#Network Monitoring Technology Market

[cybersecurityict]

Network Monitoring Technology Market Size, Share, Analysis, Forecast, and Growth Trends to 2032: Performance Monitoring Tools and Vendor Strategies

The Network Monitoring Technology Market Size was esteemed at USD 2.35 billion in 2023 and is supposed to arrive at USD 4.29 billion by 2032 and develop at a CAGR of 6.93% over the forecast period 2024-2032.

Network Monitoring Technology Market Gears Up for Transformational Growth as industries across the globe increasingly rely on real-time visibility, performance tracking, and infrastructure optimization. Network monitoring tools are fast becoming indispensable for enterprises striving for operational excellence, security, and cost-efficiency. With the evolution of complex, hybrid IT environments and increasing demand for uninterrupted connectivity, the technology has emerged as a strategic asset in both public and private sectors.

Network Monitoring Technology Market Gears Up for Transformational Growth in the face of rapid digital transformation. Organizations today demand agile, scalable solutions capable of ensuring uptime and safeguarding against network vulnerabilities. The expanding use of cloud-based services, IoT devices, and remote workforces has added multiple layers of complexity, making intelligent monitoring solutions not only relevant but essential for sustained business performance and user satisfaction.

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Market Keyplayers:

Viavi Solutions Inc. (Observer Platform, GigaStor)

Juniper Networks, Inc. (Junos Telemetry, Mist AI)

Datadog (Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) Module)

Broadcom Inc. (DX NetOps, AppNeta)

Kentik (Kentik NPM Analytics)

Gigamon (GigaVUE Visibility Platform)

Apcon (INTELLAPATCH Series, TitanXR)

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Cisco ThousandEyes, Meraki Insight)

Garland Technology (Packet Broker, TAP Solutions)

NETSCOUT Systems, Inc. (nGeniusONE, Arbor Sightline)

SolarWinds Corporation (Network Performance Monitor)

Riverbed Technology (SteelCentral NPM Solutions)

LogicMonitor, Inc. (LM Envision)

Paessler AG (PRTG Network Monitor)

Nagios Enterprises, LLC (Nagios XI, Nagios Core)

ManageEngine (Zoho Corporation) (OpManager)

Dynatrace (Network Path Monitoring)

Ixia (Keysight Technologies) (IxChariot, CloudLens)

Micro Focus International Plc (Network Node Manager i)

SevOne (Network Data Platform, SevOne NPM)

Market Analysis

The network monitoring technology market is undergoing a dynamic shift, driven by an urgent need to enhance data flow transparency, cybersecurity posture, and network agility. Enterprises are actively investing in advanced tools offering predictive insights, anomaly detection, and automated alerts. Furthermore, the convergence of AI and machine learning into these tools enables smarter decision-making and faster incident responses, solidifying their role in digital infrastructure strategies.

Market Trends

Rising adoption of cloud-native monitoring platforms across sectors

Integration of AI and ML for predictive network management

Growing demand for real-time data analytics and visualization

Increased focus on zero-trust network architectures

Expansion of remote workforces driving demand for endpoint visibility

Advancements in 5G technology influencing monitoring capabilities

Escalating concerns over cybersecurity fueling investment in monitoring solutions

Automation and orchestration tools becoming integral to network monitoring strategies

Market Scope

The scope of the network monitoring technology market spans multiple industries, including healthcare, banking, telecom, government, and manufacturing. These sectors rely on robust monitoring tools to support complex infrastructures, meet compliance requirements, and ensure service continuity. Solutions range from traditional packet sniffers to comprehensive, AI-powered network intelligence platforms that deliver real-time analytics and proactive performance management. The market accommodates a wide array of deployment models, including on-premise, cloud, and hybrid, catering to enterprises of all sizes and digital maturities.

Market Forecast

The future of the network monitoring technology market appears highly promising, fueled by technological innovation, increasing network complexities, and an unwavering focus on cybersecurity. The market is expected to see continuous evolution in capabilities, shifting from reactive troubleshooting to proactive and predictive network intelligence. Vendors are likely to prioritize user-centric dashboards, intuitive interfaces, and deeper integrations with enterprise IT ecosystems. Strategic partnerships, R&D investments, and regulatory support will further enhance market adaptability, ensuring it remains resilient and ready for the demands of next-generation digital environments.

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Conclusion

In an era where seamless connectivity defines business success, the network monitoring technology market is not just expanding—it is transforming. Businesses are no longer content with reactive tools; they seek intelligent systems that provide foresight and empower decisions. As industries embrace digital-first strategies, the demand for smarter, scalable, and secure monitoring solutions will continue to surge. The market stands on the brink of a new phase, where innovation meets necessity, setting the stage for a future where networks self-diagnose, self-heal, and continually evolve.

About Us:

SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world.

Contact Us:

Jagney Dave - Vice President of Client Engagement

Phone: +1-315 636 4242 (US) | +44- 20 3290 5010 (UK)

[differenttimemachinecrusade]

Network Monitoring Technology Market Overview: Scope, Challenges, and Growth 2032

The Network Monitoring Technology Market Size was esteemed at USD 2.35 billion in 2023 and is supposed to arrive at USD 4.29 billion by 2032 and develop at a CAGR of 6.93% over the forecast period 2024-2032.

Network Monitoring Technology is evolving rapidly, driven by the increasing complexity of IT infrastructure and the growing need for real-time data analysis. Businesses are adopting advanced monitoring solutions to enhance security, optimize performance, and prevent downtime. The demand for cloud-based and AI-driven network monitoring tools is fueling market expansion.

Network Monitoring Technology Market continues to gain traction as enterprises shift towards digital transformation and cloud computing. With rising cyber threats, organizations are prioritizing proactive monitoring solutions to detect vulnerabilities and ensure seamless operations. Companies are integrating AI, automation, and predictive analytics into their monitoring systems to stay ahead of potential network issues.

Get Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.snsinsider.com/sample-request/3788 

Market Keyplayers:

Viavi Solutions Inc. (Observer Platform, GigaStor)

Juniper Networks, Inc. (Junos Telemetry, Mist AI)

Datadog (Network Performance Monitoring (NPM) Module)

Broadcom Inc. (DX NetOps, AppNeta)

Kentik (Kentik NPM Analytics)

Gigamon (GigaVUE Visibility Platform)

Apcon (INTELLAPATCH Series, TitanXR)

Cisco Systems, Inc. (Cisco ThousandEyes, Meraki Insight)

Garland Technology (Packet Broker, TAP Solutions)

NETSCOUT Systems, Inc. (nGeniusONE, Arbor Sightline)

SolarWinds Corporation (Network Performance Monitor)

Riverbed Technology (SteelCentral NPM Solutions)

LogicMonitor, Inc. (LM Envision)

Paessler AG (PRTG Network Monitor)

Nagios Enterprises, LLC (Nagios XI, Nagios Core)

ManageEngine (Zoho Corporation) (OpManager)

Dynatrace (Network Path Monitoring)

Ixia (Keysight Technologies) (IxChariot, CloudLens)

Micro Focus International Plc (Network Node Manager i)

SevOne (Network Data Platform, SevOne NPM)

Market Trends Driving Growth

1. Adoption of AI-Powered Monitoring

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are transforming network monitoring by enabling automated anomaly detection, predictive analytics, and intelligent troubleshooting.

2. Rising Demand for Cloud-Based Solutions

With organizations migrating to cloud environments, cloud-native network monitoring tools are becoming essential for managing hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures.

3. Increased Focus on Cybersecurity

As cyber threats grow, businesses are investing in real-time network visibility and security monitoring solutions to detect and mitigate threats before they cause damage.

4. Growth in IoT and Edge Computing

The expansion of IoT devices and edge computing has increased the need for real-time network monitoring to ensure seamless connectivity and prevent potential failures.

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Market Segmentation:

By Offering

Equipment

Network TAPs

Data Monitoring Switches

Software & Services

By Bandwidth

1 To 10 Gbps

40 Gbps

100 Gbps

By Technology

Ethernet

Fiber Optic

InfiniBand

By End User

Enterprises

Telecommunications Industry

Government Organizations

Cloud Service Providers

Market Analysis and Current Landscape

Key drivers contributing to this growth include:

Growing IT Infrastructure Complexity: Enterprises are managing large-scale networks that require continuous monitoring for performance optimization.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements: Organizations must adhere to strict data security regulations, driving demand for compliance-focused monitoring solutions.

Advancements in Network Analytics: AI-driven analytics are providing deeper insights into network traffic and performance, improving decision-making.

Rising Demand from SMEs: Small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly adopting affordable, scalable monitoring tools to enhance network reliability.

Despite strong growth, challenges such as high implementation costs, integration issues, and data privacy concerns persist. However, innovations in AI, cloud, and automation are addressing these barriers, making network monitoring more efficient and accessible.

Future Prospects: Innovations and Industry Outlook

1. Expansion of AI-Driven Predictive Monitoring

AI and predictive analytics will further enhance real-time network monitoring, allowing businesses to prevent outages before they occur.

2. Integration with 5G and Edge Computing

As 5G networks expand, network monitoring solutions will be critical in managing latency, bandwidth, and connectivity in real-time applications.

3. Growth of Zero-Trust Security Frameworks

Enterprises will integrate network monitoring tools into Zero-Trust security architectures, ensuring continuous verification and protection against cyber threats.

4. Rise of Automated Incident Response

AI-powered automation will streamline network troubleshooting and incident response, reducing downtime and improving operational efficiency.

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Conclusion

The Network Monitoring Technology Market is set for substantial growth, driven by AI advancements, cybersecurity needs, and the expansion of cloud and IoT networks. As businesses prioritize real-time insights and proactive monitoring, the demand for intelligent network monitoring solutions will continue to rise. Organizations that invest in cutting-edge monitoring tools will gain a competitive edge in ensuring network security, efficiency, and seamless connectivity.

About Us:

SNS Insider is one of the leading market research and consulting agencies that dominates the market research industry globally. Our company's aim is to give clients the knowledge they require in order to function in changing circumstances. In order to give you current, accurate market data, consumer insights, and opinions so that you can make decisions with confidence, we employ a variety of techniques, including surveys, video talks, and focus groups around the world.

