"Don't Google yourself" is terrible advice. If there's personal information about you floating around on the web, you should be aware of itbecause, despite common misconceptions, the internet is not written in ink. If your info is popping up on Google Search, you might be able to get rid of it. On Wednesday, Google announced its redesigned "Results about you" tool. This feature, first rolled out in 2023, looks out for your personal information on Google Search, including your name, phone number, email addresses, and home addresses. The tool then tries to remove any information it does find. Note that this doesn't necessarily delete that information from the website in question; rather, it affects outdated info that appears in Search. For example, you requested a site take down your address, or you edited a webpage to reflect your new phone number, but that deleted data still shows up when people search your name.Using Google's "Results about you" toolHere's how the tool works. First, head to the "Results about you" website. If this is your initial experience with Results about you, click Get started. You'll be presented with a series of pop-ups, walking you through what to expect: You share your personal info, and Google scans the web looking for that info. If Google finds that info, you can ask the company to remove it. Click Next through each pop-up, then punch in your personal information, which includes your full name, nicknames, home address, phone number, and email. For example, I included my full name, a nickname, two recent addresses, my phone number, and three email addresses. Confirm you are indeed the person who this contact info belongs to, then hit Continue.From here, you'll have the option to choose how you want to receive alerts if Google finds your information on the web. You can have Google email you, send you push notifications through the Google app, or both. Once these settings are confirmed, you're done! Google says the process usually takes a few hours, and the company will notify you when it is finishedpresumably via the alert method you previously chose.Heading back to the Results about you dashboard, you'll find a "Results found" section, which will list any personal information Google happened to find in its search. There are two categories: "Results to review," which lists any data Google returns, and "Reviewed," which stores any results you've already checked out. Under Settings, you can change how Google notifies you with its results, as well as any of the data you want Google looking for. When you do ask Google to remove a piece of personal information from Search, you'll find that inquiry is added to a section beneath "Results found" called "Removal requests." Here, you'll see whether your requests are in progress, approved, denied, or undone (if you decide to undo a request). You can also send a request to remove a result from the search page itself. Just click the three dots next to any given search result, and choose "Remove this result." Then, select the reason whylikely, "It shows my personal info and I don't want it there."

As a big fan of background music, I was intrigued by iOS 18.4's Control Center changes. It adds a new tab called Ambient Music to Control Center's list of customizable controls. You can use this to add one of four pre-selected Apple Music playlists (or your own) to the Control Center, your lock screen, or the Action Button (provided your iPhone has one). Up until now, you could play music via the Now Playing widget in the Control Center, but dedicated controls to launch playlists were missing.This feature is different from Background Sounds, which lets you play nature sounds on your iPhone in order to help you focus better. Even though Background Sounds is useful for everyone, it was designed as an accessibility feature first, and hence it can be found in your iPhone's accessibility settings. The new iOS 18.4 Ambient Music feature, meanwhile, is linked to Apple Music. With this feature, you can choose one of four playlists that Apple's picked out for you, or pick any of your own Apple Music playlists.How to add Apple Music playlists to the Control Center Credit: Pranay Parab To check out these ambient music playlists, you're going to have to update to iOS 18.4. At time of writing, that's in the developer beta stage, which is the buggiest and most unstable of all available Apple OS releases. Be sure to back up your data before you attempt to upgrade, and ensure that you aren't trying this on your primary iPhone. Crucial apps and services may stop working at any point on beta software, so it's important to know about the risks.Once you've installed iOS 18.4, you can open the Control Center, tap and hold an empty part of the screen, and hit the Add a Control button near the bottom of the display. Scroll down until you see the Ambient Music tab and select one of the controls. Apple lets you pick one of four moods: Sleep, Chill, Productivity, and Wellbeing. In the Control Center, tap and hold any of these playlists to reveal more options. You can tap From Library to add your own playlists to any of these controls, too.You can also add these controls to your iPhone's lock screen. To do that, lock your iPhone and then use Touch ID or Face ID to unlock the device. Tap and hold the lock screen, select Customize, and tap the lock screen on the left. You can now remove either of the two controls in the bottom-left and bottom-right corners, and replace them with your playlists.

