#smartphone-bans
#smartphone-bans

Information security

Meta Pauses Work With Mercor After Data Breach Puts AI Industry Secrets at Risk

fromwww.cnbc.com

Meta, Google under attack as court cases bypass 30-year-old legal shield

Meta and Google face legal challenges undermining their protections under Section 230, particularly regarding child safety and content moderation.

Law

Meta was finally held accountable for harming teens. Now what? | TechCrunch

Weakening Speech Protections Will Punish All of Us-Not Just Meta

Meta and YouTube face legal challenges, but lowering First Amendment protections could harm user speech rights.

Social media's 'Big Tobacco' moment may have finally arrived

Meta and YouTube were found guilty of harming young users through addictive algorithms, challenging the protections of Section 230.

Wearables

fromFuturism

5 hours ago

We Can't Even Imagine the Eating Disorders This New Meta Smart Glasses Feature Will Cause

Meta's Ray-Ban AI glasses may exacerbate eating disorders with features that track and log food intake automatically.

Information security

Meta Pauses Work With Mercor After Data Breach Puts AI Industry Secrets at Risk

Meta has paused work with Mercor due to a major security breach affecting data used for AI training.

fromwww.cnbc.com

Meta, Google under attack as court cases bypass 30-year-old legal shield

Meta and Google face legal challenges undermining their protections under Section 230, particularly regarding child safety and content moderation.

Meta was finally held accountable for harming teens. Now what? | TechCrunch

Meta has been held liable for endangering child safety and designing addictive apps, leading to significant legal consequences.

Weakening Speech Protections Will Punish All of Us-Not Just Meta

Meta and YouTube face legal challenges, but lowering First Amendment protections could harm user speech rights.

Online Community Development

Social media's 'Big Tobacco' moment may have finally arrived

Meta and YouTube were found guilty of harming young users through addictive algorithms, challenging the protections of Section 230.

more#meta

4 hours ago

As people look for ways to make new friends, here are the apps promising to help | TechCrunch

The rise of friendship apps addresses increasing loneliness and social isolation, providing platforms for meaningful connections among individuals.

European startups

6 hours ago

TechCrunch Mobility: 'A stunning lack of transparency' | TechCrunch

Waymo's remote assistance issue reflects a broader lack of transparency in the autonomous vehicle industry regarding reliance on remote staff.

#social-media

fromNatesilver

6 minutes ago

Media industry

Social media is turning into a freak show

17 hours ago

Digital life

Is the UK falling out of love with social media?

Social media marketing

The anonymous social app that thinks it can work in Saudi Arabia | TechCrunch

fromThe Washington Post

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

US news

Heavy social media users believe in their influence. Democracy, not as much.

Privacy professionals

70% of teens in Australia still access social media despite bans

fromTheregister

UK news

UK's teen social media ban gets first reality check

Media industry

fromNatesilver

6 minutes ago

Social media is turning into a freak show

Social media's influence on content quality and publisher success has led to a crisis in foreign policy and political communication.

17 hours ago

Is the UK falling out of love with social media?

UK adults are becoming less active on social media, with only 49% posting, sharing, or commenting.

Social media marketing

The anonymous social app that thinks it can work in Saudi Arabia | TechCrunch

Fizz is expanding globally, successfully launching in Saudi Arabia and aiming to become a generational social product beyond college campuses.

fromThe Washington Post

US news

Heavy social media users believe in their influence. Democracy, not as much.

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

70% of teens in Australia still access social media despite bans

Australia's social media ban for under-16s has led to millions of accounts being removed, but many children still access these platforms.

UK news

fromTheregister

UK's teen social media ban gets first reality check

The UK government is trialing social media restrictions for under-16s with 300 families to assess impacts on family life and schoolwork.

more#social-media

fromwww.aljazeera.com

3 hours ago

Frustration grows as Iran's wartime internet shutdown breaks grim record

Iran's state-imposed near-total internet shutdown is now the longest nationwide blackout on record in any country, according to a global monitor. Connectivity to the global internet has been at around one percent of pre-war levels since shortly after the United States and Israel launched their war on Iran on February 28.

