Apps
Facebook scans everything you send on Messenger
Yep, that includes messages, links, and photos
Facebook has just admitted that it looks at everything you send through its Messenger app — photos, links, cheesy messages to your boyfriend, all of it.
On a podcast with Vox‘s Ezra Klein, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg admits to scanning all Messenger content as policy. Zuckerberg explains that this is done so that there is assurance that all platform content abides by the social network’s community guidelines. He furthers that this mechanism detects sensational messages and stops them from being sent.
The company maintains, however, that these monitoring tools are only being used for content housekeeping. Facebook told Bloomberg that no information is being sent to advertisers and that all conversations on Messenger still remain private. According to a Facebook rep, “Facebook designed these automated tools so we can rapidly stop abusive behavior on our platform.”
These statements do very little to assuage the public’s fear of Facebook mishandling its users’ information. Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal which led to a data breach of 50 million Facebook users that possibly influenced the previous elections, people are now more wary of the social media network’s policies on privacy. The company has since then rolled out more privacy options for its users.
Messenger is Facebook’s main instant messaging platform and ever since becoming a dedicated application in 2014, it has quickly become one of the company’s fastest-growing apps. In 2016, Zuckerberg put user figures at 900 million active ones per month. Unlike WhatsApp which is a messaging platform that Facebook also owns, messages on the Facebook Messenger app are not encrypted. This means that, again, unlike WhatsApp which encrypts both ends to ensure that WhatsApp itself doesn’t see what you’re sending, Messenger sends conversations as is. This makes data easy to be scanned and monitored. Though there is an encryption option on the app, it’s something that users have to activate first.
SEE ALSO: Facebook makes navigating through privacy tools easier
New users on X might soon face a tough time on the platform. The social media website will likely start charging new accounts a small fee for the right to post on the platform.
Now, the fee isn’t a new one. Almost six months ago, the company tested the paid system in New Zealand and the Philippines. New users in those countries had to pay a dollar per year for the ability to post and reply to content.
As spotted by X Daily News on the same platform, the company might be ready to take the experiment to a larger market. New text strings have shown that the policy is rolling out worldwide.
SPECULATION: X might be expanding its policy to charge new users before they reply/like/bookmark a post https://t.co/odqeyeiHBx pic.twitter.com/EU71qlwQ0D
— X Daily News (@xDaily) April 15, 2024
The policy is designed to combat a wave of bots appearing on the platform. By preventing new accounts from creating posts, X hopes to stave off the standard behavior of bots these days. You might have noticed them as OnlyFans creators in unrelated posts, peddling NSFW content on their bio.
Though the global rollout was only just spotted, owner Elon Musk has seemingly confirmed the change. Replying to X Daily News, Musk says that it is “the only way to curb the relentless onslaught of bots.” He says that the current breed of bots can easily bypass simple checks these days.
Apps
Disney+ might get always-on channels similar to cable TV
Featuring content from Marvel, Star Wars, and classic Disney
The burden of choice on streaming platforms is real. If you’re like us, you’ve spent hours just mindlessly scrolling through titles on Netflix or Disney+ without watching anything. Netflix, at least, has a Play Something button to fight off that irresistible urge. Now, Disney+ is reportedly trying something different: always-on channels.
If you already cut cable from your lives, you’re likely missing traditional channels or networks that have pre-determined programming. It was a flawed system that eventually ended up with mediocre content and a downpour of ads. However, cable did allow us to keep watching without deciding what comes next.
Now, according to The Information, Disney+ is working on adding those channels to its streaming service. Naturally, these channels will include content from the platform’s library such as Marvel, Star Wars, and its list of classic animated films.
Strangely, the reported feature might still have ads in between programs. Though the addition of ads does mean a better similarity with real television, users still have to be paying subscribers to access the channels. Even if you’re already paying for Disney+, you might still get hit with ads.
Disney has not confirmed the reports yet. The platform might launch a version of the feature outside of the scope included in this report. It’s also unknown when these always-on channels will launch.
SEE ALSO: Macross to be available on Disney+
A few years ago, Apple unleashed one of the most interesting features for the iPhone today: Emergency SOS. Designed for those who like their fair bit of the outdoors, Emergency SOS allows users to contact emergency services without network coverage. Other manufacturers, however, are struggling to adopt the same feature. Now, Google might soon join Apple in providing satellite connectivity for its users.
Despite the convenience, satellite connectivity hasn’t taken off as much as the industry expected it to. For one, a network of satellites isn’t the easiest thing to maintain. Apple is still currently offering its services for free, a gamble that may or may not pay off. Now, the iPhone maker won’t be alone.
According to Android Authority, Google might start offering the same service to Pixel 9 users. Starting with this year’s upcoming flagship, the company is reportedly teaming up with T-Mobile to create satellite connectivity for its users. The telecommunications network is teaming up with SpaceX for the feature.
The same report describes how the feature might work. Once activated, the feature will ask users of their situation: is everyone breathing, are people trapped, are weapons involved, among others. The phone will then relay this information to emergency authorities for a rapid response.
Unfortunately, pricing remains a mystery. While Apple is still offering its satellite connectivity for free, other brands might put the burden of cost on the end user. Hopefully, they won’t, but a paid version is unfortunately expected at this point.
SEE ALSO: Should you be excited for Apple’s satellite connectivity?
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