#Tech-Driven Growth

[goodoldbandit]

Beyond Tech Support: Turning IT into a Digital Value Powerhouse.

Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo. skm.stayingalive.in CIOs are no longer tech fixers—they’re value creators. This post examines the shift from IT management to digital growth. Digital transformation isn’t about new tools. It’s about new value. CIOs and IT leaders who treat IT as a service function are missing the point. The future belongs to those who move fast, build lean, think…

[truetechreview]

Top 5 DeepSeek AI Features Powering Industry Innovation

Table of Contents1. The Problem: Why Legacy Tools Can’t Keep Up2. What Makes DeepSeek AI Unique?3. 5 Game-Changing DeepSeek AI Features (with Real Stories)3.1 Adaptive Learning Engine3.2 Real-Time Anomaly Detection3.3 Natural Language Reports3.4 Multi-Cloud Sync3.5 Ethical AI Auditor4. How These Features Solve Everyday Challenges5. Step-by-Step: Getting Started with DeepSeek AI6. FAQs: Your…

[grey-space-computing]

Boost E-commerce in Saudi Arabia with ML-Powered Apps

In today's digital era, the e-commerce industry in Saudi Arabia is rapidly expanding, fueled by increasing internet penetration and a tech-savvy population. To stay competitive, businesses are turning to advanced technologies, particularly Machine Learning (ML), to enhance user experiences, optimize operations, and drive growth. This article explores how ML is transforming the e-commerce landscape in Saudi Arabia and how businesses can leverage this technology to boost their success.

The Current E-commerce Landscape in Saudi Arabia

The e-commerce market in Saudi Arabia has seen exponential growth over the past few years. With a young population, widespread smartphone usage, and supportive government policies, the Kingdom is poised to become a leading e-commerce hub in the Middle East. Key players like Noon, Souq, and Jarir have set the stage, but the market is ripe for innovation, especially with the integration of Machine Learning.

The Role of Machine Learning in E-commerce

Machine Learning, a subset of Artificial Intelligence (AI), involves the use of algorithms to analyze data, learn from it, and make informed decisions. In e-commerce, ML enhances various aspects, from personalization to fraud detection. Machine Learning’s ability to analyze large datasets and identify trends is crucial for businesses aiming to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Personalized Shopping Experiences

Personalization is crucial in today’s e-commerce environment. ML algorithms analyze user data, such as browsing history and purchase behavior, to recommend products that align with individual preferences. This not only elevates the customer experience but also drives higher conversion rates. For example, platforms that leverage ML for personalization have seen significant boosts in sales, as users are more likely to purchase items that resonate with their interests.

Optimizing Inventory Management

Effective inventory management is critical for e-commerce success. ML-driven predictive analytics can forecast demand with high accuracy, helping businesses maintain optimal inventory levels. This minimizes the chances of overstocking or running out of products, ensuring timely availability for customers. E-commerce giants like Amazon have successfully implemented ML to streamline their inventory management processes, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

Dynamic Pricing Strategies

Price is a major factor influencing consumer decisions. Machine Learning enables real-time dynamic pricing by assessing market trends, competitor rates, and customer demand. This allows businesses to adjust their prices to maximize revenue while remaining competitive. Dynamic pricing, powered by ML, has proven effective in attracting price-sensitive customers and increasing overall profitability.

Enhanced Customer Support

Customer support is another area where ML shines. AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants can handle a large volume of customer inquiries, providing instant responses and resolving issues efficiently. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also reduces the operational costs associated with maintaining a large support team. E-commerce businesses in Saudi Arabia can greatly benefit from incorporating ML into their customer service strategies.

Fraud Detection and Security

With the rise of online transactions, ensuring the security of customer data and payments is paramount. ML algorithms can detect fraudulent activities by analyzing transaction patterns and identifying anomalies. By implementing ML-driven security measures, e-commerce businesses can protect their customers and build trust, which is essential for long-term success.

