🔍 Google’s Ad-Tech Scandal, Musk’s Gov Data Grab, Clearview’s Trump Pivot
Good morning. It’s Thursday, February 20. Today we are covering:
Google Ad-Tech Users Can Target National Security 'Decision Makers' and People With Chronic Diseases
DOGE Has 'God Mode' Access to Government Data
Clearview AI's CEO Resigns As Facial Recognition Company Focuses On Trump 'Opportunities
Google brings a 'Circle to Search'-like feature to iPhone users
Chinese components in 'smart' devices pose sabotage threat to UK, MP warns
Let’s dive in
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Google Ad-Tech Users Can Target National Security 'Decision Makers' and People With Chronic Diseases
By Dell Cameron via WIRED
A WIRED investigation reveals that Google’s ad-tech platform (DV360) allows advertisers to target sensitive groups, including people with chronic illnesses, financial distress, and even U.S. national security decision-makers, despite Google’s policies prohibiting such practices.
Data brokers upload audience lists containing hundreds of millions of mobile IDs, enabling micro-targeting of individuals based on health conditions, employment, and financial status, raising concerns about privacy violations, blackmail risks, and national security threats.
Advocacy groups like EPIC and ICCL allege that Google’s real-time bidding (RTB) system exposes U.S. military and intelligence personnel to foreign adversaries, including China, as Google struggles to regulate how advertisers use sensitive data despite internal concerns.
𝕏: Google enables marketers to target people with serious illnesses and crushing debt—against its policies—as well as the makers of classified defense technology. - Ruslan Trad (@ruslantrad)
DOGE Has 'God Mode' Access to Government Data
By Charlie Warzel via The Atlantic
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has obtained unrestricted access to USAID's digital infrastructure, granting control over critical systems and financial data, with plans to extend this access to agencies like NASA and the CDC.
DOGE's deep integration into federal systems has raised concerns among civil servants, who fear potential misuse of sensitive information and the undermining of agency autonomy, as DOGE effectively centralizes control under Musk.
Legal challenges against DOGE's expansive reach have seen mixed outcomes, with some courts denying restraining orders, allowing DOGE continued access to sensitive government data, while other lawsuits have limited its reach, particularly within the Treasury Department.
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𝕏: And then read this deeply reported piece—by @matteo_wong, @cwarzel, @ibogost—about how Musk and DOGE now have “God-mode” access to government data - Adrienne LaFrance (@AdrienneLaF)
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Clearview AI's CEO Resigns As Facial Recognition Company Focuses On Trump 'Opportunities
By David Jeans via Forbes
Clearview AI's CEO Hoan Ton-That resigned after stepping down to president in December; early investor Hal Lambert and co-founder Richard Schwartz are now leading the company, with Lambert citing "opportunities" under Trump's administration.
Clearview AI, known for its controversial facial recognition database of 60 billion images, plans to expand government contracts, engaging with the Pentagon and Homeland Security, amid Trump’s "Make America Safe Again" agenda.
Despite legal battles and privacy concerns, Clearview aims to triple its revenue from $16M and raise equity funding this year, having struggled under the Biden administration’s restrictions.
𝕏: New: Clearview AI's CEO Hoan Ton-That has resigned.After he led the company through controversy and lawsuits, the company struggled to secure big federal contracts. Now, Clearview is focused on selling to the Trump border effort and the Pentagon. - David Jeans (@DavidJeans2)
Google brings a 'Circle to Search'-like feature to iPhone users
By Aisha Malik via TechCrunch
Google is rolling out a new iOS feature that lets users search what's on their screen using gestures in Chrome and the Google Search app, similar to Android’s “Circle to Search”. Users can highlight, draw, or tap elements via Google Lens to perform instant searches.
The feature aims to streamline visual search without needing screenshots or extra tabs, allowing users to refine results by color, brand, or details, and even ask follow-up questions. It will soon be accessible via a Lens icon in the address bar.
Google Lens AI Overviews are expanding, providing instant summaries and links for searches without needing additional text input. This update is rolling out this week for English-language users, starting with the Google app and soon reaching Chrome on desktop and mobile.
Chinese components in 'smart' devices pose sabotage threat to UK, MP warns
By Lucy Fisher via Financial Times
Labour MP Graeme Downie warns that Chinese-made electronics in household devices, from fridges to electric cars, pose a cybersecurity threat, as they could be remotely accessed or disrupted.
The UK coalition on secure technology calls for domestic manufacturing of cellular modules to reduce reliance on Chinese firms, which control over 50% of the global market for these critical components.
The UK government is reviewing Chinese tech risks, having already banned Huawei from 5G networks and advised military officials against sensitive discussions in Chinese-made electric vehicles.
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