Technology

Google worker fired over protest says he wasn’t even protesting

Published

3 weeks ago

April 30, 2024

Google worker fired over protest says he wasn’t even protesting

A software engineer who was fired from Google in connection to internal protests at the company’s offices says the company retaliated against him for merely watching the demonstration against an Israeli defense contract.

The former employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said he went to the lounge on the 10th floor of Google’s New York City office around lunchtime to check out the protest.

“When I got there, there were probably 20-ish people sitting on the floor. I didn’t talk to any of them, I talked to folks who were standing up, passing out flyers, doing other roles,” he said, adding that the protesters were wearing matching T-shirts.

The worker then went back to his desk before returning to the protest around 5PM. “I chatted with them for maybe four minutes, like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re still sitting here! How’s it going?’” he said. Then, he finished the workday from a nearby couch. The worker says he returned to Google the following day without incident. That night, while at dinner, he got an email from Google saying he had been terminated.

“I think it’s all part of this bigger context of Google cracking down on workers having a voice,” said the former employee, who worked at Google for almost three years and was part of the Alphabet Workers Union leadership. (The Alphabet Workers Union is a non-contract union, meaning it hasn’t been recognized by the NLRB.)

Google initially put nine employees on administrative leave for occupying its offices in New York City and Sunnyvale, California, in protest of Project Nimbus, a $1.2 billion cloud computing contract with the Israeli government. Those workers were also arrested. The company then fired 28 employees in connection with the protests. In an internal memo to staff, Chris Rackow, Google’s head of global security, said the company would take further action if needed.

“The overwhelming majority of our employees do the right thing,” Rackow’s statement read. “If you’re one of the few who are tempted to think we’re going to overlook conduct that violates our policies, think again. The company takes this extremely seriously, and we will continue to apply our longstanding policies to take action against disruptive behavior — up to and including termination.”

Less than a week later, Google fired more than 20 other employees, some of whom said they hadn’t participated in the protests at all.

In a statement to The Verge, Google spokesperson Bailey Tomson said the company investigated the “physical disruption inside our buildings on April 16, looking at additional details provided by coworkers who were physically disrupted” to determine which workers had been involved.”

But the software engineer who was fired says he was never contacted by HR or asked whether he had actually been involved in the protests. “They didn’t even reach out to me,” he said. “This was a total shock; I had no hint that this was coming.”

The software engineer who was fired says he was never contacted by HR or asked whether he had actually been involved in the protests

The worker said that while he was watching the protest, a security guard approached him and others in the lounge and asked to see their Google badges to make sure there were no outside participants. “It didn’t even occur to me that I shouldn’t show him my badge. He’s the security guard in the place that I work, and I was doing nothing wrong,” the worker said.

More than 50 workers who were fired by Google in connection with protests over the company’s ties to the Israeli government filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board on Monday. The workers have alleged unlawful retaliation and are asking for their jobs back, according to an emailed statement from No Tech For Apartheid, the group that organized the protests.

Google “retaliated against approximately 50 employees and interfered with their Section 7 rights by terminating and/or placing them on administrative leave in response to their protected concerted activity, namely, participation (or perceived participation) in a peaceful, non-disruptive protest that was directly and explicitly connected to their terms and conditions of work,” the complaint reads.

Jane Chung, a spokesperson for No Tech For Apartheid, previously told The Verge that the firings included “non-participating bystanders.” Google disputes this. Tomson, the Google spokesperson, told The Verge that all of the workers who were fired were “personally and definitively involved in disruptive activity inside our buildings.”

This is a marked departure from the way Google has handled employee dissent in the past. In 2018, more than 600 Google workers signed an open letter opposing Project Dragonfly, an effort to build a search engine for China. As The Verge reported at the time, the petition began with an internally shared Google Doc, and all subsequent steps were also organized using Google products. Employees also urged Google to drop Project Maven, its contract with the US Department of Defense. That same year, over 20,000 Google employees staged a walkout in protest of the company’s handling of sexual harassment allegations against executives.

Meredith Whittaker, a program manager at Google who helped organize the 2018 walkout, left the company in 2019 of her own volition. In 2019, workers also held a sit-in protesting alleged retaliation against their colleagues who had spoken out.

“There’s been a total change in the way Google responds to employees trying to have a voice in their workplace,” the fired software engineer said. “It’s night and day from the Google of even five, 10 years ago.”

Technology

Aqara’s new smart outlet can lock the door when your phone starts charging

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Press Room

Aqara’s new smart outlet can lock the door when your phone starts charging

Aqara just announced the €39.99 Wall Outlet H2, which offers a one-for-one smart replacement for standard 16A wall sockets used in Europe. Its party trick is the ability to monitor the real-time power usage of connected devices and appliances to initiate automations around the home.

For example, if you charge your phone when going to sleep you could automatically activate a nighttime scene — arm motion detectors, lock the door, close blinds, and turn off lights — just as soon as the H2 begins pulling more than 10W of power. Or, it can detect when the laundry cycle ends to shut the machine off and send you a notification — that way you don’t have to listen to it beep incessantly until you finally walk upstairs with heavy regret for having bought the cheap entry-level Bosch you’ve grown to hate (yes: this is me).

Wall Outlet H2 is built on Zigbee 3.0, not Thread like Eve’s smart outlet, but can be integrated into Matter-compliant homes if you have a compatible Aqara hub like the new M3 installed. Even without Matter, Aqara’s hubs ensure compatibility with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and other smart home solutions.

The Aqara H2 fits standard 55mm wall plates.

Image: Aqara

The H2 can automatically deactivate power at defined thresholds up to 3840W. It can also turn off the jack as soon as power dips below a user-defined load of 0W to 2W for over 30 minutes — something that can improve battery charging safety and the lifespan of some battery cells. It’s designed to fit standard 55mm wall plates in single or multi-outlet configurations. An LED light on the unit itself can be configured to show the current state or be shut off entirely.

