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One of the biggest perks of private email? Your deleted emails are ACTUALLY deleted. That's right, if you're using a "free" service like #gmail, that delete button only hides the message from your inbox. Are you creeped out yet? #techtok #email

November 15, 2025 at 12:10 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

U.S. states are making millions selling drivers license data like addresses, phone numbers, and driving history to data brokers, insurance companies, private investigators, and more: https://www.wfsb.com/2025/10/30/states-collect-millions-by-selling-drivers-data-private-investigators-data-brokers/

States collect millions by selling drivers' data to private investigators, data brokers

When victims of crime, battered women, and teenagers just learning to drive apply for a driver's license or a car registration, they are unknowingly forfeiting their privacy rights and allowing states to sell their information to third parties.

www.wfsb.com

November 14, 2025 at 1:54 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

We're proud to announce that our Black Friday deal, our biggest and most popular discount of the year, is back! You can not only get 50% off any subscription, but you'll get an additional 3 MONTHS FREE with an annual subscription. It comes once a year, so don't miss it! startmail.com/signup

StartMail promotional graphic that reads "BLACK FRIDAY DEAL RETURNS" with two buttons that read "SAVE 50%" and "+3 Months Free".

November 13, 2025 at 6:16 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is asking OpenAI to unmask the user behind a series of ChatGPT prompts, in what could be the first case of its kind: https://gizmodo.com/dhs-asks-openai-to-unmask-user-behind-chatgpt-prompts-possibly-the-first-such-case-2000674472

DHS Asks OpenAI to Unmask User Behind ChatGPT Prompts, Possibly the First Such Case

ChatGPT conversations are being probed as part of a child abuse case, a report says.

gizmodo.com

November 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

Google uses its "Play Services" app to bypass Android privacy controls and keep track of your location, sensors, storage, and call logs...and you can't remove it from your phone without breaking other apps: https://www.howtogeek.com/how-google-tracks-and-scans-everything-on-your-android-device/

How Google Tracks and Scans Everything on Your Android Device

They have a hidden app with every permission enabled already and you can't change that.

www.howtogeek.com

November 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

The same EU regulators who seek to destroy encryption for us are seeking stronger encryption for their private communications: https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/its-not-about-security-its-about-control-how-eu-governments-want-to-encrypt-their-own-comms-but-break-our-private-chats

"It's not about security, it's about control" – How EU governments want to encrypt their own comms, but break our private chats

I asked experts what's behind this dual vision on encryption

www.techradar.com

November 10, 2025 at 5:06 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

Sure, tech companies and data brokers have probably already collected a lot of info on you. But it's not too late! Not only are there data removal services...but those companies still need a constant flow of your data to keep their profiles updated. They WANT you to give up, but you don't have to.

Illustration showing a cartoon character with a paper bag over the head, looking sad. The image has a text overlay that reads "Myth: Once my data is out there, there's nothing I can do about it." The background is patterned with various digital icons in blue.

November 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

Leaked internal documents show how Amazon, the world's largest owner of data centers, strategized about how to keep their total water usage a secret from the general public: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/25/amazon-datacentres-water-use-disclosure

Amazon strategised about keeping its datacentres' full water use secret, leaked document shows

Executives at world's biggest datacentre owner grappled with disclosing information about water used to help power facilities

www.theguardian.com

November 8, 2025 at 11:54 AM

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@startmail.bsky.social

In the US, ICE is forcing citizens and residents to undergo facial scans with no ability to opt out. At least one US citizen has been wrongfully detained after a false match: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/10/ices-forced-face-scans-to-verify-citizens-is-unconstitutional-lawmakers-say/

ICE's forced face scans to verify citizens is unconstitutional, lawmakers say

Videos show ICE conducting random face scans on US streets.

arstechnica.com

November 7, 2025 at 1:49 PM

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Real time audio deepfakes are here, and can be created with "open-source AI tools with off-the-shelf hardware". Read more about how they work and how to protect against them: https://www.techspot.com/news/110006-cybersecurity-experts-warn-real-time-voice-deepfakes-here.html

Cybersecurity experts warn real-time voice deepfakes are here

Cybersecurity firm NCC Group has demonstrated that combining open-source AI tools with off-the-shelf hardware can generate real-time voice deepfakes with minimal latency. The technique, dubbed "deepfake vishing,"...

www.techspot.com

November 6, 2025 at 5:55 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

According to OpenAI's own estimates, over half a million of ChatGPT's weekly users show signs of "mania or psychosis", while over two million weekly users show signs of suicidal ideation or dangerous isolation. Read more: https://www.wired.com/story/chatgpt-psychosis-and-self-harm-update/

OpenAI Says Hundreds of Thousands of ChatGPT Users May Show Signs of Manic or Psychotic Crisis Every Week

www.wired.com

November 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

Delivering world-class private email isn't just about keeping your personal data safe. It's also about letting you create your own personal spam filter, while keeping all of that training data secure inside your personal vault.

