Only 37% are trading in their old devices, while 25% are selling them.

The Long Dark's final episode is "largest to date" with "two to three times as much cinematic and story content" "The episode can't just be good; it has to be great." Image credit: Hinterland News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on April 27, 2025 The Long Dark's final episode, Episode Five, is the "largest episode to date", featuring "between two to three times as much cinematic and story content" as preceding episode Four and about "three-to-four times as big". Addressing fans in a lengthy Steam update, Hinterland founder and creative director, Raphael van Lierop said the team "won't be sharing much detail about the episode until he first teaser", but it includes "quite a few systems we haven't used in other episodes". "We know many of you - like us - have been waiting for years for this story to be completed. And once it's done, we can never go back. So that's really on our minds. The episode can't just be good; it has to be great," van Lierop added. Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 announcement trailer.Watch on YouTube "There are a lot of story threads to tie up across all the episodes, to wrap up the Wintermute storyline, but also to set the stage for the future of The Long Dark, so we have to take you to several different places and hear from a lot of new people," the director added (thanks, PC Gamer). "Because of what the story needs, we've focused on narrative more than we have traditionally, and the mission flow for Episode Five is probably more linear than previous episodes as a result." There will be "many" new locations - "everything in the episode is new to the game and the world, so these will all be places you’ve never seen before" - and as "this final episode of the story has you playing as both Mackenzie and Astrid, you'll also be seeing some of the key characters from previous episodes, so...there's a lot!" "We're also using new motion-capture tech for our team, to attempt to deliver an ever higher bar for story delivery than we have achieved so far," he added. "These are all things that exist outside the context of Survival Mode, although some of the work in Tales helped set the foundation of some of the things we're attempting in Episode Five. "I can confidently say that Episode Five will be the most ambitious thing we've done on The Long Dark at Hinterland to date. I know that won't mean much to you until you have it in your hands, but hopefully that gives you some sense of the ambition behind the episode." The update also confirmed that Tales from the Far Territory expansion is now complete, further visual enhancements are being trialled with the test team, with improvements to shadows, fog, anisotropic filtering, enhanced draw distances, terrain blending, motion blur, and more on the way, albeit "mainly apply to high-end PCs or the top-end consoles". There'll also be an update for PlayStation and Xbox players in mid-late June. Nearly a year after teasing an 'unannounced survival game' that looked suspiciously like The Long Dark 2, developer Hinterland's has officially unveiled its snowy survival sequel. It's called Blackfrost: The Long Dark 2 and it's coming to Steam early access in 2026. While our first tease of The Long Dark 2 in January didn't go much beyond a slow pan across a slightly ramshackle room, Hinterland's The Game Awards announcement trailer shows considerably more, with the wilderness action of its predecessor now expanded to cover towns and even cities gripped by the apocalyptic winter.

