Meta is deleting links to Pixelfed, a decentralized Instagram competitor. On Facebook, the company is labeling links to Pixelfed.social as spam and deleting them immediately.Pixelfed is an open-source, community funded and decentralized image sharing platform that runs on Activity Pub, which is the same technology that supports Mastodon and other federated services. Pixelfed.social is the largest Pixelfed server, which was launched in 2018 but has gained renewed attention over the last week.Bluesky user AJ Sadauskas originally posted that links to Pixelfed were being deleted by Meta; 404 Media then also tried to post a link to Pixelfed on Facebook. It was immediately deleted.Pixelfed is experiencing a surge in user signups in recent days, after Meta announced that it would loosen its rules to allow users to call LGBTQ+ people mentally ill amid a host of other changes that shift the company overtly to the right. Meta and Instagram have also leaned heavily into AI-generated content. Pixelfed announced earlier Monday that it is launching an iOS app later this week.Pixelfed said Sunday it is seeing unprecedented levels of traffic to pixelfed.social.Over the weekend, Daniel Supernault, the creator of Pixelfed, published a declaration of fundamental rights and principles for ethical digital platforms, ensuring privacy, dignity, and fairness in online spaces. The open source charter, which has been adopted by Pixelfed and can be adopted by other platforms, contains sections titled right to privacy, freedom from surveillance, safeguards against hate speech, strong protections for vulnerable communities, and data portability and user agency.Pixelfed is a lot of things, but one thing it is not, is an opportunity for VC or others to ruin the vibe. I've turned down VC funding and will not inject advertising of any form into the project, Supernault wrote on Mastodon. Pixelfed is for the people, period.Meta did not respond to a request for comment.Jason is a cofounder of 404 Media. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Motherboard. He loves the Freedom of Information Act and surfing.More from Jason Koebler

AwooooooooooooooooooRebel Wolves, that studio led by ex-Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 devs, is fittingly set to properly reveal its new RPG under a "full wolf moon" today - watch it hereGet ready to spam 'on all levels but physical' in the chat.Image credit: Rebel Wolves News by Mark Warren Senior Staff Writer Published on Jan. 13, 2025 Today - January 13 - we're set to get a full moon, and as it announced back in December, developer Rebel Wolves is taking the opportunity to properly reveal its upcoming game at a time when its devs should clearly be out somewhere doing some howling, and you can watch that reveal here. To be fair, some of them are ex-Witcher 3 people, so they should certainly be used to certain guy moaning about the wind howling.In case this is the first time you're hearing about Rebel Wolves, it's made up of a lot of ex-CD Projekt devs and is currently working on The Blood of Dawnwalker, a "dark fantasy RPG" that's set to be starting point of a full saga. To this point, we've learned the name of the game, that Bandai Namco's set to publish it, and gotten a short trailer, but tonight should yield a lot more.You can watch the The Blood of Dawnwalker game reveal above at 9PM BST, which is 10PM CET, 1PM PT, and 4PM ET on January 13, 2025. All you'll have to do once the time rolls around is click play on the stream above from Dawnwalker's Twitch channel, and voil, let your wolf mooning begin.What're you in for? Well, Rebel Wolves was pretty tight-lipped about that back in December, but has now provided more deets in a tweet, revealing that all of the following are set to be in the livestream:A cinematic opening of The Blood of DawnwalkerInsights into the games main concepts including the setting, characters, art, and some narrative & gameplay systemsA very small gameplay teaserVampiresNice, it shouldn't suck then, aside from maybe that last part.If you've got a bit of time to kill while you wait for the reveal to get going, why not check out all of our recent coverage of The Witcher 4 since Ciri rocked up at The Game Awards and killed a thing? Or, if you want something more Witcher 3y, here's a story that I ran around The Continent as a half-Geralt, half-horse creature in order to research.

So just don't, y'know?Square Enix has updated its 'Group Customer Harrassment Policy' to ensure that its employees and partners remain protected against unwelcome nuisance and threats from certain customers.As detailed on its official website (thanks, GamesIndustry), the firm stated that if it deems an individual has indeed harassed its employees, then it may go so far as to "cease providing support services or to refrain from providing our group's products and services".Read the full article on nintendolife.com

In BriefPosted:11:32 AM PST January 13, 2025Image Credits:Bryan Bedder / Stringer / Getty ImagesPrince Harry and Meghan Markle are slamming Meta over its fact-checking policyPrince Harry and Meghan Markle have joined the ranks of those displeased with Metas changes to fact-checking and have released a statement saying that the changes directly underminds free speech.Metas changes to its Hateful Content Policies do not protect free expression but instead foster an environment where abuse and hate speech silence and threaten the voices of whole communities who make up a healthy democracy, they wrote.They also called out Metas plans to abandon its DEI commitments.Meghan rejoined Instagram a few weeks ago after deleting her social media accounts in 2018. Shes said to have previously had constructive conversations with Meta execs about online safety after speaking about the online abuse shes faced since marrying Harry.Mastodon CEO Eugen Rochko called the changes deeply troubling and a concern to anyone with a conscience. Michael McConnell, co-chair of Metas oversight board, also expressed concern, adding that the oversight board was not consulted on the changes.Topics

