Instagram blocked searches related to a number of political hashtags, including #democrats, #democrat, #jan6th, #republicans and a number of other terms Tuesday. Users who searched for these hashtags were instead greeted with a notice that weve hidden these results" because they "may contain sensitive content."Its not clear exactly how many search terms were affected but users on Reddit reported that dozens of tagswere unsearchable. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone blamed an unspecified issue in a post on Threads and said the company was working on a fix.The timing, just days after Mark Zuckerberg took a front-row seat at President Donald Trumps inauguration, understandably prompted speculation that the issue was politically motivated. Zuckerberg recently moved to end Metas fact-checking programs, roll back content moderation standards that prohibited dehumanizing language and slurs targeting immigrants and LGBTQ people. The company also internally shuttered its corporate diversity programs. Stone, however, said the issue affected a number of different hashtags on Instagram - not just those on the left.Indeed, there seemed to be some inconsistency in what was blocked. #Democrat, #democrats and #republicans were reportedly affected, but #republican was viewable. Users reported that #constitution, #johnoliver and #queer were also unviewable. Meta now seems to have addressed most of the hashtags in question, though the company hasnt explained what caused the issue.This, notably, isn't the first time Instagram has inexplicably blocked searches for hashtags. Meta blocked hashtags related to LGBTQ content and labeled it as "sensitive content" for months. The company said earlier this year that was an error, noting that "we do not consider LGBTQ+ terms to be sensitive under our policies. In 2020, Instagram briefly prevented users from sharing posts with the hashtag #blacklivesmatter. The company said it was a mistake and blamed its spam detection features.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-blocked-searches-for-democrats-and-other-political-hashtags-195612128.html?src=rss

EA's Origin PC client has officially reached the end of the line. The gaming company had previously announced its plans to rebrand the Origin app for desktop players back in 2020 and began rolling out the new EA app in 2022. However, Origin will be completely shuttered on April 17, 2025, as Microsoft ends support for 32-bit software. Anyone still using Origin will need to swap over to the EA app before that date.For those PC players who have not migrated over to the EA app, the company has an FAQ explaining the latest system requirements. The EA app runs on 64-bit architecture, and requires a machine using Windows 10 or Windows 11. (Although Microsoft would really prefer that everybody upgrade to Windows 11 as it sunsets the previous OS.)If you're simply downloading the EA app on a current machine, players won't need to re-download their games. And if you have cloud saves enabled, all of your data should transfer without any additional steps. However, it's always a good idea to have physical backups with this type of transition, especially since not all games support cloud saves, and those titles will need to have saved game data manually transferred. Mods also may not automatically make the switch, and EA recommends players check with mod creators about transferring to the EA app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/eas-origin-app-for-pc-gaming-will-shut-down-in-april-191807523.html?src=rss

Executive order could give the Department of Government Efficiency official powers.

Getac ZX10 has two batteries that can be swapped to avoid downtime.

Reddit shares rose over 7% to a record high Tuesday after Raymond James analysts raised their price target and reiterated their "strong buy" rating.

President Trump's return the White House is expected to usher in a golden, if chaotic, age of crypto in the U.S., according to Bernstein analysts.

