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Win11 update breaks things, Zuck at Addiction Trial, Toxic Headphones(?) and more!

February 21, 2026 • 11m

Summary

⏱️ 6 min read

Overview

This tech news episode covers Microsoft's problematic Windows 11 update causing installation failures and network issues, Mark Zuckerberg's testimony in a social media addiction trial, a controversial EU study finding harmful chemicals in all tested headphones, and several quick news items including Intel's AI chatbot troubles, Ring's expanded surveillance features, major data breaches, ATM hacking guidance, and Substack's partnership with a gambling platform.

Microsoft's Windows 11 Update Disaster

Microsoft's February Windows 11 update has created widespread chaos for users, with reports flooding in about failed installations, broken network connections, and mysterious errors. While Microsoft claims everything is fixed and points to their known issues page, Reddit and Microsoft Answers forums paint a very different picture. Users are experiencing Wi-Fi connections without actual internet access, Bluetooth controllers vanishing mid-session, and even taskbars randomly disappearing. Making matters worse for Microsoft's reputation, some of these problems may be carry-over issues from last month's File Explorer breaking update.

  • Windows 11 February update causing failed installations, broken network connections, and cryptic errors
  • Wi-Fi connecting without actual internet and Bluetooth controllers disappearing mid-session
  • One sysadmin reports three out of five chance of taskbar disappearing
  • Microsoft deleted official blog posts that recommended training AI models on pirated Harry Potter books
" Proving that as a public holiday, Patch Tuesday is less Easter and more Lent. You're supposed to refrain from eating while you atone for your computer sins. "

Zuckerberg Takes the Stand in Social Media Addiction Trial

Mark Zuckerberg testified in a landmark trial where a 20-year-old plaintiff alleges Instagram's design worsened her depression and thoughts of self-harm. The Meta CEO claimed to care about teen well-being and admitted Meta may have once prioritized increasing user time spent on platforms, but insisted they no longer operate that way. However, the prosecution revealed damaging internal emails showing Zuckerberg decided teens were the company's top priority in 2017, and former Meta VP Brian Boland testified that the company prioritized growth over user safety, managing press cycles rather than investigating harm.

  • 20-year-old plaintiff alleges Instagram's design worsened her depression and self-harm thoughts
  • Zuckerberg admitted Meta may have once set goals around increasing time spent by users but claims that's no longer how they operate
  • Internal Facebook email from 2017 states Mark decided the top priority for the company is teens
  • Judge scolded Zuckerberg for wearing camera-equipped Ray-Ban Meta glasses into courtroom
  • Former VP Brian Boland walked away from over $10 million in unvested stock after leaving Meta in 2020
" I care about the well-being of teens and kids who are using our services. "
" When concerns about harm came up, the primary response was to manage the press cycle rather than actually investigate the problem. "
" Imagine how unlikable Zuckerberg must be for someone to walk away from $10 million. "

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