In BriefPosted:3:00 PM PST November 10, 2024Image Credits:TechCrunchElon Musks X is moving its legal disputes to Northern TexasLawsuits against X (formerly Twitter) will soon be heard in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas.The shift was first announced last month as part of a broader set of changes to Xs terms of service and privacy policy. Now, with the changes set to take effect on November 15, The Washington Post spoke to a number of legal and tech experts about what the move might mean.X owner Elon Musk also recently moved the social media companys headquarters from San Francisco to Bastrop, Texas near Austin but Bastrop lies in Texas Western District.The Northern District, meanwhile, has become a destination for conservative activists seeking to challenge Democratic policies, with 10 of its 11 active judges appointed by Republican presidents.While its normal for companies to specify in their terms of service where lawsuits against them may be filed, Cornell law professor G.S. Hans described choosing the Northern District of Texas as weird compared to the Northern District of California, which most tech companies choose. Hans said the Texas district just doesnt have as much of a volume or history with tech lawsuits.Topics

Folks in America: Your senators only have a few weeks left to pass the PRESS Act, a federal shield bill that the House passed with unanimous, bipartisan support in January but has been waiting in the Senate for a final vote ever since.The PRESS Act, if passed into law, would enshrine nationwide protections for journalists across the United States from forcibly having to identify or give up their confidential sources (except in emergency cases, like to prevent an act of terrorism). The bill also grants other protections, such as limiting what records the government can secretly take from journalists or their email or phone provider that could identify their sources again, with a narrow set of exceptions for emergency threats.Lawmakers have been pushing to pass federal protections for journalists in the PRESS Act for the past year, citing recent U.S. government abuses, including the secret seizure of phone records from journalists who worked for CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post at the request of the Justice Department under the Trump administration. As noted last week by The Verge, protections for journalists and their sources will become increasingly relevant in a second Trump term.Forcing journalists to turn over a sources identity can have a real chilling effect on newsgathering. Peoplewill feel discouraged from talking to journalists, and that harms the publics ability to be informed about things that affect them. We also increasingly consume our news from independent journalists and smaller outlets, which might not have the legal resources to fight a government subpoena for their records. The PRESS Act would provide the same blanket protections to journalists across the United States, and also covers independent journalists and outlets that publish information in the public interest.While the bill doesnt affect the tech industry directly, as a news outlet, were in favor of protecting and building upon press freedoms. Some of TechCrunchs most read and impactful reporting has come from readers like you, who have reached out and tipped us off to corporate wrongdoing, unearthing mismanagement in the startup world, detailing human rights abuses, and revealing major breaches and data spills, cyberattacks and criminality that otherwise might have gone unreported. TechCrunch has a history of standing up to legal demands to protect our sources. We can only do this with the protections of press freedoms.At this point, the PRESS Act already has bipartisan support in the Senate, with Sens. Ron Wyden, Lindsey Graham, Mike Lee, and Dick Durbin as co-sponsors. The bill is just waiting for a final vote on the Senate floor, with weeks to go before the bill expires at the end of the congressional session. The ACLU has a web form if you want to send a note to your senators, or you can call or email them directly to ask them to vote for the PRESS Act.

In BriefPosted:11:30 AM PST November 10, 2024Image Credits:I-Hwa Cheng / Bloomberg / Getty ImagesTSMC reportedly halts advanced chip shipments to Chinese companiesAfter a chip manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company was found inside a Huawei processor, the US Department of Commerce has ordered the company to halt shipments of advanced chips to Chinese customers, according to a report in Reuters.Huawei faces significant trade restrictions from the US, so the pause on shipments is supposed to allow the government to determine whether other companies are diverting chips to Huawei.TSMC reportedly notified affected customers that it will be halting shipments starting Monday. The advanced chips being targeted are often used for artificial intelligence applications an area where the US has already been restricting chip exports from companies like Nvidia.In a statement provided to Reuters and other publications, TSMC said it is committed to complying with all applicable rules and regulations, including applicable export controls.Topics