Less than two weeks before Donald Trumps inauguration, Meta announced sweeping changes to its content moderation procedures, reportedly at the behest of Mark Zuckerberg and a small group of advisors. Among those caught off guard was the companys own Oversight Board, the independent organization created by Meta to help shape its most sensitive policy decisions. The group is now looking to examine those changes, and in doing so, will test the enforceability of its own powers.The changes Meta has enacted drastically reshape how the company polices content across Facebook, Instagram and Threads. It ended its fact-checking program in the US, and rolled back hate speech rules that protected immigrants and LGBTQ users on its apps. Unlike its previously proactive approach, it also reoriented its content moderation procedures so that many types of rule-breaking posts will only be removed if other users reported them.The changes have raised questions about the role of the Oversight Board, which was created, Zuckerberg once said, because Facebook should not make so many important decisions about free expression and safety on our own. If thats what Meta is now doing, critics have asked, what exactly is the point of an ostensibly independent Oversight Board?But the Oversight Board is already working to address Metas rewritten hateful conduct policy, according to board member Paolo Carozza, who spoke to Engadget. When Zuckerberg announced the changes in early January, the board already had four open cases involving Metas hate speech rules. The board now plans to use those cases to examine the new policies, which were rewritten to allow people to use dehumanizing language to describe immigrants and accuse LGBTQ people of being mentally ill.We deliberately delayed the decision of those cases after January 7, precisely so that we could go back to Meta again and ask a new round of questions, Carozza, a law professor at Notre Dame who joined the Oversight Board in 2022, told Engadget. We're trying as much as possible to use the tools that we have to find out more information, bring more transparency and more certainty to how it's going to play out in practice.The board, according to Carozza, has already had briefings with Meta as it pushes for more details about the new hate speech policies. But it could still be some time before its findings are made public. The open cases deal with several aspects of Metas hate speech rules, including immigration, gender identity, hateful symbols and incitement of violence.In addition to the questions surrounding each case, Carozza said that the board is also grappling with how to prioritize the case decisions given the renewed importance of the underlying policies. There are competing concerns about being quick and efficient versus being more thoughtful and deliberative, he said.But while the board may hope to provide more transparency about Metas decision-making, its unclear how much influence the board will ultimately end up having. Under its rules, Meta is only required to comply with the groups decisions surrounding individual posts. The boards policy recommendations are non-binding and Meta has a mixed track record at implementing its suggestions.Its also unclear how the board might be able to weigh in on Metas other changes, like the shuttering of fact-checking programs or shift away from proactive content moderation. We were quite critical of the fact checking program in general, but our ordinary cases make it a little bit hard to get at that problem because it doesn't come up through an appeals process within the scope of the kinds of cases that we get, Carozza says. The board, he notes, could write a policy advisory opinion as it has with rules around COVID-19 misinformation and Metas cross-check rules for celebrities. But the board is only empowered to make those kinds of non-binding recommendations at Meta's request.That gets at one of the fundamental tensions of the Oversight Board: it may operate independently, but Meta ultimately dictates how much influence it can wield. It would be unrealistic to expect that the standard for value and success of the board is that Meta, 100% of the time, does everything we ever tell them to do, Carozza says, Were one piece of a complicated jigsaw puzzle of accountability and oversight.Still, the fact that the group wasnt consulted on such major policy moves has raised some uncomfortable questions for the board. Dozens of civil society groups recently signed an open letter urging board members to resign in protest. In a letter to Zuckerberg, some members of Congress said the board is rendered toothless when Meta refuses to follow its own principles.Carozzo acknowledges the Oversight Boards limitations, but says that the billions of people on Metas apps are ultimately better off with the board intervening where it can. If everybody were to resign en masse the only people who would lose are Metas end users, especially those who are in especially vulnerable situations [and] communities around the world.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/the-oversight-board-will-weigh-in-on-metas-new-hate-speech-policies-174044682.html?src=rss

Amazon just held an event in New York City to reveal the long-awaited revamp of its Alexa chatbot. This refreshed assistant can perform many new tasks, thanks to some AI wizardry, and there are a few different ways for consumers to access the digital companion. Theres voice activation with Echo devices, of course, but the company has also built a dedicated web portal for Alexa+.This portal will allow Amazon customers to interact with Alexa+ without having to boot up the app or interact with a smart speaker or smart display. This could be handy for making adjustments while at work or for those who feel comfortable drafting lengthy queries with a traditional keyboard. Consumers will also be able to continue using the app, but Amazon promises a redesign in the near future to accommodate the new features offered by Alexa+.AmazonFor the uninitiated, Alexa+ is a juiced up version of the long-standing chatbot. It leverages conversational AI and integration with Amazon services to assist users in a number of new ways. It has contextual awareness, so it can remember earlier parts of a conversation, and can complete relatively complex tasks. The company showed off demos of the assistant finding recipes, booking dinner reservations, searching for the correct part of a movie and a whole lot more.It looks pretty cool, but its also fairly expensive. Alexa+ begins rolling out over the next few weeks to select Echo Show devices and costs $20 per month. However, its free for Prime subscribers. Prime currently costs $15 per month in the US. Hopefully that price wont be rising with the inclusion of Alexa+.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/amazons-ai-heavy-alexa-will-be-accessible-on-the-web-164724844.html?src=rss

xAI releases 'unhinged' Grok 3 voice mode.