Improving Marketing Campaigns

Effective marketing is key to driving e-commerce success. ML can analyze customer data to create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with specific audiences. It enhances the impact of marketing efforts, leading to improved customer engagement and higher conversion rates. Successful e-commerce platforms use ML to fine-tune their marketing strategies, ensuring that their messages reach the right people at the right time.

Case Study: Successful E-commerce Companies in Saudi Arabia Using ML

Several e-commerce companies in Saudi Arabia have already begun leveraging ML to drive growth. For example, Noon uses ML to personalize the shopping experience and optimize its supply chain, leading to increased customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. These companies serve as examples of how ML can be a game-changer in the competitive e-commerce market.

Challenges of Implementing Machine Learning in E-commerce

While the benefits of ML are clear, implementing this technology in e-commerce is not without challenges. Technical hurdles, such as integrating ML with existing systems, can be daunting. Additionally, there are concerns about data privacy, particularly in handling sensitive customer information. Businesses must address these challenges to fully harness the power of ML.

Future Trends in Machine Learning and E-commerce

As ML continues to evolve, new trends are emerging that will shape the future of e-commerce. For instance, the integration of ML with augmented reality (AR) offers exciting possibilities, such as virtual try-ons for products. Businesses that stay ahead of these trends will be well-positioned to lead the market in the coming years.

Influence of Machine Learning on Consumer Behavior in Saudi Arabia

ML is already influencing consumer behavior in Saudi Arabia, with personalized experiences leading to increased customer loyalty. As more businesses adopt ML, consumers can expect even more tailored shopping experiences, further enhancing their satisfaction and engagement.

Government Support and Regulations

The Saudi government is proactively encouraging the integration of cutting-edge technologies, including ML, within the e-commerce industry. Through initiatives like Vision 2030, the government aims to transform the Kingdom into a global tech hub. However, businesses must also navigate regulations related to data privacy and AI to ensure compliance.

Conclusion

Machine Learning is revolutionizing e-commerce in Saudi Arabia, offering businesses new ways to enhance user experiences, optimize operations, and drive growth. By embracing ML, e-commerce companies can not only stay competitive but also set new standards in the industry. The future of e-commerce in Saudi Arabia is bright, and Machine Learning will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in shaping its success.

FAQs

How does Machine Learning contribute to the e-commerce sector? Machine Learning enhances e-commerce by improving personalization, optimizing inventory, enabling dynamic pricing, and enhancing security.

How can Machine Learning improve customer experiences in e-commerce? ML analyzes user data to provide personalized recommendations, faster customer support, and tailored marketing campaigns, improving overall satisfaction.

What are the challenges of integrating ML in e-commerce? Challenges include technical integration, data privacy concerns, and the need for skilled professionals to manage ML systems effectively.

Which Saudi e-commerce companies are successfully using ML? Companies like Noon and Souq are leveraging ML for personalized shopping experiences, inventory management, and customer support.

What is the future of e-commerce with ML in Saudi Arabia? The future looks promising with trends like ML-driven AR experiences and more personalized

[jpptech]

Transforming Ideas into Impact: How JPP Tech Builds Future-Ready Brands

In a digital world that evolves by the second, businesses need more than just a good idea — they need a strategic, scalable, and tech-driven partner who can bring that idea to life. This is where JPP Tech steps in. As a leading provider of digital solutions, JPP Tech is not just another web development company — it’s a catalyst for brand transformation.

From Vision to Execution: The JPP Tech Philosophy

At the core of JPP Tech’s approach is a simple belief — “Your Vision, Our Innovation.” Whether you're a startup with a groundbreaking concept or an established enterprise looking to upgrade your digital presence, JPP Tech has the tools, talent, and technology to turn your vision into measurable success.

Their work goes beyond mere coding or design — it’s about creating future-ready brands that are built to last, scale, and succeed in today’s highly competitive online landscape.

What Sets JPP Tech Apart?

