House Bill 1717, authored by Representative Shofner, seeks to amend the Texas Penal Code regarding the prosecution of offenses involving sexually explicit visual material depicting minors by introducing a new definition. The legislation addresses the emerging issue of AI-generated and computer-modified explicit images of children, which are increasingly difficult to differentiate from authentic photographs (Whiting & Dunmoyer, 2024). The bill modifies several sections of the Penal Code to incorporate the new concept of “indistinguishable” imagery into existing statutes.
Microsoft Lied To Sen. Cruz About NewsGuard, Continued Censorship Push
When Senator Ted Cruz challenged Microsoft one year ago over their funding of NewsGuard’s so-called “media literacy” program, the company claimed it had cut ties. Microsoft asserted its support was limited to a one-time 2018 donation and subsequently asked NewsGuard to remove their name from its website. Senator Cruz, acting in good faith, praised this apparent disavowal believing Microsoft...