Contact Us:

Jagney Dave - Vice President of Client Engagement

Phone: +1-315 636 4242 (US) | +44- 20 3290 5010 (UK)

[probablyasocialecologist]

Though widespread popular scrutiny of Internet tech companies has exploded only in recent years, the key moments in the historical construction of surveillance advertising unfolded in the mid-1990s, when the new technology of the World Wide Web was transformed from an outpost on the fringes of business to a central nervous system for commercial monitoring. To paraphrase Thomas Streeter, surveillance advertising is not something that happened; it is something that was done. In other words, the massive data collection infrastructure that undergirds the Internet today is the result of twenty-five years of technical and political economic engineering. Surveillance advertising was created by marketers, technology start-ups, investors, and politicians, a coalition bound by the desire to commercialize the web as quickly as possible. Through bouts of competition and collaboration, private and public sector interests steered digital networks toward maximizing their monitoring and influence capacities, tilling the soil for all manner of deceptive communication practices and wreaking havoc on less invasive media business models. The legacy of this period is the concentration of surveillance capacity in corporate hands and the normalization of consumer monitoring across all digital media platforms we have come to know today.

3 August 2022

[catloversden]

The AirTag Collar: A Smart Solution for Tracking Your Pet

In a world where technology continues to simplify our lives, Apple’s AirTag has emerged as a game-changer for keeping tabs on everyday items. From keys to backpacks, this tiny Bluetooth tracker has found a new and popular application: the AirTag collar. Designed primarily for pets, this innovative accessory combines style, functionality, and peace of mind for pet owners everywhere.

What is an AirTag Collar?

An AirTag collar is a pet collar equipped with a slot or attachment to hold an Apple AirTag, a coin-sized device that uses Bluetooth and Apple’s Find My network to track its location. Unlike traditional GPS trackers, the AirTag leverages a vast network of Apple devices worldwide to anonymously ping its location, making it a lightweight and cost-effective alternative for pet tracking.

While Apple doesn’t officially market AirTags for pets, creative pet owners and accessory makers have embraced the idea, leading to a surge in AirTag-compatible collars available in various materials, from durable nylon to sleek leather.

How Does It Work?

The AirTag collar operates seamlessly with the Find My app on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Once the AirTag is paired with your Apple account and secured to the collar, you can track your pet’s location in real time if they’re within Bluetooth range (about 30 feet). If your furry friend wanders farther, the Find My network kicks in, using nearby Apple devices to relay the AirTag’s location back to you—no subscription fees required.

For precision tracking, the AirTag also features Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology (on compatible iPhones), guiding you with directional arrows to your pet’s exact spot. Plus, if your pet is close but hidden—say, under the couch—you can trigger the AirTag’s built-in speaker to play a sound, making retrieval a breeze.

Benefits of an AirTag Collar

Affordable Tracking: At around $29 per AirTag, it’s a one-time purchase compared to GPS collars that often require monthly fees.

Long Battery Life: The AirTag’s replaceable CR2032 battery lasts up to a year, minimizing maintenance.

Discreet Design: Small and lightweight, it won’t weigh down your pet or feel bulky on their collar.

Global Reach: With millions of Apple devices worldwide, the Find My network offers impressive coverage, especially in urban areas.

Limitations to Consider

While the AirTag collar is a brilliant concept, it’s not without drawbacks. It relies on proximity to Apple devices, so tracking may falter in remote areas with few users. It’s also not a real-time GPS solution—updates depend on when the AirTag pings a nearby device. Additionally, Apple warns that AirTags weren’t designed for pets, so ensuring a secure fit is crucial to prevent loss or discomfort.

Popular AirTag Collar Options

The market has responded enthusiastically, with brands offering stylish and practical collars tailored for AirTags:

Belkin Secure Holder with Collar Attachment: A simple, affordable clip-on solution.

TagVault Pet Collar Mount: A rugged, waterproof holder for active pets.

Handmade Leather Collars: Etsy sellers provide custom designs blending fashion and function.

Is It Right for You?

The AirTag collar is ideal for pet owners who want a low-cost, low-maintenance way to monitor their cat or dog, especially in busy neighborhoods. It’s less suited for rural adventurers or those needing constant, precise tracking—traditional GPS trackers might be a better fit there.

Final Thoughts

The AirTag collar exemplifies how everyday tech can adapt to solve real-world problems. For the price of a coffee run, you can outfit your pet with a smart tracking system that offers reassurance without complexity. Whether your cat’s a backyard explorer or your dog’s a master escape artist, the AirTag collar might just be the perfect blend of innovation and practicality.

[feminist-space]

"In the age of smart fridges, connected egg crates, and casino fish tanks doubling as entry points for hackers, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that sex toys have joined the Internet of Things (IoT) party.

But not all parties are fun, and this one comes with a hefty dose of risk: data breaches, psychological harm, and even physical danger.

Let’s dig into why your Bluetooth-enabled intimacy gadget might be your most vulnerable possession — and not in the way you think.

The lure of remote-controlled intimacy gadgets isn’t hard to understand. Whether you’re in a long-distance relationship or just like the convenience, these devices have taken the market by storm.

According to a 2023 study commissioned by the U.K.’s Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), these toys are some of the most vulnerable consumer IoT products.

And while a vibrating smart egg or a remotely controlled chastity belt might sound futuristic, the risks involved are decidedly dystopian.

Forbes’ Davey Winder flagged the issue four years ago when hackers locked users into a chastity device, demanding a ransom to unlock it.

Fast forward to now, and the warnings are louder than ever. Researchers led by Dr. Mark Cote found multiple vulnerabilities in these devices, primarily those relying on Bluetooth connectivity.

Alarmingly, many of these connections lack encryption, leaving the door wide open for malicious third parties.

If you’re picturing some low-stakes prank involving vibrating gadgets going haywire, think again. The risks are far graver.

According to the DSIT report, hackers could potentially inflict physical harm by overheating a device or locking it indefinitely. Meanwhile, the psychological harm could stem from sensitive data — yes, that kind of data — being exposed or exploited.

A TechCrunch exposé revealed that a security researcher breached a chastity device’s database containing over 10,000 users’ information. That was back in June, and the manufacturer still hasn’t addressed the issue.

In another incident, users of the CellMate connected chastity belt reported hackers demanding $750 in bitcoin to unlock devices. Fortunately, one man who spoke to Vice hadn’t been wearing his when the attack happened. Small mercies, right?

These aren’t isolated events. Standard Innovation Corp., the maker of the We-Vibe toy, settled for $3.75 million in 2017 after it was discovered the device was collecting intimate data without user consent.

A sex toy with a camera was hacked the same year, granting outsiders access to its live feed.

And let’s not forget: IoT toys are multiplying faster than anyone can track, with websites like Internet of Dongs monitoring the surge.

If the thought of a connected chastity belt being hacked makes you uneasy, consider this: sex toys are just a small piece of the IoT puzzle.

There are an estimated 17 billion connected devices worldwide, ranging from light bulbs to fitness trackers — and, oddly, smart egg crates.

Yet, as Microsoft’s 2022 Digital Defense Report points out, IoT security is lagging far behind its software and hardware counterparts.

Hackers are opportunistic. If there’s a way in, they’ll find it. Case in point: a casino lost sensitive customer data after bad actors accessed its network through smart sensors in a fish tank.

If a fish tank isn’t safe, why would we expect a vibrating gadget to be?

Here’s where the frustration kicks in: these vulnerabilities are preventable.

The DSIT report notes that many devices rely on unencrypted Bluetooth connections or insecure APIs for remote control functionality.

Fixing these flaws is well within the reach of manufacturers, yet companies routinely fail to prioritize security.

Even basic transparency around data collection would be a step in the right direction. Users deserve to know what’s being collected, why, and how it’s protected. But history suggests the industry is reluctant to step up.

After all, if companies like Standard Innovation can get away with quietly siphoning off user data, why would smaller players bother to invest in robust security?

So, what’s a smart-toy enthusiast to do? First, ask yourself: do you really need your device to be connected to an app?

If the answer is no, then maybe it’s best to go old school. If remote connectivity is a must, take some precautions.

Keep software updated: Ensure both the device firmware and your phone’s app are running the latest versions. Updates often include critical security patches.

Use secure passwords: Avoid default settings and choose strong, unique passwords for apps controlling your devices.

Limit app permissions: Only grant the app the bare minimum of permissions needed for functionality.

Vet the manufacturer: Research whether the company has a history of addressing security flaws. If they’ve been caught slacking before, it’s a red flag.

The conversation around sex toy hacking isn’t just about awkward headlines — it’s about how we navigate a world increasingly dependent on connected technology. As devices creep further into every corner of our lives, from the bedroom to the kitchen, the stakes for privacy and security continue to rise.

And let’s face it: there’s something uniquely unsettling about hackers turning moments of intimacy into opportunities for exploitation.

If companies won’t take responsibility for protecting users, then consumers need to start asking tough questions — and maybe think twice before connecting their pleasure devices to the internet.

As for the manufacturers? The message is simple: step up or step aside.

No one wants to be the next headline in a tale of hacked chastity belts and hijacked intimacy. And if you think that’s funny, just wait until your light bulb sells your Wi-Fi password.

This is where IoT meets TMI. Stay connected, but stay safe."

https://thartribune.com/government-warns-couples-that-sex-toys-remain-a-tempting-target-for-hackers-with-the-potential-to-be-weaponized/

[mariacallous]

American police departments near the United States-Mexico border are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for an unproven and secretive technology that uses AI-generated online personas designed to interact with and collect intelligence on “college protesters,” “radicalized” political activists, and suspected drug and human traffickers, according to internal documents, contracts, and communications that 404 Media obtained via public records requests.

Massive Blue, the New York–based company that is selling police departments this technology, calls its product Overwatch, which it markets as an “AI-powered force multiplier for public safety” that “deploys lifelike virtual agents, which infiltrate and engage criminal networks across various channels.” According to a presentation obtained by 404 Media, Massive Blue is offering cops these virtual personas that can be deployed across the internet with the express purpose of interacting with suspects over text messages and social media.

Massive Blue lists “border security,” “school safety,” and stopping “human trafficking” among Overwatch’s use cases. The technology—which as of last summer had not led to any known arrests—demonstrates the types of social media monitoring and undercover tools private companies are pitching to police and border agents. Concerns about tools like Massive Blue have taken on new urgency considering that the Trump administration has revoked the visas of hundreds of students, many of whom have protested against Israel’s war in Gaza.

404 Media obtained a presentation showing some of these AI characters. These include a “radicalized AI” “protest persona,” which poses as a 36-year-old divorced woman who is lonely, has no children, is interested in baking, activism, and “body positivity.” Another AI persona in the presentation is described as a “‘Honeypot’ AI Persona.” Her backstory says she’s a 25-year-old from Dearborn, Michigan, whose parents emigrated from Yemen and who speaks the Sanaani dialect of Arabic. The presentation also says she uses various social media apps, that she’s on Telegram and Signal, and that she has US and international SMS capabilities. Other personas are a 14-year-old boy “child trafficking AI persona,” an “AI pimp persona,” “college protestor,” “external recruiter for protests,” “escorts,” and “juveniles.”

