Google is replacing Android’s gun emoji with a water pistol
Following the controversial status of guns in the U.S. and the general trend of the past few years, Google seems to be making the move to change the design of its revolver-style emoji into a toy-like Super Soaker water gun. The change is expected to follow in the next major Android update, Android P.
Twitter turns a profit in the first quarter, makes progress fighting spam
There was a time when it seemed Twitter was knocking at death's door, but that time is no more. On Wednesday, April 25, the social media giant shared its Q1 earnings report, and not only have user numbers seen an increase, but the company is profitable, and its fight against bots appears to be working.
Upload Stories faster — or preview the entire thing — with new Instagram tools
Instagram is now allowing users to add multiple images or videos to Stories in one move. The bulk upload tool allows users to add up to 10 photos or videos, though edits like stickers are still applied individually. The update comes with new location suggestions for location-based stickers.
Twitter’s updated privacy policy sheds light on just what happens to your data
Twitter is aiming to be more transparent about how the platform uses your data, starting with clearer language inside an updated privacy policy. The change was sparked by the the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation laws in Europe, but the new policy applies worldwide, as do the available privacy tools.
In a privacy-motivated move, Instagram finally has a download tool
Instagram finally has a tool to download all your data -- including the photos you posted to the site. The update allows users to download their data without relying on third-party apps. The new tool is likely privacy-motivated, and Facebook has already offered a similar tool for eight years.
Now you can read Facebook’s secret rulebook for what you can post
Facing unprecedented scrutiny, Facebook has released its Community Standards guidelines. Instead of overly general statements of what the social media platform allows, now you can read the rules. Hate speech, inciting violence, illegal drug use, and bullying, and other forbidden content are outlined in the document.
Britain’s best-known money-saving expert sues Facebook over fake ads
The U.K.'s best-known money-saving expert is fed up with Facebook's apparently lax attitude toward removing scammers' ads that use his name as an endorsement for bogus financial products. And he's taking the social networking giant to court in a bid to finally sort it out.
Facebook waits to release smart speaker amid data privacy concerns
With news still trickling out about the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook is reportedly scrapping plans to release Portal and another smart speaker at its F8 developer conference. We know now that the delay is quite significant -- we won't see the speakers until October 2018, five months later than scheduled.
Twitter bans Kaspersky Lab from advertising on its platform
Citing alleged ties to the Russian government, Twitter has banned Kaspersky Lab advertising on the website. Twitter cited a Homeland Security notice that warned that the U.S. government was concerned about ties between "certain Kaspersky officials and Russian intelligence." Kaspersky denies the charge.
Facebook fuels fake-news fight with fleet of fact checkers
As Facebook continues to face scrutiny at home in the United States over its handling of user data, it's looking to step up its efforts to combat fake news abroad. Facebook announced the launch of a dedicated fact-checking program in the India, and its pilot program will begin operations in Karnataka.
SmugMug acquires Flickr from Yahoo, says ‘the future is bright’
Photo-sharing site SmugMug has acquired fellow photo-sharing site Flickr from Yahoo (Oath Inc.) for an undisclosed sum. Don't worry, though -- Flickr isn't going anywhere, and may even finally receive the resources it's long deserved.
Social Feed: Pinterest glams up, Facebook tests ‘live’ prerecorded premieres
What are the social networks up to this week? Facebook is launching a slew of new tests, while facing scrutiny for housing discrimination on top of data practices. Pinterest now has prettier profiles for businesses (with more stats). And YouTube addresses creator concerns.
Facebook investigating more security vulnerabilities with third-party logins
Be careful where you log in using Facebook credentials -- Princeton researchers recently uncovered vulnerabilities that allowed third-party platforms to access data using scripts after users logged in with their Facebook data on other websites. The group found more than 400 websites with the vulnerable scripts.
You AR what you eat — augmented reality menus are coming to Snapchat
Have your food and eat it too? New augmented reality menus will allow diners to preview a dish using a Snapchat AR Lens before ordering, putting a lifelike model of the food right on the table.
Hold your Instagrams in your hand with Canon’s new tiny pocket printer
Meet the Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer, a 2 x 3 photo printer with a compact design from cartridge-free printing. It uses Zink paper with embedded ink crystals, while an app tosses in editing tools like AR face filters and stickers. Canon says a calibration sheet helps the printer meet company standards.
Snap, then shop — Snapchat rolls out Shoppable AR filters
Snapchat fans can now shop directly from the app, thanks to new Shoppable AR filters. The new feature allows Sponsored Lenses to include product links, download links, or video links directly inside Snapchat. The expansion to sponsored filters is rolling out this week, initially with four advertisers.
Wikipedia is making it easier to explore the internet with page previews
Far be it from us to tell you to read less Wikipedia, but now, the online encyclopedia is making it a bit easier to stay on track and not get too distracted by the plethora of knowledge available on the internet -- page previews. It's the biggest change Wikipedia has made to its platform since 2010.
