Counsel for plaintiffs in a copyright lawsuit filed against Meta allege that Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave the green light to the team behind the companys Llama AI models to use a data set of pirated ebooks and articles for training.The case, Kadrey v. Meta, is one of many against tech giants developing AI that accuse the companies of training models on copyrighted works without permission. For the most part, defendants like Meta have asserted that theyre shielded by fair use, the U.S. legal doctrine that allows for the use of copyrighted works to make something new as long as its sufficiently transformative. Many creators reject that argument.In newly unredacted documents filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California late Wednesday, plaintiffs in Kadrey v. Meta, who include bestselling authors Sarah Silverman and Ta-Nehisi Coates, recount Metas testimony from late last year, during which it was revealed that Zuckerberg approved Metas use of a data set called LibGen for Llama-related training.LibGen, which describes itself as a links aggregator, provides access to copyrighted works from publishers including Cengage Learning, Macmillan Learning, McGraw Hill, and Pearson Education. LibGen has been sued a number of times, ordered to shut down, and fined tens of millions of dollars for copyright infringement.According to Metas testimony, as relayed by plaintiffs counsel, Zuckerberg cleared the use of LibGen to train at least one of Metas Llama models despite concerns within Metas AI exec team and others at the company. The filing quotes Meta employees as referring to LibGen as a data set we know to be pirated, and flagging that its use may undermine [Metas] negotiating position with regulators.The filing also cites a memo to Meta AI decision-makers noting that after escalation to MZ, Metas AI team [was] approved to use LibGen. (MZ, here, is rather obvious shorthand for Mark Zuckerberg.)The details seemingly line up with reporting from The New York Times last April, which suggested that Meta cut corners to gather data for its AI. At one point, Meta was hiring contractors in Africa to aggregate summaries of books and considering buying the publisher Simon & Schuster, according to the Times. But the companys execs determined that it would take too long to negotiate licenses and reasoned that fair use was a solid defense.The filing Wednesday contains new accusations, like that Meta mightve tried to conceal its alleged infringement by stripping the LibGen data of attribution.According to plaintiffs counsel, Meta engineer Nikolay Bashlykov, who works on the Llama research team, wrote a script to remove copyright info, including the word copyright and acknowledgments, from ebooks in LibGen. Separately, Meta allegedly stripped copyright markers from science journal articles and source metadata in the training data it used for Llama.This discovery suggests that Meta strips [copyright information] not just for training purposes, the filing reads, but also to conceal its copyright infringement, because stripping copyrighted works prevents Llama from outputting copyright information that might alert Llama users and the public to Metas infringement.According to the latest filing, Meta also revealed during depositions that it torrented LibGen, a move that gave some Meta research engineers pause. Torrenting, a way of distributing files across the web, requires that torrenters simultaneously seed, or upload, the files theyre trying to obtain.Plaintiffs counsel alleges that Meta effectively engaged in another form of copyright infringement by torrenting LibGen and thus helping to spread its contents. Meta also tried to conceal its activities, counsel alleges, by minimizing the number of files it uploaded.According to the filing, Metas head of generative AI, Ahmad Ah-Dahle, cleared the path for torrenting LibGen brushing aside Bashlykovs reservations that doing so could be legally not OK. Had Meta bought plaintiffs works in a bookstore or borrowed them from a library and trained its Llama models on them without a license, it would have committed copyright infringement, wrote plaintiffs counsel in the filing. Metas decision to bypass lawful methods of acquiring books and become a knowing participant in an illegal torrenting network serves as proof of copyright infringement.The case against Meta is far from decided. As of now, it only pertains to Metas earliest Llama models not its recent releases. And the court may well decide in Metas favor if its persuaded by the companys fair use argument. But the allegations dont reflect well on Meta, as the judge presiding over the case, Judge Thomas Hixson, noted in an order on Wednesday rejecting Metas request to redact large portions of the filing.It is clear that Metas sealing request is not designed to protect against the disclosure of sensitive business information that competitors could use to their advantage, Hixson wrote. Rather, it is designed to avoid negative publicity.Weve reached out to Meta for comment and will update this piece if we hear back.

