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A comprehensive list of 2024 and 2025 tech layoffstechcrunch.comThe tech layoff wave continued through 2024. Following significant workforce reductions in 2022 and 2023, 2024 saw more than 150,000 job cuts across 542 companies, according to independent layoffs tracker Layoffs.fyi. Large companies like Tesla, Amazon, Google, TikTok, Snap, and Microsoft conducted sizable layoffs in 2024, while smaller-sized startups also experienced cuts, and in some cases, shut down operations altogether.Were continuing to track the industrys layoffs into 2025 so you can see the trajectory of the cutbacks. Later this year, we will break out our 2024 and 2025 lists in order to make the trends easier to parse.By tracking these layoffs, were able to understand the impact on innovation across companies large and small. Were also able to see the potential impact of businesses embracing AI and automation for jobs that had previously been considered safe. It also serves as a reminder of the human impact of layoffs and what could be at stake in regards to increased innovation.Below youll find a comprehensive list of all the known layoffs in tech that have occurred in 2024, to be updated regularly. If you have a tip on a layoff, contact us here. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact us here.January 2025: 6,003employees laid off see all January 2025 Tech LayoffsDecember 2024: 2,268 employees laid off see all December 2024 Tech LayoffsNovember 2024: 5,925 employees laid off see all November 2024 Tech LayoffsOctober 2024: 3,659 employees laid off see all October 2024 Tech LayoffsSeptember 2024: 3,765 employees laid off see all September 2024 Tech LayoffsAugust 2024: 26,024 employees laid off see all August 2024 Tech LayoffsJuly 2024: 9,051 employees laid off see all July 2024 Tech LayoffsJune 2024: 10,083 employees laid off see all June 2024 Tech LayoffsMay 2024: 11,011 employees laid off see all May 2024 Tech LayoffsApril 2024: 22,423 employees laid off see all April 2024 Tech LayoffsMarch 2024: 7,403 employees laid off see all March 2024 Tech LayoffsFebruary 2024: 15,639 employees laid off see all February 2024 Tech LayoffsJanuary 2024: 34,107 employees laid off see all January 2024 Tech LayoffsFebruary 2025AutodeskAnnounced plans to lay off 1,350 employees, affecting 9% of its total workforce, in an attempt to reshape its GTM model. The company is also making reductions in its facilities, though it does not plan to close any offices.GoogleIs planning to cut employees in its People Operations and cloud organizations teams in a new reorganization effort. The company is offering a voluntary exit program to U.S.-based People Operations employees.NautilusReduced its headcount by 25 employees, accounting for 16% of its total workforce. The company is planning to release a commercial version of its proteome analysis platform in 2026.eBayWill reportedly cut a few dozen employees in Israel, potentially affecting 10% of its 250-person workforce in the country.StarbucksCut 1,100 jobs in a reorganizing effort that affected its tech workers. The coffee chain will now outsource some tech work to third-party employees.Laid off dozens of employees over the last few weeks, including around 10% of staff in one day, after failing to meet its sales growth targets. The headless commerce platform raised money at a $1.9 billion valuation just a few years ago.DayforceWill cut roughly 5% of its current workforce in a new efficiency drive to increase profitability and growth.ExpediaLaid off more employees in a new effort to cut costs, though the total number is unknown. Last year, the travel giant cut about 1,500 roles in its Product & Technology division.Skybox SecurityHas ceased operations and has laid off its employees after selling its business and technology to Israeli cybersecurity company Tufin. The cuts affect roughly 300 people.HerMDIs shutting down its operations amid ongoing challenges in healthcare. Its unclear the number of employees affected. In 2023, the womens healthcare startup raised $18 million to fund its expansion.ZendeskCut 51 jobs in its San Francisco headquarters, according to state filings with the Employment Development Department. The SaaS startup previously reduced its headcount by 8% in 2023.VendeaseHas cut 120 employees, impacting 44% of its total staff. Its the Y Combinator-backed Nigerian startups second layoff round in just five months.LogicallyReportedly laid off dozens of employees as part of a new cost-cutting effort that aims to ensure long-term success in the startups mission to curb misinformation online.Blue OriginWill lay off about 10% of its workforce, affecting more than 1,000 employees. According to an email to staff obtained by CNN, the cuts will largely have an impact on positions in engineering and program management.RedfinAnnounced in an SEC filing that it will cut around 450 positions between February and July 2025, with a complete restructuring set to be completed in the fall, following its new partnership with Zillow.SophosIs laying off 6% of its total workforce, the cybersecurity firm confirmed to TechCrunch. The cuts come less than two weeks after Sophos acquired Secureworks for $859 million.ZepzWill cut nearly 200 employees as it introduces redundancy measures and closes down its operations in Poland and Kenya.UnityReportedly conducted another round of layoffs. Its unknown how many employees were affected.JustWorksCut nearly 200 employees, CEO Mike Seckler announced in a note to employees, citing potential adverse events like a recession or rising interest rates.BirdCut 120 jobs, affecting roughly one-third of its total workforce, TechCrunch exclusively learned. The move comes just a year after the Dutch startup cut 90 employees following its rebrand.SprinklrLaid off about 500 employees, affecting 15% of its workforce, citing poor business performance. The new cuts follow two earlier layoff rounds for the company that affected roughly 200 employees.SonosReportedly let go of approximately 200 employees, according to The Verge. The company previously cut 100 employees as part of a layoff round in August 2024.WorkdayLaid off 1,750 employees, as originally reported by Bloomberg and confirmed independently by TechCrunch. The cuts affect roughly 8.5% of the enterprise HR platforms total head count.OktaLaid off 180 employees, the company confirmed to TechCrunch. The cuts come just over one year after the access and identity management giant let go of 400 workers.CruiseIs laying off 50% of its workforce, including CEO Marc Whitten and several other top executives, as it prepares to shut down operations. What remains of the autonomous vehicle company will move under General Motors.SalesforceIs reportedly eliminating more than 1,000 jobs. The cuts come as the giant is actively recruiting and hiring workers to sell new AI products.January 2025CushionHas shut down operations, CEO Paul Kesserwani announced on LinkedIn. The fintech startups post-money valuation in 2022 was $82.4 million, according to PitchBook.Placer.aiLaid off 150 employees based in the U.S., affecting roughly 18% of its total workforce, in an effort to reach profitability.AmazonLaid off dozens of workers in its communications department in order to help the company move faster, increase ownership, strengthen our culture, and bring teams closer to customers.StripeIs laying off 300 people, according to a leaked memo reported by Business Insider. However, according to the memo, the fintech giant is planning to grow its total headcount by 17%.TextioLaid off 15 employees as the augmented writing startup