## The Never-Ending Number We Call Pi

Pi is one of the most famous numbers in mathematics — an infinite, non-repeating decimal that has been calculated to an astonishing 314 trillion digits without ever reaching a conclusion. For most practical purposes, even NASA only needs the first 15 decimal places to navigate spacecraft across the solar system. That puts things in perspective.

What makes pi truly fascinating isn't just its infinite nature — it's the sheer variety of ways mathematicians have found to approximate it. From oscillating springs to geometric probability, pi has a habit of showing up in the most unexpected places. But perhaps the most surprising method of all was introduced by a French naturalist back in the 18th century.

## Buffon's Needle: A 1777 Probability Puzzle

In 1777, George Louis Leclerc — better known as the Comte de Buffon — proved something remarkable. Decades before, he had posed a simple yet profound question in geometric probability: if you have a flat floor marked with parallel lines, equally spaced at distance *d*, and you drop a needle of length *L* onto that floor, what is the probability that the needle will land across one of the lines?

This came to be known as **Buffon's Needle Problem**, and its solution is far more elegant than it might first appear.

### Setting Up the Problem

To simplify things, imagine the needle length equals the spacing between the lines — that is, *d = L*. When a needle falls, only two variables really matter:

- **x** — the distance from the needle's far end to the nearest line
- **θ** — the angle the needle makes relative to a perpendicular drawn to those lines

A needle crosses a line when *x* is less than half the line spacing. Naturally, a small angle and a small distance increase the likelihood of a crossing. Plotting many random combinations of these two values reveals a clear boundary — a cosine curve — separating crossing outcomes from non-crossing ones.

### Where Pi Comes In

To find the probability of a crossing, you calculate the ratio of the area beneath that cosine curve to the total area of the graph. This requires integration. When the needle length equals the line spacing, the math yields a crossing probability of exactly **2/π**.

Pi appears here because the needle's angle ranges from −π/2 to +π/2 — two quarter-circle arcs — which naturally introduces the trigonometric functions that bring pi into the equation.

## You Don't Need Calculus — Just a Lot of Needles

Here's where things get practically interesting. You don't need to solve any integrals to approximate pi. Instead, simply drop a large number of needles onto a lined surface, count how many cross a line, and divide that count by the total number of needles dropped. That ratio should closely approximate 2/π, which you can then rearrange to estimate pi.

In a computer simulation using 100 virtual needles, 66 of them crossed a line — yielding a pi estimate of approximately 3.03. Not perfect, but surprisingly reasonable for such a small sample. Scale that up to 30,000 needles, and the result can be accurate to six decimal places.

## The Monte Carlo Method: Randomness as a Tool

This needle-dropping approach is a real-world example of what scientists call a **Monte Carlo calculation** — a technique that uses random sampling to model complex systems and estimate outcomes that might be mathematically intractable.

The method was formally developed in 1946 during the Manhattan Project to simulate the behavior of nuclear reactions. It was named after the famous Monte Carlo Casino in Monaco, a nod to the role that chance plays in the process.

Today, Monte Carlo simulations are used across a wide range of fields — from modeling gas pressure in thermodynamics to pricing financial derivatives and predicting weather patterns. The power of the technique really comes alive when computers run millions of trials in seconds.

### Buffon's Needles as an Early Random Number Generator

What's perhaps most striking is the realization that Buffon's needle experiment was effectively a mechanical random number generator — two centuries before computers existed. Whether you're physically tossing needles on a kitchen floor or running a digital simulation, the underlying principle is the same: use randomness to reveal a mathematical truth.

In that sense, an 18th-century French naturalist unknowingly laid the groundwork for one of the most powerful computational tools in modern science.

Discover how Buffon's Needle Problem lets you approximate pi by dropping needles on a lined floor — and how it connects to Monte Carlo simulations.

How Dropping Needles on the Floor Approximates Pi

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How Dropping Needles on the Floor Can Help You Calculate Pi

## Travis Kalanick Launches Atoms, a Robotics Company With Big Industrial Ambitions

Uber co-founder Travis Kalanick is making a high-profile return to the technology arena with the launch of a new robotics-focused enterprise called **Atoms**. According to the company's official website, Atoms intends to operate across three distinct sectors: food, mining, and transportation — signaling an ambitious push into industrial automation.

## CloudKitchens Absorbed Into the Atoms Ecosystem

Kalanick's ghost kitchen venture, **CloudKitchens**, will be folded directly into Atoms as part of the consolidation. CloudKitchens, which disrupted the restaurant industry by offering shared commercial kitchen spaces for delivery-only food brands, now becomes a foundational piece of a much larger robotics vision.

While Kalanick has been more forthcoming about the food and mining verticals, precise details on how Atoms plans to break into transportation remain limited for now.

## Specialized Robots, Not Humanoids

Speaking in a live interview with TBPN, Kalanick outlined a focused philosophy behind Atoms' robotics development. The company intends to engineer a **"wheelbase for robots"** — a standardized platform that can be adapted for purpose-built, specialized machines rather than general-purpose humanoid robots.

"Humanoids have their place, but there's a lot of room for specialized robots that do things in an efficient, sort of industrial-scale kind of way, which is sort of where we play," Kalanick explained.

This industrial-first mindset, he suggested, represents the company's core identity. "The industrial thing is sort of like, probably, our main jam," he added.

## Pronto Acquisition Signals Mining Push

To anchor its mining ambitions, Kalanick revealed he is on the verge of acquiring **Pronto**, an autonomous vehicle startup built specifically for industrial and mining environments. Pronto was founded by **Anthony Levandowski**, a former Uber colleague with deep roots in the self-driving vehicle space.

Kalanick disclosed that he is already Pronto's largest individual investor, underscoring a long-standing belief in the company's direction. The acquisition, if completed, would give Atoms immediate access to proven autonomous technology tailored for rugged, off-road industrial conditions.

The Information was first to report that Kalanick had been in discussions to acquire Pronto.

## Uber's Shadow Looms Large

The same report from The Information also noted that Kalanick's new venture may carry **significant financial backing from Uber**, his former company. Sources indicated that Kalanick has expressed a desire to deploy self-driving technology more aggressively than even Waymo, Alphabet's well-funded autonomous vehicle division. Uber has not publicly commented on the matter, and Atoms' website contains no reference to any Uber involvement.

