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Is Meta too Big... and Dangerous
and how good are our future robot overlords?
Walter Wimberly
April 21, 2025
Welcome back my Tech Curious friend. I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s get started with the most recent tech news.
Table of Contents
Maybe we Shouldn’t be so Polite to AI
Sam Altman is saying that saying “please” and “thank you” takes processing power. While it’s not that large, given the number of queries they run everyday it can add up. How much? Try to the tune of tens of millions of dollars over the last 2 years.
Of course, other researchers say being polite is important, as it will return the politeness and generate better results.
Android Getting Major Security Addition
It might seem small, but it’s important. If your android phone stays locked and unused for three days, it will auto-reboot. This should help shore up data protection on devices that are left unattended for extended periods.
When an Android device restarts, it enters a Before First Unlock state where all user data remains encrypted and inaccessible until the primary passcode, PIN, or swipe pattern is entered. Biometric methods, like fingerprint and face unlock, are disabled during BFU, adding an extra layer of security.
Meta to Breakup?
Springtime might be a time for new love, and coming together, but the FCC is looking to do some breaking up… specifically of Meta, parent to Facebook, Instagram, What’s App, and more.
This past week, the FCC has been arguing in its lawsuit that Meta has a monopoly power over social media, and needs to be broken up. If it is found to be a monopoly, the government might force the sale of Instagram and/or What’s App.
Of course, the President of the US could step in and encourage the FCC to drop the case, similar to what happened in the early 2000s with Microsoft. Maybe this explains why “The Zuck” has been warming up to the current administration.
Robots are Winning this Race…Yet
As with all Tech things, they start slowly, including the Robot Marathons. 21 humanoid robots competed in a half marathon in Beijing, China, this weekend, but they weren’t winners. In fact, some had a hard time getting off the starting line, while others crashed into people and walls, and others went the wrong way.
The robot “winner” was only about 35% of the speed of the fastest human. But where humans have largely topped out at our max speed, robots are just starting.
The Chinese government has promised to invest billions in robotic research for years to come, so expect improvements to be coming quickly.
Would you watch a robot marathon?
Major Allegations Against Meta
Meta Whistleblower, Sarah Wynn-Williams, alleges Mark Zuckerberg has ties with China that undermine global security.
Wynn-Williams wrote an expose book, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, covering these topics, and more. Meta has threatened her with fines for disparagement, which is keeping her from promoting her book.
However, that didn’t stop Congress from calling on her to testify. During that time, she alleges abuses such as giving the Chinese government information on users, creating tools to censor people, and giving algorithms and tools to help Chine in their AI race, amongst others.
If true, these alligations are extremely troubling.
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