Aqara’s approach to energy management is similar to Ikea’s recently announced Energy Insights feature and Inspelning energy-monitoring smart plug, in that it’s currently taking a proprietary approach. Hopefully they’ll both work with Matter’s new energy monitoring capabilities somewhere down the road. Intelligent control over home energy consumption holds the potential to not only make homes smarter, but to reduce energy use and save money.

The €39.99 (roughly $43) Aqara Wall Outlet H2 will be available starting May 30th in select European countries.

Technology

Cube Conquest: The trailblazer’s transforming trailer

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Press Room

Cube Conquest: The trailblazer’s transforming trailer

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Imagine this: You’re out in the wild, the scent of pine and earth mingling in the air, and your home away from home is a rugged, all-weather shelter that tows low but lives tall. This isn’t just any camping setup; it’s the Cube Series trailer, an Oregon start-up’s answer to the call of the wild with a twist of innovation.

A few years back, Cube Series debuted with a lifting hard-wall pickup camper that turned heads. It was different, it was bold and it promised more. True to their word, they’ve now launched a trailer that’s set to redefine the camping experience.

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Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Spacious when at camp

When hitched for travel, the Cube Trailer presents a low profile, standing just 6.3 feet tall. But don’t let its modest towing height fool you. At camp, this trailer transforms into a full-height camper with the help of 12V actuators that lift the roof and walls that fold into place with ease.

Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: THE BEST TRAVEL GEAR FOR 2024

Compact on the road

The Cube Series camper has a collapsed height of 52 inches, which allows it to fit in most garages while still loaded on your truck. When towing down the road, it looks much like any other pop-up trailer, making it inconspicuous and easy to maneuver.

Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What is the Cube Series camper made of?

The Cube Series camper is a canvas-free, hard-sided pop-up camper built with cutting-edge materials. Its body is made of vacuum-bonded infused resin and fiberglass, along with aluminum and steel. This construction not only keeps it lightweight but also ensures that it’s waterproof and well-insulated.

Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: THIS OFF-ROAD TEARDROP TRAILER ADDS LUXURY CAMPING TO THE MOST REMOTE LOCATIONS

Inside the Cube: Where comfort meets convenience

Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cozy, fully equipped space that can comfortably house up to four people. The main double bed is placed against the rear wall, flanked by cabinetry that includes a kitchen block complete with a dual-burner stove, sink, fridge/freezer and microwave. The front wall features a dual-bench dinette that, come nightfall, converts into additional sleeping quarters.

Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Innovative solutions for the modern camper

But what about showering, you ask? Cube Series has thought of that, too. They’ve employed a half-bath design that’s both space-efficient and functional. The optional bathroom features a hard-sided shower basin that tucks away when not in use, revealing a work area or shelf.

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Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Four-season use

The Cube Series has equipped this camper for all seasons. It has an 18,000 BTU forced-air furnace, a 12V water heater and an enclosed heated compartment for holding tanks. Electrical needs are covered by an AGM battery with the option to upgrade to a robust off-grid system powered by lithium batteries and solar panels.

Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Lightweight versatility

The base weight of the Cube Series camper is 2,730 pounds. This means it can be hauled by mid-size trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Ford Bronco and Chevy Colorado, among others.

Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How much does the Cube Series cost?

Let’s talk savings. Thanks to a new partnership, Cube Series has managed to drop the base price significantly, making this innovative trailer more accessible to the intrepid explorer.

Cube Series camper (Cube Series) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The Cube Series camper is pretty much the Swiss Army knife of trailers. It’s like having a cozy cabin that goes from zero to hero at your campsite, giving you all the homey feels with beds and a kitchen. Plus, it’s tough enough for any season and light enough for your truck to handle without breaking a sweat. Bottom line: It’s the cool new kid on the block that’s shaking up the camping world.

In your opinion, what’s the most important feature a modern camper should have to enhance the camping experience? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Technology

Scarlett Johansson told OpenAI not to use her voice — and she’s not happy they might have anyway

Published

10 hours ago

May 20, 2024

Press Room

Scarlett Johansson told OpenAI not to use her voice — and she’s not happy they might have anyway

“Last September, I received an offer from Sam Altman, who wanted to hire me to voice the current ChatGPT 4.0 system. He told me that he felt that by my voicing the system, I could bridge the gap between tech companies and creatives and help consumers to feel comfortable with the seismic shift concerning humans and AI. He said he felt that my voice would be comforting to people.

After much consideration and for personal reasons, I declined the offer. Nine months later, my friends, family and the general public all noted how much the newest system named “Sky” sounded like me.

When I heard the released demo, I was shocked, angered and in disbelief that Mr. Altman would pursue a voice that sounded so eerily similar to mine that my closest friends and news outlets could not tell the difference. Mr. Altman even insinuated that the similarity was intentional, tweeting a single word “her” – a reference to the film in which I voiced a chat system, Samantha, who forms an intimate relationship with a human.

Two days before the ChatGPT 4.0 demo was released, Mr. Altman contacted my agent, asking me to reconsider. Before we could connect, the system was out there.

As a result of their actions, I was forced to hire legal counsel, who wrote two letters to Mr. Altman and OpenAI, setting out what they had done and asking them to detail the exact process by which they created the “Sky” voice. Consequently, OpenAI reluctantly agreed to take down the “Sky” voice.

In a time when we are all grappling with deepfakes and the protection of our own likeness, our own work, our own identities, I believe these are questions that deserve absolute clarity. I look forward to resolution in the form of transparency and the passage of appropriate legislation to help ensure that individual rights are protected.”