Technology — X eyes user biometric data

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View Online Technology Technology The Big Story  Why X plans to collect biometric data from users  Elon Musk's X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, updated its privacy policy Thursday to note that it will begin collecting biometric data and information on users' employment and education history.  © Jonathan Brady/PA via Associated Press "Based on your consent, we may collect and use your biometric information for safety, security, and identification purposes," X said in the new privacy policy.   The change is set to go into effect on Sept. 29, my colleague Julia Shapero reported.    X told Bloomberg Law that the collection of biometric data will be for X Premium users, who pay for the subscription service version of the platform.   Doing so will allow for an additional layer of verification, the company told the outlet.    X did not specify what biometric data it plans to collect, but that data can include facial images, finger prints and iris patterns.    The privacy policy update comes as X faces a proposed class action lawsuit in Illinois over allegations that it collected biometric information on users without providing advance notice or obtaining their consent.    Read more in a full report at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Technology newsletter, I'm Rebecca Klar — tracking the latest moves from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the tech sector now and in the future: Biden administration offers $12B to convert auto factories into EV plants The Biden administration will put up to $12 billion into converting auto manufacturing facilities into plants for hybrid and electric vehicles, it announced Thursday. Automakers will be able to receive loans or grants to convert their factories into those that make plug-in electric, hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told reporters Thursday.  A total of $10 billion will come from …  Full Story Musk says X will add audio, video calls Elon Musk on Thursday said that video and audio calls are coming to his X social media platform. Musk announced in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that calls would work "on iOS, Android, Mac & PC," there would be "no phone number needed" for them and that the platform would be "the effective global address book."  Musk's announcement comes after X announced Wednesday it will be collecting biometric …  Full Story Federal authorities investigating Tesla over secret project to build Austin home for Musk: report Federal authorities are investigating Tesla over its alleged use of company funds on a secret project to build CEO Elon Musk a home in Austin, Texas, according to The Wall Street Journal. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York is reportedly seeking information about how much Tesla spent on the endeavor, known as "Project 42," and what it was for. The Manhattan-based prosecutors also inquired about …  Full Story The Refresh  News we've flagged from the intersection of tech and other topics: OpenAI faces EU privacy complaint  OpenAI is facing a complaint in Poland that alleges the company violated the European Union's privacy laws, Mashable reported.  How internet stars find new fame NBC News reported on how popular internet influencers who went through controversial scandals are finding new fame on different platforms and through podcasts. In Other News  Branch out with other reads on The Hill: Delta Air Lines says it has protected its planes against interference from 5G wireless signals ATLANTA (AP) — Delta Air Lines said Thursday that it has completed upgrading its fleet to protect key equipment against interference from 5G wireless signals, plugging a hole that could have disrupted flights during low visibility. The airline said all its planes in active use now have radio altimeters … Full Story What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: ICE sends deportation flight to Haiti after warning US citizens to evacuate The Biden administration is conducting a deportation flight to Haiti on Thursday, a day after the State Department called on all U.S. citizens to leave … Read more Trump in deposition says he averted 'nuclear holocaust' Former President Trump said he averted a "nuclear holocaust" with North Korea and "saved millions of lives" during his time as president, according … Read more What Others are Reading  Opinions related to tech submitted to The Hill: Game of Drones: The dangerous rise of military and surveillance warcraft The earthly rules our nations need for outer space exploration   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Technology page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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Energy & Environment — Republicans probe utility over Hawaii fire

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View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment The Big Story  House GOP questions Hawaii utility over Maui wildfire House Republicans are pressing for information from a  Hawaii utility on its risk management process after a deadly wildfire ripped through the island this month. © Jae C. Hong/Associated Press In a letter on Thursday, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and other committee leaders Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) and Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) asked Hawaiian Electric about its risk management procedures.   Specifically, they asked for information about the utility's last decade of fire-prevention efforts, as well as any moves by Hawaiian Electric, the state Public Utilities Commission and state Energy Office to address the fire risk from invasive grasses. The lawmakers asked for the sequence of events that occurred on Aug. 8 involving the fire, including actions taken by Hawaii Electric.  In addition to the utility, the lawmakers wrote to Hawaii's Public Utilities Commission and chief energy officer pressing for answers. "We seek a fuller understanding of the role, if any, of the electric infrastructure in this tragic event," the lawmakers wrote.  A lawsuit from Maui County blamed the utility, saying it mismanaged power lines. However, the utility has said that its lines only contributed to a morning fire that was later extinguished, not the afternoon fire that killed more than 100 people.    In response to the committee's letter, Hawaiian Electric said that it "received the letter from the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, and look[s] forward to working with the committee."   The power provider also stated that it was "working with a number of different entities to keep our communities safe, as climate issues rapidly intensify here and around the globe."    Read more in a full report at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: Biden administration offers $12B to convert auto factories into EV plants The Biden administration will put up to $12 billion into converting auto manufacturing facilities into plants for hybrid and electric vehicles, it announced Thursday.  Full Story 200K still without power in Florida, Georgia after Idalia sweeps through More than 200,000 customers in Florida and Georgia are still without power after Hurricane Idalia hit earlier this week, leaving downed power poles and debris in its path of destruction.   Full Story World fisheries may be 'resilient' to impacts of heat waves Climate change drove ocean temperatures to record heights this summer.  Full Story In Other News  Branch out with a different read on The Hill: Scientists link greenhouse gas emissions to polar bear population declines Planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions pose a direct threat to the survival of polar bears — by limiting their access to the sea ice that serves as their hunting grounds, a new study has found. During … Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: The key ingredient to millions of EVs is buried under a former volcano — but there's still a lot we don't know (The Verge) Europe's Biggest Oil Company Quietly Shelves a Radical Plan to Shrink Its Carbon Footprint (Bloomberg)   Hip hop has been a climate voice for 50 years. Why haven't more people noticed? (Grist) As Hawaii mourns its dead, investors are swooping in to make a quick buck  (Business Insider) What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Thomas, Alito go on the attack over Supreme Court ethics Conservative Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito are increasingly going on offense as they seek to push back against a firestorm of ethics controversies. Read more Ukraine breaks through major Russian defense lines as counteroffensive picks up pace Ukrainian forces have broken through major Russian lines of defense in the southeastern region, where a slow counteroffensive has struggled for months to make rapid progress but could soon see a major breakthrough. Read more Opinions in The Hill  Op-ed related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: If you want to save the planet, look to the people   You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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