TikTok is officially going dark in the United States now that a federal ban on the app is set to go into effect on January 19th. Around 9PM ET, the app began notifying people in the US, including Verge staffers, with a message that said the ban would make our services temporarily unavailable. RelatedTikTok is down in the USThe message goes on to say, Were working to restore our service in the US as quickly as possible, an outcome that will require action from the incoming Trump administration one way or another. A similar message is showing up in the CapCut video editor, which is also owned by TikTok.After about 10:30PM ET, both TikTok and CapCuts apps began to cut users off in the US, with messages saying, Sorry, TikTok isnt available right now. A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you cant use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!Inside the company, an internal email viewed by The Verge says the news is disappointing but that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office on the 20th, and teams are working tirelessly to bring our app back to the U.S. as soon as possible.The message being shown to US TikTok users. A similar message is being shown in CapCut. Screenshot: TikTokTikTok crashed into this outcome somewhat chaotically its known this was the deadline since Biden signed the bill in April, but the company never appeared to have a backup plan to save its service if the Supreme Court ruled the law was constitutional, which happened on Friday. At the same time, the company was promising advertisers it would sort things out as recently as last night.TikTok warned on Friday that it would be forced to go dark if the Biden administration didnt promise to delay enforcement of the law penalties on TikToks service providers, like Apple and Google, which can be fined thousands of dollars per US user once the ban goes into effect. In response, the Biden administration said it had already passed enforcement responsibilities on to the Trump administration and called TikToks threat to go offline a stunt.Trump who kicked off the TikTok ban debate himself during his first term has indicated he plans to extend the deadline for the ban by 90 days via an executive order once he is sworn in on January 20th, though its not clear if he means he will use the provision in the law that allows for a delay if a sale is pending or if he even has that option once the ban goes into effect. TikToks users are decidedly upset, of course although none of them seem to be pressuring the company to sell as much as theyre pressuring politicians from both parties to rescind the ban.Update, January 18th: Noted that TikTok and CapCut app shutdowns have begun in the US.

Keeping CountOne industry analyst says that the Nintendo Switch 2 is "exactly what people wanted and expected", but it might not be enough to beat the first one's sales"There may be more revelations that no one has thought of."Image credit: Nintendo News by Oisin Kuhnke Contributor Published on Jan. 19, 2025 The Nintendo Switch has been ridiculously successful, but one analyst thinks the Switch 2 might not reach the same heights.At the time of writing, the original Nintendo Switch has sold around 146 million units, making it the third-best-selling console of all time, only eight million behind the Nintendo DS in second place, and 14 million behind the PS2 in first place. With the Switch 2 now officially announced, it's less likely the OG Switch will take the top spot, though it obviously has cemented itself as one of the best-selling consoles of all time, even if it somehow goes down a spot or too. So, there's obviously some big expectations for its successor, and one analyst thinks there's a chance the Switch 2 won't do quite as well as the original.To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Speaking to GamesRadar, Mat Piscatella of market research firm Circana said that the "Switch 2 can (and I expect it to) be a massive success. But I also don't expect it to reach Switch. It's tough to forecast for an outlier. It could happen, but it's not likely." He went on to note that it's "great that it looks to be a bigger, more powerful Switch. Fantastic. Exactly what people wanted and expected. But also, it looks to be primarily a bigger, more powerful Switch, which may not be enough to attract an audience outside of buyers of the original Switch."This initial trailer for the Switch 2 mostly just shows that it's bigger and has a new Mario Kart, which isn't a bad thing at all, but obviously isn't exactly a console seller. "There may be more revelations that no one has thought of and that haven't leaked in some fashion," Piscatella noted. "Looks like we'll have to wait until the Direct for that."I'm sure that even if the Switch 2 doesn't do Switch 1 numbers, it'll do plenty well enough, especially considering that the only way to play Nintendo games is on a Nintendo console. We'll just have to wait and see what that Direct has in store for us.

