Welcome to The Stepback, a weekly breakdown of one essential story from across the tech world

Donald Trump's recent attacks on free speech, foreign influence, and the rule of law reflect a troubling trend towards authoritarianism, often merging these themes in a dangerous manner. However, even minor aspects of governance, such as "out of office" auto-replies, are not spared from corruption in Trump's realm, highlighting the pervasive nature of his influence. Want More Context? 🔎

Blue Origin's second launch of the New Glenn rocket is crucial, as it aims to send two NASA-funded satellites to Mars to investigate the planet's atmospheric evolution. A successful mission would not only advance scientific understanding but also help Blue Origin gain certification from the Space Force for launching national security satellites. Want More Context? 🔎

WikiHow CEO Elizabeth Douglas testified in court about the challenges her site faces amid Google's dominance in ad tech and the rise of AI tools, which have reduced web traffic and ad revenue for publishers. While she relies on Google’s ad services for stability, she expressed concern that a forced breakup of Google’s ad tools could further disrupt her business, despite acknowledging the complexities of Google's monopolistic practices. Want More Context? 🔎

Americans' trust in mass media has fallen to a record low, with only 28% expressing confidence in the accuracy and fairness of news reporting, down from 31% last year and 40% five years ago, according to Gallup. This decline marks a significant drop from the 68-72% confidence levels reported in the 1970s, highlighting a long-term trend of decreasing trust in media sources. Want More Context? 🔎

Samsung is set to launch its first mixed-reality headset, dubbed Project Moohan, on October 22 in South Korea, as reported by ChosunBiz. Developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, this Android-powered device aims to be competitively priced below Apple’s Vision Pro, marking Samsung's entry into the XR market. Want More Context? 🔎

Google has laid off over 100 employees in design-related roles within its cloud unit, including those in user experience research and design teams, as part of a cost-cutting strategy to focus on AI infrastructure. The layoffs, which have halved some design teams, primarily affect U.S.-based roles, with some employees given until early December to find new positions within the company. Want More Context? 🔎