A worker at the General Services Administration told colleagues in a Slack message Tuesday that they have resigned in protest after Elon Musk ally Thomas Shedd requested admin/root access to all components of the Notify.gov system, which is a government system used to send mass text messages to the public that contains information the worker said is highly sensitive and would give Shedd unilateral, private access to the personal data of members of the public.Shedd is a former Tesla engineer who now runs Technology Transformation Services (TTS), a group of coders and software engineers within the GSA, who is closely allied with Elon Musk and DOGE. Notify.gov contains not just the phone numbers of everyday people but also information about whether they participate in government programs such as Medicaid, which is based on a person's financial situation. In recent days, Musk has become obsessed with the idea of "fraud" in Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security, and in identifying those he suspects are committing fraud.The TTS commissioner, Thomas Shedd, has required us to provide admin/root access to all components of the Notify.gov system, the Slack message, seen by 404 Media starts. It then says this would allow Shedd to view all personally identifiable information (PII) moving through the Notify system, including phone numbers and variable data for members of the public. It says Shedd would be able to download and store this data without anybody else receiving a notification.I dont believe that I can operate a program and system without the ability to manage access to PII, they added. As a result, I have submitted my resignation to GSA. Today will be my last day.404 Media previously obtained leaked audio from a meeting Shedd had with TTS employees in which he suggested that a tool called login.gov could be turned into an information sharing platform across government agencies that could be used to identify people doing fraud. He also suggested that many government employees could be replaced with AI coding agents that would be created by his team.Notify.gov is a platform that allows government agencies to text people. Examples shown in a demo include, for example, telling someone that their Medicaid coverage is expiring and must be renewed alongside instructions to renew it.The resignation note. Full text belowSources at TTS told 404 Media that the fact Shedd wants access to Notify.gov is scary news.Someone at TTS resigned rather than surrender a vast trove of data to Thomas Shedd, one employee said. Im scared that well run out of people who will tell him no.The employee told 404 Media that "Notify contains PII, including at least: names, phone numbers, and the status of participating in public benefit programs which are based on financial status."Another employee also told 404 Media that the development was concerning, and that granting Shedd admin access to the system outside of established protocols would be dangerous for the resigning worker to do.The Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) requires creating these policies for every information system, the second employee told 404 Media. They are a legal requirement. The policies spell out who can have access and under what circumstances. An authorizing official must accept the policy by formally signing it and personally accepting the risk.Do you know anything else about TTS, GSA, or DOGE? I would love to hear from you. Using a non-work device, you can message me securely on Signal at +1 202 505 1702. Otherwise, send me an email at jason@404media.co.FISMA says that to provide someone access to a system they must go through an Authorization to Operate (ATO) process that determines who should have access to what systems, and for what reasons. The resigning worker said in their Slack message that they had been instructed to skip that process and place the system in non-compliance.The worker who resigned said in their resignation note that Shedd would have unfettered, private access to the information of anyone who has interacted with the Notify system.Here is the full message:The TTS commissioner, Thomas Shedd, has required us to provide admin/root access to all components of the Notify.gov system. With this access: Thomas would be able to view all personally identifiable information (PIl) moving through the Notify system, including phone numbers and variable data for members of the public. This information exists in our UI, cloud.gov-managed resources, and AWS resources. Thomas would be able to download and store this data without anybody else receiving a notification. Thomas would be able to fully manage the access of others, including granting the same access to others or removing it from existing team members. Granting the same access would, of course, grant the same ability to view and download PII.We have not received a justification for this request, which makes it difficult to suggest alternative approaches that would accomplish Thomas's goals while still being protective of PlI for members of the public. We have made clear to Thomas that this level of permission would allow access to PII. While we have suggested alternatives, such as read-only access, Thomas has continued to request full admin/root access.We also believe that this level of access for somebody outside of the product team is not contemplated by the system's authority to operate. While it's entirely possible to properly update the SSPP [System Security and Privacy Plan] to add this sort of access using our established ATO [Authorization to Operate] processes, we have been instructed to skip that process and place the system in non-compliance until the access is remediated.I don't believe that I can operate a program and system without the ability to manage access to PII. As a result, I have submitted my resignation to GSA. Today will be my last day.It has truly been a pleasure to work with each and every one of you. I have valued your individual and collective contributions toward building a new-to-government shared system that has already had an impact. I have valued your care, commitment, and diligence. We have built a program together on a stable foundation, which can allow it to survive even beyond our time on this team. I am proud of that, and l am proud of you.The GSA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Jason is a cofounder of 404 Media. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Motherboard. He loves the Freedom of Information Act and surfing.More from Jason Koebler