World news

fromGSMArena.com

16 minutes ago

Weekly deals: the Galaxy S26 series comes with gift cards, Pixel 9 series units resurface

Samsung Galaxy S26 series offers gift cards and trade-in bonuses, while older Pixel phones are available at competitive prices.

Artificial intelligence

fromFuturism

3 hours ago

Nonprofit Research Groups Disturbed to Learn That OpenAI Has Secretly Been Funding Their Work

Frontier AI companies are engaging in morally questionable tactics to influence child safety legislation for their benefit.

EU data protection

fromEngadget

Ireland is testing out a digital wallet that conducts age verification for social media users

Ireland is trialing a Government Digital Wallet to verify user age for social media access, aiming for user-friendly design before its 2026 EU deadline.

Relationships

Nobody tells you that expecting instant replies is a relatively new social norm - and that an entire generation learned to communicate in ways that never required it - Silicon Canals

Instant communication has created pressure that undermines meaningful relationships, which thrived in a slower-paced era of correspondence.

US news

fromwww.npr.org

13 hours ago

More teens are getting hooked on gambling. Parents say it often goes undetected

Gambling addiction among boys is rising, with 36% of U.S. boys aged 11 to 17 having gambled in the past year.

UX design

fromSlate Magazine

It's a Design Principle That Has Transformed the World and Even Saved Lives. It's Gone Way Too Far.

Usability, once seen as the cornerstone of design, is now questioned for its limitations in addressing deeper user experience issues.

fromNextgov.com

Tech bills of the week: Limiting adversaries' access to US tech; and boosting cyber apprenticeships

New legislation aims to strengthen U.S. export controls on sensitive technologies to prevent adversaries from exploiting them for economic gain.

Six great reads: the OnlyFans legacy, stolen cargo and Meta's creepy' glasses

Leonid Radvinsky's death leaves a void in the leadership of OnlyFans, a platform that has transformed the adult content landscape. His secretive management style and the controversies surrounding the site have raised questions about its future direction and stability.

Photography

Apple

fromMail Online

Apple issues warning to iPhone users over stealthy attack: Act NOW

Apple has released critical iOS updates to protect against the DarkSword cyberattack method targeting vulnerable devices.

UK news

fromwww.bbc.com

Children sell knives like clothes online, MP says

Children are increasingly buying and selling knives online, prompting government action to combat knife crime and exploitation.

Marketing tech

fromExchangewire

The Stack: AI Surges while Social Platforms Face Scrutiny

AI is growing rapidly, streaming models are evolving, and regulatory pressures on platforms are increasing globally.

Mental health

Teen Romance and Breakups in the Digital Age

Teenage romantic breakups are significantly impacted by social media, texting, and AI, leading to new challenges and consequences.

Higher education

fromThe Nation

How Gaza Broke Big Tech's Campus Pipeline

Students are protesting the use of technology in military actions, particularly in relation to Israel's actions in Gaza.

#3d-printing

DC food

Print Blocking Won't Work - Permission to Print Part 2

Intellectual property law

Print Blocking is Anti-Consumer - Permission to Print Part 1

DC food

Print Blocking Won't Work - Permission to Print Part 2

Print Blocking is Anti-Consumer - Permission to Print Part 1

Legislative restrictions on 3D printers threaten innovation and access to technology, imposing unnecessary limitations on users and manufacturers.

France eyes ban on social media for under-15s

France aims to ban social media for under-15s, facing legislative challenges and enforcement questions.

Australia's teen social media ban is a flop. But there's no joy in I told you so' | Samantha Floreani

The Australian teen social media ban has failed, with 70% of children still online and no reduction in cyberbullying or abuse.

