The Actual News

Just the Facts, from multiple news sources.

Technology News

Breaking news and analysis from the world of technology

Google worker charged for using internal data to make $1.2m on Polymarket

Google worker charged for using internal data to make $1.2m on Polymarket

May 28, 2026 • BBC Tech

Summary

A Google engineer named Michele Spagnuolo was arrested for using secret company information to place bets on Polymarket, a digital prediction platform. He allegedly earned $1.2 million by betting on outcomes related to Google’s internal data, breaking insider trading laws.

Key Facts

  • Michele Spagnuolo worked as an information security engineer at Google for over 12 years.
  • He used confidential marketing data accessed through Google’s employee tools to make bets on Polymarket.
  • Polymarket is a platform that accepts cryptocurrency and allows users to bet on future events.
  • Spagnuolo placed $2.7 million in bets between October and December 2023, winning over $1 million.
  • His bets included predicting who would be the most searched person on Google in 2025.
  • He made bets against certain names like Bianca Censori and President Donald Trump, betting on musician D4vd to be the most searched person.
  • Authorities tracked Spagnuolo’s Polymarket accounts through his Italian ID and arrested him in New York.
  • Google is cooperating with law enforcement and has placed Spagnuolo on leave during the investigation.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

BBC Tech BBC Business BBC Top Stories BBC US BBC World
AI leaders soften warnings on job losses as industry reassesses impact

AI leaders soften warnings on job losses as industry reassesses impact

May 28, 2026 • France24

Summary

Top AI leaders like Jensen Huang from Nvidia and Sam Altman from OpenAI are now saying earlier warnings about large job losses due to artificial intelligence were exaggerated. They believe AI has not yet caused the massive layoffs some predicted and may create new jobs as well.

Key Facts

  • Jensen Huang says linking AI to recent job cuts is incorrect because AI became productive only recently.
  • Huang argues that layoffs seen in companies started before AI’s rise and were not caused by AI.
  • Sam Altman admitted he underestimated how little AI has affected entry-level office jobs so far.
  • British bank Standard Chartered plans to cut thousands of jobs by 2030 because AI will replace some roles.
  • Social network company Snap cut 1,000 jobs, crediting AI for boosting efficiency.
  • Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicts most tasks could be automated but humans will still do some work more efficiently.
  • These leaders are adjusting their public statements as concerns grow about AI disrupting jobs.
  • The companies OpenAI and Anthropic are expected to continue advancing AI technology despite the debate on job impact.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

France24
How AI is helping researchers develop antibiotics to fight drug-resistant infections

How AI is helping researchers develop antibiotics to fight drug-resistant infections

May 27, 2026 • PBS NewsHour

Summary

Researchers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help find new antibiotics faster. This approach aims to fight infections that no longer respond to existing medicines.

Key Facts

  • Drug-resistant infections are a serious health problem worldwide.
  • Scientists need new antibiotics to treat these resistant infections.
  • AI helps by quickly analyzing large amounts of data to identify potential new drugs.
  • This technology speeds up the research and development process for antibiotics.
  • Using AI could lead to more effective treatments against drug-resistant bacteria.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

PBS NewsHour
Cyber attackers are hijacking Microsoft Outlook, Teams and 365 log-ins, FBI says

Cyber attackers are hijacking Microsoft Outlook, Teams and 365 log-ins, FBI says

May 27, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

The FBI warned that hackers are using a new phishing tool to break into Microsoft 365 accounts. This tool lets them access accounts without knowing the user's password.

Key Facts

  • Cyber attackers are targeting Microsoft Outlook, Teams, and 365 log-ins.
  • The attackers use a phishing tool, which is a trick to steal information by pretending to be trustworthy.
  • This new method does not require the attacker to know the user’s password.
  • The FBI issued a public warning about this threat on Thursday.
  • Microsoft 365 is a popular service used for email, communication, and work documents.
  • Users who fall for the phishing attack can have their accounts taken over by criminals.
  • The FBI aims to alert people so they can protect their accounts better.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

The Hill
YouTube taking steps to make clear when realistic videos are made by AI

YouTube taking steps to make clear when realistic videos are made by AI

May 27, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

YouTube is changing its rules to make it easier for viewers to see when videos are made or altered using artificial intelligence (AI). The platform will show clear labels on both long and short videos to inform viewers that the content might not be real.

Key Facts

  • YouTube will now show a label on videos that are created or changed using AI.
  • For long videos, the label will appear below the video player, above the description.
  • For short videos, the label will appear as an overlay directly on the video.
  • YouTube already requires creators to tell viewers if AI was used in making realistic videos.
  • New tools will help automatically detect and label AI-created content.
  • The labels will not change how videos are recommended or if creators can earn money from them.
  • Other platforms like Spotify are also adding labels to show if music is AI-generated.
  • YouTube aims for clear transparency while letting creators still control their content.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

CBS News
YouTube to automatically label AI-generated content

YouTube to automatically label AI-generated content

May 27, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

YouTube has introduced a new system that will automatically label videos created using artificial intelligence (AI). This change is meant to help viewers easily tell which videos are made by AI and which are not.