LOS ANGELES The Academy has just announced updates to its 97th Oscars key dates and schedule of events due to the impact of the Los Angeles-area fires.Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said:We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community. The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship.Due to the still-active fires in the Los Angeles area, we feel it is necessary to extend our voting period and move the date of our nominations announcement to allow additional time for our members.Additionally, as we want to be sensitive to the infrastructure and lodging needs of the region in these next few weeks, it is imperative that we make some changes to our schedule of events, which we believe will have the support of our industry.Our members always share how important it is for us to come together as a community, and we are determined to use this opportunity to celebrate our resilient and compassionate industry. We also look forward to honoring our frontline workers who have aided with the fires, recognizing those impacted, and encouraging people to join the Academy in supporting the relief efforts.We will get through this together and bring a sense of healing to our global film community.Updates are outlined as follows:The Oscars nominations voting period is extended through Friday, January 17, at 5 p.m. PT.The Oscars Nominations Announcement is rescheduled for Thursday, January 23, at 5:30 a.m. PT. The live announcement will be a virtual event without in-person media coverage.The Oscars Nominees Luncheon, scheduled for Monday, February 10, will not be held this year.The Scientific and Technical Awards, scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, will be rescheduled to a later date yet to be determined.Please note that all dates are subject to change.The 97th Oscars will still be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC, streamed live on Hulu and air live in more than 200 territories worldwide.Source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.

Relativity Space, a Long Beach, California-based aerospace company specializing in 3D printing for rocket manufacturing, has secured a notable investment from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. According to Bloomberg, Schmidt has been supporting the venture since last year. His backing arrives after Relativity encountered difficulties securing additional capital in 2024. While the exact amount remains undisclosed, Schmidts involvement highlights ongoing interest in Relativitys methods despite recent financial strain.Relativity Space did not provide details regarding Schmidts financial contribution but stated, We continue to align ourselves with strong capital partners who believe in our mission and are supporting our ambitious programs. Industry analysts interpret Schmidts involvement as a strategic endorsement that enhances Relativitys credibility within the competitive aerospace sector. This support is seen as pivotal in helping the company navigate its financial challenges and advance its projects towards the targeted 2026 launch.Relativity Space Logo. Image via Relativity Space.Founded in 2015 by Tim Ellis and Jordan Noone, Relativity Space aims to improve rocket production through extensive use of 3D printing. The companys proprietary large-scale metal printers enable the creation of nearly all rocket components, significantly reducing production time and complexity. In 2023, Relativity launched its first rocket, Terran 1, in a test flight that failed to reach orbit. Following this setback, the company decided to discontinue Terran 1 and redirect its efforts towards developing Terran R, a larger vehicle scheduled for a 2026 launch. Despite these advancements, Relativity struggled financially in 2024, facing challenges in raising the necessary capital for Terran Rs development and daily operations.Relativity Space Faces Financial Hurdles While Advancing Ambitious ProjectsThe Rocket company has experienced significant growth since its inception, achieving a valuation of $4.2 billion in 2021 with investors that include Fidelity Management & Research Company, Jared Leto, and Mark Cuban. The companys commitment to fully 3D printed rockets represents a significant shift in aerospace manufacturing, aiming to reduce costs and production times while increasing flexibility and scalability. The failure of Terran 1 in its maiden flight in March 2023 prompted a shift toward Terran R, a more advanced and partially reusable rocket designed to handle medium to heavy payloads with a capacity of up to 23,500 kilograms to low Earth orbit (LEO). This shift reflects the companys adjustments in technological and operational strategies to meet market demands.Terran R Launch. Photo via Relativity Space.Central to Relativitys work is the Stargate 3D printer, a system designed to produce large-scale metal rocket components. The fourth-generation Stargate operates with a horizontal orientation, enabling the creation of objects up to 120 feet in length and 24 feet in width. This approach removes the height restrictions found in previous vertical models, facilitating faster builds and more efficient design iterations. Production speeds can be as much as 12 times faster than earlier versions of Stargate, and the systems metal deposition process reduces part counts in finished components. These improvements are seen as critical for the development of Terran R, which the company characterizes as a fully reusable rocket aimed at delivering heavier payloads to low Earth orbit.The fourth-generation Relativity Space Stargate 3D printer. Photo via Relativity Space. Financial milestones have been a mix of significant achievements and recent challenges. By June 2021, Relativity had raised $1.335 billion, bolstering its valuation to $4.2 billion. However, the transition from Terran 1 to Terran R, coupled with a tightening investment market in 2024, led to financial strains. In November 2024, reports indicated that Relativity was struggling to secure additional capital, resulting in Fidelity Investments reducing the companys valuation. Additionally, a Series F funding round in November 2023 secured $19.99 million, a notable decrease compared to previous rounds, highlighting the shifting investment landscape.Schmidts investment is particularly significant given his extensive background in disruptive technology-driven ventures and strategic investments. Schmidt served as CEO of Alphabet Inc. (formerly Google) until 2011, then transitioned to executive chairman before leaving the board in 2019. Since then, his focus has been on philanthropic and investment efforts, alongside advisory roles with the US Government and his family foundation. His involvement with Relativity Space not only provides crucial financial support but also serves as a strategic endorsement that could attract further investments and partnerships, essential for advancing Terran Rs development and scaling operations to meet the growing demands of the space economy.Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards?What will the future of 3D printing look like?Which recent trends are driving the 3D printing industry, as highlighted by experts?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights.Stay connected with the latest in 3D printing by following us on Twitter and Facebook, and dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry YouTube channel for more exclusive content.Featured image shows the Terran R Launch. Photo via Relativity Space.