Our reporting shows that cops are paying a company to help them deploy AI-powered bots across social media and the internet to talk to people they suspect are anything from violent sex criminals all the way to vaguely defined “protestors” with the hopes of generating evidence that can be used against them.

“This idea of having an AI pretending to be somebody, a youth looking for pedophiles to talk online, or somebody who is a fake terrorist, is an idea that goes back a long time,” Dave Maass, who studies border surveillance technologies for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told 404 Media. “The problem with all these things is that these are ill-defined problems. What problem are they actually trying to solve? One version of the AI persona is an escort. I’m not concerned about escorts. I’m not concerned about college protesters. So like, what is it effective at, violating protesters’ First Amendment rights?”

Massive Blue has signed a $360,000 contract with Pinal County, Arizona, which is between Tucson and Phoenix. The county is paying for the contract with an anti-human trafficking grant from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. A Pinal County purchasing division report states that it has bought “24/7 monitoring of numerous web and social media platforms” and “development, deployment, monitoring, and reporting on a virtual task force of up to 50 AI personas across 3 investigative categories.” Yuma County, in southwestern Arizona, meanwhile, signed a $10,000 contract to try Massive Blue in 2023 but did not renew the contract. A spokesperson for the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office told 404 Media “it did not meet our needs.”

Massive Blue cofounder Mike McGraw did not answer a series of specific questions from 404 Media about how Massive Blue works, what police departments it works with, and whether it had been used to generate any arrests. “We are proud of the work we do to support the investigation and prosecution of human traffickers,” McGraw said. “Our primary goal is to help bring these criminals to justice while helping victims who otherwise would remain trafficked. We cannot risk jeopardizing these investigations and putting victims’ lives in further danger by disclosing proprietary information.”

The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office told 404 Media that Massive Blue has not thus far been used for any arrests.

“Our investigations are still underway. Massive Blue is one component of support in these investigations, which are still active and ongoing. No arrests have been made yet,” Sam Salzwedel, Pinal County Sheriff's Office public information officer, told 404 Media. “It takes a multifaceted approach to disrupting human traffickers, narcotics traffickers, and other criminals. Massive Blue has been a valuable partner in these initiatives and has produced leads that detectives are actively pursuing. Given these are ongoing investigations, we cannot risk compromising our investigative efforts by providing specifics about any personas.”

Salzwedel added, “Massive Blue is not working on any immigration cases. Our agency does not enforce immigration law. Massive Blue’s support is focused on the areas of human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and other investigations.”

Law enforcement agencies have taken steps to prevent specifics about what Massive Blue is and how it works from becoming public. At public appropriations hearings in Pinal County about the Massive Blue contract, the sheriff’s office refused to tell county council members about what the product even is. Matthew Thomas, Pinal County Deputy Sheriff, told the county council he “can’t get into great detail” about what Massive Blue is and that doing so would “tip our hand to the bad guys.”

Pinal County Sheriff’s Office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The Arizona Department of Public Safety said, “From what we can ascertain, Pinal County planned to implement technology to help identify and solve human trafficking cases, and that is what we funded,” but was unaware of any of the specifics of Overwatch.

While the documents don’t describe every technical aspect of how Overwatch works, they do give a high-level overview of what it is. The company describes a tool that uses AI-generated images and text to create social media profiles that can interact with suspected drug traffickers, human traffickers, and gun traffickers. After Overwatch scans open social media channels for potential suspects, these AI personas can also communicate with suspects over text, Discord, and other messaging services. The documents we obtained don’t explain how Massive Blue determines who is a potential suspect based on their social media activity. Salzwedel, of Pinal County, said “Massive Blue’s solutions crawl multiple areas of the Internet, and social media outlets are just one component. We cannot disclose any further information to preserve the integrity of our investigations.”

One slide in the Massive Blue presentation obtained by 404 Media gives the example of a “Child Trafficking AI Persona” called Jason. The presentation gives a short “backstory” for the persona, which says Jason is a 14-year-old boy from Los Angeles whose parents emigrated from Ecuador. He’s bilingual and an only child, and his hobbies include anime and gaming. The presentation describes his personality as shy and that he has difficulty interacting with girls. It also says that his parents don’t allow him to use social media and that he hides his use of Discord from them. This AI persona is also accompanied by an AI-generated image of a boy.

The presentation includes a conversation between this AI persona and what appears to be a predatory adult over text messages and Discord.

“Your parents around? Or you getting some awesome alone time,” a text from the adult says.

“Js chillin by myself, man. My momz @ work n my dadz outta town. So itz jus me n my vid games. 🎮,” Jason, the AI-generated child, responds.

In another example of how the “highly adaptable personas” can communicate with real people, the presentation shows a conversation between Clip, an “AI pimp persona,” and what appears to be a sex worker.

“Dem tricks trippin 2nite tryin not pay,” the sex worker says.

“Facts, baby. Ain’t lettin’ these tricks slide,” the Clip persona replies. “You stand your ground and make ’em pay what they owe. Daddy got your back, ain’t let nobody disrespect our grind. Keep hustlin’, ma, we gonna secure that bag💰💪✨”

“The continuous evolution of operational, communication & recruitment tactics by bad actors drives exponential increases of threats and significant challenges in reducing demand,” says a one-page brochure provided to police departments that explains Overwatch’s functionality. “The Overwatch platform harnesses the power of AI & blockchain to scale your impact without operational or technical overhead.”

Jorge Brignoni took notes for the Cochise County, Arizona, Sheriff’s Office at a meeting with Massive Blue in August 2023, which 404 Media obtained. In the notes, he wrote that Overwatch does “passive engagement, then active engagement, towards commitment” with a “Bad Actor, Predator, DTO,” or drug trafficking organization. These targets are then “HAND[ed] OFF to L.E. [law enforcement] to arrest, indict, convict.”

“Why is he talking about converting folks into ‘buying something,’” Brignoni wrote. “So dumb. Talk about the widget, not how you’re selling the widget to L.E.”

According to Brignoni’s notes, in addition to collecting intelligence via these AI personas, Overwatch also leverages “Telco & Geo Data” and “Blockchain Data” in the form of “full transaction history, top associated wallet IDs, sending & receiving cryptocurrency, potential off-ramps (Exchange names).” The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office ultimately did not buy Massive Blue and did not provide answers to 404 Media’s questions about its meeting with the company.

Besides scanning social media and engaging suspects with AI personas, the presentation says that Overwatch can use generative AI to create “proof of life” images of a person holding a sign with a username and date written on it in pen.

The Massive Blue presentation gives an example of an “Overwatch Recon Report” based on “24 hours of activity across Dallas, Houston, and Austin.” It claims that Overwatch identified 3,266 unique human traffickers, 25 percent of which were affiliated with “larger sophisticated trafficking organizations” and 15 percent of which were flagged as “potential juvenile traffickers.” 404 Media was not able to verify what these accounts were and whether they actually engaged in any criminal activity, and Massive Blue didn’t respond to questions about what these accounts were and how exactly it identified them.

On top of the ongoing contract with the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and the pilot with the Yuma County Sheriff’s Department last year, Massive Blue has pitched its services to Cochise County in Arizona and the Texas Department of Public Safety, according to documents obtained as part of this investigation.

In September 2023, Yuma County set up a meeting that was going to include federal law enforcement, but Massive Blue had to cancel the meeting: “That’s unfortunate, we had federal agents here that focus on human trafficking ready to go,” a Yuma County sergeant wrote in an email to Massive Blue CEO Brian Haley after Haley canceled the meeting.

Much of Massive Blue’s public-facing activity has been through its executive director of public safety, Chris Clem, who is a former US Customs and Border Protection agent who testified before Congress about border security last year and regularly appears on Fox News and other media outlets to discuss immigration and the border. In recent months, Clem has posted images of himself on LinkedIn at the border and with prominent Trump administration members Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Massive Blue has also relied on former Kansas City Chiefs kicker Nick Lowery to introduce and endorse Overwatch to police departments.

Clem and Lowery have spoken most extensively publicly about Overwatch, where they have described it as an amorphous “cyberwall” that can do everything from stopping human traffickers to preventing hackers from breaking into 401(k) accounts to taking money back from hackers who have stolen from you, though they provide no specifics about how that would work.

In a two-and-a-half-hour interview with podcaster Theo Von, Clem said, “My company Massive Blue, we basically use deep tech to identify the habits and process of you know, look, I worked on a physical wall, now we’ve created a cyberwall,” adding that he believed it would “save lives.”

Von asked, “OK, but how does your company do that?”

“Well, I’m not going to get into that too much,” Clem responded, adding that he is trying to sell the technology to US Border Patrol.

On June 5, a Pinal County Board of Supervisors meeting was asked to approve a $500,000 contract between the county and Massive Blue in order to license Overwatch.

“I was looking at the website for Massive Blue, and it’s a one-pager with no additional information and no links,” Kevin Cavanaugh, the then-supervisor for District 1, said to Pinal County’s Chief Deputy at the Sheriff’s Office, Matthew Thomas. “They produce software that we buy, and it does what? Can you explain that to us?”

“I can’t get into great detail because it’s essentially trade secrets, and I don’t want to tip our hand to the bad guys,” Thomas said. “But what I can tell you is that the software is designed to help our investigators look for and find and build a case on human trafficking, drug trafficking, and gun trafficking.”

Cavanaugh said at the board meeting that the basic information he got is that Massive Blue uses “50 AI bots.” He then asked whether the software has been successful and if it helped law enforcement make any arrests. Thomas explained they have not made any arrests yet because they’ve only seen the proof of concept, but that the proof of concept was “good enough for us and our investigators to move forward with this. Once this gets approved and we get them [Massive Blue] under contract, then we are going to move forward with prosecution of cases.”

Cavanaugh asked if Overwatch is used in other counties, which prompted Thomas to invite Clem to the podium to speak. Clem introduced himself as a recently retired border agent and said that Massive Blue is currently in negotiations with three counties in Arizona, including Pinal County.

“As a resident of 14 years of Pinal County I know what’s happening here,” Clem said to the Board of Supervisors. “To be able [to] use this program [...] to provide all the necessary information to go after the online exploitation of children, trafficking victims, and all the other verticals that the sheriff may want to go after.”

Cavanaugh again asked if Massive Blue gathered any data that led to arrests.

