Notices by AAKL (aakl@infosec.exchange)

Paused until Monday following a legal challenge. "It is unclear what has prompted the apparent U-turn."

BBC: White House rescinds order freezing federal grants and loans https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyv48540n4po @BBCNews

Ubisoft is unraveling, piecemeal. It will take something drastic to turn the tide.

Engadget: Ubisoft shuts down a support studio and lays off 185 workers https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ubisoft-shuts-down-a-support-studio-and-lays-off-185-workers-191048262.html @Engadget

Why would you think the policy isn't intended to push people out the door? This is a sure way to replace the staff with loyalists.

Computerworld: While forcing federal employees back into the office five days a week sounds like it would increase productivity, research paints a very different picture. And it could push top IT talent out the door https://www.computerworld.com/article/3808863/trumps-rto-edict-raises-concerns-over-morale-efficiency-and-burnout.html @computerworld

"The plan will be led by top federal science and national security officials and will include efforts to streamline AI oversight, prioritize ethical development, and ensure models remain free from ideological bias."

Computerworld: New executive order tasks federal agencies with drafting a new AI action plan within 180 days https://www.computerworld.com/article/3809503/trump-tasks-federal-agencies-with-drafting-a-new-ai-action-plan-within-180-days.html @computerworld #AI

@sjvn They will go after her, you know.

There was an interesting story from 404 Media yesterday that raises eyebrows and a few questions.

A peculiar implication is that TikTok bought back its US life, at least for now, by agreeing to suppress Palestinian voices on the platform.

- Why is TokTok suddenly connected to that conflict? No, I don't believe the company's response. There's an ongoing campaign to silence Palestinians and erase them from the tapestry, especially if they are creators and making a living, which they are not allowed to do. It's hardly surprising that TikTok has joined the party, but the timing is suspect.

- What is surprising is how Palestinians got dragged into TikTok's battle for survival in the U.S. Who else is stirring the fascist pot?

404 Media: TikTok Says It’s Not Censoring ‘Free Palestine’ Comments. Users See Something Different https://www.404media.co/tiktok-free-palestine-comments-removed/ @404media #TikTok

A historical peek, from January 18.

"Windows 1 and 2 flopped almost as badly as OS/2 did. How did Microsoft stage one of the greatest comebacks ever with Windows 3?"

The Register: How Windows got to version 3 – an illustrated history https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/18/how_windows_got_to_v3/ @theregister @lproven #Microsoft #Windows

A couple of days-old.

Fast Company: Meta rebranded performance-based layoffs as ‘non-regrettable attrition’ https://www.fastcompany.com/91262263/meta-rebranded-performance-based-layoffs-non-regrettable-attrition @FastCompany #Meta

@sjvn Maybe I'm being paranoid, but it's curious that there's now an email from the Post after accessing their link.

@sjvn Yeah, there's an option: "Create an account to redeem your FREE article."

@sjvn Paywalled.

I honestly can't make heads or tails of this migration.

Time: Why So Many TikTokers Are Moving to the Chinese App Red Note Ahead of Ban https://time.com/7206781/red-note-tiktok-migration/ @time #TikTok

@sjvn The judiciary, the newspapers, the critics, threats of revoking licenses and court marshals ... I don't think people understand the full scope of this. Will there be people who dare to speak down the road without having a target painted on their back?

@lilianvivian213 @sjvn As far as I'm concerned, @lilianvivian213 is destined to the block list, beginning NOW.

@sjvn All the people quitting will be replaced by right-wingers. This is the beginning of the newspaper's transformation.

How many others will go through this, ending up like parts of the judiciary?

I don't want to link this story directly to the Post story you shared. But remember the Gannet decision last year? https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2024/gannett-usa-today-network-not-endorsing-president/

Give Apple credit where credit is due. Not many companies will follow suit.

Apple fights back against shareholders who want to end DEI hiring https://appleinsider.com/articles/25/01/13/apple-fights-back-against-shareholders-who-want-to-end-dei-hiring @appleinsider @WGallagher #Apple

@sjvn What does he get exactly?

Wait - what?

OpenAI chief Sam Altman denies sexually abusing sister, after she sues him https://www.reuters.com/legal/openai-boss-denies-sexually-assaulting-his-sister-after-she-files-lawsuit-2025-01-08/ @Reuters #OpenAI

CISA: From Awareness to Action—Cybersecurity for Everyone from K through Gray https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/awareness-action-cybersecurity-everyone-k-through-gray @cisagov #cybersecurity #infosec

@joeo10 Surreal. What's astounding is that most Americans don't seem at all disturbed by the fact that they were subjected to a violent attempted coup on January 6, 2020. But it's probably worse that they're not even bothering to connect the dots now that the coup masters have gained the power they lusted for.