Separately, earlier negotiations that would have seen Kalanick acquire the U.S. operations of Chinese autonomous driving company **Pony AI** — reportedly also with Uber support — have since fallen through, according to The Information.

## A Complicated History With Self-Driving Technology

Kalanick's renewed interest in autonomous vehicles comes with a loaded backstory. Back in 2015, while still leading Uber, he established an internal self-driving division and recruited Levandowski away from Google to spearhead it. That move triggered a high-profile legal battle when Google alleged that Levandowski had stolen proprietary technology related to its self-driving project — the program that would eventually evolve into Waymo.

Uber and Google ultimately reached a settlement, but Levandowski faced criminal prosecution and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He later received a last-minute pardon from President Trump near the end of his first term in office.

Kalanick stepped down from Uber in 2017 following a wave of internal crises, including widespread allegations of sexual harassment and workplace discrimination that prompted an external investigation resulting in more than 20 employee terminations.

After his departure, Uber continued developing its autonomous technology — until one of its test vehicles fatally struck a pedestrian in 2018. His successor, **Dara Khosrowshahi**, eventually shut down the division and offloaded it to autonomous trucking firm **Aurora** in 2020.

In a candid interview earlier in March 2025, Kalanick openly admitted his regret over Uber's decision to abandon its self-driving program — a sentiment that now appears to be driving his latest entrepreneurial chapter.

## What Comes Next for Atoms

With a robotics platform in development, a ghost kitchen business in tow, a potential acquisition on the horizon, and rumored backing from one of the world's largest ride-hailing companies, Atoms is positioning itself as a serious player in the next wave of industrial automation. Whether Kalanick can translate that ambition into lasting impact remains to be seen — but his return to the frontier of autonomous technology is anything but quiet.

Travis Kalanick unveils Atoms, a robotics company absorbing CloudKitchens and targeting food, mining, and transport with specialized autonomous machines.

Travis Kalanick Launches Atoms Robotics Company

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Travis Kalanick Returns With Atoms, a Robotics Venture Merging Food, Mining, and Transport

## Six Minutes to a Perfect Cup

Six minutes. That is genuinely all it takes for the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT to deliver a flawless pot of coffee. No fussing, no tweaking, no barista training required. Just fresh grounds, cold water, and a single switch. For anyone serious about their morning brew but unwilling to spend twenty minutes coaxing espresso out of a temperamental machine, this Dutch-engineered drip coffee maker might just be the smartest kitchen investment you ever make.

## A Coffee Journey That Started With Bad Instant

Like many people, my relationship with coffee had an unpromising beginning. Growing up in Scotland in the nineties, coffee meant instant — thin, bitter, and thoroughly unpleasant. It was enough to put a person off the stuff entirely. That changed when my wife introduced me to a proper espresso at an Italian café. The rich aroma, the crema, the sheer depth of flavor — it was a revelation.

For years after that, good coffee remained something we sought out at restaurants and cafés rather than making at home. Tea ruled the kitchen. My real dependency on coffee developed later, during my time working in game development, where all-nighters were routine and a constantly replenished pot of drip coffee was an occupational necessity. It was far from artisan — usually brewed from a bulk supermarket tin and left to stew — but it got the job done.

Back home, we graduated from a French press to a series of drip machines and brief flirtations with budget espresso makers. The genuine turning point came when we began buying freshly roasted beans from a quality local roaster and grinding them for every single pot. Once I had settled on Glen Lyon as my go-to roaster and upgraded through a couple of quality burr grinders, including the Fellow Opus, it was time to give the machine itself some serious thought.

## Why the Moccamaster Justifies Its Price

There is no getting around it — the Moccamaster KBGT is expensive. Even discounted, it costs three to four times the price of a standard drip coffee machine. For a long time, I questioned whether any coffee maker could reasonably command that kind of premium. Having used one daily for several years now, I can confirm the answer is yes.

### Built to Last a Lifetime

Handmade in the Netherlands since 1968, the Moccamaster is constructed with a steel body, a copper heating element, and a glass-lined thermal carafe. It brews at a precise temperature range of 92 to 96 degrees Celsius — the internationally recognized optimal window for extracting full flavor from quality coffee grounds. That precision has earned it recognition from both the European Coffee Brewing Center and the Specialty Coffee Association.

The first cup I made after switching from my previous Melitta machine told the whole story. The improvement was immediate and unmistakable. The bitterness that had always been present was gone, replaced by a cleaner, more complex flavor profile. The machine was also noticeably faster and, over time, proved far easier to maintain.

### Dead Simple to Operate

One of the Moccamaster's most underrated qualities is its complete lack of complexity. There are no programmable settings, no touchscreens, no confusing menus. You fill the reservoir, add your grounds, and flip a single switch. For anyone operating on minimal sleep and maximum caffeine deficit, this simplicity is genuinely invaluable.

Cleaning is equally straightforward. The machine disassembles easily, and all components can be rinsed without difficulty. It also comes with a five-year warranty, and Technivorm offers repairs beyond that period at a fair cost. Replacement parts are available, making it a genuinely repairable appliance at a time when most kitchen gadgets are simply discarded when something goes wrong.

## A Few Honest Caveats

No product is without compromise, and the Moccamaster is no exception. Some users are put off by the plastic components, which can feel inexpensive relative to the rest of the machine's build quality. In reality, those parts are manufactured from materials free of BPA, BPS, BPF, and phthalates, which explains both the feel and the care instructions — hand wash only, no dishwasher.

The thermal carafe performs well when full but loses heat more quickly as the level drops. If you tend to nurse a pot over several hours, you may find your later cups disappointingly lukewarm. The opaque carafe also makes it impossible to check how much coffee remains at a glance.

For those who prefer a visible brew level, a hotter hold temperature, or the flexibility to make smaller batches, Technivorm offers the Moccamaster KBGV Select, which features a glass carafe and a warming plate.

## A Machine Built for the Long Haul

In an era defined by constant upgrades, planned obsolescence, and the relentless pressure to adopt the next new thing, the Moccamaster stands as a quiet counterargument. Its core design has remained essentially unchanged for over fifty years, not because nobody has tried to improve on it, but because there is very little left to improve.

