We’re Losing the Web

Twenty-three major news outlets are blocking the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine from crawling their sites, citing concerns about AI crawlers treating their content like an "all you can scrape buffet." USA Today, for instance, used the Wayback Machine to expose ICE for altering detention statistics before immediately blocking the tool from its own site. While some outlets, like The Guardian, are only blocking the Wayback Machine's API due to perceived AI risks, the Wayback's director, Mark Graham, dismisses these fears as unfounded, highlighting efforts to prevent abuse. Groups like Fight for the Future and the Electronic Frontier Foundation are urging journalists to support the archive, with over 100 signing a letter acknowledging its critical role. In other tech news, an independent privacy audit by Web X-Ray, a privacy-focused search engine founded by a former Google privacy engineer, revealed that Google, Microsoft, and Meta are tracking users even when they opt out of cookies. The audit, which scanned over 7,000 popular California websites, found that 55% still set ad cookies after users clicked "reject." Specifically, Google failed to honor opt-outs 86% of the time, Microsoft 50%, and Meta 69%. All three companies disputed the findings, with Google claiming a "fundamental misunderstanding" of technology and Microsoft suggesting that rejecting all cookies would break some websites. Web X-Ray's founder noted that these companies have already paid billions in privacy-related fines, viewing them as a cost of doing business. The FCC has granted Netgear a conditional exemption from the US ban on importing new models of foreign routers, making it the only company currently allowed to import and sell these devices. Neither the FCC nor Netgear has explained this special privilege. This decision is particularly baffling given that the FCC's original justification for the ban was the Volt Typhoon hack, which targeted Cisco and Netgear routers. Furthermore, the FCC's approval process for the exemption requires a detailed plan to expand US manufacturing, which Netgear has not publicly committed to. Critics also point out that the approval process asks no questions about router security, focusing solely on the country of manufacture. Windows Recall is facing new security concerns raised by researcher Alexander Heg, whose work previously led to Microsoft delaying the feature's original release. Heg's tool, Total Recall Reloaded, demonstrates how malware could exploit Windows Recall to gain access to a PC's entire history, a scenario Microsoft's architecture should prevent. Despite Heg submitting a full report, Microsoft denied it was an issue, stating it falls within their documented security design. China recently tested a device capable of cutting undersea cables at a depth of 3,500 meters, claiming it's for pipeline repair, which has caused alarm among other governments. This announcement comes amid global tensions and suspected sabotage incidents involving severed undersea internet cables, prompting NATO to patrol these waters. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel announced plans to lay off 1,000 employees, 16% of the workforce, citing AI's potential to boost productivity and reduce repetitive work for smaller teams. Nvidia paid out almost $900 million in warranty claims last year, ten times more than the previous year, due to recurring issues with 16-pin power connectors melting. In a surprising incident, a Taiwanese RTX 490 owner was alerted to a potential house fire by their cat, which smelled fumes from a melting connector. Finally, Chinese automaker Seres was granted a patent for an in-vehicle toilet with a hidden, non-fixed seat.