#Data Retention Policies

[goodoldbandit]

How to Use Telemetry Pipelines to Maintain Application Performance.

Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo. skm.stayingalive.in Optimize application performance with telemetry pipelines—enhance observability, reduce costs, and ensure security with efficient data processing. 🚀 Discover how telemetry pipelines optimize application performance by streamlining observability, enhancing security, and reducing costs. Learn key strategies and best…

[ourjobagency]

5 Easy Ways To Improve Salesforce Data Backup Recovery Strategy

In today's data-driven world, businesses rely heavily on Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems like Salesforce to manage their customer information, track sales, and drive growth. However, even the most robust platforms are not immune to data loss or system failures. That's why having a solid Salesforce data backup and recovery strategy is crucial for ensuring business continuity. In this blog post, we'll explore five easy ways to enhance your Salesforce data backup and recovery strategy.

Regularly Scheduled Backups:

The foundation of any effective data recovery strategy is regular data backups. Salesforce provides a built-in data export tool that allows you to export data in a structured format, such as CSV or Excel. Set up a routine schedule for these exports to ensure that your data is backed up consistently. Depending on your organization's needs, you may choose to perform daily, weekly, or monthly backups.

Automate Your Backups:

Manually exporting data can be time-consuming and prone to errors. To streamline the process, consider automating your Salesforce data backups using third-party backup solutions. These tools can schedule and execute backups automatically, ensuring that your data is consistently and reliably backed up without manual intervention.

Store Backups Securely:

Backing up your Salesforce data is only half the battle. Equally important is where you store those backups. Utilize secure and redundant storage solutions, such as cloud storage platforms like Amazon S3 or Google Cloud Storage. Implement encryption and access controls to safeguard your backups from unauthorized access.

Test Your Recovery Process:

Having backups is essential, but they're only as good as your ability to recover data from them. Regularly test your data recovery process to ensure that it works as expected. Document the steps, and make sure that your team is familiar with the recovery procedures. Conducting mock recovery drills can help identify and address any potential issues before they become critical.

Monitor and Alerting:

Proactive monitoring is key to identifying data backup and recovery issues early. Implement monitoring and alerting systems that notify you of any backup failures or anomalies. This way, you can take immediate action to rectify issues and minimize data loss in case of a failure.

Consider Salesforce Data Archiving:

As your Salesforce database grows, it can become challenging to manage large volumes of data efficiently. Salesforce offers data archiving solutions that allow you to move older or less frequently accessed data to a separate storage location. This can help reduce storage costs and improve system performance, making your data recovery strategy more manageable.

In conclusion, enhancing your Salesforce data backup and recovery strategy doesn't have to be complicated. By implementing these five easy steps, you can significantly improve your organization's ability to recover critical data in the event of data loss or system failures. Remember that data is the lifeblood of your business, and a robust backup and recovery strategy is your insurance policy against unforeseen disasters.

[techdirectarchive]

How to create Synology Snapshot Replication

Snapshot Replication delivers an expert solution for data backup and recovery, offering near-instant data protection with flexible scheduling. This package safeguards your business data in shared folders and virtual machines stored in LUNs, ensuring quick access and availability in the event of a disaster. In this article, we shall learn the steps on how to create Synology Snapshot Replication.…

[garymdm]

10 Steps to Effective Data Retention

A Guide to PoPIA Compliance10 Steps to Compliant Data RetentionConclusion A Guide to PoPIA Compliance The Protection of Personal Information Act (PoPIA) in South Africa imposes strict requirements on the collection, processing, and retention of personal data. Organizations must ensure that personal information is collected lawfully, used only for specified purposes, and, according to Section…

[ms-demeanor]

Are there any email services you recommend? I'd love to ditch my gmail and maybe my outlook too.

Protonmail! I recommend protonmail!

There is some prior history where you'll see people complaining that protonmail shared customer data but the data they shared is data that is 100% necessary to be unencrypted as a result of email protocol and cannot be hidden even in extremely secure email (that protocol is why email is inherently insecure and if you want a secure messaging tool just use signal). As a result of the subpoena that forced them to share that data, they changed their retention policy in favor of keeping less data to better protect users.

