About five hours into Elon Musk’s testimony, I typed the following sentence into my notes: “I have never been more sympathetic to Sam Altman in my life.”
Technology
NYC schools track bathroom time with digital hall passes
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Leaving class for a quick bathroom break now comes with a timer for many students in New York City.
A digital hall pass system called SmartPass is rolling out across public schools. It replaces the old paper pass with a digital one. Students sign out on a classroom iPad. Then the system tracks how long they are gone.
On paper, it sounds efficient. In practice, it is stirring strong reactions.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
95% OF FACULTY SAY AI MAKING STUDENTS DANGEROUSLY DEPENDENT ON TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING: SURVEY
New York City students now use SmartPass, a digital hall pass system that tracks when they leave class, where they go and how long they are gone. (Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)
How the SmartPass digital hall pass works
SmartPass logs when a student leaves class and tracks how long they are out and where they go. Teachers can view that information in real time, which gives them a live snapshot of student movement during the school day. SmartPass says the system is designed to improve safety, reduce disruptions and give staff better visibility into student movement.
The system keeps a running total of time spent outside the classroom. It can also limit how many students are allowed in the hallway at once. In some cases, it can flag or block overlapping passes between students. Schools can also restrict when passes are allowed, depending on the schedule or specific rules set by staff.
Supporters say this helps reduce disruptions and keeps students accountable. They also argue it improves safety during emergencies because staff can quickly see who is out of class. However, that is only one side of the story.
Students say SmartPass feels like surveillance
Many students are not buying the “efficiency” argument. Some say the system makes them feel rushed during basic needs. Others worry about being constantly monitored.
One student described it as uncomfortable, like someone is always watching. Another said it turns something simple into a stressful countdown.
There are also reports of strict time limits. In some cases, students say teachers set very short timers for bathroom use. That can create awkward situations fast.
And then there are loopholes. Students have figured out ways to sign out under someone else’s name. That can block another student from leaving class at all.
NEW AI COALITION TARGETS WASHINGTON, BIG TECH AS GROUP WARNS CHILD SAFETY RISKS OUTPACING SAFEGUARDS
A digital hall pass system in New York City schools is raising questions about privacy, student trust and whether tracking tools belong in everyday school life. (Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
SmartPass raises growing privacy concerns
Privacy advocates are raising bigger concerns. Critics say tools like SmartPass go too far.
“Hyper invasive, error-prone AI surveillance technologies have no place in school bathrooms,” said Charlotte Pope, Equal Justice Works Fellow at the NYCLU. “Third-party surveillance products, like the electronic hall passes, put students’ sensitive, personal data at the whims of for-profit corporations, unnecessarily put even more punitive discipline into students’ lives, and add more fuel to the school-to-prison pipeline. For generations, students went to the bathroom without big brother watching just fine – the difference is that now, companies are making money off it.”
The fear is not only about today. It is about what happens to that data later. School officials say the system meets strict privacy rules. They also say schools are not required to use it. Still, critics argue that once data is collected, the risk never fully disappears.
How much NYC is spending on SmartPass
There is also a financial angle. New York City reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on SmartPass contracts in recent years. That breaks down to a few thousand dollars per school.
At the same time, the city faces major budget gaps. That raises a fair question. Should schools invest in tracking tools or focus on staffing and facilities? Students are asking that question too.
Why this conversation is not going away
Technology in schools is not new. But the level of tracking is changing. What used to be a simple hall pass is now a data point. Multiply that across a school day, and you start to see a pattern forming.
Some people see that as progress. Others see it as overreach. Either way, tools like SmartPass are likely just the beginning.
TIM TEBOW URGES SUPREME COURT TO MAKE BIG TECH ‘PROTECT KIDS OVER PROFIT’ IN CSAM CASE
SmartPass is rolling out in New York City public schools, replacing paper hall passes with a digital system that logs student movement in real time. (Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
What this means to you
Even if you are not a student in New York, this trend still matters. Digital monitoring tools are becoming part of everyday life. You can now find them in schools, workplaces and public spaces.
As a result, data collection is starting to feel normal in places where it never used to exist. Even simple systems can build detailed profiles over time. That information can reveal patterns about behavior without people realizing it.
At the same time, convenience often comes with tradeoffs. Tools that make things easier can also reduce privacy. Once these systems are in place, they rarely stay limited. They tend to expand and track more over time.
If you have kids, it is worth asking how their school collects and stores data. If you are a student, you have a right to understand what is being tracked and why it matters.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
There is a real balance to strike here. Schools want safety and structure. Students want trust and privacy. Those goals do not always line up. SmartPass sits right in the middle of that tension. It promises control and visibility. It also raises questions about how much monitoring is too much. The bigger issue may not be this one system. It is the direction things are heading.
