Under a groundbreaking new partnership between Los Angeles Television Academy and New Yorks National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS), qualifications for membership in their shared peer groups (Childrens Animation, Childrens Live Action, Daytime, and Documentary) will now be identical, granting automatic enrollment to both organizations, according to Variety. The qualifications cover both incoming and preexisting members for both academies.The move is part of NATAS initiative to recruit national members for the first time after a new board of directors appointment this year. The organizations new peer groups are created to mirror the Emmy categories Childrens Animation, Childrens Live Action, Daytime, and Documentary.We share a common goal of ensuring that the Emmy remains our industrys gold standard, said NATAS executive committee chairperson Terry OReilly. While our respective academies recognize different genres of work, we believe that bringing our memberships together in this way will allow us to better recognize the breadth of television professionals working today, and to open doors to even more emerging artists who seek to join their peers and predecessors in the art of compelling storytelling.The Television Academys Board of Governors enthusiastically embraced the creation of dual/national membership, commented TV Academy chair Cris Abrego. This shift enhances the membership experience for Television Academy members whose work is recognized in the NATAS administered Daytime Emmys and Childrens and Family Emmys, and unifies members from both academies who are committed to advancing excellence in documentary programming and promoting the technical and scientific evolution of our field.Although both academies have harbored a rivalry over award jurisdiction spanning nearly 50 years, they have recently begun to heal the rift as they realign Emmy ceremony award categories.Pre-registration for the newly minted peer groups opens this month, with NATAS national membership set to launch in 2025. Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologistL'Wrenbrings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

Breakdown & ShowreelsBetter Man: VFX Featurette by Weta FXBy Vincent Frei - 20/12/2024 Better Man takes an unexpected turn as Robbie Williams transforms into a monkey in this ambitious biopic. Explore how Weta FX brought this unique vision to life with stunning visual effects! The new behind-the-scenes video showcases the VFX team at work, alongside Robbie Williams and director Michael Gracey!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Weta FX: Dedicated page about Better Man on Weta FX website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

Garage Doors | Krisjanis Kazaks via UnsplashUpgrading your garage allows you to add extra storage space and helps boost your homes value for when its time to sell. Upgrading your garage will enable you to take advantage of technological advancements, which help make life easier. A garage upgrade enhances your homes energy efficiency and lets you implement new safety measures. Discussed below are five ways to upgrade your garage.1. Upgrade to a Modern Garage DoorYour garage door has a significant impact on your homes exterior. It makes a bold statement at first glance and adds curb appeal. If youve had your garage door for several years or its design is outdated, upgrading to a more modern one can give your space an instant facelift. Replacing your old garage with a modern option, including a smart garage door, can result in the following benefits:Enhanced curb appeal: A modern garage door significantly elevates your homes appearance. Whether you opt for a conventional, classic design or a sleek, contemporary look, a garage door replacement will instantly boost your propertys curb appeal and raise its value.Better energy efficiency: A modern garage door is built with better weather stripping and insulation, reducing energy bills while making your home more comfortable.Improved security: An old garage door is a security threat. Newer garage door models have advanced security features like automatic door locks, sensors, and secure locking systems.Consider leveraging garage door sales and installation services when replacing your old or outdated garage door to cut costs.2. Improve Garage FlooringEnhancing garage flooring is an excellent way to upgrade your garage. Updating your garage floor offers multiple advantages, including the following:Improved aesthetics: When it comes to upgrading your garage flooring, there are various colors, finishes, and styles you can leverage to customize your garages look and boost its aesthetics.Enhanced durability and protection: Upgrading your garage floor using robust materials ensures your flooring lasts longer without undergoing a lot of wear and tear.Improved safety: Updating your garage door with slip-resistant materials reduces the possibility of accidents on wet floors.Epoxy coatings, paints, and interlocking floor tiles are common decorative flooring renewal products you can leverage when upgrading your garage flooring.3. Update your Garage Door OpenerGarage Doors | Mr Xerty via UnsplashJakob Rosen via UnsplashInstalling a new garage door opener is one of the best ways to upgrade your garage. Switching to a newer garage door opener model offers numerous benefits, including:Improved security features: A modern garage door opener has state-of-the-art security features that safeguard your property from unauthorized access. Openers with vacation mode settings and automatic door locks ensure your homes security.Better safety standards: An old garage door opener might not have the most recent security features that are now standard. For example, contemporary openers have built-in sensors that identify people or objects in the garage doors path. This automatically reverses the door to avoid accidents4. Add Windows to your GarageAdding windows to your garage is another way to upgrade your garage. It allows you to:Customize your garage: Garage windows are available in different sizes, shapes, and finishes. This lets you decide on the aesthetic suitable for your garages design.Let in more natural light: Windows let in more natural light to enter your garage without needing to turn on the lights or open the door. Besides making your space brighter, it lowers your lighting costs.Improved curb appeal: Garage windows enhance your garages aesthetic appeal by enhancing your garage door. This adds to your homes resale value while making your garage appear more cohesive with the rest of your house.Increased ventilation: Opting for wall windows in your garage means you can open them and create airflow, minimizing the smell of the must even when the door is closed.Increase garage usability: Installing windows in your garage makes the space feel like just another room in your home. This allows you to convert your garage into a gym, home office, study room, and more.5. Install LED Garage LightsLED garage lighting is versatile and can transform and illuminate your garage. LEDs usually provide even brightness, even lighting that enhances safety and visibility in your garage. This is useful when engaging in detail-oriented tasks that require accuracy. If your garage acts as a storage space, LEDs are bright, energy-efficient, and have a longer lifespan, translating to electricity bill savings and fewer changes.EndnoteUpdating your garage can help increase your homes value and curb appeal. Installing a modern garage door, improving garage flooring, updating your garage door opener, adding windows, and installing LEDs are various ways to upgrade your garage.Tips Leave a comment