After years of cycling through mediocre machines, settling on the Moccamaster has felt like a genuine endpoint. It brews an exceptional cup every single morning, requires minimal effort, and is built to last decades. It is, in the most satisfying sense of the phrase, a buy-it-for-life appliance — and one that earns its place on the countertop every single day.

Is the Technivorm Moccamaster KBGT worth its premium price? Our honest review covers brew quality, design, ease of use, and long-term value.

Technivorm Moccamaster Review: The Perfect Drip Coffee Maker

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Why the Moccamaster Is the Only Drip Coffee Machine Worth Owning

## Atlassian Joins Growing Wave of AI-Driven Layoffs

Australian productivity software giant Atlassian has announced the elimination of approximately 1,600 positions — representing 10% of its total workforce — as part of a strategic shift aimed at accelerating investment in artificial intelligence and expanding its enterprise sales operations.

The company made the announcement on March 11, citing a need to realign financial priorities and strengthen its long-term competitive position in a rapidly evolving software market.

## Leadership Points to a Shifting Standard for Success

Atlassian CEO Mike Cannon-Brookes addressed the decision directly, framing it not as a sign of struggle, but as a proactive response to rising expectations across the industry.

"The bar for what 'great' looks like for software companies — on growth, on profitability, on speed, on value creation — has gone up," Cannon-Brookes stated in an official press release accompanying the announcement.

The company clarified that it is currently performing well financially, but chose to act now in order to adapt to shifting market conditions before they become unavoidable pressures.

### What Roles Were Affected?

Atlassian has not publicly disclosed which specific departments or job functions were impacted by the cuts. When approached for further comment, the company declined to provide details beyond its official statement.

## A Pattern Emerging Across the Tech Industry

Atlassian's announcement follows a strikingly similar move by payments company Block, led by CEO Jack Dorsey. In February, Block revealed it was letting go of more than 4,000 employees — nearly half of its entire workforce at the time — with Dorsey explicitly stating that AI automation was capable of handling much of the work previously performed by those employees.

Dorsey also suggested that this type of decision would not be unique to Block, predicting that numerous other companies would arrive at the same conclusion as AI capabilities continue to mature.

## 2026 Could Be a Turning Point for AI and Employment

The timing of these layoffs aligns with broader predictions from within the investment community. Several enterprise-focused venture capitalists have indicated that 2026 is shaping up to be the year artificial intelligence begins to exert a meaningful and measurable impact on workforce levels across technology and related industries.

As companies like Atlassian and Block reallocate budgets away from headcount and toward AI infrastructure, the conversation around technology's role in reshaping employment is moving from theoretical to tangible.

Atlassian cuts 10% of its workforce, around 1,600 people, to redirect funds toward AI development and enterprise sales in a shifting tech landscape.

Atlassian Lays Off 1,600 Employees to Invest in AI

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Atlassian Cuts 1,600 Jobs to Double Down on AI Investment

## inDrive Expands Beyond Ride-Hailing With Krave Mart Acquisition

Global ride-hailing platform inDrive has officially completed its takeover of Krave Mart, a Pakistan-based quick-commerce startup, marking a significant step in the company's ambition to evolve into a full-scale super app across emerging markets.

The deal, structured entirely as a stock transaction and agreed upon last year, has now received the green light from Pakistan's Competition Commission, clearing the path for both companies to move forward. While inDrive confirmed the acquisition, it has not disclosed any financial details surrounding the agreement.

## What Is Krave Mart?

Established in 2021, Krave Mart operates as a rapid grocery delivery service with a presence in three major Pakistani cities — Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore. The company leverages a network of dark stores to fulfill orders and deliver groceries to customers' doorsteps in approximately 30 minutes.

## A Strategic Move Rooted in Earlier Investment

The acquisition didn't come out of nowhere. inDrive had already planted its flag in Krave Mart's future when it invested in the startup back in December 2024. That investment was channeled through inDrive's dedicated venture and mergers-and-acquisitions division, which was launched in November 2023 with a mandate to deploy up to $100 million over several years in support of the company's super-app ambitions.

Prior to completing the acquisition, inDrive had already begun collaborating with Krave Mart on grocery delivery services. The company first rolled out grocery deliveries in Kazakhstan in September 2025 before bringing the offering to Pakistan in January of the following year through its partnership with Krave Mart.

## inDrive's Grocery Ambitions in Pakistan

Headquartered in Mountain View, California, inDrive is now pushing its grocery delivery brand — inDrive.Groceries — deeper into the Pakistani market. The service has most recently launched in Lahore, with plans to continue scaling across the country.

"We are pleased with the approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan as we continue to work closely with Krave Mart to expand access to fast and reliable grocery delivery services across the country, most recently launching in Lahore under the inDrive.Groceries brand," said Andries Smit, Chief Growth Businesses Officer at inDrive.

Smit also noted that both the Krave Mart and inDrive brands will continue operating simultaneously in Karachi during the transition and expansion phase.

## Challenging a Dominant Market Player

Breaking into Pakistan's grocery delivery sector is far from straightforward. The market has long been dominated by Foodpanda, which has maintained a strong foothold in the country for over a decade and benefits from the backing of German logistics giant Delivery Hero. Industry observers note that quick-commerce businesses typically demand substantial capital investment and considerable time before reaching sustainable profitability — a reality that could pose serious challenges for inDrive as it scales.

## inDrive's Global Footprint

Despite the hurdles ahead, inDrive enters this space from a position of considerable strength. According to data from Sensor Tower, inDrive has ranked as the world's second-most downloaded ride-hailing application since 2022 and sits fourth among the most downloaded travel apps globally, trailing only Google Maps, Uber, and Waze. The platform has surpassed 400 million total downloads and holds the top spot as the most downloaded ride-hailing app in nine countries, including Peru, Panama, Egypt, Morocco, and Pakistan.