Key Facts

  • YouTube announced an AI labeling system on Wednesday.
  • The system automatically identifies and marks AI-generated videos.
  • The goal is to make it easier for viewers to recognize AI content.
  • The announcement was discussed by CNET editor-at-large Scott Stein on CBS News.
  • The update aims to improve transparency on YouTube about video origins.
  • This is part of a broader effort to handle the rise of AI-generated media online.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

CBS News
SpaceX ordered to investigate Starship booster mishap

SpaceX ordered to investigate Starship booster mishap

May 27, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has told SpaceX to investigate why its Starship rocket booster lost control and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico during a test flight. The FAA called the event a "mishap" after reviewing the recent Starship Flight 12 launch.

Key Facts

  • The FAA ordered SpaceX to look into a problem with the Starship booster.
  • The booster lost control during a test flight and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.
  • The test flight was called Starship Flight 12.
  • The FAA described the incident as a "mishap" or failed operation.
  • The investigation is meant to find the cause of the crash.
  • The FAA oversees the safety and regulation of commercial space flights.
  • SpaceX is developing Starship to carry people and cargo into space.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

The Hill
Websites have a new way to spy on visitors: analyzing their SSD activity

Websites have a new way to spy on visitors: analyzing their SSD activity

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

A new spying method called FROST lets websites track what other sites visitors have open and which apps they use by measuring tiny delays in their solid-state drives (SSDs). This attack works through the web browser without needing visitors to do anything except visit the spying website.

Key Facts

  • FROST uses a special technique called a side-channel attack that measures timing delays in SSD input-output operations.
  • It runs entirely in the browser using JavaScript and accesses the origin private file system (OPFS), a storage space reserved for a website.
  • By analyzing timing data with a deep learning system called a convolutional neural network, attackers can guess which websites or apps are active on a device.
  • The attack does not require visitors to click or interact—just loading the page is enough.
  • The method can detect websites open in other tabs and even in different browsers.
  • The OPFS file used must be very large (around one gigabyte or more), which might make large-scale spying noticeable to users.
  • FROST can only monitor apps stored on the same SSD as the OPFS file, so apps on a separate drive may not be detected.
  • Closing unused browser tabs can help reduce the risk of being tracked by this method.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
Warren proposes taxing AI companies so ‘winnings’ ‘benefit all Americans’

Warren proposes taxing AI companies so ‘winnings’ ‘benefit all Americans’

May 27, 2026 • The Hill

Summary

Senator Elizabeth Warren wants to change U.S. tax laws to tax companies that develop artificial intelligence (AI). She believes that the money made from AI should help all Americans.

Key Facts

  • Senator Elizabeth Warren represents Massachusetts.
  • She proposes taxing companies that work with artificial intelligence.
  • Warren says the current tax system needs to change to address AI profits.
  • The goal is to make sure AI benefits the whole country, not just companies.
  • She believes new policies are needed to make the economy fair for everyone.
  • Warren suggests using the tax money from AI companies to invest back into society.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

The Hill
Mystery GPS jammer in Iran becomes test for NASA satellites’ capabilities

Mystery GPS jammer in Iran becomes test for NASA satellites’ capabilities

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

NASA satellites designed for weather and Earth observation have also been used to find the approximate locations of GPS jammers. In a test near Shiraz, Iran, these satellites identified a GPS jammer within a few kilometers, which could help improve safety for planes and ships affected by GPS interference.

Key Facts

  • GPS jammers send strong signals to block weaker signals from navigation satellites like the US GPS system.
  • Two NASA satellite systems, CYGNSS and NISAR, were tested for locating a GPS jammer in Iran.
  • CYGNSS uses reflected GPS signals from the ocean to measure hurricane winds and detected the jammer within about 4.33 kilometers.
  • NISAR uses radar to map Earth’s surface changes and located the jammer within about 6.26 kilometers.
  • The jammer near Shiraz, Iran, has been active since early 2026 and increased power during conflict involving the US and Israel.
  • These satellites cannot pinpoint exact locations or provide real-time monitoring but can give approximate locations.
  • Knowing the approximate location of GPS jammers can help with flight planning and maritime navigation safety.
  • The experiment compared satellite data with independent intelligence to confirm jammer locations during specific days when the jammer was on or off.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
Mina the Hollower is the best old-school action adventure I've played in a while

Mina the Hollower is the best old-school action adventure I've played in a while

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Mina the Hollower is a new action-adventure game inspired by classic top-down games like Legend of Zelda. It features smooth controls, an original movement system where the character can jump and burrow underground, and a detailed map with many secrets. The story centers on Mina restoring broken spark generators while uncovering dark truths about their effects.