WEIRD side issue: I've created a few online shopping accounts that did not allow me to create an account with a protonmail address; it's worthwhile to keep a throwaway gmail for exactly those kinds of things and those kinds of things only.

[mariacallous]

In his first two weeks of office, President Trump signed several Executive Orders (EOs) to fulfill one of his many campaign promises—to reduce the size of the federal government. He has rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, asserting that the federal government will no longer consider race, ethnicity, or other federally protected characteristics in hiring and retention decisions. In recent days, he announced a financial buyout to federal employees who do not wish to comply with the new Return to Office (RTO) mandate, which requires employees to be in an office for five days per week, despite concerns about available office space. The details of the buyout were outlined in an email with the subject line, “Fork in the Road,” sent by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on January 28, 2025, to over 2 million federal workers. The OPM also offered deferred resignation where federal employees could resign immediately and still be paid for the next several months. Meanwhile, those who decide to stay are not promised future employment and the memo stated new conditions for employees, that they be “loyal, trustworthy, and to strive for excellence in their daily work”; principles that likely will become benchmarks for future performance reviews.

Under the Trump administration, federal workforce reductions will happen, along with a greater deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and outsourcing to private firms. These new services will cost millions of dollars to design, deploy, and train the federal workforce, creating new national and data security threats as well, given the level of protected information at stake. But the influence of Big Tech leaders, who are formally and informally advising President Trump and his administration, may be accelerating a smaller government workforce based on their own values about corporate governance. Big Tech companies were among those that led the RTO mandates for their own employees after the pandemic with similar terms and conditions, as well as promises made that were not kept. Many of these same companies are making AI more technically advanced without realizing that millions of people are still impacted in the U.S. by the lack of digital access. As Biden era policies were working to address the connectivity challenges faced throughout the U.S., these programs are now being challenged, which will almost guarantee that even the best of AI technologies embedded in government functions may be inaccessible to most people.

[covid-safer-hotties]

Judge orders CDC to stop deleting emails of departing staff, calling it ‘likely unlawful’ - Published Aug 9, 2024

As an MLIS-holding data-shepherd, this breach of records management best practices leaves me hopping mad.

The CDC has likely been violating federal law for years by systematically deleting lower-level employees’ emails, a federal judge ruled Friday.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras came in a lawsuit brought by a legal group allied with former President Donald Trump and was accompanied by an order forcing the public health agency to immediately halt the erasures.

“The Court concludes that CDC’s policy and practice of disposing of former employees’ emails ninety days after the end of their employment is likely unlawful,” Contreras wrote in a 36-page opinion.

Contreras, an Obama appointee, found that the agency had been employing a records-retention policy that had not been approved by the National Archives. That policy led the agency to delete lower-level employees’ emails 90 days after their departure from the agency, rather than the three-to-seven-year retention required by standard National Archives procedures.

The judge said the CDC, along with all other Department of Health and Human Services agencies, had adopted a National Archives protocol known as Capstone that calls for senior officials’ emails to be preserved permanently and sets retention periods of between three and seven years for messages in the accounts of lower-level employees. CDC maintained it only signed on to part of the Capstone approach, but Contreras said the agency appeared to have embraced the whole plan and then abandoned part of it without permission.

“The available evidence suggests that CDC did indeed commit to manage and dispose of its employees’ emails pursuant to the [Capstone] schedule,” Contreras wrote. “Because CDC disposed of former employees’ email records pursuant to a schedule that was not approved by the Archivist, it is likely that … records removed or deleted under the CDC’s unapproved policy were removed or deleted unlawfully.”

Contreras also said that under longstanding federal recordkeeping laws, the National Archives should have referred the matter to the Justice Department but had failed to do so.

Spokespeople for DOJ and the Archives did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A CDC spokesperson had no immediate comment.

The dispute arose last year, when the Trump-aligned America First Legal Foundation filed a Freedom of Information Act request for records about a CDC publication entitled “LGBTQ Inclusivity in Schools: A Self-Assessment Tool.” After months of wrangling, the CDC identified three employees who worked on the document but indicated that two of them had departed the agency and their emails had likely been destroyed.

America First Legal challenged the CDC’s recordkeeping practices as unlawful and urged Contreras to impose a “preliminary injunction,” a legal order requiring that the CDC immediately stop deleting employee emails until the court determines the legality of the process. Contreras’ decision to grant the injunction indicated he believes the Trump-aligned group is likely to prevail.