If tracking tools become standard in schools, where should the line be drawn between safety and personal space? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Musk’s direct testimony was an improvement over yesterday — even if his lawyer kept asking leading questions to cue him in how to answer. But that memory was immediately obliterated by an absolutely miserable cross-examination. For hours, Musk refused to answer yes or no questions with yes or no, occasionally “forgot” things he’d testified to in the morning, and scolded defense lawyer William Savitt. I watched a few jury members glance at each other. During one testy exchange, one woman was rubbing her head. Me too, babe.
Even the judge, who at times prompted Musk to answer “yes” or “no,” was having a bad time. “He was at times difficult,” said Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers after Musk after the jury left the room. (At one point, when she’d cut off his argumentative answer, she got the biggest laugh of the day.) “Part of management from my perspective is just to get through testimony.”
“I don’t yell at people,” Musk said
Musk spent a lot of yesterday painting this heroic picture of himself, and this morning, near the end of his direct examination, said, “I don’t lose my temper,” and “I don’t yell at people.” He said he might have called someone a “jackass,” but only in the spirit of saying something like, “don’t be a jackass.”
Immediately afterward, Savitt baited him into being petty, irritating, and generally hard to deal with. At one point, we all watched Musk lose his temper. He spent hours quibbling over simple questions. Again and again, Savitt referred back to Musk’s deposition, where he’d answered questions slightly differently, calling Musk’s accounts into question. Even if the average juror didn’t think he was lying, he was certainly inconsistent.
Savitt’s cross-examination left the distinct impression that Musk quit his quarterly payments to OpenAI because he wasn’t going to get full control of the company, then tried to kneecap it and fold it into Tesla. Initially, Musk wanted four board seats and 51 percent of the shares. The other co-founders would get three seats, together, to be voted on by shareholders (including other employees). Though Musk said that the eventual plan was to expand to 12 seats, it was obvious that Musk had full control on the initial board of seven.
When Musk didn’t get what he wanted, he pulled the plug on his funding commitment and hired Andrej Karpathy, OpenAI’s second-best engineer, to Tesla in 2017. Despite his fiduciary duty to OpenAI as a board member, he did not try to get Karpathy to stay at OpenAI when he said he heard Karpathy wanted to leave. (“I think people should have a right to work where they want to work,” Musk said on the stand.)
“In my and Andrej’s opinion, Tesla is the only path that could even hope to hold a candle to Google.”
By 2018, Musk was saying that OpenAI had no path forward with its current structure, declaring it was on “a path of certain failure” in emails to Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. His proposed solution was to merge Tesla and OpenAI. “In my and Andrej’s opinion, Tesla is the only path that could even hope to hold a candle to Google,” Musk said. The plan never came to fruition, and Musk resigned from OpenAI’s board that year.
As early as 2016, Musk had his own concerns about OpenAI as a non-profit. In an email to a colleague at Neuralink, he wrote “Deepmind is moving very fast. I am concerned that OpenAI is not on a path to catch up. Setting it up as non-profit might, in hindsight, have been the wrong move. Sense of urgency is not as high.”
Asked about this, Musk said he was just speculating. Savitt said, “Those are your words, yes or no?”
“You mostly do unfair questions.”
Musk replied, “This is a hypothetical.”
Savitt said, “So you thought it might have been a wrong move? That’s what you said?”
Getting Musk to put any of that on the record was intensely difficult. He refused repeatedly to answer questions like whether he knew cutting off OpenAI donations would create financial pressure, or whether he’d asked Karpathy to stay at OpenAI. He accused Savitt of asking questions that were “designed to trick me,” and we got multiple versions of this:
Musk: You mostly do unfair questions
Savitt: I am trying to put the questions as fairly as I can. I am doing my best.
Musk: That’s not true.
Musk was trying to make this as painful as possible for Savitt, but he also made it as painful as possible for everyone else, including the jury. Watching him simply refuse to answer questions during cross he’d easily answered during direct was annoying. Watching him refuse to admit he understood the nature of linear time — and therefore the fact that he was still a director of OpenAI’s board before he resigned in 2018 — was infuriating. It made him look dishonest.
“I’d lost trust in Altman and I was concerned they were really trying to steal the charity.”
