Join us for this weekly recap, where we discuss the relatively slow week that has just passed, and gracefully given us a break from tech turmoil. But, not entirely.

 

We kick off by talking about Elon Musk’s latest fine to pay; this time for putting up a flashing X sign at the former Twitter headquarters in San Francisco. Once again, this overhaul in branding seems to not be totally thought through as the company failed to acquire the appropriate permits and permissions to hoist the new logo, bringing back echoes of the “er” that remained up after the removal of “Twitter” was interrupted last week for the exact same reason, halting after “Twitt” had already been taken down.

 

Next, we explore China’s proposed curfew and limitation of the internet for children under 18. A few years ago, the country imposed a similar curfew on gaming, which has apparently been held up relatively well. This time around, the focus lies on the internet, but more specifically on social media, with the agency leading the cause citing concerns for children’s health and safety. Is it a little futile, given the many ways around parental controls? We’ll have to wait and see.

 

AI recruitment might be taking over, especially for blue collar workers. A woman was faced with two glitches carried out by two different chatbots while seeking a fast food job in the US recently. Cost cutting is all well and good, but has the technology come far enough for us to rely on it so entirely?

 

Referenced in this episode:

Elon Musk to be billed for unauthorised flashing X sign

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-66371435

 

Twitter Blue subscribers can now hide their blue checks

https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/2/23816924/twitter-x-blue-subscribers-hide-blue-check-option