Today, the European Union ordered Google to give its AI rivals greater access to Android, the open-source operating system that powers billions of devices worldwide. The demand is hardly surprising. It may look like a defeat on paper for Google, which has spent years resisting exactly this kind of access, but it is a regulatory win. It’s also a sign that Google may have outmaneuvered Apple by playing Brussels’ regulatory game far more shrewdly.
Technology
5 myths about identity theft that put your data at risk
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Most people think identity theft starts with a massive hack. In reality, it usually starts much more quietly, with bits of personal information you didn’t even realize were public: old addresses, family connections, phone numbers and shopping habits.
All are sitting on data broker sites that most people have never heard of. During Identity Theft Awareness Week, organized by the Federal Trade Commission, it’s a good time to clear up some dangerous myths that keep putting people at risk, especially retirees, families and anyone who thinks they’re “careful enough.”
Let’s break them down.
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Myth #1: ‘I wasn’t in a data breach, so I’m safe’
FIBER BROADBAND GIANT INVESTIGATES BREACH AFFECTING 1M USERS
Identity theft often starts quietly, with bits of personal information collected and shared long before a scam ever happens. (Kira Hofmann/picture alliance via Getty Images)
Reality: You don’t need to be in a breach to have your data exposed.
Data brokers legally collect personal information from public records, loyalty programs, apps and online purchases. Over time, they build detailed profiles that can exist for decades, even if you’ve never been hacked. Scammers often use this data as a starting point. It helps them sound legitimate, personalize messages and choose the right angle to trick you.
Actionable tips:
- Don’t assume “no breach” means “no risk”
- Avoid oversharing details on social media
- Remove your personal data from data broker sites so it can’t be reused
Myth #2: ‘Scammers don’t have enough info to impersonate me’
Reality: They usually have more than enough.
Scammers don’t need your Social Security number to cause damage. A name, address history, phone number and family connections can be enough for someone to:
This is why scams often feel unsettlingly personal.
Actionable tips:
- Be suspicious of messages that reference personal details
- Don’t confirm information just because the sender “knows” something about you
- Reduce what’s available by removing your data from broker databases
Myth #3: ‘Retirees aren’t targeted because they’re cautious’
Reality: Retirees are one of the most targeted groups.
Why? Because scammers assume:
- Stable income from pensions or benefits
- More savings
- Greater trust in official-looking messages
- Less familiarity with newer scam tactics
Many scams are designed specifically for retirees, from Medicare updates to fake government notices and investment fraud. A recent widespread scam involves fake IRS calls and the illegitimate “Tax Resolution Oversight Department” that tries to steal your money.
Actionable tips:
- Never act on urgent requests involving benefits or finances
- Verify messages by contacting organizations directly
- Encourage family discussions about scams and warning signs
- Remove publicly available data that helps scammers profile retirees
Data brokers build detailed profiles using public records, apps, purchases and loyalty programs, even if you have never been hacked. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Myth #4: ‘Credit monitoring will stop identity theft’
Reality: Credit monitoring only tells you after something has gone wrong.
It doesn’t stop scammers from:
- Targeting you
- Attempting account takeovers
- Using your information in phishing or social engineering scams
Think of credit monitoring like a smoke alarm-helpful, but it doesn’t prevent the fire.
Actionable tips:
- Use credit monitoring as a backup, not your main defense
- Lock down accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication
- Reduce exposure by removing your data before it’s misused
Myth #5: “There’s nothing I can do about data brokers”
Reality: You can take control, but doing it manually is time-consuming and frustrating.
Most data broker sites allow opt-outs, but each one has a different process. Some require forms. Others need ID verification. And many re-add your data months later. That’s why I recommend a data removal service. These services contact hundreds of data brokers on your behalf, request the removal of your personal information and keep monitoring them so it doesn’t quietly reappear. For families and retirees, this matters even more because once scammers connect relatives through broker profiles, multiple people can become targets.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
ILLINOIS DHS DATA BREACH EXPOSES 700K RESIDENTS’ RECORDS
Why identity theft often starts long before you notice
Identity theft rarely begins with a dramatic moment.
