Hello and welcome to Regulator, a newsletter for Verge subscribers about the love-hate (but mostly hate) relationship between Silicon Valley and Washington. I hope everyone got to celebrate George Washington’s birthday in their preferred manner: skiing, staycationing, subscribing to The Verge if you haven’t already, etc.
Technology
How your browser is spying on you: Hidden dangers lurking behind every click
A browser is one of the most popular apps we use. It’s the gateway between the internet and its users, translating raw code into something we perceive as a web page and allowing us to interact with the web. It’s safe to say that anyone who uses the internet uses a web browser.
But while this tool is extremely useful, it can also be equally dangerous. For example, clicking malicious links can redirect you to harmful websites that either steal personal information or infect your device with malware.
If you use a search engine like Google through Chrome, it can collect data on your searches, browsing history and even your location (if location services are enabled). Most browsers also use cookies, small files that store information about your online behavior. Let’s discuss the risks associated with web browsers and how to stay safe.
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A person conducting a Google search on their laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How a browser doubles as spyware
Browsers are much more than simple tools to navigate the web. They are, in many ways, tools for surveillance. While they help you access websites and services, they also track your every move online to feed the ever-hungry advertising industry.
First off, most browsers collect data about your searches, browsing habits and even your location. This data isn’t just stored to “improve your experience,” it’s used to create a detailed profile of you, which is then shared with advertisers who target you with personalized ads.
Google Chrome, for example, is notorious for tracking your activity. As you browse, it feeds data to Google’s advertising engine, allowing it to serve highly targeted ads based on your behavior. This includes everything from your search history to the websites you visit, even down to the smallest detail, like how long you stay on a page.
“Google may share information about you with advertisers, business partners, sponsors, and other third parties,” Google boldly mentions on its privacy policy page.
Browsers also use cookies to keep tabs on you. These cookies track your activity across different sites, even after you’ve left a site. This means that ads you saw on one website might follow you across others, creating a persistent digital footprint. And while cookies can be blocked or deleted, many websites rely on them to function, making it hard to escape this kind of tracking.
Google browser (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Even Incognito mode isn’t safe
Even if you’re using privacy-focused browsers or tools like Incognito mode, they don’t really guarantee privacy. A 2020 class-action lawsuit revealed that Google kept scraping searches by gathering data from users browsing in Incognito through ad tools used by websites, picking up “potentially embarrassing” searches from millions of people. Google then used that data to track web traffic and sell ads.
It’s not just Google. Your internet service provider, the websites you visit and even governments can monitor your browsing activity, even in Incognito mode. All it does is hide your activity from your local browser history.
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A person conducting a Google search on their laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How to protect your privacy
As you all know, web browsers are essential tools for accessing the internet, but many popular options compromise your privacy by collecting extensive data. While Google Chrome is widely used, it tracks significant amounts of user information to power targeted advertising. However, there are several privacy-focused browser alternatives that prioritize user data protection. Also, to enhance your online security and protect your personal information, consider implementing these essential cybersecurity practices.
Keep software updated: Regularly update your operating system, browsers and other software to patch security vulnerabilities. Enable automatic updates whenever possible to ensure you’re always protected against the latest threats.
Use strong, unique passwords: Create complex passwords for each of your accounts and avoid reusing them. Consider using a password manager to generate and securely store strong passwords.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA on all accounts that offer it. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification beyond your password.
Be cautious with emails and links: Avoid opening suspicious emails or clicking on unknown links. These could be phishing attempts designed to steal your information or infect your device with malware. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.
Use secure networks: When using public Wi-Fi, connect through a VPN to encrypt your internet traffic. For sensitive transactions, stick to secure, private networks.
Be mindful of social media sharing: Limit the personal information you share on social media platforms and adjust your privacy settings to control who can view your posts.
VPN: Your first line of defense against browser spying: A VPN (virtual private network) encrypts your internet connection, making it difficult for anyone, including your browser, to track your online activities. By masking your IP address and routing your traffic through secure servers, a VPN not only protects your personal data from prying eyes but also helps you avoid targeted advertising and potential data breaches.
Regardless of whether you are new to VPNs or not, you’ll want to choose trusted VPN providers known for robust encryption and no-log policies to ensure your privacy. Whether for sensitive tasks or everyday use, reputable VPN services will boost both your security and speed. 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.