submitted by /u/Doener23 [link] [comments]

Image: Gavin Lane / Nintendo LifeAfter eight years of articles and YouTube content covering the Switch, you might think there are no surprises left to uncover, but I'm here to say that the very best couch multiplayer on the system – a game by Nintendo themselves – was completely missed by seemingly everyone on the planet. There’s barely any mention of it online except for my own desperate Reddit posts trying to find someone who agrees with me. What’s more, due to the peripherals it came packed with, it’s currently very difficult to buy – and it’s also one of the only games Nintendo have listed as being unplayable on the Switch 2.Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube810kWatch on YouTube So, from a preservation point of view, this article might be the last chance for people to realise that Kablasta scratches the same competitive itch as Wii Bowling, while in many ways offering a tighter, more varied experience that doesn’t deserve to be forgotten. Kablasta is the Switch's hidden, shining jewel Images: Nintendo Life Some people likely haven't even heard of the game, so let’s do a quick recap and make some bold statements in the process. Kablasta was released as part of the Labo VR Kit, one of two games designed to show off the large orange blaster gun. It's a two-player competitive experience that is — if you ignore the two-hour ordeal of setting up the actual gun — a huge omission from any list of the Switch’s best couch multiplayer games. Sadly, its competitive nature also makes it ineligible for our own list of the best couch co-ops. Just like Wii Bowling, it's pure fun: play with some friends, have a good time, win or lose, get addicted, and play again. Through the VR, you’re transported to a sun-drenched Aztec-style pool arena. The gun you're holding in real life is replicated in the VR world as a cartoonish blunderbuss. From two coloured scoring zones on either side, players take turns aiming and firing different kinds of fruit into the open mouths of hippos in the water. Some hippos are alert, mouths open, ready and waiting. Others are facing away from you or dozing with their faces submerged and can't be hit. Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube810k A look above your head reveals plenty of floating pieces of fruit – apples, different melons, bananas, different coloured grapes, pineapples, and so on. Pump the gun so that a little vortex from the barrel satisfyingly sucks in your chosen fruit, take aim, anticipate the arc and behaviour of each item, fire, and luxuriate in the impressively engineered thud of the Labo blaster. If a hippo gulps down that fruit, it'll swim towards you and into your scoring zone. Make a difficult shot and hit a hippo at the far edge of the pool and, as it swims towards you, it'll push the other hippos into your scoring zone along with it, allowing for multiple points in one go. You can also steal hippos from your opponent, along with a few other tactical twists. Added together, Kablasta’s gameplay makes it one of the most compelling and competitive casual multiplayer games I’ve ever played, built on slow-paced strategy, precision aiming, sabotaging your opponent, and the tension that comes with not wanting to make a mistake and fall behind. Fruit for thought Images: Nintendo Life, Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life Time for an even bigger statement. Kablasta — along with at least one other Labo VR multiplayer — provides unique pass-and-play VR gameplay that doesn’t exist elsewhere. The strapless design of the Switch's VR means that you’re able to pass the gun between turns effortlessly. This is instant, fun, and accessible VR gameplay – historic in its own way. I daydream about why people failed to notice this game – the difficult build, how Labo was marketed at kids, the comparatively low resolution of the Switch’s screen. The one thing I know for sure is that the out-of-the-box settings don’t sell its strengths. You have to change the default five pieces of fruit to ten pieces of fruit (as each piece of fruit represents one round, you’re doubling the length of the game). Selecting ‘fruit sharing’ is better too. It means players choose from the same selection, which adds weight to your choices. If each game only lasts five rounds, as per the default, the impact of messing up a shot is completely lost and there’s no sense of building your score, no jeopardy. Image: Nintendo Life Max out those rounds and you have a 10-shot, 20-minute multiplayer experience that slow burns to a tense finale. Seven or eight rounds in, you've carefully built a decent score – make a killer shot in the ninth, steal some hippos, and experience a genuine rush of excitement. Miss and feel pure disappointment. Lose and you’ll need to play again. You’ll demand a rematch. There are echoes of real-life sports and games. The final moments of a curling match. The final shots of Mölkky. More than hungry hippos Elsewhere, there are other impressive elements, the kind of attention to detail like when you accidentally threw your ball backwards in Wii Bowling and the characters all jumped up in surprise. In Kablasta the enthusiastic announcer, the cheering crowd, and the strange way that the hippos somehow feel as if they are familiar with the sport — professionals somehow — add a subtle touch of Nintendo quality. Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube810k And there’s depth. You need to master the different types of fruit and choose when best to use each one. Grapes fire like machine gun bullets or like a shotgun spread, depending on their colour. Bananas curve like boomerangs. Apples fly straight. Lean back and fire the pineapple high into the air and see it drift downwards like a helicopter seed, attracting multiple hippos around its landing zone. Blast a watermelon against a hippo's forehead and it explodes into pieces that can feed multiple hippos. You also need to play around with the whistle — which turns hippos, potentially opening up difficult shots — and the latch on the side of the blaster that, when flipped, displays each hippo’s preferred fruit. Choose correctly and the hippo swims towards you with added momentum. Arguably, Wii Bowling had far less going on. With my best ever shot I aimed at the tree in the middle of the pool, another feature that adds strategic depth. I fired, knocked off four mangoes, fed multiple hippos, including the green hippo, worth triple points. Those hippos pushed five more along with them into my scoring zone – and I basked in the satisfaction of hearing the briiing briiing briiing sound out ten times for each point. When I passed over the gun, I had glee in my eyes. Images: Nintendo Life, Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life Everyone I’ve ever played Kablasta with — nieces and nephews, brothers and sisters, parents, friends — enjoyed it. That experience of bringing together multiple generations of gamers and non-gamers hadn’t happened for me since the Wii. Technically, you can play Kablasta without the VR goggles, but it’s not how it’s meant to be experienced. And that’s a shame. With the Switch 2’s larger form factor — and slim-to-no chance of a Labo VR revival — this multiplayer gem looks set to be left behind. Part of me wonders if a few clever tweaks (some gaffer tape adjustments to the Labo cardboard, maybe) might somehow salvage it, providing the Switch 2 loads the cartridge. Regardless, Kablasta deserves a place in history. My only hope is that this article will help make that happen. Image: Gavin Lane / Nintendo Life

Nestled between an elementary school and a public library in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood sits a new kind of “luxury” coworking space.  Dubbed the Chat Haus, this space has many of the elements you’d find in a traditional coworking office: people hammering away at their computer keyboards, another person taking a phone call, someone else pausing by their computer to take a sip of coffee.  There is, however, one key difference: Chat Haus is a coworking space for AI chatbots, and everything — including the people — is made out of cardboard.  More specifically, the Chat Haus is an art exhibit by Brooklyn artist Nim Ben-Reuven. It  houses a handful of cardboard robots working away at their computers through movements controlled by small motors. There is a sign that offers desk space for “only” $1,999 a month and another that labels the space as “A luxury co-working space for chatbots.” Ben-Reuven told TechCrunch that he built the exhibit as a way to cope and bring humor to the fact that most of his work — which largely centers around graphic design and videography — is being pushed into the AI world. He added that he’s already getting denied freelance jobs as companies turn to AI tools instead.  Credit: REbecca Szkutak “It was like an expression of frustration in humor, so I wouldn’t get too bitter about the industry changing so quickly and under my nose and not wanting to be a part of the shift,” Ben-Reuven said. “So I was like, I’ll just fight back with something silly that I can laugh at myself.” He said he also wanted to keep this exhibit from being too negative because he didn’t think that would tell the right message. He said creating art that is blatantly negative forces it into a corner and requires it to defend itself. He added giving the display a “lighter tone” also helps it drawn in viewers of all ages and with all opinions on AI. While Ben-Reuven and I were chatting at Pan Pan Vino Vino, a cafe located across the street from the window display, numerous groups of people stopped to look at the Chat Haus. Three millennial-aged women stopped and took pictures. A group of just-out-of-school elementary-aged students stopped and asked their adult companions questions. Ben-Reuven also thought that despite what AI is doing to the industry he works in, the situation remains lighter than some of the other horrors and trauma going on in the world today.  “I mean, AI, in terms of the creative world, seems like such a light thing compared to so many of the other, like war, things that are happening in the world and like the terror and the trauma that exists,” he said.  Ben-Reuven has always used cardboard in his art. He made a lifesize-replica of an airport terminal out of cardboard in grad school. In between freelance jobs over the last decade, he’s worked on building these cardboard robots, or “cardboard babies” as he calls them. So while using these cardboard robots was a natural choice for display — he joked he also needed a reason to get them out of his apartment — the material is also providing another commentary on AI. “The impermanence of this cardboard stuff, and the ability for it to collapse under even just a little bit of weight, is how I feel that AI is interacting with the creative industries,” he said. “People can make their Midjourney images that look really great on Instagram and excite 12 year olds to no end, but with any level of scrutiny, it’s garbage, and I feel like you look close enough at these cardboard things, they are easily collapsible and easily will fall under any weight.” He understands why consumers are drawn to some AI-generated art, though. He likened it to junk food and the fast-acting serotonin hit that comes from eating junk food before it gets digested quickly.  The Chat Haus is a temporary display as the building that houses it awaits permits to get approved for renovation. Ben-Reuven hopes to keep the display up until at least mid-May and has hopes to move into a larger gallery if he can. He wants to be able to add more to it — but is worried about where he’ll put any additional materials in his apartment once the display is over.  “I just thought it would be funny to express this idea of, like, a whole bunch of kind of cute, kind of creepy, baby robots typing away because of our ChatGPT prompts in some warehouse somewhere, working non-stop taking as much like electricity as Switzerland ruses in a year,” Ben-Reuven said.  The Chat Haus is currently on display in the front window of 121 Norman Avenue in Brooklyn, New York’s Greenpoint neighborhood.