The company currently operates across more than 1,000 cities in 48 markets worldwide, providing a robust foundation as it diversifies its service offerings and bets on grocery delivery as a key growth driver.

inDrive completes its acquisition of Pakistani startup Krave Mart, expanding rapid grocery delivery services across Pakistan under the inDrive.Groceries brand.

inDrive Acquires Krave Mart to Boost Pakistan Grocery Delive

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inDrive Acquires Pakistan's Krave Mart to Accelerate Grocery Delivery Expansion

## Grammarly Faces Legal Action Over AI 'Expert Review' Tool

Grammarly and its parent company, Superhuman, are now facing a federal class action lawsuit stemming from an artificial intelligence feature that allegedly exploited the names, voices, and professional reputations of hundreds of real writers, journalists, and editors — all without their knowledge or consent.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in the Southern District of New York, names award-winning investigative journalist Julia Angwin as the lead plaintiff. Angwin, who founded The Markup — a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to examining technology's role in society — is also a regular opinion contributor for The New York Times, where she has long reported on how major tech companies have chipped away at personal privacy.

### What Was the 'Expert Review' Feature?

Last year, Superhuman introduced a collection of AI-powered tools to the Grammarly platform. Among them was a feature called "Expert Review," which claimed to channel the editorial sensibilities of seasoned writers — both living and deceased — to critique and refine users' written content. The tool drew on a large language model to simulate feedback from well-known figures, including bestselling author Stephen King and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, as well as numerous journalists and professional writers.

Although Grammarly included a disclaimer noting that none of the individuals featured had endorsed or contributed to the tool's development, the feature still drew swift and sharp criticism from writers who felt their identities and life's work were being commercially exploited without permission.

## A Lawsuit Built on Long-Standing Privacy Laws

The legal complaint, filed on behalf of Angwin and all others similarly affected, argues that Superhuman engaged in the unlawful misappropriation of real people's names and identities to generate profit. Attorneys estimate that damages across the plaintiff class exceed $5 million, though no specific dollar amount has been formally demanded.

Peter Romer-Friedman, the attorney representing Angwin, says the legal foundation is solid. Both New York and California — where Superhuman is headquartered — have well-established statutes prohibiting the commercial use of a person's name or likeness without explicit consent.

"Legally, we think it's a pretty straightforward case," Romer-Friedman explained. "One of the reasons we're filing this is that we can see what's happening in our society — professionals who spend years, or in Julia's case decades, honing their craft are seeing their names and skills appropriated by others without their consent."

The lawsuit itself puts it plainly: "Contrary to the apparent belief of some tech companies, it is unlawful to appropriate peoples' names and identities for commercial purposes, whether those people are famous or not."

### Angwin: 'Are You Kidding Me?'

Angwin says she first learned about Grammarly's use of her identity through tech newsletter Platformer, and her initial reaction was one of disbelief. As someone who regularly covers digital privacy and surveillance, she had always associated deepfake-style impersonation with celebrities — not working journalists like herself.

"Deepfakes are something I always think celebrities are getting caught up in, not regular journalists," she told WIRED. "I was just like, are you kidding me?"

Her frustration deepened when she reviewed the actual advice her AI counterpart had been dispensing to users. Rather than offering the sharp, clarity-focused editorial guidance she has built her reputation on, the simulated version of Angwin appeared to do the opposite.

In one instance, the AI suggested transforming a clear, concise sentence into something longer and unnecessarily complex — making it harder to read, not easier. In another case, it recommended expanding on a theme that had no real relevance to the text in question.

"It wasn't even just anodyne," Angwin said. "It was actually kind of actively making it worse. It felt very scattershot to me. I was surprised at how bad it was."

## Superhuman Pulls the Plug Amid Growing Backlash

Even before the lawsuit was formally filed, Superhuman had already decided to pull the Expert Review feature following intense public criticism from the writing community.

Ailian Gan, Superhuman's director of product management, issued a statement acknowledging the misstep. "After careful consideration, we have decided to disable Expert Review as we reimagine the feature to make it more useful for users, while giving experts real control over how they want to be represented — or not represented at all," Gan said. "We built the agent to help users tap into the insights of thought leaders and experts. Based on the feedback we've received, we clearly missed the mark. We are sorry and will do things differently going forward."

Superhuman CEO Shishir Mehrotra also addressed the controversy in a LinkedIn post, writing that the company had received "valid critical feedback from experts who are concerned that the agent misrepresented their voices" and that the scrutiny would be used to improve future products.

As of publication, Superhuman had not issued a formal response to the lawsuit itself.

## A Broader Warning for the AI Industry

This case arrives at a time when questions surrounding AI's use of real people's identities, creative output, and professional reputations are becoming increasingly urgent. For many observers, the Grammarly situation illustrates a growing tension between tech companies eager to deploy AI-powered features and the individuals whose work and names those systems depend upon.

Whether this lawsuit results in a landmark ruling or a quiet settlement, it sends a clear signal: using someone's identity to sell a product — even through an AI intermediary — carries real legal and ethical consequences.

Grammarly faces a class action lawsuit over its AI Expert Review tool, which used real writers' names and identities without consent. Here's what happened.

Grammarly Sued Over AI Feature That Cloned Writers' Identiti

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Grammarly Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over AI Feature That Used Writers' Identities Without Permission

## Foreign Hacker Accidentally Broke Into FBI Server Holding Epstein Files

A foreign hacker unwittingly penetrated an FBI server in 2023 and gained access to sensitive files connected to the bureau's investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report by Reuters. The hacker reportedly had no idea they had compromised a federal law enforcement system until FBI agents made direct contact.

## How the Breach Occurred

The intrusion targeted a server housed within the Child Exploitation Forensic Lab at the FBI's New York Field Office. According to Reuters, which cited both court documents and a source familiar with the incident, the vulnerability was inadvertently created by an FBI special agent who had been working on the Epstein case. That oversight left the server exposed and accessible to outside actors.

Court documents referenced in the report confirmed that the breach involved the hacker "combing through certain files pertaining to the Epstein investigation," raising serious concerns about the security of one of the bureau's most high-profile cases.

## The Hacker Had No Idea Who They Had Targeted

Perhaps the most striking detail in the report is that the hacker was completely unaware they had infiltrated a U.S. federal agency. According to a source who spoke with Reuters, FBI agents eventually reached out to the hacker directly, arranging a video call during which they revealed their official credentials — effectively notifying the intruder of exactly whose system they had broken into.

