Maxime Morin
@engineeringnotesbymaxime.substack.com
Writing about AI, infrastructure, security, and system failures we pretend won’t happen.
Substack: engineeringnotesbymaxime.substack.com
Substack: engineeringnotesbymaxime.substack.com
Google just won the RNC spam-filter case at the 9th Circuit.
The court framed Gmail filtering as a service to users, not a duty to senders. The RNC says millions of emails were diverted. Google says it’s user signals.
Deliverability is a gate not a right. Reach lives at the mercy of opaque systems
The court framed Gmail filtering as a service to users, not a duty to senders. The RNC says millions of emails were diverted. Google says it’s user signals.
Deliverability is a gate not a right. Reach lives at the mercy of opaque systems
January 17, 2026 at 12:36 PM
Google just won the RNC spam-filter case at the 9th Circuit.
The court framed Gmail filtering as a service to users, not a duty to senders. The RNC says millions of emails were diverted. Google says it’s user signals.
Deliverability is a gate not a right. Reach lives at the mercy of opaque systems
The court framed Gmail filtering as a service to users, not a duty to senders. The RNC says millions of emails were diverted. Google says it’s user signals.
Deliverability is a gate not a right. Reach lives at the mercy of opaque systems
Meta built an internal playbook for dealing with scam ads on Facebook and Instagram, including making them “not findable” when regulators search the Ad Library.
January 16, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Meta built an internal playbook for dealing with scam ads on Facebook and Instagram, including making them “not findable” when regulators search the Ad Library.
The AI race is a power grid race, and most of the contestants are not even in the same league.
January 15, 2026 at 4:36 PM
The AI race is a power grid race, and most of the contestants are not even in the same league.
A neutral feed is, by definition, unopinionated about what you see next.
Ranking is opinion.
Any system that orders content is making value choices about engagement, novelty, outrage, and who gets reach.
Ranking is opinion.
Any system that orders content is making value choices about engagement, novelty, outrage, and who gets reach.
January 15, 2026 at 3:44 PM
A neutral feed is, by definition, unopinionated about what you see next.
Ranking is opinion.
Any system that orders content is making value choices about engagement, novelty, outrage, and who gets reach.
Ranking is opinion.
Any system that orders content is making value choices about engagement, novelty, outrage, and who gets reach.
Musk spent years selling “Mars 2026”.
Now he’s calling a 2026 attempt a low-probability distraction.
Convenient timing.
“Soon” only works while the date is far away.
Now he’s calling a 2026 attempt a low-probability distraction.
Convenient timing.
“Soon” only works while the date is far away.
January 15, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Musk spent years selling “Mars 2026”.
Now he’s calling a 2026 attempt a low-probability distraction.
Convenient timing.
“Soon” only works while the date is far away.
Now he’s calling a 2026 attempt a low-probability distraction.
Convenient timing.
“Soon” only works while the date is far away.
A neutral feed is impossible once content is ranked.
Ranking means deciding what gets reach, what gets buried, and which behaviors get rewarded.
If Meta claims neutrality while tuning ranking for measurable engagement, then neutrality is being redefined as “not responsible for the outcomes”.
Ranking means deciding what gets reach, what gets buried, and which behaviors get rewarded.
If Meta claims neutrality while tuning ranking for measurable engagement, then neutrality is being redefined as “not responsible for the outcomes”.
January 15, 2026 at 8:41 AM
A neutral feed is impossible once content is ranked.
Ranking means deciding what gets reach, what gets buried, and which behaviors get rewarded.
If Meta claims neutrality while tuning ranking for measurable engagement, then neutrality is being redefined as “not responsible for the outcomes”.
Ranking means deciding what gets reach, what gets buried, and which behaviors get rewarded.
If Meta claims neutrality while tuning ranking for measurable engagement, then neutrality is being redefined as “not responsible for the outcomes”.
Starlink “coverage” and Starlink “capacity” are different things.