1. End-to-End Digital Services

JPP Tech offers a 360-degree suite of services, including:

Website Development (WordPress, Laravel, Shopify, and custom builds)

UI/UX Design that blends aesthetics with usability

Digital Marketing – SEO, PPC, social media marketing, email campaigns

Graphic Design – Logos, branding kits, brochures, packaging

App Development for Android & iOS

IT Solutions & Consulting for custom business needs

Explore their full service offering at https://jpptech.com/.

2. Customized Solutions for Every Brand

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach at JPP Tech. Each project begins with deep research, client collaboration, and creative brainstorming. The team then develops tailored solutions that align with your brand identity, market demands, and customer behavior.

3. Agile & Scalable Tech Development

Whether you're launching an MVP or scaling a full-fledged e-commerce store, JPP Tech builds platforms that grow with you. They use modern frameworks and agile methodologies to ensure speed, flexibility, and seamless integration across devices and channels.

4. Result-Driven Digital Marketing

Getting online is just the beginning. JPP Tech ensures that your brand gets found, gets followed, and gets results. Their data-driven digital marketing strategies help businesses drive traffic, improve engagement, and boost ROI through smart analytics, optimized campaigns, and compelling content.

Real Brands. Real Impact.

From healthcare and hospitality to e-commerce and education, JPP Tech has successfully served a wide range of industries. Their growing portfolio showcases:

Interactive and fast-loading websites

Beautiful, intuitive mobile apps

Strong branding and marketing collateral

Increased search visibility and conversion rates

Each project is a testimony to how JPP Tech doesn’t just build websites – they build brands.

Why Being Future-Ready Matters

The digital landscape is evolving faster than ever — new trends, algorithms, and technologies emerge daily. To stay competitive, brands must:

Embrace change with agility

Invest in scalable digital infrastructure

Create omnichannel experiences

Deliver consistent value to users

JPP Tech empowers you to do all of this — and more.

Ready to Build Your Future-Ready Brand?

Let your ideas find their true potential with JPP Tech. Whether it’s building your first online presence or scaling a global e-commerce empire, they’re here to help you inspire, develop, and succeed.

Visit JPP Tech today to explore their services, view past work, and get in touch for a consultation.

[thesomethingguy]

The Unstoppable Surge of AI: Why Learning It Is No Longer Optional

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a technological advancement—it’s a paradigm shift, reshaping industries, societies, and even the way we think about ourselves. The pace at which AI is evolving is nothing short of breathtaking. What once seemed like science fiction—self-driving cars, personalized medicine, real-time language translation, and machines that can create art indistinguishable…

[striquegcc]

The Future of Advertising awaits!

Did you know about 70% of marketers spend hours analyzing their campaign performances? You’re not alone if you find it challenging to achieve consistent profitability with your ad performances! 

The current advertising world is going through a big change. With every passing stage in the marketing field, companies have been introducing innovative strategies and tools that help them engage with their customers. With this constantly evolving digital time, one fundamental question to be asked is: “Are you ready to embrace the upcoming future of advertising?”

With the consistently developing world of digital advertising, embracing new technologies cannot be considered an option, it’s obligatory! Businesses need to keep evolving constantly, with solutions that aren’t just innovative but flexible, productive, and accurate too.

Key drivers shaping the future of advertising.

Introduction of AI integration and automation: It’s a lot simpler to deliver tailored experiences to customers with AI and machine learning. Campaign effectiveness gets improved because of these tools since they allow campaign strategies to be tweaked instantly, forecast how customer demands will change, and optimize ad placements.

Decision-making based on data: In the current competitive market, data analytics are essential as they provide information about evolving customer preferences, campaign performances, and new market trends. This allows marketers to tailor their campaigns and make educated decisions based on what the customers need. 

Multichannel Experiences: There are different ways to maintain communication between brands and customers, like websites, social networking platforms, applications, and physical stores. To keep your campaigns effective, it’s important to incorporate clear and unified messaging across all channels.

