If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. Telegram, the messaging app that once positioned itself as the rebel’s answer to Big Tech surveillance, has made a sharp U-turn on the “we protect your data at all costs” highway. On Monday, the company quietly updated its privacy policy to allow for the disclosure of user information—like those precious IP addresses and phone numbers—to law enforcement, but only, of course, if they present a valid legal request. As we all know, no one has ever stretched the definition of “valid” to fit their agenda, right? This revelation comes hot on the heels of a little incident back in August, when Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov found himself in handcuffs, detained by French authorities. What was the crime? Well, it appears Telegram was accused of playing hardball with French law enforcement, refusing to hand over data, leading to Durov’s arrest. It seems law enforcement didn’t take kindly to that level of noncompliance, especially after making 2,460 unanswered requests for information. The Policy Flip-Flop The new policy revision is a complete about-face from the one Telegram’s loyal fans were sold on. The old rules were crystal clear. Telegram might give up your details—your IP address and phone number—but only if you were a suspect in a terror case. The policy even reassured everyone that this kind of handover had never happened. Not anymore. Now, Telegram has widened the net. According to the newly revised policy, if you violate Telegram’s Terms of Service—you know, the thing no one ever reads—they may hand over your info if they get a “valid” order. The language is dripping with corporate hedging: “If Telegram receives a valid order from the relevant judicial authorities that confirms you’re a suspect in a case involving criminal activities that violate the Telegram Terms of Service, we will perform a legal analysis of the request and may disclose your IP address and phone number to the relevant authorities.” Comparison between old and new text of Telegram’s “8.3. Law Enforcement Authorities” policy. Of course, Telegram is still committed to transparency—at least on paper. The company promises to disclose all such incidents in its quarterly transparency reports, which, conveniently, can be accessed via a dedicated bot. Durov’s Declaration: Aimed at Who, Exactly? Durov took to Telegram to tell users, “We have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, ensuring they are consistent across the world.” He continued, “We’ve made it clear that the IP addresses and phone numbers of those who violate our rules can be disclosed to relevant authorities in response to valid legal requests.” Durov further added, “These measures should discourage criminals. Telegram Search is meant for finding friends and discovering news, not for promoting illegal goods. We won’t let bad actors jeopardize the integrity of our platform for almost a billion users.” The French Connection But what really forced Telegram’s hand? Let’s rewind to Durov’s August airport arrest, where things started to get clearer. After allegedly over 2,400 ignored requests for data, French authorities had had enough. They brought in the National Gendarmerie to get to the bottom of Telegram’s refusal to cooperate. Apparently, turning over data wasn’t an option until they started detaining CEOs. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Telegram Will Now Share Users’ IP Addresses and Phone Numbers With Governments in Response to Legal Requests appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. California’s recent legislative move to limit the “addictive” features of social media platforms for minors has been solidified by Governor Gavin Newsom’s endorsement. The move will force platforms to change their social media platforms depending on the age of users – meaning that platforms will likely have to introduce digital ID systems to verify users. The Protecting Our Kids From Social Media Addiction Act, sponsored by state Senator Nancy Skinner, received Governor Newsom’s signature on Friday and is a big push to end online anonymity. We obtained a copy of the bill for you here. The law, backed by figures such as state Attorney General Rob Bonta and supported by various educational and medical groups, aims to curtail the perceived harmful effects of social media on youth. The bill has sparked a spectrum of opposition, with critics such as the ACLU criticizing the move to end online anonymity and making people’s private data more vulnerable. These groups, along with industry leaders that own platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, argue that the measures infringe on free access to lawful content. They also warn of the risks to privacy and First Amendment rights due to required age verification. Related: The history of online ID verification and the First Amendment Set to be enforced from January 1, 2027, the bill mandates a major shift in how social media feeds are presented to minors, advocating for a chronological format to diminish engagement-driven content delivery. This change is intended to combat the addictive nature of algorithmically curated feeds. Additionally, the bill restricts notifications during nighttime and school hours unless parents approve. Governor Newsom highlighted the pervasive issues linked to social media, such as isolation and stress, emphasizing the bill’s role in protecting children from these outcomes. He remarked, “Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children — isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night,” appreciating the legislative effort aimed at minimizing these impacts. Newsom didn’t comment on the threats to online anonymity. Is it just a coincidence that Apple rolled out its digital ID tech in California in the same week? If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Digital IDs Are Coming to Social Media in California’s Crackdown appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Biden Administration Proposes Ban on Chinese Cars (To Help Harris Win Michigan)

