'Technofascist military fantasy': Spotify faces boycott calls over CEO’s investment in AI military startup
Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming platform, is facing intense criticism and boycott calls following CEO Daniel Ek’s announcement of a €600m ($702m) investment in Helsing, a German defence startup specialising in AI-powered combat drones and military software.
The move, announced on 17 June, has sparked widespread outrage from musicians, activists and social media users who accuse Ek of funnelling profits from music streaming into the military industry.
Many have started calling on users to cancel their subscriptions to the service.
“Finally cancelling my Spotify subscription – why am I paying for a fuckass app that works worse than it did 10 years ago, while their CEO spends all my money on technofascist military fantasies?” said one user on X.
Spotify faces boycott calls over CEO’s investment in AI military startup
Spotify, the world’s leading music streaming platform, is facing intense criticism and boycott calls following CEO Daniel Ek’s announcement of a €600m ($702m) investment in Helsing, a German defence startup specialising in AI-powered combat drones an…Reem Aouir (Middle East Eye)
Amazon Workers Defy Dictates of Automation
Amazon delivery stations are being outfitted with robots across the country, leading to fewer workers and speedup for the workers that remain. Workers have reacted with defiance at the delivery station where I work.Amazon fulfillment centers, where items are packaged up, have been gradually automating, but until now, delivery stations were mostly operated by human labor. Now, entire systems are being retrofitted or entirely removed “in the name of safety” and “for the good of employees.” But automation means workers will be laid off, shifted into new positions, or forced to transfer.
I work at the New York delivery station DBK4, in Maspeth, Queens, and it’s a window into this future. Smack in the middle of New York’s largest borough, DBK4 processes 60,000 to 100,000 packages daily, depending on the season. It employs 200 to 500 people inside the warehouse, plus up to 1,000 drivers.
Amazon has recently automated 80 percent of the conveyor belts in the facility with a new type of technology called ADTA (Auto Divert to Aisle). Before automation, the job was done in two parts; a belt brought packages from the loading dock and ‘pickers’ standing along its length picked up the packages. The pickers put packages onto racks corresponding to neighborhoods. A second worker, known as a stower, often working multiple aisles, then put those packages into bags bound for specific neighborhood blocks.
Amazon Workers Defy Dictates of Automation
Amazon delivery stations are being outfitted with robots across the country, leading to fewer workers and speedup for the workers that remain. Workers have reacted with defiance at the delivery station where I work.Amazon fulfillment centers, where items are packaged up, have been gradually automating, but until now, delivery stations were mostly operated by human labor. Now, entire systems are being retrofitted or entirely removed “in the name of safety” and “for the good of employees.” But automation means workers will be laid off, shifted into new positions, or forced to transfer.
I work at the New York delivery station DBK4, in Maspeth, Queens, and it’s a window into this future. Smack in the middle of New York’s largest borough, DBK4 processes 60,000 to 100,000 packages daily, depending on the season. It employs 200 to 500 people inside the warehouse, plus up to 1,000 drivers.
Amazon has recently automated 80 percent of the conveyor belts in the facility with a new type of technology called ADTA (Auto Divert to Aisle). Before automation, the job was done in two parts; a belt brought packages from the loading dock and ‘pickers’ standing along its length picked up the packages. The pickers put packages onto racks corresponding to neighborhoods. A second worker, known as a stower, often working multiple aisles, then put those packages into bags bound for specific neighborhood blocks.
Stung by customer losses, Comcast says all its new plans have unlimited data
Stung by customer losses, Comcast says all its new plans have unlimited data
No data caps: “Four simple national Internet tiers that include unlimited data.”…Jon Brodkin (Ars Technica)
Invisible, Misrepresented, and Harmed: ME/CFS Voices Demand Accountability from SBS
SBS Insight Invisible Illness – Statement by 4 Studio Participants
Published: 23 June 2025
Invisible, Misrepresented, and Harmed: ME/CFS Voices Demand Accountability from SBS
A Joint Statement from Participants and Advocates in Response to the 20 May 2025 Episode of Insight
This statement has been prepared by a group of individuals who participated in the recent SBS Insight episode on invisible illness. We are united in our deep concern over how the episode was produced, edited, and presented and the serious harm it caused by misrepresenting Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) and its impact on the wider chronic illness community.
