impeccable safety culture, never letting things get deployed before they’re properly tested, I’m confident that ⁦@Microsoft is ready to safely handle the smarter-than-human AI that they’re trying to build with ⁦@OpenAI

Sumit Singh Rajput : This is serious! How a single tech outage can bring the world economy to its knees.

A glitch in Microsoft’s server caused a computer failure around the world. Today, everything is blue

#Microsoft #Crowdstrike #CyberSecurity #CyberAttack #airportdiaries #cyberattacks

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Truth : CrowdStrike, Not Microsoft, Is Responsible For Global IT Outrage!

This appears to be complete misunderstanding of the global IT outage that’s happening only to systems and cloud services based on Microsoft Windows, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Global IT Outage Caused By CrowdStrike, Not Microsoft

Let me start by simply pointing out that the global IT outrage that started on Friday, 19 July 2024, was caused by CrowdStrike, not Microsoft.

Soon after the outage occurred, CrowdStrike announced (and again) that it was caused by a bug in an update to its Falcon threat detection system.

The IT outage notably did not affect all Microsoft customers and users, only those who purchased and installed CrowdStrike Falcon, which is an “endpoint detection and response” software. This kind of software is designed for large organisations, and that is why this global IT outage is mainly affecting those organisations.

The scale is massive, because CrowdStrike is a leading provider of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) software. However, home users and small business users are not affected, because they rely on the built-in Windows Defender software, or consumer-grade software from the likes of Norton and McAfee.

Blaming Microsoft for the buggy update that CrowdStrike issued would be like blaming BMW for defective third-party tyres that leak air, and asking the automotive company to replace or fix those tyres.

Fact #2 : Microsoft Denies Responsibility For Global IT Outage

A Microsoft spokesperson has officially denied responsibility for the global IT outage caused by the CrowdStrike update:

CrowdStrike update was responsible for bringing down a number of IT systems globally. Microsoft does not have oversight into updates that CrowdStrike makes in its systems.

Fact #3 : Global IT Outage Caused By Bug In CrowdStrike Update

As CrowdStrike explained (and again), the infamous Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that is caused by a bug in an update meant for Windows-based systems.

The outage was caused by a defect found in a Falcon content update for Windows hosts. Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This was not a cyberattack.

We are working closely with impacted customers and partners to ensure that all systems are restored, so you can deliver the services your customers rely on.

CrowdStrike further confirmed that the buggy code was introduced in a single channel file – C-00000291.sys, with the timestamp of 0409 UTC.

As former Google engineer Arpit Bhayani explained, the buggy code was trying to access an invalid memory location, triggering a panic and causing the BSOD.

I saw many engineers blaming the outage on Microsoft 🤦‍♂️ SWEs blaming without knowing the root cause is concerning.

It is not Microsoft, it is Crowdstrike who released an update for Windows that had a bug. The patch runs in Kernel mode to monitor system activity at a low level.

Because it was running in Kernel mode, the buggy code was trying to access an invalid memory location that triggered a panic and which showed Blue Screen of Death.

The name of the driver file that had the buggy update is “C-00000291.sys”, deleting it fixes the issue and unfortunately this needs to be done manually.

Microsoft has nothing to do with it.

Deleting the file, or replacing it with the previous or newer version, fixes the problem. However, it has to be done manually, as the affected computers and servers have “bricked” and cannot be remotely accessed.

Fact #4 : Microsoft Is Supposed To Vet Driver Updates

While Microsoft may not be responsible for the bug in the CrowdStrike update, some cybersecurity experts believe that it may hold some responsibility.

Costin Raiu who worked at Kaspersky for 23 years and led its threat intelligence team, says that Microsoft is supposed to vet the code and cryptographically sign it. This suggests that Microsoft may have also missed the buggy code in the CrowdStrike Falcon kernel driver update.

It’s surprising that with the extreme attention paid to driver updates, this still happened. One simple driver can bring down everything. Which is what we saw here.

Raiu also noted that past updates to Kaspersky and Microsoft’s own Windows Defender antivirus software have also triggered similar Blue Screen of Death crashes in previous years.

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Does Bill Gates plan to replace cow milk with maggot milk?!

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Does Bill Gates plan to replace cow milk with maggot milk he just launched called EntoMilk?! Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : Bill Gates plans to replace cow milk with maggot milk!

Some websites are claiming that Bill Gates wants to replace cow milk with maggot milk he just launched called EntoMilk. One website even claimed that Bill Gates ordered governments to replace cow milk with his EntoMilk maggot milk!

Infowars / Alex Jones : DISGUSTING: Bill Gates Wants You To Eat Maggot Milk

The future being created for humanity is deeply disturbing

During Thursday’s edition of The Alex Jones Show, viewers learned about the sick Bill Gates project to feed people maggot milk.

Slay News : Bill Gates Launches ‘Maggot Milk’ to Feed General Public

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has launched a new project that seeks to introduce “maggot milk” into the food supply of the general public.