Therme Suiteroom Vals by Kengo Kuma | Ingo RaspChoosing the right mattress for a double bed can significantly impact your sleep quality and overall well-being. Many people make common mistakes during the selection process, leading to discomfort and dissatisfaction. The most frequent errors include focusing solely on price, ignoring personal sleep preferences, and failing to test the mattress adequately before purchase.Mattress shopping requires careful consideration of various factors beyond cost. Sleep position, body type, and individual comfort preferences are crucial in determining the ideal mattress. Neglecting these aspects often results in selecting a mattress that doesnt provide proper support or alignment, leading to restless nights and potential health issues.Testing a mattress briefly in a showroom may not accurately represent its long-term comfort. Many retailers offer trial periods, allowing customers to sleep on the mattress at home for an extended time. Taking advantage of these opportunities can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure a better match for your sleep needs. As the holiday season approaches, you can discover more Black Friday bed deals to find the perfect mattress at a great price.Key TakeawaysConsider sleep position, body type, and personal preferences when selecting a mattress.Take advantage of trial periods to thoroughly test the mattress at home.Balance price with quality and comfort for the best long-term investment in your sleepUnderstanding Mattress FundamentalsMattress selection involves considering key factors like type and firmness to ensure optimal comfort and support. These elements significantly impact sleep quality and overall well-being.Identifying Different Mattress TypesMattress types vary in construction and materials, each offering unique benefits. Innerspring mattresses use coil systems for support and are often budget-friendly. Memory foam mattresses contour to the body, providing pressure relief. Latex mattresses offer natural bounce and durability. Hybrid mattresses combine coils with foam or latex layers for balanced support and comfort.Foam mattresses, including memory foam, provide excellent pressure relief and motion isolation. Theyre ideal for side sleepers and those with joint pain. Innerspring mattresses offer good airflow and a traditional bouncy feel, suiting back and stomach sleepers. Latex mattresses are naturally hypoallergenic and durable, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.Recognizing the Importance of Mattress FirmnessMattress firmness affects spinal alignment and comfort. Firmness levels range from extra soft to extra firm, with medium-firm often recommended for most sleepers. A firm mattress typically suits back and stomach sleepers, providing necessary support. Side sleepers may prefer softer mattresses to cushion pressure points.Body weight and sleep position influence firmness needs. Heavier individuals might benefit from firmer mattresses to prevent sinking. Lighter sleepers may find comfort on softer surfaces. Medium-firm mattresses often strike a balance, accommodating various sleep positions and body types.Testing different firmness levels is crucial. What feels comfortable in a brief store test may differ after a full nights sleep. Many mattress companies offer trial periods, allowing customers to experience firmness at home before committing.Key Considerations for Selecting the Right Mattress Roberto Nickson via Unsplash Paola Galimberti via UnsplashChoosing the right mattress involves evaluating personal sleep needs, understanding mattress features, and avoiding common selection mistakes. A well-chosen mattress can significantly improve sleep quality and overall health.Assessing Personal Sleep Needs and PreferencesSleep position plays a crucial role in mattress selection. Side sleepers often benefit from softer mattresses that cushion pressure points. Back and stomach sleepers typically need firmer support to maintain proper spinal alignment.Body weight impacts mattress choice. Heavier individuals may require firmer mattresses for adequate support, while lighter people might prefer softer options for comfort.Consider any existing joint pain or allergies. Mattresses with pressure-relief properties can help alleviate discomfort. Hypoallergenic materials are essential for those with sensitivities.Hot sleepers should look for cooling mattresses with breathable materials to prevent overheating during the night.Analyzing Mattress Features for Optimal ComfortMattress types include memory foam, latex, innerspring, and hybrid models. Each offers unique benefits in terms of support, contouring, and durability.Firmness levels range from soft to extra firm. A medium-firm mattress often suits a wide range of sleepers, but personal preference is key.Motion isolation is important for couples, reducing sleep disturbances from a partners movements.Evaluate edge support, especially for those who sit on the beds edge or need the full surface area for sleeping.Consider mattress tension, which affects how the mattress responds to body weight and movement.Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Mattress SelectionDont rely solely on online reviews or others experiences. What works for one person may not suit another due to individual sleep needs.Avoid focusing exclusively on price. While budget matters, the cheapest option may not provide the necessary quality or support.Take advantage of sleep trials offered by many mattress companies. This allows for a real-world test of the mattress in your home environment.Dont overlook the importance of a proper bed base. The right foundation can enhance mattress performance and longevity.Consider additional factors like warranty length and the availability of mattress protectors to safeguard your investment.ConclusionChoosing the right mattress for a double bed requires careful consideration. Avoiding common pitfalls like ignoring sleep positions, relying solely on others opinions, or neglecting trial periods can lead to dissatisfaction. Taking the time to research, test, and evaluate different options is crucial.Couples can find a mattress that provides comfort and support for both sleepers by being mindful of individual needs and preferences. Remember, a well-chosen mattress is an investment in quality sleep and overall well-being.Tips Leave a comment

As we close another year, we find ourselves reflecting on proceedings from the last 12 months: We survived another election, watched hurricanes destroy entire neighborhoods in the southeast, and continued praying for those in war-torn regions.AN editors rounded up the top news stories of 2024 that have shaped architecture and design discourse. This year, we saw follow up on stories weve been tracking for some time now. The year also had its share of new unveilings and scrapped projects. There were stories that made us smile amid a world that sometimes feels chaotic and others that had us grabbing the popcorn bucket to find out what could possibly happen next.ICYMI, check out our controversies roundup for more news from this past year and stay tuned over the next two week as we share the top preservation stories, landscape projects, reviews, and more AN covered in 2024. The Legends Tower (Courtesy AO)Oklahoma City wants to build the tallest building in the U.S.Last year closed out with news that the second tallest tower in the U.S. could be built in, of all places, Oklahoma City. In January the skyscraper from developer Scot Matteson and California architecture firm AO, dubbed Legends Tower, proposed increasing the buildings tall stature to 1,907 feet, making it the tallest building in the U.S. Its height, much like that of New York Citys Freedom Tower, has symbolic significance, as 1907 is the year Oklahoma was admitted as the 46th State of the U.S.This month the tower made headlines again for its exuberant height, with the Federal Aviation Administration claiming it would be a hazard to air navigation. Matheson said in November that construction is planned to start in early 2025.Legends Tower is part of the larger Boardwalk at Bricktown development. Its base will be occupied by a slew of entertainment-focused programming, a hotel, NBA arena, and observation decks.BIG unveiled a megaproject adjacent to the United NationsThe swath of land neighboring the United Nations Headquarters has a history of unrealized architecture visions. In February, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) unveiled the latest development to be proposed for the site, located between 38th and 41st Streets on 1st Avenue.The megaproject, dubbed Freedom Plaza, posits residential and hotel towers, a museum, and casino. Following the news announcement, AN spoke with Bjarke Ingels about the project, more specifically its Museum of Freedom and Democracy, which could be located atop the casino. Ingels told ANthe museum will be designed like an urban agora. Riken Yamamoto has been named the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize recipient (Courtesy Tom Welsh)Riken Yamamoto