Here we go again…Apple and Google will be ‘encouraged’ soon to build nudity-detection algorithms into their software by default, as part of the UK government’s strategy to tackle violence against women and girls. Macrumors.com reports that Home Office officials want device operating systems to prevent any nudity from being displayed unless users can verify that they’re adults through biometric checks or official ID. These efforts usually work about as well as Bullwinkle the Moose trying to pull a rabbit out of his hat. Privacy advocates are raising the roof about the dangers of this, as well as noting that they are often ineffective. Apple currently offers Communication Safety tools that parents can activate and which detect nude photos and videos in apps like Messages, AirDrop, and FaceTime. However, teenagers can still view flagged images after dismissing an alert, while under-13s must enter a passcode. Google also provides parental controls through its Family Link feature and includes “sensitive content warnings” in Google Messages. But neither company offers system-wide nudity blocking that extends to third-party apps like WhatsApp. The UK Home office will officially unveil their proposals in a few days. 

The Grok chatbot, from Elon Musk’s xAI, apparently spread misinformation repeatedly about the mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia. According to techcrunch.com, the chatbot misidentified the bystander…Ahmed al Ahmed…who disarmed one of the gunmen. One post had him as an Israeli hostage, and another had him as an IT professional named Edward Crabtree. The Grok chatbot eventually corrected itself, writing that the “misunderstanding arises from viral posts that mistakenly identified him as Edward Crabtree, possibly due to a reporting error or a joke referencing a fictional character.” 

Google’s live translate, powered by Gemini AI, is now rolling out in Translate for Android and iOS apps. It will now work with headphones. 9to5google.com notes that the live translation works between English and almost 20 other languages. With Gemini, the translation won’t be literal word for word, but will be what Google calls a ‘more natural, accurate translation.’ It will work with any pair of headphones, and the beta is being released in the US, Mexico, and India starting today. 

The maker of Roomba, iRobot, has filed for bankruptcy. The automatic vacuum maker will be taken over by its Chinese supplier, according to Financial Times. The company was just undercut too much by cheaper rivals. iRobot was started way back in 1990 by some engineers from MIT. They have sold over 40 million devices, primarily Roomba vacuums. Amazon had looked at buying iRobot, but was thwarted by European Regulators. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.