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Adrian Weckler

@adrianweckler.bsky.social
5.9K followers 149 following 1.7K posts

Tech editor, Irish & Sunday Independent. Podcaster. Photographer. Dublin, Ireland.

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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Journal is launching a €50 (per year) paywall. (For "some" articles) www.independent.ie/business/the...
independent.ie
The Journal to launch paywall of €50 per year
The online news site, founded by Eamonn and Brian Fallon, will put a paywall on “some” articles for the first time
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
On the document signed between Trump and the big AI executives, 'United States' is spelled wrong. 'Super intelligence' is off to a good start.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Ireland's DPC says AI firms unlikely to be permitted train data on private messages, because it would breach GDPR Likely a blow to WhatsApp, which launched Muse AI within WhatsApp in the US DPC says it also killed or delayed 9 AI services pre-launch www.independent.ie/business/blo...
independent.ie
Blow to WhatsApp as Ireland's DPC says tech giants can’t use private messages to train AI
The data watchdog also says it delayed or killed nine AI launches in Europe in recent years after the services failed to meet privacy standards
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
What Rupert Murdoch told Mark Little right after buying his news verification startup Storyful for $25m "Let's go make some f***ing money.” Interesting stuff from Mark on today’s pod - his time at Twitter, AI, Elon, social media, missing TV, what comes next Big Tech Show from Irish Independent
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
The 'fair use' policy is up to 1TB, Lidl tells me. For casual use, that's way more than enough -- 10 hours per day of Netflix (HD) or around 5 hours of Netflix in 4K (I'm trying to look past fact that 1TB of "fair use", okay as that is, obv isn't "unlimited")
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Lidl says you can use its new €9 per month 'unlimited' 5G mobile phone plan for hotspotting (laptops, other phones/tablets). ie cheapo broadband subscription for students, light users etc. €9pm vs €30-€55pm
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
OpenAI reveals it leaked uploaded images its users thought would be private. OpenAI: “We have discovered 53 cases where images that people had uploaded were posted to image-hosting sites as links that weren’t publicly listed.”
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Ex-CEO of Cubic Telecom, Barry Napier, has won a legal and planning battle to rebuild his demolished €7.5m waterfront home in Dalkey. www.independent.ie/irish-news/m...
independent.ie
Multi-millionaire tech boss and wife win battle to rebuild demolished €7.5m waterfront home in Dalkey
A multi-millionaire tech entrepreneur and his wife have won a planning battle concerning the demolition of their €7.5m home in Dalkey.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Here are six settings you can/should change immediately on Revolut - transfer limit - anti-theft 'street mode' - disposable card - spending limits for cards - payment notifications - 'trusted merchants' check More detail: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
independent.ie
Revolut data leak: Six settings users should change immediately on their app or phone to keep their cash safe
It’s a good time to make sure you have certain settings activated. Here’s my easy step-by-step guide
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Revolut confirms that some Irish customers affected by new ‘third party’ data breach. It’s the second time this month that Ireland’s largest payments service is warning some customers of a risk to their personal data. www.independent.ie/business/rev...
independent.ie
Revolut confirms some Irish customers affected by new ‘third party’ data breach
It’s the second time this month that Ireland’s largest payments service is warning some customers of a risk to their personal data
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
AI usage daily, weekly, monthly (& never) -- Gallup poll of 37 countries eg Ireland -- 25% daily, 18% weekly, 13% monthly, 45% none
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Biggest increase in AI usage in 'global north' countries? - Shopping Global south countries? - School
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Ireland moves up to 3rd globally for use of AI (1st in Europe) -- per new global Microsoft study Saints and slop? Or peak productivity?
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
This is the kind of thing that fed pop theories like ‘my phone listens to me cos how else would it know all that for ads’ (Your phone doesn’t secretly listen to you for ads)
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Google hit with €403m fine by Irish privacy regulator for location data misuse. First major fine for Google by DPC. In total, €4.4bn in privacy fines on big tech firms by DPC. (Most tied up in appeal.) Fines imposed on behalf of EU go to Irish taxpayer. www.independent.ie/business/goo...
independent.ie
Google hit with €403m fine by Irish DPC for misuse of location data
Latest penalty brings total fines by Irish watchdog to over €4.4bn
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
An Irish priest has become a spiritual, ethical and moral advisor to Anthropic and other AI companies, amid talk of doom. Fr Brendan McGuire, from Bray, has a parish in Los Altos, in the heart of Silicon Valley. Used to be in tech himself. Late vocation. Now he says mass and advises LLMs.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Leak or no leak -- Here are six settings you can/should change immediately on Revolut - transfer limit - anti-theft 'street mode' - disposable card - spending limits for cards - payment notifications - 'trusted merchants' check Instructions on how: www.independent.ie/business/tec...