NPR media reporter David Folkenflik appeared on their “news” show Weekend Edition Saturday to discuss Team Trump-Vance and the eating-pets thing from Springfield, Ohio. Host Scott Simon marveled at how “even after being debunked, fringe ideas and lies can still become major campaign themes.” “Fringe ideas and lies” are only Republican campaign themes. They are never Democrat campaign themes. This is your tax dollars at work in the last weeks of a campaign. Folkenflik suggested Trump's complaints about Jewish voters suggest something "Jews have experienced over the decades and centuries, certain kinds of targeting and pogroms." This segment took a turn when Simon mentioned J.D. Vance was being interviewed by Tucker Carlson, who recently hosted a Holocaust revisionist. Then they aired audio of Donald Trump complaining about Jewish voters still pulling a lever for the Democrats, even as Israel is under attack from two sides. Trump said “If I don't win this election -- and the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that if that happens because at 40%, that means 60% of the people are voting for the enemy.” FOLKENFLIK: Well, I think about political rhetoric a lot. If you look at this, he's calling the Democratic ticket not his opponent, but the enemy. That's a pretty intense and fraught phrase. Not the first time he's done it -- but he's also singling out a specific ethnic group to blame. He's saying they would have a lot to do with my losing if that happens. This is the sort of thing that, in other countries, Jews have experienced over the decades and centuries, certain kinds of targeting and pogroms. That's kind of a scary overtone for a lot of folks. And for the press, there's something of a challenge, as well because you've got to figure out, do we simply report what he's saying, or do we present the context in which he's done? No, Trump didn't explicitly say there should be violence of any kind. But he is scapegoating Jewish voters who may not agree with him and should have every right not to do so. POGROMS? Trump is talking up an "organized massacre"? Folkenflik is basically spreading the Vanity Fair take on these remarks. Their headline was Donald “America’s Hitler” Trump Gives Supporters the Green Light to Blame Jews If He Loses in November. No one inside the NPR bubble will point out that Trump has been strongly supportive of Israel, which is not exactly suggestive of Hitler. Trump is complaining that Jews would rather stick to voting for Democrats who are currently seeking to curry favor with Hamas supporters. Those voters can sound like the "pogrom" people. Between this, the eating-pets commentary, and the Mark Robinson gloating, Simon nudged Folkenflik to sum up that the conservative media is a blight on the journalism landscape.  SIMON: David, do you see anything in this moment that ties all this stuff together? FOLKENFLIK: Well, I think there's been sort of an absorption into the mainstream -- particularly in the Republican Party, but in political life -- of things that we would have thought were utterly extremist and would be disqualifying. And I think that you've seen, through certain elements of the conservative far-right press - figures like Tucker Carlson, who himself has been exiled from Fox News, but at times, Fox News itself and Newsmax and others but also the former president and his ticket -- an affirming of the idea that these are figures and thoughts that are not verboten but that are at least something that could be entertained. And I think that's a tough moment for America to find its in and a real challenge for the press to report on. For Folkenflik, this doesn't really represent a "challenge." Excoriating and demonizing the conservative media is his bread and butter. Meanwhile, Folkenflik didn't see anything "extremist" or "far-left" in a media-ethics debate piece over leaks to the fiercely anti-Israel website The Intercept, which casually "reports" Israel is committing "genocide" in Gaza. He can "entertain" that idea.  

Whoopi Goldberg Makes the 'Historic Announcement' About Wednesday's Guest on 'The View'

Dems Quietly Freaking Out Behind Closed Doors, Worry That Trump Will Outperform Polls

A week after seeding iOS 18.1 beta 4 to iPhone developers, Apple is releasing a new build to prepare for the official launch of Apple Intelligence next month. Alongside iOS 18.1 beta 5, Apple has also made available iPadOS 18.1 beta 5. With the previous testing version, Apple added new functionalities while making the first public beta available for everyone wanting to try Apple Intelligence. Here's what's changed: Spatial photos support on iPhone 15 Pro: This beta allows iPhone 15 Pro users to finally take Spatial Photos. Record calls: All iOS 18 iPhone models can record calls directly within the Phone app. Still, an iPhone 15 Pro is required to summarize a recording. Type to Siri: The type-to-Siri function has improved for Apple Intelligence devices, as the assistant tries to complete the user’s queries. Besides that, the iOS 18.1 beta brings the following Apple Intelligence features: Writing Tools: Users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps Improved Siri: With a new design, Siri can maintain context between requests. Even if you stumble over words or shift what you’re saying mid-sentence, Siri can understand what you actually want. Priority notifications: They appear at the top of the stack, letting you know what to pay attention to at a glance. Notifications are summarized, so you can scan them faster. Priority messages in Mail: Elevate time-sensitive messages to the top of your inbox, like an invitation that has a deadline today or a check-in reminder for your flight this afternoon. Reduce interruptions: With iOS 18.1 beta 1, an all-new Focus Mode understands the content of your notifications and shows you the ones that might need immediate attention, like a text about picking up your child from daycare later today. Email summarization: Tap to reveal a summary of a long email in the Mail app and cut to the chase. Record and transcribe calls in the Notes app: Just hit record in the Notes or Phone apps to capture audio recordings and transcripts. Apple Intelligence generates summaries of your transcripts, so you can get to the most important information at a glance. Smart Reply in Mail: Quickly draft an email response with all the right details. Apple Intelligence can identify the question you were asked in an email and offer relevant selections to include in your response. Clean Up: This Photos app feature can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo without accidentally altering the subject. Summarization: Apple Intelligence can now summarize more than just Messages and Mail notifications. BGR will let you know if we find anything new in today's iOS 18.1 beta 5. You can learn more about iOS 18 below. Don't Miss: iOS 18: Features, release date, beta, download, Apple Intelligence The post iOS 18.1 beta 5 now available as Apple Intelligence launch nears appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: $129 AirPods 3, Nintendo Switch game sale, $30 Fire TV Stick 4K, $16 TOZO earbuds, more Today’s deals: First Apple Watch Series 10 discount, $20 waterproof speaker, $17 myQ garage controller, more Today’s deals: $449 Apple Watch Ultra, first deal on iPhone 16 Pro official Apple cases, $179 Roomba, more Best Apple deals for September 2024