By implementing these security practices and using privacy-focused browsers, you can significantly enhance your online safety and protect your personal data while browsing the web. Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and regular updates to your practices.
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Kurt’s key takeaway
The web browser is an essential tool for accessing the internet, but it also opens the door to a host of privacy and security risks. Whether it’s being tracked for ads, snooped on by your ISP or accidentally stumbling onto a malware-filled site, the risks are everywhere. Tools like Incognito mode or cookie-blocking can help a bit, but they’re not enough to truly protect you. If you’re serious about staying private and secure, you need to up your game. Use a VPN, be cautious about what you click on and stay informed about the ways your browser might be working against you.
Do you think companies have gone too far with tracking? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Prediction: this is going to be a mess
Political alliances are rarely permanent, so it’s somewhat predictable that the MAGA-tech bro alliance seems to have fallen apart in the span of a single year. Which side the administration would actually choose, though, was more difficult to foresee.
Last winter, it appeared that two groups were in a tenuous relationship, held together by Elon Musk’s shameless execution of the DOGE agenda and Big Tech signing massive checks to settle Donald Trump’s lawsuits against them. But last night, the Trump administration made a choice: the money. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) announced that they would sue any state who tried to regulate prediction markets like Kalshi — even the Republican states.
On Tuesday, the CFTC filed an amicus brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, officially opposing an onslaught of lawsuits filed by the states against betting markets like Kalshi, Polymarket, Coinbase, and Crypto.com. (The latter two, known primarily as cryptocurrency exchanges, have partnered with Kalshi and created a standalone prediction market called OG, respectively.) But unusually, the brief was accompanied by a threat — posted on X, of all places. In a video directly facing the camera posted on Tuesday night, sole CFTC chairman Michael Selig asserted his commission’s authority to regulate prediction markets and stated that the federal government was prepared to sue: “To those who seek to challenge our authority in this space, let me be clear: we will see you in court.”
Had Selig simply written a staid Wall Street Journal op-ed asserting the CFTC’s authority (which he also did), that would have barely raised an eyebrow. But in 2026, a video threat, especially one posted on X, is basically grounds to instigate a political firestorm — one that Spencer Cox, the Republican Governor of Utah, gladly kindled. “Mike, I appreciate you attempting this with a straight face, but I don’t remember the CFTC having authority over the ‘derivative market’ of LeBron James rebounds,” he posted in response (also on X). “These prediction markets you are breathlessly defending are gambling—pure and simple. They are destroying the lives of families and countless Americans, especially young men. They have no place in Utah.” He promised that Utah would continue to pursue litigation and beat the federal government in court if need be.
This wouldn’t be the first time that Utah and Cox have voiced their opposition to federal overreach regarding emerging technology. Last year, they publicly opposed an executive order that would have given the Justice Department the power to sue states passing and enforcing AI regulatory laws. The prediction markets issue hits a particular nerve in Utah: nearly half of the state is Mormon, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially opposes all government-sanctioned forms of gambling, even state lotteries. But Cox’s declaration is what’s known in political circles as a “weathervane”: if one deeply Republican state is pushing back against the Trump administration on a new front, who else on the right might follow suit — and what sorts of new broligarch technologies would they fight against?
Is it a coincidence that Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei’s big visit to Washington happened just as the Pentagon was reconsidering its relationship with the AI company? Over the past two weeks, Amodei published a 38-page letter to Congress warning of the rising existential risks of artificial intelligence, conducted an interview with Axios’s Mike Allen (and sponsored their newsletter), and met with Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Jim Banks (R-IN) on Capitol Hill to support their bill banning the sale of advanced AI chips to China.
But Amodei barely finished his capitol blitz when Axios broke the news over the weekend that the Pentagon wasn’t just impatient with Anthropic’s reticence to use Claude for unrestricted purposes, but that it would actively punish Anthropic for refusing to cooperate by designating them a “supply-chain risk.” If it goes through, any company that wants to work with the military would have to cut ties with Anthropic. As one Pentagon official described it, “It will be an enormous pain in the ass to disentangle, and we are going to make sure they pay a price for forcing our hand like this.”
