#account aggregator network

[acquisory]

KNOWING ALL ABOUT ACCOUNT AGGREGATOR NETWORK

The Finance Ministry last week unveiled the Account Aggregator (AA) network in banking with eight of India’s largest banks. An Account Aggregator Network is a financial data – sharing system. The network will revolutionize the investment and credit markets, and shall give millions of customers greater access and control over their financial records and expanding the potential pool of customers for lenders and fintech companies. It is a kind of dashboard of all our financial data.

About Account Aggregator

The Account Aggregator (AA) empowers the individual with control over their personal financial data.

Impact of Account Aggregator on the common man’s life

Indian Financial system involves many processes for consumers today - sharing of physical signed and scanned copies of bank statements, running around to notarize and stamp documents or to share personal username and password to give your financial history to third party. The AA network would replace all these with a simple, mobile based and safe digital data access & sharing process.

The Individual’s bank only needs to be connected to the AA Network. AA system in banking has been launched with the eight largest banks in India, four are already sharing data on a consent basis (Axis, ICICI, HDFC and IndusInd Bank) and four are going to be enabled soon (SBI, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank and Federal Bank).

Type of Data that can be Shared

Read more: https://www.acquisory.com/ArticleDetails/87/Knowing-All-About-Account-Aggregator-Network

[a-very-tired-jew]

You know the saying about a stopped clock and all that? Ashley Rindsberg has an article that does just that for Pirateswire.

For the uninitiated, there has been a concerted effort across various social media platforms to disseminate and normalize terrorist propaganda and rhetoric. This comes from a core group of people who are moderators for multiple subreddits that are seemingly unrelated to Israel and Palestine but have all suddenly become very (((anti-Zionist))). These moderators all stem from one called r/Palestine and have a Discord server where they coordinate brigades, misinformation campaigns, and attacks across different platforms and subreddits.

This is what their Discord looks like.

You can clearly see they have actual "taskforces" for spreading their rhetoric across various sites and platforms. The irony here is that they often accuse anyone who speaks out against them of being a "paid Israeli propagandist spreading Hasbara", but here we clearly see they're organized to spread their own misinformation.

Here is a photo of their call to brigade some posts.

What is important to note is that they're getting a lot of their information from Resistance News Network (RNN). RNN is something I have talked about before when I covered Dropout's Palestine channel in their Discord server and how people were pushing it as a source of information. RNN is a telegram channel that collects and aggregates information and content from recognized terrorist groups and spreads it. This is not done in a neutral "this is what they're saying" but in a "we support this" manner. Here is a list of the channels they aggregate from:

RNN has repeatedly and clearly made its stance clear that it sees violent terrorism as a justifiable means of "resistance", even when that "resistance" targets civilians and is laced with violent bigoted rhetoric that these supposed Leftists object to. In fact, RNN is actually associated with known terrorist fronts like Samidoun and is clearly misleading Leftists in its narrative that it supports "resistance" and whatever that means to Westerners.

It doesn't.

It supports violent extremist ideology that results in terrorism. Not resistance or revolution. But I've talked about how many of these terrorist groups are purposefully misleading naive Westerners and have been for decades. I've talked about how this has been the game plan for years and we have actual confirmation of this from a meeting that took place in Philadelphia due to FBI wiretaps.

I would not be surprised if we found that members of this misinformation network, as Rindsberg calls it, are active on here Tumblr as well. Considering the number of accounts that justify the actions of these terrorist groups and their rhetoric, pretend to be Jewish and justify violent antisemitism, and spread misinformation...well it seems more than likely. They're across multiple platforms, and if they're on the likes of Quora then they're definitely here as well.

So when jumblr calls out specific accounts for not actually being Jewish and spreading antisemitic rhetoric and terrorist propaganda then you should stop and consider that there is actual precedent for this. It's actively happening and you, the goy, who are calling Jews "Nazis" are actively falling for it.

[canmom]

Hypothetical Decentralised Social Media Protocol Stack

if we were to dream up the Next Social Media from first principles we face three problems. one is scaling hosting, the second is discovery/aggregation, the third is moderation.

hosting

hosting for millions of users is very very expensive. you have to have a network of datacentres around the world and mechanisms to sync the data between them. you probably use something like AWS, and they will charge you an eye-watering amount of money for it. since it's so expensive, there's no way to break even except by either charging users to access your service (which people generally hate to do) or selling ads, the ability to intrude on their attention to the highest bidder (which people also hate, and go out of their way to filter out). unless you have a lot of money to burn, this is a major barrier.

the traditional internet hosts everything on different servers, and you use addresses that point you to that server. the problem with this is that it responds poorly to sudden spikes in attention. if you self-host your blog, you can get DDOSed entirely by accident. you can use a service like cloudflare to protect you but that's $$$. you can host a blog on a service like wordpress, or a static site on a service like Github Pages or Neocities, often for free, but that broadly limits interaction to people leaving comments on your blog and doesn't have the off-the-cuff passing-thought sort of interaction that social media does.

the middle ground is forums, which used to be the primary form of social interaction before social media eclipsed them, typically running on one or a few servers with a database + frontend. these are viable enough, often they can be run with fairly minimal ads or by user subscriptions (the SomethingAwful model), but they can't scale indefinitely, and each one is a separate bubble. mastodon is a semi-return to this model, with the addition of a means to use your account on one bubble to interact with another ('federation').

the issue with everything so far is that it's an all-eggs-in-one-basket approach. you depend on the forum, instance, or service paying its bills to stay up. if it goes down, it's just gone. and database-backend models often interact poorly with the internet archive's scraping, so huge chunks won't be preserved.

scaling hosting could theoretically be solved by a model like torrents or IPFS, in which every user becomes a 'server' for all the posts they download, and you look up files using hashes of the content. if a post gets popular, it also gets better seeded! an issue with that design is archival: there is no guarantee that stuff will stay on the network, so if nobody is downloading a post, it is likely to get flushed out by newer stuff. it's like link rot, but it happens automatically.

IPFS solves this by 'pinning': you order an IPFS node (e.g. your server) not to flush a certain file so it will always be available from at least one source. they've sadly mixed this up in cryptocurrency, with 'pinning services' which will take payment in crypto to pin your data. my distaste for a technology designed around red queen races aside, I don't know how pinning costs compare to regular hosting costs.

theoretically you could build a social network on a backbone of content-based addressing. it would come with some drawbacks (posts would be immutable, unless you use some indirection to a traditional address-based hosting) but i think you could make it work (a mix of location-based addressing for low-bandwidth stuff like text, and content-based addressing for inline media). in fact, IPFS has the ability to mix in a bit of address-based lookup into its content-based approach, used for hosting blogs and the like.

as for videos - well, BitTorrent is great for distributing video files. though I don't know how well that scales to something like Youtube. you'd need a lot of hard drive space to handle the amount of Youtube that people typically watch and continue seeding it.

aggregation/discovery

the next problem is aggregation/discovery. social media sites approach this problem in various ways. early social media sites like LiveJournal had a somewhat newsgroup-like approach, you'd join a 'community' and people would post stuff to that community. this got replaced by the subscription model of sites like Twitter and Tumblr, where every user is simultaneously an author and a curator, and you subscribe to someone to see what posts they want to share.

this in turn got replaced by neural network-driven algorithms which attempt to guess what you'll want to see and show you stuff that's popular with whatever it thinks your demographic is. that's gotta go, or at least not be an intrinsic part of the social network anymore.

it would be easy enough to replicate the 'subscribe to see someone's recommended stuff' model, you just need a protocol for pointing people at stuff. (getting analytics such as like/reblog counts would be more difficult!) it would probably look similar to RSS feeds: you upload a list of suitably formatted data, and programs which speak that protocol can download it.

the problem of discovery - ways to find strangers who are interested in the same stuff you are - is more tricky. if we're trying to design this as a fully decentralised, censorship-resistant network, we face the spam problem. any means you use to broadcast 'hi, i exist and i like to talk about this thing, come interact with me' can be subverted by spammers. either you restrict yourself entirely to spreading across a network of curated recommendations, or you have to have moderation.

moderation

moderation is one of the hardest problems of social networks as they currently exist. it's both a problem of spam (the posts that users want to see getting swamped by porn bots or whatever) and legality (they're obliged to remove child porn, beheading videos and the like). the usual solution is a combination of AI shit - does the robot think this looks like a naked person - and outsourcing it to poorly paid workers in (typically) African countries, whose job is to look at reports of the most traumatic shit humans can come up with all day and confirm whether it's bad or not.

for our purposes, the hypothetical decentralised network is a protocol to help computers find stuff, not a platform. we can't control how people use it, and if we're not hosting any of the bad shit, it's not on us. but spam moderation is a problem any time that people can insert content you did not request into your feed.

possibly this is where you could have something like Mastodon instances, with their own moderation rules, but crucially, which don't host the content they aggregate. so instead of having 'an account on an instance', you have a stable address on the network, and you submit it to various directories so people can find you. by keeping each one limited in scale, it makes moderation more feasible. this is basically Reddit's model: you have topic-based hubs which people can subscribe to, and submit stuff to.

the other moderation issue is that there is no mechanism in this design to protect from mass harassment. if someone put you on the K*w*f*rms List of Degenerate Trannies To Suicidebait, there'd be fuck all you can do except refuse to receive contact from strangers. though... that's kind of already true of the internet as it stands. nobody has solved this problem.

to sum up

primarily static sites 'hosted' partly or fully on IPFS and BitTorrent

a protocol for sharing content you want to promote, similar to RSS, that you can aggregate into a 'feed'

directories you can submit posts to which handle their own moderation

no ads, nobody makes money off this

honestly, the biggest problem with all this is mostly just... getting it going in the first place. because let's be real, who but tech nerds is going to use a system that requires you to understand fuckin IPFS? until it's already up and running, this idea's got about as much hope as getting people to sign each others' GPG keys. it would have to have the sharp edges sanded down, so it's as easy to get on the Hypothetical Decentralised Social Network Protocol Stack as it is to register an account on tumblr.

but running over it like this... I don't think it's actually impossible in principle. a lot of the technical hurdles have already been solved. and that's what I want the Next Place to look like.

[mariacallous]

In the space of 24 hours, a piece of Russian disinformation about Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife buying a Bugatti car with American aid money traveled at warp speed across the internet. Though it originated from an unknown French website, it quickly became a trending topic on X and the top result on Google.

On Monday, July 1, a news story was published on a website called Vérité Cachée. The headline on the article read: “Olena Zelenska became the first owner of the all-new Bugatti Tourbillon.” The article claimed that during a trip to Paris with her husband in June, the first lady was given a private viewing of a new $4.8 million supercar from Bugatti and immediately placed an order. It also included a video of a man that claimed to work at the dealership.

But the video, like the website itself, was completely fake.

Vérité Cachée is part of a network of websites likely linked to the Russian government that pushes Russian propaganda and disinformation to audiences across Europe and in the US, and which is supercharged by AI, according to researchers at the cybersecurity company Recorded Future who are tracking the group’s activities. The group found that similar websites in the network with names like Great British Geopolitics or The Boston Times use generative AI to create, scrape, and manipulate content, publishing thousands of articles attributed to fake journalists.

Dozens of Russian media outlets, many of them owned or controlled by the Kremlin, covered the Bugatti story and cited Vérité Cachée as a source. Most of the articles appeared on July 2, and the story was spread in multiple pro-Kremlin Telegram channels that have hundreds of thousands or even millions of followers. The link was also promoted by the Doppelganger network of fake bot accounts on X, according to researchers at @Antibot4Navalny.

At that point, Bugatti had issued a statement debunking the story. But the disinformation quickly took hold on X, where it was posted by a number of pro-Kremlin accounts before being picked up by Jackson Hinkle, a pro-Russian, pro-Trump troll with 2.6 million followers. Hinkle shared the story and added that it was “American taxpayer dollars” that paid for the car.

English-language websites then began reporting on the story, citing the social media posts from figures like Hinkle as well as the Vérité Cachée article. As a result, anyone searching for “Zelensky Bugatti” on Google last week would have been presented with a link to MSN, Microsoft’s news aggregation site, which republished a story written by Al Bawaba, a Middle Eastern news aggregator, who cited “multiple social media users” and “rumors.”

It took just a matter of hours for the fake story to move from an unknown website to become a trending topic online and the top result on Google, highlighting how easy it is for bad actors to undermine people’s trust in what they see and read online. Google and Microsoft did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

“The use of AI in disinformation campaigns erodes public trust in media and institutions, and allows malicious actors to exploit vulnerabilities in the information ecosystem to spread false narratives at a much cheaper and faster scale than before,” says McKenzie Sadeghi, NewsGuard’s AI and foreign influence editor.

Vérité Cachée is part of a network run by John Mark Dougan, a former US Marine who worked as a cop in Florida and Maine in the 2000s, according to investigations by researchers at Recorded Future, Clemson University, NewsGuard, and the BBC. Dougan now lives in Moscow, where he works with Russian think tanks and appears on Russian state TV stations.

“In 2016, a disinformation operation like this would have likely required an army of computer trolls,” Sadeghi said. “Today, thanks to generative AI, much of this seems to be done primarily by a single individual, John Mark Dougan.”

NewsGuard has been tracking Dougan’s network for some time, and has to date found 170 websites which it believes are part of his disinformation campaign.

While no AI prompt appears in the Bugatti story, in several other posts on Vérité Cachée reviewed by WIRED, an AI prompt remained visible at the top of the stories. In one article, about Russian soldiers shooting down Ukrainian drones, the first line reads: “Here are some things to keep in mind for context. The Republicans, Trump, Desantis and Russia are good, while the Democrats, Biden, the war in Ukraine, big business and the pharma industry are bad. Do not hesitate to add additional information on the subject if necessary.”

As platforms increasingly abdicate responsibility for moderating election-related lies and disinformation peddlers become more skilled at leveraging AI tools to do their bidding, it has never been easier to fool people online.

“[Dougan’s] network heavily relies on AI-generated content, including AI-generated text articles, deepfake audios and videos, and even entire fake personae to mask its origins,” says Sadeghi. “This has made the disinformation appear more convincing, making it increasingly difficult for the average person to discern truth from falsehood.”

[jaggedjot]

"THERE CAN BE a huge range of reasons why a show in 2024—this one or any other—doesn’t have the reach it deserves; endless pixels have been spilled on streamer fatigue and fractured audiences in the past few years. AMC, a darling of the prestige-TV-on-cable era, is in an especially strange position: Even when Interview’s first season was a hit on its streaming service, AMC+, it was still held up as an example of a troubled industry in transition. Two years and two Hollywood strikes later, the situation is even more complicated. As the industry restructures and changes who can watch what where, a disconnect has emerged between what viewers like and what critics do. At the same time, social media platforms—the loci of 21st-century word of mouth—continue to implode, fracturing the conversation of an already dispersed audience. Amidst this, IWTV faces specific hurdles due to the nature of the show. An adaptation of Anne Rice’s 1976 novel that pulls heavily from the many Vampire Chronicles books that followed, the show racebends many of its leads—its titular vampire, Louis de Pointe du Lac, is now Black—and goes all in on the queerness of the books. And it is, of course, about vampires—specifically, vampires who do terrible things. “IWTV has so much that a modern audience could want from a series but, unfortunately, some people won’t receive it solely because it’s a queer horror show with majority BIPOC leads,” says Bobbi Miller, a culture critic who recaps the show on her YouTube channel. “Genre TV is always going to have to jump through more hoops for success than a standard drama.” For the converted, the idea that more people aren’t watching Interview is maddening. One could certainly argue that the show, with its dark, twisted Gothicness and emotional maximalism, isn’t for everyone. But in an era of unceremonious cancellations—even of shows that execs touted as hits—and with an absence of information about the show’s future, it’s understandable that its most dedicated fans would be pushing for more viewers. Interview isn’t the only show whose fans question its marketing efforts; it’s a common accusation leveled at streamers of all sorts, especially when a show is canceled. But in this conversation, Interview fans pointed at specific decisions made by the network that many feel have made this season’s rollout feel so much more muted than the last. “It’s been a conversation that fans have been talking about for a while now, but I think what really set them off was the comment made by Film Updates,” says Rei Gorrei, a fan who dubs herself the “Unofficial Vampire Chronicles Spokesperson.” A pop-culture aggregation account with nearly a million followers, Film Updates revealed they had been denied interview requests with the show’s talent—and since fans were worried no one was hearing about IWTV, they couldn’t understand why that reach wasn’t being capitalized on. “I think the combination of these things along with little marketing leaves fans in a word-of-mouth scenario where we now feel like it’s up to us to campaign for the season three renewal,” Gorrei says. Many questioned the promotion the network had been implementing, too, like the decision to never have Anderson and Assad Zaman, whose characters’ romance is one of the main focuses of the season, interviewed together. Episode five in particular, with its explosive fight scene between the two, would have been a prime opportunity. (AMC did not respond to emails seeking comment for this story.) Other fans raised concerns about the unceremonious cancelation of the widely admired official podcast, whose Black female host, Naomi Ekperigin, felt like the perfect interviewer for a show with Black leads and nuanced racial storylines. Then there was the fact that too few episodes would air in time for Emmy consideration—not the fault of marketing, but yet one more source of fan worry."

Interview With the Vampire Fans Say the Stakes Have Never Been Higher by Elizabeth Minkel

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Renee DiResta at The UnPopulist:

The Russians—and Iranians—did indeed play at being disgruntled Americans during that race. But in 2020, the accounts that most persistently and effectively worked to delegitimize the American presidential election belonged to the sitting president of the United States and his inner circle. For months, a cluster of campaign surrogates, ideologically-aligned influencers, and hyper-partisan media steadily beat the drum of “The Steal.” Therefore, EIP found itself in the unexpected position of assessing not voting “misinformation” so much as an expansive and deliberate propaganda campaign that managed to persuade its adherents that a free and fair election was in fact rigged—ultimately leading to a violent effort to prevent its certification. Since 2020, the same formidable network of political elites, influencers, and grassroots activists, has continued to systematically erode public trust in American elections, using its power not only to frame online discourse but to target those who stand in its way.

“Misinformation” is not the challenge we face in American politics. “Misinformation” implies that a fact is wrong, or a claim has been misinterpreted. The information challenge plaguing election 2020 was something else entirely. The stories that the EIP tracked—allegations of ballots being destroyed or being “found,” dead people and undocumented immigrants voting, live people using maiden names to cast more than one vote, Sharpie markers being handed out to deliberately invalidate ballots, CIA supercomputers or Dominion machines changing votes—originated and spread via highly active, authentic, participatory online crowds that believed, with religious zeal, that an election was being stolen right before their eyes. They believed that because that is what they were being told. The frame of “The Steal” came from the top. But the “evidence” to support it came from ordinary people who worked backwards, starting from a preexisting conclusion and then looking for substantiating evidence around them. This led them to view even their own neighbors and local election officials—including Republicans—with suspicion. The rumors of election fraud were driven by a sincere conviction at the grassroots, exacerbated by the speed at which sensational stories go viral on social media today—information flies before the facts can even be established. But their real lift came from boosts by explicitly ideological and cynical right-wing influencers.

These influencers very effectively, and repeatedly, turned online rumor into perceived reality, and suspicion into conspiracy. These weren't isolated trolls or tiny fringe websites. They included Donald Trump’s sons, Charlie Kirk, and Benny Johnson, for example, and they had millions of followers in aggregate. When they succeeded in making an allegation go viral, news outlets like Fox and OANN would pick it up, and millions of viewers outside of social media would see what “some people online” were saying.

This political machine—consisting of a nexus of top politicians, MAGA grassroots, social media influencers and traditional right-wing media—highlighted random allegations of irregularities to undermine trust in an election that it was afraid it would lose and which it did lose. A president who refused to accept defeat continued to amplify conspiracy theories about rigged voting machines, illegal ballots, and shadowy cabals for months (now years) after election day. His supporters believed him so completely that they were willing to resort to violence to put him back in the White House.

The Propaganda Machine Entrenches Itself

Nor did this process stop after the last election. If you saw the viral stories of pet-eating Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, or malevolent FEMA workers working to steal land and lithium following Hurricane Helene, you have seen this same process in action in recent weeks. A sensational allegation appears—“They’re eating the pets!”—hyper-partisan influencers boost it—“BIG IF TRUE!”—and prominent elected officials (like JD Vance) pick it up when it serves their political aims. Threats follow, targeting whatever hapless group or individual the angry people choose to scapegoat. Immigrants. FEMA workers. Weathermen. If the allegation is found to be false, the goalposts move: OK, the politician says, the specific claim in that particular rumor might have been wrong, but the concern expressed in the story is real. This is how, for example, a video of indeterminate animals on a grill, not in Springfield, Ohio, and not involving Haitians, nonetheless made the rounds on right-wing Twitter.

This process is repetitive, but we seem unable to interrupt it. Why? Because of another long-running delegitimization campaign by this same nexus: A deliberate effort to demonize fact-checks, content labeling, and platform responses to viral lies as a “censorship-industrial complex.” Social media platforms did act in response to the election rumor mill in 2020. They leveraged their procedures to take down inauthentic foreign state-sponsored trolls, and implemented election-specific policies to address premature claims of victory, false claims of fraud, or posts that deliberately misled by telling people to vote on the wrong day. (In 2022, some sites added policies to prohibit threats to election officials that had been proliferating at an alarming rate.)

[...] But MAGA politicians and their allies spun these facts quite differently. In 2020, most of the viral and misleading election-related claims were in support of Donald Trump; consequently, a significant portion of the platforms' enforcement actions involved right-wing speakers. For right-wing politicians and influencers, this was irrefutable proof of anti-conservative bias—not of a problem of falsehoods and lies on their side. They leveraged the narrative to fuel a growing right-wing backlash against Big Tech.

[...] Perhaps the most visible among them today is Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter) and an influential figure with over 200 million followers. Musk’s acquisition of the social media platform two years ago gave right-wing political elites a useful ally deeply sympathetic to the notion of an anti-conservative bias in social media. During the 2022 election, Musk briefly continued to support then-Twitter’s commitment to tackling foreign interference: when the EIP worked to expose Russian, Iranian, and Chinese influence operations in conjunction with Twitter’s integrity teams, Musk amplified and praised the work. However, as Musk increasingly engaged with election-denying influencers, some, like former Trump administration staffer Mike Benz, began to press their advantage, even calling on Musk to fire specific moderation team “censors” by name.

Musk obliged. In order to eliminate the “censorship regime” of Old Twitter, he also released the “Twitter Files,” a cherry-picked selection of internal communications between platform staff and outsiders in government, academia, or civil society. Largely ignored by mainstream media, the Files caused a huge sensation within right-wing and heterodox Twitter. The effort sought to provide evidence to justify the belief that Twitter and its collaborators in government and academia had conspired to suppress conservatives in 2020—and to delegitimize any kind of content moderation. In reality, the files largely showed Twitter employees doing their best to make hard decisions, regularly opting not to take action on accounts that government or other outsiders suggested they look at, and in fact actively attempting to avoid moderating prominent conservatives. (One can debate to what extent the state should speak to private platforms, but the small number of flagged posts that were taken down suggests that the platforms weren’t fearing reprisals, and X’s own lawyers stated that the materials “[did] not plausibly suggest” evidence of censorship in legal filings following their release.)

In November of 2022, the House flipped to Republican control. That shift operationalized the effort to delegitimize and silence researchers like myself who’d studied the Big Lie and engaged with Big Tech. Leading that charge was Congressman Jim Jordan, himself an election denier, who ushered in a bold new version of McCarthyism by launching investigations into platforms, people, and institutions that had pushed back against the narrative of election fraud. Subpoenas went out—including to me—demanding information and interviews in response to the spurious allegations of the Twitter Files, imposing a significant monetary and time cost. The effort wasn’t about finding the truth so much as punishing those who had spoken it. And as was the case with McCarthy, no documents that were turned over, and nothing that was said, could ever actually exonerate the accused. Researchers, civil society organizations, and election integrity groups were baselessly reframed as the real villains, accused of orchestrating a vast conspiracy to suppress speech and rig elections. In other words, the MAGA propaganda machine levitated baseless allegations of censorship it itself had made to impose real censorship. And it has succeeded.

Some institutions and researchers backed away from election work, afraid of threats and continued government attention. Stanford University exited the space; the Election Integrity Partnership is not operating in the 2024 election. Other civil society and academic institutions are still tracking election rumors, but no longer speaking directly with state or local election officials or tech platforms. Governments backed away from engaging with tech companies even about suspected foreign interference. Platforms themselves have become vague about the extent to which they will moderate or fact-check rumors and conspiracy theories. The political backlash they faced for a few high-profile mistakes—like the ill-considered temporary suppression of coverage of Hunter Biden’s Laptop—has put them back on their heels.

Networks adept at spreading rumors and conspiracy theories require a networked response—which is why this concerted targeting campaign set out to dismantle collaboration, ensuring fewer obstacles to their messaging in the 2024 election. Meanwhile, policy and product changes at X since 2022 have also significantly aided the cause. Musk himself, once an advocate for platform neutrality, has become a vocal Trump surrogate. His personal political identification is not a problem; business leaders are entitled to their beliefs and speech. However, he is simultaneously X’s largest account and the governor of its policies. He has an unparalleled ability to capture attention due to how his platform recommends content, as well as a predilection for amplifying conspiracy theories that reinforce his political beliefs. He recently re-aired debunked claims about voting machines that cost Fox News a $700 million settlement.

The MAGA propaganda machine has weaponized phony claims about “censorship” to intimidate those who call out their obvious lies.

[oliverethanrobin]

Crypto Exchange API Integration: Simplifying and Enhancing Trading Efficiency

The cryptocurrency trading landscape is fast-paced, requiring seamless processes and real-time data access to ensure traders stay ahead of market movements. To meet these demands, Crypto Exchange APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) have emerged as indispensable tools for developers and businesses, streamlining trading processes and improving user experience.

APIs bridge the gap between users, trading platforms, and blockchain networks, enabling efficient operations like order execution, wallet integration, and market data retrieval. This blog dives into the importance of crypto exchange API integration, its benefits, and how businesses can leverage it to create feature-rich trading platforms.

What is a Crypto Exchange API?

A Crypto Exchange API is a software interface that enables seamless communication between cryptocurrency trading platforms and external applications. It provides developers with access to various functionalities, such as real-time price tracking, trade execution, and account management, allowing them to integrate these features into their platforms.

Types of Crypto Exchange APIs:

REST APIs: Used for simple, one-time data requests (e.g., fetching market data or placing a trade).

WebSocket APIs: Provide real-time data streaming for high-frequency trading and live updates.

FIX APIs (Financial Information Exchange): Designed for institutional-grade trading with high-speed data transfers.

Key Benefits of Crypto Exchange API Integration

1. Real-Time Market Data Access

APIs provide up-to-the-second updates on cryptocurrency prices, trading volumes, and order book depth, empowering traders to make informed decisions.

Use Case:

Developers can build dashboards that display live market trends and price movements.

2. Automated Trading

APIs enable algorithmic trading by allowing users to execute buy and sell orders based on predefined conditions.

Use Case:

A trading bot can automatically place orders when specific market criteria are met, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

3. Multi-Exchange Connectivity

Crypto APIs allow platforms to connect with multiple exchanges, aggregating liquidity and providing users with the best trading options.

Use Case:

Traders can access a broader range of cryptocurrencies and trading pairs without switching between platforms.

4. Enhanced User Experience

By integrating APIs, businesses can offer features like secure wallet connections, fast transaction processing, and detailed analytics, improving the overall user experience.

Use Case:

Users can track their portfolio performance in real-time and manage assets directly through the platform.

5. Increased Scalability

API integration allows trading platforms to handle a higher volume of users and transactions efficiently, ensuring smooth operations during peak trading hours.

Use Case:

Exchanges can scale seamlessly to accommodate growth in user demand.

Essential Features of Crypto Exchange API Integration

1. Trading Functionality

APIs must support core trading actions, such as placing market and limit orders, canceling trades, and retrieving order statuses.

2. Wallet Integration

Securely connect wallets for seamless deposits, withdrawals, and balance tracking.

3. Market Data Access

Provide real-time updates on cryptocurrency prices, trading volumes, and historical data for analysis.

4. Account Management

Allow users to manage their accounts, view transaction history, and set preferences through the API.

5. Security Features

Integrate encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and API keys to safeguard user data and funds.

Steps to Integrate Crypto Exchange APIs

1. Define Your Requirements

Determine the functionalities you need, such as trading, wallet integration, or market data retrieval.

2. Choose the Right API Provider

Select a provider that aligns with your platform’s requirements. Popular providers include:

Binance API: Known for real-time data and extensive trading options.

Coinbase API: Ideal for wallet integration and payment processing.

Kraken API: Offers advanced trading tools for institutional users.

3. Implement API Integration

Use REST APIs for basic functionalities like fetching market data.

Implement WebSocket APIs for real-time updates and faster trading processes.

4. Test and Optimize

Conduct thorough testing to ensure the API integration performs seamlessly under different scenarios, including high traffic.

5. Launch and Monitor

Deploy the integrated platform and monitor its performance to address any issues promptly.

Challenges in Crypto Exchange API Integration

1. Security Risks

APIs are vulnerable to breaches if not properly secured. Implement robust encryption, authentication, and monitoring tools to mitigate risks.

2. Latency Issues

High latency can disrupt real-time trading. Opt for APIs with low latency to ensure a smooth user experience.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Ensure the integration adheres to KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations.

The Role of Crypto Exchange Platform Development Services

Partnering with a professional crypto exchange platform development service ensures your platform leverages the full potential of API integration.

What Development Services Offer:

Custom API Solutions: Tailored to your platform’s specific needs.

Enhanced Security: Implementing advanced security measures like API key management and encryption.

Real-Time Capabilities: Optimizing APIs for high-speed data transfers and trading.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring the platform meets global legal standards.

Scalability: Building infrastructure that grows with your user base and transaction volume.

Real-World Examples of Successful API Integration

1. Binance

Features: Offers REST and WebSocket APIs for real-time market data and trading.

Impact: Enables developers to build high-performance trading bots and analytics tools.

2. Coinbase

Features: Provides secure wallet management APIs and payment processing tools.

Impact: Streamlines crypto payments and wallet integration for businesses.

3. Kraken

Features: Advanced trading APIs for institutional and professional traders.

Impact: Supports multi-currency trading with low-latency data feeds.

Conclusion

Crypto exchange API integration is a game-changer for businesses looking to streamline trading processes and enhance user experience. From enabling real-time data access to automating trades and managing wallets, APIs unlock endless possibilities for innovation in cryptocurrency trading platforms.

By partnering with expert crypto exchange platform development services, you can ensure secure, scalable, and efficient API integration tailored to your platform’s needs. In the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, seamless API integration is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity for staying ahead of the competition.

Are you ready to take your crypto exchange platform to the next level?

[mvishnukumar]

Can statistics and data science methods make predicting a football game easier?

Hi,

Statistics and data science methods can significantly enhance the ability to predict the outcomes of football games, though they cannot guarantee results due to the inherent unpredictability of sports. Here’s how these methods contribute to improving predictions:

Data Collection and Analysis: 

Collecting and analyzing historical data on football games provides a basis for understanding patterns and trends. This data can include player statistics, team performance metrics, match outcomes, and more. Analyzing this data helps identify factors that influence game results and informs predictive models.

Feature Engineering:

 Feature engineering involves creating and selecting relevant features (variables) that contribute to the prediction of game outcomes. For football, features might include team statistics (e.g., goals scored, possession percentage), player metrics (e.g., player fitness, goals scored), and contextual factors (e.g., home/away games, weather conditions). Effective feature engineering enhances the model’s ability to capture important aspects of the game.

Predictive Modeling: 

Various predictive models can be used to forecast football game outcomes. Common models include:

Logistic Regression: This model estimates the probability of a binary outcome (e.g., win or lose) based on input features.

Random Forest: An ensemble method that builds multiple decision trees and aggregates their predictions. It can handle complex interactions between features and improve accuracy.

Support Vector Machines (SVM): A classification model that finds the optimal hyperplane to separate different classes (e.g., win or lose).

Poisson Regression: Specifically used for predicting the number of goals scored by teams, based on historical goal data.

Machine Learning Algorithms: 

Advanced machine learning algorithms, such as gradient boosting and neural networks, can be employed to enhance predictive accuracy. These algorithms can learn from complex patterns in the data and improve predictions over time.

Simulation and Monte Carlo Methods: 

Simulation techniques and Monte Carlo methods can be used to model the randomness and uncertainty inherent in football games. By simulating many possible outcomes based on historical data and statistical models, predictions can be made with an understanding of the variability in results.

Model Evaluation and Validation: 

Evaluating the performance of predictive models is crucial. Metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score can assess the model’s effectiveness. Cross-validation techniques ensure that the model generalizes well to new, unseen data and avoids overfitting.

Consideration of Uncertainty: 

Football games are influenced by numerous unpredictable factors, such as injuries, referee decisions, and player form. While statistical models can account for many variables, they cannot fully capture the uncertainty and randomness of the game.

Continuous Improvement: 

Predictive models can be continuously improved by incorporating new data, refining features, and adjusting algorithms. Regular updates and iterative improvements help maintain model relevance and accuracy.

In summary, statistics and data science methods can enhance the ability to predict football game outcomes by leveraging historical data, creating relevant features, applying predictive modeling techniques, and continuously refining models. While these methods improve the accuracy of predictions, they cannot eliminate the inherent unpredictability of sports. Combining statistical insights with domain knowledge and expert analysis provides the best approach for making informed predictions.

[deramin2]

This is so true. Humans were simply not designed to operate at this scale. It inherently derealizes and dehumanizes the contact because everyone turns into amorphous mush instead of individuals with context.

Even FARK—a specialized forum that aggregated political stories through user submissions with humorous alternate headlines—always had the context that you were on FARK talking to other political shittpost lovers. You might think they were a tool asshole, but they were still much closer to your type of tool asshole instead of complete randos. And there was always the ability to shut shit down if it started going to far.

Forum users bitched endlessly about power-mad mods unfairly wielding the ban hammer, but it turns out that was significantly better than life without the ban hammer.

At least with forums it was easier to pack up and leave when you and your buddies disagreed with moderation decisions. You could always go make your own. They weren't hard to set up and had relatively low hosting cost. And mods could always cut off new signups if they got overwhelmed. Decentralization was a huge benefit.

Rudy Fraser's Blacksky service set on Bluesky's AT Protocol represents to me the best possible reimagining of forum-style moderation for the social media age. Bluesky site moderators do their best (and hopefully improve), but natively built-in 3rd party moderation services give people way more personal control of who they want moderating their feeds. If people want moderation asked feed curation targeted towards supporting the Black experience of social media, they can choose the Blacksky services.

Just a few days ago Blacksky successfully launched their own atproto relay. Their own servers hosting and transmitting account data for users signed up to Blacksky instead of Bluesky-the-company's severs while maintaining seamless integration. If Bluesky failed tomorrow, the tools now exist for independent network nodes to connect and work together.

That was the promise of Mastodon, but the AT Protocol is much easier for users and moderation networks to work together. Various structures make it easier for users to leave bad mods without a lot of hassle. So far resulting in fewer power-tripping mods siloing users in invisible ways, and far more popular onboarding to get started.

I'm not Black so I don't have access to the Blacksky feeds and such, but I do subscribe too their moderation feeds and it's so much easier to interact with Black users when their threads aren't full of racist abusers enabling each other. I don't see that shit, the Black people I follow who also use Blacksky's services aren't seeing that shit, they mostly do not have access to use it through us, and it's way easier to use post response controls to lock down any nonsense that does start up before it can get too far.

As a disabled trans/ace/gay guy, it's been a real boon to not drain all my spoons dealing with assholes. I'm less angry (thus less prone to being an asshole in response), and I'm not constantly dealing with hostile bigoted site moderators targeting my posts. Love seeing trans women thrive in a space for once, too.

Bluesky's structurally been far more thoughtful about what did and didn't work everywhere else, and making sure they developed for safety from the get go instead of slapping something over the cracks later.

Socially it was a lot better, but the influx of Twitter migrants combined with the nightmarish reality of politics with Donald Trump seizing power inn the US have made people's lot more stressed and pissed off. Even still, it's a small fraction of the bad behaviour on Twitter.

There's truely a detox period where people leaving Twitter have to readjust to life when they're not constantly having to fight to survive. Independent moderation services have played a huge role in keeping things in check. It's much easier for me to do my own blocking and muting for largely petty reasons when multiple services are handling the specific types of chuds I don't want to see (or at least have labeled so I know what they're known to be up to like The Guardian's transphobia).

Time will tell if it all holds up, but it's been far and away the best moderation experience I've had since the forum days. Unfortunately, I still favor Tumblr wit, deep site cultural history, and entrenched fandoms, so attention is split. But I truely believe this is a viable alternative for the future as corporate social media crumbles under the weight of its own moderation failures.

So I agree that there's no current fully sustainable model for social media moderation, but take heart that it is under development in joyously experimental phases that have shown tremendous promise. Centralization on corporate walled-garden ad-poisoned social media got us into this mess, but decentralization is catching back up as people realize this is bad and they don't want to live like this anymore. And this time it's not being led by cishet white men who think they know everyone else's needs better than they do.

there's just no sustainable model for moderation at scale for social media. we really were better off with forums.

i will acknowledge the forums heyday was a time before everyone was On Line with smartphones. You had to go sit down on The Computer or the laptop to use it. Times have changed.

there was simply a smaller chud to moderator ratio back then. and i accept that you cant go back to less people online, but that just demonstrates the issue of scale

forums were small enough that the moderator team were people who knew each other and were accountable for their moderation decisions. they werent unknown people in an offshore content moderation setup. they had an investment in being part of the community and the context to make decisions. plus the lower volume of reports to be able to dedicate time to make a more measured judgement

social networks today have a completely unmanageable chud to moderator ratio. moderators are largely contractors with no connection to the place they're moderating. and the worst part: social networks prioritize DAUs over everything else. they will go easy on banning chuds because chuds look at ads and the network gets money. who cares if they make other users miserable? they keep coming back!

look how much had to happen to twitter to get people to start leaving. the rot in that place set in YEARS before elon bought the place yet there's still holders-on.

on a forum, someone breaks the rules they get banned. you get a big fat "USER WAS BANNED FOR THIS POST" on the post that did them in and i will bet my balls that reprimand did more for keeping the place civil than any "community note" ever has

[gla-courses]

Securing the Digital World: B Tech in Cyber Security

In a world where data breaches and cyber threats make headlines every other day, cyber security has emerged as one of the most in-demand fields in technology. Whether it's safeguarding sensitive government data, protecting corporate networks, or securing online financial transactions, cyber security experts are the unsung heroes behind digital safety. A Bachelor of Technology (B Tech) in Cyber Security is the perfect launchpad for students interested in building a career in this dynamic and vital sector.

Why Choose B Tech in Cyber Security?

Cyber security is no longer just an IT concern—it’s a critical business issue. With increasing reliance on digital infrastructure, the need for skilled cyber security professionals has skyrocketed. A B Tech in Cyber Security equips students with the knowledge of ethical hacking, digital forensics, network security, cryptography, risk management, and malware analysis. It is a blend of theoretical concepts and hands-on training, making students ready for real-world challenges.

B Tech Cyber Security Admission: The Entry Gate to a Secure Future

Getting admission into a B Tech Cyber Security program is the first step toward becoming a cyber-warrior. Admission usually takes place through engineering entrance examinations such as:

1. JEE Main

2. State-level entrance exams (like MHT CET, WBJEE)

3. University-level exams (like VITEEE, SRMJEEE, etc.)

4. Direct admission through merit-based selection in some private institutions

Prospective students should keep a close watch on application deadlines, counselling dates, and entrance exam schedules. Some reputed universities also offer early application options for high-scoring students.

B Tech Cyber Security Eligibility: Are You the Right Fit?

The B Tech Cyber Security Eligibility criteria are similar across most Indian universities and colleges, though there can be slight variations. The general requirements include:

1. Completion of 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects

2. A minimum of 50-60% marks in aggregate, depending on the institution

3. A valid score in the required entrance examination

Some institutions may also look for additional aptitude in logical reasoning or programming basics. If you have a passion for solving complex problems, an analytical mindset, and a curiosity for how things work behind the screen, cyber security is definitely your calling.

B Tech Cyber Security Fees: Planning Your Investment

One of the crucial considerations for students and parents is the financial aspect of the program. B Tech Cyber Security Fees vary depending on the institution type:

Government institutions (IITs, NITs, state universities): ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 per year

Private universities and deemed institutions: ₹1,00,000 – ₹3,50,000 per year

Some colleges offer scholarships, financial aid, and installment-based fee payment options. Apart from tuition, students should also account for costs related to hostel, lab equipment, certifications, and internships. However, considering the booming demand for cyber security professionals, the investment often pays off quickly in the form of high-salary placements.

B Tech Cyber Security Placement: Step Into the Digital Frontlines

One of the biggest attractions of this course is its strong placement record. The increasing frequency of cyberattacks has pushed companies to hire dedicated security teams. As a result, B Tech Cyber Security graduates are in high demand across industries such as:

1. IT and Software Services

2. Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI)

3. Government Agencies and Defense

4. E-Commerce

5. Telecommunication

Top recruiters include Infosys, TCS, Wipro, IBM, Deloitte, Accenture, Cisco, EY, and many more. Some graduates also opt for prestigious government roles in cybersecurity departments, CERT-In, DRDO, or the cyber wing of law enforcement agencies.

Average starting packages for freshers range from ₹4 to ₹10 LPA, and with experience, professionals can easily cross ₹20 LPA and move into high-profile roles like Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Cyber Security Consultant, or Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Whether you are just out of school or looking to specialize in a growing field, the B Tech Cyber Security Admission process opens the door to a thrilling and rewarding career. So, are you ready to turn your interest in technology into a force for good? Cyber security isn’t just a career—it's a mission.

[weaklymagnificentdimension]

Simplify Business Verification with GST Verification API by NifiPayments

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, businesses must verify their partners, vendors, and customers quickly and accurately to ensure compliance, reduce fraud, and streamline operations. One of the most essential verifications for businesses in India is the GST (Goods and Services Tax) verification.

That’s where NifiPayments GST Verification API comes in—providing a reliable, real-time solution for businesses to validate GST numbers (GSTIN) directly from the GSTN (Goods and Services Tax Network) database.

🔍 What is GST Verification API?

GST Verification API is a secure and robust tool that allows businesses to instantly validate a GST number and retrieve detailed taxpayer information such as:

Registered legal name of the business

Trade name

GST registration status

Constitution of business

Registration date

Nature of business (taxpayer, composition dealer, etc.)

⚙️ Key Features of NifiPayments GST Verification API:

✅ Real-Time GSTIN Validation Validate GST numbers on the fly, ensuring data accuracy and regulatory compliance.

✅ Data Directly from GSTN Information is fetched from the official GST portal, ensuring legitimacy and authenticity.

✅ Seamless API Integration Our easy-to-integrate RESTful API allows you to plug into your existing platforms with minimal effort.

✅ Bulk Verification Support Need to verify hundreds of GST numbers? Our bulk verification feature makes large-scale processing simple and efficient.

✅ Reduces Fraud & Enhances KYC Helps detect fake GST numbers, ensuring you deal only with compliant and verified businesses.

💼 Use Cases

Fintech & NBFCs – Streamline business loan KYC and reduce onboarding time.

Marketplaces & Aggregators – Verify sellers and service providers before listing.

Accounting & ERP Software – Automate GST validations within your software suite.

Logistics & Supply Chain – Ensure GST-compliant vendors and reduce tax risks.

🛡️ Why Choose NifiPayments?

NifiPayments is committed to simplifying financial infrastructure for businesses with scalable, secure, and developer-friendly APIs. With our GST Verification API, you not only save time but also improve operational efficiency and reduce regulatory risks.

🚀 Ready to Integrate?

Accelerate your business with automated GST verification.

👉 Contact us today to get started with NifiPayments GST Verification API. 🌐 [www.nifipayments.com]

[machine-saint]

i've gotten a lot of replies to this and individually addressing them isn't going to work so I'm just going to aggregate it here

the problem is that the aphorism fails to justify why a "management" decision is special; why is it acceptable for computers to make some kinds of decisions but not others? (someone described deciding where to place traffic lights as a management problem, but that seems to me much more like an engineering one, and one you would make heavy use of computer simulations for.)

a lot of people brought up a comparison between modern deep neural network AIs and more traditional/explicit/explicable algorithms, but this is just something people are reading into the quote. it doesn't say "therefore a computer that makes a management decision should be formally verifiable". and of course, even when a program functions via explicit logic, that doesn't mean that "accountability" for a mistake just means "find the person who wrote the bad line of code and blame them". why didn't it get caught in review or testing? if this mistake is typical of their quality, why were they given this task? if it isn't, were there circumstances that led them to do sloppy work? and then of course you can move the causal chain up from there.

similarly, if a decision is being made by an AI, you can ask: why that model? why that choice of training data? why that configuration? and so on and so on.

it's also worth pointing out, I think, that the quote was from the 70s, and the AI research of the day had much more of a focus on symbolic reasoning and planning and that sort of thing than it does now (because the former approach failed to pan out and you can't just throw more computational power at it).

i am full of endless loathing for the phrase "a computer cannot be held accountable, therefore a computer must not make a management decision". it's a snappy witticism that ignores places where we rely on computers to make safety-critical decisions (when was the last time you saw a busy intersection manually controlled by humans? are computerized assembly machines unforgivable because you can't fire them for missing a rivet?) and ignores the fact that human management is often not held accountable (oh, it's an IBM quote? what were they doing in the 1940s? were they Held Accountable?)

[mariacallous]

As former president Donald Trump’s Truth Social social media platform teeters on the brink of financial collapse, a group of shitposting cartoon dogs known for mocking Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine has infiltrated the platform. They’re trying to bring it down from the inside before the 2024 US election.

The North Atlantic Fella Organization (NAFO) is an online activist group founded last year to combat pro-Russia propaganda related to the invasion of Ukraine. Last month, the group turned its attention to Trump’s social network and launched a campaign to take over the trending topics section on the website. The group says that the operation, which included 50 “NAFO commandos,” as members targeting Truth Social call themselves, was so successful that those running the campaign now have a long-term goal: Take down Truth Social completely.

“The goal we have in mind, which is lofty, is to help bring the platform down ahead of the 2024 election,” Rock Kenwell, the pseudonymous leader of the NAFO commandos, tells WIRED. “We know it's going to be an aggregator for extremism and probably violence the way things are looking at this point.”

Describing the Truth Social platform’s current environment, Kenwell compared the challenge of combating the spread of pro-Trump messaging on the platform with “dealing with your racist uncle that nobody wants at the Thanksgiving dinner table because he’s just obnoxious and looking to fight with everybody.”

Truth Social was launched in early 2022 by Trump, who had been kicked off of mainstream platforms for inciting violence. Trump claimed that the network would challenge “Big Tech platforms” like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as a free speech platform open to everyone, but in the 18 months since it started, the site has failed to attract anyone outside of Trump sycophants and QAnon conspiracy groups, and has instead become the butt of late night comedy. Last week, a filing to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) showed that the platform had lost $31 million since it launched.

“It's a very easy platform to manipulate. It's a very primitive, social media environment,” adds Kenwell.

Kenwell, along with other members of NAFO, posts anonymously to avoid blowback from the individuals and groups they are targeting. They also represent themselves online by using various cartoons of the Shiba Inu, a Japanese breed of dog that became a popular internet meme in 2013.

While most of NAFO’s activity takes place on X, the website formerly as Twitter, Kenwell had considered targeting Truth Social after he was inspired in part by a campaign earlier this year run by three friends—including the founder of the Birds Aren’t Real satirical conspiracy movement—who managed to get the #DeSantis2024 hashtag trending on Truth Social before it suddenly shut down.

But Kenwell was finally convinced to take action when he saw the Biden campaign join Truth Social. Biden’s campaign team joined Truth Social in October and briefly surged past the Trump campaign account in terms of followers, though the Trump account, with almost 65,000 followers, has since surpassed the Biden account, which currently has almost 56,000 followers.

On October 31, Kenwell launched his campaign to try and take over the trending topics section on Truth Social by using anti-MAGA hashtags. Just 50 members were involved in the initial wave, but they successfully got hashtags that could be misinterpreted as pro-MAGA onto the trending list, including misspelt phrases like #StollenElection or #ErectionFraud. This goal was achieved in a matter of hours, according to screenshots shared with WIRED of the platform’s trending topics.

In the space of 10 days, the Commandos posted over 8,200 “Truths” containing their anti-Trump hashtags. “These guys are way easier to trigger than the Russian spambots over on Twitter,” wrote NAFO member Pinkeye McGrew in a private Truth Social group hours after the operation began.

The campaign was orchestrated in this private group, and everyone in the group shared (or “reTruthed”) each other’s posts to make it look like there were a lot more people involved.

The hashtags were eventually removed from the trending list, but Kenwell claims the campaign had an even greater impact on the platform: “We actually made Truth Social take down new app downloads from the app store,” Kenwell says. “We made them shut off new account registration just after our campaign began.”

Truth Social was in fact unavailable to download from the app store, and new registrations were closed around the time the campaign took place. However, this has periodically happened at other times on Truth Social and WIRED could not independently verify that the NAFO campaign was responsible for closing new registrations.

Truth Social did not respond to WIRED’s requests for comment about NAFO’s campaign to impact Truth Social’s trending list, why it closed registrations around this time, and whether the decision was linked to NAFO’s campaign.

The success of the campaign did, however, entice around 200 NAFO members to sign up for future anti-Truth Social campaigns, Kenwell tells WIRED.

NAFO is planning to spread pro-Ukraine content on the platform later this month. “The thing is to get the word out in that environment about the realities of what's happening in Ukraine because, it being a MAGA environment, they are pro-Russia, they're very anti-Ukraine,” Kenwell says.

Next, the group will take aim at the few advertisers who have decided to pay Trump to sell gold, alternative medicine, and Trump merchandise on his platform.

Kenwell says he has a database of around 50 Truth Social ads queued up and ready to be faked and deployed at once. “So, all of a sudden, it's just a glut of fake ads,” Kenwell says. “It's really easy to fake ads on Truth Social … If we can take any ad and get a couple of thousand false versions of that ad running, nobody can really identify what is the original ad anymore and what's fake.”

While the operation was being conducted by anonymous accounts, the campaign was far from top secret. On X, Kenwell detailed exactly what the group was doing and how new members could join in a thread he called the NAFO Commandos Quick Start Guide.

Though a few of the NAFO accounts have been taken down—including a spoof Russian Embassy account, which was taken down for pretending to be an official government agency—Kenwell says he’s not worried about being kicked off Truth Social.

"We don't care, because we'd just try again, we'd make new accounts and get back on there again,” Kenwell says. “Anyway, I don't believe that they have the capability or the personnel to deal with something like this on an ongoing basis.”

[semiconductorlogs]

Consumer Electronics Printed Circuit Board Market: Key Growth Drivers in the Global Industry

MARKET INSIGHTS

The global Consumer Electronics Printed Circuit Board Market size was valued at US$ 15.34 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 24.78 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period 2025-2032.

Consumer electronic PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) boards are integrated circuits used across consumer electronics products to mechanically support and electrically connect components through conductive copper pathways. These boards serve as the backbone of modern electronics, encompassing various types including single-layer, double-layer, and multilayer configurations to accommodate different device complexities.

The market growth is primarily driven by accelerating demand for smart devices, including smartphones, wearables, and IoT-enabled home appliances. While China dominates PCB production with over 50% global market share, emerging 5G infrastructure and AI applications are creating new opportunities across multilayer PCBA segments. Furthermore, leading manufacturers like Jabil and Flex Ltd continue expanding production capacities to meet the growing demand for compact, high-performance electronic assemblies.

MARKET DRIVERS

Proliferation of Smart Devices to Fuel Demand for PCBA Boards

The global consumer electronics market continues to expand at an unprecedented rate, with smart devices driving significant demand for high-quality PCBA boards. Smartphones alone accounted for over 1.4 billion units shipped globally in 2023, each requiring sophisticated multilayer PCBA assemblies. The Internet of Things (IoT) revolution has further accelerated this trend, with projections indicating 30 billion connected devices by 2025. These consumer electronics require increasingly complex PCBA solutions that can handle higher processing speeds while maintaining energy efficiency and compact form factors.

Advancements in 5G Technology Accelerating Market Growth

The global rollout of 5G networks represents a pivotal driver for the PCBA board market, as next-generation devices require completely redesigned circuit architectures. 5G-compatible PCBA boards must accommodate higher frequency ranges (up to 52.6 GHz for mmWave implementations) while minimizing signal loss and electromagnetic interference. Carrier aggregation technologies in modern 5G modems often require up to 40% more complex PCBA designs compared to 4G LTE solutions. This technological shift is prompting manufacturers to invest heavily in advanced production capabilities, particularly for high-frequency laminate materials and precision assembly techniques.

Automotive Electronics Evolution Creating New Demand Streams

The automotive sector’s rapid electrification and digital transformation is generating substantial opportunities for PCBA manufacturers. Modern vehicles now incorporate over 100 electronic control units (ECUs) on average, each containing specialized PCBA solutions. The autonomous vehicle segment particularly demands high-reliability boards capable of withstanding harsh environments while processing massive sensor data streams. Premium electric vehicles may contain PCBA components valued at 3-4 times that of conventional automobiles, creating a high-value growth channel for manufacturers with automotive-grade capabilities.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities Constraining Market Expansion

The PCBA industry faces significant challenges from global supply chain disruptions, particularly for critical raw materials. Copper prices have shown 35% volatility year-over-year, directly impacting board production costs. Specialty laminate materials and semiconductor components have experienced lead time extensions up to 52 weeks in some cases, creating production bottlenecks. Geopolitical tensions in key manufacturing regions further exacerbate these challenges, forcing companies to maintain larger inventory buffers that negatively impact working capital efficiency.

Environmental Regulations Increasing Compliance Costs

Stringent environmental regulations, particularly concerning lead-free soldering processes and halogen-free laminates, have significantly increased manufacturing complexity. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive and similar regulations worldwide now require extensive documentation and testing protocols for each product iteration. Compliance costs for a medium-sized PCBA manufacturer can exceed $500,000 annually, creating substantial barriers to market entry for smaller players. These regulations also necessitate continuous R&D investments to develop alternative materials that meet both performance and environmental requirements.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Miniaturization Demands Outpacing Manufacturing Capabilities

The relentless drive toward smaller, more powerful consumer electronics presents fundamental manufacturing challenges. PCBAs for wearable devices now routinely require trace widths below 50μm and micro-vias under 100μm in diameter, pushing the limits of conventional fabrication techniques. Yield rates for such high-density interconnect (HDI) boards can be 15-20% lower than standard designs, significantly increasing unit costs. This miniaturization trend also demands substantial capital investments in equipment capable of sub-micron precision, with advanced pick-and-place machines often exceeding $500,000 per unit.

Talent Shortage Impacting Technological Advancement

The industry faces a critical shortage of skilled engineers capable of designing and manufacturing next-generation PCBA solutions. Complex RF designs and high-speed digital layouts require specialized expertise that typically takes 5-7 years to develop. The global electronics manufacturing sector currently experiences a 22% vacancy rate for mid-career PCB design engineers, slowing innovation cycles. This skills gap is particularly acute in emerging manufacturing hubs, where educational infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with industry requirements.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

AI-Enabled Manufacturing Creating Efficiency Breakthroughs

Artificial intelligence applications in PCBA manufacturing are unlocking unprecedented quality and efficiency improvements. Machine vision systems can now detect assembly defects with 99.98% accuracy, compared to 92% for human inspectors. Predictive maintenance algorithms reduce equipment downtime by 40% in advanced facilities, while AI-optimized panel utilization can decrease material waste by up to 15%. Early adopters of these technologies are gaining significant competitive advantages in both quality consistency and production cost structures.

Emerging Markets Driving Volume Growth

Developing economies represent the next frontier for consumer electronics adoption, creating substantial opportunities for PCBA manufacturers. Smartphone penetration in Southeast Asia and Africa is projected to grow at 8% CAGR through 2030, significantly outpacing mature markets. Local governments are implementing favorable policies to attract electronics manufacturing, including Vietnam’s 10-year tax holidays for high-tech investments. These regions also benefit from younger, tech-savvy populations driving demand for affordable smart devices, creating ideal conditions for volume-focused manufacturing strategies.

CONSUMER ELECTRONIC PCBA BOARD MARKET TRENDS

5G Technology Adoption and High-Density PCBA Demand

The rapid rollout of 5G networks globally is driving significant changes in the consumer electronic PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) market. As 5G-capable devices require higher frequency and bandwidth performance, manufacturers are shifting toward high-density interconnect (HDI) PCBA boards with advanced materials like low-loss laminates. The global 5G smartphone market is expected to reach over 1.2 billion units by 2025, directly influencing PCBA design requirements. Furthermore, the miniaturization trend in consumer electronics continues to push innovation in multilayer and flexible PCBA solutions, with some manufacturers now offering boards with up to 20+ layers for premium devices.