undergoes a restructuring effort.Pocket FMIs cutting 75 employees in an effort to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the company. The audio company last cut 200 writers in July 2024 months after partnering with ElevenLabs.Aurora SolarIs planning to cut 58 employees in response to an ongoing macroeconomic challenges and continued uncertainty in the solar industry.Announced in an internal memo that it will cut 5% of its staff targeting low performers as the company prepares for an intense year. As of its latest quarterly report, Meta currently has more than 72,000 employees.WayfairWill cut up to 730 jobs, impacting 3% of its total workforce, as it plans to exit operations in Germany and focus on physical retailers.PandionIs shutting down its operations, impacting 63 employees. The delivery startup said employees will be paid through January 15 without severance.IconIs laying off 114 employees as part of a team realignment, per a new WARN notice filing, focusing its efforts on a robotic printing system.AltruistEliminated 37 jobs, impacting roughly 10% of its total workforce, even as the company pursues aggressive hiring.Aqua SecurityIs cutting dozens of employees across its global markets as part of a strategic reorganization to increase profitability.SolarEdge TechnologiesPlans to lay off 400 employees globally. Its the companys fourth layoff round since January 2024 as the solar industry as a whole faces a downturn.LevelThe fintech startup, founded in 2018, abruptly shut down earlier this year. Per an email from CEO Paul Aaron, the closure follows an unsuccessful attempt to find a buyer, though Employer.com has a new offer under consideration to acquire the company post-shutdown.December 2024Brave CareHas shut down its operations permanently, according to a post on its website. Its unclear how many workers were impacted.EpiceryHas ceased operations as the result of economic and financial challenges that the food delivery startup could not overcome.BenchAbruptly shut down but was later acquired by Employer.com for an undisclosed price in a last-minute deal. Its currently unknown how many of the accounting startups 600 staff will be hired back.LiliumCeased operations and laid off about 1,000 workers. But the company might be saved after all: Lilium announced that a consortium of investors agreed to acquire two subsidiaries, which would allow it to restructure and exit insolvency.Boston DynamicsHas laid off 45 employees, accounting for 5% of its total workforce. A spokesperson told The Boston Globe the cuts impacted nearly every function throughout the business.OfferUpIs cutting 22% of its workforce as it attempts to expand into new product lines. The total number of workers impacted is not currently known.CanooIs undergoing another layoff round two months after the EV startup relocated employees to Texas to avoid bankruptcy. More than 20 employees were included in the cuts.FoundryEliminated 27% of its workforce. The cuts include 16% of its U.S.-based employees, as well as a small team in India, affecting a total of 74 workers.CalendlyLaid off 70 employees, roughly 13% of its workforce. The cuts impacted teams in engineering, customer experience, marketing, and billing.YahooLaid off around 25% of its cybersecurity team known as The Paranoids over the last year, TechCrunch has learned. The cuts impacted 40 to 50 employees out of a total staff of 200.BluevineIs cutting 100 employees, impacting its global workforce by roughly 18%. Its the fintech companys second layoff round in six months.EasyKnockHas abruptly shut down. The news follows several lawsuits filed against the proptech company and an FTC consumer alert about controversial sale-leaseback models.CarousellIs eliminating 76 roles in a reorganization effort. The cuts account for about 7% of the Singapore-based companys total headcount.MixtrozIs shutting down its operations, co-founders Kerry Schrader and Ashlee Ammons Halpin announced.StashReportedly laid off 40% of its roughly 220-person workforce in a major restructuring effort following the departure of CEO Liza Landsman in September.Booking HoldingsHas laid off 60 employees in one of its B2B units as the company shifts its focus to AI.Lightspeed CommerceWill lay off roughly 200 employees as part of a strategic review of its business while exploring a potential sale. The company cut 280 workers in April as part of a restructuring effort.November 2024AlphaSenseLaid off 150 employees, impacting 8% of its workforce, in a new restructuring effort following its July 2024 acquisition of Tegus.Ola ElectricIs reportedly letting go of up to 500 employees in an effort to boost its profitability. The cuts would impact more than 10% of its total workforce.HopperCut roughly 10% of its workforce, affecting 60-65 employees, as the online travel agency conducts another reorganization attempt.LinkedInEliminated 202 employees, accounting for roughly 1% of its total workforce. The cuts impacted engineering and customer support roles, spokesperson Greg Snapper confirmed to The Information.Is cutting 13% of its workforce and shifting its staff of clinical therapists to part-time or contract roles in an effort to reset the unicorn startup. Its unknown exactly how many employees were impacted.TruelayerReportedly laid off roughly a quarter of its employees. Sources told City AM that the former unicorn startup cut 71 roles before announcing a $50 million funding round.AppLovinAnnounced 120 layoffs in a new WARN filing. The filing comes a week after the advertising software company hit a $97.7 billion valuation.StoaHas shut down its operations after four years in business, CEO Raj Kunkolienkar announced on LinkedIn.AMDIs laying off 4% of its workforce to focus on large growth opportunities. AMD had roughly 26,000 employees as of last year, so the cuts could impact approximately 1,000 workers.23andMeIs cutting 40% of its workforce, impacting more than 200 employees, as part of a restructuring effort at the company. Since going public in 2021, 23andMe has lost more than 99% of its value amid declining interest in its products and subscriptions, plus a data breach in 2023 that resulted in 7 million users ancestry data being stolen.CheggIs laying off 319 employees, accounting for 21% of its total staff, as it struggles to compete with ChatGPT and other AI products. Like 23andMe, at the time of writing, Chegg has also lost 99% of its valuation since going public in 2013.Enphase EnergyIs laying off roughly 500 workers, affecting 17% of the solar and EV charging companys total workforce. Enphase laid off 10% of its workforce less than a year ago, as they and other solar companies continue to face significant headwinds.ExosonicIs shutting down after five years of operation. In 2020, the supersonic aircraft startup joined Y Combinators Winter cohort in 2020 and went on to raise over $4.5 million.FreshworksIs laying off 660 employees globally, accounting for 13% of the companys total workforce, as the software-as-a-service company for customer and IT service management aims to finish a restructuring effort by the end of the year.AkamaiThe cloud computing company is eliminating 2.5% of its workforce, impacting roughly 250 employees. The company made a similar sized cut to its workforce at the beginning of 2023.Announced it will cut nearly 200 jobs in North Carolina, shortly after its acquisition by Progress Software Corp.Just EatIs reducing its headcount by 300 employees, accounting for 2% of the food delivery companys total work force.iRobotIs laying off 105 employees about 16% of the companys workforce. The move comes after iRobot slashed