Journalist at global crossroad of tech & law, focused on privacy, security. Chief Digital Risk Correspondent for @MLexclusive. Frmr @JSKStanford: [email protected]
Half Moon Bay, CA
Joined June 2009
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Mike Swift retweeted
Following concerning reporting that Character AI chatbots fostered an emotionally and sexually exploitative relationship with a child, we launched an investigation into Character AI that identified potential consumer protection and privacy violations.
Now that the company has filed for bankruptcy, we’re alerting the court to these issues, that must be addressed in any asset sale or transfer.
My office looks forward to remaining actively engaged in the bankruptcy proceedings in order to protect Californians.
oag.ca.gov/news/press-releas…
Mike Swift retweeted
We discovered a sophisticated recording device that was hidden inside one of our offices. We used our models to understand the device and where it had come from, identifying that a specific employee had planted it a few days earlier. We referred the matter to the FBI, and we’re grateful to the agents and prosecutors who moved quickly to make an arrest. The FBI’s investigation is ongoing and we will continue to support their work.
At this time, we have no indications of this individual inappropriately accessing or exfiltrating model weights, source code, or customer data. The employee was terminated.
We take protecting our technology, data, and people seriously, and as a matter of national importance. Our security program is designed to protect against a wide range of threat actors, from insider risks to cybercriminals to nation states, and this case is an example of how AI can help address these sophisticated security threats.
After we reported on the @character_ai multistate probe yesterday, mlex.com/mlex/articles/25375… @AGWilliamTong and other AGs are revealing their probe portal.ct.gov/ag/press-relea…
#roblox is in the @FTC 's crosshairs, with an investigation underway that could result in a suit or settlement before the end of the year, I scooped for @mlexclusive subscribers the other day mlex.com/mlex/data-privacy-s…
The @Roblox investigation focuses on kids' safety issues -- not a surprise given the @FTC focus on children and teens #privacy and safety issues under @AFergusonFTC
A group of 36 states and the District of Columbia have just filed a notice of interest in the @character_ai #bankruptcy case. @mlexclusive reported yesterday on the multistate group investigating Character nam11.safelinks.protection.o…
"Bankruptcy cannot become a way for a company to walk away from its responsibility to protect children and consumers,” said Colorado Attorney General @pweiser . “ @character_ai 's chatbots have raised serious concerns about children's safety, including exposure to sexual content, dangerous advice, and encouragement of self-harm."
Mike Swift retweeted
“Earlier today, Anthropic contacted the SI Force to disclose the details of various prior incidents that it discovered in late September involving the unauthorized and fraudulent use of government and other systems. The company informed us that these events occurred in the past, the activity has ceased, and there is no ongoing similar activity.
"We informed the company that we expect immediate and full transparency to the entities involved and the public. We also expect that the company will immediately provide remediation services to the affected entities and any harmed Americans.
"More generally, this disclosure underscores precisely why President Trump established the Super Intelligence Force and secured a memorandum of understanding with America's frontier SI labs. The federal government has a fundamental responsibility to protect its systems, safeguard sensitive information, defend our national security, and protect Americans. The SI Force will fulfill its responsibility and SI companies must immediately disclose incidents involving their models and follow with swift, decisive action to remedy any and all harm. We also expect these companies to work with the effected systems to ensure that similar incidents to not occur.
"This notification and remediation process is not optional. It is a critical national security obligation. We expect Anthropic and all companies to honor their obligations, immediately report incidents, fully cooperate with federal and state law enforcement authorities, remedy any damage, and implement concrete safeguards to ensure these failures do not reoccur.
"Our message to all SI companies is clear: delayed notification, inadequate corrective action, and a failure to take responsibility will not be tolerated.
"President Trump has been clear: America will lead the world in Super Intelligence, but innovation will never be an excuse for compromising national security, government integrity, or public trust. We established the Super Intelligence Force and these safeguards for exactly this reason."
Forget Fleet Week, it's Delete Week in California, as @CalPrivacy seeks to highlight ncluding the state’s free Delete Request and Opt‑out Platform (DROP) that allows Californians to request that #databrokers delete their #PII privacy.ca.gov/2026/10/calpr…
Mike Swift retweeted
Scoop: Top executives at Anthropic, OpenAI and other AI companies are privately gaming out scenarios for a public and political revolt after a catastrophic AI event…They assume one in ‘27…
axios.com/2026/10/09/ai-comp…
Mike Swift retweeted
Important piece from Microsoft AI CEO @mustafasuleyman. Training models to think of themselves as human (as Anthropic does Claude) with concepts of an inner self, psychological wellbeing, rights and presumably grievances, is a potential existential risk.
project-syndicate.org/onpoin…
Mike Swift retweeted
Just as we regulate planes, cars, and medicines, we need safeguards that help us realize AI's incredible potential while reducing the risks. They won’t eliminate every harm, but they can help prevent misuse by bad actors. We’re not where we need to be yet—and this deserves much more of our attention.
Big loss for @Apple today in #biometric #privacy litigation over its Photos app, as a federal judge in Illinois shoots down #Apple argument that becaues it doesn't categorize faces using geometric measurements, the Photos app didn't violate #BIPA mlex.com/mlex/data-privacy-s…
Mike Swift retweeted
President Trump will present the nation’s highest honors for scientific and technological achievement, the National Medal of Science and the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
Among the recipients are great tech leaders including SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell and others. 🇺🇸📈
Mike Swift retweeted
Anyone who uses AI rather than SI is the “ENEMY” according to TRUMP truthsocial.com/@realDonaldT…
Mike Swift retweeted
This is interesting:
The Lagos State High Court has ordered Meta to pay $100, 000 in damages for processing personal data for behavioral advertising in violation of the Nigeria DPA, 2023—a ruling that could have significant implications for companies operating in Nigeria. linkedin.com/posts/luisalber…
Mike Swift retweeted
Meta statement on the Florida AG filing for a temporary injunction
"Meta worked successfully with a bipartisan group of 52 attorneys general across US states, territories, and the District of Columbia on a historic landmark agreement to support teens and empower parents with new standards for users under 18, including: strict daily time limits teens can’t turn off, default blocks from our apps at night, muted notifications during school hours, and new controls for parents.
"This agreement won't succeed until our industry peers join us. We know that restricting one platform simply causes teens to migrate to others.
"The Attorney General should be using taxpayer resources to get YouTube and TikTok to empower parents and protect teens in Florida. We regret that he has chosen instead to pursue a meritless preliminary injunction years into the litigation.
"The state cannot both claim the benefits of a settlement Florida declined to join while continuing to sue us. We urge the Attorney General to join us in getting YouTube and TikTok to follow Meta's lead."
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) asked a state court Wednesday to issue a temporary injunction that would force Meta Platforms Inc. to reduce addictive features on its social media platforms. news.bloomberglaw.com/litiga…