close Who's really behind that random strange text from nowhere? It's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate text messages and potential scams. These days, our phones are constantly buzzing with notifications, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate messages and potential scams. Bill from Mesa, Arizona, recently shared an experience that highlights this growing concern:"Twice in the last week I've received texts supposedly sent elsewhere. The last one asked if I was 'available tomorrow evening.' I did not recognize the number but am active in an old people park so receive many calls and texts from unfamiliar numbers. I texted back that my wife thought we were available. A few minutes later, a text came asking if I was Mrs. Amy. I texted that I wasn't Mrs. Amy and had never been, but it was a problem."A return text came thanking me for being so polite and the texter's appreciation for polite people and if I were ever in LA, I would be welcome to a backyard BBQ. Looking back, there were a couple more texts ending with I like to make friends with polite people. The first text which I deleted was in a very similar vein and format. Is this a scam and why, for what?"Bill's experience is not unique. Many people receive similar messages that seem harmless at first glance but could potentially be part of a more sinister scheme. Let's dive into the world of text message scams and learn how to protect ourselves. A man texting on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)The anatomy of a text message scamText message scams, also known as"smishing," a combination of SMS and phishing, have become increasingly sophisticated. Scammers use various tactics to engage potential victims and gain their trust. Here are some common elements:Unfamiliar numbers: The message comes from a number you don't recognize. For instance, you receive a text from +1-555-123-4567, a number not in your contacts.Unsolicited contact:The text arrives unexpectedly, often with a friendly or urgent tone. Example:"Hey! Long time no see. How have you been?"Personal touch: The scammer might use your name or reference a common activity to seem legitimate. Example:"Hi Sarah, it's Mike from the book club. Are you coming to the meeting next week?"Too good to be true:Offers of prizes, invitations, or other enticing propositions are common. Example:"Congratulations! You've won a $500 gift card. Click here to claim your prize!"Requests for information: The scammer may ask for personal details, either directly or indirectly. Example:"This is your bank. We need to verify your account. Please reply with your account number and PIN."Remember, these are all examples of potential scams. Always be cautious when receiving unexpected messages, especially those asking for personal information or containing suspicious links. A person texting on a phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Understanding the scammer's strategyIn Bill's case, the scammer employed a "long-play" strategy. By engaging in friendly conversation and offering invitations, the scammer aims to build trust over time. The end goal could be:Phishing for information: Gradually collecting personal details that can be used for identity theft.Malware distribution: Eventually sending a link that, when clicked, installs malicious software on your device.Financial scams: Building trust to eventually request money or financial information. A person texting on a phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How to identify suspicious textsTo protect yourself from text message scams, follow these steps:Check the sender: Look at the full email address or phone number, not just the display name.Analyze the content: Be wary of messages with urgent subjects, grammatical errors, or strange URLs.Verify independently: If the message claims to be from a known entity, contact them through official channels to confirm.Trust your instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. Don't let politeness override your judgment.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? A man texting on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What to do if you suspect a scamIf you believe you've received a scam text, here are six steps to follow:1. Don't respond: Avoid engaging with the scammer to prevent further attempts.2. Block the number:Use your phone's built-in blocking features to prevent further contact.For iPhone: Open themessage, tap thesender's name ornumber, select"Info," then "Block Caller."For Android: Open themessage, long-press theconversation, tap thethree-dot menu and select "Block" or "Block & Report Spam." You may be asked to confirm your decision by clicking Yes.Settings may vary depending on your Android phones manufacturer.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE3. Report the message:Forward the suspicious text to7726 (SPAM). Also, report it directly to the FTC atReportFraud.ftc.gov.4. Keep your information safe: Never click on links or provide personal information in response to unsolicited texts.5. Have strong antivirus software: Install and run strong antivirus apps on your phone to scan for malware and ensure your device is secure. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.6. Invest in personal data removal services: Consider using a data removal service to eliminate your personal information from data broker sites. These services can help reduce spam, decrease the risk of identity theft and clean up your online presence by automating the removal of your data from hundreds of data broker sites.While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.Kurts key takeawaysWhile it's natural to want to be polite, as Bill was, remember that your safety and personal information are paramount. Trust your instincts, verify unfamiliar contacts and never hesitate to ignore or block suspicious messages. Remember, a true friend won't mind if you take extra steps to verify their identity, and a legitimate organization will have official channels for communication.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHow have you or someone you know been affected by text message scams, and what steps did you take to protect yourself? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com. Related Topics