Key Facts

  • Developed and published by Yacht Club Games.
  • Available on multiple platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Switch (two versions), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
  • Released on May 29, 2026, priced at $20.
  • The main character, Mina, can jump and burrow underground to move around and avoid enemies.
  • The game includes a detailed upgrade system and complex combat that requires timing and strategy.
  • The story involves restoring six spark generators designed to bring electricity to the island but reveals negative consequences and cover-ups.
  • The game has varied and challenging bosses as well as enemies that require careful positioning to defeat.
  • The writing includes colorful non-player characters (NPCs) that add humor and unexpected twists.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
WATCH: NASA unveils $20 billion, 3-phase moon plan

WATCH: NASA unveils $20 billion, 3-phase moon plan

May 27, 2026 • ABC News

Summary

NASA announced a $20 billion plan to build a settlement on the Moon. This plan will happen in three phases over several years to support future lunar missions.

Key Facts

  • NASA's plan is valued at $20 billion.
  • The goal is to create a settlement on the surface of the Moon.
  • The project will be done in three phases.
  • This effort follows successful missions like Artemis II.
  • The settlement will help support longer and more sustainable lunar exploration.
  • NASA shared details of this plan publicly on May 27, 2026.
  • The Artemis program is a key part of NASA’s lunar exploration strategy.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

ABC News
Roku OS’s home screen now features a large, permanent ad

Roku OS’s home screen now features a large, permanent ad

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Roku has updated its smart TV operating system with a new home screen that includes a large, permanent ad space on the right side. The update also brings personalized content recommendations and quick access to frequently used apps, while aiming to increase revenue through more advertising.

Key Facts

  • The new Roku OS home screen shows a large ad on the right side that stays visible as users navigate menus.
  • Ads can promote TV shows, movies, or unrelated products, and the mix of ad types may change over time.
  • The left sidebar menu is slimmer and uses images instead of text.
  • The center of the screen features personalized recommendations and quick access to most-used apps through AI.
  • Roku has worked to improve profitability, with advertising revenue now a significant part of its business.
  • Roku made $371 million from ads in its latest earnings report.
  • Some users are unhappy with the increase in ads and recommendations on the home screen.
  • The update does not include a simple way to quickly access recently viewed content across different apps.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
Valve's Steam Deck is back in stock after months, but you won't like it

Valve's Steam Deck is back in stock after months, but you won't like it

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Valve's Steam Deck handheld gaming device is back in stock after being unavailable due to shortages of memory and storage parts. However, the prices for the Steam Deck models have increased significantly, with the 512GB OLED version now costing $789 and the 1TB version priced at $949.

Key Facts

  • The Steam Deck was out of stock since mid-February because of shortages in RAM and storage parts.
  • The 512GB OLED Steam Deck now costs $789, up $240 from the previous $549 price.
  • The 1TB version of the Steam Deck is priced at $949, which is $300 more than before.
  • The base model with 256GB storage and an older screen is discontinued.
  • The hardware inside the Steam Deck has not changed; the price increase reflects higher component costs and industry challenges.
  • Competing handheld gaming devices from Asus and Lenovo also cost around $1,000 or more.
  • Valve’s new Steam Machine desktop may face similar high pricing issues when it launches later this year.
  • Valve’s $99 Steam Controller is the only recent hardware that has shipped, partly because it does not require RAM.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
US Space Force confirms SpaceX will build sensor-to-shooter targeting network

US Space Force confirms SpaceX will build sensor-to-shooter targeting network

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

The US Space Force awarded SpaceX a $2.29 billion contract to build a new space-based communication and targeting network called the Space Data Network (SDN) Backbone. This network will use SpaceX’s satellite technology, originally developed for its Starlink internet system, to provide fast, secure, and global communication for military forces.

Key Facts

  • SpaceX won a $2.29 billion fixed-price contract from the Space Force’s Space Systems Command.
  • The contract is to build the Space Data Network Backbone, a space-based sensing and targeting communication system.
  • The network will be based on technology from SpaceX’s Starlink satellites and the Starshield platform made for military use.
  • The network aims to connect sensors and shooters globally and continuously with secure communications.
  • The contract replaces earlier Pentagon plans led by the Space Development Agency (SDA) that faced technical and supply chain issues.
  • The new network will still involve multiple vendors, with plans to include more companies, possibly including Amazon.
  • The Pentagon’s approach has shifted toward using a single primary contractor (SpaceX) for building the new network.
  • Lawmakers have expressed concerns about reduced competition and open architecture due to this shift.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
Disclosure Day final trailer features Spielberg himself

Disclosure Day final trailer features Spielberg himself

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Universal Pictures released the final trailer for the movie Disclosure Day, directed by Steven Spielberg. The film explores the idea that aliens exist and have been kept secret by the government. It stars Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor and will open in theaters on June 12, 2026.