KAV Helmets, a U.S.-based company specializing in custom-fit, 3D printed bicycle helmets, has unveiled the Rhoan, an aerodynamic road helmet designed to deliver optimal performance without sacrificing ventilation, comfort, or protection.. The helmet aims to eliminate the traditional compromises between speed and heat management that cyclists often face. Custom fit meets advanced comfort Continuing its mission to personalize protection, KAV utilizes 3D printing and powder bed fusion technology to create helmets tailored precisely to each rider’s head shape. The Rhoan introduces a removable, 3D printed retention system that allows micro-adjustments for headwear changes, ensuring consistent fit and comfort across riding conditions. At the core of the helmet’s comfort is KAV’s Air Fit Suspension System, a network of thin, 3D printed webbing that evenly distributes pressure while maximizing airflow. This structure addresses common ventilation challenges, especially for riders with thicker hair, by maintaining clear internal air channels.Aerodynamics without compromise Traditional aero helmets often reduce airflow to gain drag advantages, raising core body temperature and diminishing performance. Research shows that every 1°C increase in core temperature may reduce performance by up to 1.5%. KAV’s Rhoan counters this issue by blending aerodynamic efficiency with thermal control.The helmet matches the drag coefficients (CDA) of leading models, within 0.001, equivalent to about 1 watt at 40 km/h, while surpassing them in ventilation and cooling. Key to this is KAV’s PolyCarbon Composite, a proprietary material that dissipates heat 8x more effectively and cools twice as fast as traditional EPS foam. Paired with the Hex Honeycomb Structure 2, this internal scaffold enhances impact absorption and channels heat away from the rider’s head. KAV Rhoan´s Air Fit Suspension System. Image via KAV Helmets. Availability and custom fit The Rhoan is available directly from KAV Helmets’ website and can be customized using the company’s iPhone scanning app or a traditional fit kit. Each helmet is 3D printed in the U.S. and ships within approximately two weeks. The helmet is priced at $300, includes a five year warranty, and comes with a free crash replacement policy. KAV Rhoan 3D printed aero cycling helmet bottom view. Image via KAV Helmets. How 3D printing is redefining sports helmets and athlete’s performance The launch of the Rhoan exemplifies the growing role of additive manufacturing in performance gear.  KAV’s earlier Portola helmet, developed in partnership with Jabil Inc., used a carbon-fiber nylon composite to offer custom fit and elevated safety standards. This reflects a broader shift toward athlete-specific equipment, made possible by 3D printing. Similarly, Bauer Hockey has partnered with EOS to produce personalized 3D printed helmet inserts for ice hockey players. By employing EOS’s Digital Foam technology and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Bauer can create lightweight, breathable helmet liners customized to each player’s head shape, enhancing both safety and comfort. In elite cycling, Renishaw’s metal 3D printing technology supported Team GB at the 2024 Olympics, manufacturing over 1,000 parts for aerodynamic bikes that helped earn eight track medals. These advancements underscore a significant shift in sports equipment manufacturing, where 3D printing facilitates rapid prototyping, customization, and performance optimization. What 3D printing trends should you watch out for in 2025? How is the future of 3D printing shaping up? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news. You can also follow us onLinkedIn and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows the KAV Rhoan 3D printed aero cycling helmet. Image via KAV Helmets.