ZDNET's key takeaways The Privacy Hero 2, a $199 router available on FlashRouters, supports NordVPN and Surfshark alongside various VPN protocols. It comes with one year of access to Privacy Hero Wireguard VPN and, with a current promotion, one year of NordVPN. The company should improve the build quality and be more generous with the Ethernet cable's length. View now at Flashrouters Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) are excellent tools for improving online privacy and security. Most people sign up with a VPN provider and then install their accompanying native applications on their PCs, tablets, and smartphones.However, there's another option: installing a VPN on your router. This method provides blanket coverage for any device connected to the router's Wi-Fi, allowing you to circumvent connection number restrictions and saving you the legwork of installing a VPN app on every device you want to protect.Also: You need a router-based VPN in 2025. Here's why and how to set one upIt's not always a quick task, though. Many routers on the market support third-party VPNs, but you may need reasonable technical knowledge and be willing to tamper with internal settings to make everything work.Alternatively, some VPN providers offer VPN-ready hardware; one such model is the subject of this review. The Privacy Hero 2, a $199 router available on FlashRouters, supports NordVPN and Surfshark (both owned by Nord Security) alongside a range of VPN protocols. It comes with one year of access to Privacy Hero Wireguard VPN and, with a current promotion, one year of NordVPN.Let's dive into this VPN-ready router's build, installation, benefits, and disadvantages.How's the build quality?Once you unbox the Privacy Hero 2, you're met with a lightweight, compact router. It's lighter than most routers I've tried or reviewed (except for travel routers) and has a plastic feel. The build quality is acceptable for a $199 router, although I felt I had to handle it carefully. Charlie Osborne/ZDNETThe Privacy Hero 2 comes with an A/C power supply, Ethernet cable, and installation guide. The size of the four external antennae seemed odd, probably because they were somewhat bulky compared to the router's tiny body. Overall, the build is reasonable, and my only real complaint is the short length of the Ethernet cable.Installation processI've tested a variety of Wi-Fi routers -- traditional, mesh, and VPN-supporting -- over the years and found that installation complexity varies. The Privacy Hero 2 was very easy to set up. The router comes with a booklet and online installation guides, including a short video that helps users with the hardware side of the installation. After I plugged the router in, it took about 10 minutes to update.Once the router is ready, you must sign up for a free Privacy Hero account, which gives you web access to the router's dashboard. You will see this message once the installation is complete. Screenshot by Charlie Osborne/ZDNETThe next step is creating your Wi-Fi network. There are two options:You can set the network name to the same name and password as your existing network, so you won't have to reconnect your devices individually to the new one. This option requires you to turn off your ISP's router Wi-Fi signal.Alternatively, you can create a new network name. As I intend to retire my aging TP-Link model that has served as an IoT device hub until now, this was the option I chose -- with the name Privacy Hero.You can explore the Privacy Hero dashboard now that you're set up. I like the layout; it's clean, simple, and fuss-free. You can see the status of your new router on the Home screen as well as change its name or timezone. Screenshot by Charlie Osborne/ZDNET Under the Wi-Fi tab, you can check that your new networks are operating properly, or disable them if you wish. Screenshot by Charlie Osborne/ZDNETI'll focus on the VPN tab, as these are the main settings you'd most likely want to change. You will see various options: VPN, VPN Kill Switch, Malware & Phishing, and Ad Blocking.Also: Fastest VPNs in 2025 tested by expertsIf you click the first tab, you can choose between different VPN services. In this review, we'll useNordVPN. Screenshot by Charlie Osborne/ZDNETThis part was the most awkward part of the installation process. The router comes with a free year of NordVPN service, so you must go to the account tab, find your voucher, validate it on NordVPN, create your account, and then generate an access token.Once you have the access token, you must submit it in the Privacy Hero dashboard. Due to timeout failures, my token was not accepted until after three attempts.NordVPN then launched on the router with a UK server as default. If you want to change your country, click on the connection and change the server yourself. Visit NordVPN's OpenVPN configuration file list and copy and paste the server name you want to connect to. Screenshot by Charlie Osborne/ZDNETEnsure you have also enabled the Kill Switch, Malware & Phishing, and Ad Blocking options. The kill switch will protect your privacy if your internet connection suddenly drops by stopping the router from leveraging your standard, unencrypted ISP connection. The other settings will reduce your exposure to tracking and cyber threats.Let's start streamingMy favorite feature is under the Streaming tab. Dubbed "Relocation," it enables you to select the country connection through which your VPN will attempt to route your traffic without constantly changing your setup.Also: NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Which VPN is right for you?If a streaming service is available in only one country -- for example, BBC iPlayer in the UK -- it won't be shown, as the organization will automatically direct your traffic via a UK relocation connection. If, however, a service is available in multiple countries, you have options. Netflix, for example, can be set to the UK, Canada, or the US.You will still need an active subscription; some streaming services require a subscription from your target country.Testing streaming servicesI spent over an hour testing various connections and configuring the router to my liking. That's not to say you need to spend the same amount of time doing so, as the router is about as "out of the box" as possible.NordVPN worked from the start, and I experienced no connection issues with my Samsung smartphone, Samsung TV, or Apple MacBook Pro. However, setting up streaming services was more challenging. Screenshot by Charlie Osborne/ZDNETI spent several hours testing which geo-blocked streaming libraries I could access through my new Wi-Fi connection. I tested the Privacy Hero 2 with Disney+, Netflix, and the anime streaming service Crunchyroll.Also: TunnelBear VPN review: An affordable, easy-to-use VPN with a few notable pitfallsMy first test was accessing my home UK libraries, which I could do without a problem. I then enabled Privacy Hero 2's relocation feature for the aforementioned streaming platforms while keeping the initial connection on a UK server, where I faced several challenges. At first, I had no success -- only my UK library was available. I powered down the TV, Sky satellite TV box, ISP-issued router, and Privacy Hero 2 and waited for everything to reboot.I then tried to access