Introduction of Strique in the GCC Market

Now what if I told you that you don’t need to spend hours in front of your computer screen to analyze and optimize your campaigns? What if there was a way to have all your reports compiled automatically for you? You want to hear something extraordinary? Strique has landed in the GCC to make your lives simpler! 

Companies are discovering new strategies to improve their digital campaigns, while the GCC goes through a rapid development in the eCommerce field. Strique has been developed for this purpose too!

With the GCC going through an evolution in the eCommerce field, companies are seeking creative ways to enhance their digital marketing strategies. This is where Strique comes into the picture. Strique is a marketing and ad automation platform that is based on data, created to revolutionize marketing campaigns in the GCC.

What Is Strique?

Strique isn’t just your normal promotional tool. It’s a cutting-edge solution to optimize and enhance your ad campaigns, solving problems that companies face in this digital era. 

Strique’s founders, Vatsal Rajgor and Poojan Ajani, created it in 2023 to deliver a fresh perspective in the marketing field.

Vatsal Rajgor and Poojan Ajani, the visionary founders, developed Strique in 2023, providing a new perspective in the field of marketing technology.

Strique’s use of AI, one of its USPs, allows companies to generate extensively detailed reports along with recommendations instantly, providing them with the opportunity to make quick decisions, enhancing campaign outcomes.

One of the main distinguishing features of Strique is the utilization of AI, which enables businesses to develop comprehensive reports and actionable results within seconds, allowing them to make quicker decisions and maximize the campaign results.

Strique specializes in:

Enhancing shopping initiatives: Strique ensures your products are more prominently visible on platforms like Facebook and Google Ads, thus increasing awareness and reducing the chances of rejections.

AI-Driven Insights: By efficiently using advanced AI technology, Strique creates detailed campaign reports along with suggestions and guidance on what needs to be fixed instantly. This saves time and also increases reliability on the software.

Optimizing workflows: Using Strique, companies can seamlessly link to analytical and social tools without requiring any major alterations in the backend and maintaining productivity too.

Maximizing ROI: By using strong data analysis features and AI, Strique finds growth potential, decreases errors, and enhances ROI for ad campaigns.

All of this is achieved by majorly focusing on data and using insights to create campaigns that audiences can relate to at the right time.

What Makes Strique Unique?

Strique offers a few unique benefits, despite the technological market being full of competitors:

Develops detailed reports and actionable results within seconds.

Modifies shopping campaigns to reduce rejections on platforms like Facebook and Google Ads.

Seamlessly connects with analytics and social media platforms to optimize operations.

Utilizing real-time data to make educated decisions to maximize ROI.

Shaping the future of digital advertising!

It’s essential for corporations to become more flexible as the digital advertising industry is evolving. It’s important for them to keep the below recommendations in mind to succeed in the future:

Utilize data to its full potential: Recognize consumer demands and market trends, and develop strategies accordingly. 

Unlock the benefits of automation: Optimize operations to save time to focus on growth strategies.

Flexible to change: Be more open to discovering modern tools and innovations that enhance productivity and efficiency.

Businesses in the GCC can empower themselves more easily to succeed in this digital age by adopting these practices.

Conclusion

Welcome to the latest era of ad campaigns, defined by precision, flexibility, and productivity!

You’ll find tools like Strique at the core of this evolution, that enable companies to overcome obstacles and support new opportunities.

Strique’s arrival indicates an essential turning point as the existence of eCommerce marketing agencies keeps growing in the GCC. Businesses are given the power to shape the future of advertising with Strique, by combining AI-driven outcomes with functionality.

Are you interested in finding out how Strique transforms your data? 

Visit Strique to learn more and sign up for a free 30-day trial!

It’s time to welcome the future with Strique!