Key Facts

  • Disclosure Day is directed by Steven Spielberg, who also appears in the trailer discussing aliens.
  • The screenplay was written by David Koepp; music is by John Williams.
  • Emily Blunt plays a TV meteorologist; Josh O’Connor plays Daniel Kellner, who has stolen government secrets about aliens.
  • The story involves a government cover-up about aliens and people trying to reveal the truth.
  • The trailer shows aliens communicating in an unusual language and hints that characters may have been part of alien experiments.
  • Spielberg says he now believes more strongly than before in intelligent life beyond Earth.
  • The movie opens in theaters on June 12, 2026.
  • Early reactions to the movie have been mostly positive.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
YouTube to begin automatically labeling AI videos

YouTube to begin automatically labeling AI videos

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

YouTube will start automatically adding clear labels to videos that use photorealistic artificial intelligence (AI) to help viewers know when AI tools were used. The site will no longer depend only on creators to say if AI helped make their videos and will use internal systems to detect AI content.

Key Facts

  • YouTube previously had optional AI labels that were hard to find in video descriptions.
  • Starting now, AI labels will be more visible below regular videos and as overlays on YouTube Shorts.
  • Creators must still disclose AI use when uploading videos, but YouTube will also flag content using new detection methods.
  • The system focuses on videos with significant photorealistic AI effects or AI-generated material.
  • Some videos with minor or animated AI elements will continue to have AI info only in the description section.
  • YouTube uses signals like special metadata and watermarks from Google’s AI tools to identify AI videos.
  • Creators can appeal AI labels unless the content is identified by these strict triggers, in which case the label is permanent.
  • The goal is to help viewers better understand when videos are real or AI-generated as AI video quality improves.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
Will the AI race fuel another boom or another bubble?

Will the AI race fuel another boom or another bubble?

May 27, 2026 • Al Jazeera

Summary

SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic are preparing to sell shares to the public, potentially creating a large wave of new tech companies on the stock market. These companies have very high combined values but have not yet made yearly profits, and some experts say their business plans are not clear.

Key Facts

  • SpaceX, OpenAI, and Anthropic may soon become public companies by selling shares.
  • Their combined valuation is in the trillions of dollars.
  • Many people could own parts of these companies indirectly through retirement and investment funds.
  • These tech firms need a lot of money to build data centers and technical infrastructure.
  • Going public is a way to get this funding from investors.
  • None of the companies currently earns a yearly profit.
  • Analysts say it is unclear how these companies will make money reliably.
  • This process could be one of the largest events of tech companies going public in history.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Al Jazeera
Smart light company Govee apologizes for “white supremacy” marketing imagery

Smart light company Govee apologizes for “white supremacy” marketing imagery

May 27, 2026 • Ars Technica

Summary

Govee, a company that makes smart lights, apologized after an image on its website showed books with the words “white supremacy” on them. The company said the image came from a third-party source and they removed it quickly after it was reported.

Key Facts

  • Govee’s website featured a marketing image with books labeled “white supremacy” on a shelf above a child’s bed.
  • The image appeared on Govee’s US site for bedroom lighting and was reported by The Verge after a reader’s tip.
  • Govee removed the image after it was brought to their attention and apologized for the offensive content.
  • The company said the image came from a third-party licensed library and did not have AI-generated image watermarks.
  • Govee admitted their review process for marketing images did not meet the required standards and promised to improve it.
  • It is unclear if the books in the image showed a real publication or were created digitally.
  • The image had been on the Govee website since at least April 11, according to archive records.
  • Using photos of real spaces instead of stock or AI-generated images may help avoid problems like this in the future.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

Ars Technica
Expert blames "war on friction," convenient tech for loneliness, feelings of isolation

Expert blames "war on friction," convenient tech for loneliness, feelings of isolation

May 27, 2026 • CBS News

Summary

A Harvard economics professor, Roland Fryer, says many Americans feel lonelier and more isolated recently. He thinks this is partly because technology makes life too easy and removes everyday challenges, which he calls a "war on friction."

Key Facts

  • More Americans report feeling lonely and isolated lately.
  • Roland Fryer is an economics professor at Harvard University.
  • Fryer connects increased loneliness to technology making life very convenient.
  • The phrase "war on friction" means removing small difficulties from daily life.
  • Fryer suggests that less friction in life might reduce social connections.
  • The discussion took place on CBS News.
Read the Original

Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original article.

CBS News