Filter by positivity: This new A.I. could detoxify online comment threads
Filter by positivity: This new A.I. could detoxify online comment threads
Internet comments frequently descend into toxic hate speech. Could an algorithm that instead focuses on highlighting 'help speech' be the answer? A.I. researchers from Carnegie Mellon University believe it could. Here's what they've developed -- and why they believe it may be so useful.
Apple Safari flaw left users’ browsing activity open to being tracked
Apple Safari flaw left users’ browsing activity open to being tracked
Apple recently fixed a serious security flaw with its Safari browser after being alerted to it by Google. The vulnerability, if exploited, would've enabled third parties to gather “sensitive private information about the user’s browsing habits,” Google said this week. Apple fixed the issue soon after learning of it.
Google CEO Sundar Pichai warns of dangers of A.I. and calls for more regulation
Google CEO Sundar Pichai warns of dangers of A.I. and calls for more regulation
Google CEO Sundar Pichai has warned about the dangers of unchecked A.I. and has said in an op-ed in the Financial Times that he believes that the area should be more tightly regulated, citing concerns such as the rise of deepfakes and potential abuses of facial recognition technology.
Radiohead’s new online public library offers tons of goodies for fans
Radiohead’s new online public library offers tons of goodies for fans
Radiohead has pulled together a ton of content from its multi-decade history to create the Radiohead Public Library. The online treasure trove contains everything from videos, music, and artwork, to websites, merchandise, and assorted ephemera. It even offers a personalized library card!
Terrifying Clearview app could be the end of anonymity in public places
Terrifying Clearview app could be the end of anonymity in public places
New facial recognition technology could be used to identify anyone, anywhere, and it's already in use by police in the U.S. A tiny company called Clearview developed the app that can use an existing photo of a person to search for other photos of them online, along with links to where those photos are hosted.
Bose to close all of its U.S. retail stores in pivot to online shopping
Bose to close all of its U.S. retail stores in pivot to online shopping
Bose has announced it's closing all 119 of its brick-and-mortar stores in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia in the coming months, focusing its efforts on e-commerce instead. But 130 Bose stores in China, India, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the United Arab Emirates will remain open, at least for now.
Microsoft’s new Edge browser has launched, and it’s finally worth switching to
Microsoft’s new Edge browser has launched, and it’s finally worth switching to
Almost a year and a half ago, Microsoft shook up the computing world. But, it wasn't with a computer. The company announced it would be releasing a new web browser based on Google's open-source Chromium engine. I've been using that browser in my life for the past year. Here's why I think it's worth switching to.
Send a DM with a real keyboard as Instagram tests messaging on desktop
Send a DM with a real keyboard as Instagram tests messaging on desktop
Instagram users could soon have access to Direct Messages on the desktop. Instagram confirmed a global test of the feature launched today for a percentage of users, after testing internally last year. The update brings most of the messaging features to the Instagram website.
Would you trust Verizon’s new privacy-focused OneSearch to protect your data?
Would you trust Verizon’s new privacy-focused OneSearch to protect your data?
Verizon has launched a new search engine called OneSearch. Powered by Bing, it's designed to put user privacy first, having no cookies or trackers whatsoever. It also pledges to never share or sell user data, relying on contexual (but not personalized) ads for revenue.
Amazon pushes again to rid its shopping site of counterfeit goods
Amazon pushes again to rid its shopping site of counterfeit goods
Amazon's ongoing battle to rid its shopping site of fake goods has reportedly prompted it to take renewed action targeting third-party sellers who trade in such items. The efforts are thought to include an agreement to contact law enforcement more quickly and to hand over more information about suspected sellers.
Where to download free stock photos and public domain images
Where to download free stock photos and public domain images
Everyone wants to download and use images from the web for free. Thankfully, public domain images make it possible without getting into a legal mess. We've rounded up the best places to download public domain images, from the no-strings-attached websites to the options with a handful of requirements.
