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Business Insider
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Content karma catches up to Reddit in its fight with Anthropic
In the fast-evolving world of generative AI, a new kind of arms race is underway, one that has less to do with GPUs and more to do with data. And Reddit, once a renegade darling of the internet, is now learning just how vulnerable its own data can be. The company's lawsuit against AI startup Anthropic, filed on Wednesday in Superior Court in San Francisco, accuses the Claude chatbot maker of illegally scraping Reddit content to train its models. But this lawsuit invites a question Reddit may not want to ask too loudly: Is this really data theft, or just karmic symmetry? Reddit's business model: A content glass house? Reddit's value proposition has long been about community, what it calls "authentic conversation." Much of that authenticity is built on user-contributed content that, ironically, often originates elsewhere. Reddit users share news articles, images, and other copyrighted materials, sometimes without proper attribution and certainly without payment. Users post this content freely, Reddit monetizes it through ads, and little of that value flows back to the original creators. This practice was noted by my former Business Insider colleague Julie Bort before Reddit's IPO in 2024. "Journalists like myself have watched as Reddit users have posted copies of our work on the platform, in violation of copyright laws, with moderators looking the other way," she wrote. Investors must be pretty concerned about the value of Reddit's content being sucked away by giant AI models, Bort added at the time. "In the words of Taylor Swift, ' Karma 's gonna track you down.'" Pot, meet kettle Reddit's monetization strategy relies in part on hosting content from around the web without paying for it, calling into question the ethics of its data economy. Now, Reddit is suing Anthropic for doing what some might see as a more automated version of Reddit's own game: collecting free content from the web and monetizing it. In its complaint, Reddit alleges that Anthropic scraped its platform in violation of the site's user agreement and file, ignoring technical and legal boundaries designed to protect Reddit's commercial value. The lawsuit hinges on the idea that Reddit deserves to be compensated for use of its data, especially as it now sells access to that data through licensing deals such as those it signed with Google and OpenAI. In the current AI gold rush, platforms are racing to carve out paywalls around their data, whether or not they respected similar boundaries in the past. The truth is, we're in an era where copyright law is barely enforceable at internet scale, and data — once it hits the open web — tends to be treated as fair game until someone with enough lawyers says otherwise. (And even then, the copyright lawyers have yet to show real results). The irony of content "ownership" Reddit thinks it owns or at least controls the data created by its users. But unlike publishers or professional content creators, Reddit doesn't pay users, verify originality, or license incoming materials. It is essentially trying to exercise IP rights it may never have quite earned. I asked Reddit all about this. Cameron Njaa, a spokesperson for the company, said "there are a number of misunderstandings here," but didn't elaborate late on Wednesday. (One possibility: Reddit argued in the complaint that this is more about the privacy of its users' data). If I get more input from Reddit, I'll update this piece. An Anthropic spokesperson said, "We disagree with Reddit's claims and will defend ourselves vigorously." This suit more than a legal maneuver. It's a referendum on who gets to claim ownership in the data economy, especially when everyone's borrowing from everyone else. If Reddit wins, it may crack open a new revenue stream for creators and companies that produce or host content. But if it loses, it may find itself on the wrong side of the same data free-for-all it helped normalize. Either way, karma may have finally come for Reddit.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Is America's power grid ready for next attack? Experts warn EMPs, cyber threats and AI could cripple US
The widespread blackouts that recently brought parts of Spain and Portugal to a standstill triggered global speculation: was it an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack? Though authorities later ruled out an EMP, the incident reignited urgent questions about America's vulnerability to similar large-scale disruptions and whether the U.S. is prepared for a modern-day "black sky" event. According to cybersecurity expert and former Army Cyber Institute board member Bryson Bort, the United States remains dangerously exposed to a range of threats: not just EMPs, but increasingly sophisticated cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) attacks. "There are a lot of other problems that are higher probability," Bort told Fox News Digital. "The