Coverage is whether a satellite can see you.
Capacity is whether your local cell has enough shared throughput at the time you need it.
Starlink behaves like a shared network that gets worse at peak usage as adoption clusters.
Coverage is whether a satellite can see you.
Capacity is whether your local cell has enough shared throughput at the time you need it.
Starlink behaves like a shared network that gets worse at peak usage as adoption clusters.
January 14, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Starlink “coverage” and Starlink “capacity” are different things.
Coverage is whether a satellite can see you.
Capacity is whether your local cell has enough shared throughput at the time you need it.
Starlink behaves like a shared network that gets worse at peak usage as adoption clusters.
Coverage is whether a satellite can see you.
Capacity is whether your local cell has enough shared throughput at the time you need it.
Starlink behaves like a shared network that gets worse at peak usage as adoption clusters.
So it turns out “reviewing grants” meant “punish the states that voted wrong”.
A federal judge says the Trump admin illegally cancelled $7.6B in clean-energy grants aimed at 16 Harris-voting states, while projects in places like Texas were spared.
That’s not governance.
A federal judge says the Trump admin illegally cancelled $7.6B in clean-energy grants aimed at 16 Harris-voting states, while projects in places like Texas were spared.
That’s not governance.
Court says Trump admin illegally blocked billions in clean energy grants to Democratic states
A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration acted illegally when it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for projects in states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 el...
apnews.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:28 PM
So it turns out “reviewing grants” meant “punish the states that voted wrong”.
A federal judge says the Trump admin illegally cancelled $7.6B in clean-energy grants aimed at 16 Harris-voting states, while projects in places like Texas were spared.
That’s not governance.
A federal judge says the Trump admin illegally cancelled $7.6B in clean-energy grants aimed at 16 Harris-voting states, while projects in places like Texas were spared.
That’s not governance.
“AI reduces errors” is backwards most of the time.
Automation reduces visible errors by standardizing outputs.
LLMs increase undetected errors by producing fluent nonsense that looks correct.
The result is not fewer mistakes but fewer alarms.
Automation reduces visible errors by standardizing outputs.
LLMs increase undetected errors by producing fluent nonsense that looks correct.
The result is not fewer mistakes but fewer alarms.
January 14, 2026 at 3:32 PM
“AI reduces errors” is backwards most of the time.
Automation reduces visible errors by standardizing outputs.
LLMs increase undetected errors by producing fluent nonsense that looks correct.
The result is not fewer mistakes but fewer alarms.
Automation reduces visible errors by standardizing outputs.
LLMs increase undetected errors by producing fluent nonsense that looks correct.
The result is not fewer mistakes but fewer alarms.
“Privacy” is, by definition, a limit on what others can learn about you.
Most privacy features in Big Tech are limits on other companies, not limits on the platform itself.
If the business model depends on measurement, targeting, or attribution, the platform still needs signals.
Most privacy features in Big Tech are limits on other companies, not limits on the platform itself.
If the business model depends on measurement, targeting, or attribution, the platform still needs signals.
January 14, 2026 at 12:20 PM
“Privacy” is, by definition, a limit on what others can learn about you.
Most privacy features in Big Tech are limits on other companies, not limits on the platform itself.
If the business model depends on measurement, targeting, or attribution, the platform still needs signals.
Most privacy features in Big Tech are limits on other companies, not limits on the platform itself.
If the business model depends on measurement, targeting, or attribution, the platform still needs signals.
People say “AI will do admin”.
Admin exists because reality is messy: exceptions, edge cases, liability, ambiguous intent.
If the work was clean enough to hand to software, we would have done it with forms and rules years ago.
Admin exists because reality is messy: exceptions, edge cases, liability, ambiguous intent.
If the work was clean enough to hand to software, we would have done it with forms and rules years ago.
January 14, 2026 at 8:59 AM
People say “AI will do admin”.
Admin exists because reality is messy: exceptions, edge cases, liability, ambiguous intent.
