Technology

Is this technology the answer to cleaning up our ocean’s plastic problem?

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

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Is this technology the answer to cleaning up our ocean’s plastic problem?

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In the vast, swirling expanse of the North Pacific Ocean lies a phenomenon as intriguing as it is troubling – the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). This colossal debris vortex stretching from California to Japan has become the poster child for the planet’s plastic pollution crisis.

Yet, amid this dire scenario, a project called The Ocean Cleanup has emerged as a beacon of hope and a subject of debate.

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Trash collected by U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The massive island of trash

The GPGP is no ordinary island. It’s an immense floating trash vortex spanning approximately 617,763.454 square miles, with Hawaii nestled in its midst.

Map of the GPGP (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The majority of this debris is plastic, ranging in size from large discarded fishing nets to microplastics that pose a more insidious threat.

U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

While only 8% of the GPGP’s total mass, these tiny plastic fragments represent 94% of the estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic floating in this marine desert. The presence of microplastics highlights the immense challenge of addressing oceanic plastic pollution, as these particles continue to break down but never fully disappear, threatening marine life in profound ways.

U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: THIS AI ROBOT GARBAGE PICKER CAN SORT OVER 500 TYPES OF TRASH IN SECONDS

The Ocean Cleanup’s “Jenny” technology

Enter The Ocean Cleanup, a nonprofit that uses technology to combat oceanic and riverine trash. Central to their mission is System 002, affectionately dubbed “Jenny.” This innovative U-shaped catchment system, towed by two fuel-powered ships, trawls the ocean surface, collecting debris in its path. Once Jenny is full, the garbage is transferred to a larger vessel and taken ashore for processing.

Underwater view of U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

As The Ocean Cleanup evolves, so do its methods. The upcoming System 03, or “Josh,” promises even greater cleanups, boasting enhancements like the “MASH” – a marine animal safety hatch designed to safeguard sea life during the collection process.

System 03 features an expansive floating barrier spanning roughly 1.4 miles, strategically positioned between a pair of vessels towing it at a reduced speed. Attached to this barrier is a downward-reaching screen that plunges 13 feet beneath the water’s surface, targeting the zone where the majority of floating plastic debris is typically found.

Aerial view of U-shaped catchment system (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: AI ROBOT CAN TRIM, EDGE, AND BLOW YOUR LAWN FOR YOU

What becomes of the collected trash?

A crucial question looms: What happens to the trash once it’s hauled ashore? The Ocean Cleanup asserts that a significant portion of the plastic is recycled and transformed into “durable and valuable” products. The remnants, deemed unrecyclable, are incinerated to generate electricity – a process known as thermal recycling.

However, this approach is not without its critics. Concerns have been raised about the optimistic view of plastic recycling and the potential environmental impact of thermal recycling, including the release of toxins.

Vehicle used to haul trash ashore (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: DIVE INTO THE SEA WITH THIS STATE-OF-THE-ART UNDERWATER DRONE

The debate and the path forward

The Ocean Cleanup’s efforts are not unchallenged. Critics argue that while removing trash from the oceans is beneficial, the ultimate solution lies in preventing plastic from entering the waters in the first place.

Vehicle used to haul trash ashore (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Ocean scientists and environmental advocates emphasize the need to reduce our reliance on plastic and to intercept it before it reaches the ocean, citing projects like river interceptors and initiatives like Baltimore’s Mr. Trash Wheel.

Vehicle used to haul trash ashore (The Ocean Cleanup) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and The Ocean Cleanup’s efforts to address it present a microcosm of the broader challenges and debates surrounding oceanic plastic pollution. While the organization’s innovative approaches offer hope, they also spark important conversations about the most effective strategies for preserving our oceans. As we navigate these turbulent waters, the tale of the GPGP serves as a poignant reminder of human activity’s impact on the natural world and the urgent need for collective action to safeguard our planet’s future.