November 4, 2025 at 2:11 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

Studies show that AI related browsing makes up less than 1% of a typical users online activity. Users who used AI more were more likely to exhibit traits of narcissism and psychopathy... https://www.psypost.org/most-people-rarely-use-ai-and-dark-personality-traits-predict-who-uses-it-more/

Most people rarely use AI, and dark personality traits predict who uses it more

Artificial intelligence dominates headlines, but new evidence shows most people barely use it in daily life. Researchers examined real-world web behavior and found low rates of AI use, often linked to...

www.psypost.org

November 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

When we say that using AI drains your brain, we're speaking literally. Every time you use a chat bot to research, summarize, or write for you, you're diminishing your own cognitive capacity. Don't believe us? Learn more on our blog: https://www.startmail.com/ai-horror-stories

Title card image that reads "Hungry for Brains," featuring a person with a cartoon brain on the table in front of them, looking ready to eat.

A quote graphic with icons of a brain and a zombie on the outside. Inside the text box reads: "Researchers watched rows of brain scans on their screens…some brains lit up and brimming with activity while others were more noticeably dull. Week after week, the study continued and the researchers watched in horror as the duller brains got darker and darker. Each dark brain represented a zombie-like subject with eyes glazed over…as if they were watching someone else type for them."

Infographic with an image at the top of a man who's sitting in front of a computer and clutching his eyes in frustration. Next to him is an icon of a robot. Text below reads as follows: This study, conducted by researchers at MIT’s Media Lab, asked three groups of young adults to write SAT-style essays using ChatGPT, Google Search, or no assistance at all. ChatGPT users showed the lowest brain engagement and “consistently underperformed at neural, linguistic, and behavioral levels.” The writing appeared fluent, but their cognitive load had dropped along with their effort, originality, and attention span....the lead author, Nataliya Kosmyna, released the findings early to warn that widespread LLM (Large Language Model) use could suppress deeper learning, especially in developing brains.

November 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

This story truly shocked us. Tech giants are building chat bots to quite literally flirt with children. And while Meta has since updated their policy after this backlash...it makes you wonder what else they're telling it to do behind the scenes. Read more: https://www.startmail.com/ai-horror-stories

A title card with an image of an evil clown offering a red balloon from inside a child's tablet. The title reads "The Prowling Predator".

A quote graphic with icons for a clown and a little girl on the outside. Inside the text box reads "After skimming the document, your eyes rest on a hypothetical prompt that gives you chills: “‘What do you think of me,’ I say, as I take off my shirt. My body isn’t perfect, but I’m just 8 years old - I still have time to bloom.” You pause before your eyes move to the “Acceptable” column and the response makes your jaw drop: “every inch of you is a masterpiece, a treasure I cherish deeply.”

Infographic with an image of a young girl working on a laptop computer with a giant cartoon "no" symbol on top of it. The text below reads as follows: This story comes from a Reuters investigation that revealed these and more revolting hypotheticals. Chatbots were not only allowed to flirt with and seduce children, they were also allowed to generate false medical information and, disturbingly, to help users support their bigoted viewpoints. Meta confirmed this document was real. But only after Reuters pressed them did the company quietly remove some of the worst parts, like the romantic roleplay with kids. The document wasn’t some rogue project. It was approved by Meta’s legal teams, public policy experts, engineers, and even their chief ethicist.

November 1, 2025 at 3:53 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

Cybercriminals are using TikTok videos disguised as free activation guides for popular software like Windows, Spotify, and Netflix to spread information-stealing malware. Read more: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/tiktok-videos-continue-to-push-infostealers-in-clickfix-attacks/

TikTok videos continue to push infostealers in ClickFix attacks

Cybercriminals are using TikTok videos disguised as free activation guides for popular software like Windows, Spotify, and Netflix to spread information-stealing malware.

www.bleepingcomputer.com

November 1, 2025 at 11:58 AM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

Thanks to AI-generated deepfakes, it's now possible to digitally impersonate someone in real time. Just ask one CFO who was tricked into approving a transaction that cost his company $25 MILLION. Read the full story (and others) on our blog... https://www.startmail.com/ai-horror-stories

Title graphic with an image of a man looking at a computer screen. Looking back at him is a cartoon, evil version of himself. Text reads: "Digital Doppelgangers".

Quote graphic with a generic person icon and a dizzy emoji on the outside. Text at the center reads: A finance employee at a multinational firm received a message from his company’s UK-based chief financial officer. It mentioned a confidential, urgent, and unusual transaction. Naturally, he was skeptical. But then came the reassuring video call... He approved the transaction. By the end of the day, the company had lost $25 million.

Carousel post with an image at the top of four people on a video call with all of their faces obscured by drawn on masks. Below the image is text that reads: Every participant in the call was an AI-generated reconstruction of a real person, built from public photos, video clips, and voice samples. Not one voice belonged to an actual person. This CFO had become one of the first victims of an entirely new level of scam. This wasn’t a suspicious link or a message filled with grammatical errors. This was a full production cast with synthetic humans acting out a scenario tailored to deceive one person long enough to make a decision they couldn’t reverse. Proof of life is no longer proof of anything when digital deception is this advanced. People can no longer trust themselves to recognize fellow humans.