roughly 350 jobs earlier this year, following the scuttling of an acquisition by Amazon for $1.7 billion.The Mozilla FoundationHas laid off 30% of its employees as the organization says it faces a relentless onslaught of change. Its the second layoff round at Mozilla this year.Maven ClinicReportedly cut 10% of its staff, impacting roughly 60 employees. In October 2024, the company announced a $125 million Series F Round.Bowery FarmingIs shutting down its operations. The agtech company was valued at $2.3 billion in 2021.October 2024TidalIs conducting another round of layoffs, reportedly impacting up to 100 employees. CEO Jack Dorseytold employees in an email that the company needs to operate like a startup again.XReportedly conducted a round of layoffs. The number of employees impacted is currently unknown.CourseraCut 10% of its total workforce as the education company struggles with its customers not renewing their subscriptions.DropboxIs letting go of 20% of its workforce as the company undergoes what CEO Drew Houston calls a transitional period. The reduction in headcount will impact 528 employees.ConsensysHas laid off 20% of its total workforce as it faces struggles in the Ethereum market.F5Is trimming its global workforce by nearly 2% in a cost-cutting measure, impacting roughly 100 employees.KyteIs pulling out of almost all of its major markets in the U.S. and has cut its workforce roughly in half as it shifts its focus on just San Francisco and New York City.UpworkIs reducing its total workforce by 21% as the company aims to generate $60 million in annual cost savings.VenminderWill lay off 100 employees after being acquired by risk and vendor management company Ncontracts.JellysmackIs laying off staff in a reorganization effort impacting 22 employees in the U.S. Cuts will reportedly also impact staffers in France in the coming months.CapWayHas been shut down, founder Sheena Allen wrote on LinkedIn. The Y Combinator-backed fintech sought to bring financial services to people in banking deserts.MetaEmployees across multiple teams across Meta have been laid off as the company looks to ensure resources are aligned with their long-term strategic goals, in the words of its emailed statement to TechCrunch. What Meta did not detail was the scope or specific teams affected by the layoffs, though Threads, recruiting and legal were confirmed not to be unaffected.BoeingWill cut 10% of its workforce, impacting roughly 17,000 employees. The cuts follow a loss of $9.97 a share in Q3 amid a continued machinist union strike.StellantisIs laying off 1,100 employees in Michigan, impacting the companys subsidiary brands Chrysler, Jeep, Ram, and Dodge.TikTokIs laying off hundreds of employees, mainly in Malaysia, as the social network turns to AI for content moderation. The company said fewer than 500 people were affected.SamsungIs cutting jobs in Southeast Asia and Australia to improve operational efficiency. A spokesperson told TechCrunch that it hasnt set a target number for any particular positions, though the cuts could impact roughly 10% of workers in those marketsKasperksyIs shutting down its UK office and laying off dozens of workers, TechCrunch has learned. The cuts come just three months after the company started closing down its U.S. operations.NFXLaid off four employees as the firm looks to rebalance its resources from its software and product teams to its investing team, general partner Pete Flint told TechCrunch.EazeIs laying off 500 employees as it begins winding down its operations. In a message to staff, CEO Cory Azzalino cited the ongoing challenges of the California cannabis market as a reason for the closure.PubMaticEliminated 1% of its total workforce, impacting roughly more than a dozen employees, as it reportedly pivots its business to connected-TV advertising.TomeHas laid off nearly a third of its employees in a resetting attempt for the company. Its the second layoff round for the AI startup in 2024.AlmaHas laid off 9% of its total workforce, impacting most departments, as it aims for long-term sustainability.FlexportIs reducing its headcount by about 2%. Its the second layoff round for Flexport this year, where the company cut 20% of its staff in January.FreshBooksLet go of 140 employees across all of its teams as it aims to reach profitability, CEO Mara Reiff announced in a blog post.September 2024SheinHas cut 17 employees in Singapore as the company prepares for an IPO at the London Stock Exchange.DrataThe security compliance platform has laid off 9% of its workforce, impacting 40 employees.MoovReportedly laid off upwards of 50 employees, though Moov itself has not yet confirmed the layoffs.FreightWavesEliminated 16 jobs in sales, HR, and marketing, citing a significant downturn in the freight market.NorthvoltIs cutting 25% of its global workforce in an effort to cut costs. The layoffs impact upwards of 1,600 employees at the battery giant.OloIs reducing its workforce by 9%, impacting roughly 50 employees, as it aims to fund future growth initiatives.Healthy.ioCut 40 employees across its markets in the U.S., the UK, and Israel. The cuts come after the Israeli healthtech firm laid off 70 employees in 2023.ReverbReportedly eliminated 40 roles. The Chicago-based music gear marketplace was acquired by Etsy in 2019.LuminarIs reducing its staff by 30% as part of a new cost-cutting measure, CEO Austin Russell announced in a blog post. The cuts are largely made up of non-technical roles.Notable LabsIs eliminating 65% of its workforce and consultants and pausing a clinical trial of its cancer treatment as it aims to minimize expenses.CrawTrawlerIs cutting 10% of its workforce, impacting roughly 40 employees. The company, however, said it will create 28 new roles as part of its new strategy.ApplyBoardHas eliminated 4% of its total workforce as it restructures its operations in Ontario.QualcommWill lay off 226 workers in San Diego later this year, according to a California WARN notice. The decision comes less than a year after the chipmaker let go of more than 1,250 workers.UdemyWill reduce its headcount in a new restructuring effort, impacting roughly 280 employees. The company says that half of those affected by the cuts would be rehired, particularly if they work in lower cost markets.AmperityWill lay off 13% of its workforce. The company previously laid off 20 employees earlier this year, in addition to two other workforce reductions in 2023.CiscoIs reducing its headcount by 7%, impacting around 5,600 employees. The cuts follow another layoff round from the company this year, in which 4,000 employees were impacted.MicrosoftIs laying off around 650 employees in its gaming division. The layoffs come eight months after the gaming division faced 1,900 job cuts after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard.NoriHas shut down its operations citing a tough funding environment, co-founder Alexsandra Guerra announced on LinkedIn.Bending SpoonsWill lay off 75% of WeTransfers staff. Bending Spoons acquired the file transfer service in July for an undisclosed amount.GoopIs laying off 18% of its 216-person staff as the company shifts its focus to its beauty and food brands and deprioritize other areas like wellness and travel.Fly.ioHas reportedly laid off around 40 employees in what appears to be a restructuring effort for the company.Motif FoodWorksIs reportedly shutting down its operations following a lengthy litigation battle with competitor Impossible Foods.August 2024Character.AIReportedly cut at least 5% of its staff in its marketing and recruiting departments.AppleIs reportedly cutting around 100 jobs in its