awarded the 2024 Pritzker Architecture PrizeThe architecture community always eagerly awaits the first week of March when the Pritzker Prize Laureate is announced. This year, all bets were lost when little-known Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto was awarded the prize. Yamamotos work is deeply rooted in engaging with community; he defines his design philosophy as a sense of sharing one space.Built works by the architect are located in Japan, China, Korea, and Switzerland and include a range of typologies, among these art museums, housing, and schools.Jersey City said au revoir, but not so fast, to Centre PompidouJersey Citys long-awaited Centre Pompidou may be a long-time coming no more. In July, the arts centerslated to be located within the citys Pathside Building, renovated by OMAcited COVID, supply chain issues, and financial burdens as the reasons why the project would be paused indefinitely.This past fall an abatement deal was proposed to revive the project. Centre Pompidou x Jersey City would be rolled into a development that comprises two 50-story towers on Pavonia Avenue. Renderings show the ulterior Centre Pompidou x Jersey City located at the base of the towers amid a sea of sculpture gardens and art parks. Bernheimer Architecture ratified its collective bargaining agreementFor the last few years, the unionization of architecture firms has been a closely followed news item. In 2022, Bernheimer Architecture, a firm in Brooklyn, formed the first functional union at a private-sector architecture firm in the United States in decades, joining the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) through their Architectural Workers United (AWU) campaign.In July, Bernheimer Architecture ratified its collective bargaining agreement, making history as the first private sector architecture firm to do so. In the agreement there is language about working hours and limits, wages, overtime pay, mentorship, and other employee protections and benefits.Residents of Marshall, North Carolina, gathering just days after Hurricane Helene to discuss reconstruction (Jack Flame Sorokin)Hurricanes Helene nearly decimated entire towns in North Carolina and TennesseeHurricanes wreaked havoc across much of the U.S. southeast this past year. With Hurricane Milton ripping the roof off the Tampa Bay Rays Tropicana Field and Hurricane Helene leaving much of Applachialong considered a climate havenwashed away.After Hurricane Helene, AN spoke with local AIA chapters and businesses about what was lost and what it will take to rebuild and brace the region for the next storm. The devastation left behind by the hurricanes showed that no region of the country is immune from natural disasters. Louis Vuitton store masked as suitcase (Dan Roche/AN)New York City saw a slew of headline-grabbing installationsA dragon wrapped around the tip of the Empire State Building, and scaffolding camouflaged as a building-sized luggage trunk are just two of the installations that had New Yorkers looking up this year.To promote the television show House of Dragons second season, a King Kongstyle homage placed Queen Viseynas dragon, Vhagar, around the tip of the Empire State Building. The inflatable dragon measured 270-feet.Of late, New Yorkers and tourists alike are gawking over the Louis Vuitton flagship currently under construction. The building is masked with a faux facade made of oversized Louis Vuitton trunks. A spokesperson for Louis Vuitton told AN that the installation was designed by the companys in-house team.In other noteworthy New York City news, the Vessel reopened this fall, after four individuals jumped to their deaths from the Heatherwick-designed staircase slash viewing platform. Visitors climbing the structures ziggurat-like steps will now be met with a mesh wrapping that was designed to be as undisruptive to viewing as possible.Stuart Graff, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, to step downStuart Graff, president and CEO of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, announced he plans to step down from his role. He has led the foundation for eight years. During his tenure the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation endured some rocky times. In 2016, students and faculty said Graff created a climate of fear, allegations which Graff denied. There were also tensions between Graff and Aaron Betsky, SoATs former president.The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture almost closed in 2019, but later changed its name to the School of Architecture at Taliesin and relocated to Arcosanti to an arts compound in Scottsdale, Arizona.Following Graffs announcement of his departure, Aaron Betzky wrote an open letter to the foundations board expressing his recommendations for the foundations future and how it could support the legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright.A search for Graffs successor is still underway. We look ahead to the 2025 International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di VeneziaIn 2025, amid the canals of Venice, the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia will take hold. At a press conference this spring, this editions curator Carlo Ratti announced the theme for the event: Intelligens, which refers to the word intelligence and gens, the Latin word for people. Ratti said the exhibition will be organized around three central themes: natural intelligence, artificial intelligence, and collective intelligence.At the U.S. Pavilion co-commissioners and curators Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School at University of Arkansas; Susan Chin, founder of DesignConnects; and Rod Bigelow of Crystal Bridges Museum will stage PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity. The commission will deliver a new temporary porch attached to the front of the U.S. Pavilion. An open call for exhibiting porch-related projects at the biennale is open for submissions through January 17, 2025.The 19th International Architecture Exhibition will be held in Venice from May 24 to November 23, 2025.

Studio Weave, an East London office, has won a competition to design a new Visitor Welcome Center and revamped forecourt at the British Museums flagship Camden site. Wright & Wright Architects, Tom Massey Studio, and Daisy Froud are also on the project team. The new visitor center will create a better entry experience at both egress points on Great Russell Street and Montague Place. Nicholas Cullinan, the British Museum director, said the project is essential for helping British Museum facilitate its 6.2 million annual visitors.Renderings show a sinuous plane mirrored on its underside. Below the plane, foliage abounds, suggesting a biophilic milieu for museum workers and visitors alike to enjoy.As Londoners, and long-term visitors, we are honoured to be part of this moment in the Museums history, said Studio Weave founding director Je Ahn. With the entry, our team wanted to celebrate the British Museum as both a global and a local museum, and create an internationally exemplary space that will improve the experience of Great Russell Street and Montague Place for everybody.The new visitor center will create a better entry experience at both egress points on Great Russell Street and Montague Place. (Courtesy British Museum)Ahn added that Studio Weaves proposal aims to resolve complex issues on the site. Ahn also said the project will preserve the appearance of the historic Grade I listed buildings, address the changing climate and look forward to the future of the institution. It will also introduce new soft landscaping and plants, dotted with engaging installationsencouraging curiosity and becoming a memorable highlight of every visit. The competition for a new visitor center and forecourt was part of a comprehensive master plan for the British Museum underway in London today, albeit one marred by controversy from the get go. Last January, environmental activists staged a protest at British Museum because the additions main benefactor is British Petroleum (BP), as reported by AN.After the January protests, 6a architects,David Chipperfield Architects, Eric Parry Architects and Jamie Fobert Architects,Lina Ghotmeh Architecture, andOMA were shortlisted to renovate the British Museums Western Range Galleries.The Studio Weave project should be built by spring 2026.

