Welcome to today’s curated collection of interesting links and insights for 2025/11/19. Our Hand-picked, AI-optimized system has processed and summarized 19 articles from all over the internet to bring you the latest technology news.
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1. What is Cloudflare and why did its outage take down so many websites?
Cloudflare is a major content delivery and internet security company that helps millions of websites operate faster and more securely by providing services such as DDoS protection and content caching. Its outage caused widespread disruption because many websites depend on Cloudflare’s infrastructure to deliver content and defend against cyber threats. The outage occurred due to a software bug triggered during routine maintenance, which cascaded across Cloudflare’s network, affecting numerous high-profile sites simultaneously. This event highlighted the risks of internet centralization, where a single point of failure in critical services can impact vast parts of the web ecosystem. Cloudflare’s incident underscored the importance of resilient infrastructure design and diversified internet architecture to minimize disruption.
2. Intuit pays OpenAI $100 million a year as TurboTax integrates ChatGPT
Intuit has committed to paying OpenAI $100 million annually as part of a strategic partnership to integrate ChatGPT into its TurboTax software, aiming to enhance user experience by providing AI-driven tax guidance. This collaboration demonstrates Intuit’s investment in #artificialintelligence to simplify tax preparation and improve customer service efficiency. By embedding ChatGPT, TurboTax users can benefit from natural language interactions and personalized assistance, potentially transforming how taxpayers interact with tax software. The partnership reflects broader trends in the tech and finance industries, where AI tools are increasingly utilized to streamline complex processes. Intuit’s approach aligns with the company’s goal to innovate within the financial technology space while leveraging OpenAI’s advancements in conversational AI.
3. It’s Back. Congress Gears Up for Year-End Fight Over Moratorium on AI Laws. | TechPolicy.Press
Lawmakers are reviving the push for a moratorium on state AI laws, with House leaders weighing a path to attach the measure to the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) as a year-end maneuver #NDAA. House Majority Leader @Steve_Scalise told Punchbowl News that the chamber is ‘looking at’ tucking the language into the NDAA, signaling a public relaunch after an earlier attempt unraveled #moratorium. The final shape of the moratorium remains unclear; initial proposals called for a 10-year prohibition, later shortened to five years and tied to states seeking federal broadband grants #AI #moratorium #stateAIlaws. Democrats have pushed back, with @SenBrian_Schatz calling it ‘a poison pill’ and vowing to block it, while some top Republicans continue to back another attempt #poisonpill @SenBrian_Schatz. With hundreds of AI-related laws already enacted by states and Congress largely dormant, supporters say a moratorium could spur innovation and keep pace with China #AI #innovation #China.
4. Google announces Gemini 3 as battle with OpenAI intensifies
Google has announced its new AI model, Gemini 3, aiming to challenge @OpenAI’s dominance in #artificialintelligence. Gemini 3 incorporates advanced multimodal capabilities, enabling it to process and generate text, images, and other data types seamlessly. The model reflects Google’s strategic push to integrate AI more deeply across its products and services, enhancing performance and user experience. This development signals increased competition in the AI landscape, with tech giants investing heavily to lead innovation. As AI technologies evolve rapidly, Gemini 3 positions Google to maintain relevance and influence in shaping future AI applications.
5. Give Us Your Face or Lose Your Account: AI Age Verification Is Here and Creepy
AI-powered age verification is becoming a widespread requirement, forcing users to submit facial scans or videos to prove their age before accessing services or online content. Companies deploy this technology to comply with regulations aimed at protecting minors, but it raises significant privacy concerns due to the collection and potential misuse of biometric data. The intrusive nature of facial recognition and AI analysis methods has sparked debates about user consent and data security. Despite the controversy, the trend is gaining momentum as firms seek to balance legal obligations with user experience challenges. This development reflects tensions between regulatory compliance, technological innovation, and individual privacy rights in the digital age.
6. WhatsApp vulnerability exposes millions of users to potential hacks
A critical security flaw in #WhatsApp could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to millions of users’ data. Cybersecurity researchers have identified this vulnerability in the app’s messaging protocol, which can be exploited to intercept and manipulate communications without detection. This weakness puts user privacy and data security at significant risk, highlighting the ongoing challenges in securing widely used digital platforms. WhatsApp has acknowledged the issue and is working on a patch to mitigate the threat. Protecting users from such vulnerabilities is essential as communication apps remain integral to global connectivity and information exchange.
7. A Simple WhatsApp Security Flaw Exposed 3.5 Billion Phone Numbers
A major flaw in @WhatsApp’s #phone-number-enumeration via the contact-discovery feature allowed researchers to extract 3.5 billion phone numbers. About 57% of those users could be reached with a profile photo and 29% with profile text; the team checked vast sets of numbers through a browser-based app at roughly 100 million checks per hour #rate-limiting. Meta said the data were #basic publicly available information and presented no evidence of malicious use, and they later fixed enumeration with stricter rate-limiting in October, while stressing that messages remain protected by end-to-end encryption. The work by @AljoshaJudmayer and @MaxGuenther highlights how easily contact-discovery can expose personal data and underscores the need for stronger safeguards against #privacy risks.
