Technology

Catch Of The Week: When Your Robot Vacuum Joins The Surveillance State

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By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

There are few modern purchases more comforting than a robot vacuum. You name it something cute (Mine is named “mega maid” iykyk). You watch it bonk into furniture. You pretend it is your hardworking little cleaning buddy. You fantasize about your cat riding around on it. Normal things.

Unfortunately, your hardworking little buddy may also be a mobile camera, microphone, and home mapping system waiting for a backend security mistake.

Which is exactly what happened recently, yikes!

A software engineer was trying to do something extremely Read More

LAnet To Host Second Virtual Community Broadband Update 6 PM Wednesday Feb. 25

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By ALLAN SAENZ
Owner
LAnet – Los Alamos Network

As Los Alamos County’s broadband is scheduled to begin rolling out in April, and following our last broadband meeting and the strong interest from the community, we will be hosting a second virtual broadband update at 6 p.m. next Wednesday.

This session will provide important updates on what to expect as construction begins and answer detailed questions from residents and businesses.

This will be a virtual meeting open to the community. We encourage residents and business owners to attend, stay informed, and ask questions as these projects move Read More

Catch Of The Week: Substack Data Breach

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By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos
For the Los Alamos Daily Post

Substack is one of those platforms that feels personal. You subscribe to newsletters you actually want, you hear directly from the writers you like, and most of the time you don’t expect to get hit with the digital equivalent of finding someone rifled through your junk drawer. But that is exactly what happened with a recent data breach.

Security researchers have confirmed that a data breach exposed email addresses and phone numbers for many Substack users. That means if you have ever signed up for Substack, your contact info might be Read More

Atomic Fiber Chosen Community Broadband Network Name

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COUNTY News: 

Los Alamos County has announced the results of the community broadband network naming survey.

Thanks to enthusiastic participation, “Atomic Fiber” won in a landslide, taking more than two-thirds of the votes.

Atomic Fiber will be a publicly owned infrastructure just like a road or sewer line. As an open-access network, multiple Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will use the same fiber to offer service, allowing for greater competition, more choice, and potentially lower costs for consumers if they choose to use the network.

Visit the Atomic Fiber: Community Broadband Network Read More

New Mexico Healthcare Just Got Closer To Your Home: Telehealth Booths Bring The Doctor To A Library Near You

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STATE News:

SANTA FE – It’s no surprise that accessing healthcare in New Mexico’s sparsely populated and geographically isolated communities is difficult. There is a vast health and broadband “desert” in this state and New Mexico State Library, together with The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, is working hard to solve this issue through telehealth booths at public libraries.

Designed to fit within a public library space, these 7 x 7 x 10-foot standalone booths are soundproof, private, ADA compliant, and equipped with a computer connected to high-speed internet. Community Read More

Bill To Curb New Mexico License Plate Data Sharing Heads To Senate Floor

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State Police Chief Troy Weisler

By CLARA BATES
The Santa Fe New Mexican

An effort to restrict out-of-state agencies from using license plate camera data in New Mexico to enforce things like immigration laws or other states’ abortion bans is moving forward.

The “Driver Privacy and Safety Act” passed the state Senate Judiciary Committee Monday afternoon with unanimous support, despite some misgivings from a pair of Republicans on the committee. It will head next to the Senate floor for a vote.

“If we don’t put basic guardrails on, this is a really dangerous tool,” Senate Majority Leader Read More

OBAE Approves $6.7M In Grants For Public Wi-Fi

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OBAE News:

SANTA FE — The New Mexico Office of Broadband Access and Expansion (OBAE) today announced six grants to implement or expand public Wi-Fi service across New Mexico.

Two cities, two counties, a university, and an internet service provider received awards through OBAE’s Community Connect Grant Program, designed to expand free Wi-Fi in public places, such as plazas, parks, and municipal buildings.

“Public Wi-Fi is essential for providing accessibility and convenience in communities across New Mexico,” said Neala Krueger, OBAE state grants senior program manager. “It provides Read More

Catch Of The Week: No, Bernalillo County Is Not Texting You From Ohio About Traffic Fines

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By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
Los Alamos

If you received a dramatic text message this week claiming you owe unpaid traffic fines and must “pay immediately or appear in court”, congratulations.

You are the latest target in a statewide text scam. Not as exciting as winning the lottery, but what are you going to do?

The message looks official at first glance. It says “Notice of Default – Unpaid Traffic Fines.” It lists Bernalillo (Bennalillo ha!) County Metropolitan Court. It includes a real Albuquerque address on Lomas. It even throws in legal language about Title 66 of the New Mexico Code to make it sound Read More

Lawmaker: NM In Talks With Some Dozen Data Centers

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Sen. Jeff Steinborn, D-Las Cruces

By LILY ALEXANDER
The Santa Fe New Mexican

A New Mexico lawmaker pitching a bill to regulate microgrids like one planned in Southern New Mexico to power a massive AI data center said he has learned the state is in talks with up to a dozen other data centers. 

Democratic Sen. Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces, the co-sponsor of Senate Bill 235, which is largely a response to Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County, said he learned of the scope of New Mexico’s data center recruitment plans during a recent conversation with the state’s economic development secretary. Read More

Los Alamos National Laboratory Forms Quantum Computing-Focused Research Center

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The Quantum Computing Center in downtown Los Alamos will bring together up to three dozen quantum researchers from across the Lab. Courtesy/LANL

LANL News:

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has formed the Center for Quantum Computing, which will bring together the Lab’s diverse quantum computing research capabilities. Headquartered in downtown Los Alamos, the Center for Quantum Computing will consolidate the Laboratory’s expertise in national security applications, quantum algorithms, quantum computer science and workforce development in a shared research space.

“This new Read More