Tech Gets Real: Protect Yourself in the AI Era

David Meyer: Technology Journalist
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Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. In TGR, I provide short, jargon-free guides to help you navigate the new AI era.

  1. 4D AGO

    Tackling TikTok "addiction"

    As YouTube and Meta defend themselves over addictiveness in US courts, Europe is throwing the spotlight on TikTok, making the Chinese-owned company its big test case for this form of Digital Services Act enforcement. But the DSA won’t be the last legislation used to tackle apps’ addictive nature – an issue that is still the subject of much debate. Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites REFERENCES: Reuters on Meta and YouTube’s US trial https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/instagram-youtube-addiction-trial-kicks-off-los-angeles-2026-02-09/ BBC on TikTok settling addictiveness trial in US https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24g8v6qr1mo European Commission press release on its TikTok findings https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_26_312 ABC on the influential social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, who says social media is addictive https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/jonathan-haidt-anxious-generation-social-media-smartphones/103993554 Ford Forum on neuroscientist Dean Burnett, who argues against TikTok’s addictive nature https://www.fordforum.org/observer-essays/2025/07/24/addiction-fiction Scientific Reports article by Ian Anderson and Wendy Wood: Overestimates of social media addiction are common but costly https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-27053-2 EU Legislative Train Schedule (yes this is a thing) on the Digital Fairness Act https://www.europarl.europa.eu/legislative-train/theme-protecting-our-democracy-upholding-our-values/file-digital-fairness-act

    10 min

  2. FEB 5

    OpenClaw and Moltbook hype: A rant

    The OpenClaw AI agent and Moltbook “social network” for AI bots are kind of interesting, but not anywhere near as meaningful as some – like Elon Musk – are making out. So why are people hyping this so much? Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites REFERENCES: XDA Developers on OpenClaw’s security risks https://www.xda-developers.com/please-stop-using-openclaw/ Wired on how easy it is to infiltrate Moltbook https://www.wired.com/story/i-infiltrated-moltbook-ai-only-social-network/

    7 min

  3. JAN 29

    Tesla's pivot to Optimus: Why humanoid robots aren't ready yet

    Elon Musk’s Tesla is shifting from a car company to a robot company. Its Optimus humanoid robot has plenty of company, with everyone from Unitree and Agibot to LG and Hyundai showing off new concepts and products at CES 2026. But without successful “world” AI models, the humanoid robot may not be ready for ubiquity. Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites REFERENCES: The Guardian on Tesla abandoning the X and S https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jan/28/tesla-q4-earnings-estimates-elon-musk Wired on Fauna’s Sprout https://www.wired.com/story/humanoid-robot-butler-sprout-fauna/ Engadget on Agibot’s A2 and X2 https://www.engadget.com/ai/agibots-humanoid-robots-can-give-directions-and-learn-your-tiktok-dances-045049798.html BGR on Unitree’s G1 https://www.bgr.com/2083491/china-agibot-humanoid-robot-us-competition/ TechCrunch on LG’s CLOiD https://techcrunch.com/2026/01/08/i-watched-lgs-new-home-robot-cloid-do-laundry-but-i-have-questions/ Interesting Engineering on Hyundai’s Atlas https://interestingengineering.com/ai-robotics/hyundais-atlas-humanoid-wins-top-honor Elon Musk’s tweet about people only remembering Tesla’s robots https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2011679509628457408

    12 min

  4. JAN 22

    No, Europe doesn't want to destroy American free speech

    As a recent Wall Street Journal article demonstrates, many people in the United States think Europe’s online content rules amount to censorship that could affect them back in the US. But the Digital Services Act doesn’t do that – and the Trump administration’s efforts to force Europe’s hand are less about free speech than about promoting a far right agenda. Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites REFERENCES: The WSJ article in question: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/the-european-threat-to-your-free-speech-93f2f7c7 MIT Technology Review on the US entry bans: https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/01/19/1131384/what-its-like-to-be-banned-from-the-us-for-fighting-online-hate/ Business Insider on JD Vance’s NATO threat: https://www.businessinsider.com/jd-vance-nato-support-eu-regulation-x-musk-free-speech-2024-9 Politico on Donald Trump’s DSA tariff threat: https://www.politico.eu/article/us-question-report-sanction-eu-officials-dsa-donald-trump/

