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AI already generates photos indistinguishable from reality, so people are using it to collect fake returns

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The photo on the left was taken by me on my bathroom counter, the second is the result of asking Nano Banana to simulate that it had been hit during transport. If it weren’t for the Gemini logo in the lower right corner (which can be removed very easily), it would pass perfectly for a real photo. Online stores have a problem. what’s happening. There is an increasingly common trend in the world of online sales. Some customers are taking advantage of imaging models like Nano Banana to request product returns. Is what this person did: He ordered a carton of eggs from a fast home delivery service. One of the 24 eggs was broken. He took a photo and asked Gemini to add more broken eggs. He sent it to customer service and voilà: return completed. Why is it important. The images are no longer proof of anything, we saw it with the first images generated with Nano Banana Pro that went viral, and we are going to have to learn to live with it. Not only will we doubt absolutely every image we see, it also means that anything that could be verified with images may now be false. There are many more scenarios: cheat on your boss telling you that you had an accident on the way to work, exaggerating the damages to your insurance company, lying to your partner… China has the advantage. They count in South China Morning Post that the trend of deceiving online sales companies with AI is a trend that is spreading like wildfire. During the pass 11.11 celebrationseveral stores received images of customers asking for a refund using AI-generated images, such as a rusty electric toothbrush, a frayed item of clothing, or a broken ceramic mug. There is a case that has been echoed Wiredin which a customer who bought live crabs demanded a refund because many had arrived dead. To prove it, he sent images and even videos, but the sellers noticed that the video was not real because there were crabs with more legs. The problem with these detected cases is that the images were not credible, but that makes us think of all the more subtle images that will be considered good. There are more cases. China has the largest online trading systemso it makes sense that more cases have been detected, but it is not a trend exclusive to one country. The egg case that we mentioned above occurred in India and cases have also been detected in the United States. According to the fraud detection firm Forterthe use of AI images for this type of deception has increased by 15% by 2025, coinciding with the arrival of more capable imaging models. With Nano Banana Pro it looks like the trend is going to give a significant boost. Returns without return. Obviously, this technique cannot be used with just any product. There are cases in which stores refund our money without it being necessary for us to return the product. It can be applied in the case of perishable, fragile products and, in general, low-value products. If the images are no longer proof, they will have to change the strategy. Sending us a broken bottle of shampoo, I don’t know if it would be the best option, but they could force that the photos sent can only be taken from the app itself and not upload the ones we have in the camera roll. Image | Amparo Babiloni, Xataka In Xataka | FACUA believes that a lot of V16 beacons “approved by the DGT” are not legal. And there’s a way to sum it up: fraud.

If it is better to collect in 12 or 14 payments

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One of the most common questions that many workers answer when starting to work in a new company is: How do you want to collect your salaryin 12 or 14 payments? It is a question that seems simple, but choosing one or the other can be decisive for the personal finances of each employee. As finance experts explain, understanding the advantages of each modality is essential to plan expenses and savings during the year or obtain greater profitability from your salary. That is precisely the question that labor lawyer Andrés Millán posed since your profile on LinkedIn“if I could earn 15,000 euros in January, with knowledge of capital management, it would be ideal.” More salary or more pay As confirmed to us Marta Rayaces, tax expert TaxDownthe annual salary is the same, whether it is paid in 12 or 14 monthly installments. However, the amount that employees receive every month and the way in which each extra payment is received can change some financial habits. The workers’ salary is not calculated monthly, but annually from of your gross salary. Then, depending on the choice of each employee (or by company imposition), that amount is prorated into 12 or 14 payments. That is, if a person has an annual salary of 16,000 gross euros per yearthat amount will be the same in either of the two options, it is just distributed differently over the months. In the 12-month prorated option, the worker earns more each month (1,333.33 euros gross), but does not receive extraordinary payments. With the 14-pay option, the monthly salary is lower (1,142.85 euros gross), but two extra income is generated, usually in June (summer pay), and December (Christmas pay), key months for the highest expenses. This difference is reflected in the availability of cash by the worker, so that he can manage your money. Rayaces points out that the higher salary provided by the 12 monthly payments leaves more cash in the employee’s pocket, which allows him to establish a savings planinvest or meet regular expenses with greater liquidity. On the other hand, with 14 payments you obtain less cash each month, but the two additional payments are useful to cover seasonal expenses, such as vacations, going back to school or the increase in expenses incurred during the Christmas holidays. Personal income tax withholding and tax effects According to the Taxdown expert, the choice between 12 or 14 payments also modifies how the tax is applied. monthly income tax withholding, although it does not affect the final amount paid to the State. “The annual gross salary is the same, the only thing that varies is the frequency of payment. It is just a question of how the withholding is distributed throughout the year,” Rayaces pointed out. The personal income tax withholding It is calculated based on a percentage of the total salary. Therefore, as was the case with the annual gross salary, the lower the monthly amount, a proportional withholding is applied, so the amount that is withheld as personal income tax is also lower in the same proportion. That is, taxation will not be a differential factor between the two options since it is exactly the same annual percentage in both regardless of whether it is done in 12 or 14 payments. Manage or let others manage Rayaces points out that the main condition that must prevail in this decision is the ability to manage the personal finance. “If you have financial and investment knowledge, it is better to pay 12 to earn more month after month,” says the Taxdown expert. In that way, you can invest part of that salary and obtain profitability from it. On the other hand, if you do not organize well and then you have problems making ends meet when seasonal expenses arise (planning vacations, gifts and meals at Christmas, going back to school, etc.), then it is better to receive your salary in 14 payments and thus you will receive more money when those expenses occur. In Xataka | Good news, salaries in Spain are rising: the problem is that if you are young you probably don’t know it Image | Unsplash (Andres Simon)