EMP thing is a little bit of a distraction – but that doesn't mean it's not a threat." HOW CHINA'S CYBERESPIONAGE HAS CHANGED An EMP is a sudden burst of electromagnetic energy capable of disabling electronic devices across vast areas. It can be natural – from a solar flare – or man-made, triggered by a high-altitude nuclear detonation. Read On The Fox News App Unlike cyberattacks that target software, an EMP disables physical systems: from car engines and cellphone towers to hospital generators and water pumps. A major attack could throw society back to the pre-electric age, with devastating consequences. Former CIA Director James Woolsey once called EMPs "one of the greatest national vulnerabilities," and some estimates suggest an EMP could result in the deaths of up to 90% of Americans within a year due to the collapse of infrastructure. "The very first thing you've got to lose is your water supply," said Dr. William Forstchen, a longtime EMP researcher. "Within days, nursing homes, hospitals, law enforcement – they're all in deep trouble." While the Trump administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to prepare for such an event, Bort said implementation has been inconsistent and fragmented. "We are not prepared for this at all," he warned. Forstchen expressed optimism that the administration's "Golden Dome" project, a proposed ground-and space-based defense system, could intercept EMP threats – but the project remains years from completion. Nuclear Emp Attack Moves To Big Screen As Author Reflects On 'Invisible Lifeline' While EMP attacks remain the stuff of both national security nightmares and Hollywood scripts, experts say cyberattacks are far more probable and still highly destructive. "We know that the Chinese have been in the American civilian critical infrastructure since 2010," Bort said. "They haven't done anything yet, but they are absolutely in there and setting up to do something at some point." This week, Reuters reported that U.S. officials found communication modules embedded in Chinese-made power inverters – devices used to connect solar panels and wind turbines to the grid. Bort pointed to "Jack Voltaic," a multi-year cyber warfare simulation by the Army Cyber Institute, designed to test military-civilian coordination in response to attacks on critical infrastructure. "What we found is there's a great interdependence," he said. "You can't even have an electric grid if you don't have water – because you can't cool it." Bort said cyberattacks are often the product of long-term reconnaissance, with hackers quietly positioning themselves inside systems for months or years. "A cyberattack is not something where Putin says, 'Hey, hit Detroit tomorrow,'" he explained. "It's already set in place. When the political situation calls for it, that's when the trigger gets pulled." Another, less understood, threat to America's infrastructure is the rise of AI. In particular, the race toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), or AI systems with human-level cognitive abilities. Tyler Saltzman, a military technologist working on AI systems capable of operating in disconnected environments like an EMP aftermath, warned that AI – if used maliciously – could bring the grid down entirely. "Our infrastructure is very fragile," Saltzman said. "All you need to do is take down our power grid, and we're in complete chaos." Saltzman expressed deep concern about efforts to create AGI – systems he says could eventually surpass human control. "Once AGI comes online, it could easily take down our power grid, infiltrate our financial systems, destroy our economy," he said. "If it sees how violent humans are to each other, why would it serve us?" In 2023, a Chinese surveillance balloon drifted over U.S. territory for days before it was shot down by the military. While believed to be for spying, defense officials note that a high-altitude balloon could be used for electronic warfare – including an EMP. The Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from EMP Attacks has long warned about balloon-based delivery. Others argue a missile would be more effective, since it would be harder to intercept. Whether the next major threat comes from above or from a keyboard, experts agree: the U.S. is not ready. "We're still thinking about wars with tanks," Bort said. "Meanwhile, the real fight is already happening inside our infrastructure."Original article source: Is America's power grid ready for next attack? Experts warn EMPs, cyber threats and AI could cripple US
Fox News
19-05-2025
- Science
- Fox News
Is America's power grid ready for next attack? Experts warn EMPs, cyber threats and AI could cripple US