In October 2024, security researcher Ben Sadeghipour was analyzing Facebooks ad platform when he found a security vulnerability that allowed him to run commands on the internal Facebook server housing that platform, essentially giving him control of the server.After he reported the vulnerability to Facebooks owner Meta, which Sadeghipour said took just one hour to fix it, the social networking giant awarded him $100,000 in a bug bounty payout.My assumption is that its something you may want to fix because it is directly inside of your infrastructure, Sadeghipour wrote in the report he sent to Meta, he told TechCrunch. Meta responded to his report, telling Sadeghipour to refrain from testing any further while they fix the vulnerability.The issue, according to Sadeghipour, was that one of the servers that Facebook used for creating and delivering ads was vulnerable to a previously fixed flaw found in the Chrome browser, which Facebook uses in its ads system. Sadeghipour said this unpatched bug allowed him to hijack it using a headless Chrome browser (essentially a version of the browser that users run from the computers terminal) to interact directly with Facebooks internal servers.Sadeghipour, who found the Facebook vulnerability working with independent researcher Alex Chapman, told TechCrunch that online advertising platforms make for juicy targets because, theres so much that happens in the background of making these ads whether they are video, text or images.But at the core of it all its a bunch of data being processed on the server-side and it opens up the door for a ton of vulnerabilities, said Sadeghipour.The researcher said he didnt test out everything he could have done once inside the Facebook server, but what makes this dangerous is this was probably a part of an internal infrastructure.Since we have code execution, we couldve interacted with any of the sites within that infrastructure, said Sadeghipour. With an [remote code execution vulnerability], you can bypass some of these limitations and also directly pull stuff from the server itself and the other machines that it has access to.Meta spokesperson Nicole Catalano acknowledged receipt of TechCrunchs request for comment, but did not comment by press time.Sadeghipour also said that similar ad platforms that other companies run, and which he has been analyzing, are vulnerable to similar vulnerabilities.

Dive into the world of Mufasa: The Lion King with MPCs impressive visual effects! This behind-the-scenes featurette spotlights the intricate design, creation, and animation of Taka, a character brought to life with stunning realism. Dont miss the magic!WANT TO KNOW MORE?MPC: Dedicated page about Mufasa on MPC website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2025

Hey all, I have been lurking around these forums for ages, and thought it was about time to contribute.So here is a whole lot of 2D VFX ref that I put together from the Arcane series. The show was just sooo good, I couldnt help but watch it again and clip bits along the way.There are 3 videos for each season and then the individual frames for all the clips with some descriptive naming. (season 1 episode 5 is 1-5-clip number-descriptive bits)Oh and some of the FX seemed to be drawn at 12 fps, and others at 24 fps, but i recorded them all at 24.I dont know how much bandwidth these mega accounts have though, so be gentle https://mega.nz/folder/qtAnkRTB#mXKzF-4qLBB-oZIiHp9aTQ

On January 23 the Facades+ conference series returns to San Francisco. AN partnered with Paul Woolford and Levi J. Rippy, design principal and technical principal, respectively, at HOK to assemble the days program, which consists of case studies covering Bay Area projects as well as topical roundtable discussions on mass timber and facade research. You can find out more about the event and register here. Upside Down and Inside Out: Stanford Universitys CAMIn the first session of the day, HOK will present their design for the Center for Academic Medicine at Stanford University. Targeting net-energy standards, the buildings glass curtain wall is shaded by a ceramic frit and, on certain elevations, a metal louver system. In addition, the design addresses the stressful nature of residency programs, providing a series of outdoor spaces that create a more pleasant atmosphere for work and study.Facade Futures Today: Research Updates from LBNLNext, representatives from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory will provide an overview of recent facade-related research, including inquiries into thin triple-glazed windows, vacuum insulated glazing, automated shade systems, and exterior window films. The scientists will also share updates to their software tools including WINDOW, THERM, and Radience. Attendees will walk away from the sessions with insight into the future of facade technology. Mass