After a chaotic week following the Justice Department’s mid-trial settlement with Live Nation-Ticketmaster, the antitrust trial picked back up surprisingly smoothly on Monday — this time, with dozens of states leading the case.
Technology
The Live Nation trial restarts with a ‘velvet hammer’
This isn’t the outcome the states originally wanted. Out of concerns about being able to effectively take over the case and fear that the jury would be prejudiced by the shakeup, they requested a mistrial, which would have restarted the court battle at an unknown future date. But an irritated Judge Arun Subramanian seemed likely to deny the request, and once the states figured out how to retain the DOJ’s expert witness and were able to quickly hire up, they withdrew their mistrial motion. After the new faces were introduced, the trial restarted from roughly where it left off more than a week ago, with testimony that included how Live Nation deployed its “velvet hammer” against rivals.
Subramanian welcomed the jurors back from their “spring break” and asked if they had read or encountered any news about the case when they were out, which is forbidden by the jury instructions. They either shook their heads or remained silent. He reminded the jurors that the US had resolved its claims, as had a handful of states, but the rest were proceeding to trial. Jurors shouldn’t make any inferences from the fact those parties are no longer in the case, he said.
With the DOJ out of the picture, the lawyers who questioned early witnesses were gone, replaced by a new team co-led by Jonathan Hatch, an attorney from the New York AG’s office, and Jeffrey Kessler of Winston & Strawn, who represented college athletes in the landmark Supreme Court antitrust case against the NCAA over compensation.
The states’ attorneys picked up questioning of Jay Marciano, the COO of AEG, a competitor to Live Nation on multiple fronts. While Hatch refreshed jurors on parts of Marciano’s prior testimony, it was otherwise a fairly standard examination. Marciano testified about ticketing models he prefers in Europe, where multiple ticketing services often work at a venue, unlike the norm in the US where venues tend to accept exclusive ticketing contracts, often from Ticketmaster.
On cross examination, Marciano spoke to an incident the jury heard about early in the trial: a call between the Barclays Center’s then-CEO and Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, who responded to an attempt to abandon Ticketmaster by saying it would be harder for the arena to get concerts with the new UBS Arena nearby. While Barclays interpreted this as a threat to protect Ticketmaster, Marciano affirmed that it’s common as a concert promoter to play venues against each other to get more favorable terms, and that the UBS Arena likely would attract artists away from Barclays as the new venue in town.
Live Nation’s president of US concerts, Robert Roux, addressed a separate allegation: that Live Nation uses its broad control over US amphitheaters to maintain its monopoly power, leaving no other real options for artists looking to play large outdoor venues. Through Live Nation’s own business presentations, plaintiff attorney Josh Hafenbrack demonstrated that the company made big strides to gain power over four of the top five amphitheaters in the US by ticket sales between 2016 and now. A 2018 presentation showed a largely highlighted list of the top 100 amps worldwide, with the green highlights representing the 62 Live Nation owned, operated, or exclusively booked venues at the time. Since then, Roux confirmed, the company has added several more on that list.
Live Nation denies it acted anticompetitively, and argues the states ignore other kinds of venues that compete for the same shows. But Roux wrote in a 2015 email that many non-superstar artists come in wanting to play amphitheaters — many of which, evidence shown in court has suggested, are controlled or exclusively booked by Live Nation. He also wrote that in those cases, there was “room for tighter negotiations and deals.”
“Either we are together or we are competitors”
Other emails described how Live Nation thinks about its competition when contemplating otherwise lucrative deals. In a 2018 email exchange, Rapino questioned why Live Nation should give shows to a promoter in the South it considered acquiring, Red Mountain Entertainment, before it actually owned it. Roux wrote at the time that the message to Red Mountain should be, “Either we are together or we are competitors.” He described the approach as a “velvet hammer.” On the witness stand, Roux said the message wasn’t meant to “antagonize” the promoter, but to be firm and send a clear message. In a separate exchange that mentioned Red Mountain, Roux wrote that Live Nation shouldn’t get “complacent” and “let small guys encroach from the edges.” Roux said the comment was a general one, and not specific to the promoter. Live Nation acquired Red Mountain in 2018.