## FBI Response and Containment

The FBI has confirmed the 2023 cyber incident and stated that it moved swiftly to address the situation. In an emailed statement, an FBI spokesperson said:

> "Following the 2023 cyber incident, the FBI contained the affected network and determined the incident to be an isolated one. The FBI restricted access to the malicious actor and rectified the network."

The bureau confirmed that its investigation into the matter remains ongoing. Officials have not publicly disclosed the identity or nationality of the hacker involved.

## Implications for Federal Cybersecurity

This incident highlights a persistent and troubling vulnerability within federal law enforcement's digital infrastructure. The fact that a single agent's misconfiguration could expose files from one of the most closely watched investigations in recent U.S. history underscores the urgent need for stronger internal security protocols and routine system audits across federal agencies.

As cybersecurity threats continue to grow in sophistication, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder that even the most sensitive government systems are not immune to human error.

A foreign hacker unknowingly accessed FBI servers in 2023, compromising files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation due to an agent's security oversight.

Foreign Hacker Breached FBI Server With Epstein Files

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Foreign Hacker Unknowingly Breached FBI Server Containing Epstein Investigation Files

## Meta Takes Bold Steps to Dismantle Global Scam Operations

Meta has launched a sweeping series of initiatives aimed at disrupting large-scale online scamming operations, combining advanced technology with international law enforcement collaboration. The effort signals a significant escalation in the tech giant's battle against organized fraud networks that exploit its platforms to reach millions of potential victims.

### Coordinated International Law Enforcement Action

At the heart of Wednesday's announcement is a joint operation involving the Royal Thai Police, the FBI, the UK's National Crime Agency, the Australian Federal Police, and several other global agencies. The initiative targets alleged scam operators who have been preying on victims across the United States, the United Kingdom, and numerous countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore Police Force Deputy Assistant Commissioner Gregory Kang underscored the importance of cross-border cooperation in tackling these crimes. "Transnational scam syndicates continue to exploit digital platforms and operate across multiple jurisdictions," he said. "Joint operations like this demonstrate the importance of close cooperation between law enforcement agencies and industry partners."

This isn't Meta's first involvement in such efforts. In February, the company provided support for a joint Nigerian Police Force and UK National Crime Agency operation that successfully disrupted an alleged scam center operating out of Nigeria.

## New Platform Protections for Messenger and WhatsApp Users

Alongside the law enforcement collaboration, Meta introduced several new user-facing security features designed to reduce scammer access to potential victims. These include:

- **Expanded Messenger scam detection** rolled out to a broader global audience
- **WhatsApp warnings** that alert users to potentially suspicious activity when linking a new device
- **Facebook alerts** currently in testing, designed to flag suspicious incoming friend requests

These additions aim to create friction in the scam pipeline at the earliest point of contact between fraudsters and their targets.

## Staggering Scale of Account Removals in 2025

The numbers behind Meta's enforcement actions are striking. In 2025 alone, the company has already removed **10.9 million Facebook and Instagram accounts** linked to criminal scam centers. Additionally, Meta says it has taken down more than **159 million scam advertisements** across all categories on its platforms.

This represents a dramatic increase from 2024, when Meta reported removing over 2 million accounts connected to scam compounds — a figure that itself prompted the company to begin speaking publicly about the scope of the problem.

Despite these figures, Meta has faced persistent criticism over its handling of scam advertising. A Reuters investigation published in December reported that billions of fraudulent ads appear on Meta platforms every day, with internal company estimates suggesting that as much as 10 percent of Meta's total ad revenue may originate from scam-related advertising. A Meta spokesperson disputed these figures at the time.

## AI-Powered Detection and Advertiser Verification

To address the technological arms race between scammers and platform defenders, Meta announced that its anti-scam specialists have developed new **AI detection systems** capable of identifying more instances where bad actors impersonate well-known brands, celebrities, or public figures. These systems are also designed to flag deceptive links intended to redirect users to malicious websites.

On the advertising side, Meta announced an ambitious expansion of its advertiser verification program. The company is targeting a milestone where **90 percent of its ad revenue will come from verified advertisers by the end of 2026** — up significantly from the current 70 percent. The remaining 10 percent is intended to remain accessible for small local businesses and low-resource entities with legitimate advertising needs.

## The Broader Fight Against Pig Butchering and Scam Compounds

The urgency behind Meta's actions is rooted in the explosive global growth of sophisticated scam operations, particularly **"pig butchering" investment fraud schemes** that have proliferated from Southeast Asia across the world. These operations often involve victims of human trafficking who are forced to work as scammers under threat of violence.

Law enforcement agencies in Thailand, Cambodia, and other countries have conducted waves of raids in recent months, making dozens of arrests and seizing assets from scam compounds. However, experts consistently note that no single platform or government can solve this crisis alone.

Meta's platforms remain a critical battleground, given their massive global user base. As Meta Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Chris Sonderby stated on Wednesday, "we will continue to invest in technology and partnerships to stay ahead of these adversaries."

The message from both Meta and global law enforcement is clear: the fight against industrialized online scamming is intensifying, and collaborative action across borders and industries is the only path forward.

Meta removes 10.9M scam accounts in 2025 and launches AI tools, new user protections, and global law enforcement partnerships to combat organized fraud.

Meta Ramps Up Fight Against Global Online Scam Networks

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Meta Intensifies Global Crackdown on Organized Online Scam Networks

## Trump Administration Keeps Door Open for Escalating Action Against Anthropic

The Trump administration has refused to rule out additional punitive measures against artificial intelligence company Anthropic, signaling that the ongoing conflict between the AI startup and the federal government is far from over.

During a videoconference hearing on Tuesday, Justice Department attorney James Harlow bluntly told US District Judge Rita Lin that he was "not prepared to offer any commitments" on whether the government would refrain from further action against the company. The statement came as reports emerged that President Trump is in the final stages of drafting an executive order that would formally prohibit federal agencies from using any of Anthropic's products — a move that was first reported by Axios and confirmed by a White House source not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

## Lawsuits Filed After Government Labels Anthropic a Security Risk

Tuesday's court appearance grew out of one of two federal lawsuits Anthropic filed against the Trump administration on Monday. The company alleges that the government unconstitutionally designated it a supply-chain risk, effectively turning it into an outcast within the technology industry. According to Anthropic, the consequences have been severe — billions of dollars in potential revenue are now in jeopardy as existing clients walk away from deals and prospective customers demand renegotiated terms.