Timber in California: Strategies, Systems, & Future DevelopmentsThis roundtable session assembles voices from across the AEC industry to discuss trends in mass timber construction on the West Coast. Participants include Ethan Martin, director of sustainability and mass timber at DCI Engineers, Lisa Podesto, regional director of preconstruction at Swinerton, Philip Tidwell, assistant professor of architecture at UC Berkeley, and Claire Moore, senior principal and director of engineering at HOK.Google hired MGA to design the first mass timber structure on the companys Sunnyvale, California campus. (Ema Peter)Googles 1265 Borragas: Sustainable Innovation in Light and WoodPresenters from Michael Green Architects (MGA) and Eckersley OCallaghan, will share the design behind Googles first-ever mass timber office building. Named 1265 Borregas after its address, the new structure boasts a beautiful interior of exposed timber columns, ceilings, and floors activated by ample sunlight that enters through a glass curtain wall envelope and a large skylight. Googles new office has achieved a number of important sustainability metrics including LEED Platinum energy performance and a dramatic reduction in embodied carbon. RDH Building Science and EHDD collaborated to restore the AIA headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Payton Chung/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0 DEED)Renovating Brutalism: Challenges, Approaches, and Sustainability StrategiesTouching on several recently completed projects, Felix Weber, facade specialist at RDH Building Science will cover the firms adaptive reuse work. This includes a seismic retrofit of Arthur Ericksons Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver, and the renovation of San Franciscos Transamerica Pyramid. Weber will be joined on stage by Rebecca Sharkey, partner at EHDD, to go into more detail on the preservation of the AIA Headquarters building in Washington, D.C. These projects, all renovations of midcentury concrete buildings, provide a roadmap for the preservation of North Americas legacy Brutalist architecture, a period of work that is in dire need of upgrades and landmark protections.Living Enclosures: Strategies for Biophilic Design and Green WallsIn the events final session, David Brenner, founder and CEO of Habitat Horticulture will discuss his companys approach to green wall design as well as challenges and benefits related to planting vertically in urban environments. Brenner and his team have completed green walls for a number of important projects across the West Coast, including for the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, SFMOMA, as well as a number of corporate commissions for prominent tech companies.

Our experts sifted through the thousands of CES exhibitors to find the best tech.

dem10/Getty ImagesData privacy has become absolutely crucial for businesses. And some businesses go to great lengths to protect their data, files, and communications.However, many consumers and smaller businesses continue to believe that adding extra security isn't worth the extra work required. Wrong! Anyone who refuses or neglects to take the extra steps could find themselves on the wrong end of a data breach. Also: The best email hosting services of 2025: Expert testedSay, for example, you include sensitive information in an innocent email, only to discover that a bad actor intercepted the message, read the content of that email, and extracted the information for some nefarious purpose.You don't want that. Even if it does require an extra bit of work on your part, being safe is so much better than being sorry. What do you do? You encrypt your email (or the email containing sensitive information). What is email encryption?Email encryption is a way to restrict an email such that only the recipient can read it. This works by way of encryption key pairs like so:The recipient creates a GPG key pair (consisting of a public and a private key) and sends the public key to you.You import the public key into your keyring.You then send a message to the recipient's email address (associated with the newly imported key).The recipient receives the email and can read it because they have the private key that matches the public key you imported.If the email is intercepted on the way, it cannot be read without the matching private key. That, of course, brings up one crucial issue that cannot be stressed enough -- never share your private key with anyone.Yes, adding encryption to email does add extra steps to your process, but when dealing with sensitive information, those extra steps will be well worth the effort.Because every email client does this differently, I'm going to demonstrate using the open-sourceThunderbirdapplication. I'm also going to demonstrate how to create your GPG key (using GnuPG), so you can help your recipients generate the necessary key pairs and send you their private keys.Here's how it works.How to encrypt your email 1. Generate a key pair I'll be demonstrating on Pop!