In 2020, Rapino advised Roux against letting Radio Disney and concert promoter Superfly into a Live Nation venue, even after they offered a contract that would yield at least $400,000 in profit for Live Nation for renting out the amp. One executive had raised a concern about allowing a third-party promoter into the amp, even though the “money is great.”
Finally, Roux testified that Live Nation’s profits per fan have multiplied in recent years, with profitability in large amps, a key market in the case, growing more than other venue categories between 2019 and 2024. Before certain costs were factored in, the company made $386 million in profit from large amps in 2024, nearly triple the amount it made in that segment in 2019.
Besides the delay in the case while the states’ team sorted out its next moves absent the DOJ, there wasn’t a noticeable change in the flow of trial and how the new litigators operated, compared to the first week of trial. The case is still expected to run several more weeks, though both sides said they’ve worked to trim their witness lists to help make up for lost time. Toward the end of this week, one of the trial’s most high-profile witnesses is expected to take the stand: Live Nation’s CEO.
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!
Every so often, we receive an email that stops us cold. Not because it is dramatic. Not because it is careless. Because it feels impossible.
Sheri M. from Georgia recently wrote to us with this question:
“Yesterday I learned that someone had stolen my debit card information. I was alerted by my bank about 10:00 p.m. last night that someone tried to use my card in Brazil. I am in the Southern United States and have never traveled outside the country. What I have trouble understanding is that this particular debit card has never been used and has never been out of a locked vault. It has been activated, and once activated, I locked it up. No one had access to it, no questions about that. It is just not possible. So how could someone have my card information? I asked this question at my bank, and after speaking to several people, they are at a loss as to what to tell me. I hope you can shed some light on this.”
GHOST-TAPPING SCAM TARGETS TAP-TO-PAY USERS
Debit card numbers can be compromised digitally through system breaches or automated number-guessing attacks. (fizkes/Getty Images)
Sheri, first, we are glad your bank flagged it. That alert tells you fraud monitoring worked. Now let’s address the part that feels unreal. How can someone use a debit card that has never left a locked vault?
If you have asked that same question, you are not alone. This type of debit card fraud happens more often than most people realize. And it almost never involves someone physically touching your card.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
How debit card fraud happens without using the card
When a card is compromised without being used, the issue is typically digital. Here are the most likely explanations.
1) The number was exposed before you received it
Debit cards move through multiple systems before they reach your mailbox. Third-party vendors manufacture, encode and ship them. That means the card number exists in databases long before you open the envelope. If one of those systems is breached, criminals can obtain card numbers in bulk. They never need the physical card. They never need your home. In that case, it has nothing to do with your vault.
2) A BIN attack may be responsible
Every debit card starts with a bank identification number. Criminals use software to generate the remaining digits at high speed. They test thousands of combinations using small transactions or foreign authorizations to see which numbers work. This is known as a BIN attack. They are not stealing your specific card. They are guessing valid numbers mathematically. If your card was activated, even if it was never used, it becomes part of the pool that can be tested. A foreign attempt, like one in Brazil, is often a test authorization. It feels personal. In reality, it is automated.
WEB SKIMMING ATTACKS TARGET MAJOR PAYMENT NETWORKS
A customer completes a transaction at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington, on May 28, 2025. Financial security specialists recommend canceling compromised cards and monitoring accounts immediately after a fraud alert. (M. Scott Brauer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
3) A processor or network weak point
Sometimes the exposure does not originate at the bank itself. The weak link can involve:
- A payment processor
- A card network
- A digital wallet backend
- A servicing vendor
Frontline bank employees often do not have visibility into these system-level issues. Patterns can take time to surface internally. That is why you may not receive a clear explanation right away.
4) Backend systems assign numbers early
Many banks pre-assign card numbers or connect them to digital systems before you ever swipe the card. If that backend data is exposed, the physical card remaining locked away does not matter. That is why debit card fraud without using the card can still occur.
Why did the transaction show up overseas?
You may wonder why the attempt came from Brazil. Foreign authorizations are often used as test transactions. Criminal groups run small or unusual location charges to see which numbers are active. If the charge clears, they escalate. The good news is your bank blocked it.
What you should do right now
If this happens to you, act quickly.
- Cancel the card completely. Do not just lock it. Make sure the number is permanently closed.
- Request a new card number. Confirm it is not a reissue of the same digits.
- Monitor your checking account daily for at least 30 days.