France news

fromThe Local France

France eyes ban on social media for under-15s

France aims to ban social media for under-15s, facing legislative challenges and enforcement questions.

Australia's teen social media ban is a flop. But there's no joy in I told you so' | Samantha Floreani

The Australian teen social media ban has failed, with 70% of children still online and no reduction in cyberbullying or abuse.

more#social-media-ban

Digital Hopes, Real Power: From Revolution to Regulation

66% of internet users live where political or social sites are blocked, and 78% are in countries where people have been arrested for online posts. New social media regulations have emerged in dozens of countries in the past year alone.

World politics

#tiktok

fromgizmodo.com

fromwww.businessinsider.com

New York City

Mamdani Lifts NYC TikTok Ban for City Employees, but with Some Unusual Restrictions

Privacy technologies

TikTok ran ads for AI apps that let users undress strangers

New York City

fromgizmodo.com

Mamdani Lifts NYC TikTok Ban for City Employees, but with Some Unusual Restrictions

New York City employees can now use TikTok on city devices with strict restrictions after a previous ban due to security concerns.

fromwww.businessinsider.com

TikTok ran ads for AI apps that let users undress strangers

TikTok hosted over 50 sexually suggestive ads for apps promoting nonconsensual deepfake images, raising concerns about moderation failures.

My 10-year-old son watched porn at a friend's house - but I have no idea how to talk to him about it

Reactions to a child's discovery of pornography can influence their willingness to communicate openly.

Women in technology

Urgent action needed to prevent surge in digital violence in Africa, experts say

Urgent action is needed to combat the surge of digital violence against women and girls in Africa due to increased internet access.

#surveillance

14 hours ago

Privacy technologies

Why AI-powered city cameras are sounding new privacy alarms

Privacy professionals

The real US surveillance threat isn't AI - it's the data infrastructure we already built - Silicon Canals

14 hours ago

Why AI-powered city cameras are sounding new privacy alarms

Automatic license plate readers are expanding in the U.S., raising concerns about surveillance and targeting of specific communities.

The real US surveillance threat isn't AI - it's the data infrastructure we already built - Silicon Canals

The infrastructure for mass surveillance already exists, relying on pre-existing technology and data rather than new AI advancements.

Phone-free bars and restaurants on the rise across the U.S.

Smartphones and social media negatively impact learning and self-esteem, prompting a shift towards analog experiences among younger generations.

fromPCMAG

10 hours ago

Use Perplexity? Lawsuit Accuses It of Sharing Personal Data With Google and Meta Without Permission

Perplexity faces a lawsuit for allegedly sharing user data with Google and Meta without consent, violating privacy rights.

fromGSMArena.com

12 hours ago

Five years on, we still miss LG phones

LG officially exited the smartphone business on April 5, 2021, marking the end of its phone production by May 2021.

fromABA Journal

Sanctions ramping up in cases involving AI hallucinations

Monetary sanctions against attorneys for AI-generated hallucinations in case documents are increasing as courts take these issues more seriously.

#right-to-repair

fromArs Technica

Tech companies are trying to neuter Colorado's landmark right-to-repair law

IBM supports right-to-repair policies for consumer devices while emphasizing cybersecurity and infrastructure protection.

Tech Companies Are Trying to Neuter Colorado's Landmark Right-to-Repair Law

Right to repair efforts in Colorado are advancing, allowing users to fix their own devices, despite pushback from manufacturers.

fromArs Technica

Tech companies are trying to neuter Colorado's landmark right-to-repair law

IBM supports right-to-repair policies for consumer devices while emphasizing cybersecurity and infrastructure protection.

Tech Companies Are Trying to Neuter Colorado's Landmark Right-to-Repair Law

Right to repair efforts in Colorado are advancing, allowing users to fix their own devices, despite pushback from manufacturers.

more#right-to-repair

fromwww.npr.org

Verdicts against Meta and Google may bring a new era of big tech accountability

"We appealed and appealed and lost every appeal. And then the case was ultimately dismissed."

