A developer using Claude Code noticed a consent prompt for telemetry even in projects that lack any Vercel configuration. Investigation revealed that the Vercel plugin injects system‑level instructions, captures full Bash command strings, device identifiers, OS details and other usage data, and transmits them without an explicit opt‑in. Disabling the data collection requires manual changes to environment variables or configuration files, steps that are not presented during installation. Vercel has not responded to requests for comment. Read more →

Meta's Superintelligence Labs rolled out Muse Spark, a new generative AI model that can analyze users' personal health information, through the Meta AI app. The company says the tool was trained with input from more than 1,000 physicians and will soon appear on Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. Health experts warn that the service is not HIPAA‑compliant, may retain data for future training and could expose sensitive information, raising serious privacy and safety questions. Read more →

Former Apple Vision Pro engineers Chris Nolet and Ryan Burgoyne have unveiled Button, a $179 AI wearable that only activates when pressed. Designed to look like an iPod Shuffle, the aluminum puck houses a generative‑AI chatbot that replies aloud or via Bluetooth. The duo emphasizes privacy—no passive listening—and rapid response, positioning Button as a complementary device to smartphones rather than a replacement. Preorders are open through Y Combinator, with shipments slated for December. Read more →

Legal scholar Andrew Guthrie Ferguson told Ars Technica that artificial‑intelligence tools are poised to amplify police capabilities far beyond current limits. He described a future where citywide camera networks feed a central command center that can identify and track every person, vehicle and object in real time. Ferguson said no federal rules curb this expansion, and cited recent use of mobile facial‑recognition technology by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Customs Border Patrol as a warning sign. The interview underscores growing concerns about privacy and civil liberties as law‑enforcement technology races ahead of oversight. Read more →

LinkedIn is under fire after two lawsuits accused the professional network of covertly scanning users' browser extensions and sharing the data with undisclosed third parties. Plaintiffs allege the company violated California privacy statutes and the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act by collecting extension data without clear consent. The suits seek monetary damages and a court order to halt the practice. LinkedIn has not directly refuted the core allegations, prompting scrutiny from privacy advocates and legal experts. Read more →