- Freeze your credit with all three credit bureaus.
- Add identity monitoring to detect broader misuse.
That final step is often overlooked.
WHY SCAMMERS OPEN BANK ACCOUNTS IN YOUR NAME
Experts say debit card fraud often occurs without the physical card ever being used or stolen. (Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Why identity monitoring matters
Debit card fraud can be isolated. It can also signal a larger data exposure.
If your card number surfaced through a breach or vendor leak, other personal details may be circulating too. Email addresses, phone numbers and Social Security numbers often appear together in stolen datasets. That is where early detection becomes critical.
Our top Identity Theft Protection recommendation monitors credit activity, financial accounts and dark web marketplaces for signs your identity is being misused. You receive fast alerts so you can respond before small incidents turn into larger problems.
Instead of waiting for a late-night fraud alert, you gain earlier visibility.
See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.
Ways to stay safe from invisible debit card fraud
You cannot control global criminal networks. You can reduce your exposure.
- Keep debit cards locked in your banking app when not in use
- Turn on real-time transaction alerts
- Use credit cards for online purchases when possible
- Freeze your credit as a preventative step
- Avoid storing debit card details across multiple retail sites
- Use identity monitoring for broader protection
Layered security gives you more control.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Sheri’s experience feels impossible because she did everything right. The card never left the vault. It was never used. No one had access. Yet the number was still tested from across the world. That is the reality of today’s financial crime. It is automated, remote and system-driven.
If this can happen to a card locked in a vault, what does that say about how secure our financial system really is? 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. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Sony’s upgraded PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) technology is rolling out to several titles on the PS5 Pro, including Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Silent Hill 2, and more. Digital Foundry got a chance to test some of them and found that the “new upscaler delivers the kind of upgrade we were looking for from PS5 Pro.” Problems with shimmering, flickering, and other visual artifacts have been addressed, and they said it now delivers crisper and more consistent in-game graphics.
This is the first upgrade we’ve seen from AMD and Sony’s combined Project Amethyst work on improving the effect of rendering a game at a lower resolution, then using AI trained on graphics to analyze each frame and upscale it, delivering improved quality on the same hardware without reducing the framerate. The upgraded PSSR is included with the latest PS5 system software update, which will start rolling out “in phases” on March 17th at 1AM ET, and Sony says its improvements will also improve AMD’s next FSR update when that rolls out.
Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk 2077 will also get a patch with the PSSR update in the “coming weeks,” while CrimsonDesert will adopt the tech when the game launches on March 19th, according to Sony. You can also toggle the updated tech on or off for PS5 Pro games not on this list that already support PSSR, though Sony notes that “results may vary by title.”
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Most of us have created far more online accounts than we remember. Shopping sites, travel apps, rewards programs, forums and random services all ask for a quick sign-up. At the time, it feels harmless. Years later, those accounts are still sitting online, tied to your email address.
That matters more than you might think. Old accounts increase your digital footprint. They can also expose personal information if a company suffers a data breach. Fortunately, there is a simple way to uncover many of them in just a few minutes. The answer is already sitting in your inbox.
Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Your email inbox keeps a hidden record of your accounts
Nearly every website sends a confirmation message when you create an account. That means your inbox quietly becomes a timeline of every service you joined.
11 EASY WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ONLINE PRIVACY IN 2025
Security experts say reviewing old account confirmation emails is one of the fastest ways to find services you no longer use. (Tempura/Getty Images)
Instead of trying to remember dozens of sites, you can search your email and let those messages reveal the accounts for you. In many cases, people discover accounts they forgot about years ago.
- Old shopping stores
- Unused travel sites
- Rewards programs
- Apps you downloaded once
The list can grow quickly once you start looking.
Step 1: Search your inbox for sign-up emails
Start by opening your email account and using the search bar. Try searching these phrases one at a time:
- Welcome
- Verify your email
- Confirm your account
- Create account
- Thanks for signing up
- Account created
These phrases appear in many sign-up emails. As a result, your inbox will often surface dozens of account confirmations. Scroll through the results and pay attention to the companies that appear. You may spot services you have not thought about in years.