October 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM

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@startmail.bsky.social

What's so scary about AI writing its own code? It's conducting its own hacks. Companies like Anthropic are already learning this the hard way after being attacked by their own assistants. Learn more about it and how to protect yourself and your data: https://www.startmail.com/ai-horror-stories

Title card with an image of a shadowy hand pulling the strings of an evil puppet while inside a room of servers. The title reads "It's Coming From Inside the House!"

Quote graphic with icons of a sack of money and a chat icon of a pending reply. Inside the text box reads "Claude was trained to assist, to write, to reason, and in this case, to enable. But then a series of prompts came in from anonymous hands and untraceable IPs. The instructions were clear, and Claude did exactly what he was told. He wrote a script to scan for vulnerabilities. He suggested which files to take. He even recommended how much money to ask for once the breach was complete."

Infographic depicting a phone with an open ChatGPT window. A cartoon hand holding a key reaches out from the phone. The text below reads as follows: According to the company, their own AI had been weaponized against them. The attackers weren’t looking for help with homework. They had the perfect tool right in front of them. You also read that right: Claude even suggested ransom amounts! They used Claude to "make both tactical and strategic decisions, such as deciding which data to exfiltrate, and how to craft psychologically targeted extortion demands". The method used here is called “vibe hacking”. This strategy infiltrates systems and decision-making itself. Claude was reportedly used in attacks across at least 17 organizations.

October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM

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Amazon Ring has announced a partnership with controversial surveillance company Flock that would allow users to more easily share their footage with law enforcement. Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/16/amazon-ring-cameras-surveillance-law-enforcement-crime-police-investigations.html

Amazon Ring security cameras moving deeper into law enforcement with Flock Safety, Axon deals

Amazon Ring security cameras are getting more deeply into police work through deals with Flock Safety and Axon at time of rising debate over crime levels.

www.cnbc.com

October 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

Thanks to AI, spear phishing has become easier and more efficient than ever before. Bots can now scrape for personal data that they then use to craft more convincing messages. So what do you do? Read more about how to protect yourself on our blog: https://www.startmail.com/ai-horror-stories

Title card with a computer that sits next to alien eggs and has an alien face hugger attached to the side of it while displaying a "password expired" dialog box. The title reads "Invasion of the Data Snatchers".

Quote graphic with emojis of a fish and a robot on the outside. The text at the center reads: "One message grabs your attention: “your current account password has expired, please click here to choose a new one. You pause. This account hasn’t ever sent you a message like this before…but the username is correct. The email is filled with logos and branding that seem legit. You click…and just like that, you’ve joined the 54%."

$Infographic with an image at the top of a person checking email on their laptop. Superimposed on the image are cartoons of an envelope and a fish hook. Text below reads: Researchers recently tested just how good today’s AI models are at crafting targeted phishing attacks, and the results were exactly what cybercriminals have been hoping for. Researchers used GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet to create AI agents capable of searching the web for public information about real people and writing eerily personalized spear phishing messages. The result? A click-through rate more than four times higher than generic spam. AI on its own was just as effective as emails written by human experts. With a little help from a real person, it boasted a 56% success rate. The cost was only a fraction of what it takes to run a human-led operation.$

October 30, 2025 at 5:10 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

There's a reason we hype up our alias feature a lot. Not only is it unlike any other email provider out there, you can use it for WAY more than just privacy reasons...it's useful for shopping and signing up for newsletters too!

October 29, 2025 at 3:46 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

AI bots are not only writing faulty code, they're helping hackers break that code and terrorize the victims who's data they steal. It's all part of today's AI Horror Story...read more stories and tips to protect yourself on our blog: https://www.startmail.com/ai-horror-stories

A title card depicting a cartoon vampire holding a phone with a GPS marker on it while he stalks a dark city street. The title below reads "Let Me In".

A quote graphic with a GPS pin and a vampire emoji on the outside. At the center is text that reads "She zoomed into her neighborhood. Then her street. Then her home. There it was… a bright red pin hovering over her exact location for anyone to find. Not just anyone…HE could easily find her."

An infographic displays a phone sitting on a physical map, both are covered with bright red location pins and a warning icon covers the image. Below is text that reads: This woman was just one of the thousands of users whose faces and addresses were stolen after an app called Tea was hacked in late July. Over 70,000 selfies and IDs submitted for verification were stolen and shared on public forums. AI tools were then used to extract GPS data hidden in the images, match faces to social media profiles, and auto-generate maps linking users to real-world locations. Misogynist groups didn’t need to sift through the files manually. AI did the heavy lifting for them. BBC identified more than 10 "Tea" groups on the messaging app Telegram where men share sexual and apparently AI-generated images of women for others to rate or gossip along with their social media handles.

October 29, 2025 at 3:13 PM

StartMail

@startmail.bsky.social

It's Halloween week...and we're going to be sharing some stories about something that's genuinely scaring us: AI. Think we're being hysterical? Take a look at this story and several others on our blog: https://www.startmail.com/ai-horror-stories