The company is now seeking a preliminary court order to suspend the risk designation and prevent the administration from taking any further retaliatory steps.

### Court Hearing Scheduled Amid Mounting Business Losses

Tuesday's session focused on determining the timeline for a full preliminary hearing. Anthropic's legal team, represented by WilmerHale attorney Michael Mongan, expressed urgency in moving quickly to limit ongoing damage to the company's operations. Mongan indicated he would accept an April hearing date only if the administration agreed to pause any additional action — a commitment the government refused to make.

"The actions of defendants are causing irreparable injuries, and those injuries are mounting day by day," Mongan told the court.

Following the government's refusal, Judge Lin moved the hearing date to March 24 in San Francisco — earlier than originally planned but still later than Anthropic had hoped. The judge acknowledged the high stakes on both sides, stating she wanted to rule on a complete record despite the expedited circumstances.

A parallel lawsuit filed in Washington, DC, remains on hold while Anthropic pursues an administrative appeal with the Department of Defense — a process widely expected to be unsuccessful.

## The Root of the Dispute: Military Use of AI Technology

The conflict between Anthropic and the Pentagon has been building for months. At its core, the dispute centers on Anthropic's refusal to authorize the military's unrestricted use of its AI technology for any lawful purpose. The company expressed concern that such broad authorization could enable mass surveillance of American citizens or allow the launching of missiles without direct human oversight. The Defense Department, however, maintains that decisions about how it deploys technology fall entirely within its own authority.

## Legal Experts Say Administration Is Overstepping

A number of legal scholars with backgrounds in constitutional law and government contracting argue that the administration's actions against Anthropic follow a troubling pattern of weaponizing legal mechanisms to punish entities perceived as politically unfriendly — a list that has grown to include universities, media organizations, and prominent law firms.

Harold Hongju Koh, a Yale Law School professor who previously served in the Obama administration, sees the Anthropic case as part of a broader and unmistakable trend.

"If this is a one-off, you might give the president some deference," Koh said. "But now, it's just unmistakable that this is the latest in a chain of events related to a punitive presidency."

David Super, a constitutional law professor at Georgetown University Law Center, took direct aim at the Pentagon's legal reasoning, arguing that the provisions used to sanction Anthropic were originally crafted to guard against enemy sabotage — not to discipline contractors who refuse to comply with every government demand.

"It is an absurd stretch of the English language to equate 'does not agree to every demand of Pete Hegseth' with 'sabotage,'" Super said, referring to the secretary of defense. He also noted that the Supreme Court has consistently pushed back against this kind of legal overreach, citing recent rulings against presidential tariffs and earlier decisions invalidating actions by the Biden administration.

## Tech Industry Left in Uncertainty

While the legal battles play out, companies that depend on Anthropic's Claude suite of AI tools are wrestling with difficult practical questions about whether to seek alternative solutions. Meanwhile, rival AI giants OpenAI and Google are reportedly moving ahead with their own Pentagon contracts, stepping into the void left by Anthropic — despite internal pressure from their own employees to resist government demands over technology use.

Zohra Tejani, a partner at law firm Seyfarth Shaw who advises technology companies navigating federal contracts, believes Anthropic may ultimately succeed in having the supply-chain-risk label removed and could eventually restore many of its business relationships. However, she cautioned that winning back the trust and contracts of the current administration would be a far steeper climb.

## A Warning Shot to the Entire AI Industry

Beyond Anthropic's immediate situation, legal and industry experts warn that the government's aggressive stance could have a chilling effect across the broader AI sector. Even if the courts ultimately side with Anthropic, the damage done to its reputation and revenue — combined with the resources required to fight the legal battle — may deter other technology companies from standing up to government pressure.

"The Pentagon is sending a message to every other AI company: If you defy the Pentagon, you risk nationalization and heavy-handed government intervention," said Christoph Mlinarchik, a former Pentagon contracting officer who now advises federal suppliers. "The Pentagon does not want to cede veto or moral authority to contractors, no matter the flavor of technology."

For the Trump administration, this outcome — a tech industry walking on eggshells — may represent a strategic victory in its own right, regardless of how the courts eventually rule.

The Trump administration won't commit to halting action against Anthropic as reports emerge of an executive order banning the AI firm from all federal agencies.

Trump Refuses to Rule Out Further Action Against Anthropic

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Trump Administration Refuses to Rule Out Further Crackdown on AI Company Anthropic

## Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas Stuns Scientists With Unusually High Alcohol Content

A remarkable discovery has emerged from one of the world's most powerful radio observatories: the interstellar comet 3I/Atlas is packed with methanol — a form of alcohol widely used in fuels and industrial solvents — at concentrations far exceeding anything typically seen in comets native to our solar system.

### What the ALMA Telescope Revealed

Data collected by the ALMA telescope, situated in the high-altitude Atacama Desert of Chile, shows that the coma surrounding 3I/Atlas is unusually rich in methanol. While this organic compound does appear in solar system comets, the levels detected in 3I/Atlas are up to four times higher than the standard amount observed elsewhere.

According to a study published on arXiv, this makes 3I/Atlas the second most methanol-rich comet ever documented. The only comet to surpass it is C/2016 R2, an already anomalous object first identified a decade ago. Alongside methanol, separate research efforts have also identified elevated concentrations of carbon dioxide, iron, and nitrogen within the comet — further underlining just how chemically distinctive this visitor truly is.

### A Chemistry Unlike Anything in Our Solar System

The unusual chemical profile of 3I/Atlas has led researchers to propose that this comet originated in a radically different environment from anything found in our own cosmic neighborhood. The excess methanol, the carbon dioxide-dominated coma, and the atypical ratios of various compounds collectively point toward a birthplace that was either significantly colder, subjected to more intense radiation, or governed by entirely different chemical processes than those that shaped comets in our solar system.

This makes 3I/Atlas not just a scientific curiosity, but a potential window into the diverse planetary-forming conditions that exist across the galaxy.