The Pentagon’s move makes no sense for anyone who sees Claude as a superior AI enterprise product to its competitors at the Pentagon (Gemini, ChatGPT, and Grok). If viewed through the lens of every former interaction that Trump’s had with companies that voiced ideological opposition to his agenda however, their treatment of Anthropic is par for the course. Years ago, for instance, Trump threatened to cut off Amazon’s access to their sweetheart deal with the US Postal Service, in retaliation for Jeff Bezos’ ownership of the then highly critical Washington Post.
But for me, the question is: exactly what caused the ideological break, and how much of it was even about national security? In the past few months, there’s been a bizarre spurt of online messaging from right-wing influencers trying to claim that Anthropic, of all the AI companies, was too woke — the kind of woke that could convince kids to become trans, or DEI-pill them, or whatever lib-coded nightmares a MAGA personality could dream up. There wasn’t much proof that they could point to, other than its employees expressing opinions that could be lib-coded, if you’re not fully reading the entire tweet:
Screenshot va @KatieMiller/X.
Speaking of influencers eating their own:
- Steve Bannon is under MAGA siege for his 2018 texts with Jeffrey Epstein, newly unearthed from the Justice Department’s Epstein Files, wherein he suggested that Trump should be removed from office using the 25th Amendment. Influencers calling for him to be questioned include Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who broke from Trump and the GOP for trying to bury the Epstein Files, and retired Gen. Mike Flynn. Notably, both of them rose to prominence in 2020 by backing QAnon, the online conspiracy theory that claimed that an elite ring of Satan-worshipping pedophiles were in control of the government. (It may not help Bannon that he called Epstein “God” in one of the texts).
- Mike Davis, an anti-Big Tech lawyer who previously represented Trump in his lawsuits against Meta, took credit for the ouster of former friend and ally Gail Slater from the Department of Justice’s antitrust division, according to texts obtained by The Free Press. Though the two were once allies due to their shared interest in holding Big Tech accountable, their relationship started fracturing over disagreements about when to enforce antitrust laws and when to go for settlements.
- And we’re back to Bannon: per The Bulwark, he and fellow MAGA political operative Boris Epshteyn are being sued for their own shady cryptocurrency operation.
The White House is convening a third meeting between the crypto industry and the banking industry this week, continuing to hash out which major financial entity gets to reap the interests from yield-bearing stablecoin accounts (or if they get to bear interest at all). They have until March 1st to deliver draft language for the Senate. Good luck, y’all!
And finally, looksmaxxing Recess.
Can we all agree that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is framemogging Kid Rock in this video?
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Tax season no longer begins in April. For scammers, it starts the moment the calendar flips to January.
While you’re waiting for your W-2 or 1099 to arrive, cybercriminals are already sending out waves of fake IRS messages, “refund problem” alerts and account verification scams. These messages feel alarmingly real, and that’s not an accident.
The truth is, today’s tax scams don’t rely on random guessing. They rely on your personal data, pulled from online data brokers, public records and previous breaches. And once your information is in circulation, you become part of a high-value target list.
Let’s break down what’s really happening – and how you can protect yourself before the first fake message lands in your inbox.
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ROBINHOOD TEXT SCAM WARNING: DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER
Tax scammers are targeting Americans as soon as January with fake IRS emails and refund alerts designed to steal personal data. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
The new wave of tax scams
Every year, scammers refine their tactics. And every year, they get better at making their messages look legitimate. Here are the most common scams hitting Americans before tax season even peaks:
1) Fake IRS emails and texts
These messages look official. They use real IRS language, government-style formatting and even fake case numbers. You might see something like:
“Your tax account is under review. Immediate action is required to avoid penalties.”
The email may include:
- IRS logos and official-looking headers
- Threatening language about audits or fines
- A link that appears to go to a government website.
But when you click, you’re taken to a fake IRS portal designed to steal:
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- Your bank account details
- Your IRS login credentials.
Once scammers have that, they can file fake returns, redirect your refund or impersonate you for years.
2) ‘Refund Issue’ alerts
This is one of the most effective tax scams because it preys on something people are already waiting for: their money. The message usually says:
“Your tax refund has been delayed due to a verification issue. Please confirm your information.”
It feels believable. You just filed. You are expecting a refund. And the message arrives right when you’re checking your bank account.
The link leads to a perfect copy of:
- A government site
- A tax filing service
- Or a bank login page.
Every keystroke you enter is captured. Scammers now have your identity, your financial access and your tax data – all from one click.
3) Benefit and identity verification scams
These scams impersonate the:
- IRS
- Social Security Administration
- State tax offices.
