Sofia Elizabella Wyciślik-Wilson

Racism is not against Reddit rules, says CEO

Reddit logo

Reddit has no rules banning open racism or the use of racist slurs. This is not conjecture, or a summation after trawling through the site's terms and condition, but comes straight from the chief executive, Steve Huffman.

High-profile websites have a careful line to tread when it comes to balancing the idea of freedom of speech with policing unsavoring content on their platform; content that can easily spill over into abuse. The likes of Facebook, YouTube and Twitter have frequently taken a harder line, but Reddit is host to a number of openly racist communities.

Continue reading

Google is ready to roll out Gmail redesign, adding new features like Smart Reply and snooze

Glowing Gmail icon

Google has emailed G Suite administrators, notifying them that a "fresh, clean look" is coming to Gmail in a redesign.

Due to roll out to the Early Adopter Program "in the coming weeks", the update affects the look of the web version of Gmail. In addition to the new look, the update also brings some new features including the snoozing of emails, and a Smart Reply function.

Continue reading

Microsoft discovers blocking bug and delays the release of Windows 10 Spring Creators Update

The next big update for Windows 10 has been delayed while Microsoft rushes to fix a newly-discovered bug.

Known variously as Windows 10 version 1803, Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version Next, Redstone 4 and Windows 10 Spring Creators Update, it was widely thought that the update had reached RTM and was on the verge of rolling out. However, this last-minute discovery means there will be a little longer to wait.

Continue reading

Apple hit with $0.5 billion bill for patent violation with FaceTime, iMessage and VPN on Demand

Apple logo

Apple has been ordered to pay $502.6 million in damages after a federal jury in Eastern Texas found that the company had violated patents owned by VirnetX.

The intellectual property battle -- relating to FaceTime, iMessage and VPN on Demand -- started back in 2010, with VirnetX claiming that Apple was violating four of its patents pertaining to communication security. Having been slapped with a $0.5 billion bill, it now remains to be seen whether Apple will actually stump up the cash.

Continue reading

In trying to clean up the dark web, Amber Rudd wants to throw money at the unpoliceable

Lit up keyboard

The UK government is no stranger to confused attempts to try to control the internet. After voicing a desire to "combat" end-to-end encryption -- despite not understanding it -- and unveiling an AI system to counter terrorist content online, Home Secretary Amber Rudd now has the dark web as her next target.

Rudd has pledged to spend £9 million (around $12.7 million) to "clean up the dark web" and cut down on cybercrime. It's a move that has been criticized for not only being politically motivated, but also being misguided and hugely underfunded.

Continue reading

PayPal is ready to get into traditional banking with debit cards, loans and more

PayPal is looking to expand its services and gain a foothold in more traditional banking services, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The company has been testing a number of offerings in the US over the last few months, including debit cards, ATM cards, and services such as check depositing via photo. PayPal has teamed up with small banks to offer different services as it tries to lure in more business.

Continue reading

Facebook launches Data Abuse Bounty with rewards of up to $40,000

Facebook on three smartphones

With at least 87 million Facebook users affected by the data abuse by Cambridge Analytica, the social network is now on a mission to clean up its image. After rolling out tools, issuing notifications, and testifying in front of Congress, Facebook is launching a new bounty program that rewards people who report instances of data abuse.

The Data Abuse Bounty is a new program that offers from $500 to $40,000, and it aims to clamp down on the misuse of data by app developers. Launched just before Mark Zuckerberg's testimonies this week, it's a clear attempt by Facebook to curry favor.

Continue reading

LIVE: Watch Mark Zuckerberg testify before Senate about Facebook privacy at 2:15PM ET

Mark Zuckerberg's CNN interview

After keeping something of a low profile for a while, Mark Zuckerberg has eventually started to address the Cambridge Analytica scandal. He was asked to testify before Congressional committees, and ultimately agreed to do so. Today is the first of two appearances he will make this week.

