Talking Tech: Buffalo shootings show tech platforms respond too slowly to violent live videos

It's Thursday, which means it's time for another edition of Talking Tech. It's Jayme Deerwester dispensing this week's tech headlines so Brett Molina can enjoy a day off.

Last weekend's mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket last weekend, which killed 10 people and wounded three, shows that tech platforms still respond too slowly to hate-filled, violent live videos – and to the video clips that appear in their wake, critics say.

Eleven of the 13 people who were shot Saturday at the Tops Friendly Markets store were Black, said Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia.

The hate-fueled shooting rampage was streamed online through the Twitch platform, primarily used to share clips from video games.

Considered alongside other livestreamed shootings, including the Easter Sunday killing of a 74-year-old Cleveland grandfather in 2017 and New Zealand mosque shootings in 2019, some are asking what will spur technology companies to take stronger measures.

"Technology companies need to get serious about the implications of their platforms for enacting crime and violence," said Desmond Upton Patton, a professor with the Columbia School of Social Work and the department of sociology.

Patton condemned tech platforms for allowing livestreamed mass murders to remain easily accessible "without transparent and clear discussions around the implications of the livestreaming for filming murder."

What else happened in tech?

Musk calls a timeout on Twitter purchase. Deal can't move forward unless the company shows public proof that less than 5% of its accounts are fake or spam.

Forget to cancel your free trial? 5 silly ways you waste money in your tech life.

EV registrations soar 60%. Plug-ins now account for 4% of passenger vehicles.

A tiny personal trainer in your pocket. These fitness apps cost less than working out with a personal trainer – but they actually come with a one.

Thursday's tech tip

Got naked photos on your phone?

When you’re storing sensitive images, you need to take extra precautions. And don't rely on Google Drive or iCloud alone. For one, they’re obvious targets for hackers. If someone gets their hands on your Google login or Apple ID, they get access to all your photos, including those meant for only certain eyes.

The most secure option for storing images is cloud storage, which allows you to set up your private encryption key. That means only you can unlock the photos, videos and documents you store there.

Happy Friday eve! And thanks for reading.