“We have not made arrests yet, but there is a current investigation right now regarding arson, and we got the leads to the investigators,” Clem said, explaining that the program has been active for only about six months. “Investigations take time, but we’ve been able to generate the necessary leads for the particular counties that we’re involved with and also in the private sector.”

The Pinal County Board of Supervisors concluded the exchange by approving payment for a handful of other, unrelated projects, but with board members asking to delay the vote on payment for Massive Blue “for further study.”

The decision not to fund Massive Blue that day was covered in a local newspaper. Cavanaugh told the paper that he asked the company to meet with supervisors to explain the merits of the software.

“The State of Arizona has provided a grant, but grant money is taxpayer money. No matter the source of the funding, fighting human and sex trafficking is too important to risk half a million dollars on unproven technology,” he said. “If the company demonstrates that it can deliver evidence to arrest human traffickers, it may be worthwhile. However, it has yet to achieve this goal.”

404 Media’s public record requests yielded several emails from Cavanaugh’s office to IT professionals and other companies that provide AI products to law enforcement, asking them if they’re familiar with Massive Blue. We don’t know what was said in those meetings, or if they occurred, but when the Pinal County Board of Supervisors convened again on June 19 it voted to pay for Massive Blue’s Overwatch without further discussion.

“Supervisor [Cavanaugh] ultimately voted for the agreement because Massive Blue is alleged to be in pursuit of human trafficking, a noble goal,” a representative from Cavanaugh’s office told 404 Media in an email. “A major concern regarding the use of the application, is that the government should not be monitoring each and every citizen. To his knowledge, no arrests have been made to date as a result of the use of the application. If Overwatch is used to bring about arrests of human traffickers, then the program should continue. However, if it is just being used to collect surveillance on law-abiding citizens and is not leading to any arrests, then the program needs to be discontinued.”

In an August 7, 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting, Cavanaugh asked then-Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb for an update on Massive Blue. “So they have not produced any results? They’ve produced no leads? No evidence that is actionable?” Cavanaugh asked. “That would be public knowledge, that would be public information.”

“I think there’s a lot of ongoing investigations that they’re not going to give you information on, and we’re not going to give you information on,” Lamb said.

[justforbooks]

House of Huawei by Eva Dou

A fascinating insight into a Chinese telecoms giant and its detractors

Huawei is not exactly a household name. If you’ve heard of it, you either follow the smartphone market closely – it is the main China-based manufacturer of high-end phones – or else consume a lot of news, because the company is at the centre of an ongoing US-China trade war.

But this enormous business is one of the world’s biggest producers of behind-the-scenes equipment that enables fibre broadband, 4G and 5G phone networks. Its hardware is inside communications systems across the world.

That has prompted alarm from US lawmakers of both parties, who accuse Huawei of acting as an agent for China’s government and using its technology for espionage. The company insists it merely complies with the local laws wherever it operates, just like its US rivals. Nevertheless, its equipment has been ripped out of infrastructure in the UK at the behest of the government, its execs and staffers have been arrested across the world, and it has been pilloried for its involvement in China’s oppression of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang.

Into this murky world of allegation and counter-allegation comes the veteran telecoms reporter Eva Dou. Her book chronicles the history of Huawei since its inception, as well as the lives of founder Ren Zhengfei and his family, starting with the dramatic 2019 arrest of his daughter Meng Wanzhou, Huawei’s chief financial officer, at the behest of US authorities.

Dou’s command of her subject is indisputable and her book is meticulous and determinedly even-handed. House of Huawei reveals much, but never speculates or grandstands – leaving that to the politicians of all stripes for whom hyperbole about Huawei comes more easily.

At its core, this book is the history of a large, successful business. That doesn’t mean it’s boring, though: there’s the story of efforts to haul 5G equipment above Everest base camp in order to broadcast the Beijing Olympics torch relay. We hear about the early efforts of Ren and his team, working around the clock in stiflingly hot offices, to make analogue telephone network switches capable of routing up to 10,000 calls; and gain insights into the near-impossible political dance a company must perform in order to operate worldwide without falling foul of the changing desires of China’s ruling Communist party.

Dou makes us better equipped to consider questions including: is this a regular company, or an extension of the Chinese state? How safe should other countries feel about using Huawei equipment? Is China’s exploitation of its technology sector really that different to the way the US authorities exploited Google, Facebook and others, as revealed by Edward Snowden?

Early in Huawei’s history, Ren appeared to give the game away in remarks to the then general secretary of the Communist party. “A country without its own program-controlled switches is like one without an army,” he argued, making the case for why the authorities should support his company’s growth. “Its software must be held in the hands of the Chinese government.”

But for each damning event, there is another that introduces doubt. The book reveals an arrangement from when Huawei operated in the UK that gave GCHQ unprecedented access to its source code and operations centre. US intelligence agencies seemed as able to exploit Huawei equipment for surveillance purposes as China’s. While Huawei’s equipment was certainly used to monitor Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, it was hardware from the US company Cisco that made China’s so-called Great Firewall possible.

Anyone hoping for definitive answers will not find them here, but the journey is far from wasted. The intricate reporting of Huawei, in all its ambiguity and complexity, sheds much light on the murky nature of modern geopolitics. The people who shout loudest about Huawei don’t know more than anyone else about it. Eva Dou does.

Daily inspiration. Discover more photos at Just for Books…?

[ladylilithprime]

Day 14: Favorite Episode

AT ANY GIVEN time during the work day, if you were looking for Sam Wesson, he could most often be found sitting at his desk down in Tech Support with his headset on. He even ate his lunch at his desk, and unless he had been called out to do in-person support or data recovery for one of the many technological luddites employed by Sandover Bridge and Iron, he didn't actually go anywhere from the moment he clocked in to the moment he clocked back out again at the end of the day. His productivity on the job was also the best in the department despite one sour manager complaining about the monster movie figurines on top of his computer and the fact that Wesson could occasionally be seen handling a tech support call while knitting. His attitude on call was still completely professional regardless of what his hands were doing, and the manager had been reprimanded by HR for attempting to incite unnecessary workplace drama and discrimination.

Dean Smith, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, was completely smitten. He had been granted the honor of having Wesson come up to his office once to sort out a problem with his computer that had turned out to be a badly frayed cable hidden among the nest of cables connecting his computer tower to the network router, secondary hard drive, and three separate monitors. Dean had tried to tell himself that his blush was from missing such an obvious problem and not from the sight of a perfectly sculpted ass in tight khaki slacks waving up at him as the younger man had crawled around under his desk, because that was a stern warning from HR about sexual harrassment waiting to happen. Wesson had assured him that it was an easy thing to miss if you were focused on the connection points rather than the cables themselves, even though it had only taken him five minutes of being on his knees sorting through the connections to find it, and if he had noticed Dean's preoccupation with the shape of his lips more than the words they were saying, he hadn't given any indication.

Dean Smith was also, at least according to his long-suffering secretary, a goddamn coward.

"How difficult is it for you to just talk to the man?" Nancy groaned from where she sat on the edge of Dean's desk, ostensibly going over his schedule for the next week.

"Considering he hardly leaves his floor and I always seem to be stuck in meetings?" Dean sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Very. Short of staking out the elevators for when he clocks out and hoping I get on the same one he does, I'm almost tempted to go looking for a suspicious email to open just for an excuse to ask him up here!"

"That would be highly unprofessional and a misuse of company time and resources," Nancy sniffed at him in that tone she had when she was making fun of him and knew he couldn't call her on it. She studied his schedule for a moment, then made a few notes and copied it over to his screen. "There. I've blocked out an hour in your schedule for today around when he's supposed to take his lunch break. Go invite him to lunch, tell him you heard he could recommend a good kosher deli."

"When did I hear that?" Dean blinked at her, startled.

"Just now. I'm telling you," Nancy sighed with a forgiving pat on his shoulder as she got off his desk to head back to her own. "If Adler comes looking for you, I'll tell him you had a very important lunch meeting."

"You're a treasure, Miss Mulligan, and I don't know what I'd do without you!" he called after her.

"Burn out like the overworked star you are!"

CLEARING HIS SCHEDULE for lunch to give him the time to try and get down to Wesson's floor turned out to be the easiest part of it. He ended up having to dart into an elevator going up in order to avoid being seen by Adler, and then he had to ride back down an elevator that seemed to want to stop on every single floor between the top and the Tech Support level. When he finally made it to the correct floor and stepped off the elevator trying not to look too horribly out of place in his buttondown, tie and suspensers surrounded by yellow company polo shirts, he almost chickened out at the sound of raised and exasperated voices. One of the voices was Wesson's, however, and so Dean found himself drifting closer.

"--can't exactly stake out the elevators hoping to catch him between meetings when my ticket list is chocked full all the time," Wesson was saying. Dean rounded the corner of the cubicle farm and caught sight of Wesson's long form leaned back in his spindley chair.

"You could always try hacking his computer to break something so he'd be the one calling in a ticket for you to fix," another of the Tech Support guys suggested from where he was draped half over the top of the cubicle. The skinny man caught sight of Dean and his eyes went wide in panic, but Wesson didn't even notice.

"That would be a completely unprofessional misuse of company time and resources," he said, unconsciously sounding exactly like Nancy had, if slightly more sarcastic. "Remember the elevator incident? I thought he looked familiar and he said--"

"'Save it for the health club'," the other guy chorused with him, making Dean wince. That hadn't been his finest moment, but they'd been in the elevator with Thaddeus Blade from Legal and Hester Wingfield from Accounting and he'd panicked. The guy was starting to look a bit thoughtful now, which was making Dean nervous again. "You know, he might be just as likely to find some excuse to come down here to Morlocktown looking for you..."

"Sure, Ian, because a rising company star like Dean Smith would even have an opening in his schedule to come looking for a nobody tech support monkey on his own time," Wesson scoffed, finally looking up at his coworker, who was still looking directly at Dean. Wesson froze. "....He's behind me, isn't he."

"Good luck, man!" Ian gave a sloppy salute and disappeared behind his cubicle barrier. Wesson closed his eyes and took a deep breath before slowly sitting up and spinning around in his chair to look at Dean.

"So, uh... I probably don't want to know how much of that you heard," he said, looking up with some incredibly effective puppy eyes that Dean suspected he didn't even realize had been deployed.

"If it helps at all, I was contemplating going looking for a deliberately suspicious email to open before my secretary talked me down," Dean offered, his face heating when Wesson looked incredulously up at him. "Nancy's also the one who cleared my lunch break and suggested I come ask you about kosher deli recommendations instead."

"Uh," Wesson blinked, then blinked again and seemed to shake himself. "Yeah, I know a couple places. Vegetarian, too, or is meat okay?"