_OS Linux, but this will work the same way on any platform that supportsGnuPG(Linux and MacOS).Also: Ready for something different? I recommend this Linux distro to newbies and experts For the Windows OS, you'll need to useGpg4win.To generate a key pair, open a terminal window and issue the command: Show more gpg --full-generate-keyYou'll be asked the following questions (answer with the defaults): Please select what kind of key you want:What key size do you want?The key is valid for?Also: This simple Gmail trick gave me another 15GB of storage for free - and I didn't lose any filesWhen prompted, type y to verify the creation of the key. You'll then be required to add a real name, an email address associated with the key, and an optional comment. Finally, you'll be required to type and verify a password for the new key pair. After that, your key is created and ready for export. 2. Export the public key Next, we need to export the public key so it can then be sent to the person who will need to send you an encrypted email.To export the key, issue the command: Show more gpg --export -a "EMAIL" > public_keyWhere EMAIL is the email associated with the key you just generated. Once you've generated the file (named public_key), send it to the person who will be encrypting the email to you. 3. Importing a public key Next, we need to import the public key that was sent to you. Open Thunderbird, click the Menu button and click Account Settings.Also: Five reasons why email will never dieIn the left sidebar, click End-To-End Encryption and then click OpenPGP Key Manager. Show more Gaining access to the OpenPGP manager from within Thunderbird. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET 4. Select All Files Click File > Import Public Key From File, and then make sure to select All Files from the drop-down at the bottom right corner of the window. Show more Importing the public key from within the OpenPGP Key Manager. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET 5. Locate the key Locate the file you saved (the public key from the recipient that will receive your email) and click Open. In the resulting window, select Accepted (unverified) and click OK. The key will be imported and ready to use. Show more Importing Henry Jekyll's key might not be the best idea, but I'm going for it. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNET 6. Close the Key Manager and compose a new message Close the Key Manager and go back to the Thunderbird main window. Compose a new message to the email address associated with the encryption key, and then (in the email compose window) click the Security drop-down and click the checkboxes for Require Encryption and Digitally Sign This Message.Also: The Thunderbird email client finally landed on Android, and it was worth the waitSend the message as normal, and it will be encrypted such that the only person who can decrypt it is the owner of the private key that matches the public key you imported. Show more Encrypting and signing your new email. Screenshot by Jack Wallen/ZDNETAnd that is how email encryption works. I hope you find this to be much easier than you expected, and that it will inspire you to start using this extra security layer in your email communications.Is there a difference between secure and encrypted email?Yes. Secure email refers to the security of the connection used to send and receive email (with every step along the way being secure), whereas encrypted email is when the content of the email is encrypted, so only the intended recipient can read the content.Can you encrypt email for free?Yes. With tools like OpenPGP and Gpg4win, you can encrypt email for free on your local email client (such as Thunderbird and Outlook).See also

Being in the dark is disorienting and can be dangerous if you hurt yourself. That's why flashlights are an essential item for emergency preparedness. Flashlights can help you see your surrounding clearly during power outages, walking the dog, or during nighttime outdoor activities like camping or hiking. While theaverage handheldor phone flashlight shines a decent beam, there are significantly brighter options available built for more pressing circumstances or simply easier navigability."A super bright flashlight is good for anytime you need to travel in the woods at night, or if you need to find something at night." Jason Hitchcock, founder of Survival Stoic Also: The best portable power stationsAn outdoor enthusiast myself, I rounded up some of the best and brightest flashlights I've come across, keeping in mind real-life factors that can decrease a light's output, which raw lumen outputs don't usually represent. I also spoke to survivalists, campers, and