The hottest Data Access Substack posts right now

Genealogy databases like GEDMatch can help law enforcement find suspects by connecting them to family trees using public DNA data. However, this process isn’t straightforward and can raise privacy concerns.
There are ongoing legal issues regarding how law enforcement accesses genetic data, especially when users haven't given clear permission. Some companies have provided access to data against users' wishes.
As the technology improves, it's likely that genetic databases will become more effective for solving crimes. This raises questions about privacy and the potential misuse of such powerful tools.

The article explains how to apply generative AI to a range of products and platforms.
It discusses leveraging LLMs as an application access layer to align with their strengths.
It also covers using generative AI as a data access layer to enhance collaborative task execution.

Bhuvan is a new geoportal from India's space agency that claims to be ten times better than Google Maps. It offers more detailed information for users.
The platform has introduced features like Bhuvan-Panchayat and a National Database for Emergency Management, which enhance the accessibility of important data.
There are varied opinions about Bhuvan, suggesting that while some people appreciate its comprehensive data, others may have concerns regarding its use or effectiveness.

NVIDIA just launched the Nemotron 70B model, and it's getting a lot of attention for its amazing performance. It's even outshining popular models like GPT-4.
The model is designed to understand complex questions easily and give accurate answers without needing extra hints. This makes it really useful for a lot of different tasks.
NVIDIA is making it easier for everyone to access this powerful AI by offering free tools online. This means more businesses can try out and use advanced language models for their needs.

NHTSA reversed its opposition to Massachusetts' expanded vehicle right to repair law, allowing for access to telematics data for repairs.
NHTSA proposed a compromise for vehicle telematics access using Bluetooth connections to reduce cybersecurity risks.
Auto Care Association does not support the Bluetooth solution, stating it doesn't create a fair playing field as expected by voters.

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Governments struggle to build good software for citizens, with outdated technology and convoluted processes.
Governments lack good product and software development practices, often using outdated methods and facing bureaucratic challenges.
Governments have inadequate API and data access, causing issues for engineers and entrepreneurs trying to integrate with government systems.

Apple is expanding self-repair options for M2 Macs and iPhone 14, but there are concerns about design and software support lacking, potentially leading to more waste and consumer frustration.
Biden's Department of Transportation is facing criticism for challenging a Massachusetts repair law, with accusations of anti-competitive practices and concerns over consumer rights and data access.
Pinball machines are highlighted as resilient examples defying planned obsolescence, emphasizing the importance of repair and longevity in modern technology design.

Nvidia's market cap hit $2 trillion after a high-profile earnings call, spotlighting CEO Jensen Huang's leadership and insights on the future of computing.
Reddit signed a $60 million/year deal with Google for content access to train AI models, emphasizing the growing importance of data access in the AI industry.
The U.S. landed Odysseus spacecraft on the moon for the first time since 1972, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.

Just sharing the source code for large language models (LLMs) doesn't make them truly open. Access to the training data is still needed for real transparency.
Many LLMs limit users by only allowing access to APIs instead of the full model. This practice is being called 'openwashing', where companies give a false impression of openness.
Users often struggle to re-use or adapt the shared code due to how it's written and lack of resources. True openness includes access to hardware, datasets, and original training data.

AI agents will need better ways to access user data, and OAuth could provide a way to do that with its scope system. It helps keep user data secure and structured.
The landscape for AI agents is much more fragmented than social platforms. Many smaller companies don't have the systems in place for OAuth, which makes it harder for widespread adoption.
There might be a mix of solutions where big companies lead with better APIs for agents, while smaller ones could use more casual methods to let agents access information, making it tricky for users to manage their data rights.