Martin Shkreli pushes ‘Trump’ bitcoin, claims its backed by a Trump

Comfortable Tuesday! Right here’s your Tuesday Tech Drop, the week’s prime information from the intersection of politics and the all-inclusive world of know-how.

Pharma Bro chases clout with ‘Trump’ coin

Martin Shkreli — the so-called Pharma Bro who earned the moniker after mountaineering the price of an anti-parasite drug in 2015 and was later convicted of securities fraud — has been hawking a cryptocurrency referred to as “DJT” and claiming, with out producing any proof, that the coin was created in collaboration with a member of the Trump household, the New York Submit reviews (representatives for the previous president didn’t reply to the Submit’s request for touch upon Shkreli’s declare). With Trump openly courting crypto bros (after beforehand denouncing crypto) and vowing to “finish Joe Biden’s war on crypto,” Shkreli’s utilizing the Trump identify for clout gives a clear instance of how nearly anybody can sport {the marketplace}.

Learn extra on the New York Post.

Alvin Bragg’s victory lap

The Manhattan district lawyer is taking what The Every day Beast calls a “victory lap” as Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, fumes over Bragg’s workplace’s efficiently pushing YouTube to limit movies that present the right way to construct firearms or make unlawful modifications. Bragg has been focused by Trump and his allies for convicting Trump on fees of falsifying enterprise information in Could.

Learn extra at The Daily Beast.

Large Tech belief points

New polling from Tech Coverage suggests a majority of U.S. adults really feel important mistrust towards election-related data they see on social media. “Just a little greater than half of all survey respondents discover data round political points and candidates on social media untrustworthy,” in keeping with Tech Coverage. “In distinction, solely 39 % of all respondents put a point of belief in election-related data they discover on social media.” The outcomes recommend that the proliferation of disinformation on-line, together with false tales created and promoted with the assistance of synthetic intelligence instruments, helps to gas mistrust.

Learn extra at Tech Policy.

Cyber considerations

NewsNation has a report on the doubtless deadly results of cyberattacks. With cyberattacks apparently on the rise in the U.S., the report is useful for anybody seeking to perceive the real-world penalties of assaults on establishments that communities depend on, corresponding to hospitals.

Learn extra at NewsNation.

Please [do] cease the music

The Recording Business Affiliation of America is suing synthetic intelligence corporations Udio and Suno, that are identified for utilizing generative AI instruments to create songs. The RIAA swimsuit claims the businesses are illegally utilizing recording artists’ voices to coach their AI fashions. Take, for instance, this fake version of Mariah Carey’s “All I Need for Christmas Is You.” Udio instructed NBC Information, “We stand behind our know-how and imagine that generative AI will change into a mainstay of contemporary society”; Suno didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Learn extra at 404 Media.

Ted Cruz follows in AOC’s footsteps

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is following the lead of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., in proposing laws to battle the development of nonconsensual deepfake pornography. After AOC this yr launched the DEFIANCE Act, which is supposed to permit victims to hunt damages in courtroom, Cruz and several other different senators have launched the Take It Down Act, which might implement a course of that social platforms must comply with to take away such photographs.

Learn extra at CNBC.

Verzuz earns vitriol

File producers Swizz Beatz and Timbaland had been dragged on social media after posting a cheery picture with Elon Musk to announce their plans to revive the Verzuz music battle on Musk’s social media platform, X. The publish touted Verzuz as “black owned,” which did not sit nicely with many on the platform who famous that Musk has railed against diversity initiatives and his platform has its personal issues with racist content. The transfer could possibly be a boon for Musk’s platform as he tries to woo back advertisers who’ve fled X. Swizz Beatz responded to the backlash on-line, claiming “folks will quickly see the plan” he has in retailer for the app.

Learn extra at BET.com.