If you, like us, havent finished your holiday shopping and have the hard-to-shop-for folks left on your list, consider a Colossal Membership: an easy-to-procure yet meaningful gift for the creative folks in your life.Your beloved recipient will gain access to exciting stories about art and visual culture uninterrupted by ads, the ability to save articles, and discounts from our friends and in the Colossal Shop. Plus, a portion of their membership will support K-12 classrooms in need of art supplies.Want something special to arrive on their doorstep? Gift at the Patron level, and well send your friend a Colossal tote. If youd like, well even include a personalized note.Simply head over to the Colossal Membership page and click the gift option for the tier of your choice. Happy holidays! Photo by Natalie ShiloDo stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article The Perfect Last-Minute Gift for Art Enthusiasts, Education Advocates, and Your Generally Curious Friends appeared first on Colossal.

Blending precision health tracking with elegant design, the Oura Ring 4 underscores the growing importance of health tech in our daily lives.

NurPhoto/Getty ImagesWith the holiday season upon us, many companies are finding ways to take advantage through deals, promotions, or other campaigns. OpenAI has found a way to participate with its "12 days of OpenAI" event series.OpenAI announced via an X post that starting on Dec. 5, the company would host 12 days of live streams and release "a bunch of new things, big and small," according to the post. The company saved the best for last, sharing its biggest annoouncemnt on Friday, Dec. 20, the last day of the series.Also: I'm a ChatGPT power user - here's why Canvas is its best productivity featureHere's everything you need to know about the campaign, as well as a round-up of every day's drops.What are the '12 days of OpenAI'?OpenAI CEO Sam Altman shared more details about the event, which kicked off at 10 a.m. PT on Dec. 5 and occurred daily for 12 weekdays with a live stream featuring a launch or demo. The launches included both "big ones" or "stocking stuffers," according to Altman.What's dropped?Friday, December 20On the last day of OpenAI, OpenAI unveiled its latest models, o3, which encompass o3 and o3 mini.As previously reported,the reason for the name that skips "o2" is the existence of Telefonica's O2 telecommunications brand, which could cause confusion and copyright issues.OpenAI said that the technology will not be available to the general public yet.o3 can outperform o1 in a variety of benchmarks, including math and science, as seen in its performance on the AIME 2024, a competition math benchmark, and the GPQA, a Ph.D. level science benchmark with biology, physics, and chemistry questions.o3 also scored a new state-of-the-art score on the ARC-AGI benchmark, which is significant because it shows the model is nearing AGI, although, to be clear, it is not there yet.o3 mini is a new model in the o3 family that will support three reasoning options: low, medium, and high. The thinking time determines the performance. At a low level, it performs the same as o1-mini on the Codeforces Competition Code benchmark, but at medium and high, it can perform comparable to o1, if not better. This performance remained consistent across other evals.In addition to internal safety testing, OpenAI is, for the first time, opening up the o3 models to external safety testing. Safety researchers can get early access to the model by filling out a form on the OpenAI website, which will be open until January 10.Sam Altman concluded the live stream by sharing that the o3 model is planned to launch at the end of January, and the full o3 model will be launched after that.The company also introduced deliberative alignment, "a training paradigm that directly teaches reasoning LLMs the text of human-written and interpretable safety specifications, and trains them to reason explicitly about these specifications before answering," according to OpenAI.Thursday, December 19On the second to last day of '12 days of OpenAI,' the company focused on releases regarding its MacOS desktop app and its interoperability with other apps.Users can now use the desktop app on MacOS to see and automate their work with ChatGPT. There will be more releases of this nature in 2025, but until then, OpenAI has been introducing the three features below.Using the "Work with Apps" button, users can now work with many more coding apps. The list includes: BBEdit, MatLab, Nova, Script Editor, TextMate, Android Studio, AppCode, CLion, DataGrip, GoLand, IntelliJ IDEA, PHPStorm, PyCharm, RubyMine, RustRover, WebStorm, Prompt, and Warp.For users who use ChatGPT for writing, the desktop app now supports Apple Notes, Quip, and Notion.Lastly, the desktop app for MacOS now supports Advanced Voice Mode while working with other apps.Features have already been shipped. All you have to do is have the latest version of the MacOS app and a Plus, Pro, Team, Enterprise, and Edu subscription.To ease privacy concerns, OpenAI says ChatGPT will only work with apps when manually prompted. When the feature is active, users know what will be attached to the message."Day 12, we have something super special, so don't miss it," teased OpenAI about its upcoming Friday release.Wednesday, December 18Have you ever wanted to use ChatGPT without a Wi-Fi connection? Now, all you have to do is place a phone call. Here's what OpenAI released on the 10th day:By dialing 1-800-ChatGPT, you can now access the chatbot via a toll-free number. OpenAI encourages users to save ChatGPT in their contacts for easy access. Users can call anywhere in the US; in other countries, users can message ChatGPT on WhatsApp. Users get 15 minutes of free ChatGPT calls per month.In WhatsApp, users can enter a prompt via a text as they would with any other person in their contacts. In this experience, it is just a text message.The phone call feature works on any phone, from a smartphone to a flip phone -- even a rotary phone. The presenters said it is meant to make ChatGPT more accessible to more users.Tuesday, December 17The releases on the ninth day all focus on developer features and updates, dubbed "Mini Dev Day." These launches include: The o1 model is finally out of preview in the API with support for function calling, structured outputs, developer messages, vision capabilities, and lower latency, according to the company.o1 in the API also features a new parameter: "reasoning effort." This parameter allows developers to tell the model how much effort is put into formulating an answer, which helps with cost efficiency.OpenAI also introduced WebRTC support for the Realtime API, which makes it easier for developers "to build and scale real-time voice products across platforms."The Realtime API also got a 60% audio token price drop, support for GPT-4o mini, and more control over responses.The fine-tuning API now supports Preference Fine-Tuning, which allows users to "Optimize the model to favor desired behavior by reinforcing preferred responses and reducing the likelihood of unpreferred ones," according to OpenAI. OpenAI also introduced new Go and Java SDKs in beta.An "AMA" (ask me anything) session will be held for an hour after the live stream on the OpenAI GitHub platform with the presenters.Monday, December 16The drops for the second Monday in the 12 days of OpenAI series all focused on Search in ChatGPT.The AI search engine is available to all users starting today, including all free users who are signed in anywhere they can access ChatGPT. The feature was previously only available to ChatGPT Plus users.The search experience, which allows users to browse the web from ChatGPT, got faster and better on mobile and now has an enriched map experience. The upgrades include image-rich visual results.Search is integrated into Advance Voice mode, meaning you can now search as you talk to ChatGPT. To activate this feature, just activate Advance Voice the same way you regularly would and ask it your query verbally. It will then answer your query verbally by pulling from the web.OpenAI also teased developers, saying, "Tomorrow is for you," and calling the upcoming livestream a "mini Dev Day."Friday, December 13One of OpenAI's most highly requested features has been an organizational feature to better keep track of your conversations. On Friday, OpenAI delivered a new feature called "Projects."Projects is a new way to