[dakilangalalay]

PrimeWave Venture: Shaping Tomorrow’s Innovations Today

In the fast-evolving world of business and technology, PrimeWave Venture emerges as a dynamic force, reshaping industries and driving progress. As a trusted partner for entrepreneurs, investors, and enterprises, PrimeWave bridges the gap between visionary ideas and groundbreaking execution. This article dives deep into the ethos, operations, and impact of PrimeWave Venture, revealing why it’s the…

[trendoptimizer]

AI trends are transforming YouTube monetization, helping creators maximize their earnings with smarter, data-driven strategies! 💸✨ From ad placements to audience targeting, AI tools make it easier to boost revenue and grow sustainably. Ready to level up your monetization game? 🚀📈 Click this link : https://tinyurl.com/fbhea698

[goodoldbandit]

Data Unbound: Embracing NoSQL & NewSQL for the Real-Time Era.

Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo Sanjay Kumar Mohindroo. skm.stayingalive.in Explore how NoSQL and NewSQL databases revolutionize data management by handling unstructured data, supporting distributed architectures, and enabling real-time analytics. In today’s digital-first landscape, businesses and institutions are under mounting pressure to process massive volumes of data with greater speed,…

[truetechreview]

Ultimate Guide to DeepSeek AI for Business Growth

Table of Contents of DeepSeek AI for Business Growth1. Introduction: Why AI is Essential for Modern Business Growth2. What Is DeepSeek AI?3. Top 5 DeepSeek AI Tools for Scaling Businesses3.1 Demand Forecasting Engine3.2 Customer Lifetime Value (CLV) Predictor3.3 Automated Supply Chain Optimizer3.4 Dynamic Pricing Module3.5 Sentiment Analysis Hub4. How DeepSeek AI Reduces Costs and Boosts…

[coderower]

How CRM Software Development Can Optimize the Performance of Your Business

Discover how CRM software development can enhance efficiency, boost sales, and transform customer relationships for your business.

Customer connections are essential to corporate success in today’s competitive commercial world. Software for customer relationship management, or CRM, enhances and streamlines these connections. Businesses use CRM software development to boost performance, customer happiness, and operational efficiency. This article highlights the benefits of CRM software development for your company’s…

[labrone1475]

AI's Game-Changing Impact in 2024: Unlock New Careers & Online Earning S...

[grey-space-computing]

How Our Food Delivery App Development Services Can Transform Your BusinessIn today’s fast-paced world, convenience is king. With the increasing demand for quick and efficient food delivery, businesses need to adapt to stay competitive. Our Food Delivery App Development Services offer the perfect solution to transform your business and meet the evolving needs of your customers.Custom Solutions for Every NeedWe understand that each business is unique. That's why we provide customized app solutions tailored to your specific requirements. Whether you're a small restaurant or a large food chain, our apps are designed to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall customer experience.Enhanced Customer EngagementOur apps are built with user-friendly interfaces and intuitive features that keep customers engaged. Features like real-time order tracking, personalized recommendations, and secure payment gateways ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience for your customers, encouraging repeat business and loyalty.Boost Your Sales and EfficiencyBy integrating advanced technology, our apps help you manage orders, inventory, and deliveries more efficiently. This not only reduces operational costs but also increases order accuracy and delivery speed, leading to higher customer satisfaction and increased sales.Stay Ahead of the CompetitionIn the competitive food industry, having a robust delivery app can set you apart from the rest. Our apps are designed with the latest features and innovations to ensure you stay ahead of the curve and continuously meet the demands of your tech-savvy customers.Ready to transform your business with our Food Delivery App Development Services?[Read more]

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Amazon annihilates Alexa privacy settings, turns on continuous, nonconsensual audio uploading

I'm on a 20+ city book tour for my new novel PICKS AND SHOVELS. Catch me in SAN DIEGO at MYSTERIOUS GALAXY on Mar 24, and in CHICAGO with PETER SAGAL on Apr 2. More tour dates here.