Almost 2 billion malware incidents were blocked in the US in 2024, and tech sites are being impersonated the most.

Meta has apologized for a mistake that resulted in some Instagram users reporting a flood of violent and graphic content on their recommended content feeds.

Deere investors voted overwhelmingly against a resolution aimed at its diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on Wednesday, continuing a pattern of shareholder distaste for anti-DEI measures despite Republican political pressure on executives.During a webcast of its annual meeting, executives with the farm equipment maker said only 1.3% of votes cast were in support of a resolution calling on the company to report on racial and gender hiring statistics to prove it does not practice discrimination.The resolution was filed by the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative-leaning Washington think tank that has opposed many corporate diversity efforts. Two other resolutions aimed at restricting social action by Deere won similarly low levels of support.Deeres meeting was closely watched because in July it became one of the first major U.S. companies to back away from supporting programs such as LGBTQ+ pride events.Numerous other U.S. companies have retreated from DEI in recent months, particularly as the Trump administration has stepped up threats to companies and institutions that engage in those efforts.But many investors and executives see DEI efforts as necessary to address underrepresentation of certain populations in management roles. On Tuesday, Apple investors voted in defense of the companys DEI policies, as did Costco investors in January.Ross Kerber and Utkarsh Shetti, Reuters

PresidentDonald Trumpsaid he is planning to sell a $5 million gold card to wealthy foreign investors, giving them the ability to work and live in the U.S. with a path toward becoming a citizen, as part of a program that would replace the current EB-5 investor visas.EB-5s are essentially a green card for permanent legal residency, created some 35 years ago to drum up foreign investment. The visa requires foreigners to spend $1 million (give or take) on a company that employs at least 10 people, according to the Associated Press.Of the potential buyers of the proposed gold card, Trump said Tuesday: Theyll be wealthy and theyll be successful, and theyll be spending a lot of money and paying a lot of taxes and employing a lot of people, and we think its going to be extremely successful.Heres what to know about Trumps gold card initiative.How does the gold card differ from a green card or EB-5 visa?Newly appointed commerce secretaryHoward Lutnicksaid the Trump gold card would increase the financial bar for investors from $1 million to $5 million and do away with what he calls the nonsense or fraud that he said now characterizes the EB-5 program. He said the change will happen in two weeks.The biggest difference between the gold card and a green card is the gold card provides a much faster route to unlimited residency and the ability to work in the U.S. for these wealthy foreign investors. How many gold cards would be available versus EB-5 visas?A total of 18,786 EB-5 visas are available for the 2025 financial year. Meanwhile, Trump has suggested millions of gold cards could be sold, which would raise revenue that he desperately needs to fund his enormous tax cuts and domestic agenda.In the past, Trump and his family business have made use of the EB-5 program for their own benefit. When asked if Russian oligarchs could make use of the gold card program, Trump responded, Yeah, possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people.Can Trump replace the EB-5 visa?The EB-5 visa program was created by Congress in 1990 to create jobs and increase foreign investment in the economy, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Congress has reauthorized the program through September 30, 2027, through the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act.While Trump said his gold card would not need Congressional approval, the president does not have authority to strike down an act of Congress, including the existing EB-5 program, according to legal experts at the law firm Greenberg TraurigsImmigration & Compliance Practice.