Eliot Noyes House | © Michael Biondo Eliot Noyes occupies a significant place in the canon of American modernism, not merely for his architectural contributions but also for his broader influence as an industrial designer and curator. A graduate of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design under Walter Gropius, Noyes was an integral figure in the group informally known as the “Harvard Five,” alongside Marcel Breuer, Philip Johnson, Landis Gores, and John Johansen. Eliot Noyes House Technical Information Architects1-6: Eliot Noyes Location: New Canaan, Connecticut, United States Area: 297 m2 | 3,200 Sq. Ft. Completion Year: 1954 Photographs: © Michael Biondo, Flickr User: See Caption Details We wanted a house that would be intimate with the landscape, open to the woods, and organized around a protected outdoor space. – Eliot Noyes 7 Eliot Noyes House Photographs © Michael Biondo © Michael Biondo © Michael Biondo © Michael Biondo © Michael Biondo © Michael Biondo © Michael Biondo Design Principles and Architectural Strategies In the postwar period, New Canaan, Connecticut, became an unlikely epicenter for modern architectural experimentation. Here, young architects found the freedom to challenge prevailing domestic typologies, exploring ideas of openness, integration with nature, and technological innovation. Within this rich architectural landscape, home to seminal works such as Philip Johnson’s Glass House and the contemporary Grace Farms project by SANAA, Noyes designed his family residence. Completed in 1954, the Noyes House II (his second home built for himself) is a manifesto of his architectural vision: a synthesis of modernist ideals and pragmatic domesticity deeply rooted in the natural setting of New Canaan. At the heart of the Noyes House is a central courtyard, a spatial device that organizes the dwelling into two distinct, linear volumes. One houses the public living spaces, the kitchen, dining room, and living room, while the other contains the private bedrooms. This arrangement reflects a clear zoning logic, striking a balance between functional clarity and experiential richness. Material selection and construction methods are equally deliberate. A steel frame system enables large spans and an open-plan configuration, while local fieldstone walls anchor the structure to the site. Cedar siding and expansive glass panels complete the palette, creating a dialogue between the house and its surroundings. The material expression is neither ornamental nor didactic; instead, it reinforces the house’s conceptual clarity. Perhaps most significant is the way the house engages with its landscape. Sited within a wooded plot, the building’s low-slung, horizontal form contrasts yet harmonizes with the verticality of the trees. The courtyard serves as an extension of the living spaces, blurring the boundary between the interior and exterior. Windows are positioned not only for views but also to modulate light and frame discrete moments in the landscape. This approach suggests an early sensitivity to environmental responsiveness long before it became a disciplinary imperative. Eliot Noyes House Influence and Adaptation The Noyes House introduced several important innovations that would resonate throughout American residential architecture. Its modular organization and economy of form demonstrated modernism at once rational and humane, rejecting the monumental in favor of the intimate and livable. The house anticipated many strategies now associated with sustainable design. Its careful siting, passive solar orientation, and material honesty prefigured later environmental concerns, even if not articulated in those terms explicitly. In this way, the Noyes House can be seen as part of a lineage that challenges the caricature of mid-century modernism as cold or mechanistic. Over time, the preservation of houses like Noyes’ has become an essential conversation in architectural circles. As materials age and lifestyles change, tensions arise between preserving historical integrity and adapting to contemporary needs. The Noyes House has undergone careful restoration efforts that aim to maintain its essential character while making necessary updates to its infrastructure and performance. Such work highlights the broader challenges faced in protecting modern architecture, which often lacks the patina of age that more traditional historic structures possess. Lessons for Contemporary Practice The Eliot Noyes House offers enduring lessons for architects today. It demonstrates that modernism, when approached thoughtfully, need not be dogmatic or alienating. Instead, it can be deeply attuned to human experience, environmental context, and material truth. At a moment when architecture grapples with new environmental imperatives and shifting cultural landscapes, Noyes’ synthesis of rational structure, spatial generosity, and ecological sensitivity remains strikingly relevant. His work reminds us that innovation does not necessarily demand spectacle; instead, it may be found in the quiet resolution of complex demands into forms that feel both inevitable and alive. Eliot Noyes House Plans Floor Plan | © Eliot Noyes Eliot Noyes House Image Gallery About Eliot Noyes Eliot Noyes (1910–1977) was an American architect, industrial designer, and curator who played a pivotal role in shaping mid-century modernism in the United States. A graduate of Harvard’s Graduate School of Design under Walter Gropius, Noyes was a key member of the “Harvard Five,” a group of architects who transformed New Canaan, Connecticut, into a hub of modern residential architecture. Beyond his architectural work, he was influential in corporate design, leading groundbreaking programs for IBM and Mobil. A commitment to rational form, integration with landscape, and the humanization of modernist ideals characterizes Noyes’ work. Credits and Additional Notes Site Area: Approx. 