Even by Amazon standards, this is extraordinarily sleazy: starting March 28, each Amazon Echo device will cease processing audio on-device and instead upload all the audio it captures to Amazon's cloud for processing, even if you have previously opted out of cloud-based processing:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/everything-you-say-to-your-echo-will-be-sent-to-amazon-starting-on-march-28/

It's easy to flap your hands at this bit of thievery and say, "surveillance capitalists gonna surveillance capitalism," which would confine this fuckery to the realm of ideology (that is, "Amazon is ripping you off because they have bad ideas"). But that would be wrong. What's going on here is a material phenomenon, grounded in specific policy choices and by unpacking the material basis for this absolutely unforgivable move, we can understand how we got here – and where we should go next.

Start with Amazon's excuse for destroying your privacy: they want to do AI processing on the audio Alexa captures, and that is too computationally intensive for on-device processing. But that only raises another question: why does Amazon want to do this AI processing, even for customers who are happy with their Echo as-is, at the risk of infuriating and alienating millions of customers?

For Big Tech companies, AI is part of a "growth story" – a narrative about how these companies that have already saturated their markets will still continue to grow. It's hard to overstate how dominant Amazon is: they are the leading cloud provider, the most important retailer, and the majority of US households already subscribe to Prime. This may sound like a good place to be, but for Amazon, it's actually very dangerous.

Amazon has a sky-high price/earnings ratio – about triple the ratio of other retailers, like Target. That scorching P/E ratio reflects a belief by investors that Amazon will continue growing. Companies with very high p/e ratios have an unbeatable advantage relative to mature competitors – they can buy things with their stock, rather than paying cash for them. If Amazon wants to hire a key person, or acquire a key company, it can pad its offer with its extremely high-value, growing stock. Being able to buy things with stock instead of money is a powerful advantage, because money is scarce and exogenous (Amazon must acquire money from someone else, like a customer), while new Amazon stock can be conjured into existence by typing zeroes into a spreadsheet:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/03/06/privacy-last/#exceptionally-american

But the downside here is that every growth stock eventually stops growing. For Amazon to double its US Prime subscriber base, it will have to establish a breeding program to produce tens of millions of new Americans, raising them to maturity, getting them gainful employment, and then getting them to sign up for Prime. Almost by definition, a dominant firm ceases to be a growing firm, and lives with the constant threat of a stock revaluation as investors belief in future growth crumbles and they punch the "sell" button, hoping to liquidate their now-overvalued stock ahead of everyone else.

For Big Tech companies, a growth story isn't an ideological commitment to cancer-like continuous expansion. It's a practical, material phenomenon, driven by the need to maintain investor confidence that there are still worlds for the company to conquer.

That's where "AI" comes in. The hype around AI serves an important material need for tech companies. By lumping an incoherent set of poorly understood technologies together into a hot buzzword, tech companies can bamboozle investors into thinking that there's plenty of growth in their future.

OK, so that's the material need that this asshole tactic satisfies. Next, let's look at the technical dimension of this rug-pull.

How is it possible for Amazon to modify your Echo after you bought it? After all, you own your Echo. It is your property. Every first year law student learns this 18th century definition of property, from Sir William Blackstone:

That sole and despotic dominion which one man claims and exercises over the external things of the world, in total exclusion of the right of any other individual in the universe.

If the Echo is your property, how come Amazon gets to break it? Because we passed a law that lets them. Section 1201 of 1998's Digital Millennium Copyright Act makes it a felony to "bypass an access control" for a copyrighted work:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/24/record-scratch/#autoenshittification

That means that once Amazon reaches over the air to stir up the guts of your Echo, no one is allowed to give you a tool that will let you get inside your Echo and change the software back. Sure, it's your property, but exercising sole and despotic dominion over it requires breaking the digital lock that controls access to the firmware, and that's a felony punishable by a five-year prison sentence and a $500,000 fine for a first offense.