8. CDC data confirms US is 2 months away from losing measles elimination status
The United States is nearing the loss of its measles elimination status due to rising cases linked to declining vaccination rates. CDC data indicates that the number of measles cases in 2025 has surpassed the threshold for maintaining elimination, largely driven by outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities. This resurgence threatens decades of public health progress in controlling #measles and highlights vulnerabilities in vaccine coverage. The analysis underscores the importance of #immunization programs and public trust in vaccination to prevent the return of endemic transmission. Continued efforts to increase vaccination rates and address vaccine hesitancy are critical to preserving public health achievements.
9. Reading a Quantum Clock Costs More Energy Than Actually Running One
In a study published in Physical Review Letters, @Natalia_Ares of Oxford University and colleagues show that in quantum clocks the energy needed to read the clock can be up to a billion times greater than the energy required to run it, highlighting that observation itself can dominate timekeeping costs. The team built a two-electron quantum clock—electrons hopping between two regions—and tracked the tick-like changes in electric currents and radio waves, comparing the entropy produced by ticking with the energy spent on measuring the ticks. Analyses show that measurement energy not only dwarfs the ticking energy but also enables greatly increased precision, suggesting observation could become a resource for ultra-precise clocks rather than a purely dissipative cost. Looking ahead, the work could inform how timekeeping is integrated into future quantum devices, such as sensors or computers, while raising fundamental questions about whether observation drives time’s direction, a point connected to Schrödinger’s cat @Schrödinger and the broader #time #measurement_problem debates.
10. Meta wins antitrust lawsuit as court rules it is not a monopoly
A federal court ruled that @Meta is not a monopoly and dismissed the antitrust lawsuit alleging anti-competitive behavior. The ruling was based on a lack of sufficient evidence showing Meta’s control over social networking markets or intent to stifle competition. Legal experts noted the decision highlights the challenge of proving monopoly power in fast-evolving tech sectors with diverse competitors. This verdict impacts ongoing regulatory scrutiny of major tech firms but reaffirms the high burden of proof required to win antitrust cases. Meta’s victory underscores the complex balance between innovation, market dominance, and regulation in the digital economy.
20. Google Chrome faces seventh zero-day exploit in a year
Google Chrome has encountered its seventh zero-day vulnerability in 2025, underscoring the persistent security challenges faced by popular browsers. The latest flaw, actively exploited in the wild, involves a use-after-free bug that attackers leverage to execute arbitrary code. Google quickly responded by releasing an emergency update in Chrome 119 to patch the vulnerability and protect users. This pattern highlights the ongoing cat-and-mouse dynamic between security researchers, attackers, and developers working to safeguard widely used software. Chrome’s zero-day incidence stresses the importance of vigilant patching practices among users and continuous security enhancements by vendors like @Google.
12. Take-Two CEO says consoles aren’t going away, but gaming is moving toward PCs
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick says consoles aren’t going away, but gaming is moving toward PCs and #openSystems. He notes the market split is about 46% mobile, 41% console, and 13% PC/other, with mobile growing faster than consoles. Industry voices echo the shift: @SatyaNadella says the console was built to be a better PC, Valve’s Steam Machine buzz signals cross-platform appeal, and @PhilSpencer emphasizes expanding access across PC, console, and handheld devices for a future of choice. Take-Two’s strategy aligns with that trend, highlighted by its 2022 Zynga acquisition and mobile accounting for 46% of net revenue in the quarter while consoles contribute 41% and PC/other 13%, with mobile expected to rise about 10% next quarter. Ultimately, the company indicates a future where players engage on PC, console, and mobile rather than relying on a single platform.
13. What if AI could help students learn, not just do assignments for them?
AI tools have rapidly transformed how students complete assignments, often enabling them to bypass genuine learning by generating answers or essays. Educators like @ChrisDede emphasize the need to shift from using AI for doing the work to using it as a tool that enhances learning processes, fostering critical thinking and creativity. Research shows that when AI is integrated thoughtfully, it can support personalized learning by offering instant feedback and sparking deeper engagement with content. This approach requires careful design to prevent dependency and ensure students develop essential skills, promoting active learning rather than passive consumption. Redefining educational practices to incorporate AI as a partner in learning can better prepare students for complex problem-solving in the digital age.