"I'm good with meat," Dean said quickly, wincing when Wesson coughed and blushed. "Um, I mean... I'm not vegetarian, so I'm good with wherever you wanna lead me." He coughed again, trying to regain a little of his equilibrium. "That is, if you can spare the time for a lunch meeting, Mr Wesson?"

"Not if you're gonna call me Mr Wesson the whole time," his prospective lunch date said dryly as he stood up. Dean tried not to swallow obviously at the way the man being tall enough for him to have to look up was doing things for him. "Call me Sam, Mr Smith."

"Only if you'll call me Dean," he returned, and had the pleasure of seeing Sam Wesson's dimpled smile aimed at him. "Shall we?"

"Yeah, okay."

[techit-rp]

IoT Security Challenges in India: Protecting Smart Homes & Connected Devices

IoT is transforming the way people live by making their homes smart with devices such as security cameras, smart locks, and voice assistants. In India, IoT technology is adopted at a pace that cyber threats are rising rapidly. With weak security protocols, outdated software, and unawareness, Indian households are vulnerable to cyberattacks. In this blog, we will explore the major IoT security challenges in India and how individuals can safeguard their smart homes and connected devices. If you are looking to strengthen your understanding of cybersecurity, enrolling in a cyber security course can be a game-changer.

The IoT Boom in India

India is witnessing the highest adoption of IoT across homes and businesses. From smart TVs to intelligent thermostats, IoT is revolutionizing life. This booming technology, however, offers a large target size for hackers too who exploit the vulnerability of devices to gain unauthorized access to data.

Fundamental Drivers of IoT Adoption in India:

Increased internet penetration with low-priced data plans

Government initiatives such as Smart Cities Mission and Digital India

Increasing adoption of smart home devices as they become increasingly affordable

Growing application of industrial IoT in health, agriculture, and manufacturing

Chief IoT Security Challenges in India

Poor Authentication & Default Passwords

Most IoT devices have a factory-set password that the user ignores or fails to change. Hackers exploit these default credentials to take over the devices, entry private networks, and crack sensitive information.

Lack of Security Updates & Patches

Most smart devices have limited or no firmware updates, which makes them vulnerable to cyber threats. Many Indian consumers do not check for security updates, leaving their devices susceptible to known exploits.

Data Privacy Concerns

Smart devices collect vast amounts of personal data, from voice recordings to daily routines. Without stringent data protection policies, this information can be misused or leaked by malicious actors.

Botnet Attacks & DDoS Threats

Cybercriminals hijack unprotected IoT devices to form botnets, which are used to launch massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks can cripple networks and cause disruptions to online services.

Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks

Many Indian households rely on poorly secured Wi-Fi connections, providing an easy entry point for hackers. Without encryption or strong passwords, attackers can intercept sensitive information and compromise connected devices.

Absence of Specific Cybersecurity Legislation for IoT

India has advanced in data protection with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, but there is no dedicated IoT security framework. The absence of it leaves the manufacturer to choose cost over security and sell devices which are not so well protected in the market.

How to Secure Smart Homes & Connected Devices

Change Default Credentials

Always change the default usernames and passwords of the IoT after installation. Use strong, unique passwords and implement multi-factor authentication wherever possible.

Update Firmware Periodically

Scan for software and security updates on all smart devices, and install them as soon as they are available. In case your device can no longer get any updates, consider replacing it with a newer version that is at least as secure.

Secure Your Wi-Fi Network

Use a robust Wi-Fi password, and make sure WPA3 encryption is turned on. Limit remote access to your router, and make an IoT-specific network so that those devices can't contaminate your primary network.

Firewall & Security Solutions The use of firewalls and network security solutions monitors traffic and can block malicious activity on IoT networks. 5. Limit Data Sharing & Permissions

Assess permission for smart appliances and reduce or limit the devices from accessing unsecured personal information. De-activate unused add-ons, remote access in devices.

Cyber Security Courses

IoT-based cyber-attacks are minimized if awareness against the threat builds. To boost that awareness further, take time out to become a certified graduate of cyber security by signing for courses in areas like best security practices, principles of ethical hacking, and defending digital systems.

Road Ahead to Improving Indian IoT Security:

The Indian government, device manufacturers, and consumers must take proactive steps to mitigate IoT security risks. Stronger security standards, public awareness, and robust cybersecurity laws are the need of the hour to secure the future of IoT in India.

Conclusion

IoT devices offer incredible convenience but also introduce significant security risks. Protecting smart homes and connected devices requires a combination of best practices, awareness, and robust cybersecurity measures. By staying informed and adopting the right security strategies, individuals can ensure a safer IoT experience.

If you’re passionate about cybersecurity and want to build expertise in protecting digital systems, consider taking a cyber security course to gain hands-on knowledge and skills in ethical hacking, network security, and data protection.

[tribeofhope]

The Vision of a Rebalanced Earth: A Call for Change 🌍💫

This society is founded on the principles of equity, sustainability, and harmony, with a bold goal: undo the harm caused by industrialism, capitalism, and exploitation of nature within 100 years. It integrates technology, human creativity, and ecological restoration to create a world where humanity thrives as part of the planet, not apart from it.

Core Philosophy and Framework

Earth Pledge:

"We acknowledge the harm inflicted on the Earth, its creatures, and its peoples through greed, ignorance, and oppression. We repent for this harm and pledge to heal, restore, and protect the balance of all life."

This global commitment serves as the moral compass, aligning all people toward shared responsibility for the planet and one another.

Core Principles:

Hope and Compassion: Life is sacred, and relationships with others and the planet are cherished. 🌱💞

Ecological Responsibility: Restoring nature is humanity's highest priority. 🌿🌍

Technological Liberation: Technology serves to heal and empower, not exploit. 🤖🌟

Equity and Justice: All beings have fair access to resources and opportunities. ⚖️

Forgiveness and Renewal: Reconciliation with past harm is essential for healing. 🕊️

Collective Happiness: True joy is shared, amplified through community and unity. 🌸

Governance:

Tribal communities govern themselves autonomously, forming a global network of cooperation. A decentralized Global Guidance Council ensures equitable resource distribution, helping resolve disputes and fostering unity. 🌍🤝

Trade, Commerce, and Economy

The Harmony Market:

A unique hybrid system combining artisan guilds, resource-sharing hubs, and bartering. 🌾💰

Essentials (food, shelter, water) are universally accessible via Community Hubs.

Niche Guilds specialize in goods like tech, art, and prosthetics.

Festival Markets offer large-scale barter and cultural exchange.

Anti-Classism Measures:

No one owns resources or accumulates wealth.

Contributions are valued equally, with mentorship ensuring guild accessibility for all.

Surpluses are shared during Redistribution Day, reinforcing unity.

Cultural Integration:

Rituals and festivals transform commerce into a joyful and meaningful practice. 🌸🎉

Transportation and AI Integration

Power-Generating Roads:

Roads powered by solar panels and piezoelectric systems, providing renewable energy to communities. ⚡🌞

Free Autonomous Transport:

Shared vehicles (shuttles, cargo transporters) eliminate private ownership, ensuring universal mobility. 🚗🌐

AI-Integrated Roads:

AI manages energy optimization, traffic flow, and wildlife monitoring, ensuring seamless coordination and efficient resource management. 🤖🚦

Tribal Communication Stations:

Hubs that connect communities, share real-time ecological data, and facilitate resource sharing. 🗣️🌍

The 100-Year Transition Plan 📅

Phase 1: Decade of Awakening (Years 1–10)

Launch educational campaigns about the Earth Pledge and principles.

Begin rewilding efforts and build prototypes of eco-integrated communities.

Phase 2: Restoration and Redistribution (Years 11–50)

Dismantle industrial systems and replace with sustainable alternatives.

Expand Community Hubs and guild networks for equitable access.

Phase 3: Harmony (Years 51–100)

Achieve full tribal governance, with AI ensuring equitable resource management.

Transition cities into eco-integrated hubs, indistinguishable from the natural world.

Cultural and Spiritual Integration 🕊️✨

Guiding Religion:

A belief system centered on forgiveness, compassion, and collective happiness.

Sacred festivals honor nature, transformation, and human unity. 🌿🌏

Spiritual Practices:

Meditation, community storytelling, and rituals connect people to one another and to the Earth. 🌙

Empowerment Plan:

A seven-step process encourages individuals to reflect, grow, and inspire while healing past harms.

What Makes This Vision Unique?

Anti-Classist by Design:

No one holds more power or resources than others. Systems ensure transparency, equity, and communal stewardship. ✊💡

Harmony with Nature:

Human systems are designed to regenerate the Earth. Roads, homes, and hubs blend seamlessly into rewilded landscapes. 🌳🏡

Technology as a Tool for Liberation:

AI and renewable energy systems empower human creativity, equity, and ecological health, not greed. ⚡🌿

Unified Through Culture:

Festivals, rituals, and storytelling celebrate both individuality and collective identity. 👐🌍

Next Steps

1. Shareable Materials:

Help us spread the word! Download flyers, videos, and websites to inspire others to join the movement. ✨

2. Prototype Communities:

Support the building of small-scale eco-tribes that embody these principles, integrating Harmony Markets and AI systems. 🏡🌍

3. Global Movement:

Join or organize gatherings and festivals to share the Earth Pledge, grow the Harmony Market, and build connections worldwide. 🌐

Join the Tribe of Hope Now 🙌🌍

What are your thoughts? Drop a comment, ask questions, or share feedback! Let's make this vision a reality, one step at a time. Together, we can rebalance the Earth. 🌱

💬 What excites you most about this vision? 💬 How do you see yourself contributing to a rebalanced world? 💬 What challenges do you think we need to address first?

[hasufin]

Beta Testing

It's sometimes a really hilarious contrast between my spouse's job and my own.

I work for a top tier tech company which is especially a leader in telework and networking technologies.

They work for a small company whose IT budget consists of "Can you buy 1s and 0s individually? I'm not sure we can afford a full byte."

Which means when they work from home, they remote in to their desktop computer at work using their personal computer.

I have a work-provided laptop with multiple monitors, a VPN router, a high-end webcam, and arguably the best teleconferencing software on the market.

But sometimes my company reminds me that they've officially changed my middle name to "Beta Tester". In previous years they sent me a VPN router which they'd designed for a medium-sized office (it had 48 ports). Which was fine, but there was no documentation on it, and they deprecated the damned thing while I was using it.

And right now, I have a standalone teleconferencing appliance, which is essentially a whole-ass monitor with built-in speakers, microphone, and networking, with most teleconferencing software pre-installed and configured. And not a small one, either. This is a beast meant to be mounted on the wall of a conference room, and they just sent it to me.