digital services group, potentially impacting workers in the companys Books and News teams.BraveHas laid off 27 employees across the different departments, TechCrunch has learned. The cuts impact roughly 14% of the web browser and search startups total staff.Scale AIReportedly terminated more than 1,000 remote contract workers. The company did not categorize the cuts as layoffs and says full-time employees have not been impacted.Skip the DishesIs cutting 100 workers in Canada and 700 working for its parent company, Just Eat Takeaway.com, CEO Paul Burns announced on LinkedIn.GoProWill reduce its total workforce by about 15% before the end of the year as part of a major restructuring effort. The cuts will impact around 139 workers.Retention.comLaid off 40% of its staff, CEO Adam Robinson wrote on LinkedIn, impacting 15 employees.LoopIs conducting layoffs as the company goes through a strategic shift in priorities. The number of employees affected is currently unknown.InuitiveIs cutting 20% of its workforce, affecting around 80 employees. Inuitive CEO Shlomo Gadot is also stepping down from the company.FormlabsHas laid off a small number of employees, the company exclusively confirmed to TechCrunch. The 3D printing firm says the cuts occurred over the past two years and impact 40 employees out of its less than 750-person staff.SonosCEO Patrick Spence confirmed with TechCrunch the company cut 100 employees in a new layoff round, impacting 6% of Sonos workforce. Sonos previously reduced its headcount by 7% in 2023.CiscoWill reportedly eliminate thousands of jobs in another round of layoffs this year. The company previously laid off more than 4,000 employees in February 2024.TallyHas shut down its operations after exploring all options before running out of cash. The fintech previously helped users manage and pay off their credit card debt; it had 183 employees and was last valued at $855 million.Branch.ioHas laid off more than 100 employees. Nova Launcher, which was acquired by Branch in 2022, said the cuts whittled down its team to one full-time developer.READY RoboticsHas reportedly stopped its operations. The company is now auctioning off equipment through the Silicon Valley Disposition.EventbriteIs cutting around 100 employees, accounting for 11% of its total workforce. The online ticketing company previously let go of 8% of its employees in February 2023.LegalZoomAnnounced it will reduce its global workforce by 15% and pause future hiring efforts in an effort to save $25 million.TechstarsIs laying off 17% of its staff and ending its $80 million J.P. Morgan-backed programs at the end of this year following a rocky period for the company that has included financial losses and leadership shakeups. MobiusWill completely shut down operations after facing financial struggles. The Kenya-based SUV manufacturer reportedly cited tax hikes as a driving force of the decision.InfineonWill cut 1,400 jobs globally, including hundreds of roles at its German plant. The company said it will also relocate an additional 1,400 employees to countries with lower labor costs.Jam CityHas eliminated around 85 employees, affecting 10% of the video game developer and publishers total workforce.DellWill conduct layoffs as the company plans to get leaner, according to an internal memo, and create a new sales unit focused on AI products and services. The number of employees impacted is currently unknown.IntelIntel kicked off the month with substantial layoffs, with 15,000 employees accounting for 15% of its total staff affected by the companys cutbacks. Our revenues have not grown as expected and weve yet to fully benefit from powerful trends, like AI, CEO Pat Gelsinger said in a memo announcing the layoffs.July 2024The e-bike startup that has raised more than $300 million from investors has also conducted five rounds of layoffs since April 2021, with TechCrunch exclusively learning that Red Powers most recent layoffs were conducted in July with an unknown number of Rad Powers roughly 394 employees impacted.Match GroupHas discontinued livestreaming services across its dating apps, specifically Plenty of Fish and BLK, as it shifts its focus to generative AI. The move will result in a 6% reduction in its total workforce.BungieWill cut 220 employees, representing around 17% of the game studios total workforce. CEO Pete Parsons said the changes impact all levels of the company, including senior and executive leadership.Pocket FMHas reportedly eliminated roles for nearly 200 U.S. writers a month after the company partnered with ElevenLabs to quickly convert scripts into audio content using AI.WayCool FoodsHas reportedly laid off more than 200 employees across several departments. It would be the agritech companys third substantial layoff round in the past year.WebflowAnnounced it will eliminate roughly 8% of its workforce as the company works toward its next phase of growth.CohereIs reportedly laying off about 20 employees, accounting for nearly 5% of its total workforce. The cuts came the day after the company announced it raised $500 million at a $5 billion valuation.Magic LeapReportedly eliminated around 75 of its workers. As part of the cuts, the augmented reality startup reportedly axed its sales and marketing departments entirely.MercariIs reportedly laying off nearly half of its employees in the U.S. as the Japan-based company struggles to compete with other e-commerce rivals like Temu.AquaIs eliminating 50 employees, accounting for 10% of its total workforce. Earlier this year, the cybersecurity company raised $60 million at a $1 billion valuation, making it a unicorn.EverCIs reportedly laying off 10% of its 165-person workforce. The company develops cyber intelligence software that helps prevent online fraud.LexHas laid off the majority of its roughly eight-person staff as the LGBTQ+ social networking site struggles to monetize its product. Last year, the companys third, Lex raised $5.6 million in seed funding and elevated co-founder Jennifer Lewis from COO to CEO.Monarch TractorCut less than 15% of its 250- to 300-person workforce as part of a necessary reshuffling following a $133 million Series C funding round, TechCrunch has learned.KasperskyWill lay off dozens of employees and leave the U.S. market completely following a U.S. government order that banned the sale of the companys software due to security risks.SalesforceEliminated about 300 employees in its workforce as it rolls out a broader effort to cut costs and streamline its operations.IntuitWill cut 1,800 employees, impacting 10% of its workforce. The company says more than half were cut due to low performance and aims to hire approximately the same number of employees instead of cutting costs.UiPathPlans to cut 420 jobs, 10% of its total workforce, as the company undergoes a large restructuring effort.UKGCut an estimated 2,200 employees, amounting to nearly 14% of its workforce, as the software company attempts to redirect its resources into key areas of product innovation.OpenTextPlans to cut roughly 1,200 jobs, amounting to almost 2% of its total workforce, as the information management company plans to significantly reduce its expenses by 2025.UnacademyIs laying off about 250 employees in the latest in a series of job cuts after schools reopened across India following pandemic lockdowns. KooIs ceasing its operations after its last-resort acquisition talks with Dailyhunt collapsed. Upside Foods Has cut its workforce by 26 people, CEO Uma Valeti wrote in an email to staff, as the lab-grown meat industry sees a decline in VC funding.SightfulIs eliminating 20 employees, amounting to a