organize and customize your chats in ChatGPT, meant to be a part of continuing to optimize the core experience of ChatGPT.When creating a Project, you can include a title, a customized folder color, relevant project files, instructions for ChatGPT on how it can best help you with the project, and more in one place.In the Project, you can start a chat and add previous chats from the sidebar to your Project. It can also answer questions using your context in a regular chat format. The chats can be saved in the Project, making it easier to pick up your conversations later and know exactly what to look for where.It will be rolled out to Plus, Pro, and Teams users starting today. OpenAI says it's coming to free users as soon as possible. Enterprise and Edu users will see it rolled out early next year.Thursday, December 12When the live stream started, OpenAI addressed the elephant in the room -- the fact that the company's live stream went down the day before. OpenAI apologized for the inconvenience and said its team is working on a post-mortem to be posted later.Then it got straight into the news -- another highly-anticipated announcement:Advanced Voice Mode now has screen-sharing and visual capabilities, meaning it can assist with the context of what it is viewing, whether that be from your phone camera or what's on your screen.These capabilities build on what Advanced Voice could already do very well -- engaging in casual conversation as a human would. The natural-like conversations can be interrupted, have multi-turns, and understand non-linear trains of thought.In the demo, the user gets directions from ChatGPT's Advanced Voice on how to make a cup of coffee. As the demoer goes through the steps, ChatGPT is verbally offering insights and directions.There's another bonus for the Christmas season: Users can access a new Santa voice. To activate it, all users have to do is click on the snowflake icon. Santa is rolling out throughout today everywhere that users can access ChatGPT voice mode. The first time you talk to Santa, your usage limits reset, even if you have reached the limit already, so you can have a conversation with him.Video and screen sharing are rolling out in the latest mobile apps starting today and throughout next week to all Team users and most Pro and Plus subscribers. Pro and Plus subscribers in Europe will get access "as soon as we can," and Enterprise and Edu users will get access early next year.Wednesday, December 11Apple released iOS 18.2on Wednesday. The release includes integrations with ChatGPT across Siri, Writing Tools, and Visual Intelligence. As a result, the live stream focused on walking through the integration.Siri can now recognize when you ask questions outside its scope that could benefit from being answered by ChatGPT instead. In those instances, it will ask if you'd like to process the query using ChatGPT. Before any request is sent to ChatGPT, a message notifying the user and asking for permission will always appear, placing control in the user's hands as much as possible.Visual Intelligence refers to a new feature for the iPhone 16 lineup that users can access by tapping the Camera Control button. Once the camera is open, users can point it at something and search the web with Google, or use ChatGPT to learn more about what they are viewing or perform other tasks such as translating or summarizing text.Writing Tools now features a new "Compose" tool, which allows users to create text from scratch by leveraging ChatGPT. With the feature, users can even generate images using DALL-E.All of the above features are subject to ChatGPT's daily usage limits, the same way that users would reach limits while using the free version of the model on ChatGPT. Users can choose whether or not to enable the ChatGPT integration in Settings.Read more about it here: iOS 18.2 rolls out to iPhones: Try these 6 new AI features todayTuesday, December 10Canvas is coming to all web users, regardless of plan, in GPT-4o, meaning it is no longer just available in beta for ChatGPT Plus users.Canvas has been built into GPT-4o natively, meaning you can just call on Canvas instead of having to go to the toggle on the model selector.The Canvas interface is the same as what users saw in beta in ChatGPT Plus, with a table on the left hand side that shows the Q+A exchange and a right-hand tab that shows your project, displaying all of the edits as they go, as well as shortcuts.Canvas can also be used with custom GPTs. It is turned on by default when creating a new one, and there is an option to add Canvas to existing GPTs.Canvas also has the ability to run Python code directly in Canvas, allowing ChatGPT to execute coding tasks such as fixing bugs.Read more about it here:I'm a ChatGPT power user - and Canvas is still my favorite productivity feature a month laterMonday, December 9OpenAI teased the third-day announcement as "something you've been waiting for," followed by the much-anticipated drop of its video model -- Sora. Here's what you need to know:Known as Sora Turbo, the video model is smarter than the February model that was previewed.Access is coming in the US later today; users need only ChatGPT Plus and Pro.Sora can generate video-to-video, text-to-video, and more.ChatGPT Plus users can generate up to 50 videos per month at 480p resolution or fewer videos at 720p. The Pro Plan offers 10x more usage.The new model is smarter and cheaper than the previewed February model.Sora features an explore page where users can view each other's creations. Users can click on any video to see how it was created.A live demo showed the model in use. The demo-ers entered a prompt and picked aspect ratio, duration, and even presets. I found the live demo video results to be realistic and stunning.OpenAI also unveiled Storyboard, a tool that lets users generate inputs for every frame in a sequence.Friday, December 6:On the second day of "shipmas," OpenAI expanded access to its Reinforcement Fine-Tuning Research Program:The Reinforcement Fine-Tuning program allows developers and machine learning engineers to fine-tune OpenAI models to "excel at specific sets of complex, domain-specific tasks," according to OpenAI.Reinforcement Fine-Tuning refers to a customization technique in which developers can define a model's behavior by inputting tasks and grading the output. The model then uses this feedback as a guide to improve, becoming better at reasoning through similar problems, and enhancing overall accuracy.OpenAI encourages research institutes, universities, and enterprises to apply to the program, particularly those that perform narrow sets of complex tasks, could benefit from the assistance of AI, and perform tasks that have an objectively correct answer.Spots are limited; interested applicants can apply by filling out this form.OpenAI aims to make Reinforcement Fine-Tuning publicly available in early 2025.Thursday, December 5:OpenAI started with a bang, unveiling two major upgrades to its chatbot: a new tier of ChatGPT subscription, ChatGPT Pro, and the full version of the company'so1 model.The full version of o1:Will be better for all kinds of prompts, beyond math and scienceWill make major mistakes about 34% less often than o1-preview, while thinking about 50% fasterRolls out today, replacing o1-preview to all ChatGPT Plus and now Pro usersLets users input images, as seen in the demo, to provide multi-modal reasoning (reasoning on both text and images)ChatGPT Pro:Is meant for ChatGPT Plus superusers, granting them unlimited access to the best OpenAI has to offer, including unlimited access to OpenAI o1-mini, GPT-4o, and Advanced ModeFeatures o1 pro mode, which uses more computing to reason through the hardest science and math problemsCosts $200 per monthWhere can you access the live stream?The live streams were held on the OpenAI website, and posted to its YouTube channel immediately after. So if you missed the 12 days of OpenAI and want to rewatch, you can access them all on the company's YouTube channel.Artificial Intelligence