Hell, they sent me a "security appliance" and I don't even know what it does. No one has written out any explanation for it. It's just a thing that exists. And if it doesn't work, that's... I'm supposed to report it and help troubleshoot it.

Gonna be honest, I think within ten years they'll send me a complete telepresence rig with holographic display. No idea where I'll put it.

[june-gdprototyping]

CNC development history and processing principles

CNC machine tools are also called Computerized Numerical Control (CNC for short). They are mechatronics products that use digital information to control machine tools. They record the relative position between the tool and the workpiece, the start and stop of the machine tool, the spindle speed change, the workpiece loosening and clamping, the tool selection, the start and stop of the cooling pump and other operations and sequence actions on the control medium with digital codes, and then send the digital information to the CNC device or computer, which will decode and calculate, issue instructions to control the machine tool servo system or other actuators, so that the machine tool can process the required workpiece.

‌1. The evolution of CNC technology: from mechanical gears to digital codes

The Beginning of Mechanical Control (late 19th century - 1940s)

The prototype of CNC technology can be traced back to the invention of mechanical automatic machine tools in the 19th century. In 1887, the cam-controlled lathe invented by American engineer Herman realized "programmed" processing for the first time by rotating cams to drive tool movement. Although this mechanical programming method is inefficient, it provides a key idea for subsequent CNC technology. During World War II, the surge in demand for military equipment accelerated the innovation of processing technology, but the processing capacity of traditional machine tools for complex parts had reached a bottleneck.

The electronic revolution (1950s-1970s)

After World War II, manufacturing industries mostly relied on manual operations. After workers understood the drawings, they manually operated machine tools to process parts. This way of producing products was costly, inefficient, and the quality was not guaranteed. In 1952, John Parsons' team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed the world's first CNC milling machine, which input instructions through punched paper tape, marking the official birth of CNC technology. The core breakthrough of this stage was "digital signals replacing mechanical transmission" - servo motors replaced gears and connecting rods, and code instructions replaced manual adjustments. In the 1960s, the popularity of integrated circuits reduced the size and cost of CNC systems. Japanese companies such as Fanuc launched commercial CNC equipment, and the automotive and aviation industries took the lead in introducing CNC production lines. 

Integration of computer technology (1980s-2000s)

With the maturity of microprocessor and graphical interface technology, CNC entered the PC control era. In 1982, Siemens of Germany launched the first microprocessor-based CNC system Sinumerik 800, whose programming efficiency was 100 times higher than that of paper tape. The integration of CAD (computer-aided design) and CAM (computer-aided manufacturing) software allows engineers to directly convert 3D models into machining codes, and the machining accuracy of complex surfaces reaches the micron level. During this period, equipment such as five-axis linkage machining centers came into being, promoting the rapid development of mold manufacturing and medical device industries.

Intelligence and networking (21st century to present)

The Internet of Things and artificial intelligence technologies have given CNC machine tools new vitality. Modern CNC systems use sensors to monitor parameters such as cutting force and temperature in real time, and use machine learning to optimize processing paths. For example, the iSMART Factory solution of Japan's Mazak Company achieves intelligent scheduling of hundreds of machine tools through cloud collaboration. In 2023, the global CNC machine tool market size has exceeded US$80 billion, and China has become the largest manufacturing country with a production share of 31%.

2. CNC machining principles: How code drives steel

The essence of CNC technology is to convert the physical machining process into a control closed loop of digital signals. Its operation logic can be divided into three stages:

Geometric Modeling and Programming

After building a 3D model using CAD software such as UG and SolidWorks, CAM software “deconstructs” the model: automatically calculating parameters such as tool path, feed rate, spindle speed, and generating G code (such as G01 X100 Y200 F500 for linear interpolation to coordinates (100,200) and feed rate 500mm/min). Modern software can even simulate the material removal process and predict machining errors.

Numerical control system analysis and implementation

The "brain" of CNC machine tools - the numerical control system (such as Fanuc 30i, Siemens 840D) converts G codes into electrical pulse signals. Taking a three-axis milling machine as an example, the servo motors of the X/Y/Z axes receive pulse commands and convert rotary motion into linear displacement through ball screws, with a positioning accuracy of up to ±0.002mm. The closed-loop control system uses a grating ruler to feedback position errors in real time, forming a dynamic correction mechanism.

Multi-physics collaborative control

During the machining process, the machine tool needs to coordinate multiple parameters synchronously: the spindle motor drives the tool to rotate at a high speed of 20,000 rpm, the cooling system sprays atomized cutting fluid to reduce the temperature, and the tool changing robot completes the tool change within 0.5 seconds. For example, when machining titanium alloy blades, the system needs to dynamically adjust the cutting depth according to the hardness of the material to avoid tool chipping.

‌3. The future of CNC technology: cross-dimensional breakthroughs and industrial transformation

Currently, CNC technology is facing three major trends:

‌Combined‌: Turning and milling machine tools can complete turning, milling, grinding and other processes on one device, reducing clamping time by 90%;

Additive-subtractive integration: Germany's DMG MORI's LASERTEC series machine tools combine 3D printing and CNC finishing to directly manufacture aerospace engine combustion chambers;

‌Digital Twin‌: By using a virtual machine tool to simulate the actual machining process, China's Shenyang Machine Tool's i5 system has increased debugging efficiency by 70%.

From the meshing of mechanical gears to the flow of digital signals, CNC technology has rewritten the underlying logic of the manufacturing industry in 70 years. It is not only an upgrade of machine tools, but also a leap in the ability of humans to transform abstract thinking into physical entities. In the new track of intelligent manufacturing, CNC technology will continue to break through the limits of materials, precision and efficiency, and write a new chapter for industrial civilization.

[enzaelectric]

Why the Low Voltage Switchgear Market is Booming in 2025?

The low voltage switchgear market is growing rapidly in 2025 due to growth in electricity consumption, development of intelligent devices, and a strong emphasis on sustainability. Energy efficiency, digital transformation, and security are critical for industries and businesses, which leads to a high demand for new, robust, and intelligent switchgear. This article will discuss key drivers of market growth, emerging trends, and their impact on businesses and industries globally.

1. The Growing Demand for Electricity

Over the past few decades, the increasing demand for efficiency in power distribution systems has become ever imminent with the rise of general energy consumption. Rapid urban expansion, industrial development, and the emergence of data centers have been some of the major driving forces boosting the demand for low-voltage switchgear.

Global Electricity Demand on the Rise:

· The IEA projects electricity demand in developing nations will rise at a rate of 4% each year, as consumption steadily climbs.

· Data facilities and cloud computing require relentless power sources, amplifying the need for resilient switching equipment solutions capable of sustaining operations.

· The proliferation of electric vehicle charging points is compelling utilities to renovate distribution networks, ensuring functionality can accommodate increased demand.

Modernization spreads as industries broaden their scope, making electrically-reliable infrastructure an imperative; low voltage switchgear has become integral to conveying energy throughout the grid in a secure and effective manner.

2. Smart & Digital Switchgear: The Industry’s Future

Traditional switchgear technology has evolved rapidly with the integration of intelligent networking capabilities, making electrical distribution safer, more efficient, and easier to monitor remotely. The new digital switchgear incorporates IoT, AI, and cloud-based monitoring solutions to provide real-time insight into energy usage. This allows businesses to proactively optimize performance and reduce costs through more proactive maintenance strategies.

Major Developments in Intelligent Switchgear by 2025:

✅Online Sensor Networks: Constant telemetry from devices throughout the system helps pinpoint potential weaknesses before failures occur.

✅Self-learning Circuitry: AI-powered hardware and software automatically analyze usage patterns to forecast repairs, minimize outages, and heighten uptime.

✅Wireless Remote Management: Mobile apps and web dashboards give administrators off-site control over power flows to streamline usage according to need.

✅Modular Construction: Interchangeable, compact components facilitate scaling and retrofitting within varied infrastructure environments.

The shift toward automated smart grids and Industry 4.0 production is substantially contributing to the booming market for intelligent switchgear solutions. Widespread installation of these next-generation systems will transform electrical distribution networks.

3. Rising Emphasis on Energy Efficiency & Sustainability

Governments and industries worldwide have increasingly pushed for greener, more energy-efficient power solutions in recent years. This has led electrical equipment manufacturers to develop eco-friendly switchgear technologies that considerably minimize energy loss during transmission and help reduce overall carbon footprints.

Sustainable Advancements in Low Voltage Switchgear Design:

Alternative gases to SF6: Traditional switchgear commonly uses SF6 due to its insulating and arc-quenching capabilities, however this gas has an extremely high global warming potential. Many switchgear producers have since designed SF6-free solutions that substitute the highly potent SF6 with other gases that are safer for the environment.

Energy-Efficient Designs: Optimizing circuitry and components has allowed switchgear to conduct electricity with negligible power loss, enabling connected systems to leverage nearly every watt of power. Careful engineering further trims excess material use and redundant parts.

Renewable Energy Integration: Low voltage switchgear has become increasingly vital in smoothly and reliably integrating power from solar arrays and wind farms into existing electrical networks. Without robust switchgear management, it would be difficult for clean energy sources to efficiently feed power onto transmission lines.

With the implementation of more stringent energy performance mandates in countries worldwide, businesses have sound business reasons for upgrading outdated switchgear infrastructure with advanced low loss solutions both to adhere to regulations and lower long-term energy expenditures.

4. Increasing Investments in Infrastructure & Industrialization

Governments and private investors alike are pouring billions into ambitious infrastructure projects around the world, generating skyrocketing demand for reliable low voltage switchgear solutions. From towering commercial skyscrapers to sprawling industrial complexes, and expanding metro networks to bustling international airports — countless utilities depend on robust yet cost-effective switching systems to ensure continuity of operations.

🔹 Key Infrastructure Drivers Stimulating Growth:

🏗️ Smart Cities Uplift Life: Sweeping investments in digital urbanization are revolutionizing everyday living through connected infrastructure that elevates efficiency.

🏭 Manufacturing Marvels: Production powerhouses across the globe are scaling new heights, intensifying the necessity for advanced low voltage distribution controls to support increased capacity.

🚆 Transportation Transformations: Rapid progress in rail electrification and proliferation of electric vehicles for land and air are necessitating increasingly resilient switchgear designs.

As global development marches forth, low voltage switchgear has become mission critical in enabling commercial and industrial progress through reliable power distribution. The worldwide infrastructure renaissance is cementing its importance for years to come.

