Apr 22, 2025

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Welcome, Tech Insiders!

Get ready to dive into another action-packed roundup of what’s shaking up the tech world. From major banks distancing themselves from the U.S. Treasury to the costs (and surprising benefits) of observing AI prompt niceties, we’ve got the latest stories shaping your digital life.

Here's What You Need to Know Today:

Turns Out, AI Likes Manners Too—But at What Cost?

Looks like the Golden Rule still applies, even when you're talking to a chatbot.

A curious question from X user "tomie" has sparked a debate about whether being polite to AI is actually costing OpenAI a pretty penny. The user cheekily asked how much electricity OpenAI might have burned through by including "please" and "thank you" in their ChatGPT prompts.

In typical Sam Altman fashion, the OpenAI CEO shot back with a witty reply, suggesting that those polite words have likely added up to "tens of millions of dollars well spent."

While we can’t say if that’s an exact figure, it’s safe to assume he wasn’t doing the math on a calculator. True to form, the user responded with—wait for it—a polite thank you to Altman and OpenAI.

Are humans just indulging in unnecessary habits when being polite to AI, or does it actually affect how LLMs respond? As it turns out, there's more to it than politeness or anthropomorphism.

According to Kurt Beavers, a Microsoft Copilot design team director, using polite language with AI amounts to more than just wasted decorum and electricity. He explains that polite phrasing sets a positive tone for the response and that AI models like ChatGPT are more likely to return politeness when treated politely. 

While it may not be an energy-efficient necessity, being kind to your AI could help foster a more pleasant interaction. 

TL;DR: Politeness still pays off, even if it costs millions in electricity costs. 

Beta Tested

Insider Intel

Apple and Meta’s EU Spanking on Hold While Trade Talks Take the Spotlight

Apple and Meta just dodged an E.U. fine (for now), thanks to the magical power of awkward trade negotiations. The European Commission reportedly hit pause on its penalty plans to avoid ruffling American feathers, as it’s currently pushing for a trade deal with the U.S.

The fines are still looming, though, just chilling in Airplane Mode. 

Flash Bytes

Security Alerts

'SuperCard X’ Malware-for-Hire Turns Android Devices Into Criminal POS Terminals

A new Android malware-as-a-service dubbed “SuperCard X” is making the rounds. It lets cybercriminals turn smartphones into tools for NFC-based payment card theft. Because why steal wallets when you can just borrow phones?

Built on code from NFCGate (an open-source NFC relaying application for Android), SuperCard X enables shady POS and ATM transactions using stolen card data. 

To protect yourself, disable NFC when not in use, avoid sideloading apps, and keep your device’s security patches up to date. 

JPMorgan and BNY Hit the Panic Button on US Treasury’s OCC

JPMorgan and BNY Mellon have severed data-sharing links with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) after a major email breach exposed highly sensitive financial intel. The OCC, which regulates banks, confirmed the hack hit exec inboxes packed with confidential data, including the kind you really don’t want in the wild.

With the Treasury calling it a "major incident," banks are pulling the plug on data sharing while the OCC scrambles to plug the digital leak. 

Apparently, the incident response plan now includes “hope for the best.” 

Industry Shakeups

HP Settles Fake Discount Lawsuit For Just $4M—Your Payback Might Cover a Pack of Printer Paper

HP just coughed up $4 million to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing it of luring customers with fake discounts and make-believe “limited-time” offers.

The company allegedly hyped up phantom deals—like claiming “only 1 left!” on a PC they kept selling for weeks—and used bogus strikethrough pricing to make regular prices look like juicy bargains. Despite the settlement, HP denies any wrongdoing.

If you bought an HP device between 2021 and 2024, you might be entitled to a slice of the payout—just don’t expect it to fund your next laptop. According to reports, lawyers may get about $1 million if the court approves, and lead plaintiffs pocket $5K. And you? Maybe enough for a sad drip coffee—no oat milk.

Meet Our Author

Leon Yen

Tech Journalist

Leon Yen is a leading tech journalist with over a decade of experience unpacking the latest innovations, delivering sharp insights through deep research and hands-on exploration.

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