The moment home internet rolled out, the way we communicate, work, study, and entertain ourselves changed forever. The lines separating our physical and digital identities blurred. We use the web daily, and our mobile devices hold the keys to everything from our social media profiles to our bank accounts.You can't often control the flow of information that leads to your personal data being exposed online. Although you can and shouldlock down your individual accounts, sometimes you may feel compelled to take an extra step to improve your online security and privacy.One way to reduce your digital footprint and protect yourself from being so easy to find -- or impersonate -- is to overhaul all the services you useand delete anything you no longer want.Also: How to delete yourself from internet search results and hide your identity onlineOld shopping accounts and social media profiles, mailing list subscriptions, and legacy online service accounts can clutter your email inboxes and, over time, become annoying or embarrassing. Those with ill intentions may also link them together, increasing your risk of identity theft.Organizations that hold on to your data without cause need to be compelled to delete it. Rather than trying to track the details of each service online that holds onto your data, dedicated services shoulder this task for you.What's the best service for deleting yourself from the internet right now?Based on our extensive research, ZDNET's top pick for a service for deleting yourself from the internet is Incogni. Amassing many positive customer reviews, Surfshark's Incogni tackles data removal and data brokers on your behalf and will enforce these requests using applicable data protection laws. Incogni has a holiday promotion in which you pay the equivalent of $7.49/month if you sign up for an annual plan.Below, you will find more services we recommend to reduce your online footprint and remove your data from the internet in 2024. Sort by All The best services for deleting yourself from the internet in 2024 Show less View now at Incogni Surfshark's Incogni is a great service for removing yourself from the internet and negotiating with data brokers, and as such, it is our top pick.Once you've signed up, Incogni will send removal requests to a wide array of data brokers and enforce these requests using applicable privacy laws, including GDPR and the CCPA.The company says that most requests are handled within eight weeks, although some may require action from you. Incogni will also tackle shadow profiles on your behalf.Regarding pricing, Incogni offers monthly or annual plans. If you opt for an individual monthly plan, you will pay $14.98/month. If you want to pay once a year, Incogni's services will cost you $77.78 or $7.49/month. Family plans start at $16.49/month. Use the voucher codeHDAY24for additional discounts.If you're unsure how much information you need to be removed from the internet, you could opt for the monthly plan and consider a clean-up once or twice a year. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you find less related to you than you first believed, this service is a great try-before-you-buy option.Incogni has some of the best customer feedback of all our recommendations. Customers say they feel the benefit of reduced spam calls and emails and that data is removed quickly. That said, some reports may not provide as much in-depth information as some users want.Incogni features:Data broker management| Data removal request follow-ups| Limited reports| Shadow profile detection| User education resources | Individual and family plans | 30-day money-back guarantee Pros Automatic data removal Utilizes data privacy laws Affordable Reduces spam calls Cons Reports could be more detailed Surfshark's Incogni is a great service for removing yourself from the internet and negotiating with data brokers, and as such, it is our top pick.Once you've signed up, Incogni will send removal requests to a wide array of data brokers and enforce these requests using applicable privacy laws, including GDPR and the CCPA.The company says that most requests are handled within eight weeks, although some may require action from you. Incogni will also tackle shadow profiles on your behalf.Regarding pricing, Incogni offers monthly or annual plans. If you opt for an individual monthly plan, you will pay $14.98/month. If you want to pay once a year, Incogni's services will cost you $77.78 or $7.49/month. Family plans start at $16.49/month. Use the voucher codeHDAY24for additional discounts.If you're unsure how much information you need to be removed from the internet, you could opt for the monthly plan and consider a clean-up once or twice a year. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you find less related to you than you first believed, this service is a great try-before-you-buy option.Incogni has some of the best customer feedback of all our recommendations. Customers say they feel the benefit of reduced spam calls and emails and that data is removed quickly. That said, some reports may not provide as much in-depth information as some users want.Incogni features:Data broker management| Data removal request follow-ups| Limited reports| Shadow profile detection| User education resources | Individual and family plans | 30-day money-back guarantee Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at DeleteMe DeleteMe has earned many positive customer reviews, and it's easy to see why. This user-friendly option will help you remove sensitive and personal information from online sources and data brokers while saving you time and effort.Once you've submitted your information, the organization will search for it online and send removal requests to third parties holding your data. Within seven days, you will receive a report outlining DeleteMe's progress. The company says that, on average, 15 listings of public data belonging to a subject that is searchable via Google are removed within "days."You can also take advantage of other features, including email and phone masking. As a bonus, in 2024, this serviceexpanded beyond the US and now covers areas including Europe and Canada.DeleteMe offers a range of plans. These include a subscription for one person, for one year at $10.75/month, or for two years at $8.71/month. Other subscriptions include a two-person plan for two years, priced at $14.54/month. Family plans begin at $20.79/month.You can also use DeleteMe's guides if you want to take on the job yourself. Many customers say the service exceeds expectations, but the upfront cost can be daunting.DeleteMe features:Data broker management| Data deletion request handling| Scanning| User interface| Privacy reports | Custom removal requests | Email and phone masking | Opt-outs Pros Great user interface Privacy reports Family plans available DIY guides Cons No free trial DeleteMe has earned many positive customer reviews, and it's easy to see why. This user-friendly option will help you remove sensitive and personal information from online sources and data brokers while saving you time and effort.Once you've submitted your information, the organization will search for it online and send removal requests to third parties holding your data. Within seven days, you will receive a report outlining DeleteMe's progress. The company says that, on average, 15 listings of public data belonging to a subject that is searchable via Google are removed within "days."You can also take advantage of other features, including email and phone masking. As a bonus, in 2024, this serviceexpanded beyond the US and now covers areas including Europe and Canada.DeleteMe offers a range of plans. These include a subscription for one person, for one year at $10.75/month, or for two years at $8.71/month. Other subscriptions include a two-person plan for two years, priced at $14.54/month. Family plans begin at $20.79/month.You can also use DeleteMe's guides if you want to take on the job yourself. Many customers say the service exceeds expectations, but the upfront cost can be daunting.DeleteMe features:Data broker management| Data deletion request handling| Scanning| User interface| Privacy reports | Custom removal requests | Email and phone masking | Opt-outs Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Kanary Kanary is another excellent service for cleaning up your online information. Kanary tries to remove search links, data dumps, and sensitive information from the web, all in a 90-day timeline for most removals.Once you've added your personal data to a user interface or multiple profiles for family members, Kanary will review removal requests and start working on your behalf, although some requests may require manual handling.A free service is also available, Kanary Copilot. Currently available on iOS (with an Android waiting list), this app is designed to help you combat stalking and doxxing.Kanary