flashlight enthusiasts who have used and recommended some of their favorite models.What is the brightest flashlight right now?The world's brightest flashlight, the Imalent MS32, clocks in at 200,000 lumens and has a built-in fan to keep the unit from overheating in your hands. While this is the most powerful option, it does have a steep price tag, and the flashlight enthusiasts and experts I spoke with agree that it's not the only option for outdoor pursuits, severe weather supply arsenal, or even photography lighting. Read on to see all of the best brightest flashlight options for you. Sort by All The brightest flashlights of 2025 Show less View now at Amazon The brightest flashlight you can currently get is the Imalent MS32. Its maximum output gets up to a blinding 200,000 lumens -- beating its previous title-winning 120,000 lumen iteration (the Imalent SR32). This model has eight settings, including cold and warm light options and a moonlight and strobe mode. When switched on, the Imalent MS32 emits the highest brightness level for about 45 seconds before dimming to 40,000 lumens, which it can sustain for about 40 minutes.As the world's brightest flashlight, the Imalent MS32 also has a heat pipe cooling system that uses three cooling fans to ensure high performance (and to prevent overheating in your hands). In addition, the IP56 rating means the flashlight is water and dust-resistant.While not for everyday carry, this flashlight would serve well for emergency use cases or if you want the bragging rights of owning the world's brightest flashlight. However, at $800, it's clear that the cost of the world's brightest flashlight is a luxury.Imalent MS32 tech specs: Lumens: 200,000 lumens |Beam distance:5,308 feet |Peak beam intensity:655000cd|Battery Life:18 hours on lowest setting|IP Rating:IP56 Pros World's brightest flashlight Long distance reach Impressive battery life 8 different settings Cons Not ideal for everyday use Heavy at almost 12 pounds The brightest flashlight you can currently get is the Imalent MS32. Its maximum output gets up to a blinding 200,000 lumens -- beating its previous title-winning 120,000 lumen iteration (the Imalent SR32). This model has eight settings, including cold and warm light options and a moonlight and strobe mode. When switched on, the Imalent MS32 emits the highest brightness level for about 45 seconds before dimming to 40,000 lumens, which it can sustain for about 40 minutes.As the world's brightest flashlight, the Imalent MS32 also has a heat pipe cooling system that uses three cooling fans to ensure high performance (and to prevent overheating in your hands). In addition, the IP56 rating means the flashlight is water and dust-resistant.While not for everyday carry, this flashlight would serve well for emergency use cases or if you want the bragging rights of owning the world's brightest flashlight. However, at $800, it's clear that the cost of the world's brightest flashlight is a luxury.Imalent MS32 tech specs: Lumens: 200,000 lumens |Beam distance:5,308 feet |Peak beam intensity:655000cd|Battery Life:18 hours on lowest setting|IP Rating:IP56 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Another option from Imalent may not beam as bright as the world's brightest flashlight, but is still a shining star, packing in 55,000 lumens with 16 LEDs. The turbo setting puts out 55,000 lumens for 42 seconds before going down to 11,000 lumens, which it can sustain for 50 minutes.There are six total settings, including a middle output of 4,200 lumens and a low output of 1,200 lumens. A built-in thermal control module will automatically adjust the brightness output so that you can use the flashlight comfortably without overheating. Amazon reviewers also note and were impressed by the flashlight's 736,000 candela rating, the unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI).Steven Short, a flashlight enthusiast and who reviews flashlights and everyday carry (EDC) items on his YouTube channel, said that at 55,000 lumens, it's definitely bright enough to temporarily blind an attacker if you are ever in a situation when alone at night."I've used it on camping trips to light up the campsite at night. Instead of using a smaller one and having to move around with it wherever I needed to see, the Imalent SR16 is bright enough to illuminate the whole area for me," Short said.Imalent SR16 tech specs: Lumens:55,000 lumens |Beam distance:5,627 feet |Peak beam intensity:736000cd |Battery life:7 hours (on lowest setting)|IPRating:IP56 Pros Powerful to protect in emergency outdoors situations Can sustain 11,000 lumens for almost an hour Solid beam distance Cons Customer service could be better Another option from Imalent may not beam as bright as the world's brightest flashlight, but is still a shining star, packing in 55,000 lumens with 16 LEDs. The turbo setting puts out 55,000 