It usually starts with:
- Data collected quietly over the years
- Profiles that grow more detailed with time
- Information being sold and resold without your knowledge
By the time fraud shows up on a credit report, the damage has often already been done.
What you can do during Identity Theft Awareness Week
If there’s one takeaway this week, it’s this: reducing your exposed data lowers your risk.
1) Be skeptical of unexpected messages
Do not trust surprise emails, texts or calls, even if they appear to come from a bank, retailer or government agency. Scammers often copy logos, language and phone numbers to look legitimate.
2) Verify requests on your own
If a message claims there’s a problem with an account, pause and verify it independently. Use the official website or phone number you already know, not the one provided in the message.
3) Reduce your digital footprint with a data removal service
Remove your personal information from data broker websites that collect and sell names, addresses, phone numbers and other details. A data removal service can help you do just that. Less exposed data means fewer opportunities for identity thieves. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
4) Turn on two-factor authentication
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it’s available. Even if a criminal gets your password, 2FA adds a second barrier that can stop account takeovers.
5) Strengthen your account security
Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts and avoid reusing them across sites. A reputable password manager can securely store and generate complex passwords, making it easier to stay protected without memorizing everything.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
Scammers use this background data to sound legitimate, personalize their messages and pressure victims into acting fast. (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
6) Use identity theft protection software
Consider identity theft protection software that monitors your personal information, alerts you to suspicious activity and helps you respond quickly if something goes wrong. Some services also assist with data broker removal and recovery support if your identity is compromised.
Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.
7) Help family members stay protected
Scammers often target seniors and teens. Walk family members through these steps, help them secure accounts and encourage them to slow down before responding to urgent messages.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Identity theft isn’t about being careless; it’s about how much information is floating around without your permission. The fewer places your data lives online, the harder it is for scammers to use it against you. Taking action now won’t just protect you this week; it can reduce scams, fraud attempts and identity theft risks all year long.
Which of these myths did you believe, and what personal information do you think is already out there about you without your consent? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
In one of two decisions handed down on Thursday, the European Commission — the EU’s executive arm and the principal enforcer of the bloc’s competition rules — said Google must give rival AI assistants the same kind of system features and data access it grants Google’s Gemini. The order stems from Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires dominant platforms designated as “gatekeepers” to give competitors access to certain systems and data comparable to what is available to their own services.
Crucially, Google has until July 2027 to make those changes, giving it roughly a year to continue expanding Gemini, negotiate technical details with the EU, and shape how its rivals will eventually plug into Android. The company could also challenge the decision in court, though it has not commented publicly whether it plans to do so and declined to comment on the record when The Verge inquired.
While Google has made it clear it would rather not open its systems at all — arguing it risks compromising users’ safety, security, and privacy — that yearlong runway compounds an already significant advantage. Gemini is already deeply integrated into Android and often ships preinstalled as the default AI assistant on many devices, giving Google more time to strengthen its position before rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic gain comparable levels of access.
Google’s strategy of shipping first and negotiating with regulators later stands in stark contrast to Apple’s. When Apple announced its long-awaited Siri AI assistant last month, it made a big point of saying the feature would not launch in Europe because of the DMA.
As with Android, the Commission said Apple would need to give third-party assistants comparable access to key systems, features, and data to those of Siri AI. Apple argued that doing so “would be irresponsible” and create unacceptable privacy and security risks. The company said it asked the Commission for 18 months to build a compliant version and introduce the required interoperability on a “gradually rolling” basis. The Commission rejected that proposal.
Apple still has no public timeline for when, or even whether, it plans to bring Siri AI to the EU and did not respond to The Verge’s request for comment. Google, meanwhile, just secured the very grace period for Gemini that Apple wanted for Siri AI: time to comply with the DMA while its AI assistant stays on the market.