5. Safety & Regulatory Compliance Are Driving Upgrades

Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly implementing strict compliance standards to safeguard electrical infrastructure and minimize hazards, compelling upgrades across many industries. Potential calamities resulting from power faults or failures necessitate vigilance in maintaining reliable and resilient systems.

New Safety Regulations in 2025:

⚡ Updated IEC & NEC Standards: Stringent low voltage switchgear specifications mandated to bolster protection.

⚡ Arc Fault Protection Technology: Novel solutions critical to curb risks of electrical ignitions and incidents.

⚡ Mandatory Energy Audits: Organizations now required to optimize distribution for both personnel and operational efficiency through audits.

With approaching deadlines to satisfy evolving regulations, operators are proactively replacing outdated switchgear to conform with mounting compliance demands, contributing to an accelerating industry transformation.

6. The Rise of Data Centers & Digital Transformation

The digital sphere fundamentally relies upon data hubs that necessitate constant power and exceedingly reliable electric frameworks. As distributed computing, man-made brainpower, and IoT reception develop exponentially, ventures are putting vigorously in cutting edge low voltage switches to ensure their foundation from energy blackouts which could bring about gigantic budgetary misfortunes.

24/7 control is essential for operations yet breakdowns prompt critical money related setbacks. To guarantee uptime, focal points utilize auxiliary switches for extra dependability and security alongside far off checking abilities through IoT innovations which empower ongoing following and administration from anywhere. With worldwide distributed computing selection quickening at a quickening pace, interest for top notch low voltage switches arriving at new statures to guarantee frameworks stay online consistently.

7. Competitive Market & Technological Advancements

The low voltage switchgear sector has seen remarkable changes and fierce competition between prestigious brands. Manufacturers are pouring resources into innovation to craft smarter, smaller, and affordable switchboard alternatives.

🔹 Notable Advancements by 2025:

⚙️ Solid-state systems promise enhanced performance and lessened upkeep. Long and compound sentences mix with short ones.

⚙️ Remote accessibility through wireless means permits control and tracking from afar.

⚙️ Self-mending grids using AI to immediately spot and amend problems, maintaining dependable power seamlessly. Complex automation alleviates faults autonomously for maximum uptime.

Conclusion: The Future of Low Voltage Switchgear Looks Bright

Low Voltage Switchgear is forecasted to experience market growth in the year 2025 due to the growing electricity consumption in countries, the rising applications of smart technologies, the increased implementation of sustainability practices, the expansive growth in various industries, and safety regulations. As these industries are gradually moving to energy-efficient, AI-powered, and environmentally friendly switchgears, this demand is expected to increase further.

[rainyducktiger]

Satellite IoT Market Key Players Growth Strategies and Business Models to 2033

Introduction

The Satellite Internet of Things (IoT) market has been experiencing rapid growth in recent years, driven by increasing demand for global connectivity, advancements in satellite technology, and expanding IoT applications across various industries. As businesses and governments seek to leverage IoT for remote monitoring, asset tracking, and environmental sensing, satellite-based solutions have emerged as a crucial component of the global IoT ecosystem. This article explores the key trends, growth drivers, challenges, and future outlook of the satellite IoT market through 2032.

Market Overview

The satellite IoT market encompasses a range of services and solutions that enable IoT devices to communicate via satellite networks, bypassing terrestrial infrastructure constraints. This market is poised to grow significantly due to the increasing number of IoT devices, estimated to exceed 30 billion by 2030. The adoption of satellite IoT solutions is particularly prominent in industries such as agriculture, maritime, transportation, energy, and defense, where traditional connectivity options are limited.

Download a Free Sample Report:- https://tinyurl.com/5bx2u8ms

Key Market Drivers

Expanding IoT Applications

The proliferation of IoT devices across industries is fueling demand for satellite-based connectivity solutions. Sectors like agriculture, logistics, and environmental monitoring rely on satellite IoT for real-time data transmission from remote locations.

Advancements in Satellite Technology

The development of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations has significantly enhanced the capability and affordability of satellite IoT services. Companies like SpaceX (Starlink), OneWeb, and Amazon (Project Kuiper) are investing heavily in satellite networks to provide global coverage.

Rising Demand for Remote Connectivity

As industries expand operations into remote and rural areas, the need for uninterrupted IoT connectivity has increased. Satellite IoT solutions offer reliable alternatives to terrestrial networks, ensuring seamless data transmission.

Regulatory Support and Investments

Governments and space agencies worldwide are promoting satellite IoT initiatives through funding, policy frameworks, and public-private partnerships, further driving market growth.

Growing Need for Asset Tracking and Monitoring

Sectors such as logistics, oil and gas, and maritime heavily rely on satellite IoT for real-time asset tracking, predictive maintenance, and operational efficiency.

Market Challenges

High Initial Costs and Maintenance

Deploying and maintaining satellite IoT infrastructure involves significant investment, which may hinder adoption among small and medium enterprises.

Limited Bandwidth and Latency Issues

Despite advancements, satellite networks still face challenges related to bandwidth limitations and latency, which can impact real-time data transmission.

Cybersecurity Concerns

With the increasing number of connected devices, the risk of cyber threats and data breaches is a major concern for satellite IoT operators.

Industry Trends

Emergence of Hybrid Connectivity Solutions

Companies are integrating satellite IoT with terrestrial networks, including 5G and LPWAN, to provide seamless and cost-effective connectivity solutions.

Miniaturization of Satellites

The trend toward smaller, cost-efficient satellites (e.g., CubeSats) is making satellite IoT services more accessible and scalable.

AI and Edge Computing Integration

Artificial intelligence (AI) and edge computing are being incorporated into satellite IoT systems to enhance data processing capabilities, reduce latency, and improve decision-making.

Proliferation of Low-Cost Satellite IoT Devices

With declining costs of satellite IoT modules and sensors, adoption rates are increasing across industries.

Sustainable Space Practices

Efforts to minimize space debris and implement eco-friendly satellite technology are gaining traction, influencing the future of satellite IoT deployments.

Market Segmentation

By Service Type

Satellite Connectivity Services

Satellite IoT Platforms

Data Analytics & Management

By End-User Industry

Agriculture

Transportation & Logistics

Energy & Utilities

Maritime

Defense & Government

Healthcare

By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Future Outlook (2024-2032)

The satellite IoT market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 20% from 2024 to 2032. Key developments anticipated in the market include:

Expansion of LEO satellite constellations for enhanced global coverage.

Increased investment in space-based IoT startups and innovation hubs.

Strategic collaborations between telecom providers and satellite operators.

Adoption of AI-driven analytics for predictive monitoring and automation.

Conclusion

The satellite IoT market is on a trajectory of substantial growth, driven by technological advancements, increasing demand for remote connectivity, and expanding industrial applications. While challenges such as cost and security remain, innovations in satellite design, AI integration, and hybrid network solutions are expected to propel the industry forward. As we move toward 2032, satellite IoT will play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of global connectivity and digital transformation across various sectors.Read Full Report:-https://www.uniprismmarketresearch.com/verticals/information-communication-technology/satellite-iot.html

[teine-mallaichte]

CyberPunk Thedas AU

Alec Hawke

Human | Freelancer | Former Corporate Heir

AU Background: Hawke's family once owned a powerful corporation, but his uncle’s mismanagement led to them losing control. Despite this, the Hawke (weel the Amell) name still carries some weight in corporate and high-society circles. His upbringing gave him access to elite education and combat training, but he rejected the corporate world, choosing the freelance life instead.

Current Life: Now a mercenary, Hawke takes on various jobs—security, retrieval, corporate sabotage, and the occasional high-stakes smuggling run. He operates in the gray areas of legality, skirting corporate interests while keeping just enough distance from the authorities. He has allies across the city, from the slums of Lowtown to the glass towers of Hightown.

Skills:

Proficient in both close-quarters combat and firearms.

Uses a mix of cybernetics and old-school tech.

Well-connected in both high society and the criminal underworld, making him an excellent negotiator and dealmaker.

Quick-thinking, adaptable, and highly skilled in urban survival.

Personality: Charismatic, pragmatic, fiercely protective of his people. He’s good at reading the room and talking his way out of bad situations. Uses humor to deflect but has a strong moral core, even if he pretends otherwise. He acts like he doesn’t care, but he does—deeply.

Anders

Human | Rogue Healer | Cybernetic Mage (Corrupted)

Background: Once a Circle Mage, Anders was subjected to state-mandated neural implants designed to monitor and control magic users. After escaping, he attempted to remove the implant, but the procedure failed catastrophically, leaving him with a rogue presence in his system—Justice, an artificial consciousness or "ghost in the machine." Officially classified as corrupted, Anders is a high-priority target for government execution or system wiping (basically this AUs Tranquility Rite).

Current Life: Runs an illegal underground clinic in Kirkwall. Officially, it’s a veterinary clinic, but in reality, he treats whoever comes through the doors, including people who can’t afford legal medical care. He’s constantly on the run from authorities, relying on Varric’s influence and Hawke’s muscle to stay hidden.

Skills:

Healer—both traditional medicine and magic – the latter being illegal due to his lack of circle oversight.

Advanced medical and cybernetic knowledge.

Can interface with technology in unpredictable ways due to Justice’s influence.

Extremely difficult to detect digitally, as his corrupted status confuses most surveillance systems. However, the templar mana scanning drones can still sense him so he wears a mana suppressing pendent when in public.

Isabela

Human | Smuggler | Black Market Operator

Background: Isabela has spent her life running from one bad situation to the next, always staying one step ahead of those who would control her. She started as a low-level smuggler but quickly became a major player in Kirkwall’s underground, dealing in high-stakes contraband. Unlike most, she isn’t tied to any corporation or gang, making her an invaluable neutral party.

Current Life: She runs a smuggling network specialising in illegal cybernetics, lyrium-infused tech, and stolen corporate data. If something is too rare, too dangerous, or too illegal to be bought normally, Isabela can usually get it—or knows who can. She owns a ship that Merrill and Varric have helped her modify to be close to untraceable.

Skills:

Expert in ship piloting and high-speed getaways.

Skilled in hand-to-hand combat and firearms.

Cybernetic enhancements improve reflexes and perception, but she paid extra to gain ones that are not immediately visible to others.

Master of deception, charm, and manipulation.

Merrill

Elf | Techno-Mage

Background: Merrill was a prodigy in experimental techno-magic, combining traditional elven magic with cybernetics. However, her research was deemed illegal and immoral, leading to her exile. Now, she lives on the fringes of society, misunderstood and feared for her work.

Current Life: She survives in Lowtown, working on hidden projects that blend magic and technology in ways most consider impossible. While her work could change the world, it also makes her a target. She’s on the run from both corporations and the government, who want her knowledge either erased or weaponized.