offers a deal for families. There is a free, limited plan that includes a 14-day trial of premium features, an individual plan for $14.99 per month, or family members can be added to the $16.99 per month premium plan for an additional $8.49 per month (or $7.49 per month on annual plans).Customer feedback indicates that this service is reliable, reports are clear and concise, and the service is valuable for the money.Kanary features:User dashboard| Frequent scanning| Family plans | Data removal request management| Strong security standards| Personalized dashboards | Data broker management | Copilot Pros Excellent features Family plans Affordable Free trial Cons Some requests require manual review Kanary is another excellent service for cleaning up your online information. Kanary tries to remove search links, data dumps, and sensitive information from the web, all in a 90-day timeline for most removals.Once you've added your personal data to a user interface or multiple profiles for family members, Kanary will review removal requests and start working on your behalf, although some requests may require manual handling.A free service is also available, Kanary Copilot. Currently available on iOS (with an Android waiting list), this app is designed to help you combat stalking and doxxing.Kanary offers a deal for families. There is a free, limited plan that includes a 14-day trial of premium features, an individual plan for $14.99 per month, or family members can be added to the $16.99 per month premium plan for an additional $8.49 per month (or $7.49 per month on annual plans).Customer feedback indicates that this service is reliable, reports are clear and concise, and the service is valuable for the money.Kanary features:User dashboard| Frequent scanning| Family plans | Data removal request management| Strong security standards| Personalized dashboards | Data broker management | Copilot Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at PrivacyBee PrivacyBee is another service that can track where your information is and act on your behalf to remove it from companies you don't trust, plus data brokers.The service also checks and monitors search results to remove sensitive information. Furthermore, you can download a browser extension that displays your data relationship with the sites you visit.The company can also remove you from marketing databases to reduce the volume of spam and mass emails you receive and takes a proactive approach to handling your information.Pricing begins at $197 per year, which is an expensive up-front cost that may deter some customers. Family plans are also available. Still, reviews suggest that the service is secure and thorough.PrivacyBee features:Company checks| Data deletion| Data broker management| Privacy browser extension| User dashboard| Mass marketing opt-outs |24/7 monitoring | Search engine cleanup Pros Browser extension Privacy monitoring Select trusted companies Cons No free trial Expensive PrivacyBee is another service that can track where your information is and act on your behalf to remove it from companies you don't trust, plus data brokers.The service also checks and monitors search results to remove sensitive information. Furthermore, you can download a browser extension that displays your data relationship with the sites you visit.The company can also remove you from marketing databases to reduce the volume of spam and mass emails you receive and takes a proactive approach to handling your information.Pricing begins at $197 per year, which is an expensive up-front cost that may deter some customers. Family plans are also available. Still, reviews suggest that the service is secure and thorough.PrivacyBee features:Company checks| Data deletion| Data broker management| Privacy browser extension| User dashboard| Mass marketing opt-outs |24/7 monitoring | Search engine cleanup Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Reputation Defender Reputation Defender by Norton is a tailored service offered to individuals, professionals, executives, and businesses.This service differs from our other recommendations: it's a personal offering that focuses on managing and cleaning up reputations, which could include online data removal and deletion of information held by data brokers and people-search websites.Norton's offering includes data management, reputation management, personal branding assistance, privacy alerts, regular scanning, and search result management.Prices for Reputation Defender by Norton are available upon request, as the work is personalized to your circumstances. The company offers a free consultation, and customers say the support team handles sensitive situations well.Reputation Defender features:Personal service| Reputation management| Personal branding| Search result monitoring| Data deletion| Personal consultation | Privacy threat reports | Tackles newsarticles Pros Personalized services Reputable company Patented technology Free consultation Cons Prices unavailable publicly Reputation Defender by Norton is a tailored service offered to individuals, professionals, executives, and businesses.This service differs from our other recommendations: it's a personal offering that focuses on managing and cleaning up reputations, which could include online data removal and deletion of information held by data brokers and people-search websites.Norton's offering includes data management, reputation management, personal branding assistance, privacy alerts, regular scanning, and search result management.Prices for Reputation Defender by Norton are available upon request, as the work is personalized to your circumstances. The company offers a free consultation, and customers say the support team handles sensitive situations well.Reputation Defender features:Personal service| Reputation management| Personal branding| Search result monitoring| Data deletion| Personal consultation | Privacy threat reports | Tackles newsarticles Read More Show Expert Take Show less What are the best services for deleting yourself from the internet? Below, you will find some of the main features of each of our recommendations.Best data removal servicePriceConducts data removal/opt-out requests?Free trial?Personalized solutions?Incogni$7.49+/monthXxDeleteMe$8.71+/monthX (scan only)xKanaryFree or $15+/month (limited free plan)xPrivacyBee$197/yearX (scan only)xReputation Defender by NortonOn requestX Show more Which is the right service for deleting yourself from the internet for you? Choose this top data removal service...If you wantIncogniOur top pick for an affordable solution to protect yourself and your data. Incogni provides a one-stop-shop solution for data protection and managing data brokers.DeleteMeTo have information removed from search engines. You submit the information you want removed, and DeleteMe will do the rest. DeleteMe is a great choice for in-depth data removal.KanaryProtection for more than one person. Kanary provides great value for families that want their personal data monitored online. 90 days should be enough for most data removal requests.PrivacyBeeTo choose what companies you trust. PrivacyBee allows you to select companies you are comfortable holding your data, as well as select organizations that you want to delete your information from their records.Reputation Defender by NortonA reputation manager. Reputation Defender is best suited to high-profile individuals and businesses that need constant data leak monitoring and reputation protection. Show more How did we choose these services for reducing your online footprint? When choosing the best services for deleting yourself from the internet, we considered a number of factors, including:Price: While selecting the best services, we wanted to provide various options, including affordable subscriptions and plans. Depending on your needs, signing up can be a long-term investment, so we have included a variety of data removal solutions with different price points and contract periods.Removal: We focused on services that can scan, monitor, and check online databases and data broker repositories for your personal information and then work on your behalf to have it removed. After all, if you're paying for a service, you should be able to expect the challenging parts of the process to be handled for you.Protection: The services listed above also include protective features that may reduce the likelihood of personalized spam calls and phishing