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Photo-Scraping Business Ignores $39M Privacy Fine

A US company that used billions of online photos without permission for facial recognition faces a fine of more than $35 million. Regulators say they may hold directors of Clearview AI personally responsible after the company said the fine was unenforceable. Clearview has attracted the attention of regulators in several companies for the way it does business. It produces and licenses facial recognition software to law enforcement agencies, for example, to identify alleged offenders from crowd photos or live video. The software works thanks to a massive database of pictures which Clearview ... (view more)




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Android to Tackle Data Harvesting Scam Apps

A key change to Android could reduce the risk of scammers stealing personal data or money. The update will mean sensitive apps won't open unless potentially risky apps are closed first. The idea is to tackle rogue apps which are designed to either capture personal data from another app, or to take control of the phone unbeknownst to the owner. Developer Choice Google's new tactic aims to find a balance between restricting the activities of such rogue apps and keeping the freedom of users to choose what apps they install, including those from sources other than the official Play Store. The ... (view more)




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AI Songs Earn $12 Million in Royalty Scam

A man who earned $12 million in royalties after "writing" hundreds of thousands of songs has been charged with fraud. Michael Smith allegedly created the songs with artificial intelligence, then used bots to "listen" to the music on streaming services to generated revenue. The case against Smith is not that the music itself was "not real" but rather that he was falsely claiming credit for listeners. Prosecutors say that not only did he steal money from the streaming sites, but that legitimate songwriters missed out. That's because some streaming sites divide a fixed ... (view more)




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Google Brings Back Archived Page Links

Google is to make it easier to find copies of pages that are no longer available on websites. The change comes several months after Google removed its own cache of web pages. Users will instead be able to follow a link to the archived copy at the Internet Archive's "wayback machine." Before this year, many Google search results included a link to Google's own cached copies of web pages. These were the copies that Google made when scanning a web page for content and links to help decide when and where it should appear in search rankings. The cached copy available in the search results would ... (view more)




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Being Blackmailed on Instagram? Here's What to Do

Infopackets Reader Steve T. writes: " Dear Dennis, Please help! I am being blackmailed on Instagram and I'm not sure what to do. A few weeks ago I signed up for Plenty of Fish (PoF) dating and matched up with a woman that I believed to be legit. We exchanged photos on Instagram and texted back and forth for about a week. Not long after, we exchanged raunchy photos. Fast forward to just a few days ago and she claims to have crashed her car and doesn't have enough to cover the costs. She's asked me to help. I declined. She said if I don't pay, she would share intimate pictures of me with all of ... (view more)




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Scammers Frustrate Users into Giving Up their Gmail

Scammers are using a creative way to trick people into handing over their Google account passwords. The tactic works by annoying the victim until they stop thinking rationally. Most scams to get hold of account passwords, particularly sensitive ones like a Google account, work in one of two ways. Some scammers will try to intercept the password, for example by using keylogging software that records everything a user types. Others prefer phishing, where the user is tricked into typing in details into a bogus, lookalike website. The new scam, using malware named StealC, is much simpler. It ... (view more)




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Windows File Explorer Can Remotely Access Android Phone

Windows users will soon be able to access files on their Android phone or tablet without a USB cable. The feature is already available in test editions of Windows 11. The feature, first reported back in June, has now arrived for members of the Windows Insider Program, which gives early access to in-development and test features. They will also need to install the "Cross device experience host" tool from the Microsoft store. Windows does already offer some wireless connectivity with Android phones such as using it as a webcam or getting on-screen notifications from the phone replicated on the ... (view more)




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Infopackets to Launch YouTube Tech Support Pilot Program

Dear Infopackets Readers, I would like to introduce the launch of an exciting, new video-based tech support Q ... (view more)




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Chrome Offers New Options on Browser Notifications

Chrome is getting more proactive on browser safety. The changes are coming to both desktops and Android devices. It's part of the browser's "Safety Check" feature which already warns users if a password has been compromised or if a website appears unsafe. The feature is expanding to cover permissions and notifications. The former involves the way Chrome controls whether or not a specific website has access to computer resources and data such as a microphone, webcam or precise location. Chrome will now start automatically revoking permissions from websites the user rarely visits. Google has ... (view more)