third of its total workforce, as the company shifts its focus to software development.June 2024RealPageWill cut approximately 4% of its workforce as part of a plan to boost growth, though the company is also one of many within its field facing a consolidated lawsuit alleging they engaged in price fixing.PlanetIntends to lay off roughly 180 employees, amounting to 17% of its workforce, according to an SEC filing that amounts to its second recent round of layoffs.Moxion PowerIs laying off more than 100 employees, according to a WARN filing. The news of the cuts comes after the company launched a large office expansion in Richmond, California.eBayIs reportedly conducting layoffs in Israel as it goes through a global restructuring.BeRealIs reportedly cutting a large number of its staff after being acquired by French gaming company Voodoo.FlutterwaveHas laid off about 30 people, accounting for 3% of its workforce, as it refocuses its business to enterprise.Ginkgo BioworksTerminated 158 employees, with another batch of layoffs expected to come as the company aims to reduce its workforce by 25%.MoovitIs making cuts to 10% of its workforce, impacting around 20 to 25 employees.WexIs laying off 375 employees, accounting for 5% of its total workforce.PayPalWill eliminate up to 85 employees based in Ireland, the company announced.RapydIs reportedly laying off around 30 employees in Israel and will move positions to other regions to cut costs.C2FOCut 16 employees in its supplier resource management department as it focuses on automation.CheggIs reducing its global headcount by 23% in a major restructuring effort as the online learning platform aims to become a leaner operation.StackPathIs closing up shop and liquidating its assets. The number of employees affected is currently unknown.UnitIs reducing its headcount by 15% as the company attempts to think in longer time frames, the company announced in a blog post.LoopIs making more cuts, co-CEO Carey Anne Nadeau announced on LinkedIn. The number of employees impacted is currently unknown.Care/ofWill lay off its 143 employees by July 3 due to a funding loss, and will no longer be accepting new orders. The company has not shut down fully though, telling TechCrunch: We are actively exploring options for the brand but do not have anything definitive to communicate at this time.Running TideShut down its operations and laid off its remaining employees after raising more than $50 million since its 2017 start.SatellogicIs laying off 70 employees, about 30% of its workforce, three weeks after an earlier round of cuts impacted 34 employees.ByteDanceIs slashing around 450 jobs at its Indonesian e-commerce division, accounting for 9% of the unit.VRChatHas eliminated around 30% of its total workforce, CEO Graham Gaylor confirmed in a statement.PaytmIs reportedly conducting large cuts across the company. The total number of employees impacted is currently unknown.KissflowHas cut around 45 jobs as part of a restructuring effort.Copia GlobalHas laid off at least 1,060 employees two weeks after the startup filed for administration.RevelIs laying off its 1,000+ staff drivers as it embraces a gig worker model similar to that of Lyft and Uber.SimplHas cut 30 employees a month after the Bengaluru-based startup laid off 160 people.OdaHas confirmed layoffs of 150 jobs as it drastically scales back its expansion ambitions to focus on its markets in Norway and Sweden.PagayaIs laying off 100 workers, or 20% of its staff, in another round of cuts.MoonPayIs reportedly laying off 10% of its workforce, amounting to around 30 people.MicrosoftIs reportedly cutting hundreds of employees working in its Azure cloud business, though the exact number of employees impacted is currently unknown.OrCamIs laying off 100 employees months after reducing its headcount by 50 workers.GoogleIs reportedly making large cuts globally across several of its Cloud teams, including teams focused on sustainability, consulting and partner engineering.TropicIs eliminating 40 employees as part of a restructuring effort, CEO David Campbell wrote in a post on LinkedIn.May 2024Gro IntelligenceIs shutting down its operations after laying off 60% of its staff in March in an attempt to stay afloat.Jasper HealthHas laid off a substantial part of its workforce, TechCrunch learned. Engineering and product design departments were most impacted by the cuts at the cancer care platform startup.CiriumIs laying off 37 tech workers at FlightStats, the flight tracking startup it acquired in 2016, as it plans to consolidate its operations in India and the U.K.WalnutIs cutting 15 employees in a round of layoffs, impacting 20% of the Israeli startups total workforce.FiskerHas laid off hundreds of employees in a bid to keep the EV startup alive. One current and one laid off employee told TechCrunch exclusively that an estimated 150 people remain at the company.Cue HealthIs shutting down its operations and laying off the rest of its staff. The COVID-19 test company laid off half of its workforce earlier this month to cut costs.FoursquareHas let go of 105 employees as the company seeks to streamline its operations, according to an email to staffers from current CEO Gary Little.Lucid MotorsIs laying off about 400 employees, roughly 6% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring ahead of the launch of its first electric SUV later this year.TikTokWill reportedly make large cuts to its global operations and marketing teams. The amount of employees impacted is currently unknown.PixarWill reportedly cut 14% of its staff, impacting 175 employees, as the company shifts its focus from original Disney+ programming back to films.ReplitLet go of 20% of its staff as the coding startup shifts its focus to enterprise sales.SeekOutCut about 30% of its total workforce. The recruiting startup that uses AI to find candidates was last valued at over $1.2 billion in January 2022.GopuffEliminated 6% of its staff in another round of layoffs as the fast-delivery startup attempts to become cash-flow positive by the end of 2024.AtmospherePlans to lay off 106 employees, according to a WARN notice filed in Texas.MainvestHas shut down its operations. The number of employees affected is currently unknown.IndeedIs cutting roughly 1,000 jobs, impacting 8% of the companys headcount, CEO Chris Hyams wrote in a letter to staff.MotionalCut around 40% of its workforce, impacting about 550 employees, sources told TechCrunch. The companys chief operating officer, Abe Ghabra, has also left the company.GoogleWill eliminate 57 positions in San Francisco, according to a WARN notice filed in California.VacasaIs eliminating 800 employees, accounting for 13% of its workforce, as part of a restructuring effort.BrilliantTold The Verge it has laid off most of its staff and is no longer selling itssmart home controllers and light switches as it looks for a buyer.EnovixLaid off roughly 170 workers, impacting a third of its total headcount, in an effort to cut back on annual operating costs.MicrosoftClosed Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and more game studios as part of cuts at Bethesda. Its currently unclear how many employees will be impacted.Cue HealthIs eliminating 230 employees, about 49% of its workforce, in a cost cutting measure laid out in documents filed with the U.S. SEC.LuminarIs slashing its workforce by 20%. The cuts will affect around 140 employees, and the company is also cutting ties with the majority of its contract workers.SprinklrHas laid off about 3% of its workforce, impacting 116 people, the company confirmed to TechCrunch in a statement. The cuts come over a year