Step 2: Scan the sender names
Next, look closely at the companies sending those messages. Many people quickly find accounts from:
- Old shopping sites
- Rewards programs
- Travel accounts
- Apps and services
Make a short list of accounts you no longer use. Even a few minutes of searching can reveal a surprising number. At this point, you have essentially built a cleanup checklist.
THINK YOUR NEW YEAR’S PRIVACY RESET WORKED? THINK AGAIN
Searching your inbox for common sign-up emails can reveal dozens of forgotten online accounts still tied to your email address. (Rawf8/Getty Images)
Step 3: Log in and delete the accounts
Once you identify a site, visit the official website directly rather than clicking links in old emails. Then look for account settings. Most platforms include an option such as:
- Account Settings
- Delete Account
- Close Account
If you cannot find it, contact the company’s support team and request removal. While it takes a little time, deleting unused accounts reduces the number of places storing your personal information.
Bonus trick: Search for password reset emails
There is another search that often reveals even more accounts. Look for these phrases in your inbox:
- Reset your password
- Password reset request
If those messages appear from a company, it usually means you created an account there at some point. People are often surprised by how many services show up during this search.
Another smart step to shrink your digital footprint
Closing old accounts helps reduce risk. However, your information may still exist in another corner of the internet. Data broker companies collect personal details from apps, websites and public records. They often build profiles that include addresses, phone numbers, browsing habits and more. After removing unused accounts, many people choose to use a data removal service that requests the deletion of those listings. That combination can dramatically reduce the amount of personal information floating around online.
FROM TIKTOK TO TROUBLE: HOW YOUR ONLINE DATA CAN BE WEAPONIZED AGAINST YOU
A quick inbox search using phrases like “Welcome” or “Verify your email” can uncover accounts you created years ago. (Peter Dazeley/Getty Images)
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.
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
Digital clutter builds quietly over time. Every sign-up adds another account connected to your email address. The good news is that your inbox already holds the map to many of them. A few quick searches can reveal forgotten accounts that have been sitting online for years. Cleaning them up takes some effort, but the payoff is real. Fewer accounts mean fewer places where your personal information can leak or be exposed. So here is something worth thinking about.
If your inbox reveals dozens of forgotten accounts today, how many companies still have your personal information without you even realizing it? 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. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Crypto3 minutes ago
Haverhill Considers Ban on Cryptocurrency ATMs as Consumer Protection Measure
Finance9 minutes ago
The Geopolitics of Gold: A New Arena for U.S.–China Financial Coexistence
Fitness15 minutes ago
I’m 76 and joined a fitness group in my 60s. I still train every day and can do 5 muscle-ups.
Movie Reviews27 minutes ago
‘Forbidden Fruits’ Review: The Salesgirls Are Witches in a Depraved Satirical Thriller That’s Like ‘Mean Girls’ Meets ‘The Craft’ Touched with Something Darker
Health1 hour ago
U.S. Court Rules Against RFK Jr.’s Vaccine Policies
Florida1 year ago
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Oregon2 years ago
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
Connecticut2 years ago
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
Virginia2 years ago
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana2 years ago
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Politics2 hours ago
Minnesota bill would ban warrants allowing police to collect data from devices near a crime scene
World3 hours ago
Kallas says ‘no appetite’ to shift mandate of EU Hormuz naval mission
News3 hours ago
Trump predicts US will have ‘honour of taking Cuba’ amid power blackout
Videos8 hours ago
MTG on Trump’s Iran war: ‘Why would an American president do that?’
News13 hours ago
Video: Michael B. Jordan Celebrates Oscar Win at In-N-Out
-
Oklahoma1 week agoOSSAA unveils Class 6A-2A basketball state tournament brackets, schedule
-
Oklahoma2 days agoFamily rallies around Oklahoma father after head-on crash
-
Michigan1 week agoOperation BBQ Relief helping with Southwest Michigan tornado recovery
-
Southeast1 week ago‘90 Day Fiancé’ alum’s boyfriend on trial for attempted murder over wild ‘Boca Bash’ accusations
-
Nebraska4 days agoWildfire forces immediate evacuation order for Farnam residents
-
Health1 week agoAncient herb known as ‘nature’s Valium’ touted for improving sleep and anxiety
-
Business1 week agoCommentary: In two new court cases, judges find that AI does not have human intelligence
-
Technology1 week agoTime’s running out to get a free gift card when you preorder a new MacBook