The patch to avoid another massive blackout is going to cost us 731 million euros. Iberdrola has already begun to collect it

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The blackout on April 28 did not come free, and we consumers are going to pay for it. Iberdrola has confirmed that the extra cost caused by the “reinforced mode” that was activated after the massive blackout. And everything indicates that the rest of the electric companies will follow in their footsteps. what has happened. They tell it in The World. Until now, the impact of the blackout on the bill had been limited because the CNMC intervened so that the electricity companies could not modify the price for customers who have contracted fixed rates. FACUA also issued a statement warning that rates could not be raised if it did not appear in the contract. The blackout was more than six months ago, more than enough time for many free market contracts to have been renewed. This has given Iberdrola the opportunity to introduce clauses that allow them to pass the cost on to customers. Reinforced mode After the blackout, the so-called “reinforced mode” was activated. This adjustment involves intervening in the market to incorporate more conventional energy (gas, hydroelectric and nuclear) and limiting the entry of renewables with the aim of avoiding voltage failures. And of course, these energies are more expensive, in addition to requiring more auxiliary services to stabilize the network. The problem is that this It started as a patch after the blackout, but it has become the new normal which remains half a year later. The cost. It covers from the blackout until September and amounts to 210 million euros distributed between Spain and Portugal. Of this sum, Spain assumes the majority, with 180 million euros. Iberdrola regrets that the change in the system by Red Eléctrica is entailing an extra cost that “affects our results” and they hope to transfer 70% of this amount to their clients before the end of the year. Not just Iberdrola. Nothing prevents the rest of the electricity marketers from following in Iberdrola’s footsteps. According to El Mundo, the total cost of the reinforced mode in these six months amounts to 731 million euros and it looks like it will remain active for longer, so this amount will increase. The CNMC warns that any change in contract prices must be communicated transparently. From one pocket to another. In the Iberian Peninsula there are five nuclear power plants, 1,300 hydroelectric plants and some 200 gas plants. These conventional (non-renewable) energy plants are providing more energy as long as the boosted mode remains active and they are receiving more income for it. What is striking is that they mostly belong to private companies such as Iberdrola, Naturgy either Endesawho are the ones who will end up increasing the price of the invoice. Images | Wikipedia In Xataka | Five months later we continue to discover things about the blackout in Spain. And the news is getting worse for Europe

Ryanair workers have a good reason for passing passengers with too big suitcases: collect more

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When we approach the shipping doors, it is quite common that part of the airline team is responsible for looking sideways at passengers to see if We comply with the regulations of luggage and we do not carry excessively large bags in the cabin. In addition to because it is part of their work, Ryanair employees also have another motivation behind: collect more. The airline pay your employees 1.50 euros For each suitcase that detects that it does not meet the rules, a practice that the company’s own CEO itself, Michael O’Leary, not only defends, but even considers expanding. Why this happens. The Irish airline has confirmed that this economic incentive pays for its staff for catching passengers that carry luggage that exceeds the allowed dimensions. Those who catch can fall a sanction of up to 75 euros for billing it in the cellar. O’Leary justifies This policy as a way to “eliminate the scourge of passengers with excessive luggage.” The numbers that explain the business. Each employee can win up to 80 euros per month for this practice. Although it should be said that, according to the company, more than 99.9% of travelers comply with luggage standards. It should be said that the difference between what Ryanair pays to its employees for detecting a suitcase and what charges the passenger for sanction (up to 75 euros) is a considerable margin that contributes in part to the spectacular results that the airline has had. And is that Up to 820 million euros in the last quarter, shooting their shares 4.7% in the stock market after exceeding all forecasts. The growth of 7% in auxiliary income, where these luggage penalties are included, has been key next to the 21% rise in average rates up to 51 euros per ticket. Ryanair is not the only one. This practice makes employees at the boarding door also act as a kind of luggage guards. It is not for less, since if in addition to making passengers to comply with the regulations, they take a pinch, better than better. Todo esto teniendo en cuenta además que Ryanair anunció que would expand the dimensions of the permitted suitcases in cabin. Although the truth is that the practice is not exclusive to Ryanair: other airlines like Easyjet have also implemented similar schemes Through subcontracted companies such as Swissport, which pays 1.20 pounds for each pillada suitcase. The workers, who usually charge around 12 pounds per hour according to The Guardian, also face tense situations with passengers, since no one makes it funny to have to pay more just when you are going to ride on the plane. The context of the sector. Ryanair is now in a sweet moment, especially knowing that it has become the main airline in Spain by passengers with a growth of 20.6% this last quarter and maintains this country as its second most important market after Italy, with income of 772 million euros. The European Parliament Press so that airlines allow luggage in cabin and hand for free, but O’Leary predict that this proposal “will not prosper due to the lack of space in the airplanes.” According to its latest financial report, the airline operates with virtually 94% occupation flights, where approximately half of the passengers can carry two packages and the other half only one. And now what. Ryanair does not rule out increasing the incentives paid to its employees for detecting excess bulk, although O’Leary expects detections to decrease in the coming years as passengers adapt better to the standards. Meanwhile, the airline benefits from a European market with a limited capacity until 2030. “We will be at least five years old, until 2030, with the constrained offer,” Neil Sorahan accountfinancial director of the airline. This allows them to keep high rates and strict policies. For travelers, this means that we will have to take special care in the boarding gates, especially to comply with the regulations and not take an unpleasant surprise later. Cover image | Niels Baars and Anastasiia Nelen In Xataka | Ryanair’s new competition does not come from any European airline: it comes from India and has an ambitious plan

