technology

Starcloud, an orbital data center startup, filed applications with the FCC for an 88,000-satellite constellation across multiple orbital shells. The filings were submitted in early 2025 and represent one of the largest satellite constellation proposals on record with the Federal Communications Commission.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a $50 million investment in January 2025 for agricultural biotechnology research that includes RNA-based crop protection methods. However, the terminology 'biologically modified' is non-standard, and the regulatory approval status of RNA crop technologies varies by application and is ongoing rather than comprehensively established.

Alphabet announced a new compensation package for CEO Sundar Pichai in March 2026 valued at up to $692 million, primarily consisting of stock options tied to Alphabet's share price performance and the valuation growth of its self-driving subsidiary Waymo over three years. The package represents a significant increase from his previous compensation and includes performance-based conditions that must be met for full value realization.

AI data centers consume substantial electricity and water, but the claim overstates residential impact. Data centers can use 300,000-500,000+ gallons of water daily and significantly increase regional grid demand, but residential electric bill increases of 30-40% directly attributable to data centers are not supported by available evidence. The impact varies by location and utility infrastructure.

The Information reported that Amazon is considering a potential investment of up to $50 billion in OpenAI, contingent on specific conditions including a potential IPO or achieving artificial general intelligence. While reports confirm Amazon's interest in a substantial investment in OpenAI, the specific $50 billion figure and the exact conditions remain based on limited reporting from technology industry sources rather than official statements from either company.

SpaceX has filed applications with the FCC for large satellite constellations, but the specific claim of a million satellites serving as data centers appears to conflate or mischaracterize the proposals. SpaceX's Starlink expansion plans involve tens of thousands of satellites for internet connectivity, not a million satellites for data center operations.

The FCC has received proposals involving reflective satellites, but these are primarily for data transmission and communications infrastructure rather than illuminating cities. While some satellite constellation proposals involve reflective surfaces that could be visible from Earth, the stated purpose is not to bathe cities in sunlight but to provide connectivity and data services.

Brady Tkachuk is a Canadian citizen who plays for the NHL's Ottawa Senators and has represented Canada internationally, not the United States. No evidence exists of the White House sharing an AI-generated video of Tkachuk making comments about Canadian hockey. The claim appears to confuse multiple elements including Tkachuk's nationality and team affiliations.

New Mexico's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Meta in February 2025 alleging the company's internal testing showed its AI chatbot failed to prevent harmful interactions with minors. The lawsuit cites internal Meta documents, though the specific test results and their interpretation are disputed by Meta. The claim accurately reflects allegations in legal filings but represents one party's characterization of internal tests rather than independently verified findings.

David Greene, a longtime NPR host, filed a lawsuit against Google in January 2025 alleging the company used his voice without permission to train and create AI-generated voices. The lawsuit claims Google's AI voice technology replicates Greene's distinctive vocal characteristics developed over decades of broadcasting.

Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, made statements about AI automation of white-collar work, but the claim requires context about what he actually said versus how it was characterized. The original statements appear to have been made in interviews and public appearances discussing AI's capabilities, though the specific framing of 'all white-collar work' and the '18 months' timeline needs verification against his actual words.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook in January 2025 stating that Apple News's editorial curation practices may violate Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The letter suggested that Apple's selection and presentation of news content could constitute unfair methods of competition, though it did not announce a formal investigation or enforcement action.

Rep. Claudia Tenney supported the Micron semiconductor facility near Syracuse and advocated for federal funding through the CHIPS Act, but she voted against the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 that provided $20 billion in incentives enabling the project. Multiple members of Congress from both parties played roles in securing the facility, making claims of singular leadership contested.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent a letter to Apple regarding Apple News content curation, which Ferguson characterized as potentially raising legal concerns. The letter questioned whether Apple's editorial choices in featuring certain media outlets could constitute anticompetitive conduct, though the legal basis for such claims under FTC jurisdiction remains disputed by legal experts.

FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson sent a letter to Apple regarding Apple News content curation, but the letter's characterization as a formal legal warning is disputed. The letter questioned whether Apple's editorial choices in Apple News could potentially violate antitrust laws, though legal experts note the FTC typically lacks jurisdiction over editorial decisions and the letter did not cite specific violations or initiate formal enforcement action.

The Department of Homeland Security issued hundreds of administrative subpoenas to social media companies including Google and Meta seeking user information for accounts that post about ICE activities. The subpoenas sought identifying information such as names, email addresses, and IP addresses for accounts that track ICE flights, detention facilities, and immigration enforcement operations.