Often, they use what seem to be legitimate titles like “tax resolution officer” and state that you have unresolved tax activity. They claim your benefits, tax records or identity are “on hold” and must be verified immediately.
Typical messages say: “Your benefits account has been temporarily suspended. Verify your identity to restore access.” Or: “We detected unusual activity on your tax profile. Confirm your information now.”
The goal is simple: panic. When people panic, they don’t slow down. They don’t double-check. They click. And once they do, scammers collect everything they need to fully impersonate the victim.
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Cybercriminals use data broker profiles and breach records to personalize tax scams and make them appear legitimate. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Why these messages feel so real
You may wonder: How do they know my name? My address? My tax service?
They don’t guess. They buy it. Data brokers collect and sell personal profiles that can include your:
- Full name and address history
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Family members and marital status
- Estimated income and property records
- Age, retirement status and employer history.
Scammers use this data to personalize their messages. That’s why the email doesn’t feel random. It feels meant for you. And once your profile is sold or leaked, it can be reused again and again.
The real target isn’t your refund. It’s your identity
Once scammers steal your Social Security number, tax ID or bank details, the damage doesn’t stop with one scam.
They can:
- File fake tax returns
- Open credit lines in your name
- Redirect benefits
- Sell your identity on criminal marketplaces.
Tax scams are often the entry point to long-term identity theft.
The ‘pre-tax season cleanup’ most people skip
Most people think clearing browser cookies or changing passwords is enough. It’s not. Your information still lives in data broker databases, where scammers shop for victims.
That’s why I recommend a data removal service that automates data removal and goes directly to the source. Instead of chasing scams one by one, these services help remove the reason you’re targeted in the first place.
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.
Practical steps to protect yourself this tax season
Here’s what I recommend before filing:
- Never click tax links from emails or texts. Go directly to official websites. Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links before they install malware or steal personal information. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
- Use strong, unique passwords for tax services and email. A password manager helps create and store strong, unique passwords and alerts you if your email appears in known data breaches. 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.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
- Freeze your credit if you’re not applying for loans. To learn more about how to do this, go to Cyberguy.com and search “How to freeze your credit.”
- Remove your data from brokers before scammers find it, as discussed above.
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Fake “refund issue” messages trick taxpayers into entering Social Security numbers and bank details on fraudulent sites. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Tax scams don’t start in April; they start when your data is sold. The more complete your profile becomes, the easier it is for scammers to impersonate government agencies and steal your identity. By removing your personal data now, you’re not just protecting your refund; you’re protecting your future. This tax season, don’t wait for the alert. Remove the risk.
Have you received a suspicious IRS text or email this tax season, and what made you question whether it was real? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Phison is one of the leading makers of controller chips for SSDs and other flash memory devices — and CEO Pua Khein-Seng has now become a leading voice for just how bad the RAM shortage might get.
Companies may need to cut back their product lines in the second half of 2026, and some companies will even die if they can’t get the components they need, he agreed, in a televised interview with Ningguan Chen of Taiwanese broadcaster Next TV.
While the interview’s entirely in Chinese, friends of The Verge stepped forward to confirm parts of a machine-translated summary that’s been making headlines. They also note, importantly, that it’s the interviewer asking whether companies might shut down or product lines might discontinue. Khein-Seng largely just agreed and clarified that it’ll happen if these companies cannot secure enough RAM.
He also adds that he expects people will start fixing products more often when they break, instead of throwing them in the trash, over the next couple years.
It’s genuinely possible that some companies won’t be able to secure enough RAM. AI data centers are gobbling up the vast majority of the world’s memory supply as part of a global buildout, creating an unprecedented imbalance in supply and demand that’s seen RAM prices triple, quadruple, or even sextuple over the past handful of months. Even Nvidia might skip shipping a gaming GPU for the first time in 30 years. Even Apple may have trouble securing enough RAM now, not to mention memory chips for SSDs, and other vital components.
The RAM shortage may affect everything that computing touches over the next several years, as only three companies control 93 percent of the entire DRAM market, and while those three companies are building more facilities, they don’t want to build too fast. All three have decided to prioritize profits instead of risking overproduction that could lose them money later.
Tomorrow, February 19th, I’ll have a report on The Verge about how “RAMageddon” will affect you, even if you’d never think to buy a stick of memory yourself.
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