The Markup (@[email protected])
The Markup<p>Don’t mind us re-introducing ourselves.... </p><p>We’re The Markup, a nonprofit newsroom that’s skeptical about Big Tech. And there’s a lot to be skeptical about right now.</p>
The Markup<p>Multi-level marketing companies run on software that manages their ~unique~ compensation structure.</p><p>We’re working to investigate the industry: <a href="https://mrkup.org/RrVRJ" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="">mrkup.org/RrVRJ</span><span class="invisible"></span></a></p>
The Markup<p>Our Blacklight tool, which scans websites for <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/tracking" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>tracking</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/technology" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>technology</span></a> in real time, has some new features.</p><p>We made these changes because they’re what users told us would be most helpful. Check them out: <a href="https://themarkup.org/blacklight/2023/08/25/announcing-three-new-features-for-the-blacklight-privacy-inspector" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/blacklight/2023/</span><span class="invisible">08/25/announcing-three-new-features-for-the-blacklight-privacy-inspector</span></a></p>
The Markup<p><a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/Software" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Software</span></a> helps multi-level marketing companies operate.</p><p>But are the providers of that software liable if their client turns out to be a pyramid scheme? We report: <br /><a href="https://themarkup.org/news/2023/08/24/pyramid-schemes-are-illegal-mlms-are-not-what-about-the-tech-that-powers-them" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/news/2023/08/24/</span><span class="invisible">pyramid-schemes-are-illegal-mlms-are-not-what-about-the-tech-that-powers-them</span></a></p>
The Markup<p>The legality of web scraping in the European Union depends heavily on the kind of the data you want to collect.</p><p>We explain when you can move ahead with a <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/research" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>research</span></a> project—and when you should contact a lawyer. <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/GDPR" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>GDPR</span></a> <a href="https://themarkup.org/levelup/2023/08/23/how-to-legally-scrape-eu-data-for-investigations" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/levelup/2023/08/</span><span class="invisible">23/how-to-legally-scrape-eu-data-for-investigations</span></a></p>
The Markup<p>The consequences of being wrongfully accused by an AI detector don't fall on groups evenly. We explain: <a href="https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/08/19/ai-detector-bias-and-higher-ed-coverage-at-the-markup" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/hello-world/2023</span><span class="invisible">/08/19/ai-detector-bias-and-higher-ed-coverage-at-the-markup</span></a></p>
The Markup<p>Non-native English speakers’ assignments are more frequently flagged as <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/AI" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>AI</span></a> generated, a report has revealed.<br /><a href="https://themarkup.org/machine-learning/2023/08/14/ai-detection-tools-falsely-accuse-international-students-of-cheating" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/machine-learning</span><span class="invisible">/2023/08/14/ai-detection-tools-falsely-accuse-international-students-of-cheating</span></a></p>
The Markup<p><a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/Zoom" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Zoom</span></a>’s terms of service have mentioned the company’s policy on <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/AI" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>AI</span></a> since March. </p><p>But the change only attracted widespread attention over the past week. What that might mean, in this week’s newsletter: <br /><a href="https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/08/12/this-is-what-happens-when-people-start-actually-reading-privacy-policies" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/hello-world/2023</span><span class="invisible">/08/12/this-is-what-happens-when-people-start-actually-reading-privacy-policies</span></a></p>
The Markup<p><a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/Research" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>Research</span></a> like a Markup reporter with these tips and tools: <br /><a href="https://themarkup.org/2023/08/11/magic-spreadsheets-that-equip-the-public" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/2023/08/11/magic</span><span class="invisible">-spreadsheets-that-equip-the-public</span></a></p>
The Markup<p>Newsrooms: We break down the system our team has used to make 300 visualizations and counting. <a href="https://themarkup.org/levelup/2023/08/08/how-we-create-custom-graphics-at-the-markup" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/levelup/2023/08/</span><span class="invisible">08/how-we-create-custom-graphics-at-the-markup</span></a></p>
The Markup<p>Attorney Jesse Woo has helped craft many privacy policies. </p><p>Now, at The Markup, he’s helping you parse the phrases lawyers use to obscure what's really happening with your data. <a href="https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/08/05/the-one-page-on-every-website-that-tells-you-the-truth" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/hello-world/2023</span><span class="invisible">/08/05/the-one-page-on-every-website-that-tells-you-the-truth</span></a></p>
The Markup<p>It’s finally here. The Markup explains how to read a <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/privacy" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>privacy</span></a> <a href="https://mastodon.themarkup.org/tags/policy" class="mention hashtag" rel="tag">#<span>policy</span></a> in 2023: <a href="https://themarkup.org/the-breakdown/2023/08/03/how-to-quickly-get-to-the-important-truth-inside-any-privacy-policy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/the-breakdown/20</span><span class="invisible">23/08/03/how-to-quickly-get-to-the-important-truth-inside-any-privacy-policy</span></a></p>
The Markup<p>Surveillance marketers are changing how they track you online, so we’re joining forces with Consumer Reports to investigate.</p><p>If you have a Facebook account (even if it’s inactive), help us uncover what info companies are gathering and sharing about you. <a href="https://themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2023/08/02/help-us-investigate-surveillance-marketing-using-facebook-data" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">themarkup.org/pixel-hunt/2023/</span><span class="invisible">08/02/help-us-investigate-surveillance-marketing-using-facebook-data</span></a></p>
More companies are using data clean rooms, a particular scheme of data sharing between servers, to ensure consumer data security. However, simply using a clean room does not relieve companies of their regulatory responsibilities, not to mention that there are still areas where privacy is a concern. Read our latest: https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/07/01/what-are-data-clean-rooms
Would you use ChatGPT to write stories for a little one in your life?
While a ChatGPT-generated story put her kid to sleep, it kept Nabiha Syed wide awake.
In tomorrow’s Hello World, she shares her reflections on balancing enthusiasm and fear in the age of AI. Stay tuned: https://themarkup.org/newsletter/hello-world