Update: Restored after a few hours.Hollow Knight: Silksong's Switch eShop listing has disappeared from the North American storefront.Spotted on the Silksong subreddit (via Wario64), the page was seemingly removed earlier today. Now, when you search for Silksong on the eShop, you only get a result for Hollow Knight.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Update: Business as usual.GAME staff have accused the UK retailer of "scalping" Pokmon cards after the company began hitching massive shipping costs to the online sale of 'Prismatic Evolutions' mini tins (thanks, Eurogamer).These mini tins are no novelty for a TCG expansion. They contain two booster packs and a collectible coin and retail for 10.99, tidy. The problem is that GAME is adding a bulky 19.99 "Oversized delivery" fee on top of that, making the overall purchase a little less 'mini' than the name suggests.Read the full article on nintendolife.com

Humane announced on Tuesday that it has been acquired by HP. The hardware startup is immediately discontinuing sales of its $699 AI Pins. Humane told customers who had already purchased an AI Pin that their devices will stop functioning before the end of the month, at 12 PM PST on February 28, 2025, according to a blog post.After that date, the company says its AI Pins will no longer connect to Humanes servers. The devices will no longer be capable of calling, messaging, AI queries/responses, or cloud access. Humane is advising AI Pin owners to transfer their important photos and data to an external device immediately.Humane made a splash in April 2024 by launching its AI Pin, which it positioned as a smartphone replacement. The Bay Area startup, founded by Apple employees Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri, raised more than $230 million to create the AI Pin.However, Humanes AI Pin disappointed many early reviewers and customers, creating a crisis for the company. At one point this summer, Humanes returns for the AI Pin started outpacing its sales, according to The Verge.Humane did not immediately respond to TechCrunchs request for comment.This is a developing storyTopics

In BriefPosted:1:13 PM PST February 18, 2025Image Credits:GarysFRP / Getty ImagesTrump admin reverses hydropower layoffs that sparked grid stability fearsThis month, the Trump administration instituted sweeping cuts within the federal agencies in charge of power from hydroelectric dams, raising fears of grid instabilities in key data center markets. The recent layoffs slashed between 13% to 20% of the four Power Marketing Administrations workforces, affecting everyone from linemen to the teams that direct power on a minute-to-minute basis.But after criticism from lawmakers and customers, the Trump administration has rehired at least some of those employees, according to a report in E&E News. The four power marketing administrations sell and transmit hydropower from a range of federally owned dams, including the Bonneville Dam in the Pacific Northwest and the Hoover Dam in the Southwest. These dams and the agencies that oversee the sale and distribution of the power they produce supply electricity to tens of millions of homes across 34 states.The agencies are funded through the sale of that electricity and dont rely on money from the U.S. Treasury.Topics

The project team behind the National Juneteenth Museum have shared new renderings of the future building in Fort Worth, Texas, designed by BIG. The release coincided with a vote last week by the Fort Worth County Council which gave the institution the green light to begin site construction, a major milestone. BIGs design for the National Juneteenth Museum was first rolled out in 2022, as reported by AN. Renderings shared last week show a building that, for the most part, is still the same, with some slight variations.Renderings from 2022 reveal a much larger courtyard at the museums center, while the latest iteration has a smaller center space. The older building also had a footprint that went up closer to the site line, while this most recent version has a larger step back from the street, opening up more pedestrian space to the front.The design is centered around a signature public courtyard. (Courtesy BIG/KAI Enterprises)There are also differences in material choices: The 2022 batch of renderings show a building clad in much lighter wood when compared to the 2024 visuals. Despite these variances, the overall concept remains the same: A building with 12 ridges that flute out from a central courtyard. Douglass Alligood, a partner at BIG, is the projects lead designer. Aside from his work on the National Juneteenth Museum, Alligood is also behind a memorial for Buffalos 2022 mass shooting victims, Seeing Us, together with Jin Young Song.Our design for the National Juneteenth Museum is inspired by the resilience of the African American experience, transforming those stories into a space for reflection, education, and celebration, Alligood said in a statement. The museum will serve as a bridge between the past and future, honoring history while nurturing community growth and connection.A 25-seat theater will host concerts. (Courtesy BIG/KAI Enterprises)There will also be an expansive food hall. (Courtesy BIG/KAI Enterprises)Upon completion, the National Juneteenth Museum will offer 10,000 square feet of immersive exhibition galleries for storytelling and educational moments. The exhibition design of the museum will be headed by Local Project. As visitors walk through the galleries to view artifacts and information they will encounter interactive stations. The museum will also house a 250-seat theater, a Black Box flex space for traveling exhibitions, a business incubator, coworking space to support entrepreneurs, and a food hall.The museums signature space will be the National Juneteenth Plaza, a public courtyard and green space designed with gatherings and reflection in mind. According to the renderings, that exterior surfaces that face the courtyard will be perforated screens faced with a dark red patina.A business incubator space clad in wood will support entrepreneurs. (Courtesy BIG/KAI Enterprises)Galleries will host immersive exhibitions and storytelling moments. (Courtesy BIG/KAI Enterprises)The unanimous vote on February 11 by Fort Worth City Council granted the National Juneteenth Museum a 40-year lease at the site. With this approval, the building which currently occupies the site, the Southside Community Center, will be razed and the National Juneteenth Museum will go up in its place.The future National Juneteenth Museum is slated for completion in 2026.

