Latest news with #SANFRANCISCO
Reuters
20 hours ago
- Business
- Reuters
Microsoft to stop using engineers in China for tech support of U.S. military after ProPublica report
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18 (Reuters) - Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab on Friday said it will stop using China-based engineers to provide technical assistance to the U.S. military after a report in investigative journalism outlet ProPublica sparked questions from a U.S. senator and prompted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to examine the matter. The report detailed Microsoft's use of Chinese engineers, opens new tab to work on U.S. military computing systems under the supervision of U.S. "digital escorts" hired through subcontractors who have security clearances but often lacked the technical skills to assess whether the work of the Chinese engineers posed a cybersecurity threat. Microsoft, a major contractor to the U.S. government, has had its systems breached by Chinese and Russian hackers. It told ProPublica that it disclosed its practices to the U.S. government during an authorization process. On Friday, Microsoft spokesman Frank Shaw said on social media website X that the company changed how it supports U.S. government customers "in response to concerns raised earlier this week .... to assure that no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance" for services used by the Pentagon. Earlier on Friday, Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican who chairs the chamber's intelligence committee and also serves on its armed services committee, sent the letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Microsoft's reported practices. Cotton asked the U.S. military for a list of contractors that use Chinese personnel and more information on how U.S. "digital escorts" are trained to detect suspicious activity. "The U.S. government recognizes that China's cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States, as evidenced by infiltration of our critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains," Cotton wrote in the letter. The U.S. military "must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including those from subcontractors." In a post on social media site X on Friday, Hegseth said Cotton's concerns were "spot on" and that the Defense Department is looking into Microsoft's practices. "Foreign engineers — from any country, including of course China — should NEVER be allowed to maintain or access (Defense Department) systems," Hegseth said in the post.
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
US senator seeks details from Defense Department on Microsoft's Chinese engineers
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18 (Reuters) - A U.S. senator is asking the Pentagon for more information on Microsoft's (MSFT.O), opens new tab reported use of Chinese engineers in maintaining military cloud computing systems, according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters. Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican who chairs the chamber's intelligence committee and also serves on its armed services committee, sent the letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth after a report in investigative journalism publication ProPublica earlier this week. The report detailed Microsoft's use of Chinese engineers, opens new tab to work on U.S. military computing systems under the supervision of U.S. "digital escorts" hired through subcontractors who have security clearances but often lacked the technical skills to assess whether the work of the Chinese engineers posed a cybersecurity threat. Contacted by Reuters about both the ProPublica report and Cotton's letter, Microsoft declined to comment. The company, which is a major contractor to the U.S. government and whose systems have been breached by both Chinese and Russian hackers, told ProPublica that it disclosed its practices to the U.S. government during an authorization process. The Defense Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cotton asked the U.S. military for a list of all contractors that use Chinese personnel and for more information on how U.S. "digital escorts" are trained to detect suspicious activity. "The U.S. government recognizes that China's cyber capabilities pose one of the most aggressive and dangerous threats to the United States, as evidenced by infiltration of our critical infrastructure, telecommunications networks, and supply chains," Cotton wrote in the letter. The U.S. military "must guard against all potential threats within its supply chain, including those from subcontractors."
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Malay Mail
Nearly 75pc of US teens use AI companions: Study highlights mental health risks and warns against use for those under 18
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18 — Nearly three in four American teenagers have used AI companions, with more than half qualifying as regular users despite growing safety concerns about these virtual relationships, according to a new survey released Wednesday. AI companions — chatbots designed for personal conversations rather than simple task completion — are available on platforms like Replika, and Nomi. Unlike traditional artificial intelligence assistants, these systems are programmed to form emotional connections with users. The findings come amid mounting concerns about the mental health risks posed by AI companions. The nationally representative study of 1,060 teens aged 13-17, conducted for Common Sense Media, found that 72 per cent have used AI companions at least once, while 52 per cent interact with such platforms a few times per month. Common Sense Media is a leading American non-profit organisation that reviews and provides ratings for media and technology with the goal of providing information on their suitability for children. The survey revealed that 30 per cent of respondents use the platforms because 'it's entertaining' and 28 per cent are driven by curiosity about the technology. However, concerning patterns emerged: one-third of users have chosen to discuss serious matters with AI companions instead of real people, while 24 per cent have shared personal information including real names and locations. Perhaps most troubling, 34 per cent of teen users reported feeling uncomfortable with something an AI companion had said or done, though such incidents were infrequent. 'The reality that nearly three-quarters of teens have used these platforms, with half doing so regularly, means that even a small percentage experiencing harm translates to significant numbers of vulnerable young people at risk,' the report said. The survey revealed an age divide in trust levels. While half of all teens expressed distrust in AI companion advice, younger teens (ages 13-14) were more likely than older teens (15-17) to trust advice from these systems. Despite widespread usage, most teens maintained perspective on these relationships: two thirds found AI conversations less satisfying than human interactions, and 80 per cent spent more time with real friends than AI companions. Based on the findings, Common Sense Media recommended that no one under 18 use AI companions until stronger safeguards are implemented. 'Companies have put profits before kids' well-being before, and we cannot make the same mistake with AI companions,' the report said. — AFP
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
iRhythm Technologies to Report Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results on July 31, 2025
SAN FRANCISCO, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- iRhythm Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRTC), a leading digital health care company focused on creating trusted solutions that detect, prevent, and predict disease, today announced that it will release financial results for the second quarter 2025 after the close of trading on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The company's management team will host a corresponding conference call beginning at 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. ET. Interested parties may access a live and archived webcast of the conference call on the 'Quarterly Results' section of the company's investor website at About iRhythm Technologies, Inc. iRhythm is a leading digital health care company that creates trusted solutions that detect, predict, and prevent disease. Combining wearable biosensors and cloud-based data analytics with powerful proprietary algorithms, iRhythm distills data from millions of heartbeats into clinically actionable information. Through a relentless focus on patient care, iRhythm's vision is to deliver better data, better insights, and better health for all. Investor Contact Stephanie Zhadkevich investors@ Media Contact Kassandra Perryirhythm@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Allbirds Announces Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call
SAN FRANCISCO, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allbirds, Inc. (NASDAQ: BIRD), a global lifestyle brand that innovates with sustainable materials to make better products in a better way, today announced that its second quarter 2025 financial results will be released after market close on Thursday, August 7, 2025. The company will host a conference call to discuss the results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the same day. A live webcast of the conference call will be available on the Allbirds investor relations website at A replay will be made available online and archived for 12 months on the investor relations website following the conference call. About Allbirds, Inc. Allbirds is a global modern lifestyle footwear brand, founded in 2015 with a commitment to make better things in a better way. That commitment inspired the company's first product, the now iconic Wool Runner; and today, inspires a growing assortment of products known for superior comfort. Allbirds designs its products to be materially different by turning away from convention toward nature's inspiration with materials like Merino wool, tree fiber and sugarcane. For more information, please visit Investor Relationsir@ Media Contactpress@ in to access your portfolio