Hello hello!I am studying Technical Art currently and have found joy in VFX. Im starting a project where I intend to make some A-rpg sword swings with different elemental properties heavily inspired by FF16, any tips and tricks and or feedback would be appreciated!First swings I made is without any elemental effects.Unaspected sword swingsShould hopefully have some swings every couple days, only have halfdays of the schooltime to focus on this project.

Published January 13, 2025 3:00pm EST close Lawsuit accuses automakers of spying on drivers, selling data without consent Fox News' Douglas Kennedy on millions of Americans impacted by surveillance data collection in some cars. German automaker Volkswagen isn't having a great time. The company is planning to cut capacity at five factories, reducing production by about 700,000 vehicles, while also laying off more than 35,000 workers in its home country. Now, reports suggest the company had a massive data leak at its subsidiary software company Cariad, which exposed personal data, including geolocation data, of around 800,000 EV owners online and accessible for months. Such information could be valuable to criminals for extortion purposes. What's interesting is that a hacker association informed the company about this data leak after receiving a tip from an anonymous hacker.Enter the giveaway by signing up for myfree newsletter. Image of VW signage (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to know about the data leakAs reported by Germanys Der Spiegel magazine, Volkswagen is facing a major data security issue after movement data from 800,000 electric cars and the personal contact information of their owners were left exposed on the internet. This data revealed sensitive details, such as the precise locations where cars were parked, including private locations like peoples homes, government buildings and even questionable spots like brothels.The exposed data includes detailed movement patterns of these vehicles, allowing for the creation of comprehensive profiles of individuals' daily activities. This could be particularly concerning for public figures or anyone with privacy concerns.Several car brands under the Volkswagen group, including VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda, were affected by the breach, which exposed sensitive data across multiple countries. The information was stored on Amazon cloud servers without adequate protection, leaving it vulnerable for months before the issue was discovered.For around 466,000 of the 800,000 affected vehicles, the location data was detailed enough to map out drivers daily routines. Spiegel reported that the list of affected users included German politicians, business leaders, the entire EV fleet used by Hamburg police and even suspected intelligence agents.The breach came to light when an anonymous hacker tipped off the Chaos Computer Club. While Volkswagen left the data easily accessible during this time, there is no indication so far that anyone misused or accessed it maliciously.We reached out to Volkswagen for comment but did not hear back by our deadline. VW emblem on vehicle (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How can this data leak affect you?The Volkswagen data leak is more than just a tech issue. It is a real concern for anyone who values their privacy. With precise location data out in the open, someone could figure out where you live, work or spend your free time. This information could be misused in many ways, from targeted scams where hackers pretend to be Volkswagen or its partners to trick you into giving up sensitive information, to more personal threats like stalking or harassment.Imagine someone knowing your daily routine or identifying places you visit that you would prefer to keep private. Visits to clinics, legal offices or other sensitive locations could expose you to embarrassment or blackmail.The breach also raises concerns for business leaders, government officials and military personnel as their movements linked to high-security or restricted areas could be exposed, increasing the risk of corporate espionage or national security threats. Moreover, when paired with other vulnerabilities, such as app credentials, hackers could potentially exploit the data to unlock or even control vehicles remotely. VW electric SUV (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)6 ways you can stay safe after this leakIn light of the recent Volkswagen data breach, it is crucial to take proactive measures to safeguard your personal data. Here are 6 ways you can stay safe after this leak:1) Check your app settings:Review the permissions and data-sharing settings in your car's companion app. Disable features that track or share your location if they are not essential for your use. Regularly update the app to ensure you have the latest security patches.2) Be alert to scams:Keep an eye out for suspicious emails, messages or calls pretending to be from Volkswagen or related services. Avoid clicking on links or sharing sensitive information without verifying the sender.3) Consider data opt-out options:Many vehicles with online features allow you to limit or disable certain data-sharing functionalities. Check your cars settings to reduce the amount of personal data being collected.4) Strengthen your online accounts:If you use the same email or password across multiple accounts, update them immediately. Enabletwo-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.5) Beware of snail mail scams: While most people focus on digital threats, physical mail scams can also follow a data breach like this. If your contact information was exposed, you might receive fraudulent letters pretending to be from Volkswagen or related services. These could ask for payments, personal details or even encourage you to visit fake websites.6) Install strong antivirus software: Ensure that you have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices, especially those connected to your vehicle or its apps. This can help protect you from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.Kurts key takeawayThe Volkswagen data leak is a glaring example of how companies need to take user data security more seriously. Exposing personal details and precise locations is not just a technical mistake. It is a massive breach of trust. While VW has patched the issue, the damage shows how important it is for businesses to be more responsible with the data they collect. People deserve to know their information is safe and used only when necessary. If companies cannot protect their customers privacy, they risk losing their confidence altogether. It is time for the industry to step up and do better.Do you think stricter regulations should be in place for companies that handle user data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com. Related Topics