If the work was clean enough to hand to software, we would have done it with forms and rules years ago.
Admin exists because reality is messy: exceptions, edge cases, liability, ambiguous intent.
If the work was clean enough to hand to software, we would have done it with forms and rules years ago.
AI created a packaging race, and it costs $13B to stay invited.
January 13, 2026 at 7:06 PM
AI created a packaging race, and it costs $13B to stay invited.
Starlink keeps getting framed as connectivity. In practice, it’s a private foreign policy lever.
Iran can blackout fiber and towers, people route around it with smuggled dishes, and Tehran responds with jamming and confiscations.
The question isn’t speed but who decides if a country stays online.
Iran can blackout fiber and towers, people route around it with smuggled dishes, and Tehran responds with jamming and confiscations.
The question isn’t speed but who decides if a country stays online.
January 13, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Starlink keeps getting framed as connectivity. In practice, it’s a private foreign policy lever.
Iran can blackout fiber and towers, people route around it with smuggled dishes, and Tehran responds with jamming and confiscations.
The question isn’t speed but who decides if a country stays online.
Iran can blackout fiber and towers, people route around it with smuggled dishes, and Tehran responds with jamming and confiscations.
The question isn’t speed but who decides if a country stays online.
After years of “we’re serious about Big Tech”, the EU’s next move is a voluntary framework.
Telcos still get told what to do, platforms get asked to “cooperate” in meetings chaired by BEREC.
That is not regulation but a process. The incentives stay the same and the PR gets to claim progress.
Telcos still get told what to do, platforms get asked to “cooperate” in meetings chaired by BEREC.
That is not regulation but a process. The incentives stay the same and the PR gets to claim progress.
January 13, 2026 at 1:36 PM
After years of “we’re serious about Big Tech”, the EU’s next move is a voluntary framework.
Telcos still get told what to do, platforms get asked to “cooperate” in meetings chaired by BEREC.
That is not regulation but a process. The incentives stay the same and the PR gets to claim progress.
Telcos still get told what to do, platforms get asked to “cooperate” in meetings chaired by BEREC.
That is not regulation but a process. The incentives stay the same and the PR gets to claim progress.
“Our priority is to achieve regulatory clearance as efficiently as possible”, AB Foods says, as the CMA fast-tracks its Hovis deal into an in-depth probe.
Hovis is ~18% of UK pre-sliced bread, ABF’s Allied Bakeries ~6%, Warburtons ~28%.
“Efficiency” here is consolidation first consequences later.
Hovis is ~18% of UK pre-sliced bread, ABF’s Allied Bakeries ~6%, Warburtons ~28%.
“Efficiency” here is consolidation first consequences later.
UK watchdog to launch in-depth probe of AB Foods' purchase of bread brand Hovis
Britain's competition regulator said on Thursday that it would fast-track its probe of Associated British Foods' deal to buy bread brand Hovis from private equity firm Endless to an in-depth investiga...
www.reuters.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:09 AM
“Our priority is to achieve regulatory clearance as efficiently as possible”, AB Foods says, as the CMA fast-tracks its Hovis deal into an in-depth probe.
Hovis is ~18% of UK pre-sliced bread, ABF’s Allied Bakeries ~6%, Warburtons ~28%.
“Efficiency” here is consolidation first consequences later.
Hovis is ~18% of UK pre-sliced bread, ABF’s Allied Bakeries ~6%, Warburtons ~28%.
“Efficiency” here is consolidation first consequences later.
When a product harms people, the first reflex is to blame misuse.
But misuse is predictable under stress.
People click the first answer when they’re scared. They share the simplified version when they’re busy.
Designing for ideal users is how companies dodge responsibility for real ones.
But misuse is predictable under stress.
People click the first answer when they’re scared. They share the simplified version when they’re busy.
Designing for ideal users is how companies dodge responsibility for real ones.