US news

#ai

Artificial intelligence

AI Didn't Extend Intelligence, It Changed Its Direction

AI changes the direction of intelligence rather than making it faster, leading to a loss of personal engagement in knowledge creation.

fromFortune

Internet Watch Foundation finds 260-fold increase in AI-generated CSAM in just one year, and 'it's the tip of the iceberg' | Fortune

AI-generated child sexual abuse material is surging, fundamentally changing targeting methods and overwhelming investigators.

Artificial intelligence

AI Didn't Extend Intelligence, It Changed Its Direction

AI changes the direction of intelligence rather than making it faster, leading to a loss of personal engagement in knowledge creation.

fromFortune

Internet Watch Foundation finds 260-fold increase in AI-generated CSAM in just one year, and 'it's the tip of the iceberg' | Fortune

AI-generated child sexual abuse material is surging, fundamentally changing targeting methods and overwhelming investigators.

New laws to make it easier to cancel subscriptions and get refunds

New laws will simplify subscription cancellations and refunds, potentially saving consumers nearly £170 annually.

Social media marketing

fromBGR

Instagram Finally Found A Premium Feature You Might Want - And It's A Little Creepy - BGR

Instagram is a major revenue source for Meta, generating $71 billion by 2025, and is testing a subscription service with new features.

Wearables

fromMakeUseOf

Your phone's Bluetooth is broadcasting more than you think - here's how to limit it

Bluetooth remains active and broadcasts data even when not connected, potentially allowing for tracking without user consent.

Mental health

When Screens Spike Stress: Cortisol's Tight Grip on Teens

Traumatic social media content can significantly impact adolescents due to their developing brains and hormonal changes affecting emotional regulation.

Information security

fromThe Hacker News

fromwww.independent.co.uk

Weekly Recap: Telecom Sleeper Cells, LLM Jailbreaks, Apple Forces U.K. Age Checks and More

A critical Citrix vulnerability is actively exploited, and the FBI confirms a hack of Director Kash Patel's email account by an Iran-linked group.

Media industry

Social media needs a health warning': Readers on tackling phone addiction

Quality journalism is essential for understanding critical issues like reproductive rights, climate change, and the impact of Big Tech on society.

#privacy

Triple Header for Privacy's Defender in New York

Cindy Cohn's new book, Privacy's Defender, details her 30-year fight against digital surveillance and promotes data security and digital rights.

Privacy technologies

Double Shot of Privacy's Defender in D.C.

Triple Header for Privacy's Defender in New York

Cindy Cohn's new book, Privacy's Defender, details her 30-year fight against digital surveillance and promotes data security and digital rights.

Privacy technologies

Double Shot of Privacy's Defender in D.C.

Ads on Honor Phones-Soon in Europe?!

Honor smartphones may soon feature ads in pre-installed apps, expanding from the Middle East to Europe.

Tech Nonprofits to Feds: Don't Weaponize Procurement to Undermine AI Trust and Safety

The U.S. government is revising procurement rules to influence AI technology use and funding, impacting safety and utility of AI tools.

EU data protection

fromwww.aljazeera.com

Cambodia parliament approves law to combat cybercrime scam rings

Cambodia's National Assembly approved a law targeting scam centres to combat online fraud and protect the economy and citizens.

fromGSMArena.com

Weekly deals: the Galaxy S26 deeply discounted, S26+ and S26 Ultra also get price cuts

Amazon UK offers significant discounts on Galaxy S26 phones, making them competitive against older models and alternatives like the OnePlus 15R.

People who check their phone within five minutes of waking up are training their brain to start every day in reaction mode - and it's costing them more than they realize - Silicon Canals

Starting the day with phone use can negatively impact mental state and set a stressful tone for the day.

