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YouTube settles with FTC over child privacy violations

Aug30
by on August 30, 2019 at 11:36 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Google


Within days of launching its YouTube Kids site and adding more age categories to the Kids app, YouTube is settling with the Federal Trade Commission over child privacy violations. According to a report from Politico, YouTube agreed to pay $150-200 million to the Justice Department to settle the FTC investigation. Several advocacy groups submitted a complaint to the FTC asking it to investigate whether the site had violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Its alleged infraction was collecting data on youthful users to serve them targeted advertisements without the consent of their parents. The COPPA is intended to ensure no…

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How to see what ads Instagram thinks you’ll care about

Aug30
by on August 30, 2019 at 10:24 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Basics


Welcome to TNW Basics, a collection of tips, guides, and advice on how to easily get the most out of your gadgets, apps, and other stuff. Instagram‘s one of the prime social networks, and its ads are sometimes marginally less obtrusive than the likes of its big brother, Facebook. But they’re still there and they can be a nuisance — especially if you’re getting ads that have nothing to do with what you’re interested in. Instagram provides a way for you to see what it thinks your interests are, so you can see what kinds of ads it’s going to serve…

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Opinion: Facebook’s brain computer interface will be the instrument of society’s collapse

Aug30
by on August 30, 2019 at 8:43 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, artificial intelligence, Google, Insights, Opinion


Anyone else think giving Facebook literal access to our brains is a catastrophically stupid idea? If you missed it: Facebook‘s building a brain computer interface (BCI). In the company’s words, the gadget will be: A non-invasive, wearable device that lets people type by simply imagining themselves talking. That makes it sound like a Bluetooth accessory you’ll wear on your head that let’s you chat hands-free using only your mind – perhaps with webcam models. When you think about it that way: here’s a link to Investopedia’s beginner’s guide to buying Facebook stock. All jokes aside, a well-functioning BCI could be the…

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Breaking: Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s account has been hacked

Aug30
by on August 30, 2019 at 8:13 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Social Media


Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey‘s had his account hacked. Several tweets have been sent from his verified @Jack account, many of them containing racist epithets, threats, and extortion demands. We’re aware that @jack was compromised and investigating what happened. — Twitter Comms (@TwitterComms) August 30, 2019   At approximately 12:45 PST today, tweets coming from the account seemed to be the work of either a hacker or a disgruntled employee. The attack appears to be a coordinated effort between several accounts, with many of those participating being immediately banned.  At this time it’s unknown if this is a prank or if threats…

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Gaming’s ‘MeToo’ moment continues as more women come forward

Aug30
by on August 30, 2019 at 7:02 pm
Posted In: Around the Web, Code Word, gaming


For the ongoing series, Code Word, we’re exploring if — and how — technology can protect individuals against sexual assault and harassment, and how it can help and support survivors. What started as a small collection of voices on Twitter has now ballooned into a full-blown movement, as more and more women in gaming come forward with accusations against men who’ve allegedly abused or assaulted them. As several observers have pointed out, it seems long overdue for the industry. Several women came forward earlier this week to disclose the names of men who’d sexually abused them or engaged in predatory behavior,…

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