Brand-exclusive features made the Arlo Pro 5S 2K challenging to recommend to everyone. This huge markdown makes it easier.

Nina Raemont/ZDNETWhat's the deal?Training for a marathon in 2025? The Nothing Ear Openis still on sale for $60 less than its asking price of $189 after Presidents' Day. That means you can get these impeccable open earbuds that I've run many miles in for $129 right now.ZDNET's key takeawaysThe Nothing Ear Openis the design-forward brand's first open earbuds, available now for a discounted $129 on Amazon.They feel amazing to exercise with thanks to their comfortable build and wonderfully loud sound, but they also would work well as an alternative to noise-canceling earbuds.My only gripe is that the Multipoint Bluetooth didn't always work.Earbuds work best when you forget that they exist, even as they are in your ears or wrapped around your head. In actuality, a good earbud is a conduit for something else, like a good workout with bone conduction headphones or a locked-in eight hours of uninterrupted work at your chatter-filled desk job with noise-canceling earbuds.So when I was sent theNothing Ear Open earbuds, the latest from one of my favorite design-forward tech companies, I was eager to see just how much of a difference the headset would make on my afternoon runs and walks. The short answer? The Nothing Ear Open earbuds are a runner's new best friend and exceed its price tag. For the long answer, keep reading. details View at Amazon This is Nothing's first pair of open-ear headphones, which are designed less for noise cancellation and quiet listening and more for situational awareness and people on the go. If you don't like how noise-canceling earbuds build up pressure within your ear and take you out of your environment, open earbuds may be a better choice.First and foremost, open earbuds are great for exercise, but the best open earbuds work in many situations if they have loud enough sound and a comfortable build.Also: Forget the Pixel 8a: Nothing's $399 Android phone may be your best budget optionThe Nothing Ear Open check both boxes. Let's start with comfort, an essential factor of open earbuds. These are the lightest and most comfortable open earbuds I've tried, and much of this is credited to the flexible and lightweight ear hooks, which are wrapped in a sticky silicone. The earbuds hang from your ears in an unnoticeable way that bodes well for all-day wear.The speaker is positioned right above your ear without fully covering it, which keeps it open for sounds nearby to come through. There is absolutely nothing uncomfortable about these, especially on my runs or during my mat workouts when they stay around my ears and deliver pleasant sounds. Nina Raemont/ZDNETThese earbuds get miraculously loud while also keeping situational awareness at the forefront. You can turn your volume halfway up and hear everything clearly while running on a busy street or exercising at a packed gym. The highest possible volume is too loud for me when listening in a silent room, but is fine while I'm out running in a busy street.You might think that because these don't fully seal into your ears, the Nothing Ear Open produces lots of sound leakage. On the contrary: at mid-range volume, the volume that most people will listen to these earbuds on, my roommate couldn't hear my music. A foot apart from him and on high volume, however, he began to hear the music. This is thanks to Nothing's Sound Seal tech, which minimizes leakage through its directional speakers.Also: Best headphones for working outThe soundstage is wide, clear, and crisp on the earbuds, and the earbuds offer a detailed, bass-forward listen. Turning up the volume all the way promises an immersive experience while also maintaining environmental awareness. As I type this article, the earbuds' volume is maxed out, but I can still hear the clicks and clacks of my keyboard.I have had no issue with the earbuds' eight-hour battery life nor the 30 hours of battery stored in the case. They've powered me through a few days of desk work and park runs without any battery light going off. Multipoint Bluetooth also works well (most of the time), and the connection, like for the rest of the Nothing earbuds I've tried, is a breeze.ZDNET's buying adviceIn truth, I can't think of one bad thing about the Nothing Ear Open, especially considering the $129 price point. The quality of these open earbuds exceeds the asking price by a couple of miles. I'd recommend these to active people who are in the market for an aware earbud to power them through long-haul workouts and stay comfortable in the ear for the whole day.I think people outside that demographic would also like wearing these on walks, on calls (that, by the way, deliver clear audio), and to pass the day with music and podcasts in the office, where you may not want to be fully separated from the work chatter around you. You can have conversations, clearly hear what's happening around you, and listen to your favorite songs.