Localblox data breach is the latest nightmare for Facebook, LinkedIn
An ethical data breach hunter may have stopped the leak of personal data from 48 million people from Localblox’s unsecured locker, but the fact that this data exists creates a new headache for Facebook. Localblox claims that it used data scraped from LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook for its database.
Facebook highlights privacy settings you forgot about as new tools roll out
Facebook wants to make sure you haven't forgotten all the permissions you gave the network when you opened your account. Facebook will start prompting users to check their privacy settings. The network is also sharing exactly what Zuckerberg meant when he said GDPR protections would roll out worldwide.
Facebook’s photo tag suggestions could violate Illinois law — and cost billions
A federal judge has again dismissed Facebook's request to throw out a lawsuit that claims the social network's suggested photo tags tool breaks an Illinois law that prevents storing biometric data without consent. The suit seeks $5,000 for every resident in the system.
Ad-free Facebook access could cost as much as $168 a year
Seeing ads on Facebook may be annoying, but the alternative could wind up costing you up to $168 per year. Even though Facebook hasn’t commented on its subscription plans, an analysis suggests that the feature could come as high as $14 per month, a pricey sum to pay for those of us accustomed to free.
Want more AR masks? Snap’s Lens Studio now supports custom face filters
Snapchat now allows creatives to build their own augmented reality face masks using Lens Studio after they have added new face-based templates. The update also brings Giphy integration and a new program that is designed to reward top Lens designers as the program grows beyond 30,000 custom lenses.
Cambridge Analytica used more apps to steal data, former employee claims
During testimony to a U.K. Parliment committee, former Cambridge Aanlaytica employee Brittany Kaiser says she's "almost certain" the number of Facebook users with compromised data is more than 87 million, describing the ad tech industry as "wild west." She named at least two other apps designed to track data.
PowerDVD 18 brings 4K Blu-Ray, HEVC support to Windows PCs
PowerDVD 18 is claiming a number of Windows firsts, including playing 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray and supporting the HEVC format before PCs even get native support. The media player update also includes a new view option for 360 and another designed for multi-taskers.
Fed up with social media, major U.K. pub chain deletes all of its accounts
A major U.K. pub chain has suddenly deleted all of its social media accounts. Wetherspoon made the move in the wake of "bad publicity surrounding social media," adding that it was uncomfortable about the "addictive nature of social media." Chairman Tim Martin was adamant his business would not be adversely affected.
Cops use fingerprint pulled from a WhatsApp photo to nab drug traffickers
British police used a fingerprint pulled from a photo sent on WhatsApp to help secure multiple convictions against drug traffickers. In what's thought to be the first case of its kind in the U.K., police found the image on a smartphone seized in a raid and used data from the fingerprint as part of its evidence.
Looking to spice up your Facebook Stories? Try 3D drawing, a new AR effect
It's not just Instagram that's competing against Snapchat -- now parent company Facebook is getting into the action as well. You'll soon be able to take a photo of your surroundings, annotate them using AR technology, and turn them into Instagram Boomerang GIFs using your Facebook Camera.
Social Feed: Zuckerberg unfazed by #deletefacebook, Boomerang moves to FB
While some tech giants have deleted their Facebook accounts, Facebook says the company hasn't seem significant changes in user count or even in privacy settings. Meanwhile, the network's camera gains the Boomerang mode, an unlikely network adds GIFs, and a fake Facebook pages steals thousands in donations.
A New York Times reporter downloaded his Facebook data – and was terrified
If you think that your minimal presence on Facebook may have exempted you from the social network's now well-publicized data collection tactics, you'll need to think again. The lead consumer technology reporter for the New York Times, Brian Chen, downloaded his data. The results were terrifying.
First products from Facebook’s secret Building 8 lab could target Echo Show
There's been much talk over the last year that Facebook is preparing to launch a smart speaker. The latest report suggests it'll be hitting the market with two devices -- the first fruits of the secretive Building 8 hardware lab. We may have our first look at the patent behind the speaker, but details remain sparse.
Watch Mark Zuckerberg’s second day of congressional grilling here
Congress released Mark Zuckerberg's prepared testimony ahead of his Wednesday hearing, in which Zuckerberg concedes that Facebook was "too slow to spot and respond to Russian interference" during the 2016 election. We've got the details on how to live-stream the proceedings.
Here’s how to check if Facebook shared your data with Cambridge Analytica
In keeping with earlier promises, Facebook has rolled out a tool that will show you whether or not your data was in the hands of Cambridge Analytica.
Spectacle speculation? Snap FCC filing points to ‘Model 002’ for camera glasses
Newly published FCC paperwork suggests Snap Inc. is working on a "Model 002" of the Spectacles camera glasses. The paperwork builds on earlier reports that the company would be releasing two new versions later this year.
Facebook faces Senate, potential government regulation — and big changes
In a 5-hour Senate hearing, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg addressed privacy concerns in the wake of Cambridge Analytica. Lawmakers have already introduced the first bill in response.