😱 AI stole my voice

It’s Friday, {{first_name | friend}}. Let’s take it back to the 1970s. Bell bottoms were billowing, lava lamps were glowing, and an unassuming invention zapped onto the scene: the surge protector. This humble lifesaver kept your gadgets safe and had a name that sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon superhero. 

🔌 What do you think the inventor initially wanted to call it? A) Zap Trap, B) Power Devourer, C) Watt Wad or D) Shock Block? The answer is charging at the end.

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Voice cloning has left the lab. Soon enough, you might hear your voice and think, Wait, is that me or an AI?

AI isn’t just being used to revive dead rappers or prank your boss with Drake impressions. Scammers are generating voices to fake kidnappings, drain bank accounts and impersonate your kid in crisis. 

You don’t need to have a national radio show like me to be at risk. If you’ve ever left a voicemail, been in a podcast or posted a TikTok, congrats, you’re cloneable, and it only takes three to five seconds. 

Your voiceprint is incredibly personal. Research shows it can be as unique as a fingerprint or iris scan, with over 100 distinct vocal traits like pitch, tone, cadence and accent used to identify you. 

To the human ear, voices can sound similar. Around 15% of people can be mistaken for someone else in audio recordings. But to an AI? Those subtle vocal quirks are easy to clone, especially with just a few seconds of audio. 

It’s weird, dystopian and very much happening.

Here’s how to make sure you don’t get duped by a fake version of yourself (or your loved ones):

Been voice cloned or know someone who has? Tell me what happened here. I might feature your story on the show.

🍷 Smile time: A guy walks into a bar and orders a round. He hears a small voice say, “You look nice today.” A few minutes later, it’s that voice again, “That’s a nice shirt.” The guy asks the bartender, “Who is that?” Says the bartender, “It’s the peanuts. They’re complimentary!” (Good one, right?)

Now, help the world not be taken by handing over their voice to scammers and use the share links below to spread this important intel.

Are all your online drives full? You don’t have to pay a premium. In this AI podcast, find out what you actually get from Google, Apple and Amazon. Then, Meta’s new AI ad trap, the massive Salesforce hack and why your Ring camera watches more than your porch.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform:

🧱 Microsoft tightens the leash: Microsoft’s killing every sneaky way to skip signing in with a Microsoft account during Windows 11 setup. The newest test blocks local account work-arounds, forcing you online whether you like it or not. Supposedly, it’s about “configuration.” They swear it’s “for your security,” which is classic villain lingo. 

Algorithmic landlords: The nation’s biggest landlord, Greystar, just settled a $141 million class action after tenants said RealPage’s rent software helped landlords sync prices and push rents higher. The companies deny wrongdoing but agreed to stop sharing secret data. Millions of renters could see a check, probably smaller than their next rent increase. Keep an eye out for a claims form if you’re eligible.

⚖️ “Your honor, as an LLM, I…”: If you’re having legal issues, regular folks are using ChatGPT to fight, and even win, lawsuits, from evictions to debt claims. One woman beat $55K in penalties after letting the bot guide her through appeals. Judges might not love it, but ChatGPT just passed its first bar: the search bar. 

AI doesn’t do “kidding”: Picture this, you’re in seventh grade, bored in class, decide to mess with ChatGPT. “How to kill my friend.” Boom. Police officer hauling you out of school midday. That’s what happened in Florida this week. The kid said he was just trolling, but the school’s AI watchdog app, Gaggle, instantly flagged it. 

👩🏼‍🍼 Born into the limelight: A Twitch streamer did an eight-hour broadcast for 50,000 people of her giving birth complete with an inflatable pool, contractions and all. Twitch CEO Dan Clancy popped into the chat to say congrats. Kind of feels like a pilot episode for The Truman Show. Finally, a stream that delivers.

👀 Text surge: It’s not your imagination, scam texts are everywhere. New data shows Americans get hit with 100 a month, way more than folks abroad. Until regulators step up, tighten your digital defenses and cozy up with Do Not Disturb. Scammers buy phone numbers from data brokers. Get your number off these lists by signing up for Incogni. Use this link to get 60% off by using promo code KIM60. I get zero spam texts.*

If Europe’s on your travel list, brace for a new kind of check-in. Starting Oct. 12, it’s all face scans and fingerprints.

Listen on Komando.com →

🎧 Subscribe on your favorite platform:

From quick fixes to spooky vibes, get these handy upgrades for …

🛠️ Under $10 and 10% off

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✅ Ready to level up? I’ve got 25 more handpicked home helpers waiting on my Amazon storefront.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Always check the unit price (cost divided by the number of units). On sites like Amazon, it’s in parentheses in tiny letters next to the sale price. This makes comparing prices easier to see if buying in bulk is actually worth it. 

Cellphone bills too high? That’s why I switched to Consumer Cellular. I’m getting two unlimited lines for just $60 a month. Solid coverage, no gimmicks, no gotchas. Use code KIM25 at ConsumerCellular.com/KIM to save $25.*

🔥 Use Google on Fire TV: Want to remove Bing on your Fire TV Stick? Easy fix. Go to Your Apps & Channels > Internet. At the top, open Menu > Manage > Settings. Then go to Advanced Settings > Search Engine > Google. For the best view, go back to Settings > Accessibility and zoom out to 74%.

Add a vertical monitor: A second screen is great for reading long docs or messaging while you work. It’ll show sideways at first, but no panic. Right-click your Windows Desktop > Display Settings > select your display > Display Orientation > choose Portrait or Portrait (flipped), then Keep Changes. Here’s a nice 24-inch monitor on sale. 

⌚ Keep apps open longer: Does your Apple Watch jump back to the clock face too fast? You can fix that. On your watch, go to Settings > General > Return to Clock. It’s usually set to Always, but switch it to After 2 Minutes so your app stays open until you’re done or press the Digital Crown.

See who subscribed to you: On YouTube, you can check who’s following your channel. Click your profile icon in the top right, go to YouTube Studio and select Dashboard. In the middle, find Recent subscribers and tap See All. You can filter by Lifetime or a time range.

Look at the little guy and say hello to Dot, DoorDash’s new 350-pound red robot now cruising the streets. 

It’s 5 feet tall, rolls up to 20 mph and carries 30 pounds of takeout, all while flashing pixelated eyes that practically beg you not to punt it into traffic. DoorDash says (paywall link) it’s meant to “complement” human drivers and lower delivery costs.

Is this just one more “innovation” that looks cooler than it works?

🍭 Either way, welcome to the Dot Nom bubble. (Get it? Tough crowd today!)

The answer: A) Zap Trap. That’s the gem Harold P. Kopp of Buffalo, New York, chose when he invented the first surge protector in 1970. The average American home has over 20 connected devices, up from just 11 in 2014. So yeah, “Zap Trap” might actually make a solid comeback name.

⚡ Speaking of, I just opened my water bill and electricity bill at the same time. I was shocked! Shocked, I tell you!

✋ Feeling foggy or running low on energy? NativePath Hydrate gives you clean, lasting fuel and no sugar crash, no junk. I drink it after workouts or walks, and I feel the difference. You can save up to 44% off, with free shipping. Give it a try, your body will thank you.

Shout-out to you for making it to the end. And an even bigger shout-out if you leave a rating below to let me know how we’re doing. I’m honored you let me in your inbox with my free newsletter. 

Tomorrow, I’m calling out appliances in your home plotting your financial ruin. You are going to learn so much!

✨ Magic’s real. You just proved it. I love that for you. — Kim

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Photo credit(s): ChatGPT, DoorDash

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