At 2:15PM ET, Zuckerberg will speak about Facebook user data and privacy in front of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and the Senate Committee on the Judiciary at the "Facebook, Social Media Privacy, and the Use and Abuse of Data" hearing. You can watch his testimony right here.

Continue reading

How to check if your Facebook data was shared with Cambridge Analytica

Facebook and Cambridge Analytica

The Cambridge Analytica data scandal has rocked Facebook, and users have been left wondering whether or not their personal data was involved. The social network said that it would be notifying people if they had been affected, but it is also possible to manually check.

Facebook has set up a help page that can be used to determine whether your personal data was shared with Cambridge Analytica, and you can check this if you have not yet seen a notification in your news feed.

Continue reading

YouTube hackers take down and deface videos from the likes of Taylor Swift and Drake

YouTube logo

YouTube was today hit by hackers, with the attackers managing to deface or delist a number of big name videos. Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankeee -- the most popular video of all time -- was among those that were temporarily inaccessible.

While little is known for certain about the source of the attack, it seems that Vevo was possibly the intended target as the videos that were attacked were in Vevo accounts. The ease with which the attack appears to have been carried out -- and the number of high-profile videos affected -- will be of major concern to YouTube and its users.

Continue reading

Congress releases Mark Zuckerberg's prepared testimony ahead of Wednesday's hearing

Mark Zuckerberg on Forbes website

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is due to testify before Congress on Wednesday, and ahead of this the House Energy and Commerce Committee has released his prepared statement. He talks about the Cambridge Analytica data scandal as well as Russian interference in elections.

In the statement, Zuckerberg acknowledges that Facebook did not do enough to prevent the misuse of the social network's tools. He also personally accepts responsibility for recent failings at the company, saying: "It was my mistake, and I'm sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I'm responsible for what happens here."

Continue reading

The HP Chromebook x2 with detachable screen is ready to take on the iPad Pro and Surface Pro

HP Chromebook x2

There's a new Chromebook on the block -- or there will be soon -- and this HP offering is determined to stand out from the crowd... and give both the Surface Pro and iPad Pro a run for their money.

Running Chrome OS, the HP Chromebook x2 supports Android apps, features a stylus, and -- importantly -- has a detachable screen so it can be used as a tablet or a laptop. The 12.3-inch device comes in at a shade under $600, and the hardware specs are impressive... for the price, at least.

Continue reading

Apple launches iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition to raise money for HIV/AIDS

iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition

Apple has announced the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition which will be available to order from tomorrow, April 10.

Like last year's iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus (PRODUCT)RED, the new handsets feature a red finish and proceeds from sales will help to raise money for Global Fund HIV/AIDS grants. In addition to the phone, Apple has also announced a new $99 (PRODUCT)RED iPhone X Leather Folio case.

Continue reading

Privacy: Avast launches Chromium-based Secure Browser

Avast Secure Browser

The far-reaching tentacles of the likes of Google and Facebook have focused people's attention on online privacy, but for anyone looking to retain a modicum of confidentiality it can be hard to know what to do. There are VPN tools, but these are not for everyone, for anyone looking for a quick solution, Avast Secure Browser could be the answer.

This new Chromium-based browser is billed as being "private, fast, and secure" and it's designed to address the misconceptions many people have about privacy and security online. The browser is a renamed and updated version of SafeZone.

Continue reading

Today Facebook will notify 87 million users that their data was the subject of data breach

Facebook on three smartphones

Initially thought to affect 50 million accounts, it later transpired that as many as 87 million Facebook users were affected by the Cambridge Analytica data harvesting scandal. Today, the social network is due to send a message to those whose data was involved.

While the bulk of affected users -- around 70 million -- live in the US, there are also significant numbers in Europe, Facebook's message is said to be "detailed" and will appear in news feeds at some point today.

Continue reading

© 1998-2026 BetaNews, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Cookie Policy.