after the company eliminated about 4% of its headcount.PelotonIs laying off 15% of its workforce, affecting about 400 people, as part of a cost-cutting effort. The companys CEO Barry McCarthy is also stepping down.April 2024TeslaHas gutted its charging team in a new round of layoffs, CEO Elon Musk announced in an overnight email to executives.GoogleHas laid off staff across key teams like Flutter, Dart and Python. It is currently unclear how many employees were let go.FiskerIs laying off more employees to preserve cash, according to an internal email viewed by TechCrunch. The number of cuts is currently unknown.GetirIs shutting down operations in the U.S., the U.K. and Europe, impacting at least 6,000 jobs across the closing markets.OlaIs cutting about 180 jobs in a profitability push and has let go its chief executive Hemant Bakshi, a source familiar with the matter told TechCrunch.True AnomalyThe space and defense startup laid off nearly 30 people, accounting for about 25% of its workforce, due to duplication of roles and functions across the company, TechCrunch exclusively reported.ExpediaIs expected to cut employees in its Austin office for the second time this year.NikePlans to eliminate 740 employees at its Oregon headquarters this summer, according to a WARN Act notice.Stability AIIs eliminating 10% of its workforce following the exit of former CEO Emad Mostaque.GoogleIs laying off workers as part of continued cost cutting measures. The number of employees affected was at the time unknown.RivianIs reducing its total workforce by 1%. Its the second round of layoffs for the EV maker this year.Take-TwoIs laying off 5% of its workforce, affecting around 579 employees. The GTA 6 publisher also announced the elimination of several projects in development.TomeIs eliminating about 20% of its 59 employees in a restructuring effort.TeslaIs cutting more than 10% of its global workforce, per an internal email sent by CEO Elon Musk. That could impact more than 14,000 workers worldwide, as Tesla prepares itself for our next phase of growth amid a challenging EV market.CriteoIs reducing its global workforce by nearly 4%, impacting up to 140 employees.TikTokIs laying off 250 employees based in Ireland as it restructures its Training and Quality team.Hinge HealthCut approximately 10% of its workforce, TechCrunch exclusively learned, as the company prepares for an IPO and aims to reach profitability.CheckrHas laid off 382 employees, amounting to 32% of its total workforce, TechCrunch exclusively learned. The background-screening platform was last valued at $5 billion in April of 2022.Bolt.EarthReportedly laid off a sizable part of its staff in a restructuring effort. The number of employees impacted is currently unknown, but sources told Inc42 that it could be in the range of 70-100 workers.AppleIs laying off 614 employees in California after abandoning its electric car project, according to a WARN notice.Agility RoboticsHas laid off a small number of employees as part of a company-wide focus on commercialization efforts.Ghost AutonomyShut down operations. The company, which was backed by OpenAI, employed about 100 people.WhirlpoolIs shutting down Yummly, the recipe and cooking app it acquired in 2017.AWSWill cut hundreds of jobs across Sales, Marketing, Global Services and its Physical Stores Technology team.ByjusIs laying off about 500 employees, accounting for 3% of its total workforce, as part of a restructuring effort.March 2024RelianceReliance, largest conglomerate in India, took its time in announcing it had laid off more than 42,000 people in its fiscal year, which ended in March. That significant number accounted for 11% of its workforce, and another 143,000 employees took voluntary separations in the same time.ChowNowHas laid off 20% of its staff after acquiring point-of-sale platform Cuboh. The company previously laid off 100 people in 2022.Nintendo of AmericaIs restructuring its testing department, which is largely made up of contractors. A Nintendo spokesperson told Kotaku the changes will end some assignments but will lead to the creation of new full-time positions.DellCut its global workforce by about 6,000 jobs, according to a 10-K SEC filing. The filing reveals the company cut 13,000 jobs in the last year.SyncteraHas made cuts to its staff, the company confirmed to TechCrunch. A report in Fintech Business Weekly estimates that 17 people, or about 15% of the company, were impacted.ShopBackIs cutting 195 roles in an effort to become more sustainable, CEO Henry Chan wrote in a blog post. The layoffs impact nearly a quarter of its staff.AirmeetReportedly eliminated 20% of its total workforce in its second restructuring effort in the past year.Chipper CashConducted another round of layoffs impacting 20 employees, CEO Ham Serunjogi announced in a blog post.TextioHas reportedly cut 16% of its staff in a strategic move to support its Textio Lift product.StashIs reportedly laying off around 25% of its workforce. According to Axios, the cuts affect roughly 80 people.Phantom AutoIs shutting down after failing to secure new funding, TechCrunch has learned. The remote driving startup, which had cut staff last year, employed a little more than 100 people.IBMIs reportedly slashing its marketing and communications staff. The company previously announced a strategy to replace upwards of 8,000 jobs with AI.Inscribe.aiCut just under 40% of its staff, equating to dozens of employees, the company confirmed to TechCrunch.TurnitinLaid off around 15 people earlier this year, following comments from CEO Chris Caren that the company would be able to reduce 20% of its headcount thanks to AI.SorareLaid off 13% of its staff based in its New York office as the web3 fantasy sports platform focuses on its Paris headquarters, a source familiar with the matter told TechCrunch.MelioIs eliminating roughly 7% of its workforce as part of organizational restructuring. The fintech unicorn last conducted layoffs in August 2022.ONEIs cutting about 13% of its workforce, affecting 40 employees. Its the second round of layoffs for the battery startup in recent months.Project RoninIs shutting down, resulting in a permanent mass layoff impacting around 150 employees.February 2024FiskerPlans to lay off 15% of its workforce and says it likely does not have enough cash on hand to survive the next 12 months.EACut 5% of its workforce, impacting 670 employees, as it moves away from the development of future licensed IP.BumbleIs letting go of about 350 employees, accounting for 30% of its workforce.AppleIs likely cutting hundreds of employees who worked on the companys autonomous electric car project now that the effort has stopped, TechCrunch has learned.SonyIs laying off 900 employees from its PlayStation unit, affecting 8% of the divisions workforce. Insomniac Games, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla and Firesprite studios will also be impacted.ExpediaWill reportedly cut 1,500 roles in 2024, primarily in its Product & Technology division, accounting for more than 8% of the companys workforce.FinderEliminated roughly 60 employees, or 17% of its workforce. Its the financial startups third major layoff round in the past 12 months.RivianIs laying off 10% of its salaried workforce in a bid to cut costs in an increasingly tough market for EVs.Meati FoodsWill lay off 13% of its workforce as it works to build a financially sustainable business, CEO Phil Graves told TechCrunch exclusively.CiscoAnnounced it will eliminate 5% of its employees, impacting more than 4,000 people.ToastWill lay off about 550 workers in a move designed to promote operating expense