emails, as well as trolling, stalking, or identity theft. You may also want, for example, to combine automatic data removal with data breach alerts and antivirus software.Frequency: We also ensure that our recommended services can conduct frequent scans on your behalf. While you may just want one check and deletion, our information is constantly changing hands -- and this means that your data could reappear online eventually.Reports: The services we recommend will often provide reports with each scan to keep you updated on where your data was found, what has been deleted, and potentially what your next steps should be.Free trials and features: We have included data removal solutions that offer free reports and snapshots of your data exposure, allowing you to make the right choice before signing up for a plan. While free trials are uncommon, some of our recommendations offer free, limited plans or trial periods. Show more FAQs on how to delete yourself from the internet How do I delete myself from internet search results? There are numerous steps you can take to stop your name from appearing in internet search results and through engines, including Google and Bing, but it can be a complicated and time-consuming process. Below are some steps to help you get started.Use a search engine: Your first action should be to type in your name, nicknames, and online handles into search engines. This step will reveal the information that anyone can easily find on you and can help you plan your next steps, including which companies you may need to contact to have data removed or what accounts to delete.Lock down or delete social media accounts: Deletion is the nuclear option, but most social media platforms will have an option to stop your profile from appearing in search engine results. As our profiles -- even if they are publicly limited -- can contain our photos, full name, and more, removing them from search engine queries can help reduce our online footprint. For step-by-step guides, visit Facebook,Instagram, and X.Delete old, unused accounts: Whether it's shopping sites, social media networks, or forums, each service you use -- or have used -- may tie your online identity to your name, nicknames, or PII, all of which could be at risk if a data breach occurs. If you do not want to use a dedicated service, consider going through your email and password managers to find active accounts. You will need to access them and request removal manually.Clean up forum posts: Forums can often be overlooked, but if someone finds out the handles you commonly use, they may be able to find content connected to you -- which could now be completely irrelevant to the person you are today, or embarrassing if exposed. Delete old forum posts and preferably remove your accounts entirely.Contact webmasters: If you have old accounts that do not have auto-delete features, contact webmasters directly to have your profiles and data deleted. This process will likely be easier if you are in an area covered by regulations such as the EU's GDPR.Request that people finder websites delete your information: People finder websites can be used as "search engines" to look up someone based on their name, phone number, and other personal information, which can be a privacy nightmare. Opting out and forcing the removal of your information from these organizations, which may buy it from data brokers, can be a challenging process to perform manually as it may require contacting each service individually to negotiate. If these organizations prove to be difficult, deletion could also require an understanding of applicable privacy and data protection laws to enforce your requests. Consider using a service such as Incogni or DeleteMe to do the legwork for you.Deactivate email accounts: Our email accounts tend to be the core platform that ties your digital profile together, but once they're gone, they're gone. When you are ready, delete your email accounts, which will break the common threads between your online services. Only take this step if you are sure. Show more Can I remove my personal information from Google search? You can, although the process is limited and your request may be rejected if the company doesn't believe there are grounds for removal.You will need to contact Google using this form, requesting to remove information you see or asking to prevent information from appearing in Google search results. Removal requests can also be made for:Exposed personal identifiable information (PII)Explicit images, including adult contentInvoluntary, fake pornographyImages of minorsInformation from websites with "exploitive" removal practices, such as those that demand paymentIn some cases -- for example, a request to remove links to law enforcement statements or media articles concerning an individual and a prosecution -- Google may refuse, as such information could be in the public interest. If Google refuses, it will provide a reason for its decision. Show more How can I protect my identity online? There are numerous ways you can protect your identity online. Experts recommend securing personal information, locking down your social media accounts to friends and connections only, using antivirus software, regularly updating programs and software, and changing your passwords on a regular basis.Furthermore, if you find "clones" of your identity -- such as a fake Facebook or dating app profile -- ensure you report the fake account to associated online services.If you suspect your data has been leaked online, use the Have I Been Pwned service to see if you have been involved in any data breaches. Show more How do I quickly clean my name off social media? To remove your name from social media, you'll have to follow some basic steps. First, change your name to a nickname or surname that isn't linked to your true name. This should ensure that photos or linked content will also change.Next, switching all of your content to private can keep it away from search engines and individual search queries. You can also delete all of your accounts, and potentially file a Google request to remove content connected to you (although this is not always going to be accepted, especially if such information is considered in the public interest.) Show more How do I hide what I search for on the internet? The majority of search engines will log your search queries, and some will use this information to tailor ads and recommendations. If you want to keep your search queries hidden, we recommend using DuckDuckGo, which offers a free search engine that does not log your activities -- or, for extra privacy, use its browser. Show more How do I find out if my information has been leaked online? The easiest way is to visit Troy Hunt'sHaveIBeenPwnedto see the vast troves of data posted online due to company data breaches. Once you have entered your email address, the search engine will reveal if you have been involved in any third-party information leaks. Show more How do I remove my information from the dark web? There's no easy way, and unfortunately, it is often outside our control.Instead of chasing removal, the best thing you can do is to see what information has been leaked and make it redundant. For example, if an email and password combination for an online service has been exposed, change it immediately for that service -- as well as any other platforms using the same set -- and never use that combination again. Using multi-factor authentication can also prevent your online accounts from being compromised. Show more Are personal data removal services worth it? It is worth it as online threats, phishing, and impersonation are now fixed and permanent problems in our lives. This may be especially true for anyone who grew up oversharing and before we understood that once something is online, it is usually there forever. If you want to mask problematic information and cut the links that connect you between different online services, investing in a personal data removal service -- at least, for a while -- is worth the cost. Show more Are there alternative services for deleting yourself from the internet worth considering? While the services above for deleting yourself from the internet are ZDNET's top picks and are what we consider to be the best solutions on the market, there are many other options available. Here are other choices that might suit what you're looking for. Show more Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends