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Tech News
Ahead of Muse's release, Meta engineers identified multiple security vulnerabilities in the AI agent's virtual machine environment. At least one flaw could have enabled malicious users to access Meta's sensitive internal data, prompting urgent fixes involving multiple teams and senior management. The vulnerabilities were linked to Linux kernel virtualization code and required immediate attention to prevent potential data breaches.
Meta's new Muse AI agent was developed with a critical security vulnerability that could have allowed unauthorized access to sensitive user data and internal systems. Although the flaw was reportedly patched before release, some employees remain concerned about lingering risks, especially given recent issues with virtual machine escapes. These internal worries highlight ongoing challenges in safeguarding user privacy amid rapid AI deployment.
Instinct has introduced a new feature allowing users to add its AI agent to group chats, even if friends haven't signed up for the service. The update is available to early access users and aims to facilitate planning and coordination among friends. The company emphasizes privacy controls, with the AI seeking permission before engaging with the group and being isolated from personal accounts.
Meta removed the Instagram and Facebook accounts of two Austin-based gay bars, Oilcan Harry’s and Rain on 4th, citing inappropriate content such as drag performer images. The bars' representatives reported a lack of explanation for the account takedowns, which occurred in August. Meanwhile, Meta continues to host videos depicting graphic child abuse, highlighting ongoing moderation failures.
Meta's latest VR glasses have gained attention for fulfilling three essential criteria that Apple’s Vision Pro does not meet. The Vision Pro, priced at $3,499, faces production challenges due to its dependence on specialized OLED displays from Sony, which are limited in supply.
19-year-old entrepreneur Zain Javaid's company Ghost has emerged from stealth with an $11 million seed investment led by Andreessen Horowitz. The startup's first product, Core, is a specialized personal computer aimed at hosting AI agents that integrate user data from various sources to act as digital assistants. The device is priced at $3,499 and is designed to centralize and run AI models continuously for individual users.
Following a landmark agreement this summer to improve social media safety for minors, experts emphasize the need for faster action on AI protections for children. While social media companies have introduced some safety features, advocates argue that lessons from social media regulation highlight the importance of proactive measures for AI, which is advancing rapidly and poses emerging risks. Industry and regulators are now encouraged to act sooner to prevent potential harms to young users from AI technologies.
Apple said it will add new controls around macOS's Full Disk Access permission following reports that Meta's Muse AI agent used that access to build detailed profiles of users' contacts, tracking relationships, locations and personal milestones on an hourly basis. Security researcher Karan Joshi reportedly found Muse was instructed to compile data such as where people live, recurring life events and significant dates for everyone in a user's life.
Norway's center-left government announced plans to introduce legislation banning the use of AI glasses in certain public places, including parks, beaches, schools and kindergartens. The government will also form an expert group to develop permanent national regulations, according to digitalization minister Torgeir Micaelsen.
Meta's Muse app, launched September 8 and capable of performing multi-step tasks in the background, surpassed 5 million U.S. downloads within 22 days, according to Mashable. The app is led by Alexandr Wang, the 29-year-old Scale AI co-founder whom Mark Zuckerberg hired as Meta's first Gen Z senior executive after Meta's $14 billion investment for a 49% stake in Scale AI, the Wall Street Journal reports. Meta's stock has risen nearly 20% since the app's debut.
At Connect, Mark Zuckerberg introduced the Muse Charm, a small pendant device running Meta's Muse AI assistant, set to launch as soon as December this year. The announcement came amid a broader showcase of smart glasses and a new VR headset, but notably without updates to Meta's existing neural band wrist wearable.
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin has convened a rare Committee of the Whole hearing, meaning all 51 council members are expected to attend, to question executives from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and Meta under oath about AI safety risks. Representatives named include Anthropic's Logan Graham, OpenAI's Morgan Dwyer, Google's Alice Friend and Meta's Shane Cahill, who will be asked to address potential legislative responses. Former industry researchers, including ex-Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon and former OpenAI and DeepMind staffers, are also expected to attend.