“The Biden-Harris Administration was actively destroying the records of federal employees at the CDC in blatant violation of the law — and we are pleased that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ordered a stop to their illegal conduct,” America First Legal’s executive director Gene Hamilton said in a statement. “The Biden-Harris Administration’s politicization of records management must end.”

[eponymous-rose]

Monday!

Started out the day with a 7AM Zoom fitness class, which was a lot of fun, but I was overcome with sleepiness by the end of it and took advantage of today's somewhat lighter schedule (NO MORE INTERVIEWS) to doze in bed a little longer. Clara, who was equally tired from all her hard work rolling around and purring while I planked and tried not to squish her with my dumbbells, approved of this idea.

I finally dragged myself out of bed and had some coffee and breakfast, then got to work on e-mails. We're organizing some support for a colleague who will be out on medical leave for a few months, and within a couple hours, well over half the faculty has already volunteered to bring his family meals. What a lovely bunch of people. Meanwhile, my students are Really Uncomfortable with the idea that their final papers in my class are not "fill in the blank" and are instead "tell a story about the data you've been working with all class". I gave them a rubric for some structure, but the content is up to them, and they're Very Unhappy that I have done such a thing. It'll be okay, I know, but these couple days before the first-draft deadline will be full of angst.

I guess I should mention that I recently applied to (and interviewed for) another faculty position, partly out of genuine interest and partly because retention offers are the one and only way we can bring external money into the department's coffers... and my salary is functionally the same as it was when I started almost six years ago. After putting out a couple feelers among colleagues I trust, I wound up having a great candid chat last week with my department chair over coffee (this is how non-dysfunctional the department is - he celebrated the interview with me and wanted to figure out how we could leverage that to give me a raise!), but the policy changed recently so that I'd need a full offer before they could start the retention process. Oh well! It's good to keep in practice, regardless. I should find out whether I made it to the final stage of interviews (which would be in-person and two days long) sometime this week.

...on that note, a recruiter reached out for a very prestigious faculty position last week and I chatted with her today to clarify that they were asking about me and not just wanting recommendations from me (after all, I'm still pre-tenure!). Nope, I was indeed the one "brought to their attention"! Went ahead and threw in my CV and cover letter. Can't hurt, right? Doing this kind of thing feels much less underhanded and sneaky knowing that it's just a matter of course in our department and that my colleagues and chair approve. Still feels weird, though.

Okay, time to head to the office! Meeting with a grad student, meeting with the faculty search committee (we had our last interview on Thursday/Friday of last week and we have to bring our recommendation to the faculty meeting tomorrow - we're trying to push this through ASAP so we can hopefully just roar through the college's soft hiring freeze), then meeting with an undergrad. The rain has finally let up for a second, so it's time to thread that needle and catch the bus!

(Narrator's voice: she did not in any way, shape, or form thread the needle and avoid the rain.)

Meeting with my Master's student went great! He's referring to the PhD as a "when" rather than an "if", which I think is a great fit for him (he loves both research and teaching, his career aspirations require a PhD, and he's an excellent writer - this feels like a natural progression). We went through the requirements for him to get his master's and pass the qualifying exam and realized he's basically there - he only has to write a 15-page "mini-thesis" and not a full thesis if he's going on to the PhD, and hey, he recently gave me an excellent draft of a scientific journal article that's around that length. He has to give a 20-minute presentation about his research, and hey, he recently gave an excellent 15-minute presentation at a national conference. He has to have discussed his research ideas with at least three other people around the department, and hey, he's spent the last few months doing just that. Very little work is needed to get to the next step, so I think we're well on track for him to take (and pass) the exam in the next couple of months! We also set up a strategy meeting with a professor at another department who's serving as his external committee member.

On to the search committee meeting! We're all coming prepared with our top 2 candidates of the 5 we've interviewed, and after some difficult deliberations, I've got my list in hand. My prediction: all 5 are going to appear on *somebody's* list and we're going to have our work cut out for us when it comes to narrowing the field. I'm not too fussed because all five would make great colleagues (although there's one that really just feels like a repeat of expertise we already have in the department), but I do have my preferred candidates that I'm going to speak up for.