Two separate announcements have highlighted the aggressive cost-cutting measures banks are putting in place as digital technologies replace thousands of people from the back-office of their organisations.Bloomberg Intelligences recent report predicts 200,000 middle and back-office jobs will be lost to artificial intelligence (AI), while Lloyds Banks branch announcement means more closures and job losses are inevitable.One CIO in the UK banking sector, who wished to remain anonymous, said banks will push AI and branch closures as far as they can before something breaks and they have to reverse a bit.They always try to cut as many costs as they possibly can and thats basically people, buildings and computers, but they cant cut computers because thats the bit theyre relying on to cut buildings and humans.The balance is shifting more towards spending money on computing and reducing costs on people and buildings, the CIO added. With AI, they have got their teeth into it, and theyre thinking, We can automate loads of stuff and save a load of money with branches, head offices or staff until it goes wrong.Banks have been reducing their human workforce for years through branch closures as digital banking has taken grip, and the middle and back office at banks also face huge cuts as AI learns their roles.This week, the reducing need for people within banks was highlighted both overtly and covertly through two announcements.Recent figures from Bloomberg Intelligence put the number of jobs set to be replaced by AI at hundreds of thousands, with CIOs questioned by the organisation expecting on average 3% of their workforce on average to be cut. About a quarter of respondents expect the workforce to be cut by between 5% and 10% as AI takes over roles, with the back and middle offices to be most affected.But its not just back and middle-office jobs in banking that will disappear people working in branches face uncertain futures in the UK as big banks shutter branches across the country.Although more covert and on a smaller scale, the announcement by Lloyds Banking Group that customers will be able to use branches at any of its three high street brands will inevitably lead to job cuts.Lloyds Banking group has branches for its Bank of Scotland and Halifax brands as well Lloyds Bank.The ability for customers of all the brands to use any of the branches will give Lloyds an opportunity to close branches without removing access to banking on high streets.The reduction of branch numbers has been driven by the adoption of digital banking servicesJayne Opperman, CEO of consumer relationships at Lloyds Banking Group, told staff: We know more people are choosing mobile over any other way to bank, but we also need to evolve how we support customers in other channels.Thats why from later this year well make it possible for customers to use any of our Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland branches, regardless of brand they bank with, giving them access to the biggest combined branch network.High street traditional banks have been cutting their branch networks amid competition from digital-first banks. These challengers dont have the huge cost of real estate and branch staff with services mobile and online.Traditional banks have invested heavily in the same online and mobile services and, at the same time, have been cutting costs through branch closures.The rapid digitisation of banking and the increased use of technology by consumers to do their banking has meant job cuts, which followed the financial crisis of 2008, have continued.As long ago as 2009, union Unite described the strategy at the Lloyds Bank then known as Lloyds TSB as death by a thousand cuts.Read more about bank branch closuresUK bank branches are being shuttered in large numbersas consumers choose online banking, with Lloyds Banking Group announcing more closures.Consumer rights protector saysbanks should pause branch closuresuntil they can ensure people have access to cash and services.Big banks continue to close branches and invest more in technology as the Covid-19 pandemicmakes a case for digital banking.

Despite its shortcomings, the Xgimi Horizon S Max is one of the brightest and most capable projectors I've tested.