Spotify logo displayed on a phone screen and headphones are seen in this illustration photo taken in ... [+] Poland on October 18, 2020. (Photo Illustration by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)NurPhoto via Getty ImagesWhen Spotify first launched in 2008, its focus was firmly on music streaming. Now, fifteen years later, the platform has evolved into the video podcast space. The expansion represents a shift for both the company and creators, with their new Partner Program showing promising early results. The program's initial data suggests a viable new model for content monetization, with several top performers earning six-figure payouts in their first month and hundreds of creators exceeding $10,000 in monthly revenue.According to Spotify, creator payouts increased by 300% this January compared to the previous year. "The Spotify Partner Program is built to benefit creators with loyal, highly engaged fanbases," a company spokesperson explains, and you'll see that the top-earning shows are the ones whose audiences keep coming back, week after week.Several creators' experiences illustrate the program's potential. Modern Wisdom, hosted by Chris Williamson, recorded a 36% increase in consumption on Spotify in its first month. The mental health podcast We're All Insane, hosted by Devorah Roloff, demonstrates the impact of adding video capabilities the show has seen consumption increase nearly sixfold since adding video last June, generating more than $17,000 during the program's first month.The success extends across genres. Kinda Funny Gamecast added video capabilities two months ago, leading to a 21% year-to-date increase in consumption hours and over $10,000 in program revenue for January. Meanwhile, YMH studios podcasts "Your Mom's House" with Christina P. and Tom Segura and "2 Bears, 1 Cave" with Tom Segura & Bert Kreischer saw a 24% increase in monthly consumption hours and earned more than $105,000 from program revenue.Data from Spotify reveals compelling insights about audience behavior. "Listeners and viewers who interact with a show tend to consume more of that show they are ~4x more likely to return to that show within 30 days and also listen to 2x more hours per month on average than those who don't," the spokesperson noted. This finding has significant implications for creators: "The more you can form real communities around your show, where people are already listening or watching, the better."The platform emphasizes practical steps for success: "We encourage creators to use all of the tools Spotify provides to interact with and get to know their listeners." They specifically recommend that creators always remind your audiences to follow your show so it appears prominently in their library.Spotify's approach to video content reflects changing audience preferences. "We continue to hear that audiences want the ability to choose how to engage with their favorite content," the spokesperson shared. "We've made it easier than ever to go from listening to watching so you can keep enjoying your favorite content whether you're on the go or in your living room, even for those who are on our Free tier."For Premium subscribers, the platform has introduced an enhanced viewing experience "uninterrupted by dynamic advertisements," demonstrating their commitment to both creator monetization and user experience.The platform's technological approach balances innovation with creator control. "Spotify has a long history of innovating across formats, and building world-class discovery tools is core to our DNA," the spokesperson explained. "Many of the recommendations we make for our listeners are driven by machine learning or AI. Combined with our world-class human editorial team, we can recommend the exact right piece of content to a user at the exact right moment."This hybrid approach extends to new creator tools. The platform is "running several tests with features for podcasters that leverage AI, including auto-generated transcripts and chapters." Importantly, podcasters will have full control over this content through their Spotify for Creators account.While still in its early stages, the program's structure suggests a sustainable approach to creator monetization. "Our whole aim with the Spotify Partner Program was to give creators a better way to earn, and audiences a seamless experience so they keep coming back," the spokesperson reflected. The platform's strategy of combining "audience-driven payouts from Spotify Premium video engagement, ad monetization on Spotify Free and other podcast platforms, and baked-in sponsorships" provides creators with the flexibility to "adapt to seasonality shifts while driving incremental revenue."For the broader creator economy, Spotifys approach offers insights into sustainable content monetization. And as the program continues to evolve, its emphasis on audience engagement, flexible content formats, and multiple revenue streams will likely attract more creators to the platform.