independent.ie
Revolut data leak: Six settings users should change immediately on their app or phone to keep their cash safe
It’s a good time to make sure you have certain settings activated. Here’s my easy step-by-step guide
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The obvious loophole is VPNs; If a kid uses a VPN on phone or laptop (to virtually base outside EU) no state ID required. VPNs are common and well known among young teens
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
EU’s new social media child protection rules to require state ID for all new social media accounts. Ireland’s new digital state ID wallet, a passport or another type of ID will be required, according to leaked documents for new EU law. www.independent.ie/business/eus...
independent.ie
EU’s new social media child protection rules to require all social media accounts to produce state ID
Leaked documents suggest that some existing accounts will also be subject to identification checks
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Have been testing the iPhone 18 Pro (black) and 18 Pro Max (burgundy). 2 reasons to consider them: - new monster battery life (up to two days per charge on Pro Max, easily) - fancy new main camera (lots more light) BUT also: - heavier (+8% Pro Max) - pricier (like most phones)
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
6 specific things to do *right now* to protect your Revolut account from data breaches or scammers - in-app check - active device check - turn on biometric - turn on transaction notifications - beware emails, calls, texts - monitor bank accounts / cards www.independent.ie/business/7-s...
independent.ie
7 steps to protect your Revolut account from scams and data breaches
With uncertainty over how many Irish people have been affected by the Revolut data breach, here are seven practical steps that will help lock down your account and thwart scammers
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
How to check whether you were affected in Revolut’s blunder in handing over customer passports, driver’s licences, addresses, phone numbers etc In-app: —> Account (top left of screen) —> Chats
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
View from inside my just-landed SF plane in Dublin
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Autonomous taxi-ing in SF. Now normal
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Here’s the iPhone Duo. Pros: thoughtful software touches, crease barely visible, easy to stand up (video calls etc) Pencil-compatible, kind of fun to use Cons: huge price and lack of telephoto camera
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Apple just hiked the prices of existing (ie last year's) iPhone 17s by €150 -- from €979 to €1,129 And iPhone 17e -- from €729 to €879 Once again because of the AI boom and crush on memory pricing. (New prices not yet in retail stores, HN, Curry's etc, but will be)
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
First impressions, pros and cons, of Apple's first folding phone.... The iPhone Duo, which costs from €2,369 to €3,869 www.independent.ie/business/app...
independent.ie
Apple unveils its first folding phone, the iPhone Duo, which costs from €2,369 to €3,869
The folding phone is the first major product from Apple under its new CEO, John Ternus
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Whoooa iPhone Duo pricing: 256GB €2,369 512GB €2,619 1TB €3,119 and… iPhone Duo 2TB €3,869
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Some uses Apple thinks the iPhone Duo might suit
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
iPhone Duo, Apple’s first folding phone
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
AI/memory price hikes... iPhone 18 Pro pricing - up €150 for entry level model vs last year and now over €3k for the top 2TB model iPhone 18 Pro 256GB €1,489 512GB €1,739 1TB €2,239 2TB €2,989 iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB €1,639 512GB €1,889 1TB €2,389 2TB €3,139
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
The iPhone 18 Pro comes with an anti-Al-fakery feature that makes it more difficult to fake photos. And, of course, it isn't available in the EU.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Apple’s HQ is quite the architectural statement. Spaceshippy steel and glass
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Apple’s folding iPhone to be unveiled today. Two basic Qs: 1.  Anything ‘must have’ to justify the steep price (likely over €2,000)? 2. Even if not must-have, what does it do better than an iPhone 18 Pro? Will soon tell you. Am at Apple for launch. Hands-on later today.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Story www.independent.ie/business/x-i...
independent.ie
X investigated under Ireland’s Online Safety Code for children’s access to pornography and extreme violence
Elon Musk’s social media platform is the subject of Ireland’s first Online Safety Code investigation by Coimisiún na Meán
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Big move -- X is being investigated by Ireland's regulator for children’s access to pornography and extreme violence. It's the first investigation of any platform under Ireland’s Online Safety Code. Big fines/penalties if confirmed.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Apple set to launching folding iPhone www.independent.ie/business/app...
independent.ie
Apple set to unveil its newest gadget this week -- a folding iPhone
The phone, which is expected to cost over €2,000, will have a smaller ‘book-like’ foldout design than most current folding phones
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
If you're shopping on Google, its AI Mode (which it now boosts when you use Google) is showing you more expensive (by 21%) options for the exact same listing, a new survey claims. i.e. you're seeing more expensive vendors in the AI Mode. www.independent.ie/business/tec...
independent.ie
Adrian Weckler: Analysis of Google listings shows AI is making shopping 22pc dearer
Plus, will you be running out to get the new €500 Dyson toothbrush?