During President Donald Trumps first few hours in power, he revoked Joe Bidens 2023 executive order on AI. In the absence of congressional action, Bidens EO served as the first effort by the federal government to address the considerable societal and national security risks presented by AI. Relying on the Defense Production Act, the EO required developers of the largest AI systems to submit safety testing data to the government before the models were released. But now, the government will likely pull back its oversight role.Trumps revocation was no surprise. The president vowed to reverse the Biden EO while on the campaign trail after a number of industry groups complained that the Biden EOs reporting requirements were onerous, and could require AI companies to divulge trade secrets. The 2024 Republican platform even called the order dangerous, claiming it imposed radical leftwing ideas on the development of this technology.The Trump Administration has also been responsive to tech industry accelerationist voices saying that the U.S. falling behind China in AI research could represent a national security threat. Trump campaign officials met with tech industry luminaries during 2024 to give assurances that the government will not place restrictions and requirements on AI researchers and developers.What Bidens executive order accomplishedAlongside the industry reporting requirements, Bidens EO called on government agencies to study and develop plans for implementing AI in their own operations. Many of the 50 agencies addressed in the document were far into their AI initiatives and projects by the end of Bidens term. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for example, completed three pilot projects during 2024 and already has 158 AI tools in use across the department.Bidens executive order also directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to create a framework that companies can use to identify and correct flaws (such as bias) in AI models. That work is well down the road and is likely to continue, aWashington source says.[A]gencies have invested significant time into developing guidance for various sectors to support AI adoption while respecting peoples rights and safety, says Center for Democracy and Technology CEO Alexandra Reeve Givens in a statement. That work tracked bipartisan interest in Congressand, notably, was largely in line with the priorities President Trump laid out for AI during his first term in office.The race for AI dominanceTrump issued his own AI executive order in 2020, which increased funding for AI research and established national AI research institutes, among other things. Artificial intelligence may be the subject of more presidential missives during Trumps second term.The government is trying other routes to advantaging U.S. AI companies over their Chinese competitors. The Commerce Department last week issued new restrictions on the export of AI chips and related technologies to other countries. Also last week, Biden issued an executive order calling for the Defense and Energy departments to lease federal lands for the building of facilities that will generate power for the data centers that power AI services and research, and that order was not among the 80 that Trump reversed Monday.

President Trump has been tapping a number of tech executives for a range of roles in his second administration over the past few months. Now, the first week of Trumps second term, his cabinet is powering through confirmation hearings and unofficial advisors are assuming their posts.Here is a running list of big Silicon Valley names expected to take part in the Trump administration, in no particular order:Elon MuskElon Musk has pushed his way to the forefront of Trumps group, becoming one of his closet advisors. While he wont serve in an official role that requires government confirmation, he is set to run the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (or DOGE) that is meant to cut government spending.David SacksDavid Sacks, a member of the PayPal Mafia and venture capitalist, was named as Trumps pick for White House AI and Crypto Czar. David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas, Trump wrote on Truth Social. He will safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship.Emil MichaelTrump nominated former Uber Chief Business Officer Emil Michael as undersecretary of defense for research and engineering. He has history in politics, previously serving as special assistant to the Secretary of Defense.Scott KuporScott Kupor, a partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, was named as Trumps pick for director of the office of personnel management. Sriram KrishnanSriram Krishnan was most recently a general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. Hes Trumps pick for senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Ken HoweryPayPal and Founders Fund cofounder Ken Howery served in Trumps first administration as ambassador to Sweden. This time around, hes being tapped for the ambassador to Denmark. Itll be a key role, as Trump is trying to secure Denmarks autonomous territory Greenland.Michael KratsiosMichael Kratsios is the managing director of Scale AI and worked under the first Trump administration. Now, hes appointed as the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and assistant to the President for Science and Technology. Trump said Kratsios will work closely with Sacks.Jacob HelbergTrump named Jacob Helberg, a senior advisor to Palantir CEO Alex Karp, as undersecretary for economic growth, energy, and the environment at the U.S. State Department. He also worked on efforts to ban TikTok. Jared IsaacmanTrumps pick for NASA administrator Jared Isaacman is a tech billionaire with close ties to Musk and his SpaceX. Isaacman helped crew a spaceflight on the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in 2021. Jim ONeillSilicon Valley investor Jim ONeill, who is close to Trump backer Peter Thiel, was named as Trumps pick for deputy secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services. ONeill was reportedly under consideration to become Trumps first FDA commissioner in his first term. He also has history in government. He served as HHS principal associate deputy secretary in the Bush administration.Gail SlaterGail Slater, a veteran tech advisor, is set to serve as assistant attorney general for the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice. In her new role, Gail will help ensure that our competition laws are enforced, both vigorously and FAIRLY, with clear rules that facilitate, rather than stifle, the ingenuity of our greatest companies, Mr. Trump said.

