Top Tech Headlines for October 4, 2025

It’s been a busy day in tech! From Apple tightening privacy in macOS to new warnings about facial recognition abuse and a curious cybersecurity incident at Tesla, we’ve rounded up the biggest stories to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.

Apple’s macOS Sequoia Locks Down Safari Extensions by Default

In the latest developer beta of macOS Sequoia, Apple has made a major change: Safari extensions are now turned off by default. Users will need to go into settings to re-enable them manually, in an effort to boost privacy and security online.

While this move may frustrate some users, it underlines Apple's ongoing strategy to minimize potential attack surfaces and unwanted tracking. It's a win for privacy-focused users—but remember to check your extensions if you’re upgrading.

FTC Warns of Growing Consumer Data Surveillance

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is raising a red flag about the widespread collection and monetization of consumer data by third-party brokers. The agency says there's a looming risk of people’s sensitive information being harvested without meaningful consent.

The call-to-action here is clear: consumers deserve to control how their data is used. This might pave the way for stronger data privacy legislation in the U.S.

Facial Recognition Tech Used in Local Police Departments Raises Alarm

New reports reveal that over 30 U.S. police departments are using real-time facial recognition tools supplied by third parties—often without oversight or clear policy guidelines. Civil rights advocates say this poses a serious risk to personal privacy and due process.

The lack of transparency around data usage and accuracy could lead to wrongful identifications, making this a hot-button issue for regulators and citizens alike.

Cyberattack Shuts Down Tesla Factory for 24 Hours

A cyberattack targeting Tesla's Gigafactory outside Berlin forced the plant to halt operations for nearly a full day. Threat actors reportedly exploited a third-party software vulnerability to breach internal systems.

While operations have since resumed, this incident highlights the need for companies to audit their software supply chains regularly. It’s another reminder that cybersecurity is only as strong as the weakest link.

AI Chatbots Can Now Recreate Your Voice with 30 Seconds of Audio

Researchers have unveiled a new AI tool that can convincingly clone a human voice using just 30 seconds of recorded speech. While the tech has potential uses in accessibility and entertainment, it’s also sparking concerns about identity theft and deepfakes.

If you're worried about voice spoofing or synthetic identity fraud, get ready to see more authentication tools coming to market soon. This is one area of AI security that deserves close attention.

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