US streaming service libraries on Disney+, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. Despite the relocation options, this didn't work directly through the Samsung TV's Tizen hub when the UK was set as the central server. However, it worked for Netflix and Disney+ when I tested three US-based servers instead with relocation enabled.Accessing these libraries through a third-party app, in this case, Sky, worked best on my TV for Netflix and Disney+. When I chose this route, it didn't matter what country my initial connection was set to.Also: The best live TV streaming services of 2025: Expert testedWhen I tested Netflix and Disney+ on my laptop, I could access US libraries without issues. (I received a login email from Netflix confirming that an account was being used in the US; the relocation function was working correctly.) Unfortunately, Crunchyroll did not work on my smart TV, but I could access its US library on my laptop. Screenshot by Charlie Osborne/ZDNETI also attempted to access Canadian libraries and had similar levels of success. Accessing different geo-blocked libraries for testing purposes was more successful than I expected, although you may have to try different configurations.Lastly, I performed a speed test while connected to Privacy Hero 2 compared to my typical ISP router connection. I experienced a download speed loss of around 16% and an upload speed loss of 6.6%. For a VPN, I can't complain. About those ads...While a VPN's streaming capabilities are pretty popular, another feature many VPN providers offer is ad blocking.Ad blocking can be as much of a cat-and-mouse game as streaming services blocking VPN IP addresses. YouTube, for example, has declared war on third-party ad blockers and is attempting to stop viewers from being able to bypass or skip ad breaks.I didn't expect much, considering that most of the time, when I use a VPN and watch a YouTube video, there's very little difference in how many ads are displayed vs. when I use a standard Wi-Fi connection. However, I was pleasantly surprised at my final router and server setup results.I tested my setup using a cooking channel I'm subscribed to; while I love its content, the frequency of commercial interruptions makes it almost unwatchable.Also:Is your live TV streaming service still worth it? I reassessed the options for us bothOn a standard laptop connection, while connected to the default UK VPN server, the first ad on videos and a handful of ads were displayed, but fewer than usual. I compared watching the same YouTube video on my smart TV with Privacy Hero 2, with the same results. I then decided to try changing the router's initial server to a country where YouTube doesn't monetize ads. Lo and behold, all of the ad breaks within the video were disabled.I use an ancient MacBook Air to watch YouTube or to listen to audiobooks at night, and there's nothing worse than an ad break startling you awake. To ensure this wasn't a fluke, I changed this laptop's Wi-Fi connection to Privacy Hero 2, and the result was the same: no ads.There is a caveat: Speeds were impacted, so depending on what server you select and the speed of your initial broadband connection, you might be trading buffering for an ad-free experience.ZDNET's buying adviceRegarding the physical design of the Privacy Hero 2, the company should improve the build quality and be more generous with the Ethernet cable's length. However, installation is easy and user-friendly. This VPN router is the best I've tried to date, and it will be a long-term fixture in my household.I have previously installed VPNs on third-party, supporting routers, but the Privacy Hero 2 is far less complicated to set up and requires very little technical knowledge. The dashboard is easy to navigate and keeps technical jargon to a minimum.Also: Best TVs of CES 2025: Samsung, LG, and other new models that made our jaws dropIf you want to change the initial server connection, you'll need to work out the OpenVPN configuration file names. I would like to see NordVPN provide a streamlined list of servers that identifies which server belongs to which country. A dropdown list right in the dashboard would be useful. My favorite feature is the streaming location option. While many streaming channels are currently limited to the UK, US, and Canada (something I would like to see expanded where possible), toggling between them without finding servers yourself is highly convenient.If you want to try out the Privacy Hero 2, you can buy it from Flashrouters for $199. You'll receive a free one-year NordVPN subscription with your purchase.SpecificationsVPN protocols: WireguardWi-Fi standard: Wi-Fi 6 - Wireless AXWireless speed: 3000MbpsWi-Fi bands: Dual BandEthernet port: Type 4 GigabitAntenna type: 4 ExternalProcessor: MediaTekProcessor speed: 1.3GHzRAM: 512 MB / 128 MBPower supply: 100-240VAlong with Wireguard, this router also supportsNordLynx, which combines Wireguard with NordVPN security features. Why use a VPN to stream? VPNs can be used to watch your favorite content on platforms, including Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and Netflix.Setting a VPN to your home region while you're traveling, for example, may allow you to access your favorite shows in your standard library. However, some users also use VPNs to try and access films and TV shows only available in other countries. You do this by setting your VPN to a server in the target country.I tried to access streaming libraries locked to the US and Canada via Privacy Hero 2 routing below for testing purposes only. You should keep in mind that accessing libraries outside of your home region is a legally gray area and may break your streaming service provider's terms and conditions. Furthermore, stopping these activities is a constant cat-and-mouse game between VPN providers and content platforms, and so a method that worked last week may not work tomorrow. Show more Featured reviews