January 13, 2026 at 8:41 AM
When a product harms people, the first reflex is to blame misuse.
But misuse is predictable under stress.
People click the first answer when they’re scared. They share the simplified version when they’re busy.
Designing for ideal users is how companies dodge responsibility for real ones.
But misuse is predictable under stress.
People click the first answer when they’re scared. They share the simplified version when they’re busy.
Designing for ideal users is how companies dodge responsibility for real ones.
India calls it a “security overhaul”.
The draft rules make Apple, Samsung and Google submit proprietary source code to government labs, block software rollbacks permanently, and stop background camera/mic/location access unless a status bar nags you, and MAIT told Delhi it’s “not possible”.
The draft rules make Apple, Samsung and Google submit proprietary source code to government labs, block software rollbacks permanently, and stop background camera/mic/location access unless a status bar nags you, and MAIT told Delhi it’s “not possible”.
Exclusive: India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul
The plan is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to boost security of user data as online fraud and data breaches increase in the world's second-largest smartphone market.
www.reuters.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:12 PM
India calls it a “security overhaul”.
The draft rules make Apple, Samsung and Google submit proprietary source code to government labs, block software rollbacks permanently, and stop background camera/mic/location access unless a status bar nags you, and MAIT told Delhi it’s “not possible”.
The draft rules make Apple, Samsung and Google submit proprietary source code to government labs, block software rollbacks permanently, and stop background camera/mic/location access unless a status bar nags you, and MAIT told Delhi it’s “not possible”.
“If you have time to dramatize it, you are probably still selling the feeling of it.”
open.substack.com/pub/engineer...
open.substack.com/pub/engineer...
Musk’s Singularity Moment Is Pure Theater
A viral declaration masking a much slower reality
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:25 PM
“If you have time to dramatize it, you are probably still selling the feeling of it.”
open.substack.com/pub/engineer...
open.substack.com/pub/engineer...
So what does “no breach” mean if an external party can spam Instagram password reset emails at scale?
Meta says the issue is fixed and you can ignore the emails, while Malwarebytes says data tied to 17.5 million accounts was for sale, including addresses and phone numbers.
Meta says the issue is fixed and you can ignore the emails, while Malwarebytes says data tied to 17.5 million accounts was for sale, including addresses and phone numbers.
Instagram says it fixed the issue that sent password reset emails
Instagram says it fixed the issue that sent password reset emails and that there was no breach of its systems.
www.theverge.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:56 AM
So what does “no breach” mean if an external party can spam Instagram password reset emails at scale?
Meta says the issue is fixed and you can ignore the emails, while Malwarebytes says data tied to 17.5 million accounts was for sale, including addresses and phone numbers.
Meta says the issue is fixed and you can ignore the emails, while Malwarebytes says data tied to 17.5 million accounts was for sale, including addresses and phone numbers.
Lego says the Smart Brick’s microphone doesn’t record audio.
Cool, but the Verge says it still ships with Bluetooth mesh, NFC tags, sensors, and app-updatable firmware inside a 2×4 brick.
Doesn’t record is scope laundering when the real issue is a child’s toy becoming a networked computer.
Cool, but the Verge says it still ships with Bluetooth mesh, NFC tags, sensors, and app-updatable firmware inside a 2×4 brick.
Doesn’t record is scope laundering when the real issue is a child’s toy becoming a networked computer.
Lego announces Smart Brick, the ‘most significant evolution’ in 50 years
Starting with Lego Star Wars.
www.theverge.com
January 11, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Lego says the Smart Brick’s microphone doesn’t record audio.
Cool, but the Verge says it still ships with Bluetooth mesh, NFC tags, sensors, and app-updatable firmware inside a 2×4 brick.
Doesn’t record is scope laundering when the real issue is a child’s toy becoming a networked computer.
Cool, but the Verge says it still ships with Bluetooth mesh, NFC tags, sensors, and app-updatable firmware inside a 2×4 brick.