Hah! It turns out, we're all more or less on the same page - all five of us eliminate one candidate from consideration after some discussion, and then the chair of the search committee asks us who we'd pick if we had to choose only one, and all five of us (plus the grad students!) say the same name. We'll see how things go with the full faculty tomorrow! We need consensus before we send out an offer/battle the dean's office in single combat to be allowed to send out an offer during a "hiring freeze".

I have a couple minutes to check my e-mail and put in some information to get a badge to be allowed to enter the restricted area where, fingers crossed, some research buddies and I will be measuring the properties of a controlled-burn fire. Still finalizing the details on that one, but it looks like lines of communication are slowly reopening and the subcontracts are indeed going to be paid out. Whew.

Great chat with an undergrad research assistant about her work - she's found some really cool severe weather events in Finland to add to her analysis of high-latitude storms. We talk about Roblox and how neither of us knows anything about it - the context is that I'm giving a talk on Thursday evening to a club that's doing a stormchasing simulation in Roblox, and I have never felt more ancient and yet deeply amused by the Kids These Days.

She's also paying way closer attention to the weather than I am, and recommends heading home early to avoid the big storm blowing in today. Off I go!

[lovemyage-blog]

Today was a red-letter day.

Today my employer openly joined the fight against a tyrannical government that is treating U.S. law with utter, unprecedented disrespect.

This morning the board of directors of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt informed everyone in the firm (which includes our branch offices in Bend, Salem, Vancouver, Seattle, Mountain View CA, and Anchorage AK) that it had voted to join the amicus brief in support of Perkins Coie's opposition to President Trump's March 6, 2025 Executive Order against it.

This was not done lightly. The board acted after holding candid discussions with shareholders (who used to be known as "partners" -- that is, the headlining attorneys in the company), conferring with other leading law firms across the nation, reviewing client and financial data, assessing potential risks to our business and clients as well as retention and recruitment efforts, and studying potential conflicts of interest with in-house general counsel.

And decided to stand on the correct side of the law.

The Incumbent has pulled what I would call a Mafia-style extortion scheme against a handful of big U.S. law firms who had provided various amounts of assistance to investigations and court cases against him over the years. It is clearly a form of political vengeance -- precisely the sort of "weaponization" of the justice system the Incumbent complained for years had been deployed against him.

[Note: Any time he accuses anyone of ANYTHING bad, odds are he's already done it himself or will do it later.]

Perkins Coie, the largest law firm in the Pacific Northwest, is one of his targets (so far). Founded 112 years ago in Seattle but now with offices across the nation and in Europe and Asia, the company found its lawyers' key cards to federal buildings suddenly deactivated a month ago, and was barred from any federal contracts (it didn't have any, but many of its clients do), unless it terminated its DEI policies and agreed to provide free legal services to the White House.

In effect, the President has threatened to put several law firms out of business by pressuring and bullying them and their clients, unless they kiss the ring, do as he says, AND give him free legal services.

Three [update: as Lawrence Gelber has commented, it's up to four now] other big U.S. law firms have caved to this blatant government shakedown. Perkins Coie (which has a substantial Portland office; I had a part-time swing-shift word processing job there for half a year in 1998-99) decided this week to fight.

And today, my 132-year-old company joined them. I'm sure many of our attorneys personally know counterparts on the staff in Perkins Coie's Portland and Seattle offices, have gone against them in court, and some may well have been employed at PC in the past.

We are hardly alone, however: A total of 507 law firms across the U.S. and 346 state and federal judges joined the amicus (friend-of-the-court) filing in support of Perkins Coie. I am very, very proud that my employer took this step.

As I wrote on my blog a week and a half ago (see the link in the first comment below if you haven't read it), this is a civil war.

A war to preserve respect for the law and the Constitution of the United States, . . . and, I would argue, the nation's soul. It won't take place in the streets for the most part, but in the courts.

But a show of strength and support from the populace couldn't hurt. Hope to see some of you at tomorrow's protest demonstration.

By David J Loftus

[ photo credit: Moonshade via Pixabay ]

[voiceapisolutions]

Voice Authentication and Compliance: Meeting KYC, GDPR, and HIPAA Standards

Voice authentication is transforming the way businesses verify identity for their consumer base. It’s fast, secure, and convenient. But for businesses in regulated industries, voice technology must also comply with global privacy laws.

