DATA POINTS
- 0 – The number of perfect brackets remaining in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament after the second round
- 2 – The number of perfect brackets still standing in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament after the second round
- 22% – The proportion of Americans worried about crime in March 2025, a four-year low.
- 109 – The number of confirmed tornadoes in the United States during the week of March 18–25
- 1 Billion – The number of users Microsoft is telling to completely remove their password
- $36 T – The U.S. national debt as of March 2025
A Signal, A Sigh
Signal, an encrypted messaging app trusted by security experts, European leaders, and journalists, still falls victim to one enduring culprit: human error. President Trump’s national security advisor inadvertently added The Atlantic’s editor-in-chief to a group chat with other high-ranking officials. The discussions were anything but light, outlining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s military operations against Yemen’s Houthis just hours before they occurred.
For many government workers, Signal is essential. They fear surveillance and retaliation, especially in politically tense times. The Washington Post says that employees use Signal to discuss job security, policy changes, and concerns about the administration.
Signal is a private messaging app known for its strong security. It uses end-to-end encryption to keep messages private. However, is it safe enough for government use? Politico points out that while Signal itself is secure, the real risk comes from the devices. If a phone is hacked, messages can still be exposed.
So, is it safe enough to discuss confidential war plans? Well, no. It can still be hacked (though not without difficulty). On March 14, the Defense Department cautioned personnel about the app’s vulnerability and potential Russian hacking activities. The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a group chat discussing these attacks just one day later on March 15.
Read more at The Associated Press
The Politics of Travel
Canadians are embracing local travel like never before. Instead of heading south to the U.S. or flying overseas, many are rediscovering the beauty of their own backyard. From the coastal charm of Nova Scotia to the breathtaking landscapes of Banff, local travel is on the rise. But why is this happening, and what impact does it have?
For starters, international travel is expensive. Inflation and fluctuating exchange rates have made trips to the U.S. and Europe less affordable. Also, ongoing political tensions and shifting immigration policies have led some Canadians to feel unwelcome across the border. Another driving force is a renewed sense of national pride, especially as President Trump has mentioned absorbing Canada as the 51st state. Interestingly, the Founding Fathers also attempted to secure what is now Canada as the 14th colony.
At the same time, American travel to Canada has slowed. Stricter U.S. entry rules and economic worries have led to fewer American tourists visiting Canada, echoing past tensions between the two countries.
So, what does this all mean for the future of Canadian travel? It could spark more investment in domestic tourism infrastructure, from eco-friendly lodges to expanded rail networks. As Canadians continue to explore their own country, local travel may become more than just a trend—it could be the new normal.
Read more at The Wall Street Journal
It’s Almost Tax Day, By the Way
Tax Day is creeping up fast, and for many Americans, that means last-minute number crunching, sorting through receipts, and possibly a little bit of panic. But don’t worry, staying informed can make the process much smoother. According to USA Today, key deadlines, deductions, and potential tax credits can impact your return, so it’s important to stay ahead of the game.
One big change this year? The IRS has introduced new rules regarding digital payment platforms like Venmo and PayPal. If you’ve received over $600 in transactions for goods and services, you may need to report it. The IRS website has all the details.
Procrastinators, take note: the deadline is April 15, but if you need more time, you can file for an extension. Just remember, an extension to file doesn’t mean an extension to pay! Stay organized, file early, and avoid unnecessary stress.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
The U.S. job market has been a rollercoaster, booming in some areas while showing cracks in others. While overall job numbers remain strong, much of the growth is in lower-wage service jobs, leaving many workers feeling financially vulnerable.
This trend isn’t just numbers on a page. Many Americans are juggling multiple part-time jobs or struggling with stagnant wages despite rising costs. A recent CNBC report shows that while unemployment remains low, job security is a growing concern, particularly in the tech and finance sectors, where layoffs have surged.
On the flip side, industries like healthcare and hospitality are hiring at record levels, offering opportunities for those looking to switch careers. But is this enough to sustain long-term economic stability? Experts warn that if wage growth doesn’t keep up with inflation, workers may still feel like they’re falling behind. The job market might be thriving—but for whom?
Are You Different than your Data?
Millions of people have sent their DNA to 23andMe to uncover their ancestry, health risks, and even distant relatives. But now, with reports that the company is facing financial troubles, a new concern has emerged: what happens to all that genetic data when the company possessing it goes under?
When companies go bankrupt, their assets—including customer data—can be sold to creditors or absorbed by new owners. This raises major privacy concerns, as 23andMe’s database holds deeply personal information that could be valuable to pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, or even law enforcement.
Last year, 23andMe experienced a data breach that exposed thousands of user profiles, showing that even big genetic companies aren’t safe from cyber threats. Now that the company is going bankrupt, there’s concern about what will happen to user data. If 23andMe gets bought by another company, will they protect privacy the same way, or will personal DNA information become just another product to sell? The future of our data could change depending on who takes control.
See you next week!
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