lumens for 42 seconds before going down to 11,000 lumens, which it can sustain for 50 minutes.There are six total settings, including a middle output of 4,200 lumens and a low output of 1,200 lumens. A built-in thermal control module will automatically adjust the brightness output so that you can use the flashlight comfortably without overheating. Amazon reviewers also note and were impressed by the flashlight's 736,000 candela rating, the unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI).Steven Short, a flashlight enthusiast and who reviews flashlights and everyday carry (EDC) items on his YouTube channel, said that at 55,000 lumens, it's definitely bright enough to temporarily blind an attacker if you are ever in a situation when alone at night."I've used it on camping trips to light up the campsite at night. Instead of using a smaller one and having to move around with it wherever I needed to see, the Imalent SR16 is bright enough to illuminate the whole area for me," Short said.Imalent SR16 tech specs: Lumens:55,000 lumens |Beam distance:5,627 feet |Peak beam intensity:736000cd |Battery life:7 hours (on lowest setting)|IPRating:IP56 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon Not only does this flashlight have a great battery life, but it's built-in 54Wh power rechargeable pack can also be used to charge your phone when you're exploring the outdoors at night.On the bright side (pun intended), the flashlight puts out 14,000 lumens from 12 LEDs, and has two separate modes: floodlight to shine across wide areas and spotlight to zone in on a specific direction. Each of these modes has seven modes that range in lumen count and intensity."A friend of mine owns this flashlight and I have used it while hiking with him at night. It is super bright and really lights up the woods," Jason Hitchcock, founder of emergency preparedness siteSurvival Stoic, told ZDNET. "It has an adjustable brightness setting which is nice when you don't need the high brightness. When we meet others on the trail or need to look at something in our pack for example I can turn it down."In addition, customers who purchased this flashlight noted that the quality of its build is top notch, and it feels sturdy and reliable in hand. However, they also said the temperature can get hot holding this one.Olight Marauder 2 tech specs:Lumens:14,000 lumens |Beam distance: 2,625 feet |Peak beam intensity:160000cd |Battery life:59 hours on lowest mode |IP Rating:IPX8 Pros Can charge other devices Quality build Spotlight and floodlight mode options Cons Temperature can get hot Not only does this flashlight have a great battery life, but it's built-in 54Wh power rechargeable pack can also be used to charge your phone when you're exploring the outdoors at night.On the bright side (pun intended), the flashlight puts out 14,000 lumens from 12 LEDs, and has two separate modes: floodlight to shine across wide areas and spotlight to zone in on a specific direction. Each of these modes has seven modes that range in lumen count and intensity."A friend of mine owns this flashlight and I have used it while hiking with him at night. It is super bright and really lights up the woods," Jason Hitchcock, founder of emergency preparedness siteSurvival Stoic, told ZDNET. "It has an adjustable brightness setting which is nice when you don't need the high brightness. When we meet others on the trail or need to look at something in our pack for example I can turn it down."In addition, customers who purchased this flashlight noted that the quality of its build is top notch, and it feels sturdy and reliable in hand. However, they also said the temperature can get hot holding this one.Olight Marauder 2 tech specs:Lumens:14,000 lumens |Beam distance: 2,625 feet |Peak beam intensity:160000cd |Battery life:59 hours on lowest mode |IP Rating:IPX8 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The TrustFire DF50 is technically a scuba diving light, but it also proves to be a pretty useful light if you're a photographer looking to illuminate dark spaces or if you're simply looking for a reliable and decently bright flashlight. It can run for 3.4 hours on the highest setting at 6,500 lumens as well as 6.8 hours at 1,000 lumens. The flashlight has white light, red light, and UV light, making it perfect for places underwater or in a cave."This thing has 6,500 lumens and is made specifically for filming (so no flickering),"said Nick Poulson, a flashlight collector and abandoned mine explorer."It not only provides a bright light but also offers a red light and, as if that were not enough, it also has a black light setting. Truly an awesome and fun feature to use in deep, dark mines where minerals line the walls, ready to be illuminated," he said.Poulson added that the only downside to this light is that heat is emitted after long periods of use. However, Amazon