We believe this broadcast represents a clear breach of SBS’s own Code of Practice. The program:
- Failed to uphold editorial integrity by platforming a participant with undisclosed commercial interests (Section 3.1: Editorial Independence and Integrity);
- Presented medically inaccurate and misleading portrayals of ME/CFS (Section 3.2: Accuracy);
- Minimised the diversity of lived experiences in favour of a single recovery narrative (Section 3.3: Diversity of Views and Perspectives);
- Caused emotional harm to participants and viewers alike (Section 4.1: Harm and Offence);
As a public broadcaster, SBS has a duty to ensure ethical, accurate, and inclusive storytelling, especially when dealing with marginalised communities.
[…]
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Brazil rules that social media platforms are responsible for users’ posts
On Thursday, Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled that digital platforms are responsible for users’ content — a major shift in a country where millions rely on apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube every day.The ruling, which goes into effect within weeks, mandates tech giants including Google, X, and Meta to monitor and remove content involving hate speech, racism, and incitement to violence. If the companies can show they took steps to remove such content expeditiously, they will not be held liable, the justices said.
Brazil has long clashed with Big Tech platforms. In 2017, then-congresswoman Maria do Rosário sued Google over YouTube videos that wrongly accused her of defending crimes. Google didn’t remove the clips right away, kicking off a legal debate over whether companies should only be punished if they ignore a judge.
In 2023, following violent protests largely organized online by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, authorities began pushing harder to stop what they saw as dangerous behavior spreading through social networks.
Brazil holds social media platforms responsible for user posts - Rest of World
New Brazil ruling makes Meta, X, WhatsApp and other platforms accountable for content and user safety.Karla Zabludovsky (Rest of World)
Facebook is asking to use Meta AI on photos in your camera roll you haven’t yet shared
Does using ChatGPT change your brain activity? Study sparks debate
Liberal supreme court justices’ dissents reveal concerns that the US faces a crisis
As the supreme court upends precedent again and again, the liberal justices reveal the divisions within the legal body
On Friday, Justice Sonia Sotomayor delivered an acidic sermon against the court’s 6-3 decision to end lower courts’ practice of issuing nationwide injunctions to block federal executive orders, reading her dissent directly from the bench in a move meant to highlight its importance.
“No right is safe in the new legal regime the Court creates,” states Sotomayor’s dissent, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown-Jackson. “Today, the threat is to birthright citizenship. Tomorrow, a different administration may try to seize firearms from law abiding citizens or prevent people of certain faiths from gathering to worship.”
From Attic to Art: a Raspberry Pi and Python Revive a Vintage Analog HP Plotter
Reviving a 1970s Analog HP X-Y Recorder
Once upon a time all hardware was open sourceStephen Cass (IEEE Spectrum)
Supreme Court Greenlights Republican Crusade to Defund Planned Parenthood
On Thursday, the Supreme Court delivered a decision that could be a death knell for Planned Parenthood health centers across the nation.In a 6-3 decision authored by Justice Neil Gorsuch, the court’s conservative supermajority decided that the federal Medicaid Act does not give an individual the right to bring a civil rights lawsuit challenging the termination of a specific Medicaid provider from that state’s network.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic is its latest assault on reproductive health care. The case also marks another victory for the Alliance Defending Freedom, the Christian conservative litigation shop behind the Dobbs decision, in which the high court reversed Roe v. Wade and ended the federal right to an abortion. (ADF lawyers represented the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services in Medina.)
