Younger Users Are More Accepting Of TikTok Despite It Being A Huge National Security Threat, New Study Claims

There’s no surprise that the TikTok platform is viewed as a major security threat at a national level for the US.

The company has been scrutinized left and right by not only lawmakers but the American Congress too. Moreover, there’s a huge pressure looming on the firm in terms of it being potentially banned in the nation as well.

But a new survey is releasing some more interesting findings about the popular social media platform that continues to trend around the globe, including the US.

Researchers at the Pew Research Center claim that a whopping 59% of adults from the US feel the platform is a danger to the country. But when you look at things from the eyes and mindset of those belonging to the younger age group, you’ll be shocked to learn that they see things in a very different manner.

Meanwhile, just 9% felt that it was a huge threat while another 36% of those who don’t use the app felt the same way that the platform was a significant risk for US users. This is all after considering the speculations about spying and data transfer to servers that were made public in the past few months.

As an aggregate, 42% of users in the US saw its service as one that was risky while 65% of those that were surveyed from outside really were concerned.

And yes, age does play a huge determinant when it comes down to the difference in opinions. As far as those who were below the age of 30 were concerned, a 49% majority saw the app as any other threat found in the world. But only 13% saw it as a serious threat. But when the age group continues to increase, the figure dramatically increases for those viewing TikTok as a serious threat to the nation.

Hence, those in the 60s and beyond felt concerned and nervous while using the platform and a staggering 45% saw it as a major threat that needs to be avoided, better described as critical. Similarly, another factor worth a mention was politics.

Around 76% of those hailing from a conservative background spoke about their fair share of concerns while 49% of those hailing from a more liberal mindset shared a similar concern of that sort.

A staggering 64% of adults in the US were a little worried about the app’s practices linked to data control. And yes, those figures altered with age too. Meanwhile, 54% that were below 30 felt the same thoughts.

But you need to remember how these thoughts were solely taken from the state of Montana and that’s the same location that was the first American state to enforce a ban on the app owned by Chinese parent firm ByteDance.

As it is, the trending social media platform is barred on devices that are in the possession of American Federal authorities. The government fears that data transfer and top secret information being shared to Chinese officials is a huge risk and that’s why the ban was implemented on federal devices. And nobody wants to feed the egos of the Chinese who are stuck on making a living through propaganda, every step of the way.

For months, TikTok has denied all of the allegations that are coming in its direction. It has even made plenty of changes and provided all sorts of evidence too that shows how it is not sharing anything with Chinese government officials but skepticism is at peak for American lawmakers who know that there is more to the story than meets the eye.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

WhatsApp Launches New Feature That Links Accounts To WhatsApp Web Through Phone Numbers

WhatsApp is launching a new update that allows users to link accounts to their WhatsApp Web via phone numbers. And it’s already up for grabs to several lucky beta testers, as spotted by WBI.

The new feature would get rid of the hassle of logging into WhatsApp Accounts through the classic route which happens to be scanning the QR code.

The new option would be up for grabs whenever a user wishes to link new devices and by this manner, users would connect through phone numbers that are attached to their main account.

All users would be required to do is simply open up the app on the web and then click on the option for linking with a phone number. Hence, they’ll be required to add their country and manually input the digits for the phone number too. After that, you’ll be getting a code that you need to add after receiving an alert that confirms if this is something you’d like to do.

We think this might be a very useful endeavor in certain circumstances when you can’t access your account on the web because your camera is not functioning properly and so the code couldn’t be scanned.

But with phone numbers being added to this, it just makes it so much simpler so that anyone and everyone could attain access when they feel they can’t get access.

For now, the feature is only stated to be compatible with the app on the web. Therefore, those hoping or wishing for linking accounts to another secondary device via phone numbers are not yet possible.

The beta testers need to install the app’s latest version to make the most of it through the Google Play Store. But the company says it does hope to carry out a complete launch to more users across the next few days and weeks so do stay tuned.

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by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Threads: Unraveling the Buzz of Social Engagement

Threads are becoming a global sensation faster than our imaginations. In a new survey conducted by Ipsos, over 1,000 US consumers were asked about their prospect of trying out Threads in the coming weeks. Threads, the new and emerging social networking app that emphasizes celebrity lifestyles and real-time updates, give the impression of having piqued the attention of many. How likely are you to dive into the Threads adventure? Let's have a deeper look at the picture.

The survey showed that a whopping 34% of all respondents are eager to give Threads a shot. But when you dig deeper into the demographics, the story is twisted. The appeal of Threads differs across various social media platforms. Around 51% of Instagram's older audience revealed they were either "very" or "somewhat" likely to try the app. On the other hand, an even higher level of interest in using the app was shown by Twitter account owners, with 58% expressing their curiosity.