The new “EntoMilk” is described as a “dairy alternative” that is made from “black soldier fly larvae” or maggots. The maggots are blended into a “rich and creamy liquid which looks and acts just like dairy,” according to its creators.

The People’s Voice : Bill Gates Orders Govt’s To Replace Cow Milk With ‘Creamy Maggot Milk’

Billionaire eugenicist Bill Gates has ordered governments worldwide to phase out the use of cow milk in favor of maggot milk.

Gates announced the new “dairy alternative” produce called “EntoMilk” that he says will eventually replace milk from animals. A typical carton of EntoMilk is made from thousands of crushed up maggots.

Once the bugs are blended and processed, the result is a “rich and creamy liquid which looks and acts just like dairy.”

“It’s got a very creamy mouthfeel,” said a spokesperson in the promotional video for EntoMilk below.

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Truth : Bill Gates does not plan to replace cow milk with maggot milk!

This is yet another example of FAKE NEWS about Bill Gates, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : Bill Gates did not launch any maggot milk

Let me start by pointing out that Bill Gates did not launch a new project or maggot milk product called EntoMilk.

If he did, he would have announced it on his LinkedIn page, or his blog – GatesNotes. It would also have been reported worldwide by the mainstream media, and commented on extensively on social media.

Yet, there has been no official announcement by Bill Gates, nor confirmation through the mainstream media. That’s because it was all made up.

Needless to say – none of those making these claims actually provided any evidence that Bill Gates launched a maggot milk product called EntoMilk.

Fact #2 : Bill Gates did not order governments to replace cow milk

There is also no evidence that Bill Gates ordered governments across the world to replace cow milk with maggot milk.

Unsurprisingly, those who made that claim did not provide any evidence that Bill Gates ordered any government to replace cow milk with maggot milk.

Obviously – no government has announced any plans to replace cow milk with maggot milk…

Fact #3 : Bill & Gates Foundation is not involved with EntoMilk

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation also confirmed that it has no involvement with EntoMilk, and claims that EntoMilk is their product is “false”.

Fact #4 : EntoMilk was launched by Gourmet Grubb

EntoMilk was not introduced or launched by Bill Gates, or the Gates Foundation. It was created and launched by Gourmet Grubb – a South African company that started operations in 2017.

Neither Gourmet Grubb, nor EntoMilk, were funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which can be confirmed by the foundation’s portfolio.

Some detractors are pointing to a May 2012 grant the Gates Foundation made to “develop a method for the efficient production of nutritionally dense food using insect species“.

However, that grant was to All Things Bugs, LLC – an American company based in Florida, which has nothing to do with Gourmet Grubb from South Africa, or EntoMilk.

Fact #5 : EntoMilk launched six years ago!

Even more damning – EntoMilk isn’t even new. Gourmet Grubb launched EntoMilk more than 6 years ago! In fact, the official EntoMilk video clip was posted on YouTube on 7 June 2018!

So all those websites or people claiming that EntoMilk was recently launched or introduced aren’t being honest, are they???

Fact #6 : Gourmet Grubb appears to be defunct

Finally, Gourmet Grubb appears to be defunct. Its official website is no longer available, and its domain taken over by other people. Its official Instagram page has also been inactive since 2020.

So why would anyone claim that Bill Gates just launched EntoMilk, when the company making it appears to have shut down 3-4 years ago???

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Avanade + Accenture : 19th Microsoft Global SI Partner of the Year!

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Avanade and Accenture have just been recognised for a record 19th time as Microsoft’s Global SI Partner of the Year! Here is what you need to know…

Avanade + Accenture Celebrate 19th Microsoft Global SI Partner of the Year!

On June 26, 2024, both Avanade and Accenture were recognised by Microsoft as its Global SI Partner of the Year for a record 19th time.

This accolade underscores both companies’ nearly 25-year partnership with Microsoft, and commitment to delivering cutting-edge innovation, world-class capabilities, and transformative client value.

Avanade and Accenture were also named Microsoft’s first-ever Global Business Transformation Partner of the Year for Copilot, recognizing their leading expertise in deploying and leveraging Copilot across the Microsoft ecosystem and driving substantial value with generative AI for organizations worldwide.

Pam Maynard, CEO of Avanade, commented, “This is an incredible honor, one that confirms our commitment to creating value for our clients. In addition to our record-breaking 19th Partner of the Year win and receiving more global industry wins and finalist recognitions than ever before, it’s notable to be named the winner of the inaugural Copilot Transformation award, which highlights our close alignment with Microsoft on AI from the earliest days of Copilot’s development and deployment. As we look ahead to the opportunities offered by an ‘AI-first’ world, we will continue to leverage the expertise and insights of our global team to expand what’s possible with Microsoft technologies.”

Here in Malaysia Avanade unveiled its first generative AI lab for Southeast Asia last year, following the launch of its first Malaysian Digital Innovation Studio in Kuala Lumpur located at the Tun Razak Exchange in 2022.

