TechLinked – Discord exposes govt IDs, New Xbox consoles coming, OpenAI x AMD + more!

Date: October 7, 2025
Host: Linus Media Group
Main Theme:
This episode dives into major tech and gaming news: Discord’s government ID data breach, Microsoft’s ongoing hardware ambitions for Xbox, a blockbuster partnership between AMD and OpenAI, details on upcoming Intel and Nvidia chip technology, updates on anti-cheat in Call of Duty, and inventive uses of lasers to protect Japanese poultry. The hosts blend skepticism, humor, and insight into hot topics impacting privacy, gaming, and AI innovation.

Discord’s Government ID Data Breach

[00:28 – 02:30]

• Data Breach Overview:
  Discord has confirmed that hackers accessed sensitive information, including some government IDs, submitted for mandatory age verification under the UK's new Online Safety Act.
• Breach Details:
  • Hackers targeted a third-party customer service provider.
  • Exposed: User names, emails, IPs, contact details, support messages, and “a small number” of government ID images.
• Host’s Reaction:
  • Strongly critical of the policy, peppered with sarcasm and frustration about privacy foresight:
    • “If only someone had seen this coming and expressed concerns about it—other than the thousands of people who did.” — Host ([00:48])
    • Jokes about the UK’s misplaced faith in hackers:
      “I thought the UK government rolled out age checks only after they made all the hackers promise to leave the IDs alone.”
  • Notes broader concern: Many platforms now hold similarly sensitive info, raising the risk of more leaks.

Key Quote:

“Hopefully all the other hackers stick to the agreement and we won’t see any more IDs get compromised from the hundreds of other popular platforms that have also collected them.” ([01:30])

Microsoft’s Xbox Strategy: Hardware Isn’t Dead—Yet

[02:31 – 05:02]

• Rumors Debunked:
  • Despite speculation after Game Pass price hikes, Microsoft insists Xbox hardware is not ending.
  • Ongoing investment in first-party consoles and devices confirmed.
• Industry Context:
  • Microsoft exploring software profitability (e.g., ad-supported Xbox cloud gaming service; reported $300 million loss on putting Call of Duty 6 on Game Pass—source: Bloomberg).
• Handheld Canceled:
  • Microsoft scrapped a first-party Xbox handheld due to unwillingness to meet AMD’s chip order minimums.
  • The segment is laced with dry humor and existential references:
    • “The Xbox brand is 23 years old now, and like many others its age, it’s clearly going through a bit of an existential crisis.”
    • “Maybe time to go backpacking to find yourself.”

Key Quote:

“We really just don’t know if we’re gonna sell that many, so I was like, can we just do like a baker’s dozen?” ([04:22])

AMD & OpenAI Announce Massive GPU Partnership

[05:03 – 06:30]

• Deal Details:

  • OpenAI to deploy up to 6 gigawatts of AMD Instinct AI GPUs—potentially millions of GPUs over several years.
  • Kicks off with 1 GW of MI450 GPUs in early 2026.
  • Deal worth tens of billions a year; also gives OpenAI rights to acquire up to 10% of AMD at $0.01/share.

• Industry Impact:

  • Big boost for AMD in competing with Nvidia’s AI GPU dominance.
  • Joking reference to “1.21 gigawatts” from Back to the Future.
  • Concerns that AMD’s enterprise focus will sideline PC gamers, especially as component prices spike.

• Host Commentary:

  • “I don’t think Dr. Lisa Su will forget about us. She took an oath to protect the vulnerable, heal the sick, and all that stuff, you know. Right?” ([06:14])

Quick Bits

[07:00 – 12:40]

Intel Panther Lake CPUs

[07:05]

• “Panther Lake” mobile CPUs will all get integrated graphics; high-end models branded “Core Ultra X” (e.g., Ultra X9, X7).
• 12 XE3 GPU cores—major jump from Lunar Lake’s 8 XE2.
• Intended to compete with AMD APUs.

Nintendo Switch 2 & Nvidia DLSS

[08:22]

• Switch 2 supports two DLSS versions: full-featured and a “Lite” performance-focused mode for upscaling beyond 1080p; more artifacts during camera movement.
• Devs can choose optimal mode per game; possibility for better performance tradeoffs.
• “Do a Mario impression saying ‘it’s a me, a super sampling.’”

OpenAI & Jony Ive AI Device

[09:29]

• Report: OpenAI and designer Jony Ive collaborating on a “palm-sized” screenless AI device—always listening/watching, raises significant privacy and computational challenges.
• Host draws comparison to Linus’s negative experience with an AI “friend” device on Short Circuit.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7—Ricochet Anti-Cheat

[10:22]

• Early access beta of Black Ops 7 sees Ricochet anti-cheat reportedly blocking 97% of cheaters in 30 mins; less than 1% slip through.
• Early, but sets new standard for effective anti-cheat.
• Minor concern: Lags in user numbers possibly due to stricter enforcement, but noted as a positive step for fair play.

Japanese Drone-Lasers Safeguard Chickens

[11:55]

• NTT East Group & Chiba Prefecture employ drones with non-lethal lasers to scare birds away and protect chickens from avian flu.
• Host jokes about the sci-fi vibe:
  “Chicken defending laser drones. Sadly, the more I tell you..., the more pedestrian and logical this plan all sounds.”
• “I’m gonna start shooting a laser pointer at my nephew whenever he comes at me with a runny nose. Get away from me, goopy.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Discord’s Breach & UK Policy:
  “Codswallop. If only someone had seen this coming and expressed concerns about it, other than the thousands of people who did.” — Host ([00:47])

• On Xbox Existential Crisis:
  “The Xbox brand is 23 years old now, and like many others its age, it’s clearly going through a bit of an existential crisis, something that routinely happens at age 23 these days.” ([04:41])

• On AMD & OpenAI’s Giant GPU Deal:
  “Great Scott. What a missed opportunity… to have referenced the 1.21 gigawatts used to time travel in Back to the Future.” ([05:38])

• On Chicken-Defending Laser Drones:
  “This doesn’t need to be said, but this is badass.” ([11:57])

Final Thoughts

Packed with humor and pop culture riffs, this episode covers major privacy, gaming, and AI developments—from serious concerns over sensitive data leaks to the bold moves shaping tomorrow’s gaming and AI landscape. The hosts blend skepticism, empathy for consumers, and techie in-jokes, making it a sharp, entertaining rundown for anyone seeking the pulse of tech news.

End of summary. For full details, rewind to the timestamps noted above!