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Necro Malware Infects 'Modified' Spotify, WhatsApp

"Modified" versions of popular apps have helped distribute a nasty piece of Android malware. The tactic expanded the reach of the Necro Trojan despite Google's security checks. Necro was able to survive for some time before discovery, largely because the infection wasn't obvious to users. Its main purpose was to hijack phones and use them to make money for the people behind the malware. This included displaying paid ads in the background so that users didn't see them, but the scammers were able to claim revenue from advertisers. The malware would also install apps on the phone to earn ... (view more)




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New YouTube Channel - Update

Dear Infopackets Readers, Last Friday I posted an article detailing ideas for a new Infopackets YouTube pilot program. The videos posted on the new YouTube channel will highlight Microsoft Windows-related remote desktop technical support (provided by yours truly) whereby you email me an issue you're having through our website, I call you to discuss the issue, then I connect to your computer to resolve the problem for you. The phone call and video will be recorded, edited, and then uploaded to our future YouTube channel which currently does not exist . Below is an update to that announcement. ... (view more)




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Telegram Will Share User Data With Cops

The head of controversial messaging app Telegram says it will now comply with some legal requests for information about users. Russian business owner Pavel Durov announced the policy change just weeks after being arrested in France and charged with enabling criminal activity. Telegram is a messaging app similar to WhatsApp in that the content of messages is encrypted, to the point that even the operators of the app can't read private messages. It has a couple of significant differences that likely affect the type of people that use it, however. One is that unlike WhatsApp's limit of 1,000 ... (view more)




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Broadband Subsidy Program Ends But Debate Continues

Four months after the end of a subsidy program for home broadband, individual states are figuring out if and how they can expand access. Meanwhile the debate over the value and impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) continues to rage. The program launched in 2021 as part of a wider infrastructure package. It was available to households earning up to double the federal poverty level or with somebody in a government assistance program. Under the program, households would get a government-funded discount of up to $30 a month on broadband services and a one-off discount of $100 for a ... (view more)




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Facebook Fined for Password Failure

Facebook's parent company has been fined the equivalent of $100 million for storing user passwords in plain text. Failing to encrypt the passwords breached Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Meta, which runs Facebook and Instagram, broke the rules despite there being no evidence that anyone accessed the passwords without authorization or that anyone was then able to access accounts. Delay In Coming Clean The company was found to have breached the GDPR on four counts. Two involved failing to adequately secure personal data, one involved not properly documenting these failures ... (view more)




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Smart Glasses Bring Facial Recognition Concerns

Harvard students have demonstrated that "smart glasses" can be used to look at somebody in public and reveal their identities and personal information. Meta, which made the glasses used in the demonstration, say they have adequate security safeguards in place. The Ray-Ban smart glasses, produced by Facebook owner Meta, connect wirelessly to a smartphone. They include a camera, speaker and microphone and allows a range of hands-free actions such as filming, taking photos and making calls. (Source: meta.com ) Facial Recognition Abused AnhPhu Nguyen and Caine Ardayfio of Harvard University ... (view more)




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Google Pays Price for App Store 'Monopoly'

Google has suffered a major court defeat over its Play store. It will mean much greater access for third party app stores and apps, though could prompt a continuing argument about security. The ruling came in a case brought by Epic Games, makers of the popular game Fortnite. It's had similar battles with Apple and its possible this case will have an effect there too. Epic had argued that Google unfairly exploited a monopoly over access of app developers to the Android system by the way it controlled the official Play store. It said that monopoly existed despite the fact that Android users can ... (view more)




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Google Facing Breakup in US Court Case

The Department of Justice says it may ask a judge to forcibly break up Google's business over its alleged monopoly abuses. Google called it an overreach and says such a move could kill Android or Chrome. Google lost a court case in August for breaking antitrust laws in the way it built up and maintained a 90 percent market share in online searches. The DOJ must now put proposals before a court on how to remedy this breach. In a preliminary filing, the DOJ says it is considering the most serious option of "structural remedies". That could mean Google would no longer be able to maintain its ... (view more)