The story is straightforward. Threads has successfully tapped into the yearnings of those seeking to be in the know. Almost 48% of the respondents stated they wanted fresh-from-the-oven news as soon as it happens; this fact aligns perfectly with Threads' focus on real-time updates. What is more to the story is that almost 61% of the participants branded themselves as early adopters, showing a significant prospective user base for the app's cutting-edge features.

Notably, many people are curious to peek into celebrities' lives and remarkably, Threads seems to have struck a chord with these people. They say the grass is always greener from the other side; that's why a staggering 67% of the surveyed folks expressed their longing to delve into the dazzling world of their favorite stars. Remember that Threads' promise of bringing users closer to the lives of celebrities has hit the mark.

• Also read: Beyond Borders: Exploring Global VPN Censorship and its Impact on Digital Rights

But Threads isn't just tempting to those pursuing entertainment; it also grasps an intense glamour for content creators. An inspiring 68% of respondents identified themselves as content creators, showcasing the potential for Threads to become a platform where their creativity can flourish.

Undoubtedly, Threads are buzzing in the heads of social media users, early adopters and celebrity enthusiasts. Threads has positioned itself as a promising contender in the social networking sphere by fulfilling the content desires of the users.

So, are you too thrilled to thread your way into a new digital experience? With a significant percentage of respondents indicating their interest, it may be worth trying Threads. Stay connected, informed, and entertained – Threads has arrived to weave your social media journey together.

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by Rubah Usman via Digital Information World

Is AI Taking Over Human Jobs? Unveiling Reality with The Case Of Olivia Lipkin

The increasing use of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT has raised apprehensions regarding their ability to replace human employment. Nevertheless, these concerns were frequently disregarded as mere conjecture. Presently, a report published in the Washington Post substantiates that AI has begun to displace human workers indeed.

Despite its imperfections and the emergence of errors over time, companies hold the belief that generative AI is adequate for specific positions, especially in the realm of social media writing.

The article focuses on the story of Olivia Lipkin, a 25-year-old copywriter employed at a tech start-up in San Francisco. At first, Lipkin didn't pay much attention to ChatGPT when it was introduced in November. However, over the subsequent months, she noticed a shift in her workplace dynamics. Her managers began addressing her as Olivia/ChatGPT on Slack, which she found disrespectful. In April, Lipkin was unexpectedly terminated without any explanation. It later came to light that the company's managers had been discussing the cost-effectiveness of utilizing ChatGPT instead of hiring a writer, revealing the true motive behind Lipkin's dismissal.

As a strong advocate for generative AI, Microsoft has made significant investments in OpenAI to propel its progress in the field. The company has also introduced Bing Chat, a platform that integrates ChatGPT into its services. Microsoft's approach has focused on achieving a delicate equilibrium, highlighting the importance of AI as a supportive tool for human workers rather than a complete replacement.

One crucial aspect to consider in the story of Olivia Lipkin is the current economic climate, which has witnessed a rise in interest rates and a decline in consumer spending. As businesses strive to cut costs and focus on profitability, Lipkin's termination at a startup company may have been driven by tighter budgets rather than being solely attributed to the advancement of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. However, it is important to carefully examine the long-term consequences of the widespread implementation of AI in the workforce, particularly the potential challenges faced by individuals if they are permanently replaced by AI. The true impact of generative AI will become clearer once economic conditions stabilize, and it is crucial to strike a balance that ensures AI complements and augments human capabilities rather than rendering them obsolete.

In a nutshell, the worries regarding how generative AI affects employment have become evident through Olivia Lipkin's situation. Although companies may find AI tools financially advantageous in the short run, the potential long-term ramifications of widespread job displacement should be given thoughtful attention. As the global economy adapts to changing circumstances, a better understanding of the actual impact of generative AI will emerge. It is crucial to take measures that ensure AI technology serves as a complement to and as a support to human workers instead of rendering them unnecessary.

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by Unknown via Digital Information World

Only 40% of People Can Identify Bots from Humans

The rapid rate of advancement that is being seen in the world of AI has caused many to wonder if we will be able to tell the difference in the future. Large Language Models such as ChatGPT have already begun to adopt human mannerisms, and while it might seem easy to tell whether or not the entity at the other end is an AI or a human being, further innovation will certainly make this harder than might have been the case otherwise.

One of OpenAI’s biggest competitors, AI21 Labs, recently conducted a social experiment dubbed “Human or Not”, and it revealed that around 32% of the people that participated in this experiment were unable to distinguish between AI and real human beings. This is perhaps the biggest Turing Test that has been conducted so far, and its findings reveal the dire need for more effort to be put into marking AI for the purposes of allowing people to identify it.