Why Voice Authentication Needs Compliance

Voice is biometric data. Like a fingerprint, it’s unique to each user. That makes it powerful but also sensitive. Businesses using voice authentication must ensure that it complies with standards like KYC, GDPR, and HIPAA.

Failing to meet these requirements can result in legal issues. It can also erode customer trust. That’s why compliance isn’t optional. It’s essential for secure and ethical use.

KYC: Know Your Customer Regulations

KYC is vital for banks, fintech firms, and financial services. It helps prevent fraud, money laundering, and identity theft. Voice authentication helps verify users in real time. It confirms their identity with speed and accuracy.

But voice data must be stored securely. Businesses must ensure encryption and limited access. Only authorized personnel should handle this data. Consent must also be collected before using voice for KYC.

GDPR: Protecting Data Privacy in the EU

GDPR governs how personal data is handled in the European Union. Voiceprints fall under “biometric data,” a special category of personal information. Businesses must get explicit user consent before collecting voice data.

They must also explain how the data will be used. Users should be allowed to withdraw consent anytime. Under GDPR, companies must also ensure data is deleted when no longer needed.

HIPAA: Safeguarding Health Information in the US

In the healthcare industry, HIPAA protects patient information, including voice recordings. If voice authentication is used to access health data, it must follow HIPAA rules.

This means ensuring voice data is encrypted and audit logs are maintained. Staff must be trained in how to handle and protect this information. Failing to do so can lead to costly penalties.

Best Practices for Voice Authentication Compliance

Always obtain explicit consent from users

Use strong encryption for storing voiceprints

Limit access to voice data within the organization

Keep audit logs of authentication events

Comply with data retention and deletion policies

The Bottom Line

Voice authentication boosts security and improves user experience. However, if this process does not comply with the privacy laws, it poses major risks. By aligning voice authentication with KYC, GDPR, and HIPAA, it ensures legal safety for the business and builds user trust. Businesses that prioritize privacy stand to win in the long run.

[carlhofelina]

Why Empowering Your Tech Startup Business is Key to Sustainable Growth

Tech startup businesses face many challenges, and while rapid growth is often the goal, achieving sustainable growth is essential for long-term success. Empowering your tech startup business with strategic planning, innovation, and resilience is crucial to staying competitive and ensuring a strong future.

10 Strategies for Empowering Tech Startup Businesses

1. Defining Vision and Mission

A clear vision and mission are fundamental for guiding your tech startup business. The vision sets long-term goals, while the mission outlines the approach to achieve them. By defining these elements, tech startup businesses can:

Make informed decisions

Align teams

Attract investors

A well-communicated vision also helps keep employees motivated and focused on company goals, providing direction during challenges. [1] 

2. Fostering Innovation and Agility

Innovation drives the growth of tech startup businesses, and agility ensures they can adapt quickly to changes in the market. To support innovation, tech startup businesses should:

Encourage creative thinking and experimentation

Test new ideas and adjust quickly

Stay adaptable to new technologies and consumer behaviors

Agility in response to market shifts helps maintain relevance and competitiveness.

3. Building a Resilient Business Model

A solid business model provides the foundation for sustainable growth in any tech startup business. Many tech startup businesses fail by scaling too fast without a flexible model. Key steps to build resilience include:

Diversifying revenue streams

Focusing on customer retention

Improving operational efficiency

These strategies reduce risks and ensure a stable structure for long-term growth.

4. Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

Tech startup businesses should embrace technology to streamline operations. Automation, AI, and cloud computing help reduce manual tasks, allowing tech startup businesses to focus on growth. Key tools include:

Automated workflows

CRM systems

AI-driven data analytics

These technologies boost productivity and reduce inefficiencies, helping tech startup businesses scale effectively.

5. Prioritizing Customer-Centric Strategies

Customer satisfaction is crucial for sustainable growth in any tech startup business. Startups should build strong relationships with customers by:

Gathering feedback and adapting products or services

Improving user experience

Offering personalized solutions

A customer-focused approach increases loyalty, encourages referrals, and reduces churn.