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Smart Tech Tackles Dementia

Five gadgets are in the running for a $1.3 million prize for using tech to tackle dementia. They range from high-tech glasses to a device that looks like a landline telephone. The projects have all made the final of the global Longitude prize for dementia. It's part of a wider series of prizes based on an 18th century contest that rewarded scientists for finding a way for sailors to determine the longitude of their location. The five finalists will each get the equivalent of $392,000 to develop their products before competing for the overall prize. The money comes from the UK government and ... (view more)




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Win10 End-of-Life has Major Security Implications

With less than a year to go, Microsoft is sticking to its vow to stop supporting Windows 10. Analysts remain unconvinced given it remains the most used version of Windows. Officially, October 14, 2025 will be the end of life date for the system. Although it will still work, Microsoft will no longer offer security updates for Windows as standard. Instead, users will have the option to pay for extended security support. (Source: microsoft.com ) 10 Year Life Cycle In principle, this is perfectly normal. Next year is 10 years after Windows 10 was first released, and that's the normal ... (view more)




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Android 15 Boosts Security, Theft Detection Lock

Google has announced a range of security and privacy boosts for Android 15. It's also rolling out a key feature called Theft Detection Lock to older handsets. The new version of Android is coming to Google's own Pixel handsets almost immediately and then will go out to other manufacturers. The release date and which handsets it works on depends on the manufacturer. Theft Detection Lock Explained Unlike some previous new versions of Android which have often seemed more focused on appearance and style, the focus this time is much more practical. The most high-profile change is Theft Detection ... (view more)




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FTC Vows End to Free Trial and Subscription Scams

American consumers and businesses should soon find it much easier to cancel subscriptions, "free trials" and other ongoing payments. The FTC has added what it's dubbed the "Click to Cancel" rule that means it must be as easy to cancel such arrangements as it is to start them. The regulation is formally known as the "Rule Concerning Recurring Subscriptions and Other Negative Option Programs." In this case "negative" means the provider will start or continue to take payments unless the user expressly cancels the arrangement. Free Trials Have Surprise Catch The FTC has been working on the ... (view more)




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6G Data Could Be 4000 Times Faster

Tests of a proposed "6G" cellular data service achieved speeds four thousand times faster than current 5G networks. It's not necessarily a fair comparison but it could mean neither speed nor capacity was a problem with cellular networks. The testing at University College London achieved transmission speeds of 938 Gbps. To put that into context, according to Statista, the fastest average 5G speed in the US as T-Mobile's 227 Mpbs. (Source: statista.com ) The researchers behind the technology were trying to solve the main constraint on 5G: it uses a limited frequency range that is now highly ... (view more)




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New AI Model Could Control Computers

The makers of an AI model claim it can take control of a computer and complete tasks such as completing forms. The latest version of "Claude" takes a screenshot and counts pixels to figure out how far to move the cursor. Anthropic, which made Claude, say this is the first time a publicly released AI model has the capability of "computer use". It defines this as "looking at a screen, moving a cursor, clicking buttons, and typing text. The goal is to allow the model to carry out tasks which go beyond simply generating text or images in line with a user's instructions. Instead, it could actually ... (view more)




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Running App Revealed World Leaders' Location

Running app Strava made it possible to track the locations of world leaders and high-profile political candidates according to a newspaper investigation. Security services say the vulnerability did not put people at risk but are reviewing their guidelines on using the app. Le Monde investigated the movements of bodyguards for politicians including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Emannuel Macron and Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump plus partners Jill Biden and Melania Trump. (Source: lemonde.fr ) Secret Trip Revealed The newspaper was able to discover the names of the presidential bodyguards and find ... (view more)




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Being Blackmailed on Google Chat? Here's What to Do

Infopackets Reader Shane J. writes: " Dear Dennis, Help - I'm being blackmailed on Google Chat ! Two days ago I received a friend request on Facebook from a woman who lives in my city. At first I didn't recognize her, but she says she went to my high school. Eventually we ended up chatting outside of Facebook using Google Chat (previously Google Hangouts), and that's when she sent me some revealing photos of herself. She asked me to reciprocate. As soon as I did, the video chat ended immediately. She texted me and said if I don't pay her money she would send the video to friends and family. ... (view more)




