Dispatch 1
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📣 security news
Used Stingray for Sale - A seller on eBay was offering a used Stingray for $100,000. The devices, also called Cell Site Simulators, are used by law enforcement agencies to identify cell phones in a targeted geographic area.
Polyfill Supply Chain Attack - Polyfill, a service which provides JavaScript functionality for older browsers, has experienced a supply chain attack affecting over 100K sites. A domain not associated with the service was recently purchased and used to redirect mobile users to malware by serving up malicious JavaScript.
🛟 safer tech
FBI Raids Corporate Landlord Linked to Realpage - The FBI has raided a real estate management company office in Atlanta over its ties to Realpage. The rental software company is currently being investigated for creating an alleged price fixing cartel scheme among corporate landlords through use of its product.
AI-Powered Behavioral Analysis at UK Train Stations - During the past two years, eight train stations across the UK have been testing AI surveillance technology on CCTV camera footage. This includes analysis of expressions to determine the subject's age, gender, and emotional state or identify if they are engaged in "antisocial behavior."
🤿 culture dive
The theme is organizational culture eating everything else, even in industries where safety failures can be catastrophic.
- Starliner Uncertainty at the ISS - Two NASA astronauts are stuck at the International Space Station until further notice as Boeing continues to review the data on its new Starliner spacecraft. Its journey to the ISS had been punctuated by two helium leaks and several thrusters going offline.
- Boeing Culture as Discussed by Employees - Here's how employees discuss culture at Boeing as researched by MIT's CultureX project. I find it revealing that none of the Big 9 culture values studied seem to emphasize safety. "Integrity" comes closest.
- Justice Department Wants to Charge Boeing - US prosecutors want criminal charges brought against Boeing based on their mishandling of a settlement related to the two fatal 737 Max crashes. A 2021 agreement that officials have determined Boeing has violated originally shielded it from being charged with conspiracy to commit fraud.
- Boeing CEO Grilled by Lawmakers - Senators question Boeing CEO about whistleblowers who say they have faced retaliation when raising quality issues.
Here are a couple more articles related to safety and taking care of workers as part of ensuring quality:
- Layoffs Reduce Safety - When worker safety decreases, product safety also decreases. Responder latency increases and willingness to innovate decreases. Workers are more concerned with finding cover and minimizing changes to keep themselves safe.
- 2028 General Strike - United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain has called for a coordinated May 1, 2028 general strike. Here's his profile as one of the 2024 Michiganians of the Year. I want us to have vehicles that are made by safe, well-cared for workers because fear is not structurally sound.