6. Investing in Talent and Leadership

The strength of your team determines the success of your tech startup business. Investing in talent means fostering an environment of growth through:

Encouraging communication and collaboration

Providing skill development opportunities

Rewarding innovation and problem-solving

When employees feel valued, they contribute to the company's long-term growth and success.

7. Addressing Regulatory and Compliance Challenges

Tech startup businesses must ensure compliance with relevant regulations to avoid risks. Common challenges include:

Intellectual property rights

Data privacy laws

Industry-specific regulations

By staying proactive in compliance, tech startup businesses build trust with investors, customers, and partners.

8. Incorporating Sustainable Practices

Sustainability is now essential for businesses, including tech startup businesses. Startups should integrate sustainable practices, such as:

Reducing environmental impact

Implementing remote work policies

Supporting ethical supply chains

Sustainable practices not only appeal to eco-conscious customers but also contribute to long-term profitability.

9. Forming Strategic Partnerships

Strategic partnerships help accelerate growth for tech startup businesses and provide additional resources. Startups can benefit from partnerships by:

Expanding into new markets

Sharing knowledge and resources

Reducing costs and risks

Strong partnerships increase credibility and provide a competitive edge.

10. Maintaining Financial Discipline

Financial discipline ensures long-term success for any tech startup business. Startups must manage their resources carefully to avoid running out of capital. Key strategies include:

Monitoring cash flow

Diversifying funding sources

Prioritizing profitability

Financial discipline prepares tech startup businesses for unexpected challenges and allows for reinvestment in growth.

Conclusion

Empowering your tech startup business involves focusing on key areas such as vision, innovation, resilience, and financial discipline. By building a strong foundation in these areas, tech startup businesses can ensure long-term growth and success in an ever-changing market.

Additionally, effective lead gen strategies, such as leveraging the services provided by companies like Radius Global Solutions, and maintaining high data quality service, can significantly enhance the growth potential of your tech startup business.

Ready to empower your startup? Start implementing these strategies today and set the foundation for a sustainable, successful future. Visit Best Virtual Specialist to learn how our solutions can help your business grow.

Reference: 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-proofing-tech-startups-ensuring-sustainability-sanyal-ho8ec/ 

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

Survey reveals how climate crisis affects education in Brazil

Technical note suggests actions involving the school community to raise awareness about potential damages and mitigate their effects

Classes canceled due to floods, extreme heat hindering studies, and school absenteeism resulting from respiratory crises caused by wildfires are just a few examples of how climate change is impacting access, retention, and learning in Brazilian education.

These topics are part of a technical note prepared by Sofia Lerche, emeritus professor at the State University of Ceará. The work, titled “The Impact of Climate Change on Education: Initiating a Debate,” not only addresses the challenges posed by the environmental crisis to education but also outlines recommendations on how schools can foster actions to reverse this situation affecting them.

“The climate issue is external to the school, so it is a variable that impacts the unit. It comes from outside in,” said Ms. Lerche. “Therefore, we cannot assume that this institution will reverse climate change, as it plays a minor role in this scenario. However, schools serve as a space for raising awareness about climate issues and also for protection against extreme weather,” she said.

An initiative of D3e (Data for a Democratic Debate in Education), Todos Pela Educação, Instituto Terra Firme, and Banco Master, the technical note, in one of its sections, highlights the need for curricular changes that prioritize climate and environmental literacy, encompassing both initial and ongoing teacher training and encouraging academic research on environmental policies, climate change, and education.

Continue reading.

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Object permanence

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in CHICAGO with PETER SAGAL on Apr 2, and in BLOOMINGTON at MORGENSTERN BOOKS on Apr 4. More tour dates here.