Do you believe technological interventions like ‘The Ocean Cleanup’ are sustainable long-term solutions, or should we focus more on preventive measures? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Technology

Brendan Carr is a dummy

Published

3 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

All year on The Vergecast, we’ve been tracking the many bizarre and problematic actions of FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. There has been a lot to discuss! Then, this week, ahead of one of our last episodes of the year, Carr appeared in front of the Senate Commerce Committee and spent three hours explaining how he thinks about his job, the FCC, and the state of online communication and entertainment. It was a lot.

On this episode of The Vergecast, we begin with a dissection of Carr’s testimony, his threats against broadcasters, and the ways in which he’s using old ideas about content delivery to get his political way. Nilay and David walk through some of Carr’s most important quotes, explain the history of broadband regulation, and look ahead to how Carr might bring these same tactics to internet regulation next year.

Also, an important housekeeping note: The Vergecast will be live at CES! We’ll be at the Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas, at 3:30PM on Wednesday, January 7th. There will be podcasting, and hanging out, and bowling. It’s going to be great, and if you’re going to be in Vegas we’d love to see you there.

Until then, if you want to know more about everything we discuss in this episode, here are some links to get you started, first on Brendan Carr:

And in the streaming wars:

And in the lightning round:

Technology

AI photo match reunites Texas woman with lost cat after 103 days

Published

4 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Press Room

AI photo match reunites Texas woman with lost cat after 103 days

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Holiday gatherings and year-end travel often lead to a spike in missing pets. Doors open more often, routines shift and animals can slip outside in a moment of confusion.

New Year’s Eve creates loud fireworks, and shelters report some of their busiest nights of the entire year. Amid all that, one Texas family just experienced a heartwarming reunion thanks to an AI photo matching on Petco Love Lost.

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FIND A LOST PHONE THAT IS OFF OR DEAD

An AI photo-matching on Petco Love Lost helped reunite a Texas family with their missing cat after 103 days. (ULISES RUIZ/AFP via Getty Images)

How AI photo matching kept the search going

Pam’s 11-year-old indoor cat, Grayson, had never been outside alone. She believes he slipped out while she unloaded groceries at their home in Plano, Texas. The moment she realized he was gone, she acted fast.

She said, “We went up and down the streets day and night. We went online in the neighborhood and on Love Lost. We put up flyers all over the neighborhood. Friends and neighbors were looking for him. I went to the animal shelter, posted him there, and went every day for over a month, hoping to find him.”

Pam uploaded Grayson’s photo to Petco Love Lost right away. She checked her daily match alerts and hoped she would see his familiar face pop up. She told CyberGuy, “I received match alerts almost every day from Lost Love, but never saw Grayson. His profile had been on their site for over 90 days.”

The moment everything changed

Missy, a nearby resident, spotted a thin cat in an alley near her home. She brought him inside, took a picture of him and then turned to Love Lost to see if anyone had reported a missing cat like him.

Missy explained how simple the process felt. “I used Lost Love to reunite them,” she said. “I uploaded a photo of the cat that we found, and it was matched through AI with the photo that the owner uploaded.”

She soon received an AI match alert and learned that the cross street Grayson’s owner, Pam, had listed in her lost post was only a mile from her home. Missy contacted Pam right away.

That message changed everything. “I am sure that if we had not posted his picture and enabled the ability to match the images, we would never have known what happened to Grayson,” Pam said. “And we would not have connected with Missy.”

AI TECH HELPS A SENIOR REUNITE WITH HER CAT AFTER 11 DAYS

Grayson, an indoor cat from Plano, Texas, was finally found thanks to a neighbor who uploaded his photo to an AI search tool. (DANIEL PERRON/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

A long road for an aging cat

Grayson is almost 12 and has never lived outdoors. That made this reunion feel even more emotional, Pam said.

“I am still amazed at Grayson’s journey,” she added. “I look at him and cannot believe he made it through those 103 days. He is almost 12 years old, so he is not a young kitty.”

Pam said she still thinks about what those months were like for him. “[I] guess I will always wonder where he was and how many stops he made before he reached Missy’s loving home,” she said. “He must have known she would take care of him. It takes a special person to take the time to reunite a beloved pet with their family. Missy and her family went above and beyond to reunite us with Grayson.”

