Spotify is getting support for Google’s Gemini Extensions, which will allow users to search for and play music using the generative AI assistant with natural language requests. The extension was first spotted in the code of the Google app in June, and now it’s rolling out to compatible Android devices, as reported by 9to5Google.

Gemini can play music found by song titles, artist names, album names, playlist names, or for a particular activity, but at the moment, it won’t create playlists or radio stations on Spotify. One thing to be aware of is that if you’ve already linked another music service like YouTube Music, you’ll need to verbally say (or type in) which service you want Gemini to use as part of your initial request, and from there, it will default to whatever was used last.

Spotify is the second non-Google app to gain Gemini abilities following the rollout of WhatsApp support that started in October.

Google’s support page for the extension explains that it first requires linking your Spotify and Google accounts to enable it with Gemini Apps, and you have to enable Gemini Apps Activity, which can hold your AI queries for up to 72 hours. You won’t be able to use the Spotify extension inside Google Messages, the Gemini web app, or the Gemini app on iOS, and it only works while Gemini’s language is set to English to start.

The US Department of Energy will loan Rivian $6.6 billion to build an electric vehicle factory in Georgia, the company announced last night. The announcement comes as Democrats scramble to finalize their climate agenda before Donald Trump takes office.

Rivian, lacking the funds to start the construction process, put its Georgia factory plans on hold earlier this year. The company has lost a significant amount of money since its public offering in November 2021, including $1.1 billion this past quarter. The company recently said it expected to lose up to $2.88 billion in adjusted earnings for the year, up from the previous guidance of $2.7 billion in losses. And it has gone through several rounds of layoffs over the past two years.

Rivian said it received “conditional commitment” for its application to the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) Loan Program, which was resurrected by President Joe Biden in 2022. The company says it will work with the DOE to close the loan “quickly,” underscoring the race-against-the-clock aspect that Democrats and EV companies are experiencing before Trump becomes president.

Trump has promised to reverse much of the spending by Biden on EVs once he assumes office. He has said he will kill the $7,500 tax credit for new EV purchases, as well as wipe out the rest of the spending from the Inflation Reduction Act. Assumedly that will include the ATVM loan program as well.

The loan program attained almost mythical status in the EV startup world thanks to its timely $465 million loan to Tesla in 2009, which is credited with helping save the company from an early death. But the program went fallow during the first Trump administration with a number of cash-strapped EV startups getting no response to requests for funding.

The Georgia plant is critical to Rivian’s plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities and grow its lineup, including the more affordable R2 and R3 vehicles. The company says over 2,000 full-time workers will be needed for its construction. The factory will begin operations in 2028, and by 2030, will employ 7,500 workers, Rivian said.

The loan would be the first to support the production of EVs, rather than their component parts, the DOE said in a statement. The factory, called Project Horizon, will be located in Stanton Springs North, near the Social Circle, Georgia, 45 miles east of Atlanta. In 2022, the Georgia state government approved a $1.5 billion tax incentive for the factory. The plan has been a “lightning rod” in the state, with opponents holding rallies, dabbling in conspiracy theories, and even threatening local officials.

Rivian also recently closed on a $5.8 billion funding commitment from Volkswagen to create a new joint venture for future software and electric drivetrain production. With today’s news, Rivian is trying to project confidence in its long-term survival — especially with the incoming Trump administration expected to be less favorable toward EV companies.

Protecting your financial future goes beyond smart investing and saving. It’s crucial to safeguard your retirement accounts from cyber threats. While many believe that using public Wi-Fi to check their 401(k) or IRA is harmless, the reality is that without proper protection, you could be putting your hard-earned savings at risk. Let’s explore why using a VPN (virtual private network) is essential for securing your retirement accounts and how you can implement this extra layer of security.

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How VPNs work

VPNs operate through two primary mechanisms: IP address masking and data encryption. When you connect to a VPN, it hides your real IP address by assigning you a new one from their server network, effectively preventing websites and cyber criminals from tracking your location or identifying you based on your IP address.

Simultaneously, VPNs encrypt all data transmitted between your device and the internet, rendering it unreadable to anyone who might attempt to intercept it. This encryption process ensures that sensitive information, such as credit card details, remains confidential throughout your online activities. By combining these two powerful features, VPNs create a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, significantly enhancing your online privacy and security.

A woman using a VPN on her cellphone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Understanding the risks

When you access your retirement accounts online, especially through public Wi-Fi networks, you’re potentially exposing sensitive financial information to cybercriminals. These hackers can intercept your data, steal your login credentials and potentially drain your accounts. What’s more concerning is that retirement accounts are often less frequently monitored than regular bank accounts, making them an attractive target for cybercriminals.

A woman using a VPN on her cellphone and a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Why a VPN is crucial for protecting your retirement accounts

By creating an encrypted tunnel for your internet traffic, a VPN makes it extremely difficult for hackers to intercept your sensitive data. Here’s a deeper look at why VPNs are indispensable for safeguarding your retirement accounts:

1) Robust encryption

VPNs employ military-grade encryption protocols, such as AES-256, to scramble your data. This means that even if a cybercriminal manages to intercept your information, it would appear as an indecipherable jumble of characters. For your retirement accounts, this translates to an extra layer of security for your login credentials, account numbers and financial transactions.

2) Enhanced anonymity

By masking your IP address and replacing it with one from their servers, VPNs make it significantly harder for malicious actors to track your online activities. This anonymity is crucial when accessing financial accounts, as it prevents cybercriminals from identifying you as a high-value target based on your browsing habits or the financial institutions you visit online.

3) Secure remote access

The ability to check your accounts while traveling or using public Wi-Fi is convenient but risky. A VPN provides a secure connection, essentially creating a protected tunnel between your device and the financial institution’s servers. This is particularly important for retirement accounts, which may not have the same level of fraud protection as checking or savings accounts. However, check if your retirement fund platform permits VPN usage, as some might flag it as unusual activity. 

4) Protection against man-in-the-middle attacks

VPNs are excellent safeguards against man-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers position themselves between you and the website you’re trying to access. By encrypting your data from end to end, VPNs make it nearly impossible for attackers to insert themselves into your connection and steal your information.

5) Bypassing geo-restrictions safely

If you’re traveling abroad and need to access your U.S.-based retirement accounts, some financial institutions may block access from foreign IP addresses. A VPN allows you to connect through a U.S.-based server, ensuring you can manage your accounts securely from anywhere in the world.

A woman using a VPN on her laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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7 steps to secure your retirement accounts

To ensure the security of your retirement accounts, follow these steps:

1) Choose a reliable VPN: Select a reputable VPN service with strong encryption protocols. For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

2) Always use VPN on public Wi-Fi: Never access financial accounts on public networks without activating your VPN first.

3) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Add an extra layer of security to your accounts by enabling 2FA.

4) Use strong, unique passwords: Create complex passwords for each of your accounts and consider using a password manager. Consider using a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.

5) Regularly monitor your accounts: Check your retirement accounts frequently for any suspicious activity.

Have you ever experienced a security breach? If so, what happened, and how did you respond to it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.