Technology

Anthropic has introduced identity verification on its AI chatbot Claude for specific use cases, prompting backlash from users questioning the necessity. The verification process involves users providing a government-issued photo ID and taking a selfie for comparison. Critics are wary of Anthropic’s decision to use Persona Identities, which has ties to surveillance company Palantir. The company reassures users that data will be encrypted and not used for training models or shared with others.

Dairy Queen is joining the AI trend by implementing a chatbot in its drive-thrus across the US and Canada. The goal is to streamline service and encourage customers to add more items to their orders, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Donut Lab, a startup known for its solid state battery technology, is facing scrutiny after a whistleblower complaint alleged that the company’s energy density and production capacity claims were overstated. The complaint has raised concerns about the accuracy of Donut Lab’s promises and its partnership with Nordic Nano, casting a shadow over the future of the company’s battery technology.

Players of Overwatch’s popular Mystery Heroes mode are left disappointed as Blizzard removes perks and shifts to a less enjoyable 6v6 format. The changes have impacted the casual pace and chaotic fun of the mode, leading to backlash from the community who are calling for a reversal of these updates.

An analysis by WIRED and Indicator reveals nearly 90 schools and 600 students globally affected by AI-generated deepfake nude images, with the issue persisting and escalating.

Meta announces price hikes for Quest headsets due to rising costs of RAM, following industry trend of companies increasing hardware prices. Meta Quest 3 to increase by $100 to $599, while Quest 3S prices go up by $50 to $350-$450. Accessories stay the same, but refurbished units also see price increases. Meta cites RAM shortage affecting chip prices, similar to recent price hikes by Sony and Microsoft for gaming consoles and PCs.

Moft’s latest MagSafe wallet not only doubles as a smartphone stand but also includes a built-in tracker through Apple’s Find My network. The addition of tracking capabilities and a shutter button makes this innovative wallet a convenient and practical accessory for tech-savvy consumers.

Bluesky, a social media platform, is experiencing service disruptions in one of its regions, affecting certain users with connection timeout issues. The platform’s downtime has real-world implications for users who rely on it for social networking, highlighting the importance of stable and reliable technology infrastructure.

YouTube has rolled out a feature that allows users to set their Shorts feed limit to zero minutes, enabling them to remove short-form videos from their feed. This move aims to help users manage their screen time and prevent excessive scrolling. The platform initially launched a Shorts feed limit last year, starting at 15 minutes, and has now expanded the options to include a zero-minute setting. This new feature not only benefits individual users but also has business implications for YouTube as it enhances user experience and potentially increases engagement by providing more control over content consumption.

Spotify’s latest update allows users in the US and UK to purchase printed books through an integration with Bookshop.org, signaling a shift towards a more diverse content offering within digital platforms. This move reflects the increasing trend of tech companies expanding beyond their original scope to cater to a wider range of user interests.