Elgato has long dominated the macro pad scene with its Stream Deck lineup, a go-to for content creators and gamers who need customizable controls at their fingertips. Whether its managing live streams, automating workflows, or triggering complex shortcuts, Elgatos hardware has set the standard. But for users who need more than just buttonswho want high-speed connectivity, ultra-HD display support, and power management in a single devicetheres finally a challenger worth watching. The MacroDock M1 isnt just an alternative; its a serious upgrade, blending a 10-in-1 USB-C hub with an LCD macro keyboard, 8K video output, and enough ports to declutter even the most overloaded workspace.This hybrid device isnt confined to streamers or gamers. Its designed for professionals, creatives, and power users who juggle multiple screens, peripherals, and demanding software (heck, you could use it for stock trading too). The LCD macro keys, customizable with up to 36 unique commands and 200+ plugins, rival the Stream Decks functionality while integrating seamlessly into a broader workflow. Meanwhile, an 8K HDMI port, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, 100W fast charging, and high-speed data transfer ensure that whether youre editing 4K footage, live-streaming, or managing a multi-monitor setup, performance never takes a hit. For anyone looking to streamline their desk setup without sacrificing control, the MacroDock M1 is a game-changer.Designer: MacroDockClick Here To Buy Now: $119 $179 (37% Off) Hurry! Only Limited Units Left.The MacroDock M1 pulls double duty in the best way possible. On one hand, its a fully loaded docking station with 8K@30Hz HDMI output, 100W PD fast charging, 10Gbps USB speeds, an SD/TF card reader, 2.5Gbps Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio jack. On the other, its an automation powerhouse, sporting six customizable LCD macro keys and three tactile rotary knobs that can trigger anything from software shortcuts to OBS scene changes. If youve ever eyed an Elgato Stream Deck but wanted something with more physical controls and deep system integration, this is it.The six macro keys give you Stream Deck-style functionality with their integrated LCD displays. Fully customizable and backed by a library of 200+ plugins, they let you map out actions for video editing, programming, stock trading, live streaming, gamingwhatever makes up your workflow. Assign commands in Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Ableton Live, or Blender, or automate complex multi-step tasks with a single tap. Whether its launching frequently used apps, running scripts, or executing quick edits, these keys are built to cut through busywork.The three rotary knobs add another layer of tactile control. Imagine scrubbing through a video timeline, adjusting brush sizes in Photoshop, tweaking audio levels mid-stream, or cycling through code snippetsall with smooth, precise dials instead of clunky UI sliders. Its an intuitive way to interact with software, especially when fine adjustments matter.All the granular control is achieved through the M1s software that lets you customize how it functions with over 200 plugins. Users can program up to 36 LCD macro keys with functions tailored to their workflowwhether thats launching apps, automating editing tasks, switching streaming scenes, or executing complex commands with a single tap. The software supports integrations with popular tools like OBS Studio, Adobe Creative Suite, DaVinci Resolve, and even productivity apps like Notion and Zoom. Drag-and-drop customization makes setup intuitive, while advanced users can script multi-step actions for precise control.Beyond the macro controls, the MacroDock M1 offers a level of multiport connectivity that really gives it an edge above Elgatos offerings. The 8K HDMI output is a major win for anyone working with high-resolution monitors or multi-screen setups, delivering crisp visuals at 30Hz or 4K at 120Hz. The 100W PD fast charging keeps power-hungry laptops running without extra adapters, and the 10Gbps USB ports ensure fast file transfers, whether youre offloading 4K footage or syncing massive project folders.The 2.5Gbps Ethernet port is a huge plus for streamers, remote workers, and anyone tired of unreliable Wi-Fi. Stable, high-speed internet is a game-changer, whether youre broadcasting a live session or pushing large files to cloud storage. And because its built into your workflow hub, theres no need for a separate dock or adapter clogging up your desk.The ergonomics are well thought out, too. The angled design makes for comfortable, strain-free access to the buttons and dials, and the anti-slip silicone base ensures the device stays puteven when youre aggressively tapping macros or dialing in settings. The ease of use extends to the compatibility level too. Whether youre on Windows or macOS, the MacroDock M1 integrates smoothly across devices. The macro controls work on desktops and laptops, while the docking station functions extend to tablets, smartphones, and even TVs.You know the common phrase theres an app for that? It was coined almost as a humorous take on how we live in a world with an app for everything, from checking whos at your front door to ordering groceries to even finding a partner. The MacroDock M1 makes me want to use the phrase theres a shortcut for that. The 6 LCD macro keys, the 3 access keys, and the clickable rotary knobs pretty much give you instant access to any feature for any program or software. If all that power wasnt enough, all the ports on the side and back of the M1 help boost your laptop/desktops productivity, turning your humble workstation into full-blown control center with every peripheral you could need or think of. The MacroDock M1 starts at $119 and comes with a 1-year warranty and free global shipping starting May 2025.Click Here To Buy Now: $119 $179 (37% Off) Hurry! Only Limited Units Left.The post Move Over Elgato, This 10-in-1 USB-C Hub Sports An LCD Macro Keyboard, 8K HDMI, Ethernet, And More first appeared on Yanko Design.