| Plus: Why tech didn't stop the DC crash, data-hungriest apps, Google isn't calling you ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏  In partnership with ExpressVPN | | It's a wonderful Sunday, friend. The World Monuments Fund just added a surprising location to its list of endangered sites: The moon. The big concern? As lunar tourism takes off, some bonehead could stomp right through the footprints left by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission. No atmosphere means no wind or rain to erase them, but one careless tourist or corporate land grab could wipe out a piece of history. I'm obsessed with the moon right now. I think it's just a phase. 🎧 Your Sunday just got better: Maybe you need some alone time. Pop in your headphones and take me on a walk with you. Catch up on my national radio show. Be sure to hit "Subscribe" in your favorite podcast player so you get every episode automatically. Now, let's get into it! — Kim 📣 Don't keep me a secret: Share the email with friends (or copy URL here) | TODAY'S TOP STORY Sounds like '1984'  AI is all over the news and for good reason: Whoever controls AI controls geopolitics and economics. One big player in the AI world is Larry Ellison. He never finished college; he left to start building databases for the CIA. After that, he co-founded Oracle, and now, depending on the day, he's the fourth-wealthiest person in the world. Oracle is a $320 billion tech giant powering cloud computing, databases, and AI for businesses, governments and the military. When Larry talks about AI, I listen. His latest prediction? "Citizens will be on their best behavior." Uh, what? During a recent Oracle investor meeting, Larry laid out his vision for AI-powered surveillance. Every cop will be watched at all times, he says. "If there's a problem, AI will report that problem and report it to the appropriate person. We are constantly recording and reporting everything that's going on." This sure sounds like the telescreens that monitored every move in Orwell's dystopia. They just happen to be security cameras, drones, doorbell cams, traffic cams, smartphones, smart TVs, store sensors, workplace monitoring systems, biometric scanners, license plate readers, AI-powered self-checkouts and other devices. 400 times every week A 2020 study estimated the average American was recorded 238 times in a week. That's 160 times by traffic and dash cams, 40 times at work, 24 times while running errands, and 14 more times from doorbell and home security cams. Today, I'd say a more accurate estimate is closer to 400 to 500 times per week. That's 60 to 70 times per day, or about once every 20 minutes while you're awake. Drones in high-speed chases? Larry spoke about drones replacing police cars. "It's very simple in the age of autonomous drones," he says. Imagine a future where the next police chase is a swarm of drones locking onto their target. I'm sure some network exec is already figuring out how to turn this concept into a reality show. Surveillance is a double-edged sword Larry's right that AI could help us solve crimes faster and even prevent them. I'm all for that. But there's a fine line between security and a digital police state. If AI is watching, analyzing and reporting everything, who decides what's suspicious? Who makes sure all this data isn't used for social credit scores, behavioral tracking or even thought‑policing? So what can you do? - Stay informed. The more you know about AI, the better prepared you are.
- Use privacy tools. VPNs, encrypted messaging apps and strong privacy settings on your devices can limit how much of your life is being tracked.
- Push for transparency. Hold companies and lawmakers accountable. If AI is making decisions about you, you have the right to know how and why.
AI is learning, deciding and influencing our lives in ways we never imagined. The question is will we control it or will it control us? 🔐 Share this knowledge I just imparted upon you with someone in your life who needs it. Use the handy share icons below now, while you're thinking about it, or just bring it up in a conversation, and they'll say, "Dang, you are so smart!" | KIM KOMANDO TODAY OpenAI releases o3-mini Control AI, control the world. China's DeepSeek has OpenAI so on edge, they rushed to roll out new models. Listen on Komando.com → | WEB WATERCOOLER ✋ New study out on data-hungry apps: Facebook and Instagram take the crown, sharing a whopping 68.6% of your personal info with third parties. Amazon, YouTube, Candy Crush Saga and Bumble aren't much better. Now, go check your app permissions, because an alarm clock app doesn't need to access your contacts. Even the pros get targeted: An engineer almost fell for a next-level Google phishing scam after a call from "Google" claiming his account was under attack. When he asked for proof, they sent an email from "important.g.co" — a legit Google-owned domain. He still didn't buy it. PSA: Google will never call you to tell you your account is in jeopardy. 💰 Apple Watch class-action settlement: The tech giant is coughing up $20 million for selling Apple Watches with batteries that swelled up. You could get up to $50 if you bought a first-gen model or a Series 1, Series 2 or Series 3 Apple Watch between April 24, 2015, and Feb. 6, 2024. Confirm your payment info by April 10. 📞 "Hi, it's Jessica": No, it's a scammer pretending they've been trying to reach you about your loan application. All they need is to verify a few details … like your bank account and Social Security number. If you've actually applied for a loan, hang up and call the company directly. Watch what you say: Ever chat with Meta AI on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger? Now, the bot will remember everything. If you say you're hungry, it'll suggest your favorite foods by picking up clues. Meta says it'll only remember things from one-on-one convos, not group chats. Pro tip: Tap the three-dot icon next to the chat to delete your history. Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS): This tech detects when two aircraft are about to converge and gives pilots a warning. The alerts are limited at low altitudes, though, to prevent risky maneuvers. That's why it couldn't help the jetliner and military helicopter in last week's crash in Washington, D.C., which killed 67 people (paywall link). The jet and copter were flying somewhere between 200 feet and 400 feet above surface level. So sad. This video is all over social media: It shows Angela Yang and Sean Kay, two of the young figure skaters who died in the Washington, D.C., crash, taking home gold in a November competition. Their excitement and smiles are just heartbreaking, considering what happened. Be sure to have tissues nearby if you watch the video. | DEALS OF THE DAY Sunday Funday, indeed The weekend is almost over. You deserve to treat yourself. - Want an ice-cold drink in 60 seconds? Pour anything into this reusable cup (37% off).