EU data protection

EFF's Submission to the UN OHCHR on Protection of Human Rights Defenders in the Digital Age

New laws addressing online harms are increasingly restricting fundamental rights and impacting human rights defenders globally.

fromYanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News

This Finnish Privacy-focused Linux Phone Wants You to Forget Google Exists - Yanko Design

Jolla reintroduces a European smartphone ecosystem with its new phone running Sailfish OS, emphasizing privacy and independence from American tech giants.

Australia wants to sell its social media ban to the world but are the measures even working?

Age assurance technology is ineffective, with many teens bypassing age verification and platforms failing to enforce compliance with the social media ban.

Google and Amazon: Acknowledged Risks, And Ignored Responsibilities

Google and Amazon have failed to act on human rights risks associated with Project Nimbus despite multiple warnings and commitments.

fromTNW | Meta

Australia says Meta, TikTok, YouTube not complying with child social media ban

Australia's ban on under-16s using social media is not effectively enforced by major platforms.

fromThe Verge

Pinterest said he violated laid-off colleagues' privacy. Now he's going public

A former Pinterest engineer claims he was unjustly fired for sharing a tool that revealed employee layoffs.

fromZDNET

The best way to protect your phone from a warrantless search in 2026

US authorities are increasingly aggressive in detaining and seizing devices, with biometrics remaining vulnerable.

fromSecurityWeek

FBI Warns of Data Security Risks From China-Made Mobile Apps

Foreign-developed mobile applications pose significant data security risks, particularly those from China, according to an FBI alert.

Taylor Lorenz's Screen Time Is Almost 17 Hours a Day

Taylor Lorenz embraces her digital lifestyle, finding value in her screen time for work and creativity despite concerns about excessive usage.

WhatsApp notifies hundreds of users who installed a fake app that was actually government spyware | TechCrunch

WhatsApp notified 200 users about a malicious fake app containing spyware created by Italian firm SIO.

fromwww.bbc.com

Social media firms must better enforce Australia under-16 ban, watchdog says

Australia's eSafety regulator finds social media companies failing to adequately protect children under 16 from accessing their platforms.

fromGamesBeat

Understanding the updated COPPA rules and their impact on child safety

New COPPA rule amendments effective April 2026 will require separate parental consent for targeted advertising and data sharing in children's games.

fromMuse by Clios | Discover the latest creative marketing and advertising news. Muse by Clio is the premier news site covering creativity in advertising and beyond.

Canada Might Ban Social Media for Kids. What Brands Should Do Now | Muse by Clios

Youth culture will evolve despite potential social media bans for under-16s, requiring brands to adapt their marketing strategies to reach Gen Alpha.

fromHer Campus

Who's Watching The Watchers? AI, Age Verification, And Online Privacy

Parents are increasingly concerned about children's exposure to harmful online content despite regulations like CIPA and platforms like YouTube Kids.

fromDigiday

In graphic detail: The long road to accountability for social media platforms

Big tech giants are now held accountable for harming children, marking a significant shift in social media regulation.

fromTheregister

Big Tech has not enforced Australia's social media ban

Australia's eSafety Commission is enforcing compliance with social media age restrictions after finding major platforms inadequate in protecting children under 16.

fromThe Atlantic

The Tension That Defines Modern Life

Many people seek to reduce screen time while still valuing their smartphones for social connections and information.

fromNextgov.com

Tech bills of the week: Child social media safety, Data center moratorium, and more

New child safety legislation, Sammy's Law, aims to enhance parental control over children's social media use through safety notifications and monitoring tools.

fromSlashGear

Apps That Track You: 17 Of The Worst Offenders In Privacy Invasion - SlashGear

Online privacy is compromised by data collection from apps, with Meta's platforms being significant offenders.

fromwww.socialmediatoday.com

1 month ago

More teen social media bans are coming, but will they work?

Multiple countries are implementing or considering social media bans for teenagers, driven by concerns about platform safety and parental pressure on governments to protect younger users.