Tag: Virgin Galactic
23andMe genetic testing company hacked, Tesla whistleblower highlights self-driving concerns
The genetic testing company 23andMe has said that nearly 7 million people have been affected by a security breach that put DNA ancestry information into the hands of hackers who broke into the site in early October. On Friday, the California-based company said in a regulatory filing that the personal data of 0.1% of customers – or…
80 year old Olympian Jon Goodwin steps aboard Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic has announced that the first Private Astronaut Mission, ‘Galactic 02,’ will be crewed by Jon Goodwin, an 80-year-old Olympian and early Virgin Galactic ticket holder. Also on board will be as well as Keisha Schahaff and Anastatia Mayers, a Caribbean mother-daughter duo who won their seats in a sweepstake that raised funds for…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Virgin Galactic rocket plane begins service
Italian members of the team aboard Unity hold up their country's flag in space. Image: Virgin Galactic It's taken just shy of 20 years but Sir Richard Branson has finally begun commercial operations with his Virgin Galactic rocket plane, Unity. The vehicle soared high over the New Mexico desert on Thursday…
Tech Digest daily roundup: OpenAI opens London office – first outside US
The company behind ChatGPT is opening an office in London, its first outside the US, in a boost to Rishi Sunak’s bid to make Britain an artificial intelligence hub. OpenAI said it had chosen the capital as its base due to a “vibrant technology ecosystem” and “exceptional talent” in London. The company is also hiring lobbyists…
Tech Digest daily roundup: VW developing sub-£17,000 ID1 EV
Volkswagen is “full steam ahead” with the development of a sub-£17,000 electric ‘ID 1’ hatch that will arrive in the next five years as part of a renewed push by car firms to produce affordable electric models. The new EV will serve as a spiritual successor to the e-Up city car and is set…
Tech Digest daily roundup: WhatsApp fined €225m for breach
WhatsApp has been fined €225m (£193m) by Ireland's data watchdog for breaching privacy regulations. It is the largest fine ever from the Irish Data Protection Commission, and the second-highest under EU GDPR rules. Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, has its EU headquarters is in Ireland, and the Irish regulator is the lead authority for the tech…
Tech Digest daily roundup: Sir Richard Branson sells $300 million stake in Virgin Galactic
British billionaire Sir Richard Branson has sold around $300m (£216.8m) of Virgin Galactic stock, leveraging his biggest listed asset to prop up other parts of his business empire. The 71-year-old offloaded almost 10.5m shares, equivalent to around 4pc of the space-travel company, through his Virgin Investments Group. This is the third sale Sir Branson has…
Sir Richard Branson becomes first billionaire in space
Sir Richard Branson has reached space, according to his company, Virgin Galactic. After releasing from the mothership - at approximately 4.25pm UK time - the VSS Unity spaceplane quickly reached its maximum altitude at 55 miles (88km) which is below the Karman Line, internationally recognised as the edge of space. The British billionaire took the…
Tech Digest daily round up: Pollution-eating car shown at Goodwood
A car that has been designed to strip the air of pollution as it drives along has been shown off at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Created by British designer Thomas Heatherwick, it is hoped the Airo will go into production in China in 2023, with plans to make a million of them. The radical…
Tech Digest daily round up: Branson goes into space before Bezos
Billionaire Sir Richard Branson has announced his plan to reach space nine days before Amazon boss Jeff Bezos by taking part in a test flight for his company Virgin Galactic. In a video posted on Twitter, the Virgin Group founder introduced himself as "Astronaut 001" and said he will be "evaluating the customer space flight…