reviewers said the 12-hour battery life makes up for that.TrustFire DF50tech specs: Lumens:6,500 lumens |Beam distance:Up to 345 feet|Peak beam intensity:2756cd |Battery life:Up to 12 hours|IPRating:Waterproof up to 230 feet Pros UV and red light options Completely waterproof Good battery life Cons Emitted heat can be uncomfortable to the touch Problems with ball joint The TrustFire DF50 is technically a scuba diving light, but it also proves to be a pretty useful light if you're a photographer looking to illuminate dark spaces or if you're simply looking for a reliable and decently bright flashlight. It can run for 3.4 hours on the highest setting at 6,500 lumens as well as 6.8 hours at 1,000 lumens. The flashlight has white light, red light, and UV light, making it perfect for places underwater or in a cave."This thing has 6,500 lumens and is made specifically for filming (so no flickering),"said Nick Poulson, a flashlight collector and abandoned mine explorer."It not only provides a bright light but also offers a red light and, as if that were not enough, it also has a black light setting. Truly an awesome and fun feature to use in deep, dark mines where minerals line the walls, ready to be illuminated," he said.Poulson added that the only downside to this light is that heat is emitted after long periods of use. However, Amazon reviewers said the 12-hour battery life makes up for that.TrustFire DF50tech specs: Lumens:6,500 lumens |Beam distance:Up to 345 feet|Peak beam intensity:2756cd |Battery life:Up to 12 hours|IPRating:Waterproof up to 230 feet Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at B&H Photo-Video If you're looking for a bright flashlight that checks multiple boxes, this one from Fenix is a great pick. Its rugged design is made of anodized aluminum for extra durability, and it boasts a replaceable, rechargeable 5,000mAh battery. A single charge offers more than 40 hours of use.The company claims a lumen output of 2,800, but in our lab testing, the Fenix PD36R started out at an impressive 3,618 lumens. After one minute, we measured the lux (the amount of light that falls on a surface) to be 122.6 lumens per square meter, and then 46.9 lumens after five minutes. The flashlight was also able to shine at a distance of 414 yards, which is plenty of distance for the average person.The flashlight is classified as an everyday carry (EDC) flashlight, although some verified customers note that it is a bit large for an EDC. Still, it has a two-way body clip you can attach to your bag, purse, backpack, or belt for easy access.Fenix PD36R tech specs: Lumens:2,800 |Beam distance:1,242 feet| Peak beam intensity: 36,600 cd |Battery life:~42 hours|IP Rating:IP68+ Pros Powerful beam Extended runtime 10-minute quick-charge Cons Brightest setting reduces battery life to 3 hours If you're looking for a bright flashlight that checks multiple boxes, this one from Fenix is a great pick. Its rugged design is made of anodized aluminum for extra durability, and it boasts a replaceable, rechargeable 5,000mAh battery. A single charge offers more than 40 hours of use.The company claims a lumen output of 2,800, but in our lab testing, the Fenix PD36R started out at an impressive 3,618 lumens. After one minute, we measured the lux (the amount of light that falls on a surface) to be 122.6 lumens per square meter, and then 46.9 lumens after five minutes. The flashlight was also able to shine at a distance of 414 yards, which is plenty of distance for the average person.The flashlight is classified as an everyday carry (EDC) flashlight, although some verified customers note that it is a bit large for an EDC. Still, it has a two-way body clip you can attach to your bag, purse, backpack, or belt for easy access.Fenix PD36R tech specs: Lumens:2,800 |Beam distance:1,242 feet| Peak beam intensity: 36,600 cd |Battery life:~42 hours|IP Rating:IP68+ Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the world's brightest flashlight? The world's brightest flashlight is currently the Imalent MS32 which has a maximum output of 200,000 lumens that can reach up to 5,308 feet. This crazy bright flashlight also has a heat pipe cooling system that uses cooling fans for ensured safety.FlashlightPriceLumensBeam distanceImalent MS32$750Up to 200,000 lumens 5,308 feetImalent SR16$370Up to 55,000 lumens 5,627 feet Olight Marauder 2$330Up to 14,000 lumens 2,625 feetTrustFire DF50$137Up to 6,500 lumens 345 feet Fenix PD36R Pro$110Up to 2,800 lumens 1,242 feet Show more Which bright flashlight is right for you? Every flashlight on this list is bright, and some emit more lumens than others. The best bright flashlight for you really depends on the size you're looking for, and how much you're willing to spend.Choose this bright flashlight...If you want...Imalent MS32The brightest flashlight overall. The Imalent MS32 is for flashlight