The latest edition of our Dezeen Debate newsletter features a hotel in Kyoto by Kengo Kuma and Associates.Subscribe to Dezeen Debate now.Kengo Kuma and Associates took inspiration from the "ethereal beauty" of classical Japanese Noh theatre in their design of the Banyan Tree hotel in Kyoto, which includes a stage discreetly nestled within its terraced gardens.Commenters praised the project for its "beautiful timber joinery", while another described it as "a treat of sophisticated simplicity".Foster + Partners unveiled beachfront residences in Brazil Other stories in this week's newsletter that fired up the comments section included Foster + Partners' designs for the Tempo development in Brazil, a brick apartment block in London by Gort Scott and a series of homes for residents with substance abuse problems and psychiatric diagnoses in Norway.Dezeen DebateDezeen Debate is sent every Tuesday and features a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Read the latest edition of Dezeen Debate or subscribe here.You can also subscribe to our other newsletters; Dezeen Agenda is sent every Tuesday containing a selection of the most important news highlights from the week, Dezeen Daily is our daily bulletin that contains every story published in the preceding 24 hours and Dezeen In Depth is sent on the last Friday of every month and delves deeper into the major stories shaping architecture and design.The post Dezeen Debate features "a treat of sophisticated simplicity" appeared first on Dezeen.

Freehaus and Office Sian are among the five architecture studios shortlisted to create the memorial for victims of the Grenfell Tower fire, selected by The Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission and RIBA.Also shortlisted are Curl La Tourelle Head Architecture, New South and George King Architects with Grow to Know.The five practices were chosen from a list of 28 multidisciplinary studios as part of a contest organised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to "create a bold, fitting, and lasting memorial to remember the 72 victims who lost their lives in, and those whose lives were forever changed by the devastating Grenfell Tower fire".The next step is for the studios to go through a second evaluation, which will include meeting the bereaved families as well as Grenfell survivors and people living near the tower.Planning application intended for 2026The final team is set to be announced this summer and the Grenfell Tower Memorialdesign is expected to be developed enough to allow for a planning application in late 2026."We have given our word, from the outset, that the voices of the entire Grenfell community must take priority in the memorial decision-making process, both now and in the future," said co-chairs of the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission Thelma Stober and Lord Paul Boateng.Read: "The shadow of Grenfell Tower's burnt-out husk will follow the refurbishment architect forever""We hope that bereaved families, survivors and those living close to Grenfell Tower will feel able to participate in the selection of a design team and, later on, contribute to the co-design of the memorial, in whichever way feels appropriate and meaningful for them," they added."This will ensure that the final design embodies a profound tribute to the 72 lives lost and provides a lasting place for loved ones to pay their respects, mourn, and feel connected to their memories."Shortlist brings community "another step closer" to memorial visionThe shortlisted studios were evaluated to ensure they had the right skills to undertake the memorial work, as well as awareness of the Grenfell Tower disaster.They were also subject to due diligence checks to make sure that the people, teams or organisations working on the memorial do "not bear any potential responsibility for the tragedy".The selection process for the designers was launched in July 2024 after the publication in 2023 of the Grenfell Commission's second report, which detailed the Grenfell community's wishes for a permanent memorial for the victims.Read: Grenfell Tower Inquiry concludes that architect "bears a very significant degree of responsibility""Having a shortlist of teams brings us another step closer to turning the Grenfell community's memorial vision into a physical reality," the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission's ten community representatives said."Through this process, we intend to identify and appoint a specialist and worthy design team, one that has proven experience of working on sensitive and community-focused projects, and who can leave no doubt in our minds about the integrity with which they will approach the vital task of designing a beautiful and fitting future memorial.""Our 72 loved ones, and our community, deserve nothing less."The devastating Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 took the lives of 72 people after it spread via the building's external cladding system.An inquiry into the disaster, which concluded in 2024, found that the architecture studio that refurbished the 1970s tower "bears a very significant degree of responsibility for the disaster".In an opinion piece for Dezeen, expert witness Paul Hyettsaid the findings should serve as a stark warning to architects to ensure they fully understand their contractual responsibilities.The post Shortlisted design teams for Grenfell Tower Memorial revealed appeared first on Dezeen.