xxx
An Amazon spokesman said: ‘We have content guidelines governing which books may be listed for sale, including not allowing AI-generated content that creates a poor customer experience.’
xxx
Air Canada must honor refund policy invented by airline’s chatbot | Ars Technica
xxx
After months of resisting, Air Canada was forced to give a partial refund to a grieving passenger who was misled by an airline chatbot inaccurately explaining the airline’s bereavement travel policy.
From: Air Canada must honor refund policy invented by airline’s chatbot | Ars Technica.
xxx
The epidemic of fraudulent DMCA takedowns
xxx
Google rather brilliantly accepts takedown notices without checking if the person filing it exists.
xxx
The epidemic of fraudulent DMCA takedowns
xxx
Filing a bad faith takedown notice is a breach of the DMCA; in principle those affected could sue for damages (probably very small) plus attorney fees (potentially large). More seriously, attempting to gain a financial benefit through a fraudulent filing may amount to a criminal offence in the US (wire fraud) and the UK (false representation fraud and/or a breach of the Computer Misuse Act). In both cases, criminal liability could extend to the individual paying for the takedown service, if they were aware that the takedown would be fraudulent (and how could it not be?).
xxx
The Fed – Implications of a U.S. CBDC for International Payments and the Role of the Dollar
xxx
For the international role of the dollar, a widely accessible U.S. CBDC at the margin is likely to enhance the appeal of the dollar. A U.S. CBDC that could be held by foreign residents would offer a means of holding dollars without the challenges of holding physical banknotes such as potential loss or damage, or the risks of Eurodollar deposits, including possible local authorities’ interference and a lack of deposit insurance or emergency lending facilities for issuing banks. However, the distribution mechanism would matter. If CBDCs were only available through U.S. banks, then access to nonresidents could be limited by U.S. banking system access policies. Generally, the more broadly a well-designed U.S. CBDC would be made available, the more scope there would be for the dollar to gain favor as a transaction medium, unit of account, and store of value.
From: The Fed – Implications of a U.S. CBDC for International Payments and the Role of the Dollar.
xxx
With Digital Identity and Fraud Set to Take Center Stage at Mobile World Congress 2024, The Mobile Phone Number is Having its Moment | Business Wire
xxx
While an individual’s digital identity is comprised of several data points or signals, the phone number has globally cemented itself as the key personal identifier, especially with number portability enabling people to keep their phone number for life. One report shows that this year mobile phone numbers will become the primary source of identity for more than 3 billion people.
xxx
Heartland Tri-State Bank CEO Faces 30 Years for $47 Million Embezzlement via Crypto Purchases – Crypto Daily
xxx
According to a February 12 press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Reserve-CFPB OIG, the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank has been formally charged formality charged with orchestrating a $47 million embezzlement scheme from the bank to purchase cryptocurrency for personal gain.
xxx
How I Fell for an Amazon Scam Call and Handed Over $50,000
xxx
The caller ID said it was Amazon.
From: How I Fell for an Amazon Scam Call and Handed Over $50,000.
xxx
xxx
He told me to go to the FTC home page and look up the main phone number. “Now hang up the phone, and I will call you from that number right now.” I did as he said. The FTC number flashed on my screen, and I picked up.
From: How I Fell for an Amazon Scam Call and Handed Over $50,000.
xxx
xxx
According to a February 12 press release by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Reserve-CFPB OIG, the CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank has been formally charged formality charged with orchestrating a $47 million embezzlement scheme from the bank to purchase cryptocurrency for personal gain.
xxx
Though specifics have not been disclosed, investigators suspect the CEO’s actions were part of a ‘pig butchering’ scam – a scheme involving fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities where victims are referred to as ‘pigs’. The transactions to cryptocurrency exchanges increased over time during the period in question, suggesting involvement in such a scam.
What To Make Of Apple Card’s Latest Numbers
xxx
Helping users lead “healthier financial lives” is mentioned 7 times. Here’s one quote from Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, “…As we look at the year ahead and beyond, we’re excited to continue to innovate and invest in Apple Card’s award-winning experience, and provide users with more tools and features that help them lead healthier financial lives.”
xxx
What To Make Of Apple Card’s Latest Numbers
xxx
One estimate from Sheel Mohnot, general partner at Better Tomorrow Ventures, put annual spend on the Apple Card at $67 billion, or about $5,500 per user, based on Daily Cash equating to 1.5% of spend. He noted that Delta’s American Express cobrand, which has about 7.5 million cards in circulation, compares with $250 billion in spend, or $33,000 per user.
xxx
Snippings 