#15yrsago Secret copyright treaty will sideline the UN and replace it with private club of rich countries https://www.michaelgeist.ca/2010/03/acta-superstructure/

#15yrsago Discarded photocopier hard drives stuffed full of corporate secrets https://web.archive.org/web/20100322192937/http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/781567--high-tech-copy-machines-a-gold-mine-for-data-thieves

#10yrsago If Indiana legalizes homophobic discrimination, Gen Con’s leaving Indianapolis https://files.gencon.com/Gen_Con_Statement_Regarding_SB101.pdf

#10yrsago Sandwars: the mafias whose illegal sand mines make whole islands vanish https://www.wired.com/2015/03/illegal-sand-mining/

#10yrsago Woman medicated in a psychiatric ward until she said Obama didn’t follow her on Twitter https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/woman-held-in-psychiatric-ward-after-correctly-saying-obama-follows-her-on-twitter-10132662.html

#10yrsago As crypto wars begin, FBI silently removes sensible advice to encrypt your devices https://www.techdirt.com/2015/03/26/fbi-quietly-removes-recommendation-to-encrypt-your-phone-as-fbi-director-warns-how-encryption-will-lead-to-tears/

#10yrsago Australia outlaws warrant canaries https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/03/australian-government-minister-dodge-new-data-retention-law-like-this/

#10yrsago TPP leak: states give companies the right to repeal nations’ laws https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/02/its-time-act-now-congress-poised-introduce-bill-fast-track-tpp-next-week

#5yrsago Social distancing and other diseases https://pluralistic.net/2020/03/26/badger-masks/#flu-too

#5yrsago Record wind-power growth https://pluralistic.net/2020/03/26/badger-masks/#blows-blows

#5yrsago Sanders on GOP stimulus cruelty https://pluralistic.net/2020/03/26/badger-masks/#unlimited-cruelty

#5yrsago Canada nationalizes covid patents https://pluralistic.net/2020/03/26/badger-masks/#c13

#5yrsago LoC plugs Little Brother https://pluralistic.net/2020/03/26/badger-masks/#lb-loc

#5yrsago The ideology of economics https://pluralistic.net/2020/03/26/badger-masks/#piketty

#1yrago Meatspace twiddling https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/26/glitchbread/#electronic-shelf-tags

[ravaglobal]

How MuleSoft IDP Ensures Secure & Compliant Intelligent Document Processing

Discover how MuleSoft Intelligent Document Processing (IDP) enhances security, encryption, and compliance for handling sensitive business data. Learn about access controls, data retention policies, AI security, and seamless Salesforce integration with expert MuleSoft Salesforce Integration Services. Stay ahead with robust document security solutions. 🔐

[donotdestroy]

“The group that wrote essays using ChatGPT all delivered extremely similar essays that lacked original thought, relying on the same expressions and ideas. Two English teachers who assessed the essays called them largely ‘soulless.’ The EEGs revealed low executive control and attentional engagement. And by their third essay, many of the writers simply gave the prompt to ChatGPT and had it do almost all of the work. ‘It was more like, just give me the essay, refine this sentence, edit it, and I’m done,’ Kosmyna says.”

_ ChatGPT’s Opinion

Both the Time article and the Gizmodo piece raise valid and important concerns, but they also reflect a broader cultural anxiety about AI — what some might call a "techlash." Here's a balanced take on both:

🔍 What they get right:

Critical thinking can erode with passive use Both articles underscore a key truth: if you let AI do all the work, your brain gets lazy. This isn’t just speculation — it’s backed by cognitive science. Active learning is crucial for retention, deep thinking, and creativity. These studies highlight real risks, especially for students and developing minds.

The analogy to calculators and Google Maps is helpful Just like calculators didn’t kill math (but overusing them for basic operations can harm number sense), AI isn’t inherently harmful — but it can displace the mental effort that's necessary for learning.

Originality and creativity suffer The studies found that ChatGPT-generated essays tended to be “soulless” and formulaic. That’s a real limitation of LLMs — they’re good at mimicking patterns, but not at truly original thought. Relying on them too heavily can flatten thinking.

There’s urgency around education policy The MIT researcher’s concern about “GPT kindergarten” is not far-fetched. Schools and policymakers are already integrating AI tools into classrooms. These decisions need to be informed by solid research and precaution, especially when developing brains are involved.

🤔 What needs caution or nuance:

Small sample sizes, pre-review papers Especially in the MIT study, 54 participants is very limited. While EEG data is useful, it doesn’t capture the full picture of intelligence or learning. More peer-reviewed, large-scale studies are needed before drawing sweeping conclusions.

“AI makes you stupid” is too broad The Gizmodo headline (“AI will make us morons”) is sensational. The reality is more nuanced: AI can dull your mind — but only if you use it passively or uncritically. It’s a tool. It can also enhance your thinking, if used wisely.