Supreme Court Allows South Carolina to Defund Planned Parenthood
The Supreme Court’s conservatives issued their latest attack on reproductive health care in “Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic.”Tessa Stuart (Rolling Stone)
!wheretopost@lemmy.world - I created this community because I still find Lemmy a bit confusing
I created this community because I still find Lemmy a bit confusing. Since there are so many communities across so many servers, I never know where I should be posting certain topics.
The goal of this community is to help people find the right community to post specific content and, by doing that, hopefully, decrease posting friction and increase content.
Lemmy Verse is extremely helpful for this sort of thing.
In order to link a community, you should be using the format !CommunityName@LemmyServer.com.
Community link: !wheretopost@lemmy.world
Microsoft pushes staff to use internal AI tools more, and may consider this in reviews. 'Using AI is no longer optional.'
Microsoft internal memo: 'Using AI is no longer optional.'
Executive Julia Liuson recently told Microsoft managers to include internal AI tool usage when evaluating employee performance.Ashley Stewart (Business Insider)
Microsoft pushes staff to use internal AI tools more, and may consider this in reviews. 'Using AI is no longer optional.'
Microsoft internal memo: 'Using AI is no longer optional.'
Executive Julia Liuson recently told Microsoft managers to include internal AI tool usage when evaluating employee performance.Ashley Stewart (Business Insider)
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Brazil's supreme court rules that platforms like Facebook and X can be held liable for user posts, requiring them to remove content even without a court order
Brazil holds social media platforms responsible for user posts - Rest of World
New Brazil ruling makes Meta, X, WhatsApp and other platforms accountable for content and user safety.Karla Zabludovsky (Rest of World)
Brazil's supreme court rules that platforms like Facebook and X can be held liable for user posts, requiring them to remove content even without a court order
Brazil holds social media platforms responsible for user posts - Rest of World
New Brazil ruling makes Meta, X, WhatsApp and other platforms accountable for content and user safety.Karla Zabludovsky (Rest of World)
What to know about the Supreme Court birthright citizenship case
What to know about the Supreme Court birthright citizenship case
The court decided that a sole judge cannot block Trump's orders - including his one on citizenship - nationwide.Brandon Drenon and Lisa Lambert (BBC News)
China unveils tiny spy drone that looks like a mosquito
About 2 cm long and weighing just 0.3 grams, the insect-inspired device features two tiny wings and three spindly legs. Its minuscule size would make it difficult to detect using conventional radar systems, experts say.
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Sir Keir Starmer says fixing welfare system is a 'moral imperative'
Sir Keir Starmer says fixing welfare system is a 'moral imperative'
The prime minister described the benefits system as "broken" a day after he was forced to U-turn on plans for reforms.Adam Hale (BBC News)
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The tories didn’t even seriously try decimating PIP in their decade+ in power.
To disabled people, Labour are looking worse than Tories.
There's no international protocol on what to do if an asteroid strikes Earth
Or so hear members of Parliament in the UK
Archived version: archive.is/newest/theregister.…
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
There's no international protocol on what to do if an asteroid strikes Earth
: Or so hear members of Parliament in the UKLindsay Clark (The Register)
Successful local efforts to get aid into north Gaza met with Israeli backlash
Successful local Palestinian efforts to organise the entry of aid to northern Gaza have prompted fresh restrictions by the Israeli military and violent looting by criminal gangs.Relief was brought into north Gaza for the first time in a month on Wednesday by local tribes, drawing anger from Israeli officials and members of the Israeli public.
Northern Gaza has been under full siege since March, when Israel blocked all aid and goods from entering the territory and created a severe hunger crisis.
In late May, the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a recently launched and scandal-hit aid group, began distributing limited food parcels at four locations in south and central Gaza.
The northern parts of the Palestinian enclave remain largely cut off from aid distributed through this mechanism. However, Israel has recently allowed a limited number of aid trucks carrying only wheat flour to enter some areas of the north.
