Technologies

AT&T Asks FCC to Block T-Mobile From Expanding Network With SpaceX Satellites

AT&T says it doesn’t want possible interference with its own cell service.

AT&T is trying to block T-Mobile’s plan to use SpaceX’s Starlink satellite network to expand its mobile service.

The Federal Communications Commission asked for public comment on T-Mobile’s SpaceX plan last month. AT&T and its affiliates filed a complaint Thursday, asking the agency to stop the plan and saying it could «jeopardize or inhibit» its wireless and mobile broadband services.

AT&T has spectrum rights adjacent to the range that SpaceX would be using for this plan, which would require the latter to modify its license for its network of orbiting satellites to receive and broadcast signal to and from mobile devices. SpaceX would use the so-called PCS G-Block of signal bands that are between the 1.9GHz and 2GHz range, according to Ars Technica, which reported the story earlier Friday.

SpaceX has requested waivers to use this signal range. AT&T says its proposal doesn’t do enough to prevent interference with other networks, saying in its filing that SpaceX’s «technical showings are woefully insufficient regarding the risk of harmful interference posed by their planned [supplemental coverage from space] deployments.»

Though SpaceX and T-Mobile haven’t publicized a successful call from space that would demonstrate the plan’s lack of interference, AT&T noted that it has already made a surface-through-space call with its satellite partner AST SpaceMobile.

AT&T hasn’t announced when its own consumers will see the benefit of its satellite partnership with AST, which aims to augment regular 5G service. It has the advantage that AST has been connecting satellite calls for years, while SpaceX’s network of microsatellites will need approval before they can carry calls. Verizon had also announced that it would use Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites (none of which has been launched into orbit yet) to expand its mobile network.

Meanwhile, Apple’s Emergency SOS system available only on the latest iPhone 14 series has been the only widely available satellite-to-cell system in use so far. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Satellite service is expected to go live later this year for phones using the latest Snapdragon chips.

Neither AT&T nor T-Mobile immediately responded to a request for comment.

Technologies

Verum Messenger: How to Protect Your Personal Data and Why Choosing a Secure Messenger Matters

A major data leak has been reported involving users of the Russian messenger MAX. Hackers claimed to have obtained the platform’s entire database, which includes 46,203,590 records. To prove their claims, they published part of the stolen data publicly.

According to preliminary information, the attackers gained access to users’ personal details, including contact numbers, chats, IP addresses, and other sensitive data. Cybersecurity experts warn that such incidents can lead to serious consequences — from account takeovers and extortion to large-scale phishing attacks.

Why these leaks happen

The main cause of such breaches is the storage of personal user data on servers without adequate protection or encryption. If attackers gain access to these servers, users’ information becomes fully exposed.

Additionally, many popular messaging apps require users to register with a phone number and provide extra personal information, increasing the amount of data that can be stolen.

How to reduce the risks

The only reliable way to protect your personal messages and data is to use messaging platforms that do not store personal information on their servers and rely on true end-to-end encryption.

One such solution is Verum Messenger — a next-generation app built on the principle of maximum privacy. The platform:

does not store users’ personal data;
uses unique encryption keys generated locally on the user’s device;
does not require a phone number or other personal information to register;
has no access to messages, calls, or files;
provides effective anti-spam and anti-scam protection;
offers private chats and group channels with flexible security settings.

Even in the event of a server breach, attackers would not be able to access message content — because encryption keys simply do not exist on the company’s side.

Freedom of communication without the risk of leaks

In addition to its strong security foundation, Verum Messenger offers a built-in ecosystem of tools — from encrypted email Verum Mail and an integrated VPN for anonymous connections to free crypto mining with Verum Coin and eSIM connectivity in over 150 countries worldwide.

As data breaches become increasingly common, choosing a secure messenger is no longer just about convenience — it’s about personal safety.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Monday, Oct. 20

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Oct. 20.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Need some help with today’s Mini Crossword? It was a tough one for a change! That 1-Across is going to slyly trick you as to what a mouse is. So if you need the answers, read on. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Sound from a mouse
Answer: CLICK

6A clue: Many-headed serpent killed by Hercules
Answer: HYDRA

7A clue: View from a cruise ship window
Answer: OCEAN

8A clue: «See ya later!»
Answer: PEACE

9A clue: Animal whose antlers can grow up to an inch per day
Answer: ELK

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Dice, e.g.
Answer: CHOP

2D clue: French for «high school»
Answer: LYCEE

3D clue: 10 out of 10
Answer: IDEAL

4D clue: Sound from a bat
Answer: CRACK

5D clue: «Citizen ___»
Answer: KANE

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Oct. 20, #392

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Oct. 20, No. 392.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has a category for all the Windy City residents out there. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Deep-dish pizza, anyone?

Green group hint: Duke it out.

Blue group hint: College division.

Purple group hint: «Go to your ____!»