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Google Fined $2.5 Trillion Trillion Trillion

Google has confirmed it currently owes $2.5 decillion dollars in an unpaid fine in Russia. It doesn't plan on paying any time soon. The fine stems from a judgment in 2020. The government run Russian news site RBC reported on the fine this week and Google has confirmed that the details are correct. The penalty was for restricting the YouTube channels of two Russian media outlets, with those companies successfully suing Google for civil penalties under Russian law. Further penalties were added for similar bans of Russian media sites in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine. At that time Google ... (view more)




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Someone Threatening to Post Video, Pics? Here's What to Do

Infopackets Reader Franco I. writes: " Dear Dennis, Please help - someone is threatening to share a video of me (in the buff) on Facebook! A few days ago, I met a girl on Omegle (a chat website). We had lots of shared interests and seemed to hit it off pretty good. After some back and forth, things escalated to the point where she started sharing pictures of herself scantily dressed. She asked for my phone number, then wanted to do a video call using Google Chat . As soon as I answered, she was already unclothed with toys in hand. She claimed her microphone was broken, so I never got to ... (view more)




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Google Wallet Expands to Children

Google will soon let children use Android phones to make in-person purchases. It says there will be sufficient safeguards and controls for parents. The changes will be to Google Wallet. That's an app that lets users store card details and make payments in the real world without the card. The app also lets users store electronic versions of tickets and passes. The payments are contactless and use the NFC (near-field communication) chip in the phone. Users must authenticate the app through a security measure such as a PIN, passcode, fingerprint or facial recognition. Previously the app was only ... (view more)




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Do Blackmailers Follow Through? (And What to Expect)

Infopackets Reader Bill W. writes: " Dear Dennis, Thanks so much for your article on Facebook blackmail . I also read your article on Instagram blackmail . Unfortunately, I have a similar situation. A few weeks ago, I received a random chat request from a female with a WhatsApp business account asking if I was affiliated with her company. She claims to work in the shipping department. I responded back stating she had the wrong number, but that didn't stop her from continuing to message me. A few days into it and we exchanged some photos of each other (clothed). She asked where I worked, what ... (view more)




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6 Best WordPress Hosting Providers of 2024

As someone who has been working with WordPress for over 15 years, I know firsthand how crucial choosing the right hosting provider is. The right hosting can make all the difference in how well your site performs, how easily users can access it, and, ultimately, how successful your online presence […]




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Top 5 Church WordPress Themes for 2024

Creating the perfect website for your church requires more than just beautiful design—it’s about choosing a theme that meets the unique needs of your congregation. From sermon management to event calendars, a suitable WordPress theme can make a difference in connecting your church community online.  In this article, we’ve curated […]




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How to Build a Church Website with WordPress

Creating a church website is a powerful way to connect with both your congregation and new visitors. Your website serves as a digital gateway to your church, offering information on services, sermons, and upcoming events. With WordPress, you can easily build a functional and welcoming site, even if you’re new […]




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Top 5 WordPress Themes for Real Estate in 2024

Choosing the best real estate WordPress theme can make a significant impact on how you showcase property listings, connect with potential clients, and build an online presence that reflects professionalism. With the right theme, real estate professionals can easily create a visually stunning, fully functional website optimized for property searches, […]




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Top 5 Hotel WordPress Themes for 2024

A beautiful, functional hotel website is essential for attracting guests and managing bookings effectively. Choosing the right hotel WordPress theme can transform your website into a high-converting platform with the perfect balance of style, functionality, and ease of use. Here’s a list of the best hotel WordPress themes, each packed […]




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Top 5 Creative Agency WordPress Themes for 2024

Digital and creative agencies need a website that does more than look good—it should communicate the agency’s vision, engage potential clients, and showcase a powerful portfolio. A well-crafted WordPress theme specifically designed for agencies can make a huge difference, offering pre-built templates, customizable elements, and support for multimedia content to […]