Sneaky 2FA attack warning flag raised for M365 users.gettyUpdate, Jan. 19, 2025: This story, originally published Jan. 18, now includes additional mitigation advice from cybersecurity experts regarding the latest Microsoft Sneaky 2FA bypass attack.There is no escaping the phishing threat, as WhatsApp and PayPal users have been warned. Gmail and Outlook users dont escape the attack warnings, and the addition of two-factor authentication bypass hacks just muddies the security waters. Now, French security researchers have exposed another new adversary-in-the-middle attack that targets Microsoft 365 accounts, stealing credentials and bypassing 2FA protections in the process. Heres what you need to know.The Sneaky 2FA Attack WarningA cybercrime group known as Sneaky Log has been selling a 2FA-bypassing phishing-as-a-service kit called Sneaky 2FA since late last year. Researchers from the French cybersecurity company Sekoia have now published a new report warning how the kit, operating by way of a bot service via Telegram, targets Microsoft 365 account holders.Customers reportedly receive access to a licensed obfuscated version of the source code and deploy it independently, Sekoia researchers Quentin Bourgue and Grgoire Clermont said, Currently, Sneaky 2FAs phishing pages are hosted on compromised infrastructure, frequently involving WordPress websites and other domains controlled by the attacker. Costing $200 per month, the Sneaky Log sales team offers reductions that bring the cost down depending upon the length of the subscription.MORE FOR YOULike so many of these kits, take a look at Rockstar 2FA, example, Sneaky 2FA harvests Microsoft 365 session cookies in order to bypass the 2FA process during subsequent attacks so that authentication appears, indeed is, legitimate as far as the session is concerned.Elad Luz, head of research at Oasis Security, said that the threat actors had blurred out screenshots of Microsoft webpages to create a convincing login background, which made it appear as though users will access legitimate content after successfully logging in.Meanwhile, Stephen Kowski, field chief technology officer at SlashNext Email Security+, said this kit's sneaky aspects include its sophisticated ability to populate victim email addresses automatically, its evasion of detection through Cloudflare Turnstile challenges, and its clever redirection of security tools to Wikipedia pages adding that it is particularly dangerous for Microsoft 365 environments.I have reached out to Microsoft for a statement.Mitigating 2FA Bypass AttacksIntercepting both credentials and 2FA codes in real time means that attackers are able to bypass what Patrick Tiquet, vice President of security and architecture at Keeper Security, calls one of the most relied-upon layers of account protection. The sneakiness, Tiquet warned, and its sophistication lies in its anti-analysis features such as traffic filtering and checks to avoid detection. As well as convincing pre-populated login forms, which enhance its success rate, not to mention that hosting the phishing pages on compromised infrastructure adds another layer of deception, according to Tiquet. Luckily, there are mitigations that organizations can consider, and the first, Tiquet said, is implementing Privileged Access Management to restrict access and contain potential damage from compromised accounts. By pairing this with robust password management, Tiquet continued, you can ensure that credentials are strong, unique and securely stored, reducing exposure to phishing campaigns. Additionally, a password manager will prevent users from entering credentials into spoofed websites because the tool will only auto-fill credentials on the authentic webpage, Tiquet concluded.Although this 2FA bypass attack targets Microsoft 365 users, this kind of threat is not just aimed at Microsoft and can impact users of any accounts that are perceived to be of high value to the threat actors involved. The common factor, as alluded to already, in most such attacks is the phishing aspect, so thats where the mitigation methodology must sit: this fascinating article explores methods of mitigating phishing attacks.

A message reading "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now" is displayed from the TikTok app on a cell phone screen on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles, Calif.Andy BaoAPBy HALELUYA HADERO / APJanuary 19, 2025 6:05 AM ESTNEW YORK Millions of TikTok users in the United States are no longer able to watch videos on the social media platform as a federal ban on the immensely popular app takes effect.The company's app was removed Saturday evening from prominent app stores, including the ones operated by Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available. The blackout began just hours before the law took effect.Users opening the TikTok app on Saturday encountered a pop-up message preventing them from scrolling videos that read, Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now."A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S., the message said. Unfortunately that means you cant use TikTok for now.We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office, the notice continued, in a reference to President-elect Donald Trump's pledge to save the platform. The company told its users to stay tuned.The only option the message gives to U.S. users is to close the app or click another option leading them to the platform's website. There, users are shown the same message and given the option to download their data, an action TikTok previously said may take days to process.Before the announcement went out, TikTok said in another message to users that its service would be temporarily unavailable and the company was working to restore its U.S. service as soon as possible." But how long the platform will remain dark is unclear.Apple said in a statement on its website that TikTok and ByteDance apps were no longer available in the U.S., while visitors to the country could have limited access. Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates, the company said.If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device. But they cant be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible, the statement said, adding that the change could impact performance, security and compatability with future versions of iOS and iPadOS.TikTok CEO Shou Chew posted a video thanking Trump for his commitment to work with the company to keep the app available in the U.S. and a strong stand for the first amendment and against arbitrary censorship.We are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform. One who has used talk to express his own thoughts and perspectives, connecting with the world and generating more than 60 billion views of his content in the process, Chew said.In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, President-elect Donald Trump said he was thinking about giving TikTok a 90-day extension that would allow them to continue operating. If such an extension happens, Trump who once favored a TikTok ban said it would probably be announced Monday, the day that he is sworn in as president. TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attendTrumpsinauguration with a prime seating location.In Washington, lawmakers and administration officials have long raised concerns about the app, which they see as a national security threat due to its Chinese ownership. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a technology company based in Beijing that operates the well-known video editing app CapCut and Lemon8, both of which were also unavailable for service Saturday evening.The federal law required ByteDance to cut ties with TikTok by Sunday or face a nationwide ban. The statute was passed by Congress in April after it was included as part of ahigh-priority $95 billion packagethat provided foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel. President Joe Bidenquickly signed it, and then TikTok and ByteDance quickly sued on First Amendment grounds.While defending the law in court, the Biden administration argued it was concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of U.S. user data that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion.Officials have also warned the algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way thats difficult to detect. But to date, the U.S. has not publicly provided evidence of TikTok handing user data to Chinese authorities or tinkering with its algorithm to benefit Chinese interests.The Supreme Court unanimously decided on Friday the risk to national security posed by TikTok's ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the United States.After TikTok's service started going dark, some in China slammed the U.S. and accused it of suppressing the popular app. In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Hu Xijin, a former editor-in-chief for the Chinese Communist Party-run newspaper Global Times, said TikToks announcement to halt services in America marks the darkest moment in the development of internet."A country that claims to have the most freedom of speech has carried out the most brutal suppression of an internet application, said Hu, who is now a political commentator. TikTok does not operate in China, where ByteDance instead offers Douyin, the Chinese sibling of TikTok that follows Beijings strict censorship rules.After the court ruling, both White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the Biden administration would leave the laws implementation to President-elect Donald Trump given that his inauguration falls the day after the ban takes effect.But TikTok said on Friday evening it will be forced to go dark if the administration didnt provide a definitive statement to the companies, such as Apple, Google and Oracle, that deliver its service in the U.S.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikToks demand a stunt and said there was no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office. But despite those statements from the administration, confusion lingered about what would happen until TikTok began blocking its service.Under the law, mobile app stores are barred from offering TikTok and internet hosting services are prohibited from delivering the service to American users. Violators could incur fines of up to $5,000 for each user who continues to access TikTok, meaning penalties the companies could face if they continue offering TikTok could total to a large sum.As its written, experts said the law does not require TikTok to take down its platform, so its unclear if the company voluntarily shut it down or was unable to continue the service alive after losing access support from its tech providers. The company did not respond to questions sent this week about its plans.The statue allows the sitting president to extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is in progress. But no clear buyers have emerged, and ByteDance has previously said it wont sell TikTok.On Saturday, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance to create a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter.Perplexity is not asking to purchase the ByteDance algorithm that feeds TikTok users videos based on their interests and has made the platform such a phenomenon.Other investors have also been eyeing TikTok. Shark Tank star Kevin OLeary recently said a consortium of investors that he and billionaire Frank McCourt put together offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash. Trumps Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also said last year that he was putting together an investor group to buy TikTok.Associated Press writer Kanis Leung contributed to this story from Hong Kong.More Must-Reads from TIMEL.A. Fires Show Reality of 1.5C of WarmingHome Losses From L.A. Fires Hasten An Uninsurable FutureThe Women Refusing to Participate in Trumps EconomyBad Bunny On Heartbreak and New AlbumHow to Dress Warmly for Cold WeatherWere Lucky to Have Been Alive in the Age of David LynchThe Motivational Trick That Makes You Exercise HarderColumn: No One Won The War in GazaContact us at letters@time.com

In a nutshell: The PCI Special Interest Group (PCI-SIG), the organization responsible for defining PCI Express standards, is nearing completion of the PCIe 7.0 specification. If everything proceeds as planned, this next-generation, ultra-high-speed data pipeline will be officially ratified by the end of the year. PCI-SIG has just released revision 0.7 of the draft specifications, and members are likely scrutinizing every detail. There have been minimal changes since the 0.5 version released last April, which is a positive sign that the core technology is stable. Assuming no major issues arise, 2025 could be the year PCIe 7.0 is officially ratified.To set the stage, it's 2025, and AI advancements have accelerated the need for increased bandwidth. Machine learning workloads are becoming more demanding, creating a significant need for high-capacity data pipelines connecting processors, memory, and storage. The interconnect has emerged as a critical bottleneck that must be addressed.PCIe 7.0 aims to eliminate the bottleneck by doubling per-lane throughput once again. While PCIe 5.0 maxed out at a relatively modest 4GB/s per lane, PCIe 7.0 will deliver an impressive 16GB/s per lane.If you're wondering why PCI-SIG is already discussing PCIe 7.0 when PCIe 5.0 has only recently become widespread on current PCs, the answer lies in the gap PCIe 6.0, finalized in 2022, comes between the two. Meanwhile, PCIe 5.0 made its debut in 2019.The wide gaps between the release of a new PCIe specification and actual product availability are due to the real-world testing, verification, and platform integration processes, which can take several years to complete. // Related StoriesOne of the biggest challenges with these latest specs is cooling. Higher bandwidths and faster transfer rates have inevitably led to increased heat generation, prompting solutions that were once unthinkable. For example, Intel is working on a new driver for Linux that will allow users to selectively reduce PCIe link speeds when thermal levels get too high.Given these factors, don't expect PCIe 7.0 products to hit the market anytime soon. As a reminder, PCIe 6.0 devices are just beginning interoperability testing, despite having been finalized three years ago.