The U.S. government says you need to update Firefox right now
The U.S. government says you need to update Firefox right now
If you use the Mozilla Firefox web browser, the U.S. government recommends that you update the browser because of a zero-day vulnerability that could enable hackers to take control of your computer. The vulnerability was labeled as critical and could allow potential hackers to access people’s browsers.
Reddit bans impersonation content, including deepfakes
Reddit bans impersonation content, including deepfakes
Reddit updated its policies to ban impersonation on its platform. The ban encompasses everything from deepfakes to individuals making false claims about their identities. Reddit explains that even though instances of impersonation are rare, they pose a threat if people impersonate a journalist or a politician.
Elon Musk says a UFO-on-a-stick will connect you to his internet satellites
Elon Musk says a UFO-on-a-stick will connect you to his internet satellites
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says that anyone signing up to his Starlink broadband service will receive a contraption that looks like a thin, flat, round UFO on a stick to connect to the internet. A test service is expected to launch in the U.S. later this year, once enough of the Starlink satellites have been deployed.
You’ve got a privacy problem, FTC commissioner tells Apple and Facebook
You’ve got a privacy problem, FTC commissioner tells Apple and Facebook
Privacy today is untenable, argues Rebecca Slaughter, a commissioner with the Federal Trade Commission. It sounds apparent to you and I, but it was something of a slap in the face to the other folks on a Tuesday panel at CES 2020: Privacy execs from both Facebook and Apple.
CES has never been great for women. Is 2020 the year that changes?
CES has never been great for women. Is 2020 the year that changes?
For CES 2020, the CTA has made some changes that are meant to make women attendees feel more comfortable. Its keynotes are more diverse than some past years, and there are new dress code restrictions. But some say CES needs to focus more on women-founded startups to really change the conversation.
Heading to CES 2020? Check out these tips and tricks first
Heading to CES 2020? Check out these tips and tricks first
Headed to CES 2020 this week? Looking to make the most of your time there? Check out these tips and tricks from show veterans at Digital Trends. From wearing comfortable shoes to avoiding jet lag to picking up your bag at the airport, we guarantee they'll help to improve your show experience.
Former Google exec says the tech giant doesn’t prioritize human rights
Former Google exec says the tech giant doesn’t prioritize human rights
A former Google exec is speaking out, saying that he was let go for trying to create an internal human rights program. Ross LaJeunesse was in charge of creating a human rights program in China and wanted a similar plan for Google's internal processes, but said that his idea was repeatedly shut down.
Rumor: Apple could transition Safari to Google’s open-source Chromium platform
Rumor: Apple could transition Safari to Google’s open-source Chromium platform
Safari may join its fellow web browsers and become a Chromium-based browser in the future. At least if a recent bug report (and its screenshots) are to be believed. The report features screenshots from Chromium Monorail and seem to show off a preliminary version of this rumored version of Safari.
Amazon’s Choice products aren’t always what they claim to be
Amazon’s Choice products aren’t always what they claim to be
An investigation published by the Wall Street Journal reveals that the Amazon’s Choice badge can be attached to products that make false claims, are unsafe, or are manipulated by the sellers. While there are legitimate listings with a badge, customers should double-check what is “endorsed” by the tech giant.
Here’s how to track Santa on his busiest night of the year
Here’s how to track Santa on his busiest night of the year
If you have kids, or if you're a big kid yourself, then go check out a couple of online offerings that’ll show you Santa's whereabouts as he makes his way around the world on Christmas Eve. Besides the Santa tracker, the websites and apps also offer fun activities to keep everyone entertained until the big day.
The best place to print photos online
The best place to print photos online
Have you been looking around for the best place to print out your favorite photos? Don't fret, we've pored through dozens of options and narrowed it down to the eight best. From ultra-affordable to gallery quality, there's a service for every photographer, from hobbyist to professional.
Facebook bans misleading content and ads about the 2020 census
Facebook bans misleading content and ads about the 2020 census
Facebook is taking new initiatives to help protect the 2020 census by banning misleading information and prohibiting ads that shed a negative light on the process. The new census interference policy includes prohibiting misrepresentation of dates, times, methods, and the nature of the government’s involvement.