The Echo is an internet-connected device that treats its owner as an adversary and is designed to facilitate over-the-air updates by the manufacturer that are adverse to the interests of the owner. Giving a manufacturer the power to downgrade a device after you've bought it, in a way you can't roll back or defend against is an invitation to run the playbook of the Darth Vader MBA, in which the manufacturer replies to your outraged squawks with "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/26/hit-with-a-brick/#graceful-failure

The ability to remotely, unilaterally alter how a device or service works is called "twiddling" and it is a key factor in enshittification. By "twiddling" the knobs and dials that control the prices, costs, search rankings, recommendations, and core features of products and services, tech firms can play a high-speed shell-game that shifts value away from customers and suppliers and toward the firm and its executives:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/02/19/twiddler/

But how can this be legal? You bought an Echo and explicitly went into its settings to disable remote monitoring of the sounds in your home, and now Amazon – without your permission, against your express wishes – is going to start sending recordings from inside your house to its offices. Isn't that against the law?

Well, you'd think so, but US consumer privacy law is unbelievably backwards. Congress hasn't passed a consumer privacy law since 1988, when the Video Privacy Protection Act banned video store clerks from disclosing which VHS cassettes you brought home. That is the last technological privacy threat that Congress has given any consideration to:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/06/privacy-first/#but-not-just-privacy

This privacy vacuum has been filled up with surveillance on an unimaginable scale. Scumbag data-brokers you've never heard of openly boast about having dossiers on 91% of adult internet users, detailing who we are, what we watch, what we read, who we live with, who we follow on social media, what we buy online and offline, where we buy, when we buy, and why we buy:

https://gizmodo.com/data-broker-brags-about-having-highly-detailed-personal-information-on-nearly-all-internet-users-2000575762

To a first approximation, every kind of privacy violation is legal, because the concentrated commercial surveillance industry spends millions lobbying against privacy laws, and those millions are a bargain, because they make billions off the data they harvest with impunity.

Regulatory capture is a function of monopoly. Highly concentrated sectors don't need to engage in "wasteful competition," which leaves them with gigantic profits to spend on lobbying, which is extraordinarily effective, because a sector that is dominated by a handful of firms can easily arrive at a common negotiating position and speak with one voice to the government:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/05/regulatory-capture/

Starting with the Carter administration, and accelerating through every subsequent administration except Biden's, America has adopted an explicitly pro-monopoly policy, called the "consumer welfare" antitrust theory. 40 years later, our economy is riddled with monopolies:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/17/monopolies-produce-billionaires/#inequality-corruption-climate-poverty-sweatshops

Every part of this Echo privacy massacre is downstream of that policy choice: "growth stock" narratives about AI, twiddling, DMCA 1201, the Darth Vader MBA, the end of legal privacy protections. These are material things, not ideological ones. They exist to make a very, very small number of people very, very rich.

Your Echo is your property, you paid for it. You paid for the product and you are still the product:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

Now, Amazon says that the recordings your Echo will send to its data-centers will be deleted as soon as it's been processed by the AI servers. Amazon's made these claims before, and they were lies. Amazon eventually had to admit that its employees and a menagerie of overseas contractors were secretly given millions of recordings to listen to and make notes on:

https://archive.is/TD90k

And sometimes, Amazon just sent these recordings to random people on the internet:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/12/20/amazon-alexa-user-receives-audio-recordings-stranger-through-human-error/

Fool me once, etc. I will bet you a testicle* that Amazon will eventually have to admit that the recordings it harvests to feed its AI are also being retained and listened to by employees, contractors, and, possibly, randos on the internet.

*Not one of mine

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/03/15/altering-the-deal/#telescreen

Image: Stock Catalog/https://www.quotecatalog.com (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexa_%2840770465691%29.jpg

Sam Howzit (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:SWC_6_-_Darth_Vader_Costume_(7865106344).jpg

CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en

[rosemarymoodboards]

Why Tucker and Sam Would’ve Made a Better Couple Not Only For Themselves But Also For Danny, and For the Entire Story

Let’s be honest: the show never really gave us space to consider Tucker and Sam as a romantic possibility. But once you actually slow down and look at the dynamics between them, it becomes really clear that not only would they have made a strong, balanced couple. They also would’ve made the story so much better.