enthusiasts willing to spend $800 on a flashlight.Imalent SR16A flashlight built for outdoors situations. It gets up to 55,000 lumens, but can sustain 11,000 lumens for almost an hour.Olight Marauder 2A flashlight with a great battery life that can also charge other devices with its battery pack. It has two modes: spotlight and floodlight.TrustFire DF50Something for photography. It has red and UV light to shine light in extra dark places, like underwater or in a cave.Fenix PD36R ProAn affordable flashlight with versatile uses and a rugged design. Show more Factors to consider when choosing the brightest flashlight If you're looking to buy a bright flashlight, you should consider the following:Lumens: Look at each flashlight's lumen counts, paying attention to higher lumens that shine bright. Remember to be mindful that the lumens claimed by manufacturers are not always 100% certain.Beam distance:Light won't matter if it can't go far. Consider each flashlight's beam distance to ensure the top picks had long throws.Durability: The brightest flashlights should be built with ruggedness and durability in mind, since their use-cases are mostly for the outdoors.Price:While the brightest flashlight in the world is expensive at $800, there are more affordable options for different price points. Show more How did we choose the best and brightest flashlights? ZDNET ranked the brightest flashlights by researching each flashlight extensively and spending time reading real customer reviews of each product (both the good, and the bad). We also sought out and spoke to experts such as flashlight enthusiasts and collectors, survivalists, and explorers who have personally used these flashlights and recommend them. Show more FAQs on flashlights What are lumens? A lumen is a unit of measurement for the intensity of the light coming out of a flashlight. A high lumen output means that the flashlight shines bright.These brightest flashlights emit the most lumens of all flashlights on the market, when on the brightest setting, although many have multiple brightness options.Keep in mind that many flashlight manufacturers exaggerate their claimed lumens, and the lumen output may vary depending on your use case with the flashlight. Show more How many lumens does a good flashlight emit? The average flashlight emits about 100 lumens. However, any "good" flashlight worth buying will be greater than 1,000 lumens. It really depends on how you will be using your flashlight, and you probably don't need the world's brightest flashlight to look under the seats of your car. Show more Is brightest always best? Bright flashlights that have a high lumen output are good for some scenarios, but they are most certainly not always the best. Short said super bright flashlights can actually make it harder to see."Brightest isn't always best for a lot of people. When flashlights are really bright, you get a lot of the beam shining off of things and back towards you, sometimes making it hard to see," he said.Poulson agrees and said that a higher lumen count will drain your flashlight's battery quicker."12,000 lumens do me little good if I can only use it for an hour or so. If I can get all-day use out of a 1,000-light, then that's what I want," he said. "Also, a rechargeable battery is far more valuable to me than one that takes non-rechargeable ones. The way I use them, it would cost too much to have to replace batteries."However, use cases for a bright flashlight still exist, and you may find yourself needing the brightest in a situation."[Bright flashlights] could be used by a search and rescue scenario where you need to illuminate a wide broad surface area," Short added. "You could also use a high lumen output light for self-defense to temporarily blind an attacker so you can remove yourself from a potentially horrible and scary situation." Show more What is an EDC flashlight? EDC stands for everyday carry, and these flashlights are characteristically smaller than other models and can easily fit in your pocket. EDC lights are also known for being durable and have waterproof and shockproof features. Show more Alternative bright flashlights to considerMeet the experts ZDNET sourced external industry experts for this article. Here is more information about them:Jason Hitchcock: Founder of Survival Stoic. He has an engineering degree, a problem-solving background, and has enjoyed being an outdoorsman for over 45 years.Steven Short: A flashlight enthusiast and who reviews flashlights and everyday carry (EDC) items on his YouTube channel. He currently has over 170 videos.Nick Poulson: An avid flashlight collector and abandoned mine explorer. He has his own YouTube channel with more than 4.5K subscribers where he explores old mines. Show more Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends

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