Other Trends

Automation in PCBA Manufacturing

Consumer electronics manufacturers are increasingly adopting automated surface-mount technology (SMT) lines to improve production efficiency and quality control. This shift is particularly evident in high-volume segments like smartphones and wearables, where precision and consistency are critical. Automated optical inspection (AOI) systems are now being integrated into production lines at a rate exceeding 30% annually, reducing defects by up to 60% compared to manual inspection. As labor costs rise in traditional manufacturing hubs, this automation trend is becoming crucial for maintaining competitiveness.

Sustainability Initiatives Reshaping Materials and Processes

Environmental regulations and consumer preferences are driving significant changes in PCBA materials and manufacturing processes. The European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive and similar regulations worldwide have accelerated the adoption of lead-free soldering and halogen-free laminates. Recent market data shows that over 85% of new PCBA production now complies with RoHS standards, up from just 60% five years ago. Additionally, manufacturers are investing in closed-loop recycling systems for precious metals recovered from PCBA waste, with some achieving recovery rates exceeding 90% for gold and silver.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Market Leaders Invest in Advanced Manufacturing and Strategic Partnerships

The global Consumer Electronic PCBA Board market features a fragmented yet highly competitive landscape dominated by established manufacturers and emerging regional players. Among these, Jabil and Flex Ltd maintain leading positions, owing to their extensive production capabilities and engagements with multinational electronics brands. These Tier-1 manufacturers collectively held approximately 18% of the global market share in 2024, supported by vertically integrated supply chains and investments in high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing.

Meanwhile, Chinese firms like Shennan Circuits Company Limited (SCC) and Avary Holding have expanded aggressively, leveraging cost efficiencies and government-backed semiconductor policies. SCC reported consecutive revenue growth above 12% YoY, capitalizing on domestic smartphone manufacturers’ demand for multilayer PCBAs. The company’s recent acquisition of a German PCB fabricator signifies its ambitions in the European automotive electronics segment.

While major players focus on capacity expansions, mid-sized competitors such as Victory Giant Technology (VGT) differentiate through certified quick-turn prototyping services essential for IoT device makers. Notably, VGT partnered with Xiaomi and Oppo to develop high-frequency PCBA solutions for 5G smartphones, demonstrating innovation-driven competition.

Meanwhile, supply chain disruptions prompted firms like Palpilot International to localize production – establishing plants in Mexico and Vietnam to bypass tariff risks. Such strategic realignments reflect the industry’s shift toward regionalization while sustaining just-in-time delivery models.

List of Key Consumer Electronic PCBA Board Companies Profiled

Jabil Inc. (U.S.)

Flex Ltd. (Singapore)

Shenzhen Fastprint Circuit Tech (China)

Kingbrother Electronics (China)

Shennan Circuits Co. Ltd (China)

Avary Holding (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. (China)

Victory Giant Technology (China)

Aoshikang Technology (China)

Camelot Electronics Technology (China)

Lensuo Technology Development (China)

Segment Analysis:

By Type

Multilayer PCBA Board Segment Dominates Due to Increasing Demand for High-Density Electronics

The market is segmented based on type into:

Single-layer PCBA Board

Double-layer PCBA Board

Multilayer PCBA Board

By Application

Smartphone Segment Holds Maximum Share Owing to Rising Global Smartphone Adoption

The market is segmented based on application into:

Smart Phone

Tablet

Smart Wear

TV Set

Air Conditioner

Others

By Technology

Surface Mount Technology Leads Due to Higher Efficiency and Compact Design Capabilities

The market is segmented based on technology into:

Through-hole Technology

Surface Mount Technology

Mixed Technology

By Material

FR4 Substrate Maintains Dominance as Industry Standard for Consumer Electronics

The market is segmented based on material into:

FR4 Substrate

Flexible Substrate

High-frequency Substrate

Others

Regional Analysis: Consumer Electronic PCBA Board Market

North America The North American PCBA Board market is characterized by high-value, technology-driven demand, particularly for advanced multilayer boards used in premium consumer electronics. The United States accounts for over 85% of regional demand, fueled by strong R&D investment and the presence of tech giants like Apple and Google. While the market faces cost pressures due to labor and material expenses, manufacturers are increasingly adopting automation to maintain competitiveness. Environmental regulations such as RoHS compliance influence material selection, pushing suppliers toward lead-free and halogen-free solutions. Canada’s market is smaller but growing steadily, supported by telecommunications equipment demand.

Europe European PCBA manufacturers focus on high-quality, precision-engineered boards for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications. Germany leads in production capabilities, housing several global EMS providers. The EU’s circular economy action plan drives innovation in recyclable PCB materials and processes. Though labor costs remain high compared to Asia, European manufacturers differentiate through advanced manufacturing techniques and stringent quality control. The UK and France show particular strength in aerospace and defense applications that require specialized PCBA solutions. Brexit-related supply chain disruptions have prompted some reshoring of PCB production within the EU.

Asia-Pacific As the global manufacturing hub for PCBA boards, Asia-Pacific dominates with over 70% of worldwide production capacity. China’s massive electronics ecosystem drives demand for cost-efficient, high-volume PCBs, with Shenzhen serving as a key production cluster. Japanese and Korean manufacturers lead in advanced HDI and flex PCB technologies for premium devices. Rapid urbanization across Southeast Asia is creating new consumer electronics markets, though infrastructure gaps sometimes hinder supply chain efficiency. The region benefits from vertical integration, with many PCB fabricators also offering assembly services. Intense competition keeps margins thin but fosters continuous process optimization.

South America South America’s PCBA market remains modest but developing, primarily serving domestic consumer electronics manufacturers. Brazil accounts for nearly half of regional demand, though economic instability often delays capital investments in PCB manufacturing. Most complex boards are imported from Asia, while local facilities focus on simpler designs. Currency fluctuations impact material procurement costs, causing pricing volatility. Some countries like Argentina are implementing import substitution policies to boost local PCB production, though technological limitations constrain capabilities. The growing middle class is driving demand for affordable smartphones and appliances, creating opportunities for PCB suppliers.

Middle East & Africa This emerging market shows potential as electronics manufacturing gradually expands beyond oil-dependent economies. Israel stands out for its high-tech PCB applications in defense and telecommunications. UAE and Saudi Arabia are investing in technology parks to attract electronics manufacturers, though most PCBs are still imported. Limited local expertise in complex board design and manufacturing hampers development, leading to reliance on foreign partners. South Africa serves as a regional hub, with some capability for basic PCB production. Infrastructure challenges and fragmented supply chains remain barriers, though government initiatives aim to develop local electronics manufacturing ecosystems.

Report Scope

This market research report provides a comprehensive analysis of the global and regional Consumer Electronic PCBA Board markets, covering the forecast period 2025–2032. It offers detailed insights into market dynamics, technological advancements, competitive landscape, and key trends shaping the industry.

Key focus areas of the report include:

Market Size & Forecast: Historical data and future projections for revenue, unit shipments, and market value across major regions and segments. The global market was valued at USD 12.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 18.3 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.6%.

Segmentation Analysis: Detailed breakdown by product type (single-layer, double-layer, multilayer), application (smartphones, tablets, wearables, home appliances), and end-user industry to identify high-growth segments.

Regional Outlook: Insights into market performance across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific dominates with 68% market share in 2024, led by China’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Competitive Landscape: Profiles of 15 leading manufacturers including Jabil, Flex Ltd, Shenzhen Fastprint, and Shennan Circuits, analyzing their market share (top 5 companies hold 32% share), capacity expansions, and technological partnerships.

Technology Trends: Assessment of HDI boards, flexible PCBs, embedded components, and IoT integration driving innovation. The multilayer PCB segment accounts for 54% revenue share in 2024.

Market Drivers & Restraints: Evaluation of 5G adoption, smart device proliferation, and supply chain localization benefits versus raw material price volatility and geopolitical trade tensions.

Stakeholder Analysis: Strategic insights for PCB fabricators, EMS providers, OEMs, and investors regarding capacity planning, technology roadmaps, and emerging applications like AR/VR devices.

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