Tech Tuesday with Erik Semmel

In this episode of Computer Talk with TAB, host Brian discusses recent tech security and ethical concerns with guest Erik Semmel. The conversation begins with a breach at ADT, where hackers known as 'Shiny Hunters' allegedly stole 10 million records from Salesforce, exposing sensitive customer data and raising concerns about third-party cloud security and shared responsibility. The hosts emphasize the risks of data exposure, including social engineering attacks via the dark web. They then turn to Tesla’s stalled full self-driving promise, criticizing the company for marketing a feature dependent on hardware upgrades not available in older models, calling it 'vaporware' and questioning consumer protection. The discussion shifts to AI ethics, focusing on Sam Altman’s apology after OpenAI de-platformed a dangerous individual in Canada, sparking debate over platform responsibility, red flag detection, and whether tech companies should report threats to law enforcement. Finally, Meta’s new parental monitoring tools for teens’ AI usage are examined, with skepticism about whether such features truly empower parents or merely shift liability. The episode closes with a broader critique of Big Tech’s business model, where users are the product, not the customer.