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Meta Touts Even More Protections for Teen Users. Here's What's New
CNET· 2025-07-23 18:54
Core Points - Meta has introduced new safety features aimed at enhancing the protection of teens and kids on its social media platforms, particularly Instagram and Facebook [1] - The new features include additional information and warnings about accounts that teens may contact via direct messages [1][2] - Meta reported that in June, 1 million Teen Accounts reported or blocked accounts, and another 1 million utilized the Location Notice feature [3] Group 1: New Features for Teen Accounts - New safety features in direct messages (DMs) provide teens with context about the accounts they are messaging, including safety tips and the account's join date [2] - DMs now include enhanced block and report functions, encouraging users to take action against suspicious accounts [2] Group 2: Response to Criticism - Meta has faced accusations regarding the impact of its platforms on minors, including claims from a whistleblower about targeted ads based on emotional states [3][4] - In response, the company has implemented improved safety features for underage users, including the introduction of "Teen Accounts" that limit contact and content visibility [4] Group 3: Protections for Adult Accounts Related to Children - Meta plans to extend similar protections to adult accounts that share content related to children, such as family blogs [5] - New measures will include strict message settings to prevent unwanted messages and the activation of Hidden Words to filter offensive comments [5]
California DMV Seeking 30-Day Tesla Sale Suspension for Unrealistic 'Autopilot,' 'Full Self-Driving' Claims
CNET· 2025-07-21 21:40
Core Viewpoint - The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has filed a lawsuit against Tesla, alleging false advertising regarding its "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" features, seeking a 30-day suspension of Tesla's license to sell electric vehicles (EVs) in California while the case is adjudicated [1][5]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings and Implications - The DMV's request for a suspension could significantly disrupt Tesla's operations, especially following a notable decline in sales during the first half of 2025 due to various external factors [2]. - A suspension would hinder Tesla's recovery from recent sales dips, particularly in California, which accounts for over a third of EV sales in the U.S., potentially impacting sales momentum until the expiration of the Federal EV tax incentive in September [2][3]. - The DMV's allegations stem from claims that Tesla misrepresents the capabilities of its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), with the DMV seeking restitution from Tesla [5][6]. Group 2: Tesla's Defense and Market Position - Tesla argues that the DMV has been aware of its branding for "Autopilot" and "Full Self-Driving" since their introduction in 2014 and 2016, suggesting that this constitutes implicit approval [7]. - The company has made adjustments to its product descriptions, now labeling its highest-tier ADAS feature as "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)," indicating that active driver supervision is required [7]. - If the suspension is enacted, Tesla may face increased inventory levels at dealerships as it attempts to shift stock to markets not affected by the suspension [3].
Apple Encryption Safe After All? UK Reportedly Plans to Backtrack on Backdoor Demands
CNET· 2025-07-21 18:39
Group 1 - Apple's reputation for providing a private and secure experience is among the highest in the industry, but this has been threatened by the UK government's request for backdoor access to iCloud accounts [1][3] - Following pressure from the US, the UK government is likely to reverse its demands for backdoor access to Apple, influenced by senior US political figures [2] - The Home Office has not commented on the situation, but it is noted that interfering with tech companies is considered a significant issue in the US [3] Group 2 - The UK government's request for backdoor access was initially reported in February, coinciding with Apple's decision to pull its Advanced Data Protection feature in the UK, which reduced iCloud users' protection [4] - Apple expressed disappointment over the need to reduce protection, especially in light of increasing data breaches and threats to customer privacy [4]
Uber Announces Global Robotaxi Plan With Lucid and Nuro
CNET· 2025-07-17 18:36
Core Insights - Uber has announced a global robotaxi program in partnership with Lucid and Nuro, aiming to integrate autonomous driving technology with its ride-sharing platform [1][2] - The initiative will initially launch in a major US city and is expected to expand globally, deploying over 20,000 Lucid vehicles within six years [2] - Uber plans to invest multi-hundred-million dollars into both Lucid and Nuro as part of this collaboration [3] Company Partnerships - The partnership combines Uber's ride-sharing capabilities with Lucid's electric SUV, the Gravity, and Nuro's autonomous driving technology [2] - Uber has existing partnerships with 18 autonomous vehicle companies, including Waymo, Avride, Aurora, and May Mobility, indicating a strong commitment to expanding its autonomous vehicle offerings [3][4] Industry Impact - Uber's CEO highlighted the transformative potential of autonomous vehicles for urban environments, emphasizing the goal of making autonomous driving accessible to a broader audience [4] - The collaboration with established ride-hailing services like Uber is seen as a strategic move to scale robotaxi services and lower entry barriers for consumers [5]
Apple Reportedly Taps Samsung Display for First Foldable iPhone Screens
CNET· 2025-07-15 14:30
As we saw earlier this year, Samsung Display knows folds. And apparently, that innovation has led them to a major win -- producing crease-free displays for the iPhone's first foldable cellphone in 2026.Samsung Display (SDC), which is an entirely separate company from Samsung itself that produces screens for many other companies, will reportedly begin mass production of its flexible folding screens later this year in time for Apple's foldable iPhone launch in summer 2026, as reported by Korea JoongAng Daily. ...