Why pet tech matters during the holidays

This season brings joy but also risks for pets. Visitors, travel and loud celebrations create more chances for animals to slip out or feel spooked. Tools like AI photo matching help families act fast when a pet goes missing. Love Lost connects shelters and neighbors in one place so that people like Pam and Missy can find each other.

What to do if your pet goes missing

Losing a pet can feel overwhelming, but taking fast action helps. These steps guide you through what to do right away.

1) Search your home and neighborhood right away

Look in closets, garages and under furniture. Walk your street and ask neighbors to check yards and sheds.

2) Upload your pet’s photo to Petco Love Lost

Take a clear photo and post it on the site. AI photo matching alerts you when a possible match appears. It also helps others contact you fast.

3) Visit your local shelters in person

Shelters update kennels throughout the day. Staff can guide you and help flag your pet’s profile. Go often until you get updates.

4) Post on local community groups

Use neighborhood apps, local Facebook groups and community forums. Include your pet’s photo, last known location and your contact info.

5) Put up flyers right away

Use a large photo and simple details. Place flyers at busy intersections and near schools, parks and businesses.

6) Contact your pet’s microchip registry

If your pet is microchipped, call the registry or log in to your account. Make sure the chip is registered to you, update your contact info and mark your pet as missing so shelters and vets can reach you fast.

7) Stay consistent with your search

Check Love Lost alerts often. Visit shelters and follow up on every lead. Persistence made the difference for Pam and Grayson.

LOST DOGS ON FOURTH OF JULY: HOW TO KEEP YOUR PET SAFE

A pet owner is seen cradling a cat on their lap. (Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

How AirTags can help you find a lost pet faster

While tools like AI photo matching are invaluable after a pet goes missing, prevention and real-time tracking can make an enormous difference during the first critical hours. That’s where Apple AirTags come in. An AirTag isn’t a GPS tracker, but it can still be a powerful recovery tool when used correctly. When attached securely to your pet’s collar, an AirTag uses Apple’s vast Find My network. That network consists of hundreds of millions of nearby iPhones, iPads and Macs that can anonymously and securely relay the AirTag’s location back to you.

If your pet wanders into a neighborhood, apartment complex or busy area, the chances are high that another Apple device will pass nearby and update the location automatically. You won’t know who helped, and they won’t know it was them, but the location can show up on your map within minutes. For indoor cats or dogs that don’t usually roam far, this can be especially helpful. Even a rough location can narrow your search area and save precious time.

Important limits to know: AirTags work best in populated areas. They rely on nearby Apple devices, so coverage may be limited in rural or remote locations. They also don’t update continuously like true GPS pet trackers. That’s why AirTags should be seen as a backup layer, not a replacement for microchipping or dedicated pet trackers.

How to use an AirTag safely with pets

Use a secure, pet-specific AirTag holder that won’t break easily.
Attach it to a breakaway collar for cats and dogs to reduce injury risk.
Make sure Find My notifications are turned on so you get alerts quickly.
Combine it with microchipping and ID tags for the best protection.

Used together, these tools give you multiple ways to reconnect with your pet, whether minutes or months have passed.

For a list of the best pet trackers, go to Cyberguy.com and search “best pet trackers.”

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Grayson’s reunion is a reminder that tech works best when caring people put it to use. AI matched the photos, but Missy took action, and Pam never stopped looking. Their persistence helped a senior cat get home after a long and risky journey.

If your pet went missing today, would you know the first step to bring them home fast? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

TikTok ban: all the news on the app’s shutdown and return in the US

Published

16 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Press Room

TikTok ban: all the news on the app’s shutdown and return in the US

After briefly going dark in the US to comply with the divest-or-ban law targeting ByteDance that went into effect on January 19th, TikTok quickly came back online. It eventually reappeared in the App Store and Google Play as negotiations between the US and China continued, and Donald Trump continued to sign extensions directing officials not to apply the law’s penalties.

Finally, in mid-December, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees that the agreements to create TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, which includes Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX as part owners, have been signed, and the deal is expected to close on January 22nd, 2026. His letter said that for users in the US, the new joint venture will oversee data protection, the security of a newly-retrained algorithm, content moderation, and the deployment of the US app and platform.