Heres how to create your personalized toolkit for a healthy mood boost with dopamine menus ... [+] catered to you and your routine.gettyIf youve ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of mindless scrolling, struggling to find motivation or feeling drained by the end of the day, a dopamine menu or dopamenu might be exactly what you need. This simple yet effective tool is designed to help you boost dopamine levels naturally, keeping you energized and in a positive state of mind.Dopamine, often referred to as the feel-good hormone, plays a key role in motivation and pleasure. When dopamine levels are balanced, you feel driven and productive. However, when they drop, it can lead to low energy, a lack of motivation and sometimes even feelings of sadness.A dopamine menu is a curated list of enjoyable, healthy activities that stimulate dopamine, providing a sustainable way to enhance your mood and mental clarity. Much like a restaurant menu, a dopamine menu is divided into sectionsquick, easy activities for an instant boost, more engaging tasks for deeper satisfaction and rewarding experiences that bring joy.By incorporating a dopamine menu into your routine, you can take control of your well-being and make daily life more fulfilling.Here are two reasons why you should create a dopamine menu for yourself, and how to curate one that works for you.1. It Prevents Dopamine Dependency On Unhealthy SourcesIn todays highly digitized world, its easy to rely on quick dopamine hits from scrolling social media, binge-watching shows or overly indulging in junk food. While these activities provide a temporary sense of pleasure, they often lead to dopamine crashes, which leave you feeling drained, demotivated and even more dependent on the next quick fix.A 2020 study published in the Annual Review of Psychology studied how addiction is often linked to repeatedly using substances that artificially boost dopamine levels. Researchers highlight that when someone habitually consumes addictive substances, the brain adapts by reducing its dopamine receptors.This means that over time, natural sources of pleasurelike hobbies, social interactions or even personal achievementsmay no longer feel as rewarding. The brain becomes wired to seek only the artificial dopamine boost, leading to reduced motivation and interest in other activities.The same principle applies to any other activity that provides quick dopamine hits. These activities trigger short bursts of high dopamine, which create a sense of pleasure and reinforce our habit of seeking it out.The brain learns to crave the easiest and fastest dopamine source, eventually making it harder to stay focused and motivated for tasks that require effort but offer long-term satisfaction. This is why activities like scrolling on social media can feel irresistible, while tasks like studying, working on a project, reading a book or engaging in face-to-face interactions may seem less appealing.By intentionally choosing healthier dopamine sourcesas with a dopamine menuyou can retrain your brain to find joy and motivation in more fulfilling activities. This helps break the cycle of dependency on overstimulating habits.2. It Helps Build Emotional StrengthA dopamine menu can help regulate your mood and build emotional resilience by reinforcing positive coping mechanisms. This is because dopamine plays a crucial role in emotional regulation through the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway, which governs reward-related behavior and stress responses.When you engage in activities that naturally boost dopaminelike movement, social connection or creative expressionyou create a buffer against stress and emotional lows.Research published in Experimental & Molecular Medicine shows that the mesolimbic dopamine system is excited by both rewarding and stressful stimuli. In fact, dopamine levels and neuronal activity in this pathway change in response to stress, allowing us to adapt our behavioral responses to challenging situations. This means that by consistently choosing activities from your dopamine menu, youre essentially training your brain to seek out positive stimuli and build healthier emotional coping strategies.Interestingly, the same system that makes you feel good when you experience a reward is also activated when you encounter stress. This dual function helps you monitor and select the most effective ways to cope with stressful situations. However, when you rely on unhealthy coping mechanisms, like mindless scrolling for hours, it can disrupt your brains reward sensitivity and lead to chronic stress or even depression.On the flip side, engaging in rewarding activities such as socializing, exercising or pursuing a creative hobby helps maintain balanced dopaminergic neurotransmission. This not only enhances your emotional regulation but also builds resilience against stress. By regularly opting for activities from your dopamine menu, you train your brain to better manage immediate emotional reactions and improve overall mental well-being.Curating Your Ideal Dopamine MenuCreating your own dopamenu is a fun and intentional activity for you to invest in for your well-being in the long run. Start by considering what activities make you feel energized or relaxed, keeping in mind that some will be quick while others take more time. The goal is to find the right balance.Break your menu into sections like starters, mains, sides, desserts and specials. This is so you have a variety of options depending on your time, energy and mood.Here is an outline based on which you can create your own menu.Starters. These are quick, instant boosts to lift your mood. Examples include dancing to your favorite song, stretching, cuddling your pet or putting on your favorite outfit.Mains. These areSides. These areDesserts. These areSpecials. These areTo make the most of your dopamenu, ensure that you balance indulgent activities with more personally enriching ones. Add variety by mixing social and solo, physical and mental as well as active and relaxing activities.Finally, pay attention to how you feel after each activity and adjust your menu over time to keep it fresh and effective. As you fine-tune your menu, youll have a go-to collection of activities that cater to your needs, making it easier to maintain balance, find joy and stay connected to the things that truly nourish you.Are you concerned about your doomscrolling habit? Take this science-backed test to find out: Doomscrolling Scale