The contrast may partly reflect where each company’s AI assistant stood when the DMA began shaping product decisions. Gemini has been the central pillar of Google’s AI strategy for years and has been widely distributed across the company’s product ecosystem, giving Google a strong incentive to stay in the market and figure out compliance with any laws later. Apple, meanwhile, unveiled its new Siri AI very recently and chose to withhold it from the EU, despite having had years to anticipate the DMA’s requirements during the product’s design.
Apple also chose to turn Siri AI’s absence into a political weapon, evidently hoping the court of public opinion would find in its favor and pressure Brussels to relax interoperability requirements. It did so publicly and repeatedly, taking the unusual step of dedicating part of its WWDC 2026 keynote to explaining why Siri AI won’t be coming to Europe, publishing a pointed blog post titled “Due to DMA, Siri AI delayed in EU for iOS 27 and iPadOS 27,” and holding media briefings on the issue. It relayed news that China was missing out on Siri AI through a one-sentence footnote. All of this served to cast Brussels, not Apple’s product choices, as the reason for the delay.
It’s also possible that the split is less significant behind the scenes than it appears in public. Google and Apple both vehemently oppose the DMA’s interoperability demands, framing them as threats to privacy, security, and product integrity. The two companies have also worked together on integrating Gemini into Apple’s AI products, including Siri AI, making it plausible that they have remained in contact while exploring different ways to fight the same set of restrictions.
For now, though, the difference is stark. Google has a year to bring Android into compliance while continuing to expand Gemini. Brussels denied Apple this kind of runway, and who knows when Siri AI will reach the EU.
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A medical emergency behind the wheel is terrifying because every second suddenly feels bigger. You are trying to stay calm, stay safe and get help before things spiral.
That is why John Brandt’s story is getting so much attention. His Tesla Model Y helped keep him moving during a heart attack, while his son used the Tesla app to reroute the car to a nearby emergency room.
The bigger takeaway isn’t that your car can replace 911. It cannot. The lesson is that connected-car settings, trusted app access and emergency contacts should be ready before you ever need them.
BEFORE YOU CONNECT ANOTHER SMART TV, TABLET OR PHONE, LOCK IT DOWN
A Tesla Model Y helped keep John Brandt moving toward help after chest pain hit during an early morning highway drive. (Tesla)
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How a Tesla Model Y helped during a medical emergency
Brandt said he was driving from Atlanta to Birmingham on I-20 around 4 a.m. when severe chest pain made it unsafe for him to keep driving on his own. His Model Y had Full Self-Driving Supervised enabled, which helped keep the car on course while he called his son, Jack.
Jack then acted from his own phone. Because he was an authorized driver on his father’s Tesla account, he could send a new destination to the vehicle through the Tesla app. He found Tanner Medical Center in Carrollton, Georgia and rerouted the car there.
He also called ahead, so emergency room staff knew a possible heart attack patient was coming. Brandt later said doctors found three blocked arteries and told him the fast reroute likely saved his life.
Brandt credited his family, the hospital team and Tesla’s technology for helping him survive. His experience also shows why trusted access should be set up before a crisis starts.
Why the Tesla FSD medical emergency feels so personal
This story hits home because it sounds like something that could happen to any of us. You may be driving to help a parent. You may be on a highway before sunrise. You may think you feel heartburn or stress until the pain gets worse.
Most of us think about car safety in terms of brakes, airbags and tires. However, this story shows that app access, navigation settings and trusted contacts can also play a role in a crisis. That does not mean your car becomes a paramedic. It means your connected vehicle can give your family more ways to help if something goes wrong.
Brandt’s experience raises a question every driver should consider: If you suddenly could not manage the trip alone, would someone you trust know how to step in and help?
How Tesla owners can prepare for a medical emergency
If you own a Tesla, start with trusted driver access. Add someone you trust completely, such as a spouse, adult child or close family member. Tesla lets owners add drivers through the Tesla app. Once added, that person may be able to access key vehicle features from their own phone.