Participants were asked to have two minute long conversations with an AI bot that leveraged LLMs sourced from both ChatGPT-4 as well as Jurassic 2 which hails from AI21 Labs. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that participants were able to figure out if the person was a human being in 73% of instances.

In spite of the fact that this is the case, whenever there was a bot on the other end, the success rate dropped to 40%. This seems to suggest that 60% of respondents were unable to figure out that they were talking to a bot, something that does not bode well for the future of AI and how it can be used to manipulate others.

However, the researchers behind this social experiment were able to glean some useful insights pertaining to how users go about trying to figure out whether or not they are talking to a bot or a human. Most of these techniques are based on false assumptions, such as the notion that bots never use typos or grammatical errors.

Researchers were aware that these tactics might be deployed, so they specifically trained their bots to strategically utilize typos and other forms of errors in syntax and grammar to make them seem more human. Personal questions were also used fairly frequently, with participants trying to get the bots to talk about their backgrounds, assuming that bots would not be able to respond to such queries.

Once again, these bots were trained on datasets that included a wide range of personal stories, and that led to them being able to answer these questions in a way that is surprisingly similar to human beings. Hence, 32% of participants were unable to successfully identity AI during this experiment with all things having been considered and taken into account.

There is a high level of likelihood that this will factor into the upcoming US elections because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up leading to more misinformation being spread. It will be interesting to see how the US adapts its policy to respond to increasingly human-like AI and other types of bots.

Read next: Risky AI Incidents See 690% Increase
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

49% of Survey Respondents Are Worried About AI Security Risks

It seems like it will only be a matter of time until AI becomes commonplace in businesses around the world, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, business leaders appear to have some concerns. 72% of industry leaders that work at Fortune 500 companies say that generative AI will be an increasingly critical component of their corporate strategy moving forward, yet there are many who claim that there are undeniable risks that need to be addressed.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 51% of people that responded to the same survey by The Harris Poll and Insight had some concerns about controlling the AI. 49% felt the same way about security, and 90% of survey respondents stated that the rise of AI will change the goals of their organizations.

However, 66% also mentioned how AI can assist them in optimizing customer service to the maximum possible level. 44% want to customize these experiences with the help of AI, and it will be interesting to see if any security issues arise as a consequence of this trend.

53% of corporate leaders say that AI will be critical for conducting research as well as for analyzing the various data points that they manage to accumulate. On the other end of the spectrum, 39% feel that AI might stifle genuine human creativity and innovation. 38% are worried about how the adoption of AI may lead to their budgets getting strained, and the complicated legal and regulatory frameworks are a prime concern for 35% as well.

There is clearly a lot of diversity of opinion when it comes to AI adoption. Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing 81% of business leaders have already formulated strategies wherein they plan to up their AI adoption as soon as they can. They are being forced to do so by market momentum, but it remains to be seen if the naysayers will end up being right or if the optimists have the correct impression for how things will go.

Read next: Even though many marketers are using AI as a staple in their work, many are still distrustful and have raised concerns
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

19% of Web Traffic is Malicious and 95% of Malicious Traffic Comes from Botnets According to New Study

There is a concerning number of malicious traffic on the internet, with an estimated 19% of all internet traffic being deemed malicious with all things having been considered and taken into account. It turns out that 95% of this harmful internet presence comes from botnets according to a report that was released by Trustwave.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that there are just a few botnets that are proving to be most successful. This is despite an overabundance of them online, which seems to suggest that there are a handful which are taking things to another level.

The main goal of botnets is to attempt to compromise the Internet of Things because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up giving them widespread access to numerous appliances. In order to protect themselves from the rising botnet tide, businesses must invest more heavily into security protocols that can render them safer than might have been the case otherwise.

The use of Botnets in DDoS attacks is quite pertinent, as is the manner in which they get used for cryptomining. Installing a cryptominer into an unwary or unsuspecting users system can lead to immense profits for threat actors, and the users system will suffer in terms of performance as well as efficiency. Indeed, consumers that have cryptojackers on their devices will suffer from untenable electricity bills, and they will not be able to use their systems in any feasible way either.

Mirai is perhaps the most consequential Botnet of all, with an estimated 500,000 devices in its network. Legal action has been taken against some users of Mirai, but in spite of the fact that this is the case, it appears that these efforts have mostly been rather unsuccessful. The failure to mitigate Mirai and other botnets like it reveals that this is not the sort of problem that will be going away anytime soon, and cybersecurity will remain spotty at best until swift action is taken.

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by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World