Marvel Snap, the ever-popular mobile game, is no longer available in the United States. It went offline at the same time as TikTok. While the focus of the ban has been around TikTok, one aspect of the ban that hasnt been discussed is that it applies to all apps from ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. Although Marvel Snap is developed by Second Dinner, ByteDance published it.When you try to open the app now, you see a message stating, Sorry, Marvel Snap isnt available right now. A law banning Marvel Snap has been enacted in the U.S. Unfortunately, that means you cant use Marvel Snap for now. Rest assured, were working to restore our service in the U.S. Please stay tuned!Recommended VideosThe app is also unavailable for download. Searching for it via the App Store shows a message at the top of the screen that says, TikTok and other ByteDance aps are not available in the country or region youre in. The Google Play Store doesnt have an error message in-browser, but the app doesnt appear as a download option.The shutdown of Marvel Snap took most players by surprise. A complicated legal situation in 2023 saw ByteDance take a step back from its gaming section and divest from publisher Nuverse.Snap players thought the app would be safe as a result, but ByteDance still has sway if the company was able to shut the game down as part of its withdrawal from the western market.Please enable Javascript to view this contentOther ByteDance-published titles like Mobile Legends: Adventure, Watcher of Realms, One Punch Man: The Strongest, and Land of Empires: Immortal have all been removed from US-based app stores, too.The current situation raises questions. What happens to players that have spent real money on in-game items or skins? Will players be eligible for refunds?TikTok shows a message to users that suggests Trump could work out a deal to get the app reinstated in the United States. If that happens, then presumably Marvel Snap and the other affected titles would also return.Editors Recommendations

still learning iOS 18.3 beta disables news notification summaries after high-stakes errors Summaries are often incorrect or strange; Apple is working on improvements. Andrew Cunningham Jan 17, 2025 11:37 am | 88 iPhones running iOS 18. Credit: Apple iPhones running iOS 18. Credit: Apple Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreApple released new beta versions of iOS 18.3 to developers and the public yesterday, and one of the changes coming with the new software update will (at least temporarily) disable Apple Intelligence notification summaries for all apps in the App Store's News and Entertainment category, at least temporarily.Apple said earlier this month that it would be instituting updates to how these notifications are handled after complaints from news organizations, and the company has apparently decided to turn them off entirely while it decides what those updates will look like. Most prominently, one user's notification summary from the BBC suggested that Luigi Mangione, the alleged killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had died of suicide; this was not true. Other examples have been cropping up since then.For the notification summaries that remain, Apple is instituting changes to make it clearer when users are reading summaries and to make it easier to turn those summaries off. Notification summaries in iOS 18.3 will be italicized to help further distinguish them from individual non-summarized notificationsbefore, there was a small icon next to the text to indicate you were looking at a summary. Apple is also making it possible to turn off summaries on a per-app basis directly from the lock screen without diving into the Settings app to do it.In our own extensive testing with Apple Intelligence notification summaries in iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1, we observed many instances of summaries that were inaccurate or just plain weird. When you're just getting updates from your Discords or group text threads, errors tend to be pretty low-stakes, at least. But when you're getting notifications about war, murder, and politics, these kinds of errors have the potential to mislead and misinform.The iOS 18.1 and 18.2 updates (along with iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2) enabled most of Apple's promised Intelligence features across all the hardware that supports them. For the iPhone, that's still only 2023's iPhone 15 Pro and 2024's iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.The iOS 18.3 update is currently in its third beta release. The iOS 17.3, 16.3, and 15.3 updates have all been released in late January, so it's likely that we'll see the 18.3 update (and corresponding updates for iPadOS, macOS, and other Apple software) released at some point in the next few weeks.Andrew CunninghamSenior Technology ReporterAndrew CunninghamSenior Technology Reporter Andrew is a Senior Technology Reporter at Ars Technica, with a focus on consumer tech including computer hardware and in-depth reviews of operating systems like Windows and macOS. Andrew lives in Philadelphia and co-hosts a weekly book podcast called Overdue. 88 Comments

