Advertising is like an offer of salvation: Cancer kills many people. But there’s hope in Apatone, a proprietary vitamin C-based blend that is “KILLING Cancer.” This substance, an unproven and FDA-approved treatment, is not available in the United States. If you want Apatone, the ad suggests, you need to go to a clinic in Mexico.
If you’re on Facebook or Instagram and Meta has determined that you might be interested in cancer treatments, you’ve probably seen this ad. It’s part of a Facebook advertising model that makes misleading or misleading health claims, targeted at cancer patients.
Evidence from Facebook and Instagram users, medical researchers, and its own Ad Library shows that the Meta is rife with ads containing sensational health claims, which the company directly benefits from, with Some misleading advertisements remain unchallenged for months and even years. Read full story.
—Abby Ohlheiser
The hacking industry faces the end of the era
News: NSO Group, the world’s most notorious hacking company, may soon cease to exist. The Israeli company, still reeling from US sanctions, has negotiated a possible acquisition of L3 Harris from the US military contractor. The deal is far from certain, but if it succeeds, it could potentially involve tearing up the NSO Group and ending an era.
Industry-wide turmoil: Regardless of what happens to NSO, the changes taking place in the global hacking industry are far greater than those of any single company. That was mainly due to two big changes: The US sanctioned NSO at the end of 2021, and a few days later, the Israeli government severely restricted their hacking industry, cutting down on the number of countries in which the companies can sell from over 100 down to just 37.
But… The industry is adjusting instead of disappearing. One thing we’re learning is that a vacuum can’t last long in a market where demand is so high. Read full story.
—Patrick Howell O’Neill
We need smarter cities, not “smart cities”
The term “smart city” originated as a marketing strategy for major IT vendors. Now, it has become synonymous with urban use of technology, especially new and advanced technologies. However, cities are more than 5G, big data, driverless vehicles and AI, and the focus on building “smart cities” risks turning cities into technology projects.
True smart cities recognize the ambiguity of lives and livelihoods, and they are driven by outcomes that go beyond implementing “solutions”. They are defined by the talents, relationships, and sense of ownership of the residents – not by the technology deployed there. Read full story.
