Tech Patrol

Kategori: Genel

  • # Krebs to Challenge Trump-Ordered Investigation, Cites Punitive Dissent Tactics

    ## Krebs to Challenge Trump-Ordered Investigation, Cites Punitive Dissent Tactics

    Former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Chris Krebs is set to fiercely contest a federal investigation launched against him, initiated by former President Trump. In an interview with *The Wall Street Journal* on Wednesday, Krebs announced his intention to resign from his current position at cybersecurity firm SentinelOne to dedicate his efforts to challenging the probe.

    The investigation centers on accusations that Krebs “falsely and baselessly denied that the 2020 election was rigged and stolen.” The order also revoked Krebs’ security clearance. Krebs contends that the investigation is a politically motivated attack designed to suppress dissent and target corporate relationships. He sees the action as an attempt by the government to wield its power to punish those who disagree with its narratives.

    Krebs, appointed by Trump in 2018 to head the newly established CISA, was responsible for overseeing federal cybersecurity and election security. However, his tenure was cut short in November 2020 after he publicly refuted Trump’s unfounded claims of widespread voting irregularities. This dismissal followed CISA’s efforts to debunk misinformation surrounding the election, earning Krebs widespread praise from cybersecurity experts and condemnation from Trump allies.

    According to *The Wall Street Journal*, Krebs is joining a growing coalition of former government officials, law firms, and universities who are pushing back against what they see as the Trump administration’s abuse of executive power to silence critics and stifle dissenting voices. The case highlights the ongoing debate regarding the separation of powers and the potential for politically motivated investigations to undermine public trust and free speech.

  • # US Weighs DeepSeek Ban Amid AI Competition with China

    ## US Weighs DeepSeek Ban Amid AI Competition with China

    The Trump administration is reportedly considering a ban on Chinese AI lab DeepSeek, a move that could significantly impact the AI landscape in both the US and China. According to a report in *The New York Times*, the proposed restrictions could prevent DeepSeek from purchasing Nvidia’s advanced AI chips and potentially block Americans from accessing the company’s AI services.

    This potential ban is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to bolster the US’s position in the global AI race. DeepSeek has rapidly gained prominence, becoming a key competitor in the AI model market. Its competitive pricing and advanced capabilities have spurred Silicon Valley companies to lower the costs of their own frontier AI models. This disruption has prompted US officials to explore various methods of limiting China’s access to American technology and consumers.

    The administration’s focus on restricting access to AI chips isn’t new. Just this week, the White House expanded existing restrictions on Nvidia’s AI chip sales to China, building upon rules initially established by the Biden administration. These measures aim to slow down China’s progress in AI development by limiting its access to crucial hardware.

    However, the potential ban also raises questions about DeepSeek’s competitive advantage. OpenAI has previously accused the Chinese lab of potentially violating its terms of use by distilling its models. These allegations of intellectual property theft add another layer of complexity to the situation, prompting further scrutiny of DeepSeek’s practices. The outcome of this consideration could reshape the dynamics of the AI industry, influencing innovation and competition in the years to come.

  • # Trump Yönetimi Çinli AI Laboratuvarı DeepSeek’e Yasak Getirmeyi Düşünüyor

    ## Trump Yönetimi Çinli AI Laboratuvarı DeepSeek’e Yasak Getirmeyi Düşünüyor

    Trump yönetimi, Çinli yapay zeka laboratuvarı DeepSeek’e yönelik yeni kısıtlamalar getirmeyi değerlendiriyor. New York Times’ın haberine göre bu kısıtlamalar, DeepSeek’in Nvidia’nın yapay zeka çiplerini satın almasını engelleyebilir ve Amerikalıların şirketin yapay zeka hizmetlerine erişimini kısıtlayabilir.