Kent He increased rent by $550 a month by adding a bedroom to his affordable housing unit.His 'recession-proof' investment strategy involves operating Airbnbs and affordable housing units.Benefits to investing in affordable housing include predictable, reliable income.When Kent He's Section 8 tenant moved out of his single-family home in Fairfield, Alabama in 2024, the investor saw an opportunity to improve his property.He decided to add a room and convert the three-bedroom into a four-bedroom and spent about $41,000 doing so, he said.The investment has already started to pay off.He told Business Insider that the three-bedroom was bringing in $700 a month in rent. Thanks mainly to the additional bedroom, the Birmingham Housing Authority determined that the property can now be rented for $1,257. BI confirmed these details by viewing the certification He received from the housing authority.That's about a $550 increase in monthly rent or, an extra $6,600 a year.Just because his cash flow increases doesn't mean his tenant's payment does, he noted: "For housing choice vouchers, a tenant is responsible for paying 30-40% of their income toward the rent. If they lose their job or rents continue to go up, their portion on a percentage basis stays the same; the government will come in and fill the rest."The full-time investor, who lives in San Diego and owns two Airbnb units in Scottsdale, said that he often thinks through, "What are your value-add strategies? How can you provide a good experience to your tenant while also generating some additional cash flow by being creative with the square footage?"He's learned that "the housing choice vouchers typically pay based on the bedroom count. And, two bathrooms houses with two toilets rent out easier than homes with one toilet. We knew we had a good property and thought, let's take advantage of the space that we have and create a better product."Owning an affordable housing unit is part of his greater "recession-proof" investment strategy.A 'recession-proof strategy': Short-term rentals for cash flow + affordable housing units for stabilityAfter graduating from Bentley University in 2011, He worked as a consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers for nearly four years. He left PwC to help a family member turn their restaurant business around and re-entered corporate America in 2017 when he got a job at a major insurance company.Eager to exit the corporate world, he decided to try real-estate investing on the side. Specifically, he wanted to set up short-term vacation rentals, which, according to his research, seemed to be higher-risk but the most lucrative real-estate strategy.He was right: After purchasing two properties in Scottsdale in 2021 and 2022 and turning them into bachelorette-themed Airbnbs, he started earning enough from his short-term rental units to cover his family's expenses and quit his day job. Kent He owns two Airbnb properties in Scottsdale designed specifically for bachelorette trips. Courtesy of Kent He Despite his success on Airbnb in 2023, his two units brought in more than $240,000 he didn't want to rely on the short-term rental strategy, which has proven to be volatile. Early in the pandemic, when travel was halted and some state and local governments banned short-term rentals to stop the spread of COVID-19, Airbnb hosts saw their calendars wiped clean."For peace of mind, I want to know that there's always other cash flow coming in from another asset class," said He.That's where the second part of his strategy comes into play: buying affordable housing units."It's a great diversification approach," said He. "You have short-term rentals with a higher risk and more active approach to managing. And then you have the long-term rental which might be a little bit passive, lower cash flow, but much more predictable and stable income coming from the government that's paying your rent every single month."The benefits of providing affordable housing: Diversification, predictable incomeThere are a handful of misconceptions about affordable housing, said He, who has built a YouTube channel dedicated to the topic: "A lot of folks, when they think about affordable housing they associate it with the projects, with guns, drugs, and drama; when, in reality, it's really hardworking folks, like my parents, who just needed a stable roof over their heads."His parents immigrated to the US from China "with about $1,000," he said, and raised him in an affordable housing unit. Kent He and his family reside in San Diego. Courtesy of Kent He In addition to providing families in need with a nice roof over their heads, buying affordable housing has unique benefits for the investor.As a Section 8 landlord, you can collect rent reliably, said He: "Even if the Section 8 tenant loses their job, the government will come in and pay the rest of the rent. That is what I'm calling a recession-proof investment because the government will always pay their rent on time for your voucher holders."Plus, "there's some kind of accountability on the tenant side because the tenant doesn't want to lose their voucher," said He, who explained that in some counties the waitlist for a housing choice voucher can be 12 to 15 years. "There are going to be exceptions there are still going to be bad apples here and there but for the most part, folks that desperately need housing for their families value the vouchers very much so, because it's essentially hitting a jackpot."Another aspect of the program is a housing inspection every one to two years, he said: "The local housing authority will come and inspect the home just to make sure it's in good condition."With a traditional rental, if you have a long-term tenant, "you might wait five, 10 years and you never know what's happening inside your home. It's a great accountability mechanism to make sure you are providing a great living experience for the tenant. But as a landlord, you're also understanding what's happening inside your home, so that if anything needs to be fixed, you're taking care of it right away instead of deferring that maintenance and potentially causing more issues for you down the road."