Medicare and Social Security scams: Warning signs and tips
Medicare and Social Security scams use spoofed caller ID, AI-cloned voices and urgent threats to trick older adults into sharing sensitive information.
Software & security
1,679 stories
When housing is unaffordable, this artist’s device makes pedaling harder
Brooklyn-based artist Justin Blinder created a device that illustrates how soaring housing costs are making life in the city that much harder.
Charter’s giant acquisition of Cox has cleared a major regulatory hurdle.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved the $34.5 billion deal with some conditions, as reported by Fierce Network. However, the approval comes with some conditions, including that the combined company must have affordable broadband offerings “for low-income Californians” for five years and invest “at least $275 million to upgrade the company’s California network.” The deal is expected to close next week. It has already been approved by the FCC. [Link: Charter, Cox become largest cable company in U.S. after California approval | https://www.fierce-network.com/broadband/charter-cox-become-largest-cable-company-us-after-california-approval | Fierce Network]
Disney to FCC: get lost.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro, speaking today with CNBC, reinforced the company’s allegation that the FCC has violated its First Amendment rights by attacking ABC’s broadcast license. “We’re very principled on this,” D’Amaro said. “We’re going to stand up to what we believe is journalistic integrity. And we’re not going to be told how to run that side of our business.” [Link: Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro Speaks with CNBC’s Julia Boorstin on “Squawk on the Street” Today | https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/14/first-on-cnbc-transcript-disney-ceo-josh-damaro-speaks-with-cnbcs-julia-boorstin-on-squawk-on-the-street-today.html | CNBC]
What we know about the alleged Iranian hacks on US water utilities | TechCrunch
Over the last couple of weeks, hackers have targeted and broken into the systems of several water plants in the United States. Here’s what we know and don’t know about this wave of attacks allegedly carried out by the Iranian government.
Cheap TV boxes may secretly click ads for fraud
Bitsight researchers say some cheap H96 Android TV boxes may secretly click ads and route strangers' internet traffic through your home Wi-Fi connection.
US courts will start publishing how often the government uses spyware | TechCrunch
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts told TechCrunch that it will start disclosing how many times judges authorized the use of spyware to wiretap suspected criminals.
Judge orders Kalshi to shut down most of its bets in Washington.
A preliminary injunction issued Wednesday finds the prediction market has likely broken state laws against running an illegal gambling operation. Washington State AG Nick Brown: > The order requires Kalshi to stop offering, accepting, or facilitating wagers on sports, elections, politics, entertainment, culture, tech and science, or mentions in Washington. Kalshi must implement an IP address and residency based geofence by August 19 and a multi-source geofencing solution by September 2. > This does not include all the wagers offered on Kalshi, but it includes a substantial part of their business, which in recent years has been increasingly driven by sports wagers.
Trump declares 100 percent tariffs on many drones and all aircraft parts
President Trump has declared a whopping 100 percent tariff on imports of drones with thermal cameras, drones weighing over 25kg (57 pounds), and any kind of part for any kind of aircraft weighing over 25kg.
Apple and Epic argue over how much Apple should get from purchases made outside the App Store
Apple’s new App Store proposal would allow it to collect fees from developers on digital purchases made via external links, including a 15 percent cut from standard apps.
Flock says its new tool will help identify police abuse, but hasn’t explained how it works | TechCrunch
The surveillance company announced it's making a tool called "Audit Assistance" mandatory for all customers, claiming it's already helped catch abuse. But the company has yet to explain how the tool works in detail, raising questions about its effectiveness.
‘That is not acceptable’: Judge orders Google to make rival app store installs easier
Judge James Donato just ordered Google to make it easier to install rival app stores on Android.
The fight over Flock and other ALPRs
Public pushback against AI-powered camera surveillance has ALPR makers like Flock playing defense.
The scammer at your doctor's office may already know who you are
QR code scams at doctor's offices use data brokers and people search websites to craft personalized phishing attacks targeting your Medicare number.
California law puts digital fingerprints on AI fakes
The California AI Transparency Act now requires hidden provenance data in AI-generated images, video and audio, but these digital fingerprints have limits.
In a first, US will allow some private firms to carry out cyberattacks | TechCrunch
The new order sweeps away decades of existing U.S. cybersecurity policy prohibiting private companies from conducting 'hack back' attacks or offensive cyber operations.
Uber Freight reportedly investigating after hacking group claims data breach | TechCrunch
An extortion gang known for targeting transportation companies and private equity firms has taken credit for a breach at Uber Freight.
After Microsoft threatened legal action, a security researcher publishes a new Windows zero-day bug | TechCrunch
This is the latest zero-day released by security researcher Nightmare Eclipse, despite Microsoft publicly threatening to take legal action against them.