Choose carefully. A trusted driver may be able to see your vehicle location and use important app controls. That access can help in an emergency, but it also deserves serious thought.
TESLA ROBOTAXI MIAMI LAUNCH COMES WITH LIMITS
Next, show that person how to send a destination to your Tesla. Do not make this something they figure out during a crisis. Sit in the parked car and test it together.
Have them send a familiar destination to the vehicle. Make sure you both understand what appears on the screen. Then talk through what they should do if you ever call and say something is wrong.
Also save useful locations in your navigation system. Add home, work and hospitals you would likely use. If you often drive between two cities, look at hospitals along that route before you need them.
Why Full Self-Driving Supervised isn’t an emergency plan
Tesla calls the system Full Self-Driving Supervised for a reason. The driver still needs to pay attention and stay ready to take over at any time. Brandt’s experience shows how the technology and app connectivity helped during one frightening emergency. But a Tesla cannot replace 911, an ambulance or a trained medical team.
If you feel chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness or pain in your arm, back or jaw, treat it as an emergency. Pull over safely if you can. Call 911 immediately. Emergency responders can start care on the way to the hospital and alert the ER before you arrive.
The car’s connected navigation features allowed Brandt’s son to reroute the vehicle to the nearest emergency room from his own phone. (Tesla)
Your car may help your family find you or send a destination. Still, it should never delay a medical call.
How to prepare any connected car for an emergency
You do not need a Tesla to learn from this story. Many newer vehicles have connected apps, navigation tools, roadside assistance buttons or emergency calling features. First, remember this: your car should never replace 911. If you are having a medical emergency, pull over safely if you can and call for help immediately. These steps are about giving your family extra ways to help, not replacing emergency responders.
1) Check your vehicle app access
Open your automaker’s app and review what it can do. Look for vehicle location, shared driver access, remote lock controls, roadside assistance and navigation features. Then make sure your trusted contact can use the app if your car allows it. If the app requires a login, two-factor code or owner approval, handle that now. Also check app access after you get a new phone. Permissions can change when you upgrade. Also, because vehicle apps can show location and control certain car features, use a strong unique password, store it in a password manager and turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if available. Only give app access to someone you fully trust.
2) Turn on location and alert permissions
Make sure your vehicle app can use location services when needed. Also allow important notifications from the app so you do not miss alerts about your car. Ask your trusted contact to check the same settings on their phone. If they cannot see your vehicle, receive alerts or open the app quickly, they may not be able to help during a crisis.
3) Test sending a destination to your car
Some vehicles let you send a destination from your phone to the dashboard. Others do not. Find out now. Sit in your parked car and send a destination from your phone. Then ask your trusted contact to try it if they have authorized access. This quick test can prevent confusion later. It also shows you what your car will display when a new destination arrives.
4) Learn what your SOS button really does
Many vehicles have an SOS button, emergency assistance button or roadside help button. Do not assume they all work the same way. Check your owner’s manual or automaker app. Find out whether the button calls 911, a private call center or roadside assistance. Also learn whether the system shares your vehicle location. That detail can be critical if you cannot explain where you are.
5) Set up phone emergency features
Your phone may help even more than your car. Add emergency contacts, fill out your Medical ID or emergency information and make sure your family can reach you even when Do Not Disturb is on. Apple says iPhone emergency contacts can receive a text and your location after an emergency call, while Samsung lets Galaxy owners add emergency contacts, medical info and SOS sharing from Safety and emergency settings.
On iPhone
- Open the Health app.
- Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
- Tap Medical ID .
- Scroll down and under each section in red, tap Edit or Add .
- Add important details, such as medical conditions, allergies, medications and blood type.
- Scroll to Emergency Contacts and tap Add Emergency Contact .
- Choose a trusted contact and select their relationship to you.
- Turn on Show When Locked and Share During Emergency Call if those options appear.