According to local reports, the recent Palestinian-led relief delivery, backed by local clans, saw several trucks enter safely and successfully, with their contents distributed on Thursday.
Footage circulating online show dozens of trucks carrying aid from the United Nations World Food Programme entering the northern Gaza Strip.
Successful local efforts to get aid into north Gaza met with Israeli backlash
Successful local Palestinian efforts to organise the entry of aid to northern Gaza have prompted fresh restrictions by the Israeli military and violent looting by criminal gangs.Mera Aladam (Middle East Eye)
WhatsApp introduces AI-powered summaries for your private messages
WhatsApp introduced a feature called Message Summaries. It is powered by Meta AI.Why would one need this? The Meta-owned messaging app explains that sometimes users may have too many chats to catch up with, and if you want to do so quickly, the new feature will help.
Message Summaries uses Meta's Private Processing, a technology which was introduced in May 2025. Private Processing uses certain optional Meta AI features to process messages off-device in a confidential and secure environment. WhatsApp says that this process is so secure that not even Meta or WhatsApp can read or access your personal messages.
Sure, we may occasionally have to deal with long group chats that we may have missed. But, I'm not sure if the answer to this is AI-powered summaries. It could be useful in a pinch, but the fact is an AI may not be able to determine what is important to you, and what isn't. There's a good chance that some crucial information could be overlooked by the bot. If you want to use the summarization tool when you're in a hurry, that's cool, but I would advise checking your messages when you have the time.
Message Summaries are currently rolling out to users in the U.S., specifically for users in the English language. WhatsApp says it will bring the feature to more languages and countries later this year.
Google is making a change to Gemini, which will allow it to access WhatsApp and other content by default. Imagine that, both Gemini and Meta AI can access your WhatsApp. Don't forget, WhatsApp has ads now.
Would you allow AI to access your private conversations?
adhocfungus likes this.
This really all depends how its implemented. If done right could be a cool accessibility tool for people who don’t have the congnitive capacity to read dozens of messages.
Done by meta, sounds like a late stage capitalist nightmare.
OVHcloud and Crayon partner on European infrastructure
OVHcloud and Crayon have announced a strategic partnership that will provide organizations with access to cost-effective cloud services across more than 45 regions. The deal is designed to help businesses accelerate their digital transformation with sustainable and sovereign cloud solutions.
OVHcloud and Crayon partner on European infrastructure - Techzine Global
OVHcloud and Crayon launch global partnership for cost-effective cloud services in 45+ regions with a focus on digital transformation.Berry Zwets (Techzine)
Ahold Delhaize says 2.2M affected after cyberattack
Finance, health, and national identification details compromised
Data spill in aisle 5: Grocery giant Ahold Delhaize says 2.2M affected after cyberattack
: Finance, health, and national identification details compromisedConnor Jones (The Register)
YSK it's Muskrat's birthday and people are throwing parties.
Elon Musk is done at DOGE, but we're just getting started.Elon is still deeply tied to the Trump regime, still fueling conspiracies and fascist rhetoric, and still using his immense wealth to warp government policy and buy elections around the globe.
On June 28—Elon's birthday—let's celebrate everything we've achieved and a recommit to the long fight still ahead.
And our birthday gift to the Broligarch in Chief? A global party with one powerful message: Musk Must Fall.
#MuskMustFall Global Day of Celebration
Elon Musk is done at DOGE, but we're just getting started. On June 28—Elon's birthday—let's celebrate everything we've achieved and a recommit to the long fight still ahead.actionnetwork.org
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Facebook is asking to use Meta AI on photos in your camera roll you haven't yet shared
Facebook is asking to use Meta AI on photos in your camera roll you haven't yet shared | TechCrunch
Facebook is asking users for access to their phone's camera roll to automatically suggest AI-edited versions of their photos -- including ones thatSarah Perez (TechCrunch)
Germany asks Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from app stores
The German regulator has asked Apple and Google to remove Chinese AI startup DeepSeek from their app stores. The request follows similar measures in other European countries and is driven by concerns about data security.