Musk’s basic, oft-repeated story during this week’s testimony has been that OpenAI is “stealing a charity” and “looting a non-profit.” He maintains that he was all right with some limited for-profit activity, but not anything that would overshadow OpenAI’s nonprofit work and constitute “the tail wagging the dog” — another phrase he reached for, over and over, like a security blanket. In direct testimony, he painted himself as a trusting “fool” who had believed the wily promises of Sam Altman and his cohort: “I gave them $38 million of essentially free funding, which they used to create an $800 billion for-profit company,” he lamented. His own lawyer’s questioning wrapped up with Musk being purportedly blindsided by a multibillion-dollar deal with Microsoft.
“I’d lost trust in Altman and I was concerned they were really trying to steal the charity,” Musk said. “It turned out to be true.”
“I said I didn’t look closely! I read the headline!”
On cross examination, Musk would barely even explain how much he bothered to learn about OpenAI’s operations before suing over them a few years later. When OpenAI proposed a for-profit arm around 2018, he got an email outlining the proposed corporate structure. On the stand, he said he’d only read the very first section of it,, which said that contributors should consider the investments as donations that may have no return. “I read the highlighted box with ‘important warning,’” Musk said.
Savitt asked Musk if he’d raised any objection to the structure then, when he’d received the documents. Musk said that he didn’t read beyond that first box.
Musk: I didn’t read the fine print.. We’re going into the fine print of this document.
Savitt: It’s a four-page document.
Musk then said he hadn’t read beyond taking this in the “spirit of a donation.” And then we got the deposition, where Musk said, “I don’t think I read this term sheet… I’m not sure I actually read this term sheet… I did not closely look at this term sheet.” Savitt pointed out that nowhere in the deposition did Musk say he’d read the first paragraph and Musk, raising his voice and effectively undermining his claims from the morning that he doesn’t lose his temper (lol) or yell at people (lmao), said, “I said I didn’t look closely! I read the headline!”
Imagine having to deal with this man as your cofounder. I think I would sooner open a vein.
Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Booking a train ticket is usually something most people don’t think twice about. Now it could come with real privacy risks after a reported data exposure tied to Amtrak.
A newly surfaced dataset linked to the company has appeared on Have I Been Pwned, a widely used site that tracks and verifies data breaches, suggesting customer information may now be circulating online. The company has not confirmed the full scope, but the situation is already drawing attention from security researchers.
For travelers, the bigger issue isn’t just what was taken. It is how that data can be used next.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
149 MILLION PASSWORDS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE CREDENTIAL LEAK
An alleged Amtrak data exposure may have affected millions of accounts, with researchers warning the leaked records could fuel convincing phishing attacks. (Pixelfit/Getty Images)
What we know about the Amtrak data breach
The breach was added to Have I Been Pwned on April 17, 2026, after a dataset attributed to Amtrak appeared online. According to that listing, the dataset includes more than 2.1 million unique accounts.
The exposed information listed by Have I Been Pwned includes email addresses, names, physical addresses and customer support records.
Separate reports suggest the total number of records could be significantly higher, with some estimates reaching up to 9.4 million, though that figure has not been confirmed by Amtrak.
Support interactions can reveal travel habits, preferences and past issues. That gives attackers more context to work with.
How the Amtrak data breach likely happened
The group linked to the attack, ShinyHunters, has a pattern. They often target cloud-based customer systems, especially platforms like Salesforce.
These systems store huge amounts of customer data in one place. That makes them efficient for businesses and valuable for attackers.
Attacks like this often involve exploiting access to cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) environments rather than breaching internal networks directly.
In many cases, the breach does not require breaking into a company’s internal network. Instead, attackers exploit weak access controls, misconfigured settings or compromised credentials tied to cloud services.
Once inside, they can extract large datasets quickly and demand payment before releasing the data publicly.
Why the Amtrak data breach is different
Not all data breaches carry the same level of risk. This one stands out because of the type of information involved.
Basic contact details can already be used for spam. Add customer service history, and the situation changes. Attackers can reference real interactions to make their messages feel legitimate.
You might get an email that mentions a past trip, a refund request or a delayed train. It looks familiar. That is what makes it dangerous.
These tailored phishing attempts are far more convincing than generic scams.
HOW SCAMMERS BUILD A PROFILE ON YOU USING DATA BROKERS
Travelers are being urged to stay alert after a reported Amtrak data exposure linked to millions of accounts surfaced online. (martin-dm/Getty Images)
What the Amtrak data breach means for you
If your data is part of this breach, the immediate risk isn’t someone logging into your account. The bigger concern is impersonation.
Attackers can use your information to build trust quickly. They may pose as Amtrak support, a travel partner or even a financial institution tied to a booking.
That increases the chance you click a link, share more details or approve a transaction without realizing what is happening.
Even if you have never had an issue before, this kind of exposure changes your risk profile.