“Our recognition as Microsoft’s Global SI Partner of the Year for the 19th time underscores the exceptional value our partnership with Microsoft and Avanade delivers to our clients,” said Chris Howarth, senior managing director and Accenture Microsoft Business Group lead. “By leveraging Microsoft Copilot and advanced generative AI technologies, we are not only enhancing our service offerings but also creating new opportunities for our clients to innovate and accelerate growth in their respective markets. This strategic focus empowers them to harness the full potential of their digital transformation, driving significant business outcomes.”

Both Avanade and Accenture have been at the forefront of developing AI solutions in collaboration with Microsoft for over a decade, most recently pioneering with generative AI application. As early adopters of Copilot, they have also played a critical role in previewing, developing, and deploying the full suite of Microsoft Copilots, enabling them to have market-leading offerings available on day-one of general availability.

Avanade and Accenture have continued this momentum with the rollout of industry-specific Copilots and Microsoft Agents for Copilot, showcased at Microsoft Build in May 2024.

This year, Avanade and Accenture received more Global Industry awards and finalist recognitions than ever before, including wins across Retail & Consumer Goods, Media & Telco, and Mobility & Transportation. They were also recognized as a winner or finalist in every Business Applications category.

Overall, Avanade and Accenture have been honored as winners in seven global categories:

Global System Integrator (GSI)
Global Business Transformation | Copilot
Global Industry | Retail & Consumer Goods
Global Industry | Media & Telco
Global Industry | Automotive, Mobility & Transportation
Global SAP RISE on Microsoft Cloud
Global Dynamics 365 Sales & Customer Insights

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Does WEF Want To Restrict People From Washing Clothes?!

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Did the WEF issue guidelines restricting people from washing their clothes?! Take a look at the viral claim, and find out what the facts really are!

Claim : WEF Wants To Restrict People From Washing Clothes!

People are sharing an article (archive) by The People’s Voice (formerly NewsPunch), which claims that the WEF issued guidelines restricting people from washing their clothes!

Here is an excerpt of the long and (intentionally?) confusing article. Feel free to skip to the next section for the facts!

Klaus Schwab Wants To Ban People Washing Their Pants More Than Once Per Month

Klaus Schwab’s World Economic Forum (WEF) has issued guidelines regarding how often the public should be allowed to wash their clothes, including underwear and gym clothes.

The WEF has already ordered compliant governments to move towards a future in which citizens will be restricted from buying more than a small number of new items of clothing per year.

Now, according to Schwab, the threat of climate change means people no longer have the right to wear laundered and clean clothes.

Citing a new study, Schwab’s World Economic Forum (WEF) is urging governments to clamp down on people who wash their jeans and pants more than once per month, and their sweaters more than once per fortnight.

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Truth : WEF Is Not Restricting People From Washing Clothes!

This is yet another example of fake news created / promoted by The People’s Voice, and here are the reasons why…

Fact #1 : WEF Did Not issue Any Guidelines On Washing Clothes

First, let me just point out that the World Economic Forum (WEF) did not issue any guidelines on how often people should wash their clothes. The WEF certainly did not restrict people from washing underwear or gym clothes!

If the WEF actually issued such guidelines, or even attempt to restrict people from washing their clothes, it would have been reported widely. Yet there has been no report of such a restriction anywhere by any reputable media outlet. That’s because it was all made up!

Unsurprisingly, The People’s Voice article provided no evidence to back up its “fact checked” claim.

Fact #2 : WEF Video Was About What Scientists Are Saying

The People’s Voice article is based on a WEF video called “Scientists Are Urging Us To Wash Our Clothes Less To Help The Planet“.

If you watch the video, you will realise that it is merely telling us what scientists at the Society of Chemical Industry are saying about the impact of washing clothes on CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions, and the waste it introduces into waterways.

Scientists are urging us to wash our clothes less to help the planet because Landry has a “huge environmental impact”.

70% of the CO2 emissions generated by a cotton t-shirt come from washing and drying it. Laundry also puts detergents and microfibres into waterways, which is damaging to ecosystems.

Too much washing also wears out clothes faster, meaning more are sent to landfill. The EU alone produces 2.2 million tonnes of textile waste a year.

Experts at the Society of Chemical Industry say we shouldn’t wash clothes after every wear…

They say jeans shouldn’t be washed more than once a month, jumpers once a fortnight, and pyjamas once a week.

The exceptions are underwear and gym clothes, which should be washed every wear.

If using a machine, try lower temperatures and shorter cycles.

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As you can tell, the WEF video isn’t about restricting people from washing their clothes, it’s about educating them on the impact that washing clothes too often can have.

Fact #3 : Video Was Posted Almost 3 Years Ago!

The People’s Voice article appears to suggest that this happened recently, I should point out that the WEF posted its video almost 3 years ago – on 29 September 2021.

It must either be a really slow day at The People’s Voice, or it took them more than two years to realise this…

Fact #4 : The People’s Voice Is Known For Fake News

The People’s Voice is the current name for NewsPunch, which possibly changed its name because its brand has been so thoroughly discredited after posting numerous shocking but fake stories.

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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.

He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.

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