Not everyone uses AI the same way Some people use ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner, a writing coach, or a way to better understand complex topics — all of which can be mentally engaging. Others use it to skip the thinking part. The outcome depends on the user’s intent and behavior.

Moral panic vs. thoughtful caution There's a fine line between raising the alarm and stoking fear. It’s important to investigate AI’s effects, but not assume that all AI use leads to “cognitive decline.”

🧠 Final thought:

These articles provide a valuable warning: don’t outsource your thinking. AI is powerful, but it’s only as good as the way you use it. If you're aware of its limitations and make an effort to stay mentally active, AI can be a great tool — not a trap.

[michelpaul]

Why Troop Messenger is the Best Alternative to Discord

In today’s fast-paced world, effective communication and collaboration are essential for teams to succeed. While Discord has gained popularity for casual and gaming communities, many businesses and organizations need a more secure and feature-rich platform. Troop Messenger is the ultimate solution for those looking for a powerful and secure Discord alternatives. Here’s why Troop Messenger stands out as one of the best alternatives to Discord.

Unparalleled Security

One of Troop Messenger’s key strengths is its commitment to security. Unlike Discord, which primarily caters to casual users, Troop Messenger offers enterprise-grade security features like end-to-end encryption, data retention policies, and role-based access control. These ensure that your business communication remains private and protected from unauthorized access.

Versatile Deployment Options

Troop Messenger provides flexibility with its multiple deployment options. Businesses can choose between SaaS (cloud-based), on-premise, or self-hosted setups, unlike Discord, which is solely cloud-based. This flexibility ensures that organizations in sensitive sectors like defense, government, and BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) can maintain full control over their data.

Rich Collaboration Features

Troop Messenger offers a comprehensive suite of collaboration tools that outshine Discord. Features include:

One-on-One and Group Messaging: Send instant messages to individuals or groups with ease.

Audio and Video Calls: Conduct high-quality calls for effective remote communication.

Screen Sharing: Share your screen in real time to enhance collaboration.

File Sharing: Send large files securely and without hassle.

Burnout Chat: A unique feature for self-destructing messages, ensuring sensitive information remains confidential.

Seamless User Experience

While Discord is user-friendly, it often feels cluttered and overwhelming for professional users. Troop Messenger’s intuitive interface is designed specifically for productivity and efficiency. Its clean layout and customizable features make it ideal for teams of all sizes.

Advanced Integration Capabilities

Troop Messenger integrates effortlessly with a wide range of tools and platforms, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and APIs for custom integrations. This makes it a versatile choice for businesses that rely on multiple tools to streamline their workflows.

Designed for Business Communication

Unlike Discord, which was originally created for gaming communities, Troop Messenger is purpose-built for professional communication. It meets the unique needs of industries such as:

Government Agencies: With its secure on-premise deployment.

BFSI Sector: With robust compliance features and data encryption.

Defense Organizations: Offering secure and private communication channels.

Affordable and Transparent Pricing

Troop Messenger offers competitive and transparent pricing plans that cater to businesses of all sizes. Unlike Discord, which has limitations on premium features, Troop Messenger’s plans include all essential features without hidden costs. The value it provides far outweighs its cost, making it an excellent investment for organizations.

Why Troop Messenger is Better than Discord

If you’re looking for an alternative to Discord, Troop Messenger is the best choice for several reasons:

Enhanced Security: Ideal for businesses that prioritize data privacy.

Professional Features: Tailored for corporate communication, unlike Discord’s gaming-focused features.

Flexible Deployment: Options for SaaS, on-premise, and self-hosted setups.

Scalable: Suitable for teams and organizations of all sizes.

Industry-Specific Use Cases: Perfect for government, defense, NGOs, and private sectors.

Conclusion

While Discord is a popular platform for casual communication, Troop Messenger goes above and beyond to meet the needs of businesses and organizations. Its robust security, advanced features, and professional focus make it the ultimate Discord alternative for teams seeking a secure and reliable collaboration tool. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, Troop Messenger can transform how your team communicates and collaborates, ensuring productivity and success.

If you’re ready to elevate your team’s communication, make the switch to Troop Messenger today!