- Tap
To make sure key people can reach you, go to Settings → Focus → Do Not Disturb → People and allow calls or notifications from your trusted contacts. You can also open a contact, tap Edit , choose Ringtone or Text Tone and turn on Emergency Bypass . Emergency Bypass can allow that person’s calls or texts to come through even when Focus settings would normally silence them.
On Samsung Galaxy
Settings may vary depending on your Android’s manufacturer
- Open Settings
- Tap Safety and emergency
- Tap Medical info
- Add important details, such as medical conditions, allergies, medications and blood type
- Tap Save
- Go back to Safety and emergency
- Tap Emergency contacts
- Tap Add emergency contact or Add member
- Choose your trusted contacts and tap Done
- Turn on Show on Lock screen if available
- Go back to Safety and emergency and tap Emergency SOS to review how your phone calls for help and whether it sends SOS messages to emergency contacts
On Galaxy phones, also check Settings → Safety and emergency → Emergency Location Service and turn it on if available. This can help share your location with emergency responders in supported regions.
To let important calls through Do Not Disturb, go to Settings → Notifications → Do not disturb → Calls and messages or Allowed during Do not disturb , then allow favorite contacts or selected contacts. Favorite contacts can be allowed through while Do Not Disturb is on.
6) Keep a written backup in the car
Technology can fail. Phones lose battery. Apps can lock you out. Keep a small emergency card in your wallet or glove box. Include emergency contacts, allergies, medications and your preferred hospital. If you have a heart condition or another medical concern, ask your doctor what details should be listed.
7) Review access every few months
Trusted access should not be set once and forgotten. Remove anyone who no longer needs access to your vehicle app. Add someone new if your family situation changes. Also update emergency contacts after a move, phone change or major health update.
Kurt’s key takeaways
John Brandt’s story is scary because it could happen to anyone. His Tesla helped, but the real lesson is preparation. If your car has an app, know what it can do before an emergency. Add a trusted family member, test the navigation tools and make sure your phone’s emergency features are filled out. A car should never replace calling 911. However, the right setup can give your family one more way to help when every second counts.
If your car were involved in an emergency, would your family know what to do? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
The story is a reminder to set up trusted app access and emergency features before you ever need them. (Tesla)
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Skullcandy announced a new version of its Crusher wireless headphones today featuring a few of Bose’s audio technologies including its QuietControl ANC and head-tracking spatial audio. The Crusher headphone line differentiates itself from the competition through the use of both full-range and dedicated bass drivers in each ear cup to boost deeper frequencies. Skullcandy admits that approach can result in a loss of audio quality when the bass is heavily boosted, but its new Crusher 1080 ANC are meant to address and improve that with Bose’s help.
Available starting today for $279.99 in black, candy, primer, and cement color options, the new Crusher 1080 ANC feature redesigned drivers with a stiffer diaphragm material resulting in enhanced clarity and detail with less distortion at higher volume. As with previous models in the Crusher line, the bass boosting is entirely adjustable using Skullcandy’s mobile app or the on-headphone controls that now include a more prominent dial on the outside.
The Crusher 1080 ANC will be the first non-Bose headphones to feature that company’s TrueSpatial audio technology with head tracking that works whether you’re stationary or out for a run and its WaveForm audio engine that “keeps audio full, balanced, and smooth.” Skullcandy’s latest will also offer industry-leading noise cancellation with Bose’s six microphone QuietControl ANC tech that adapts as sounds around you get louder or quieter. The Crusher 1080ANC even features Bose’s SpeechClarity that reduces noise so your voice comes through clearly during a call, but they’re not the first third-party headphones to offer it.
Battery life is estimated to be up to 60 hours with ANC turned off, or 50 hours with it on, while a 10-minute rapid charge will keep the Crusher 1080 ANC going for up to four hours if they die. There’s multipoint pairing for connecting and switching between multiple devices, auto reconnect and wear detection that pauses music when you take the headphones off, and a design that folds flat for easier storage. The Crusher 1080 ANC supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, low latency audio, and Auracast.
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