efficiency.InstacartAnnounced in an SEC filing that it will lay off roughly 250 employees as part of a restructuring effort.MozillaIs scaling back its investment in a number of products, TechCrunch has learned, resulting in layoffs that will affect roughly 60 employees.GrammarlyIs laying off 230 employees worldwide as part of the companys efforts to advance its focus on the AI-enabled workplace of the future.GetaroundIs cutting 30% of its North American workforce as part of a restructuring.AmazonIs reportedly cutting jobs in its healthcare businesses One Medical and Amazon Pharmacy. The number of impacted roles is currently unknown.DocuSignAnnounced plans to eliminate 6% of its workforce, largely impacting the companys sales and marketing divisions.SnapAnnounced plans to cut 10% of its workforce, impacting roughly 500-plus employees, in an effort to reduce hierarchy.Polygon LabsHas laid off 60 employees, or about 19% of its staff, CEO Marc Boiron announced in a blog post.OktaIs laying off approximately 400 employees. The layoffs come almost exactly a year to the day after Okta announced plans to cut about 300 employees.January 2024ThinxWill lay off 95 workers in New York City, according to a filing with the New York Department of Labor.ProofpointIs laying off about 6% of its global workforce, or 280 employees, the company confirmed to TechCrunch.WattpadConducted another round of layoffs earlier this month, amounting to roughly 15% of its workforce, a source familiar with the situation told TechCrunch.BlockIs reportedly laying off around 1,000 people in the Cash App, foundational and Square arms of Block.PayPalHas reportedly begun company-wide layoffs. While it is unclear how many people will be affected, one source told TechCrunch it was expected to be in the thousands.Aurora SolarHas laid off 20% of its staff of about 1,000 people, TechCrunch exclusively learned. The cuts to the software startup come despite record growth in the solar industry last year.iRobotIs laying off 350 people, or one-third of its headcount, after Amazons bid to acquire the Roomba-maker shuttered. Longtime CEO Colin Angle has also stepped down.SalesforceIs reportedly laying off 700 workers, or around 1% of its staff. This comes after the company had a significant reduction of 10% of its workforce in 2023.FlexportIs reportedly planning to cut around 20% of its staff in the next few weeks. The company announced similar cuts in October, when founder Ryan Petersen returned as CEO and slashed its workforce by 20%.MicrosoftIs laying off 1,900 employees across its gaming divisions following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Blizzard president Mike Ybarra announced he will also be stepping down.SwiggyIs cutting about 400 jobs, 7% of its workforce, as the food delivery startup seeks to bring further improvements to its finances ahead of a planned IPO later this year.AuroraLaid off dozens of workers, according to sources familiar with the decision. The autonomous vehicle technology company has since confirmed that about 3% of its workforce has been laid off.eBayWill lay off 9% of the companys workforce, affecting about 1,000 full-time employees. In a blog post, the company also plans to cut contract roles in the coming months.SAPAnnounced it intends to offer voluntary buyouts or job changes to 8,000 employees amid restructuring.BrexLaid off 20% of its staff, affecting 282 workers. In a blog post, Co-CEO Pedro Franceschi said that the company is prioritizing long-term thinking and ownership over short-term gains in our comp structure.TikTokEliminated around 60 jobs across the U.S. in Los Angeles, New York, and Austin in addition to layoffs in international markets. The affected roles, according to NPRs initial reporting, are largely in sales and advertising.VroomIs cutting 90% of its employees as it shuts down its online used car marketplace and shifts resources into two business units: one focused on auto financing and the other on AI-powered analytics.Riot GamesIs laying off 11% of its workforce, affecting about 530 employees, as the company focuses on fewer, high-impact projects. The League of Legends maker is also sunsetting its five-year-old publishing group, Riot Forge.WayfairIs eliminating 13% of its global workforce, affecting 1,650 employees, in a restructuring effort aimed at cutting layers of management.YouTubeWill eliminate 100 employees, a spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch, as part of a restructuring effort in its creator management and operations teams.GoogleIs laying off hundreds of employees in its advertising sales team, according to a leaked memo. The cuts come a week after the company did sweeping layoffs across its hardware teams. And more layoffs will come throughout the year, as CEO Sundar Pichai told the company in a memo obtained by the Verge.Lost Boys InteractiveReportedly laid off a sizable number of employees January 12. The game developer studio was acquired by Borderlands maker Gearbox in 2022.PixarIs going to lay off employees in 2024, TechCrunch exclusively learned, with the total impacted employees potentially reaching as high as 20% of the animation studios 1,300 person workforce. The cutbacks come as Disney looks to reduce the studios output as it struggles to achieve profitability in streaming.AudibleIs laying off 5% of its workforce, citing an increasingly challenging landscape, according to a leaked memo obtained by Business Insider.DiscordIs laying off 17% of its staff, impacting 170 people. In an internal memo obtained by the Verge, Discord CEO Jason Citron blamed the cuts on the company growing too quickly.GoogleLaid off hundreds of employees across its Google Assistant division and the team that manages Pixel, Nest and Fitbit hardware. The company confirmed to TechCrunch that Fitbit co-founders James Park and Eric Friedman are also exiting.AmazonIs laying off several hundreds of employees at Prime Video and MGM Studios, according to a memo obtained by TechCrunch. The cuts come days after the 500 layoffs at Amazons Twitch.TwitchIs reportedly laying off 500 employees, 35% of its current staff, amid a continued struggle to achieve profitability in the face of rising costs and community backlash. The pending layoffs come after hundreds more employees were laid off in 2023.Treasure FinancialConfirmed to TechCunch that layoffs, conducted in December, had impacted 14 employees, accounting for 60% to 70% of the company, according to multiple sources.DuolingoConfirmed it cut 10% of its contractor workforce at the end of 2023 as it turns to AI to streamline content production and translations previously handled by humans.Rent the RunwayWill cut about 10% of corporate roles as it goes through a restructuring plan following Anushka Salinas planned resignation as operating chief and president at the end of January.UnityIs reducing its workforce by about 25%, or 1,800 people. The video game engine maker went through three rounds of layoffs in 2023.PitchLaid off two-thirds of its employees as the German startup, which built collaborative presentation software, looks to pursue a completely different path. CEO and co-founder Christian Reber also stepped down.BenchSciThe AI and biomedical startup reportedly cut 17% of its workforce January 8, citing shifts in the economic environment, in a LinkedIn post announcing the layoffs.FlexeEliminated 38% of its staff January 8 as the online retail logistics company follows up after conducting layoffs in September 2023.NuScaleAnnounced January 8 it is laying off 28% of its staff, or 154 workers, as the small modular nuclear reactor company shifts its focus to key strategic areas.TrigoIs reportedly laying off 15% of its workforce focused on computer vision for retailers.InVisionIs shutting down at the end of 2024 after a 12 year run. The design collaboration startup was once valued at nearly $2B.VideoAmpIs laying off nearly 20% of its workforce as it tries to maintain its battle with Nielsen over media measurement. CEO Ross McCray stepped down from the company.Orca SecurityIs laying off roughly 15% of its staff, totaling 60 employees. The Israel-based unicorn reportedly plans to move some impacted employees into other positions at the company.FrontdeskLaid off its entire 200-person workforce January 2 after attempts to raise more capital failed, TechCrunch exclusively learned. The mass layoff comes just seven months after the startup acquired rival Zencity.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·44 Views