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Top 5 WordPress Themes for Writers in 2024

For writers, having a website that truly reflects their unique style and content is essential. Whether you’re an author, blogger, or content creator, the right WordPress theme can help you build a digital presence that’s both functional and visually appealing. There are some standout options specifically designed to meet the […]




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Top 5 Medical WordPress Themes for 2024

For healthcare professionals, having an organized, visually appealing website is crucial to earning trust and building a reputation. With a thoughtfully chosen WordPress theme, your practice can communicate professionalism, streamline patient interactions, and enhance your online presence. Our list of the top medical WordPress themes includes versatile, feature-rich themes designed […]




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Top 5 Jewelry Shop WordPress Themes for 2024

A sophisticated, polished website can be a game-changer for any jewelry business, building trust with customers and enhancing your brand’s appeal. The right WordPress theme allows jewelry shop owners to showcase collections with elegance and ease. In this guide, we explore the best jewelry shop WordPress themes, each designed to […]




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Top 5 Architecture WordPress Themes for 2024

Creating an impactful architecture website requires more than just beautiful images; it needs a theme that complements your projects, communicates your brand, and offers flexibility. Here are our top picks for architecture WordPress themes to help you build a standout online presence. 1. Inspiro Premium Pricing: $79/year Inspiro Premium is […]




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Виттих был уволен из-за разногласий с президентом FIA

Накануне в FIA выпустили неожиданное заявление о том, что Нильс Виттих оставил пост гоночного директора Формулы 1, и уже на этапе в Лас-Вегасе его заменит Руй Маркеш. Спустя несколько часов выяснилось, что Виттих был уволен.




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Детали "секретного плана" перехода Хэмилтона в Ferrari

Итальянская пресса публикует части «секретного плана» с подробностями перехода Льюиса Хэмилтона в Ferrari.




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В Лас-Вегасе Шарль Леклер может быть оштрафован

В одном из оставшихся Гран При Шарль Леклер будет оштрафован, и это может произойти уже на следующей неделе в Вегасе...




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Хуан-Пабло Монтойя: В Red Bull хотят, чтобы Перес ушёл

Хуан-Пабло Монтойя прокомментировал ситуацию, в которой оказался Серхио Перес. Бывший гонщик Формулы 1 считает, что Перес продолжит выступать за Red Bull Racing в следующем сезоне, хотя в самой команде этого не хотят.




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В Alpine отреагировали на слухи об увольнении Дуэна

В августе команда Alpine официально объявила о подписании контракта с Джеком Дуэном, который в 2025-м заменит Эстебана Окона.




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Брандл ответил на обвинения Ферстаппена в предвзятости

Бывший гонщик Формулы 1, комментатор Sky Sport F1 Мартин Брандл ответил на эти обвинения...




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Юки Цунода о том, что он хотел бы перенять у Риккардо

Юки Цунода о качествах, которые он хотел бы перенять у бывшего напарника Даниэля Риккардо…




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Риккардо и Ферстаппен вновь на время стали напарниками

В Сингапуре Даниэль Риккардо провёл свою финальную гонку за рулём RB, но его контакты с миром Формулы 1 продолжаются. Во время осеннего перерыва между гонками в Сан-Паулу и Лас-Вегасе Риккардо встретился в Монако с Максом Ферстаппеном, и они вновь на время стали напарниками.




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Грег Маффей уходит с поста руководителя Liberty Media

Грег Маффей, исполнительный директор Liberty Media, которой принадлежит контрольный пакет акций Формулы 1, оставит свой пост после истечения действующего контракта в конце года.




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В Лас-Вегасе спринтов не будет

Управляющий директор Гран При Лас-Вегаса Эмили Прэйзер уверена – на этом этапе субботних спринтов не будет.




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Оскар Пиастри принял участие в съёмках «Фермы Кларксона»

«Ферма Кларксона» – популярное документальное шоу, в котором Джереми Кларксон показывает и рассказывает, как он развивает свою ферму Diddly Squat в Оксфордшире. В эфир уже вышли три сезона, а в данный момент ведутся съёмки четвёртого, в которых поучаствовал Оскар Пиастри.