Looks like they’re going all-in on AI, dubbing it “built for the Gemini era.” It’s expected to drop Aug. 13.
How the government spies on you
When I shared my tip on opting out of the Transportation Security Administration’s new facial recognition tech at airports the other week, I got a ton of questions. First and foremost, though, a lot of you said, “I didn’t know I could do that.”
You can and you should (steps below). But your face isn’t the only data metric the government collects about you. Here are a few things we know they know.
What you look like and where you are
Many other places use facial recognition, like grocery stores, banks, sports and concert venues. I’m pretty sure you’ve gone to at least one of those in the past year.
Government AI tools add pictures you’ve shared on social media to a facial-recognition database that’s then paired with CCTV cameras everywhere. This tech can pinpoint your location, associations and activities with creepy precision.
Who you’re talking to (and what you’re saying)
After 9/11, Congress enabled warrantless monitoring of foreign communications. The National Security Agency (NSA) exploits a loophole to conduct mass surveillance of Americans, too.
They copy some info directly from fiber-optic cables (crazy, right?) and get other stuff from companies like Google. They also have access to real-time internet activity with a “secret” program called XKeyscore.
What you’re posting and who you’re following
The government monitors Facebook, X, Instagram and all the rest. Even if your account is private, the government can ask companies for access. Remember, friend: What you post on social media is out there forever.
What you’re buying and browsing
Data brokers buy info from your internet service provider, Big Tech companies and even smart appliance manufacturers. Then, they package it up and sell it to advertisers — and the U.S. government. This is another reason to get your personal information out of all these invasive databases.
Virtual cards vs. digital wallets: Which should you use and when?
Your nephew’s birthday is coming up, so you go online and find a $300 Little Tikes playground set on sale for $60. But when the party rolls around, your money’s gone and that gift never showed up. So you head to the grocery store to buy some birthday treats instead … only to get caught by a card skimmer at checkout. Ouch.
Get smart
Given how often smartwatches save lives, you need one. They can spot health issues and contact emergency services if there’s a fall or accident. Bonus: They’re all on sale right now.
- The Apple Watch Series 9 is the latest and greatest, with all the bells and whistles.
- The Apple Watch SE is a more budget-friendly option.
- The Pixel Watch 2 is perfect for Google and Android fans.
- The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 pairs with a Galaxy phone.
🤣 Having a smartwatch is great. On the one hand, you have something you can use to answer calls; on the other hand, you don’t.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
You can unsee that: Search for something potentially risky online? You can quickly delete the last 15 minutes of your Google search history on Android. Open the Google app, tap on your profile icon in the top right, and select Delete last 15 minutes.
No takebacks: After Google vowed to get rid of third-party cookies on Chrome, they basically said, “Just kidding.” Instead, you’ll get a “new experience in Chrome” that lets you “adjust” your cookie preferences. No word on how yet. Get ahead of it: Try Total Adblock for an ad-free experience.
Which tech company stores the most information on the internet? Is it … A.) Amazon, B.) Facebook, C.) Google or D.) Wikipedia?
These shady tech loopholes let stalkers track you
Wonder why Apple and Google suddenly started rolling out anti-stalking alerts for their Bluetooth trackers? Apple’s dealing with a class-action lawsuit from victims who say abusers used AirTags to track and harass them.
It's time to update your Social Security login
My inbox is flooded with folks asking about an email they got from the Social Security Administration. I mentioned it earlier this week, and, nope, it’s not a scam — it’s legit. But this change is big enough that we need to spend more time talking about it.
Your website is dead: Some 58.8% of U.S. Google searches never leave Google now. Worse? Nearly 30% of clicks go to Google’s own products, like YouTube, News and Images. I told you this would happen in November 2022. Btw, the guy who owns Milk.com wants $10 million for the domain. Good luck with that.
🗺️ “Sofa King: Our prices are Sofa King low!” I’ll never forget when I saw that on a sign in Los Angeles. Own a biz? There’s a better way to get someone’s attention! Google Maps just added a bunch of options to make it simpler to get your business noticed and verified. Just upload a utility bill, a picture of your storefront or insurance documents. Follow the step-by-step instructions here.
📅 AI personal assistant: Google Gemini or ChatGPT can plan your day for you. Tell the AI your top three priorities, appointments or commitments and how long a task typically takes. Then, ask it to create a schedule. Just like that, you’ll get a bulleted list, scheduled right down to the minute.
Don’t buy a new Pixel phone now: Google just teased its latest fancy phone, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. They’re going all in on AI, dubbing it “built for the Gemini era.” Here’s a vid that gives a quick glimpse at the redesigned camera and changes to the screen. Expect the Pro Fold to drop on Aug. 13.
Stop using your Google profile this way: Logging into other services through Google puts one of your most important accounts at risk. Log in at myaccount.google.com and tap Security. Scroll to Your connections to third-party apps & services > See all connections. You’ll see a list of apps. Open the details, then click Stop using Sign in with Google.
Want to move from Google Photos to Apple iCloud? Soon, you can just use Google Takeout — no need to download software, upload all your pics or do anything fancy. FYI, transferring won’t delete your data from Google, so you’ll have to do that manually if you’re saying goodbye. The Feds are def making these two play nicely with each other.
🚨 Social Security emails: The U.S. Social Security Administration just sent out a mass email saying you need to create a Login.gov account. It’s legit. To create yours, head to Login.gov, go to Sign in at the top of the page and select Create an account. They also recommend an authenticator app. I like Google Authenticator.
You, on the dark web: Google’s dark web report service will soon be free for anyone with a Google account. On the Results about you page, you’ll see any personal info that may have been stolen or found in a data breach. Look for it later this month.
Fun, free AI tools to try
I’m not an artist. My brain just does not work that way. I tried to learn Photoshop but gave up. Now, I create fun images using AI — like the potato at the bottom of today’s newsletter.
Some AI tech is kind of freaky (like this brain-powered robot), but many of the new AI tools out there are just plain fun. The ones I found for you below are awesome to try and free!
Copycat: Before you share a file in Google Drive, make a copy. Hit File > Make a copy, then rename it and share that. If you don’t, anyone with access to the original doc can review all your edits, changes and versions.