AI tools are 'writing fiction' in this massively popular news app

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the issues surrounding the news app NewsBreak, which has been accused of publishing erroneous and AI-generated stories that have negatively impacted local communities. It also explores the app's Chinese roots and concerns about potential data access and censorship.

🙋 Q&A

[01] NewsBreak's AI-Generated Content Issues

1. What are the key issues with NewsBreak's use of AI to generate news content?

• NewsBreak has published multiple erroneous stories using AI technology, including a false report about a shooting in Bridgeton, New Jersey that never occurred.
• The app has created stories under fictitious bylines by scraping content from local news sites, which raises concerns about copyright infringement.
• NewsBreak's AI-generated stories have negatively impacted local charities and community programs by publishing incorrect information about their services.

2. How has NewsBreak responded to these issues?

• NewsBreak has removed the erroneous articles after being notified, but did not initially respond to the charities' complaints.
• The company added a disclaimer to its homepage acknowledging that its content "may not always be error-free."
• NewsBreak claimed the fictitious byline experiment was a "limited" effort that has been discontinued.

[02] NewsBreak's Chinese Roots and Data Concerns

1. What are the concerns about NewsBreak's Chinese origins and data practices?

• NewsBreak was originally a subsidiary of the Chinese news aggregation app Yidian, which had ties to Chinese state media.
• About half of NewsBreak's 200 employees are based in China, where they are engaged in R&D for the app.
• There are concerns that user data from the U.S. app could be accessed by the Chinese government, similar to the issues faced by TikTok.
• NewsBreak claims it complies with U.S. data and privacy laws, and that its China-based staff only access anonymous data stored on U.S. servers.

2. How has NewsBreak positioned itself as a U.S. company?

• NewsBreak's CEO divides his time between China and the U.S., and the company's leadership has emphasized its status as a "California company" to maintain its reputation.
• The company has stated that it is a U.S.-based and U.S.-invested business, not subject to Chinese data laws.