Print Close By Morgan Phillips Published May 19, 2025 The widespread blackouts that recently brought parts of Spain and Portugal to a standstill triggered global speculation: was it an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack? Though authorities later ruled out an EMP, the incident reignited urgent questions about America's vulnerability to similar large-scale disruptions and whether the U.S. is prepared for a modern-day "black sky" event. According to cybersecurity expert and former Army Cyber Institute board member Bryson Bort, the United States remains dangerously exposed to a range of threats: not just EMPs, but increasingly sophisticated cyber and artificial intelligence (AI) attacks. "There are a lot of other problems that are higher probability," Bort told Fox News Digital. "The EMP thing is a little bit of a distraction – but that doesn't mean it's not a threat." HOW CHINA'S CYBERESPIONAGE HAS CHANGED EMP: The catastrophic potential that looms An EMP is a sudden burst of electromagnetic energy capable of disabling electronic devices across vast areas. It can be natural – from a solar flare – or man-made, triggered by a high-altitude nuclear detonation. Unlike cyberattacks that target software, an EMP disables physical systems: from car engines and cellphone towers to hospital generators and water pumps. A major attack could throw society back to the pre-electric age, with devastating consequences. Former CIA Director James Woolsey once called EMPs "one of the greatest national vulnerabilities," and some estimates suggest an EMP could result in the deaths of up to 90% of Americans within a year due to the collapse of infrastructure. "The very first thing you've got to lose is your water supply," said Dr. William Forstchen, a longtime EMP researcher. "Within days, nursing homes, hospitals, law enforcement – they're all in deep trouble." While the Trump administration issued an executive order directing federal agencies to prepare for such an event, Bort said implementation has been inconsistent and fragmented. "We are not prepared for this at all," he warned. Forstchen expressed optimism that the administration's "Golden Dome" project, a proposed ground-and space-based defense system, could intercept EMP threats – but the project remains years from completion. NUCLEAR EMP ATTACK MOVES TO BIG SCREEN AS AUTHOR REFLECTS ON 'INVISIBLE LIFELINE' Cyber attacks: The more likely threat While EMP attacks remain the stuff of both national security nightmares and Hollywood scripts, experts say cyberattacks are far more probable and still highly destructive. "We know that the Chinese have been in the American civilian critical infrastructure since 2010," Bort said. "They haven't done anything yet, but they are absolutely in there and setting up to do something at some point." This week, Reuters reported that U.S. officials found communication modules embedded in Chinese-made power inverters – devices used to connect solar panels and wind turbines to the grid. Bort pointed to "Jack Voltaic," a multi-year cyber warfare simulation by the Army Cyber Institute, designed to test military-civilian coordination in response to attacks on critical infrastructure. "What we found is there's a great interdependence," he said. "You can't even have an electric grid if you don't have water – because you can't cool it." Bort said cyberattacks are often the product of long-term reconnaissance, with hackers quietly positioning themselves inside systems for months or years. "A cyberattack is not something where Putin says, 'Hey, hit Detroit tomorrow,'" he explained. "It's already set in place. When the political situation calls for it, that's when the trigger gets pulled." AI and AGI: A future threat growing fast Another, less understood, threat to America's infrastructure is the rise of AI. In particular, the race toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), or AI systems with human-level cognitive abilities. Tyler Saltzman, a military technologist working on AI systems capable of operating in disconnected environments like an EMP aftermath, warned that AI – if used maliciously – could bring the grid down entirely. "Our infrastructure is very fragile," Saltzman said. "All you need to do is take down our power grid, and we're in complete chaos." Saltzman expressed deep concern about efforts to create AGI – systems he says could eventually surpass human control. "Once AGI comes online, it could easily take down our power grid, infiltrate our financial systems, destroy our economy," he said. "If it sees how violent humans are to each other, why would it serve us?" The balloon warning – and what comes next In 2023, a Chinese surveillance balloon drifted over U.S. territory for days before it was shot down by the military. While believed to be for spying, defense officials note that a high-altitude balloon could be used for electronic warfare – including an EMP. The Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from EMP Attacks has long warned about balloon-based delivery. Others argue a missile would be more effective, since it would be harder to intercept. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Whether the next major threat comes from above or from a keyboard, experts agree: the U.S. is not ready. "We're still thinking about wars with tanks," Bort said. "Meanwhile, the real fight is already happening inside our infrastructure." Print Close URL
