Pinterest boss on online safety

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: This episode of Tech Life covers Pinterest CEO Bill Ready's approach to safety, including making under-16 accounts private by default, and discusses how AI is used to analyze stolen data from ransomware attacks. It also marks the end of AOL dial-up internet and explores the appeal of robot pets like Moflin.

Main Topics: Pinterest's Safety-First Strategy (Priority: 5/5): CEO Bill Ready discusses making accounts private by default for under-16s and under-18s, prioritizing user well-being over view time, and the platform's growth among Gen Z. AI in Cybersecurity: Analyzing Stolen Data (Priority: 4/5): LabOne's co-founder Robin Brattell explains how AI processes unstructured data from ransomware attacks, revealing that each breach exposes an average of 482 other organizations. End of an Era: AOL Dial-Up Internet (Priority: 3/5): AOL ends its dial-up service in September 2024; co-founder Steve Case reflects on the early internet spirit and the evolution from fringe to mainstream. Robot Pets and Human Connection (Priority: 2/5): Discussion of Moflin, a robotic companion from Casio, and expert insights on why humans bond with cute machines, including potential risks of surveillance.

Key Arguments: Social media platforms should prioritize safety over engagement metrics; Pinterest's private-by-default policy for teens led to a stock drop but doubled users a year later. AI enables hackers to efficiently mine stolen unstructured data, creating complete profiles of individuals and exposing thousands of organizations per breach. Dial-up internet was a 10-year overnight success that democratized online access, but technology must evolve. Cute robots can provide comfort but may also be exploited for surveillance due to their innocent appearance.

Data Points: Stock drop after safety policy: over 20% - Pinterest's stock dropped over 20% after making under-16 accounts private by default. User growth after policy: nearly doubled - A year later, Pinterest's user base nearly doubled, with Gen Z making up more than half. Pinterest users outside US: 80% - 80% of Pinterest's half a billion monthly active users are outside the United States. Average exposed organizations per breach: 482 - For every stolen data set, an average of 482 other organizations are exposed. Percentage of stolen data that is financial: 93% - 93% of data stolen in ransomware attacks is financial data. US households still using dial-up in 2024: 127,000 - According to the US Census Bureau, 127,000 households still used dial-up in 2024. Moflin price in UK: £369 - Casio's Moflin robot pet costs £369 (nearly $500 USD) in the UK.

Pivotal Quotes: "I made accounts private only for under 16, private by default for under 18. And what that really means is that it's not a feature you can turn on and off. We just said full stop, we're basically turning off the social features for users under 16." — Bill Ready: Pinterest CEO explaining the platform's safety measures for young users. "On average, for every stolen data set, 482 other organizations have been exposed as a result, and that exposure could be something that leads to them being attacked." — Robin Brattell: LabOne co-founder describing the 'blast radius' of ransomware data breaches. "If you're building very cute robots, those cute robots may be more acceptable in certain places when those cute robots are actually doing surveillance for somebody who shouldn't otherwise be in that scenario." — Dr. Emily Collins: Human-robot interaction researcher warning about potential misuse of cute robots.

Implications: Listeners should be aware that social media can prioritize safety without sacrificing growth, and that AI both aids cybersecurity analysis and enables hackers. The end of dial-up marks a shift to faster internet, while robot pets raise questions about companionship and privacy.