News

US: Facebook will turn into “dream come true for child pornographers”

If Facebook implements encryption in Messenger

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Love it or hate it, Facebook is here to stay. The social media giant has always been a divisive point of contention for internet users.

Despite its accessibility, Facebook has controversially misused its users’ data especially in recent history. Following the Cambridge Analytica controversy, the giant tried to work around the issues, establishing a more robust and transparent social network. Part of this initiative is to eventually encrypt Facebook Messenger. The planned encryption will hopefully add a layer of security to the popular messaging app.

Unfortunately, not everyone wants that. Via a Reuters report, FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed his dismay at the idea. After encryption, Facebook will turn into a “dream come true for predators and child pornographers.” According to the director, encryption will make it harder for authorities to hunt down evildoers. Additionally, he also points at Apple’s already existing encryption. Apparently, Apple reported only 43 tips to the FBI about predatory behavior towards children.

From national security, the FBI has turned its focus towards more emotional targets that people can relate to, i.e. child exploitation. Behind the security issues, Wray has a deeper issue: privately owned encryption. Apple’s (and eventually, Facebook’s) encryption prevents third-party organizations — malicious and government-owned ones alike — from accessing the company’s data. Governments usually want more access to social media data for security and surveillance purposes. Privately owned encryption protects mainly against malicious parties. Governments are symptomatic victims of the same encryption.

In any case, encryption is always a plus for the user’s security. However, the owner of that encryption will always be a source of controversy. Who owns our privacy?

SEE ALSO: Facebook may soon stop showing the number of likes on a post

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Laptops

MacBook Neo pre-orders now open through Beyond the Box

Exclusive freebies, more perks available

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April 12, 2026

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Customers in the Philippines can now pre-order the MacBook Neo through Beyond the Box.

Those who avail of the device during the pre-order period can get up to PhP 10,000 worth in freebies. This is a curated bundle of essential accessories.

The MacBook Neo will also appear at these two cafes, inviting those who plan on upgrading to experience Apple’s new offering first-hand:

  • April 16: Scout’s Honor, Uptown Mall
  • April 17: The Matcha Tokyo, Opus Mall

Attendees who pre-order on the spot will also enjoy complimentary beverage, live DJ performances, and the opportunity to engage with social media personalities.

And to ensure the MacBook Neo is more accessible, Beyond the Box is offering 0% interest installment plans. This is both through major credit cards, Home Credit, and GCash’s GGives.

Reservations can be made through all Beyond the Box, Digital Walker, and open_sources branches nationwide.

Alternatively, the MacBook Neo is available through beyondthebox.ph, Lazada, and Shopee. It is priced at PhP 33,990 (education) and PhP 39,990 (retail).

Apple MacBook Neo

The Apple MacBook Neo is the company’s latest laptop, which is also its most affordable. It retails at just about US$ 499 to US$ 599 in the United States and SG$ 729 to SG$ 849 in Singapore.

It runs on an A18 Pro chip for 50% faster everyday performance compared to Intel Core Ultra 5-level PCs. This chip also has a 16-core Neural Engine for Apple Intelligence and 5-core GPU for graphics workloads.

The portable and lightweight laptop has a 13-inch 2408 x 1506 display, two USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 6 connectivity.

The MacBook Neo ships with MacOS Tahoe, complete with apps like Safari, Photos, Messages, and FaceTime. Users are promised up to 16 hours of usage on a single charge.

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News

Samsung brings back the Galaxy Z Trifold

The brand’s first trifold phone comes back after being pulled from stores.

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April 10, 2026

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Rumors of the Galaxy Z Trifold’s death have been greatly exaggerated. Recently, Samsung pulled its first trifold phone from its stores, heavily hinting that their three-screen experiment has ended. However, if you didn’t manage to grab one of these beasts during its first release, the Galaxy Z Trifold is back in stores.

At the start of this year, Samsung officially launched the Galaxy Z Trifold, ushering in its entry into the relatively infantile market. Naturally, the unique smartphone was a looker; however, with its eye-watering price tag, the demand is still low. Reflecting that, the brand reportedly pulled the device from the market last month.

Now, the phone is back once again. Interested users can grab the phone from Samsung’s website for the same US$ 2,899 price tag.

As with the other trifold phones (scant as they are), Samsung’s entry features three screens packed into one phone. Users can then fold the main screen in a variety of ways, introducing a lot of configurations to enjoy content. With how popular foldable phones are today, there’s certainly a market for flexible screens.

If you’re still in the market for Samsung’s first trifold phone, Samsung has not announced how long this latest batch will last, so get one while you still can.

SEE ALSO: Samsung has reportedly stopped selling the Galaxy Z TriFold

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Entertainment

Metal Gear Solid is getting a film adaptation

It will be directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein.

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April 10, 2026

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Metal Gear Solid

Videogame adaptations are so hot right now. After the mainstream success of The Super Mario Bros. duology, several other franchises have committed to seeing their favorite characters on the big screen. Now, Metal Gear Solid is the latest to make the jump. Sony has confirmed that a film adaptation about the stealth franchise is in the works.

Though the game’s movie announcement is a big deal on its own right, it’s attached to an even bigger announcement: Sony has signed the up-and-coming directing duo Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein to direct a number of its upcoming projects.

The deal’s first confirmed project, via Hollywood Reporter, is an adaptation of Metal Gear Solid, produced by Avi and Ari Arad.

Spanning multiple decades, the Metal Gear series is a stealth-based franchise that often goes off the rails with its supernatural elements. Naturally, it’s all thanks to series creator Hideo Kojima, notoriously known for his unconventional storytelling. When Kojima left Konami, the franchise has since been shelved but still enjoys a lot of hype, thanks to the occasional remake.

Right now, it’s unknown how much of the film will lean into the craziness of the franchise. It should still be a crazy ride to see, though.

SEE ALSO: Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.2 launches August 27 on PS5

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