    10 min

  5. JAN 7

    Trump, X and Greenland: Dave Keating on Europe's Painful Tech Choice

    Conflict between Europe and the US is fast becoming likelier, as the Trump administration threatens to annex Denmark-owned Greenland. Journalist Dave Keating, author of The Owned Continent, joins TGR to discuss US tech’s domination of the EU and the impossible position in which Europe’s leaders now find themselves. The Owned Continent: https://theownedcontinent.eu/ Dave Keating’s Substack: https://davekeating.substack.com/ Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites REFERENCES: Euractiv article containing Daniel Friedlaender (CCIA Europe) quote: https://www.euractiv.com/news/europe-readies-digital-infrastructure-push-in-2026/ Tough talk from Teresa Ribera https://www.ft.com/content/ca6f3062-f286-4a13-b81d-6e2a35c91fdc

    38 min

  6. 12/16/2025

    Whatever happened to AI ethics? An interview with tech ethicist Mathana

    Big Tech used to love the idea of AI ethics, but the AI gold rush does strange things to incentives. Tech ethicist Mathana joins Tech Gets Real to discuss what went wrong and what – hopefully – comes next. This will probably be the last TGR of 2025. Happy holidays! If you like this video, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. Please also consider subscribing to my mailing list: https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/d763645e-9f25-4e6c-839a-da39daa947df Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites

    18 min

  7. 12/09/2025

    Australia's social ban: The age-restricted internet is growing

    As Australia introduces its ban on under-16s accessing social media — including YouTube — we examine the emergence of the age-restricted internet in countries around the world. They’re supposed to protect kids from online harms, but do the restrictions actually work? And what effects do age verification measures such as AI-powered facial scanning have on adults? If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. Please also consider subscribing to my mailing list: https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/d763645e-9f25-4e6c-839a-da39daa947df Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites REFERENCES: Australian regulators say the world will follow https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/australia-says-world-will-follow-social-media-ban-meta-starts-blocking-teens-2025-12-04/ Teens can get around facial age estimation tools https://www.crikey.com.au/2025/12/04/social-media-ban-parents-help-teens/ Wikipedia loses its challenge against the UK’s Online Safety Act https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjr11qqvvwlo UK regulator suggests age-restricting VPNs https://www.theverge.com/tech/827435/uk-vpn-restrictions-ban-online-safety-act KOSA remains controversial in the US https://www.theverge.com/policy/837123/house-energy-commerce-kids-online-safety-package-hearing Adult websites need age verification across most of the US https://www.404media.co/missouri-age-verification-law-porn-id-check-vpns/

    12 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    Apple's AI chief is out. Now what?

    Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is out, with Google and Microsoft vet Amar Subramanya taking over many of his responsibilities. Here’s why Apple’s AI strategy should be all about thinking small, to play to the company’s privacy strengths. If you like this, please hit like and subscribe, and share it with others who might find it useful. Please also consider subscribing to my mailing list: https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/d763645e-9f25-4e6c-839a-da39daa947df Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. To contact me, please email david@techgetsreal.com or connect on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/superglaze.bsky.social Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@superglaze Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeyerwrites REFERENCES: Apple’s announcement about Giannandrea’s retirement https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/12/john-giannandrea-to-retire-from-apple/ Apple pulls Apple Intelligence news summaries https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/17/apple-suspends-ai-generated-news-alert-service-after-bbc-complaint Apple delays big AI Siri update to 2026 https://www.pcmag.com/news/apple-explains-why-it-delayed-ai-siri-confirms-it-wont-arrive-until-2026 DeepSeek’s distillation breakthrough https://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/21/deepseek-trained-ai-model-using-distillation-now-a-disruptive-force.html

    12 min
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Tech Gets Real is a show about staying in control in a time of rapid technological change. I'm veteran tech journalist David Meyer, and I've been covering topics like online privacy and freedom for two decades. In TGR, I provide short, jargon-free guides to help you navigate the new AI era.

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