Doesn’t record is scope laundering when the real issue is a child’s toy becoming a networked computer.
So when Elon Musk says X will “open source” its new recommendation algorithm in seven days, what are we actually auditing?
Reuters says he’s publishing the code for organic and ad recommendations, not the data, labels, enforcement rules, or the knobs advertisers pay for.
Reuters says he’s publishing the code for organic and ad recommendations, not the data, labels, enforcement rules, or the knobs advertisers pay for.
Musk's X to open source new algorithm in seven days
Elon Musk said on Saturday that social media platform X will open to the public its new algorithm, including all code for organic and advertising post recommendations, in seven days.
www.reuters.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:45 PM
So when Elon Musk says X will “open source” its new recommendation algorithm in seven days, what are we actually auditing?
Reuters says he’s publishing the code for organic and ad recommendations, not the data, labels, enforcement rules, or the knobs advertisers pay for.
Reuters says he’s publishing the code for organic and ad recommendations, not the data, labels, enforcement rules, or the knobs advertisers pay for.
OpenAI and SoftBank each put $500M into SB Energy to fund a 1.2-gigawatt data center in Texas under “Stargate”.
Read that unit. Gigawatts. This is an energy buildout with an AI label slapped on it because the compute race ran into electricity.
Read that unit. Gigawatts. This is an energy buildout with an AI label slapped on it because the compute race ran into electricity.
OpenAI, SoftBank invest $1 billion in SB Energy as Stargate buildout expands
OpenAI and SoftBank Group will invest $500 million each in SB Energy to expand data center and power infrastructure for their Stargate initiative, SB Energy said on Friday.
www.reuters.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:05 PM
OpenAI and SoftBank each put $500M into SB Energy to fund a 1.2-gigawatt data center in Texas under “Stargate”.
Read that unit. Gigawatts. This is an energy buildout with an AI label slapped on it because the compute race ran into electricity.
Read that unit. Gigawatts. This is an energy buildout with an AI label slapped on it because the compute race ran into electricity.
Nvidia is demanding full upfront payment for H200 orders in China, with no cancellations, refunds, or configuration changes.
Orders are reported above 2 million chips against about 700,000 units of inventory, at roughly $27,000 each. That’s not a normal purchase flow but risk transfer.
Orders are reported above 2 million chips against about 700,000 units of inventory, at roughly $27,000 each. That’s not a normal purchase flow but risk transfer.
Exclusive: Nvidia requires full upfront payment for H200 chips in China, sources say
Nvidia is requiring full upfront payment from Chinese customers seeking its H200 artificial intelligence chips, hedging it against ongoing uncertainty over Beijing's approval of the shipments, said tw...
www.reuters.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Nvidia is demanding full upfront payment for H200 orders in China, with no cancellations, refunds, or configuration changes.
Orders are reported above 2 million chips against about 700,000 units of inventory, at roughly $27,000 each. That’s not a normal purchase flow but risk transfer.
Orders are reported above 2 million chips against about 700,000 units of inventory, at roughly $27,000 each. That’s not a normal purchase flow but risk transfer.
xAI is investing over $20B in a Mississippi data center, targeting 2GW, with operations expected to start in Feb 2026.
Two gigawatts is the headline. This stopped being a software startup story a while ago, and the spending proves it.
Two gigawatts is the headline. This stopped being a software startup story a while ago, and the spending proves it.
Musk's xAI to invest over $20 billion in Mississippi data center
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence startup xAI is investing more than $20 billion to build a data center in Southaven, Mississippi, state Governor Tate Reeves said in a statement on Thursday, as a bo...
www.reuters.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:59 PM
xAI is investing over $20B in a Mississippi data center, targeting 2GW, with operations expected to start in Feb 2026.
Two gigawatts is the headline. This stopped being a software startup story a while ago, and the spending proves it.
Two gigawatts is the headline. This stopped being a software startup story a while ago, and the spending proves it.