A week after seeding macOS 15.1 beta 4, Apple is now making available macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 5 as the company prepares for Apple Intelligence's official launch next month. With the previous testing version, Apple added new functionalities while making the first public beta available for everyone wanting to try Apple Intelligence. Here's what's changed: Type to Siri: The type-to-Siri function has improved for Apple Intelligence devices, as the assistant tries to complete the user’s queries. Besides that, the macOS 15.1 beta brings the following Apple Intelligence features: Writing Tools: Users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize text nearly everywhere they write, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps Improved Siri: With a new design, Siri can maintain context between requests. Even if you stumble over words or shift what you’re saying mid-sentence, Siri can understand what you actually want. Priority notifications: They appear at the top of the stack, letting you know what to pay attention to at a glance. Notifications are summarized, so you can scan them faster. Priority messages in Mail: Elevate time-sensitive messages to the top of your inbox, like an invitation that has a deadline today or a check-in reminder for your flight this afternoon. Reduce interruptions: With macOS 15.1 beta, an all-new Focus Mode understands the content of your notifications and shows you the ones that might need immediate attention, like a text about picking up your child from daycare later today. Email summarization: Tap to reveal a summary of a long email in the Mail app and cut to the chase. Record and transcribe calls in the Notes app: Just hit record in the Notes or Phone apps to capture audio recordings and transcripts. Apple Intelligence generates summaries of your transcripts, so you can get to the most important information at a glance. Smart Reply in Mail: Quickly draft an email response with all the right details. Apple Intelligence can identify the question you were asked in an email and offer relevant selections to include in your response. Clean Up: This Photos app feature can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo without accidentally altering the subject. Summarization: Apple Intelligence can now summarize more than just Messages and Mail notifications. BGR will let you know if we find anything new in today's macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 5. You can learn ore about macOS Sequoia below. Don't Miss: macOS Sequoia 15: Features, Apple Intelligence, download, beta, Mac compatibility The post macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 5 now available with new Apple Intelligence features appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Best Fire TV Stick deals for September 2024 Best Apple Watch deals for September 2024 Today’s deals: $189 AirPods Pro, $50 DASH air fryer, $4.50 iPhone chargers, $99 DEWALT drill bundle, more Today’s deals: $199 iPad 9, $99 TP-Link WiFi 7 router, $400 off Narwal Freo X Ultra robot vacuum, more

Apple is focused on releasing Apple Intelligence for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users next month. Even in beta, this AI platform is the company's hope for the future. In addition to the new beta versions of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, Cupertino is now rolling out beta 2 of watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1. At this moment, it's unclear what's new with watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1. However, Apple has some delayed features for these operating system updates (except watchOS 11) that might be added to the beta cycle in the near future. These are some of them: tvOS 18 has these features delayed, and tvOS 18.1 beta might add them: Robot vacuum cleaners are now compatible with the Home app, so they can participate in automation and scenes and can be activated by a user’s voice using Siri. Screen savers: Movies and TV screen savers are yet to be added; 21:9 support: When connecting your Apple TV to a projector, Apple will give you the option to watch content in this frame. Image source: Apple Inc. visionOS 2 also lacks one important feature, and visionOS 2.1 beta could add them: Mac Virtual Display: It will feature a higher resolution and larger size, creating an ultra-wide display equivalent to two 4K monitors side by side.  In addition, a rumor expects Apple to add Apple Intelligence to Apple Vision Pro in 2025. With that, Apple's spatial computer would be part of this AI platform with the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Cupertino could potentially be waiting for Apple Intelligence to launch and get its best features before expanding to another software. If Apple adds new features to watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1 in beta 2, we'll make sure to update this article with the latest features. With these system major updates just released to all users, we can't wait to see what else Apple has in store for them. While these updates will likely arrive next month, Apple also might be planning an October event. Below, you can learn everything we expect to see at it. Don't Miss: Here’s what Apple plans to launch at its big October event The post Apple releases beta 2 of watchOS 11.1, tvOS 18.1, and visionOS 2.1 appeared first on BGR. Today's Top Deals Today’s deals: $189 AirPods Pro, $50 DASH air fryer, $4.50 iPhone chargers, $99 DEWALT drill bundle, more Today’s deals: $510 M1 MacBook Air, $54 11-piece cookware set, $40 Anker MagSafe battery pack, more Today’s deals: $449 Apple Watch Ultra, first deal on iPhone 16 Pro official Apple cases, $179 Roomba, more Best Apple deals for September 2024

The U.S. is sending a small number of additional troops to the Middle East as tensions rise between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah, the Pentagon said Monday, declining to specify the precise number or mission of the deployed forces.