Gen Z Loves AI Slop, according to Jacob Navok, a former Square Enix director and Genvid CEO, who argues that consumers generally do not care about generative AI in games and that Gen Z is drawn to AI slop rather than logic. Evidence cited includes Arc Raiders’ large audience and sales amid AI controversy, and Navok’s assertion that many brainrots are simply 3D models of AI slop. The piece also notes widespread AI use in development, with studios reportedly using #Claude for code and AI-assisted concept art, alongside public statements from industry figures like @Andrew Wilson and others about AI being central to the business, as well as fan backlash over AI-generated elements from Ubisoft and the industry experiments led by @Shigeru Miyamoto advocating a different direction. Analysis: the article frames Navok’s claim within a broader, contentious debate about AI, showing a divide between aggressive AI adoption and ongoing consumer pushback. Link back: it suggests the AI conversation in gaming will continue to shape product decisions and industry rhetoric.
15. Kazakh teen engineer designs robot that solves Rubik’s Cube in 60 seconds
A Kazakh teenager has engineered a robot capable of solving a Rubik’s Cube in 60 seconds, showcasing innovative programming and mechanical skills. The robot integrates advanced algorithms and precise motor controls to quickly analyze and complete the puzzle. This achievement highlights the growing trend of youth engagement in robotics and artificial intelligence, emphasizing practical application of STEM education. The teen’s work not only reflects personal ingenuity but also contributes to Kazakhstan’s reputation as a developing hub for technological innovation. Such projects inspire further interest in #robotics and #STEM fields among young people regionally and globally.
16. Dutch consumer group demands compensation from Netflix for years of price increases
A Dutch claims organization argues that @Netflix has repeatedly raised subscription fees without mutual agreement, breaching #EUconsumerprotection and seeking compensation for current and former subscribers. The foundation, Stichting Bescherming Consumentenbelang, sent a letter requesting negotiations for a settlement and about 1,000 people have already signed up to join the claim, with a collective action planned for the first half of 2026 at the Amsterdam District Court, according to @KoenRutten. Netflix says price changes in the Netherlands were implemented “in accordance with the applicable legislation”. The group notes Netflix has raised prices by up to 75 percent since 2017, argues the price amendment clause is unfair, and accuses Netflix of lacking transparency about the reasons for increases, which it says violates an EU directive that contracts cannot be unilaterally adjusted without informing consumers. If negotiations fail, a collective claim would move forward, highlighting a clash between platform pricing practices and EU consumer protections in the Dutch market.
17. Two Weeks of Surveillance Footage From ICE Detention Center ‘Irretrievably Destroyed’
Broadview Detention Center in suburban Chicago faces a setback in discovery as nearly two weeks of surveillance footage from October 2025 is claimed to be irretrievably destroyed, potentially limiting evidence in a class-action suit against @DHS and @ICE. The court filing states that video from September 28, 2025 to October 19, 2025, and from October 31, 2025 to November 7, 2025 remains available, while footage from October 19 to October 31 cannot be produced on an expedited basis or at all. Plaintiffs’ counsel, with @ACLU of Illinois, @MacArthur Justice Center, and @EimerStahl, hired an IT contractor to try to retrieve content and determine what can be recovered. The missing footage could be critical to examining detainees’ conditions and alleged mistreatment, which are central to the lawsuit describing overcrowded cells, sanitation concerns, and harsh conditions at Broadview, and the case underscores the challenges of obtaining video evidence in ICE-related litigation #surveillance #detention #Broadview #Illinois.
18. Roblox rolls out age verification requirement for chat amid child safety criticism
Roblox has introduced a new age verification system requiring users to verify they are at least 13 years old before accessing full chat features, responding to concerns over child safety and inappropriate content. This system uses an AI-based selfie scan and ID verification to confirm age, restricting underage users to more limited and supervised chat options. Critics have raised issues about privacy and the effectiveness of age verification, but Roblox emphasizes its commitment to balancing safety and user experience. The move aligns with ongoing efforts in the gaming industry to enhance protections for minors in digital environments. This update aims to foster a safer community while complying with regulatory pressures and user expectations.
19. Snapchat rolls out ‘Topic Chats’ for public conversations | TechCrunch
@Snapchat is expanding from private messaging to public conversations with its new ‘#TopicChats’ feature, letting users discuss current events and interests across communities such as #Formula1 and #BelowDeck. Profiles remain private to non‑friends, and while a display name appears next to messages, you can’t tap to a profile and display names can’t be used to search, reducing unwanted outreach. Snapchat says Topic Chats are moderated with #LLM technology and other safety measures and must follow #CommunityGuidelines, with reporting and potential warnings or blocks for violators. Users can see which Topic Chats their friends have joined, helping find shared interests, and Topic Chats will surface related #Spotlight videos to accompany conversations. The rollout will begin in Canada, New Zealand, and the US over the coming weeks across Chat shortcuts, search, Stories, and Spotlight, with messages retained for up to five years.
That’s all for today’s digest for 2025/11/19! We picked, and processed 19 Articles. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s collection of insights and discoveries.
Thanks, Patricia Zougheib and Dr Badawi, for curating the links
See you in the next one! 🚀