close How VPNs shield your identity and secure your financial transactions from theft A VPN could be your secret weapon to protect your identity and finances. Ever feel like navigating the internet is like walking through a digital minefield?With cybercriminals lurking around every corner, protecting your identity and finances can feel daunting. But what if I told you that a VPN could be your secret weapon?By masking your IP address and encrypting your data, a VPN makes you nearly invisible to online threats.Lets dive into how this powerful tool can safeguard your online activities and keep your financial transactions secure. A woman using a VPN on a tablet (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What is a VPN?A VPN, or virtual private network, is a service that encrypts your internet connection, ensuring that your online activities remain private and secure. By routing your internet traffic through a secure server, VPNs mask your IP address, making it difficult for hackers and malicious entities to track your online behavior. A VPN being used on a laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How VPNs workVPNs operate through two primary mechanisms IP address masking and data encryption. When you connect to a VPN, it hides your real IP address by assigning you a new one from its server network, effectively preventing websites and cybercriminals from tracking your location or identifying you based on your IP address.Simultaneously, VPNs encrypt all data transmitted between your device and the internet, rendering it unreadable to anyone who might attempt to intercept it. This encryption process ensures that sensitive information, such as credit card details, remains confidential throughout your online activities. By combining these two powerful features, VPNs create a secure tunnel for your internet traffic, significantly enhancing your online privacy and security. A woman using a VPN on her cell phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Protecting against identity theft by using a VPNIdentity theft occurs when someone illegally obtains your personal information to commit fraud. This can lead to unauthorized transactions and damage to your credit status. So, how can a VPN prevent identity theft? By encrypting your internet connection, VPNs protect against data breaches and unauthorized access to personal information, especially on unsecured networks like public Wi-Fi. VPNs also prevent third parties from tracking your online activities, reducing the risk of personal data being harvested for malicious purposes.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? A woman using a VPN on her laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Using a VPN to reduce risks in online transactionsOnline transactions are vulnerable to interception by cybercriminals looking to steal financial information such as credit card numbers and banking credentials. A VPN can be used as a shield for financial data. VPNs ensure that all data exchanged during online transactions is encrypted, making it nearly impossible for hackers to access sensitive financial information. When using public Wi-Fi networks, which are often targeted by cybercriminals, a VPN provides an additional layer of security by encrypting all data transmissions. A woman using a VPN on her cell phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Practical tips for using VPNs effectively1. Choose a reliable VPN provider:Opt for reputable VPN services known for strong encryption standards and no-log policies to ensure maximum privacy and security.For best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices2. Use strong passwords:Combine the use of a VPN with strong, unique passwords for each of your accounts to enhance security. Consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE3. Enable two-factor authentication(2FA):Wherever possible, enable 2FA to add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.4. Regularly update software: Keep yourdevices and software updated to protect against vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cybercriminals.5. Monitor financial accounts: Regularly check bank statements and credit reports for any suspicious activity to catch potential fraud early. A woman working on a laptop using a VPN (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Kurt's key takeawaysVPNs play a vital role in protecting your identity and securing financial transactions online. By masking your IP address and encrypting data transmissions, they offer a robust defense against identity theft and credit card fraud. Implementing the tips provided can further enhance your online security, ensuring peace of mind in the digital world.Have you ever experienced identity theft or fraud? How might the information in this article help you prevent it in the future? 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 toCyberguy.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 2024 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 Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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Apple's future iPhones could have a huge camera advantage over the iPhone 16 Pro Max (pictured). 2024 Bloomberg Finance LPApple will soon introduce a powerful new iPhone camera technology that could significantly improve image quality by functioning more like the human eye.According to a recent report from famed industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is gearing up to reveal a range of new camera lenses with variable aperture controla first for the iPhone range. Kuo forecasts that Sunny Optical, followed by competitor Largan Precision, will become the leading supplier of these variable aperture lenses, launching with the iPhone 18 in 2026.These new lenses bring significant quality improvements to the iPhone 18 camera by helping it adapt to a wide range of lighting conditions while simultaneously giving the camera more creative control over focus and sharpness. Variable aperture lenses have been deployed with great success in revival devices such as Huaweis Dxomark chat-topping Pura 70 Ultra. However, Samsung dropped a similar dual-aperture feature from its Galaxy S10 series, reverting to a fixed aperture lens in the Galaxy S20 range.So, what is a variable aperture, and why might you need one?Variable Aperture: Why Apple Might Use OneMost smartphone camera lenses, including the current iPhone range, have a fixed aperture that cannot be changed. In the case of the iPhone 16 Pro Max, that aperture is written as f/1.78 and, simply put, that tells us how much light the lens can pass through to the sensor when you take a photo.Low numbers after the f/, such as f/1.4, mean the lens has a larger gap, or aperture, for light to pass through, whereas higher numbers, such as f/8, denote a much smaller aperture that restricts the amount of light reaching the sensor.MORE FOR YOUChoosing a wide aperture means the camera will perform better in dimly lit situations, as it can capture more light in each photo. Too much light, on the other hand, will overwhelm the sensor. A wide aperture can become a distinct disadvantage in bright light. When theres too much light, bright areas of the picture turn pure white, losing all detail.Lower f-numbers mean wider apertures, which allow more light to pass to the image sensor. Higher ... [+] numbers restrict the amount of light.gettyIn this case, reducing the aperture size can reduce the light level to a manageable range. Our eyes perform the same functionopening our pupils wide in the dark and shrinking them down to pinholes in bright light.Changing the aperture also has another important effect: it affects sharpness and focus. Generally speaking, the widest apertures can result in images that are less sharp than those shot with a moderately narrower one. Very wide apertures will also cause focus to be sharp only at a particular distance from the camera, with foreground and background melting into a blur thats often, but not always, desirable.This effect is also noticeable in the human eye when you might squint to see an object, or perhaps some tiny text, more clearly.Apples variable aperture lens will allow the camera to adjust the size of the aperture to suit the shooting conditions, gaining improved image quality in the dark and sharper pictures with well-controlled highlights in bright light. It also opens up the possibility of manual control over the aperture so users can make creative decisions about how they want their pictures to look.Unfortunately, we won't see the results until Apple launches the iPhone 18 range in 2026.Follow @paul_monckton on Instagram.