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Over on LinkedIn, I’ve attracted a mini pile-on for daring to suggest that letting AI write newspaper columns, and other types of work, is wrong and damaging to your work and reputation. It’s a hill I’ll happily die on though.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
Sorry to hear of the passing of Frank McDonald, a very strong voice who made a real impact. www.rte.ie/news/ireland...
rte.ie
Journalist, author Frank McDonald dies aged 76
The journalist, author and environmental campaigner, Frank McDonald, has died after a brief illness. He was 76.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Rural Ireland now has the best broadband in Ireland, by far. New league table (Comreg) shows Westmeath, Longford, Laois with 95%-96% gigabit available. Other rural counties close behind, ahead of cities. NBP. Dublin is now the biggest problem county www.independent.ie/business/tec...
independent.ie
Ireland has a new broadband divide: rural counties are better connected than Dublin, Cork, Galway or Limerick
League table published by ComReg shows countryside areas now have higher coverage of high-speed fibre
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Disused toilets, turf sheds, mould infestation and animal droppings – HSE fined €645,000 for storing patients’ files in rotting and derelict locations If you've ever had an admin/file retrieval problem with the HSE, this might be of interest www.independent.ie/business/dis...
independent.ie
Disused toilets, turf sheds, mould infestation and animal droppings – HSE fined €645,000 for storing patients’ files in rotting and derelict locations
The Data Protection Commission’s fine was increased due to “aggravating factors”
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Young teens and kids aren't quitting social media, despite Irish / EU laws on minimum age, threats of fines and ‘hold off' campaigns in better-off areas. Latest survey of 7,400 kids shows usage among 8-15 year olds unchanged from last year. Would a ban change it? www.independent.ie/irish-news/n...
independent.ie
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Meta's fines/penalties/damages, last decade US -- $ 24bn EU -- $ 4bn Who's the one cashing in on US tech firms again?
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Reposted by Adrian Weckler
Brian Honan @brianhonan.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
"Boston Scientific hit by cyberattack, global operations affected" This explains why staff in the Irish operations have been told to work from home #cybersecurity www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
reuters.com
Boston Scientific hit by cyberattack, global operations affected
Boston Scientific said on Wednesday that a cybersecurity incident had disrupted global operations, ​including some information systems used to ‌process and ship customer orders.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Meta today fined $ 16.7bn by US courts for the same stuff EU regulates them for. Where's the outrage? Vance? Tech bros? Anyone? www.reuters.com/world/us/met...
reuters.com
Meta reaches $16.68 billion settlement over social media harms to children
Meta Platforms agreed to pay a maximum $16.68 billion to resolve claims brought by states across the country ​that the company designed Facebook and Instagram to addict children, misled consumers abou...
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
12-15 years olds using TikTok, before and after Australian u16 social media ban: Before: 27% After: 26% ‘The rate for children between the ages of 10 and 12 is higher now than before the ban, according to the data.’ www.independent.ie/world-news/a...
independent.ie
Australian teens return to TikTok after world's first ban, new data shows
Eight months after implementing a ban on under-16s accessing social media services like TikTok, Australia finds its younger users are returning in droves, according to new data from Qustodio.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
RIP Dolly Parton www.independent.ie/world-news/c...
independent.ie
Country music singer Dolly Parton dies aged 80
Country music star Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, following a music career in which she wrote scores of hits and starred on the big screen, her family has said.
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Apple unveils new Mac mini and Mac Studio as AI price bump kicks in www.independent.ie/business/app...
independent.ie
Apple unveils new Mac mini and Mac Studio as AI price bump kicks in
The powerful new Mac desktop devices come just weeks before Apple is scheduled to launch its latest iPhones
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Adrian Weckler @adrianweckler.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
New Apple Mac Studio desktop computer, maxed out -- €20,779 (M5 Ultra chip, 256GB Ram, 80-core GPU, 16TB storage) When 512GB Ram is available in October, it'll be a higher max price
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