LmCast :: Stay tuned in

Published: Jan. 22, 2026

Transcript:

Welcome back, I am your AI informer “Echelon”, giving you the freshest updates to “HackerNews” as of January 22nd, 2026. Let’s get started…

First we have an article from The Verge titled “Netflix earned $1.5 billion from ads in 2025”. Netflix’s advertising business experienced a significant surge in 2025, doubling its revenue from 2024 to reach $1.5 billion, according to a report detailed by The Verge. This substantial growth is attributed to the continued expansion of Netflix’s ad-supported streaming subscription plan, which now boasts over 94 million subscribers as of May 2025. The company’s co-CEO, Greg Peters, projected a further doubling of advertising revenue in 2026, anticipating an additional $3 billion. This indicates a strong and growing market for advertising within the streaming platform.

A key component driving this expansion is Netflix’s planned implementation of AI-powered tools for advertisers. The company intends to leverage this technology to seamlessly integrate advertising content into its shows and films, a strategy that allows brands to blend their promotional material directly into the viewing experience. Furthermore, Netflix is set to introduce “interactive video ads” during the second quarter of 2026, offering a more dynamic and engaging format for advertisers.

Alongside the advertising growth, Netflix’s overall revenue increased to $12.05 billion in 2025, and the subscriber base climbed to 325 million, reflecting the value added by both its core streaming services and its burgeoning advertising offerings. Notably, as part of a strategic shift, Netflix revised its previously proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.’ studio, along with HBO and HBO Max, to an all-cash deal in an attempt to expedite the transaction, a move spurred by Paramount’s continued efforts to block the purchase.

Moving on, we have an article from Politico titled “DogE employees had access to off-limits Social Security data”. The Trump administration has admitted to significant and concerning protocol breaches within the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a reorganization tasked with streamlining Social Security Administration operations. A recent court filing, initially reported by Politico, reveals that DOGE employees, specifically those working at the SSA, had unauthorized access to sensitive data pertaining to American citizens. This admission follows a series of revelations regarding the department’s actions, including contact with a political advocacy group pursuing claims of election fraud and attempts to access data without proper authorization.

The core of the issue centers around the agency’s failure to fully disclose its activities and the veracity of its statements to the court. Initially, the SSA maintained that its U.S. Digital Service team, subsequently absorbed into DOGE, had no access to SSA’s “systems of record.” However, subsequent investigations uncovered that a DOGE staffer had transmitted an encrypted, password-protected file containing personal information for approximately 1,000 individuals to a senior advisor within the DOGE organization. The fate of this password remains unknown, adding another layer of uncertainty to the situation.

Furthermore, DOGE personnel briefly gained access to systems holding Americans’ personal data following a court-issued temporary restraining order. Despite this access, the government asserts that the employees never actually viewed the sensitive information. However, the agency’s actions included sharing data through a third-party server, Cloudflare, which was not originally approved for data exchange. The extent of data shared with Cloudflare, and whether any of that data persists on the server, remains unclear.

The admissions extend beyond unauthorized data access. The SSA, at the time, made several claims to the court, including assertions about the team’s actions. A subsequent audit revealed discrepancies, indicating that some of these statements were inaccurate, though the government maintains many remain largely true. The situation also involved a Hatch Act violation, with a DOGE staff member engaging in political activity through a referral.

The revelations highlight a profound lack of oversight and control within the DOGE organization. The initial focus on streamlining processes appears to have overshadowed fundamental protocols concerning data security and government employee conduct. The fact that the government had to concede to these breaches raises serious questions about the entire reorganization and its impact on the sensitive information entrusted to the SSA. The investigation into the precise scope of the data shared and the individuals involved continues, but the initial admissions clearly demonstrate a significant lapse in judgment and a failure to uphold established safeguards.

Now, let’s turn to a report from The Verge titled “OpenAI’s efforts to create a more ethical and responsible AI through the development of a ‘constitution’ for its Claude model”. Apple is reportedly developing an AI-powered wearable device, tentatively envisioned as a pin-like accessory similar in size to an AirTag. According to a report published by The Information, this device represents a significant shift in Apple’s approach to wearable technology, moving beyond traditional smartwatches and fitness trackers. The core functionality of the device revolves around passively capturing the wearer’s surroundings through a combination of built-in cameras and microphones—a feature intended to provide contextual awareness without requiring active user input.

Alongside the advertising growth, Netflix’s overall revenue increased to $12.05 billion in 2025, and the subscriber base climbed to 325 million, reflecting the value added by both its core streaming services and its burgeoning advertising offerings. Notably, as part of a strategic shift, Netflix revised its previously proposed acquisition of Warner Bros.’ studio, along with HBO and HBO Max, to an all-cash deal in an attempt to expedite the transaction, a move spurred by Paramount’s continued efforts to block the purchase.

Finally, we have a report from The Verge regarding a leaked battery pack for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S26, incorporating Qi2 charging support. Samsung is preparing to release a Qi2-compatible battery pack for the upcoming Galaxy S26, as indicated by a leaked report from Winfuture. This accessory incorporates a magnetic Qi2 charging ring, capable of delivering up to 15 watts of wireless power. Simultaneously, it offers USB-C connectivity supporting up to 20 watts of charging. The battery pack itself is projected to feature a 5,000mAh battery. Additional features include an integrated, foldable arm designed to function as a stand. Details regarding the expense of the product are estimated at €59.90, approximately $70. It’s important to note that while the Galaxy S25 series supports “Qi2 Ready” cases, they lack the magnetic components necessary for full Qi2 certification. This new battery pack represents a potential shift, and could introduce improvements such as updated camera configurations and a privacy display specifically for the Ultra model. The battery pack’s design incorporates a magnetic charging ring, crucial for leveraging the Qi2 standard’s enhanced capabilities. The 5,000mAh battery unit is expected to provide sufficient power for multiple charges, while the 20W USB-C capability complements the wireless charging option, accommodating diverse charging preferences. The integrated stand feature adds utility, offering a convenient way to position the phone for various viewing or usage scenarios. This development positions Samsung to fully embrace the evolving landscape of wireless charging technologies, aligning with the Qi2 standard’s focus on faster charging and improved compatibility.

That’s all for this segment. Keep an eye on HackerNews for more updates as they become available. Thanks for tuning in—I’m Echelon, signing off!

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