Here's some help with today's Quordle, including hints and the answers.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesLooking for Sundays Quordle hints and answers? You can find them here:Hey, folks! Hints and the answers for todays Quordle words are just ahead.How To Play QuordleFor any newcomers joining us, heres how to play Quordle: Just start typing in words. You have four five-letter words to guess and nine attempts to find them all. The catch is that you play all four words simultaneously.If you get a letter in the right place for any of the four words, it will light up in green. If a word contains a letter from one of your guesses but its in the wrong place, it will appear in yellow. You could always check out the practice games before taking on the daily puzzle.Here are some hints for todays Quordle game, followed by the answers:What Are Todays Quordle Hints?Word 1 (top left) hint small group of treesWord 2 (top right) hint fit for a monarchWord 3 (bottom left) hint a low, guttural vocal sound. Also a term for a low-ranked soldier or workerWord 4 (bottom right) hint someone pure and kind, perhaps a ____ two shoesOne of the words has a pair of repeated lettersTodays words start with C, R, G and GMORE FOR YOUWhat Are Todays Quordle Answers?Spoiler alert! Dont scroll any further down the page until youre ready to find out todays Quordle answers.This is your final warning!Todays words are...COPSEREGALGRUNTGOODYThats all there is to it for todays Quordle clues and answers. Be sure to check my blog for hints and the solution for Tuesdays game if you need them.

Key takeawaysThe Ethereum Foundation and other ecosystem groups spent nearly $500 million over the last two years to support various projects.Ethereum-related organizations have over $22 billion in treasury funds, mostly in their native tokens.The Ethereum Foundation introduced a policy requiring members to disclose large investments in other assets besides Ether.Ethereum Foundation Leads $500M Funding Effort to Grow Ecosystem, Backed by $22B in TreasuryAccording to the Ethereum Foundations 2024 annual report, nearly $500 million was used to support various projects in the ecosystem over the last two years.The report revealed that groups within the Ether network spent a total of $497 million on project funding. The Ethereum Foundation contributed $240.3 million, 48.3% of the total funding.The rest of the funding came from several other organizations within the Ethereum community. These groups include Aragon, MakerDAO, Optimism, Gitcoin, Decentraland, Uniswap, Starknet, Protocol Guild,and MeataMask DAO.This wide range of contributors highlights teamwork in the Ethereum ecosystem. Each organization added its own support, showing a strong community effort to develop and grow Ethereum.In addition to the funds spent on projects, the Foundation reported that the entire ecosystem is backed by more than $22 billion in Treasury funds. These treasuries are held by different foundations, organizations, and decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs).Projects like Optimism, Uniswap, Mantle, Arbitrum, Gnosis, and Ethereum Name Service each have billions stored in their treasuries to support their work and growth.The Ethereum Foundation itself holds $970 million in its treasury. This large pool of funds gives the Ether ecosystem robust financial support and resources for ongoing development.Also, the report explained that the treasury amounts include both liquid and vested funds. Liquid funds can be used immediately, while vested funds are held for future use.Most of the project treasuries comprise mainly of the projects native tokens. So, the total value of a projects treasury may look high, but it doesnt all translate to liquid cash.The report pointed out that if a project tried to sell a large part of its treasury at once, it might affect the tokens price. Selling too many tokens at once could cause the price to drop significantly.Despite these limitations, the Ethereum Foundation believes the amount still shows the depth of resources that Ethereum has for the future. The Foundation explained that even if only a tiny part of this treasury was used, it could still provide substantial support.In other words, these resources ensure that ETH can sustain itself and expand, even with just a fraction of the treasury being spent.New Policy to Boost Integrity and Transparency in Decision-MakingIn the report, the Ethereum Foundation shared that it has put a conflict of interest policy in place. This policy requires Ether Foundation members to disclose investments over $500,000, except those in ETH.The Foundation explained that a member with a large financial stake outside of Ether might not be allowed to participate in certain decisions. This would apply to situations where their investment could create a conflict with the Foundations goals.Ethereum Foundations executive director, Aya Miyaguchi, shared a message about this policy on X. She explained that the policy is meant to reinforce the integrity of the Foundations work.By setting these rules, the Foundation wants to ensure its actions stay honest and trustworthy. Miyaguchi said this policy also aims to strengthen the entire Ethereum ecosystem.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Rida is a dedicated crypto journalist with a passion for the latest developments in the cryptocurrency world. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to thorough research, she delivers timely and insightful news articles that keep her readers informed about the rapidly evolving digital economy. View all articles by Rida Fatima Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.