We reached out to Amtrak for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.
Why do companies keep facing this problem?
This breach highlights a larger issue with how companies manage data today. Many rely heavily on cloud platforms to store and organize customer information. These tools are efficient, but they also concentrate risk in one place.
A single misconfiguration or compromised login can open the door to millions of records.
As more businesses move to software-as-a-service (SaaS) platforms, attackers are following. The pattern is becoming more common, not less.
How to check if your passwords were stolen
To see if your email was affected, visit Have I Been Pwned at haveibeenpwned.com. It is the first and official source for this newly added dataset.
- Enter your email address to find out if your information appears in the leak.
- When done, come back here for Step 1 below.
INSURANCE DATA BREACH EXPOSES SENSITIVE INFO OF 1.6 MILLION PEOPLE
Customer data linked to Amtrak has reportedly surfaced online, exposing contact details and support records that could be used in fraud schemes. (iStock)
Ways to stay safe after a data breach
If your data may be part of this breach, a few smart moves now can lower your risk and help you stay ahead of scams that often follow.
1) Use strong, unique passwords for every account
If you reuse passwords, this is the moment to change that. A single leaked password can unlock multiple accounts. Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords so you are not relying on memory or repeating the same login. Start with your email account first, since it can be used to reset passwords across many of your other accounts. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at CyberGuy.com.
2) Turn on two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second layer of protection. Even if someone gets your password, they still need a code from your phone or app. Focus on email, banking and travel accounts first since those are common targets after breaches.
3) Watch for highly targeted phishing attempts
Be extra cautious with emails or messages that reference past trips or support requests. That level of detail can make scams feel real. Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments unless you are certain of the source. When in doubt, go directly to the company’s official website.
4) Monitor your financial and account activity
Check your bank accounts and credit cards regularly for unusual charges. Look for login alerts or password reset notifications you did not request. The faster you catch something, the easier it is to contain.
5) Use strong antivirus software on your devices
Strong antivirus software does more than scan for viruses. It can block malicious links, detect suspicious downloads and stop phishing attempts before they reach you. Keeping your devices protected adds an important layer between you and attackers trying to exploit stolen data. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
6) Remove your personal data from broker sites
Data brokers collect and sell your personal information, which increases your exposure after a breach. A data removal service can help reduce how much of your information is circulating online and make it harder for scammers to build detailed profiles about 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/FreeScan
7) Use identity monitoring for early alerts
An identity monitoring service can track your personal information across databases and alert you to suspicious activity. That includes new accounts opened in your name or signs that your data is being misused. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com
8) Freeze your credit for added protection
A credit freeze prevents anyone from opening new accounts in your name without your approval. It is one of the most effective ways to stop identity theft after a breach. You can place a freeze for free with the major credit bureaus and lift it anytime when needed.
Kurt’s key takeaways
The Amtrak breach is still unfolding, and key details remain unclear. What is clear is the direction these attacks are heading. They are becoming more targeted, more personal and harder to spot. For consumers, that means staying alert even when something looks familiar. For companies, it means tightening controls around the systems that hold the most sensitive data. You do not need to panic, but you do need to pay attention.
With breaches like this happening again and again, are companies doing enough to protect your personal information? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
- For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com – trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Amazon’s annual Gaming Week is bringing discounts on video games, accessories, and PC components through May 4th. This event is smaller than Amazon’s other sales, but there are some genuinely good deals. This year, we’ve found deals on popular titles like Elden Ring Nightreign, plus rare discounts on the Nex Playground console and on top-notch Nintendo Switch 2 controllers like the EasySMX S10. We’ve also found discounts on an assortment of laptops, monitors, and other gaming gear, some of which are happening at Amazon and other retailers, too.
-
Health5 minutes agoEating the Same Thing Every Day Helps Put Weight Loss on Autopilot
-
Lifestyle23 minutes agoCan I Skip My Niece’s Graduation to Avoid the Politics?
-
Education29 minutes agoVideo: Mississippi Middle School Students Stop Bus After Driver Blacks Out
-
Technology35 minutes agoElon Musk’s worst enemy in court is Elon Musk
-
World41 minutes agoIran’s $800M oil smuggling scheme uses tankers posing as Iraqi ships to dodge blockade
-
Politics47 minutes agoHouse Republicans unlock reconciliation process to fund ICE and Border Patrol without Democrats
-
Health53 minutes agoSimple diet change could relieve painful bathroom symptoms, experts say
-
Sports59 minutes agoRaiders legend gives blessing to first overall pick Fernando Mendoza to wear No. 15: ‘He’s perfect’