Germany asks Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from app stores - Techzine Global
Germany asks Apple and Google to remove DeepSeek from app stores due to concerns about Chinese data processing and privacy violations.Berry Zwets (Techzine)
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So you CAN turn an entire car into a video game controller
Pen Test Partners hijack data from Renault Clio to steer, brake, and accelerate in SuperTuxKart
So you CAN turn an entire car into a video game controller
: Pen Test Partners hijack data from Renault Clio to steer, brake, and accelerate in SuperTuxKartConnor Jones (The Register)
Stung by customer losses, Comcast says all its new plans have unlimited data
No data caps: “Four simple national Internet tiers that include unlimited data.”…
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Nothing's Phone 3 Hasn't Even Launched and It's Already Pissing People Off
Some major design changes are coming, and not everyone is on board.
US Department of Defense will stop sending critical hurricane satellite data
No replacement in the wings for info streamed from past their prime rigs, 'termination will be permanent'
US Department of Defense will stop sending critical hurricane satellite data
: No replacement in the wings for info streamed from past their prime rigs, 'termination will be permanent'Richard Speed (The Register)
Hawaiian Airlines discloses ‘cybersecurity event’
Update: 'No impact on safety,' FAA tells The Reg
Aloha, you’ve been pwned: Hawaiian Airlines discloses ‘cybersecurity event’
update: 'No impact on safety,' FAA tells The RegJessica Lyons (The Register)
Neither Hawaiian Airlines nor its parent company Alaska Air Group immediately responded to The Register's inquiries, including whether customer or employee data was stolen in the cyberattack, and whether the perpetrators deployed ransomware.
You don't know who I am, I'm very staunch 2nd amendment supporter, but telling me I'm interested in shooting my neighbors and kids is fucked. So kindly fuck off.
Secondly, I'm a huge proponent of social services and safety nets. I am, for all for all intents and purposes, a very left leaning progressive. I just don't believe in handing over my firearms because we have societal issues.
I also do not believe we're at the ammo box stage yet, but I'm not dumb enough to suggest we give up our arms, while fascist are pushing their agenda. If the ballet box fails and we reach the ammo box, then anyone on the left will be happy they kept that option open.
<...> but telling me I'm interested in shooting my neighbors and kids is fucked.
My comment was directed at you individually, but the populace in general.
And I'm not suggesting giving up your guns and ammo. Guns are not the problem, people are. Look at Sweden or Switzerland. Civilian population there owns a lot of guns, but people that own them are sane and trained.
My point was that most of the 2nd amendment supporters are supporting it for the wrong reasons. And I stand by that.
Runway is going to let people generate video games with AI
After making inroads in Hollywood, Runway is entering the gaming market.
Runway is going to let people generate video games with AI
Runway, the $3 billion AI startup that is increasingly powering more Hollywood production, will soon release a platform that lets anyone generate video games.Alex Heath (The Verge)
US | Supreme Court overturns 5th Circuit ruling that upended Universal Service Fund
5th Circuit ruling reversed; FCC can continue programs that boost Internet access.
Case file: supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pd…
dustyData
in reply to geneva_convenience • • •Must be so nice to be so privileged as to be spoiled for choice on which fascist to support.
Spotify is the only streaming service available worldwide other than YouTube Music and Apple.
So for a lot of people it is either piracy or supporting a US tech megacorporation. Tidal, Qobuz, deezer. Cool, nice that they exist options. But most people in the planet would have to also pay a VPN and hope to not get their account banned if they want to use some of those alternatives.
It's funny really, to see how the “fascist option” for some is actually the most ethical for others.
There's always piracy of course, I suppose that is the only morally correct option always.
geneva_convenience
in reply to dustyData • • •Yarr
Is there a p2p music streaming platform yet?