### Could 3I/Atlas Be a Hyperactive Comet?

The research team has also raised the possibility that 3I/Atlas belongs to a special class of bodies known as hyperactive comets. These are objects that emit more water vapor than their surface area alone could reasonably produce. In such comets, gaseous outgassing does not come solely from the nucleus itself — a portion is also generated by tiny ice grains drifting through the coma, which sublimate as the comet warms.

Scientists suggest that in the case of 3I/Atlas, both methanol and water vapor were released simultaneously from the solid nucleus and from these free-floating icy particles. A notable share of the methanol detected appears to have originated from detached ice deposits that began sublimating as the comet drew closer to the Sun — behavior entirely consistent with known hyperactive comet dynamics.

### Ruling Out an Artificial Origin

This pattern of activity further strengthens the scientific consensus that 3I/Atlas is a completely natural object — one that is extraordinarily cold and chemically complex, but natural nonetheless. Any lingering speculation about an artificial or manufactured origin has been effectively dismissed by these findings.

### A Rare Interstellar Traveler Heading Back Into the Void

At present, 3I/Atlas is departing our solar system at a speed of approximately 60 kilometers per second, never to return. It holds the distinction of being only the third confirmed interstellar object ever observed by humanity. Despite its rarity, astronomers are optimistic that upcoming generations of more advanced telescopes and detection systems will uncover many more such interstellar travelers in the years ahead, gradually expanding our understanding of the universe beyond our own cosmic backyard.

Scientists using the ALMA telescope discover that interstellar comet 3I/Atlas contains methanol levels up to four times higher than typical solar system comets.

Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas Found Rich in Methanol Alcohol

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Interstellar Comet 3I/Atlas Stuns Scientists With Unusually High Alcohol Content

## GPS Under Attack: What's Happening Near Iran

Across conflict zones in and around Iran, a hidden electronic battle is unfolding — one that most civilians never see but increasingly feel. Delivery drivers arrive at wrong addresses, mapping apps spin in circles, and aircraft systems silently display incorrect positions. The culprit behind this growing chaos is electronic warfare targeting satellite navigation systems.

Disrupting GPS has become a standard military tactic in modern conflicts. By interfering with satellite signals, armed forces can throw off enemy drones, precision missiles, and surveillance equipment. The problem is that civilian technology runs on exactly the same signals. When those signals are compromised, the fallout extends far beyond the battlefield — hitting commercial airlines, global shipping networks, logistics operations, and the location-based apps built into our daily routines.

## Two Distinct Methods: Jamming vs. Spoofing

GPS disruptions typically occur through one of two techniques — jamming and spoofing — and understanding the difference is key to grasping why these attacks are so difficult to detect and counter.

### GPS Jamming: Drowning Out the Signal

GPS satellites orbit roughly 12,400 miles above Earth and transmit signals at around 50 watts of power. By the time that signal reaches the ground, it has weakened considerably — making it surprisingly vulnerable to interference.

Jamming works by blasting a stronger noise signal that overwhelms the faint GPS transmission. Jim Stroup, head of growth for SandboxAQ's navigation product AQNav, describes it this way: "It's like saturating out your eyeball: you're trying to see something really far away, and someone comes by with a flashlight, and now you can't make sense of it." Even a cheap, battery-powered jammer purchased online can knock out GPS reception across a wide local area.

### GPS Spoofing: Faking the Signal

Spoofing is considerably more sophisticated — and far more dangerous. Rather than simply blocking GPS signals, a spoofer impersonates them. It captures real satellite transmissions and rebroadcasts convincing fake versions, tricking receivers into calculating a completely wrong position.

The unsettling part? Everything appears to be working fine. The navigation display looks normal. No alarms go off. The system just shows the wrong location.

A spoofing device listens to legitimate satellite signals, then rebroadcasts slightly altered versions. The target device — whether a drone, a ship, or a commercial aircraft — picks up this fraudulent signal as if a new satellite had appeared. As the receiver incorporates the fake data, it gradually drifts off course without any indication that something is wrong.

"You can actually take a drone and steer it off course. And to the drone and to the pilots, everything on GPS will look like it's operationally just fine," Stroup explains. The implications are serious: a bad actor could manipulate a drone into crossing an international border, potentially triggering a geopolitical incident.

## The Ripple Effect: Far Beyond Broken Map Apps

For most people, a GPS glitch might mean a late food delivery or a frustrating detour. But the consequences of sustained GPS disruption stretch into critical infrastructure in ways that few people consider.

Hospitals, power utilities, and even nuclear facilities depend on GPS — not primarily for navigation, but for precise timing. Dozens of highly sensitive systems within a single facility must operate in perfect synchronization. GPS provides the timing backbone that keeps them aligned.

"It's not so much that they just need to know what time it is," Stroup says. "It's the fact that they have 18 disparate, highly sensitive technical systems that need to run on Swiss-like precision. If there's one thing that's slightly out of alignment, that can cause catastrophic issues."

A large-scale or prolonged GPS disruption could mean grounded commercial flights, strained power grids, and health care facilities struggling to maintain synchronized safety systems — all simultaneously.

## Can We Build a Better Navigation System?

Experts refer to GPS alternatives as alternate PNT — position, navigation, and timing solutions. However, no single alternative currently addresses all three functions at once. Some handle positioning and navigation but not timing. Others manage timing but fall short on location accuracy.

### Visual Navigation: A High-Tech Old Trick

One approach, known as visual navigation (vis-nav), is essentially a modernized version of what pilots did before GPS existed. Early aviators would look down, identify a recognizable landmark, and use it to confirm their position. Today, onboard cameras and computers can perform the same task far more rapidly.

The limitation is significant, however. Visual navigation depends on recognizable, stable terrain features. It performs well on fixed routes but collapses over open oceans, polar regions, or war zones where infrastructure and landmarks have been destroyed.

### Low-Earth-Orbit Satellites: A Partial Answer

Some proposed solutions involve repurposing signals from networks like Starlink or building denser constellations of low-Earth-orbit satellites. The problem, as Stroup notes, is straightforward: "They can just be jammed as well. Maybe you can't go buy one off eBay with a 9-volt battery — maybe now you need a car battery."

More power, yes. A real solution, not necessarily.