Skills:

Can manipulate cybernetics and technology using magic, making her an incredibly dangerous wildcard.

Specialist in lyrium-powered machines and enchantments.

Capable of hacking, though her methods are unconventional.

Can disable or even control cybernetically enhanced individuals through techno-magic—something she only does when absolutely necessary.

Fenris

Elf | Augmented Warrior | Fugitive

Background: Fenris was once a test subject in a horrific cybernetic experiment, forcibly enhanced with full-body lyrium-infused cybernetics that fuse with his nervous system. The process wiped most of his memories, leaving him with nothing but fragmented nightmares of his past torment. He escaped his captors and now hunts those who would enslave others as he once was.

Skills:

Cybernetically enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes.

Can phase through solid matter using his lyrium-infused systems.

Resistance to most magic, including techno-magic control.

Expert in close-quarters combat, especially with melee weapons.

Aveline

Human | Ex-Government Enforcer | Security Specialist

Background: Once a respected officer in Kirkwall’s security forces, Aveline left when she realized how corrupt the system truly was. She now works as an independent security specialist, offering protection to those who can afford her—or those who need it the most.

Current Life: She operates in a gray area, often clashing with law enforcement but still believing in justice. While she tries to enforce the law, she also tried to recognise when the law is unjust.

Skills:

Expert in combat, both armed and unarmed.

Skilled tactician and investigator.

Limited but effective cybernetic enhancements focused on durability and combat efficiency.

Extensive knowledge of security systems and corporate procedures.

Varric

Dwarf | Information Broker | Underground Fixer

Background: A master of information, Varric thrives in Kirkwall’s underground, running The Hanged Man as both a bar and an information hub. He publicly favours “old tech,” but he’s more than capable of manipulating the modern cyber-network.

Current Life: Officially Varric owns the Hanged Man and is also a published author. Unofficially he is a fixer, problem solver, and information broker. He has contacts seemingly everywhere and is often pulling strings behind the scenes to keep his friends safe.

Skills:

Master manipulator and strategist.

Extensive black-market connections.

Expert in hacking and digital warfare, though he never admits it.

Keeps his personal tech old-school to avoid tracking.

World Building (or how I have butchered canon)

Techno-Magic

(Treated a lot like blood magic in canon)

Tthis form of magic is illegal in most of Thedas. Since cybernetic enhancements are widespread, any mage capable of using techno-magic is seen as a threat, able to override cybernetics, corrupt data, and even manipulate people with implants.

Cybernetic Manipulation: Techno-mages can disable or hijack cybernetic enhancements, effectively controlling enhanced individuals.

Neural Corruption: Improper use of techno-magic can cause a mage’s neural implant to glitch, creating rogue AIs or “spirits” that overtake the user’s mind. In rare cases, this can also happen to non-mages.

Because of its dangers, techno-magic is outlawed worldwide, and those caught practicing it face execution or neural system wiping (the AU equivalent of the Tranquility Rite).

--

Templars

A private police force tasked with controlling magic and enforcing corporate interests. They are elite paramilitary enforcers, feared by both mages and unregistered cybernetic users.

Mana Suppression Armor: Their suits are engraved with runes that weaken magic in their vicinity.

Mana-Scanning Drones: Constantly patrol the city, detecting unauthorized magic signatures.

Neural Override Commands: Can use corporate-registered signals to forcibly disable a mage’s implant, rendering them powerless or unconscious.

Psi-Null Fields: High-end corporate and government buildings are reinforced against magic, making them immune to techno-magic interference.

--

The Circle

a government-sanctioned mage workforce where all magic users are controlled and monitored.

Tracking & Surveillance: Every Circle mage has an implant that logs their location and activity in real-time.

Magic Regulation: Implants limit their spell output, ensuring they don’t exceed state-approved thresholds.

Corporate Contracts: Mages are assigned to industrial, security, or medical sectors based on their abilities. They are escorted to and from these work assignments daily.

---

Lyrium

Lyrium is an arcane metal that serves as the foundation of both magic and technology in this world. It is highly conductive, not just for electricity but for magical energy, making it a vital resource for both mages and cybernetic industries. However, its raw form is highly toxic to most, causing severe neurological and physical damage with prolonged exposure.

Due to its unique arcane properties, lyrium is one of the most valuable and controlled substances in Thedas. In the hands of corporations and magical institutions, it is refined and used to power cybernetic enhancements, create energy sources, and fuel complex enchantments.

However, lyrium can also be deadly—especially when processed into illicit forms such as lyrium-based drugs. These drugs can enhance physical and mental abilities for a short time, making them highly addictive but also dangerously unstable, often leading to violent outbursts or neural breakdowns.

---

Hightown

The corporate utopia of Kirkwall, home to CEOs, government officials, and the ultra-wealthy.

Arcane Skyscrapers: Reinforced by Circle mages with anti-degradation and security wards.

Corporate Enforcers: Private security, off-duty Templars, and cyber-enhanced guards patrol the streets.

Controlled Environment: Air filtration, artificial weather regulation, and digital monitoring keep everything in order.

---

Lowtown

A cyberpunk sprawl where the working class and outcasts live in decaying infrastructure under the constant shadow of Hightown’s towers.

Overpopulation & Pollution: Smog from industrial runoff lingers permanently, and power failures are common.

Black Markets & Underground Clinics: Illegal cybernetic modifications and unlicensed healers thrive here.

Frequent Templar Patrols: While crime is rampant, they only intervene when magic is involved.

Hacked Infrastructure: Many rely on pirated energy grids and stolen corporate data to survive.

---

Darktown

A subterranean slum beneath Kirkwall, officially designated as uninhabitable but secretly home to outcasts, fugitives, and the forgotten.

Collapsed Infrastructure: Abandoned projects and unstable tunnels make travel dangerous.

Illegal Techno-Magic Labs: Rogue researchers are known to hide here, experimenting outside corporate control.

Experimental Lyrium Dumps: Failed or volatile cybernetic implants discarded by corporations still hum with unstable energy.

Fics/prompts in this AU

Favours? What favours? — A03 link (Anders & Varric)

"They didn't like to be touched by just anyone. But that didn't mean they didn't also crave it sometimes." Fenders

Storm 'Rook' in cyberpunk AU

[chametagency]

Building a Network Marketing Empire with Streaming Apps

The world of streaming apps has opened up unprecedented opportunities for earning and entrepreneurship. When combined with network marketing, these platforms become powerful tools for building scalable businesses. 

Chamet, a leading streaming app with more than 50M downloads, exemplifies this by allowing agents to grow networks of hostesses and subagents while leveraging the platform’s booming popularity. 

Here’s how you can build a network marketing empire with streaming apps like Chamet.

Why Streaming Apps Are Perfect for Network Marketing

Streaming apps connect millions of users worldwide, offering a blend of entertainment and income potential. Their unique appeal lies in:

High Engagement: Live streaming encourages real-time interactions, fostering deeper connections between viewers and hosts.

Scalability: The global reach of streaming platforms means agents can recruit hostesses and subagents from virtually anywhere.

Continuous Demand: The growing popularity of live-streaming entertainment ensures consistent opportunities for income generation.

How Chamet Combines Streaming and Network Marketing

Chamet blends the live-streaming industry with network marketing principles, enabling agents to earn through two primary channels:

Hostess Revenue: Hostesses earn money by engaging viewers through private calls, live streams, and virtual gifts. Agents receive a commission from the total revenue generated by their hostesses.

Subagent Earnings: Agents can recruit subagents who operate their own networks of hostesses, creating a layered income structure.

This dual-income model allows agents to scale their businesses while benefiting from the efforts of their teams.

Steps to Build Your Network Marketing Empire

1. Start as an Agent

To begin your journey, register as a Chamet agent. This grants you access to the agent dashboard, where you can recruit hostesses and subagents, track earnings, and manage your team.

2. Recruit and Empower Hostesses

Hostesses are the foundation of your network marketing empire. Focus on recruiting individuals who are:

Charismatic and confident on camera.

Consistent in their live-streaming efforts.

Motivated to maximize their earnings.

Offer training and support to help your hostesses succeed. Provide tips on audience engagement, optimizing their streaming setup, and participating in Chamet’s events to boost visibility and income.

3. Expand with Subagents

Subagents amplify your reach and revenue by building their own networks. Recruit subagents who have:

Experience in sales, marketing, or leadership roles.

An understanding of network marketing principles.

The drive to grow their businesses independently.

Mentor your subagents by sharing best practices, offering guidance, and celebrating their milestones.

4. Leverage Technology

Streaming apps like Chamet provide tools to streamline your operations:

Agent Dashboard: Track earnings, monitor performance, and manage your team.

Invitation Links: Recruit hostesses and subagents easily by sharing personalized registration links.

Real-Time Translation: Expand your global reach with seamless communication.

5. Use Affiliate Marketing Strategies

Promote your Chamet agency through affiliate marketing techniques:

Share your invitation links on social media, blogs, and videos.

Highlight success stories and testimonials to inspire potential recruits.

Run targeted ads to attract hostesses and subagents.

6. Foster Team Collaboration

A collaborative and motivated team is key to long-term success. Encourage:

Open Communication: Regularly check in with your hostesses and subagents to address challenges and provide feedback.

Participation in Events: Promote Chamet’s daily and weekly competitions to boost earnings and engagement.

Recognition and Rewards: Celebrate achievements through shoutouts, bonuses, or incentives.

Why Chamet Is Ideal for Building Your Empire

1. Scalable Income

With no caps on earnings, your income grows as your network expands. Both direct and indirect revenues contribute to your overall success.

2. Global Reach

Chamet’s international audience allows you to recruit hostesses and subagents from different countries, broadening your network and revenue potential.

3. Flexible Work Model

Chamet’s flexibility lets agents and their teams work on their own schedules, making it ideal for students, parents, or professionals seeking additional income.

4. Daily Payouts

Chamet ensures quick and reliable payouts, motivating your team to stay active and engaged.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

1. Finding the Right Recruits Solution: Target individuals with strong interpersonal skills and a passion for growth. Tailor your recruitment pitch to highlight how Chamet aligns with their goals.

2. Maintaining Team Motivation Solution: Offer regular mentorship, celebrate successes, and provide tips for improvement to keep your team engaged and driven.

3. Scaling Operations Solution: Use Chamet’s tools and automation features to streamline management as your network grows.

The Future of Network Marketing in Streaming

Ready to start building your network marketing empire? Visit the Chamet Agency Registration Page and take the first step toward success.