6 acres (24,280 m²) Built Area: Approximately 3,200 square feet (297 m²) Client: Eliot Noyes and his family Construction System: Steel frame with fieldstone and cedar cladding; Large expanses of glass with aluminum framing Key Features: Central open-air courtyard, Two parallel linear volumes (public/private zoning), Extensive indoor-outdoor integration, Passive solar orientation and natural ventilation strategies Blake, Peter. The Master Builders: Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1960. The Harvard Five in New Canaan: Midcentury Modern Houses by Marcel Breuer, Landis Gores, John Johansen, Philip Johnson, Eliot Noyes, and Others by William D. Earls

This modified Federal style cottage in Abington, Massachusetts, is known locally as the last home of World Heavyweight Champion bare knuckle boxer, John L. Sullivan. John Sullivan (1858-1918) died in this house on February 2, 1918, of heart disease, but left behind a legacy that will last forever. The house was originally constructed around 1812 for Jacob Cobb, a Deacon of a local church and after successive ownership, the house was purchased by boxer John Sullivan, to celebrate his retirement. As a professional fighter Sullivan was nicknamed The Boston Strongboy, and was one of the first great American boxers and was the last world champion bare-knuckle boxer. He had a record of 47 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws, with 38 wins by knockout in his career. Sullivan’s blustering personality and fabled strength gained him a great following, and he would be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of its original class. As champion he earned more than $1 million but squandered it. A hard drinker during his ring career, he later became an advocate of prohibition and delivered many lectures on the subject. His brick Federal house in Abington was modernized by him, adding the dormer and full-length front porch supported by rubblestone columns.

Published April 27, 2025 10:00am EDT close When a Facebook friend request turns into a hacker’s trap These scams can catch Facebook veterans and novices off guard. Healthcare institutions and insurers arguably collect the most sensitive information about you, including IDs, contact details, addresses and medical records. But they often don’t put in the same level of effort to protect that data. That’s clear from the growing number of healthcare data breaches we’ve seen recently. In most of those cases, a bad actor was involved. But in the latest news, health insurance giant Blue Shield of California confirmed that it had been sharing private health data of 4.7 million users with Google for three years without even realizing it.STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS — SIGN UP FOR KURT’S THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW A person doing a Google search  (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson))What you need to knowBlue Shield of California just admitted to a major data privacy slip that went on for almost three years, from April 2021 to January 2024. It was using Google Analytics to track how people used its member websites. This is totally normal since every business does it. But the tool was accidentally sharing sensitive info with Google Ads because it wasn’t set up properly. What I find extremely shocking is that it took the company three years to realize it was sharing its user data with Google to run ads. This says a lot about how much these healthcare giants care about protecting your data. The shared data included a broad array of protected health information (PHI), including names, zip codes, gender, medical claim dates, online account numbers, insurance plan names, group numbers, family data and even search criteria used in its "Find a Doctor" feature."Google may have used this data to conduct focused ad campaigns back to those individual members. We want to reassure our members that no bad actor was involved, and, to our knowledge, Google has not used the information for any purpose other than these ads or shared the protected information with anyone," the company said in a notice on its website.This incident is not isolated. Over the past few years, healthcare and tech companies have come under scrutiny for similar missteps. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have already issued warnings about the use of tracking technologies in healthcare, especially those that might expose patient data to third parties without adequate transparency or safeguards.A Google spokesperson provided the following comment to CyberGuy when asked about the Blue Shield data breach:"Businesses, not Google, manage the data they collect and must inform users about its collection and use. By default, any data sent to Google Analytics for measurement does not identify individuals, and we have strict policies against collecting private health information (PHI) or advertising based on sensitive information." A person working on their laptop  (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Impact on patients and the industrySince the data was only shared with Google and not any other party, the overall risk is relatively low, apart from the clear privacy violation. It’s highly unlikely that anyone else will gain access to it, so the chances of the data being misused are slim. Google says it doesn’t allow ads to be served based on sensitive information like health, so there’s a good chance your data wasn’t even used for advertising.Blue Shield's case follows a string of similar breaches. Companies like GoodRx, BetterHelp and Kaiser have all faced regulatory and legal consequences for sharing sensitive user data with advertising vendors. Some even settled for millions of dollars. Despite the risks, many healthcare organizations have continued using these tools due to the lack of clear regulatory guardrails, a situation complicated further by a federal court ruling that blocked the Biden administration’s attempts to curb the use of online trackers in healthcare settings.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? A person working on a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How to protect your health data onlineThe Blue Shield of California incident is a reminder that even well-known healthcare providers can mishandle sensitive data. While you can’t always control what happens behind the scenes, there are steps you can take to reduce your exposure and safeguard your privacy:1. Limit what you share on health portals: Avoid entering more personal details than absolutely necessary on insurance or provider websites. Tools like "Find a Doctor" might log your search terms, so keep inputs vague when possible.2. Use privacy-focused browsers: Browsers like Brave or Firefox offer built-in privacy protections, such as blocking third-party trackers that could expose health-related browsing activity.3. Turn off ad personalization: Visit Google’s Ad Settings and disable ad personalization. This won’t stop tracking, but it can reduce how your data is used for targeting.4. Opt out of tracking where possible: Many healthcare sites use cookies and tracking tools. Choose "reject all" or the strictest privacy settings in cookie banners. If a tracking opt-out tool is available, use it.5. Read privacy policies (yes, really): Look for language like "third-party sharing," "advertising," or "analytics." If a healthcare provider mentions tools like Google Analytics or Meta Pixel, that’s a cue to proceed cautiously.6. Monitor your accounts and credit: Keep an eye out for unusual insurance claims or medical charges. Set up credit alerts or monitoring services if your provider offers them, especially after a breach.7. Ask questions: Call or email your healthcare provider or insurer. Ask what tracking tools they use and how they protect your data. The more consumers push for transparency, the more pressure there is to improve standards.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREBonus privacy steps (For extra peace of mind)If you want to go beyond the basics, here are some additional steps that can help reduce your digital footprint and catch misuse early:Use a personal data removal service: While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap — and neither is your privacy.  These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet.  By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services here. Consider identity theft protection services: If you’re concerned about fraud or medical identity theft, you'll want to consider using identity theft protection services. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account.  They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. Use strong antivirus software: To guard against malware or phishing attacks that could compromise access to your online health accounts, be sure to use strong antivirus software. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.Kurt’s key takeawayIt baffles me how careless most companies are when it comes to protecting user data. Blue Shield "mistakenly" shared your data with Google, which then used it to show personalized ads. It took the company three years to realize this. While most cyber incidents involve an attacker, this breach didn’t need one. We need accountability in data practices, especially when human error or tech oversight can cause damage at scale.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHow comfortable are you knowing that your health data might be used to target ads? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

The Amazon Fire Soundbar Plus delivers a full home entertainment experience, with some useful software tricks.