π Ford's EV Innovation, Big Tech in Journalism, Seattle Ransomware
Good morning. Itβs Monday, September 16. Today we are covering:
Ford's secretive, low-cost EV team is growing with talent from Rivian, Tesla and Apple
Big tech is painting itself as journalism's savior. We should tread carefully.Β
Port of Seattle hit by Rhysida ransomware in August attackΒ
Tech giants fight a plan to make them pay more for electric grid upgradesΒ
Pakistan's China-style firewall is rattling its tech industryΒ
Letβs dive in
Ford's secretive, low-cost EV team is growing with talent from Rivian, Tesla and Apple
By Sean O'Kane via TechCrunch
Ford is aggressively expanding its secretive low-cost electric vehicle (EV) team, attracting around 300 specialists, including talent from Rivian, Tesla, Apple, and Formula 1 teams.
The team has been fortified with professionals experienced in cutting-edge EV technologies, such as those involved in Tesla's "gigacasting" and former Apple Project Titan engineers, to innovate on cost-effective vehicle solutions.
Amid global competition, particularly from China, Ford aims to leverage its growing team to develop next-generation EVs that can compete on price and efficiency, aligning with its strategy to lower EV costs dramatically.
π: What a story. Ford CEO Jim Farley travels to China with his CFO in 2023 for the first time since the pandemic. They test drive an electric SUV from their Chinese joint venture partner Changan and suddenly realize Chinese automakers are now ahead of them. - Kyle Chan (@kyleichan)
Big tech is painting itself as journalism's savior. We should tread carefully.Β
By Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos via Nieman Lab
Big tech companies like Google are increasingly involved in journalism, offering programs like the Google News Initiative which provide financial and technical support to media, especially in the Global South.
The dependency on big tech for innovation and funding raises concerns about press independence, as newsrooms may lack the resources to sustain new technology projects without continuous external support.
Initiatives aimed at supporting journalism should expand beyond just technological innovation to include broader support for newsroom operations, ensuring sustainability and reducing dependency on tech platforms.
π: To survive, journalism must continue to embrace technology. But doing so should never cost newsrooms their independence. - Wisnu Prasetya (@wisnu_prasetya)
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Port of Seattle hit by Rhysida ransomware in August attackΒ
By Sergiu Gatlan via BleepingComputer
The Port of Seattle confirmed that a Rhysida ransomware attack compromised its systems for three weeks, disrupting operations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and affecting various IT systems.
Despite the extensive damage, including data encryption by the ransomware, the Port has restored most systems and explicitly refused to pay the ransom demanded by the attackers.
Rhysida, known for targeting diverse sectors globally, has been involved in other significant breaches, illustrating its broad reach and impact on both public and private entities.
π: The Port of Seattle is refusing to pay Rhysida ransomware hackers and warned employees and passengers of the airport and seaport that data will likely be leaked - jon greig (@jgreigj)
Tech giants fight a plan to make them pay more for electric grid upgradesΒ
By Caroline O'Donovan via Washington Post
Tech giants like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta are contesting a proposal by American Electric Power Ohio to increase upfront energy costs for data centers, arguing it's unfair and could stifle local economic growth.
The dispute highlights broader concerns about the sustainability and funding of power grid upgrades necessary to support the rapidly growing data center industry, which is crucial for AI and internet technologies but places immense pressure on energy resources.
The outcome of this regulatory battle in Ohio could set a national precedent for how utilities and states manage the financial burden of grid enhancements needed to keep pace with the exponential increase in power demand from the tech sector.
Pakistan's China-style firewall is rattling its tech industryΒ
By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid via Rest of World
The implementation of a China-style internet firewall in Pakistan is causing significant concern among local tech entrepreneurs and digital rights activists, who fear it will increase government control and stifle the tech industry.
The Pakistani tech sector, already challenged by political instability and global investment hesitations, faces additional hurdles with potential economic losses estimated at $300 million due to the new digital policies.
Investors are wary of the increased risks, leading to a decline in funding and growth opportunities for startups in Pakistan, with some businesses like Cheetay opting to shut down due to the untenable investment climate.
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