This is one of the best ways to quickly collect the suitcase at the airport

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A year ago my Magnet colleagues published an article that focused on the opinion of an airport employee and that I mentioned whether or not to tie ribbons, place stickers or use keychains for Recognize the suitcase When traveling by plane. Are they effective? Yes. Are they recommended? Not so much. The problem is that these stickers, ribbons and other accessories can cover the stickers that airports provide to identify suitcases with our data and reach their destination. If these stickers are covered, the suitcase can be lost. It is not necessary to complicate too much to find a simpler and more effective solution to recognize our suitcase and have it located at all times. The locators of the different brands are very useful for those moments when we leave the plane and want to collect the suitcase. Airtag is one of the best known, But there are many more that are also very practical. AIRTAG by 31.99 eurosthe Apple locator for iPhone users. Samsung Galaxy Smarttag2 by 20.99 eurosan AirTag alternative for Samsung mobiles. Tile mate by 60.29 eurosa game of three locators compatible with iOS and Android. Eufy Security SmartTrack Link by 19.99 eurosa much cheaper alternative to Airtag that is compatible with iOS. Ugreen Finetrack Smart Finder by 13.99 eurosanother alternative even cheaper to Airtag that is also compatible with iOS. AIRTAG He AIRTAGwhich currently has a price of 31.99 eurosit is one of the locators par excellence, although it should be remembered once again They are only compatible with Apple devicesas is the case of iPhone. Are integrated into the Search networkthey have a very good autonomy and the pile can be changed comfortably and easily, thus allowing the accessory to reuse. * Some price may have changed from the last review Samsung Galaxy Smarttag2 If the AIRTAG is the Apple locator, the Galaxy Smarttag2 It is Samsung’s. Its price is currently 19.31 euros in Amazon and it is convenient to know that it is about A locator that can only be used with Samsung devicesas is the case of its mobiles. It includes a hole to be able to place it in different places, it offers an autonomy of up to 500 days in normal mode and its pile can also be exchanged. * Some price may have changed from the last review Tile mate The most versatile locator of this list is the Tile matewhich can be found in a pack with three units per 60.29 euros. And it is the most versatile because It is compatible with both iOS and Android. In addition, it also includes a hole to place it in different places, it includes a speaker to find the suitcase, offers IP67 certificationits autonomy is approximately three years and, in this case, the battery cannot be changed. Tile Mate (three units pack) * Some price may have changed from the last review Eufy Security SmartTrack Link If we are Apple users and want to use a locator with the iPhone or the iPad, the Eufy Security SmartTrack Link It is a cheaper alternative to Airtag, since it costs 19.99 euros. It is a locator manufactured by the Anker submarine that allows you to find an iPhone even in silence mode. It also offers alerts of lost objects, they are integrated into the search, it offers a one -year autonomy and its pile can be replaced. Eufy Security SmartTrack Link * Some price may have changed from the last review Ugreen Finetrack Smart Finder On the other hand, if we are also Apple users and what we are looking for is a locator even cheaper than EuFy’s, the Ugreen Finetrack Smart Finder It is an interesting purchase option considering that it currently costs 13.99 euros. It is integrated into the Search Network of Apple, its battery offers an autonomy of up to 24 months (the battery can be replaced) and includes a hole to place it in different places. In addition, it is able to send reminders if we separate a lot from the locator. Ugreen Finetrack Smart Finder * Some price may have changed from the last review Some of the links of this article are affiliated and can report a benefit to Xataka. In case of non -availability, offers may vary. Images | Freepik (header), Apple, Samsung, Tile, Anker, Ugreen In Xataka | GPS locator purchase guide: tips and recommendations to succeed and seven models from 30 euros In Xataka | Six gadgets that I never thought I would need and have improved my daily life in 1000%

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