TechStuff Week in Tech: Anti-Party Tech, Rigged Card Shufflers and ‘Mad Max’ Mode
Oct 31, 2025
This week dives into the quirky world of tech mishaps and innovations. Discover how Airbnb's anti-party system aims to foil Halloween gatherings. A high-stakes poker scandal reveals how gadgetry turned into cheating tools with ties to crime families. Tesla's controversial 'Mad Max' mode raises safety alarms for reckless driving. Plus, exciting discussions about AI's potential 'survival instincts' and a review of the clunky AI 'Friend' pendant that’s more anxious than friendly. It's a mix of spooky tech and intriguing debates!
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Avoid Anti‑Party Flags On Airbnb
- Use Airbnb's anti-party features like guest-screening and decibel monitors to avoid risky Halloween whole-home bookings.
- Rent a private room with a host present if your stay might trigger automated party flags.
Security Tech Can Become Cheating Tools
- Casino-grade devices can be dual-use: security cameras in shufflers can instead feed cheaters real-time card data.
- Operators can relay that data to planted players using signals to rig high‑stakes live poker.
Rigged High‑Stakes Poker Scheme
- Prosecutors allege a five‑year scheme netted over $7 million by luring victims with celebrity poker games and cheating them.
- Texts show operators coached each other to keep victims engaged and extract more money.