- Grab this LED faucet (20% off) that changes colors with the water temp.
- Make any night a singalong party with a karaoke mic (7% off).
- A smart ball ($13) will keep your feline friend entertained for hours.
- Go hands-free with a dog leash/pouch combo ($25) to stop juggling treats and bags.
🤑 Who doesn't love a deal? Here's a whole page full of stuff under $10, just for you. | TECH LIFE UPGRADES Love this: Last week, I wanted to go to a new restaurant that's always packed. I used OpenTable to make a reservation, but the only openings were weeks from now. I booked one, and then I noticed a new button for Notify me, which adds you to the list in case someone cancels. Yup, we got in. 🚘 Check your car now: About one in five cars (58.1 million!) is driving around with an open recall. Check if yours is one of them on the NHTSA website. Enter your license plate or 17-digit VIN and hit Search. There are tabs for car seats, tires and other equipment recalls, too. Drive safely! A new feature to try: Google can call businesses for you with questions about prices and availability. Go to Search Labs and hit Turn on. When you search for a store, you'll see Ask for me under the map. Press Get Started, answer a few questions, and enter your email or phone number for updates. It's in beta and works for nail salons and auto shops for now. 👉 Make your point: Give your mouse cursor a glow-up. On a PC, click Start > Settings > Accessibility > Mouse pointer and touch. Switch things up, like the color, size and thickness. For Macs, head to the Apple menu > System Settings > Accessibility > Display (under Vision). Scroll to Pointer and make yours more "you." Feeling left behind? Download NetSuite's free knowledge drop, "The CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning."* No matter what you do, you should know more about AI. It's not going anywhere. Ask Rufus: Wondering where something you're about to order on Amazon was made? On the product page, click Rufus on the top left in the Amazon toolbar. Ask it where your item was manufactured, and it might tell you; I find it knows about 50% of the time. | MY TRUSTED ADVICE 🎙️ Every weekend on my award-winning national radio show heard on over 420 stations, I talk with interesting folks like you. Catch these convos on a station near you, or find my weekend show as a podcast in your favorite podcast player. - Larry in Philadelphia says his wife is getting vile, threatening emails from a former student. He's worried it won't stop at just words.
- Elizabeth in Medford, Oregon, has a stash of Civil War artifacts from her great-great-uncle. She wants to donate them — but not before documenting every piece for her fam.
- Leilani in Chicago and her boyfriend, Drew, thought they were helping a few guys outside Target with funeral expenses. It turns out, the strangers were scammers who used an iPhone trick to steal $5,000.
Plus, Lynn gets a scam text, Peggy translates a Thai cookbook, Kendall needs advice on smart outlets, Steve wants to buy a Mac mini, Tony deals with a fake website and so much more! 📆 Let's talk about anything digital in your life, whether it's family matters or your business. Make an appointment to speak with me right here. |
UNTIL NEXT TIME ... Are you still leaving voicemails? I heard Barry leaving one the other day and told him, "Honey-bunny, no one listens to voicemails anymore." If it's a friend or family member, just send a text or call again. Calling your doctor or some other business? Sure, knock yourself out. Fact for my history nerds: On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell made the first telephone call. Moments later, he learned his car warranty had expired. 📻 Keep the know-how going! Whether you're out for a walk, running errands or just need a break, take me with you. Catch up with my award-winning national radio show, heard on over 420 radio stations coast-to-coast: Find your local station or get my show's podcast for the latest tech news, smart advice and a few laughs. I share so much there I just can't get to in this newsletter. Plus, I take all your calls, too! ✌️ On that note, I'm outta here! Have a wonderful Sunday, and I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow with another issue of the best tech newsletter in the USA. Until then, remember you're officially tech-savvier than 99% of people. Own it! — Kim | How'd we do? What did you think of today's issue? | | |
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Keep a civil tongue.