    Bu hamle, Trump yönetiminin Çin ile yapay zeka alanındaki rekabetini artırma çabalarının bir parçası olarak değerlendiriliyor. DeepSeek’in Silikon Vadisi ve Wall Street’i sarsmasının ardından, ABD’li yetkililer Çin’in Amerikan teknolojilerine ve tüketicilerine erişimini sınırlamak için çeşitli seçenekleri değerlendiriyor gibi görünüyor.

    Beyaz Saray, Salı günü Nvidia’nın Çin’e yapay zeka çip satışlarına yönelik kısıtlamaları daha da sıkılaştırdı. Bu hamle, Biden yönetimi tarafından oluşturulan kuralları güçlendiriyor.

    Son aylarda, DeepSeek’in ABD’li yapay zeka geliştiricileri arasındaki popülaritesi hızla arttı. Startup’ın rekabetçi fiyatlandırması, Silikon Vadisi’ni daha uygun maliyetli ileri düzey yapay zeka modelleri sunmaya zorladı.

    Ancak DeepSeek’in bazı rekabetçi modellerini oluştururken fikri mülkiyet hırsızlığı yapıp yapmadığı konusunda süregelen sorular var. OpenAI, Çinli laboratuvarın kendi modellerini “damıttığını” ve OpenAI’nin kullanım şartlarını ihlal ettiğini iddia ediyor.

  • # Rippling Intensifies Legal Battle with Deel, Subpoenas Revolut for “Spy” Payment Information

    ## Rippling Intensifies Legal Battle with Deel, Subpoenas Revolut for “Spy” Payment Information

    The ongoing legal clash between HR tech companies Rippling and Deel has taken a dramatic turn, drawing in UK fintech giant Revolut. Rippling is seeking to uncover the identity of an individual who allegedly paid a Rippling employee to spy on the company for Deel.

    The crux of the issue lies in an affidavit from Keith O’Brien, an Irish Rippling employee, who claims he was paid approximately $6,000 per month by Deel to gather intelligence. O’Brien stated that the initial payment was routed through his Revolut account, with the sender listed as “Alba Basha.” According to O’Brien, this Alba Basha is Alba Basha Westgarth, the wife of Deel’s COO, Dan Westgarth.

    Adding another layer of intrigue, Alba Basha Westgarth previously held the position of crypto compliance lead at Robinhood, according to a LinkedIn profile that has since been deleted. Robinhood confirmed her departure earlier this year but declined to provide a reason. Furthermore, the deleted profile listed her location as Dubai, the same location where Deel’s CEO and legal director are currently based, complicating Rippling’s efforts to serve them papers. Dubai is notably known for its lack of extradition treaties.

    Rippling has now filed a lawsuit against Revolut, aiming to compel the fintech company to disclose the full name and address associated with the “Alba Basha” account that sent the $6,000 payment. They are also requesting all account opening documentation, including identification and utility bills, to definitively confirm her identity.

    Revolut has responded by hiring legal counsel in Ireland and providing Rippling with a letter described by Rippling’s legal team as “helpful but complicated.” While there are no accusations of wrongdoing against Revolut, the case highlights the complexities of complying with data requests under stringent EU privacy laws. Disclosing customer information requires either a court order from the Irish court or the customer’s explicit consent.

    Revolut issued a statement confirming its commitment to complying with legitimate court orders for disclosure but did not comment directly on the Rippling case. As the legal battle unfolds, the question remains whether Revolut will be compelled to provide the requested information. Customer consent appears unlikely in this scenario.

    Deel, which has consistently denied any involvement in espionage, has not responded to requests for comment. Neither Deel COO Dan Westgarth nor Alba Basha Westgarth have issued statements. Rippling has also declined to comment.

    Despite the lack of definitive proof, a judge in the Irish High Court hinted that Rippling’s request to verify Alba Basha’s identity might be honored. This came after Rippling’s lawyer presented evidence linking Alba Basha to Dan Westgarth, including a Facebook photo of the pair. The judge acknowledged that the connection “could be a coincidence, but it’s unlikely!” The Rippling-Deel legal saga continues to develop, with Revolut now caught in the crossfire.