This isn’t about forcing ships. It’s about seeing missed opportunities for character growth, emotional complexity, and real storytelling potential.

Tucker and Sam Balanced Each Other Naturally

Sam is driven, intense, and grounded in principle.

Tucker is lighthearted, confident, and emotionally intuitive.

Where Sam sees systems to challenge, Tucker sees ways to adapt and move through them.

They’re opposites not in conflict, but in harmony.

She’s earth. He’s tech. She’s activism. He’s innovation.

She can be rigid. He can be avoidant. But together? They’d challenge each other in ways that feel safe, not performative.

They Already Had Chemistry The Writing Just Didn’t Frame It That Way

In the episode 'Mystery Meat' , they have a literal ideological debate about meat vs. vegetarianism. It’s petty and hilarious, and it shows how naturally dynamic their relationship already was.

In the episode 'Attack of The Killer Garage Sale' we find out Sam is secretly rich in a scene with Tucker, not Danny.

In episode '13' Tucker tries to reinvent himself and lose his identity. It’s Sam who calls him out and grounds him again.

They had friction. Dialogue. Challenge. And trust.

The story just never let those moments be romantic, but that doesn't mean they weren’t meaningful.

Tucker Deserved Emotional Depth, And Sam Deserved to Be Seen

Tucker was constantly pushed into the “comic relief” zone.

He was smart, confident, emotionally stable, and yet, he was never allowed to lead, to grow, or to be chosen. He was there to support.

Sam, on the other hand, was flattened into “the edgy girl who secretly likes the hero.”

Instead of letting her be complex, the show locked her into a trope. Danny didn’t really see her. He just ended up with her.

Why Sam and Tucker? They saw each other.

He never tried to fix her. She never tried to shrink him. They just existed side by side, exactly the kind of foundation that makes a good romance real.

Danny Would Have Benefited From That Pairing, Too

If Sam and Tucker had a slow burn romantic arc, Danny would’ve had to do the one thing he never truly did in the show:

Look at himself.

It would’ve forced Danny to grow outside of his emotional safety net. He wouldn’t be the center of their triangle he’d be part of a trio where everyone had their own life, their own growth, and their own relationships.

Tucker x Sam would’ve freed Danny up to explore other dynamics like Valerie. Or himself. Or, better yet, his own trauma, his double life, and what it means to actually be seen when you’re split between two worlds.

It Would’ve Opened the Door to So Many B-Plots

Imagine:

-Sam and Tucker building something on their own while Danny’s off ghost fighting

-Tucker navigating the social ladder while Sam questions why he cares at all

-Sam challenging Tucker’s materialism, Tucker challenging Sam’s judgmental streak

-Actual romantic tension in the group that doesn’t rely on Danny being the center of it

Their relationship could’ve deepened the world, added real stakes, and given us a second love story that wasn’t about fantasy but about balance.

Tucker and Sam Were Already the Most Emotionally Mature Characters Compared to the Rest of Their Peers

Tucker knew who he was. Sam knew what she stood for.

They weren’t chasing popularity or validation they were already living in their truth.

That’s why their love wouldn’t have been loud or dramatic.

It would’ve been steady. Soul rooted. Safe.

The kind of love story that doesn’t scream but lasts.

Conclusion

Sam and Tucker didn’t need to “complete” each other.

They didn’t need to “fix” each other.

They just needed space to be seen as more than background characters orbiting Danny’s fantasy arc.

Their relationship wouldn’t have just been good for them it would’ve been good for the entire story.

Because love that’s built on balance, challenge, and mutual recognition?

That’s the love story we were never given but absolutely deserved!