Cyberattack forces 38,000 students to physically stand in line for new passwords
Cyberattack forces 38,000 students to physically stand in line for new passwords
A university in Germany is handing out new email passwords printed on pieces of paper to its 38,000 students after its servers were hit by hackers. Students are being asked to line up outside the university gym to collect their new passwords in a process that could take five days to complete.
An eight-year-old U.S. YouTuber earned $26 million in 2019
An eight-year-old U.S. YouTuber earned $26 million in 2019
The highest-paid YouTuber in 2019 is apparently an eight-year-old boy who reviews toys. Ryan Kaji's videos, as well as related sponsorships and sales, raked in a colossal $26 million over the last 12 months, beating his 2018 income by $4 million. Videos posted on Ryan’s World regularly receive several million views.
Here are the 10 worst passwords of 2019, and a few tips on creating better ones
Here are the 10 worst passwords of 2019, and a few tips on creating better ones
It’s tempting to create an easy password for your online accounts. But simply relying on your pet’s name or 123456 is risky. But doing so is still very common. In fact, cybersecurity company SplashData just released its list of the top 100 worst passwords of 2019. Are your passwords on it?
Google reveals how many miles its Street View cars have driven to date
Google reveals how many miles its Street View cars have driven to date
Google's Street View cars have been tootling along roads around the world for more than a decade, with the company recently revealing the colossal number of miles they've covered so far. And incredibly, the panoramic-photo service still has much ground to cover.
If you care about privacy and security, Brave should be your browser of choice
If you care about privacy and security, Brave should be your browser of choice
Chrome might be the default choice for most, but as security and privacy become increasingly important, some are looking for alternatives. Brave has finally come out of beta and been officially released, offering an interesting mix of security features.
Twitter brings back Election Labels for candidate accounts for 2020 elections
Twitter brings back Election Labels for candidate accounts for 2020 elections
If you’re already following the 2020 U.S. elections on Twitter, you’ll soon notice a new feature accompanying certain candidates’ accounts. It’s called an Election Label and it’s another way to identify candidates who have already qualified for the general election ballot for certain offices.
Google and YouTube team to help protect people’s privacy during 2020 census
Google and YouTube team to help protect people’s privacy during 2020 census
Starting with the April 1, 2020, census, people will have the option of completing it online. Google and YouTube are trying to combat deceptive practices and the spread of misinformation about the census through combined new efforts and policies. Google has also created the 2020 U.S. Census Task Force.
YouTube updates harassment policy and expands it to all creators on platform
YouTube updates harassment policy and expands it to all creators on platform
YouTube updated its anti-harassment policy to include implied threats, as well as malicious insults based on a person’s race, gender, expression, or sexual orientation. The new policy has been extended to all users, including YouTube creators and public officials that use the platform.
It’s not just you. Everyone is bad at password management, study reveals
It’s not just you. Everyone is bad at password management, study reveals
Most of us have the same password habits, and they are bad habits that we need to kick. Cybersecurity provider Hypr released a new study on the current state of passwords and how people manage them. A staggering 72% of individuals reuse passwords in their personal life, which experts say is bad “password hygiene.”
Google’s new Shopping 100 site uses trends to help you find the perfect gift
Google’s new Shopping 100 site uses trends to help you find the perfect gift
If you’re still struggling to find the perfect gift this holiday season a new Google site might be able to help. Google is launching Google Shopping 100 today, a microsite that highlights the top 100 trending products on Google in the United States.
Influencer’s bizarre plot to steal domain name results in hefty jail term
Influencer’s bizarre plot to steal domain name results in hefty jail term
An Iowa man who took extreme action in order to secure a domain name for his social media business has been handed a 14-year jail term for his efforts. The offender also involved his cousin in the plot, but things took a turn for the worse when they visited the victim’s home to force him to give up the domain.