  • # Chapter Raises $75 Million, Valued at $1.5 Billion, Despite Politically Charged Origins

    ## Chapter Raises $75 Million, Valued at $1.5 Billion, Despite Politically Charged Origins

    Chapter, a Medicare advisory startup with notable ties to political figures Vivek Ramaswamy, J.D. Vance, and Peter Thiel, has successfully secured a $75 million funding round, propelling its valuation to $1.5 billion. The round was led by Stripes, a private equity and venture capital firm, signaling strong investor confidence in the company’s mission.

    The startup aims to simplify the often-confusing process of selecting Medicare health plans for seniors. Chapter analyzes various factors, including doctors, hospitals, and prescription drug coverage, to guide users toward the best options for their needs. A key differentiator for Chapter is its focus on prioritizing client needs over the profits of insurance companies, a claim that sets it apart from many other Medicare insurance brokers.

    Chapter’s history is intertwined with the political sphere. Naraya, the VC firm founded by current Vice President J.D. Vance, spearheaded Chapter’s Series A funding in 2020. Peter Thiel, another prominent investor, stepped in to fill Vance’s board seat in 2021 when Vance resigned to pursue his Senate ambitions.

    While Thiel has since departed the board, the political undertones haven’t deterred bipartisan appeal. Donna Shalala, a Democrat who served as Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Clinton, has assumed Thiel’s former seat. Shalala downplayed the potential for political influence, stating to Bloomberg that she doesn’t view the company as politically driven, despite Ramaswamy’s co-founding role and the early investments from Republican figures like Vance and Thiel. This suggests that Chapter’s core mission and potential impact on the healthcare landscape are strong enough to transcend political divides, attracting investment and leadership from across the spectrum.

  • # Medicare Danışmanlık Girişimi Chapter, 1.5 Milyar Dolarlık Değerlemeyle Yatırım Turunu Tamamladı

    ## Medicare Danışmanlık Girişimi Chapter, 1.5 Milyar Dolarlık Değerlemeyle Yatırım Turunu Tamamladı

    Eski Cumhuriyetçi başkan adayı Vivek Ramaswamy’nin kurucu ortakları arasında yer aldığı Medicare danışmanlık girişimi Chapter, özel sermaye ve girişim firması Stripes liderliğinde 75 milyon dolarlık bir yatırım turunu 1.5 milyar dolarlık değerlemeyle kapattı.

    Chapter, yaşlıların doktorları, hastaneleri ve reçeteli ilaç kapsamlarını analiz ederek Medicare sağlık planlarını seçmelerine yardımcı oluyor. Birçok Medicare sigorta brokerinden farklı olarak Chapter, sigorta şirketlerinin kârlarından ziyade müşteri ihtiyaçlarına öncelik verdiğini iddia ediyor.

    Şirketin geçmişinde dikkat çeken isimler de bulunuyor. Başkan Yardımcısı J.D. Vance’in kurduğu VC firması Naraya, 2020’de Chapter’ın A Serisi yatırım turuna liderlik etmişti. Şirkete yatırım yapan Peter Thiel ise Vance’in 2021’de Senato’ya aday olmak için istifa etmesi üzerine Vance’in yönetim kurulu koltuğunu devraldı.

    Thiel, Chapter’ın yönetim kurulundan ayrılmış olsa da, Clinton yönetimi sırasında Sağlık ve İnsan Hizmetleri Bakanı olarak görev yapan ve daha sonra ABD Kongre Üyesi olan Demokrat Donna Shalala, boşluğu doldurdu. Shalala, Bloomberg’e verdiği demeçte, Ramaswamy’nin rolünün ve Cumhuriyetçiler Vance ile Thiel’in yatırımlarının bir sorun teşkil etmediğini belirtti. “Şirketi politik olarak düşünmüyorum” dedi.