EU Slaps Google With Antitrust Complaint Over AI Overviews
CNET· 2025-07-07 21:26
Core Argument - A group of independent publishers has filed an EU antitrust complaint against Google regarding its use of AI Overviews, which are AI-generated results that appear at the top of Google searches and are trained on content from across the internet [1][2] Impact on Publishers - The complaint states that Google's AI Overviews misuse web content, causing significant harm to publishers, including loss of traffic, readership, and revenue [2] - Publishers are unable to opt out of their content being used for AI training without losing visibility in Google Search [2] - Publisher traffic has seen drastic declines, with some major sites experiencing drops of 27-59% according to Similarweb estimates [5] Industry Response - In response to declining traffic, many publishers, including CNN and The Verge, are implementing paywalls and seeking direct connections with readers, moving towards a "Google Zero" future [5][6] - The publishing industry is actively filing lawsuits against AI companies like OpenAI and Microsoft for using copyrighted material to train their models [6][7] - The publishing sector has faced significant challenges, leading to layoffs and closures, with 2,900 local newspapers shutting down in the US since 2005 [8]
Microsoft Layoffs Are Here and These 3 Games Have Already Been Canceled
CNET· 2025-07-03 13:20
Group 1: Company Actions - Microsoft is implementing mass layoffs, cutting approximately 4% of its workforce, equating to about 9,000 roles across the company [1] - Microsoft Gaming chief Phil Spencer indicated that the company will end or decrease work in certain areas to focus on strategic growth and increase agility by removing layers of management [2] - Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty confirmed the cancellation of several games, including "Perfect Dark" and "Everwild," and mentioned the closure of The Initiative studio [3] Group 2: Game Cancellations - The cancellation of "Perfect Dark," a reboot of the classic FPS series, is significant, with development ongoing since 2018 and gameplay footage shown in June 2024 [4] - "Everwild," a new IP from Rare, has also been canceled after a tumultuous development period, having been announced in 2019 and rebooted in 2021 [5][6] - An untitled MMORPG from Zenimax Online Studios, codenamed "Blackbird," which was intended as a successor to "Elder Scrolls Online," has also been put on hold [6][7] Group 3: Industry Impact - The layoffs and game cancellations highlight job instability in the gaming industry, raising concerns about the future of major game releases and overall confidence among gamers [8][9] - The cancellations of high-profile titles like "Perfect Dark" and "Everwild" could impact Microsoft's release schedule in the coming years, although all games showcased during the 2025 Xbox Games Showcase will continue development [9]
Amazon Reaches Automation Milestone by Deploying Its Millionth Robot
CNET· 2025-07-01 21:46
Core Insights - The article highlights the expertise of Tyler Graham in the field of energy and utilities, particularly focusing on community solar and state solar policy [1][2] - It emphasizes the importance of renewable energy and its accessibility, as well as the growing interest in electric vehicles [2] Group 1: Expertise and Background - Tyler Graham has a background in journalism, having graduated from Seton Hall University [1] - He has been actively involved in energy product testing and has covered significant topics such as federal solar policy [1] Group 2: Areas of Focus - The article outlines key areas of expertise including community solar, state solar policy, and the cost and accessibility of solar energy [2] - It also mentions the relevance of renewable energy and electric vehicles in the current market landscape [2]
Analyst Says Apple Has Big Vision Pro Plans For 2027, Including Smart Glasses
CNET· 2025-06-30 19:12
Group 1: Apple’s Product Development - Apple plans to release multiple head-mounted AR and VR products in 2027, including an upgraded Vision Pro headset later this year [1][2] - Three Vision series products and four pairs of smart glasses are currently in development, with expectations to ship over 10 million AR/VR products in 2027 [2] - The Vision Air, a lighter headset with a 40% weight reduction, is set for release in 2027, while a second-generation Vision Pro is planned for 2028 [3] Group 2: Market Trends and Competitors - The global smart glasses market is projected to grow from $1.93 billion in 2024 to $8.26 billion by 2030, attracting major tech players [5] - Meta is actively developing smart glasses and has introduced the Orion prototype, which features a transparent display [5][7] - Apple’s entry into the AR and VR space poses a significant threat to Meta's market dominance, given Apple's strong brand loyalty [8]
Meta Won Its AI Fair Use Lawsuit, but Judge Says Authors Are Likely 'to Often Win' Going Forward
CNET· 2025-06-28 11:59
Core Viewpoint - AI companies, particularly Meta and Anthropic, have achieved significant legal victories regarding the use of copyrighted materials for AI training, but these rulings do not establish a blanket legality for such practices in the future [1][2][8]. Group 1: Legal Rulings - Meta won a motion for partial summary judgment in a case involving 13 authors who claimed copyright infringement due to the use of their books for training Llama AI models [1]. - Judge Vince Chhabria emphasized that the ruling does not imply that Meta's use of copyrighted materials is lawful, but rather that the plaintiffs failed to present compelling arguments [2]. - The rulings are significant as they are among the first to provide substantive legal analyses on the fair use doctrine in the context of AI [8]. Group 2: Fair Use Doctrine - The core issue revolves around whether AI companies' use of protected content qualifies as fair use, which allows for certain uses of copyrighted work without permission [2]. - The fair use evaluation considers four key factors, with Meta's ruling focusing on the impact of AI on the existing publishing market [2][5]. - Judge Chhabria noted that while AI-generated works could diminish the market for human-created books, the plaintiffs did not provide sufficient evidence of harm [6]. Group 3: Industry Implications - The victories for AI companies may reduce the need for costly licensing agreements with content creators, which has raised concerns among authors [3]. - A group of authors has publicly urged publishers to take a stronger stance against AI, highlighting the lack of permission and compensation for the use of their works [4]. - The rulings may influence future cases, as they set precedents that judges can reference in similar copyright disputes involving AI [9][10].