### Quantum Magnetic Navigation: The Earth as a GPS Substitute

Perhaps the most promising long-term solution involves using the Earth itself as a navigation reference. Buried mineral deposits, rock formations, and mountain ranges each create subtle, measurable disturbances in the planet's magnetic field. No two locations on Earth share exactly the same magnetic signature.

Using next-generation quantum sensors, it is now possible to detect these minute fluctuations and construct what researchers call a "dynamic anomaly map" — essentially a unique magnetic fingerprint for every point on the globe. A vehicle equipped with these sensors can match its real-time magnetic readings against the map to determine its precise location.

The critical advantage: this signal originates from within the Earth itself. It cannot be jammed or spoofed the way satellite signals can. "It doesn't have the same susceptibility to jamming or interference you would have with the satellite constellations," Stroup says.

His recommendation is not to abandon GPS entirely but to layer these complementary technologies on top of it, creating a resilient, redundant navigation ecosystem that is far harder to disrupt.

## The Bigger Picture

GPS vulnerabilities near Iran and other conflict zones are a reminder that much of the world's critical infrastructure rests on a surprisingly fragile foundation. As electronic warfare becomes more sophisticated, the case for investing in layered, interference-resistant navigation and timing systems grows stronger — not just for military purposes, but for the hospitals, power grids, airlines, and delivery apps that billions of people depend on every day.

GPS jamming and spoofing near Iran are disrupting airlines, logistics, and navigation apps. Learn how these attacks work and what solutions exist.

GPS Attacks Near Iran Disrupt Flights and Delivery Apps

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How GPS Attacks Near Iran Are Disrupting Flights, Deliveries, and Everyday Navigation

## AI Disinformation Runs Rampant on X Amid Iran Conflict

Since the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, social media platform X has been overwhelmed by a torrent of disinformation — much of it powered by artificial intelligence. What began as a flood of misleading content has since evolved into a sophisticated, AI-fueled misinformation campaign that is making it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish fact from fiction.

### Grok Gets It Wrong — Then Makes It Worse

X's own AI chatbot, Grok, has been at the center of the problem. The tool repeatedly misidentified the location and timestamp of a video originally posted by an Iranian state-owned media outlet, then compounded the error by generating an AI image in an apparent attempt to support its incorrect claims. Independent conflict analyst Hagin, who was verifying content on the platform, called the chatbot's behavior "AI slop of destruction" — a telling sign of just how far removed from reality the platform has drifted.

## The Scale of Fake AI Content on X

The volume and sophistication of AI-generated disinformation has surged in recent days. Fabricated videos and images are being circulated by paid accounts holding blue check marks, as well as by Iranian officials attempting to portray inflated accounts of wartime destruction.

Some notable examples include:

- **AI-generated footage** of a high-rise building in Bahrain engulfed in flames, shared by Iranian state media on March 2.
- **A fabricated image** of a U.S. B-2 stealth bomber being shot down by Iran, with American troops shown as prisoners — viewed more than one million times before deletion.
- **Images depicting Delta Force soldiers** allegedly captured by Iranian authorities, which racked up over five million views before being removed.
- **A cave-based missile manufacturing video**, widely recognized as unrealistic but still viewed more than one million times across multiple accounts.

### Antisemitic Narratives Pushed Through AI Content

Researchers at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) have identified a coordinated pro-regime propaganda network on X that is leveraging AI-generated posts to spread overtly antisemitic content. These posts depict Orthodox Jewish individuals leading American soldiers into battle or celebrating U.S. casualties — a deliberate effort to weaponize AI imagery for ideological purposes.

Accounts within the same network also shared a fabricated video falsely showing young girls walking past President Donald Trump in a state of undress. The post garnered an estimated 6.8 million views before being taken down, though it continues to circulate on the platform.

## A Turning Point for AI-Fueled Fake News

"What is particularly unique about this war is the dramatic uptick in AI-generated content I find myself debunking," Hagin told WIRED. "This is likely due to AI being advanced enough to fool journalists, and the ease with which users can create this AI slop with zero consequences. The longer we go without regulations against AI abuse, the more harm will be caused."

The accessibility of modern AI image and video generation tools has dramatically lowered the barrier for producing convincing fake content, creating a perfect storm of misinformation during an active military conflict.

### X's Response Falls Short

In response to the surge of AI-generated conflict footage, X announced it would temporarily demonetize blue-check accounts that post unlabeled AI videos depicting armed conflict. However, the platform has not disclosed how many accounts have actually been penalized under this policy. Notably, several Iranian officials had been paying for X's premium subscription — granting them blue check marks, increased visibility, and monetization eligibility.

## Traditional Disinformation Persists Alongside AI Fakes

Beyond AI-generated content, conventional disinformation has also continued to spread. A particularly troubling case involves the attack on a primary school in Minab, Iran, on February 28, which killed over 168 people — 110 of them children. Pro-Trump accounts have repurposed unrelated conflict footage to falsely suggest the Iranian government struck its own school. In reality, footage verified by The New York Times shows a Tomahawk cruise missile — a weapon used exclusively by the United States in this conflict — hitting a naval base adjacent to the school.

### Meta Also Under Fire for AI Labeling Failures

X is not alone in facing scrutiny. On Tuesday, Meta's Oversight Board criticized the company's approach to labeling AI-generated content, stating that its current framework is "neither robust nor comprehensive enough to handle the scale and speed of AI-generated misinformation, particularly during crises and conflicts." Meta acknowledged the board's findings in an online statement.

## Detection Tools Are Struggling to Keep Up

"As AI-generated images and videos are increasingly sophisticated, users might not put into question visuals that are pushed as evidence to support pro-Iran claims when they look so real," said Isis Blachez, an analyst with media watchdog NewsGuard. "AI detection tools are not consistently successful at recognizing AI content," she added, highlighting a critical gap in the current infrastructure for combating digital disinformation.

As AI technology continues to advance faster than regulatory frameworks can adapt, experts warn that the line between verifiable reality and manufactured fiction will only grow thinner — with potentially dangerous consequences for public understanding of global conflicts.

AI-generated images and videos are overwhelming X during the Iran conflict, with millions viewing fake content as Grok spreads false information unchecked.