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HBO Begins Production on Lanterns, Releases First Imagewww.awn.comProduction has begun on the HBO Original drama series Lanterns, based on DCs Green Lantern.The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.The series stars Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and Ulrich Thomsen.From the start, our driving force has been to deliver a layered drama rooted in nuanced storytelling and rich world building that balances tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion, said Chris Mundy, executive producer and showrunner. The goal is to create something that feels timeless and grounded without sacrificing the magic of the source material.The series is being produced by HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. The pilot is co-written by Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King. The first two episodes are directed by James Hawes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov also tapped to direct. Mundy, Lindelof, James Gunn, Peter Safran, King, Ron Schmidt, and Hawes executive produce.No word yet on who is handling the visual effects.Source: Max Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologistL'Wrenbrings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·41 Views
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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice: VFX Breakdown by BUFwww.artofvfx.comBreakdown & ShowreelsBeetlejuice Beetlejuice: VFX Breakdown by BUFBy Vincent Frei - 28/02/2025 Where art meets invisibility: The seamless VFX work by BUF in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice focuses on highlighting the enigmatic allure of Monica Bellucci, proving that sometimes the most powerful effects are the ones you dont see!Click on the picture to watch the reel.WANT TO KNOW MORE?BUF: Dedicated page about Beetlejuice Beetlejuice on BUF website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 20250 Comments ·0 Shares ·40 Views
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AN sits down with Jess Myers to learn about season four of her podcast Here There Be Dragons, which centers Odesa, Ukrainewww.archpaper.comHere There Be Dragons is a podcast by Jess Myers, an architecture professor at Syracuse University. The podcast is about cities, and the people who live in them. Past seasons have delved into the social lives of New York, Paris, and Stockholm. Now in its fourth season, this latest version is about Odesa, Ukraine, and can be accessed on Soundcloud. AN spoke to Myers about the podcast, and what it was like making it during wartime. The Architects Newspaper: You werent able to visit Odesa due to the full-scale invasion, which makes this season different from others. How many hours of content did you gather? Who did you talk to?Jess Myers (JM): I spoke to fifty current and former Odesa residents over the course of two years. That alone is at least 50 hours of interviews. This is a little technical, but when youre doing a remote interview with a translator, a one-hour interview could mean three hours of tape.This wasnt the case for every interview. There were people who were really interested in being interviewed in English, and then others were a mix of Ukrainian and Russian speakers. There were people who were learning Ukrainian, and wanted to use Ukrainian in the podcast.Jess Myers Odes[s]a: Center []AN: How did you find people to talk to? Was it word of mouth?JM: Some of it was word of mouth. We reached out to this really fantastic music label early on called system thats led by Ivan Samoukhurtin, a producer. We started out by interviewing independent musicians about the kind of sounds war makes, and about the way the war shifted their relationships to sound, so we interviewed Ivan at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The interview with Ivan was fantastic; he then joined the project as a sound consultant for the show. Through him, we were able to meet a lot of other musicians.Many musicians we spoke to are also field recordists who go out into the city and send tapes back to us. There was a lot of excitement from people who wanted to show and explain different aspects of the city to me. So even after our interview was over, people sent videos, field recordings, voice notes on WhatsApp. I even had someone call me on WhatsApp Video; she stuck her phone out the window while she was driving so I could see what she was seeing. It was so cool.Odesa is famous for its Potemkin Steps. (Julian Nya/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)AN: Who are some more people you spoke to? Whats morale like right now?JM: I think, in terms of how the war moved through the interviews, one notable thing was how attitudes towards the war, and the perception of the way the war was going, changed a lot. We saw this in my team, namely people who I collaborated with as consultants. These are people who had been displaced over the course of time and experienced tragedy. One of our interpreters for instance joined a volunteer unit that helped translate for doctors on the front line. There were times when she was calling in to interpret for us from a stabilization point a few miles off the front line. So it was not the way the war moved through the interviews themselves; it was also the way the war shaped how we were able to work.AN: Ilya Kaminsky is an important figure in this story.JM: Ilya Kaminskys poetry delves into everyday life in Odesa in the face of extreme violence, something we saw play out in real time during production. Kaminsky writes about how everyday life bursts through, and can overcome these moments of violence. On the one hand, a bombardment is happening and, on the other, you have to cook dinner for your kids, right? Today, Ilya runs a workshop for children from Odesa who are refugees of war. He writes a lot about memory. Another person we spoke to was Oksana Dovgopolova, who researches public memory, especially in relation to Odesa. Oksana thinks about reframing public history, and the way we understand history. AN: Can you talk more about how you engaged with memory? I can speak on behalf of my own family that Odesa has an outsized place in the Jewish diasporic collective imagination, even though so many of us have never actually been there.JM: A common narrative about Odesa is that its a deeply multicultural city, right? Its this port city that brings together lots of cultures, like Marseilles. I think in light of the invasion, theres an interest in pulling away from the Russian narrative, that imperial Russia conquered this territory from the Ottoman Empire. The modern Russian narrative is that there was nothing there before us, right? This narrative tells us Odesa sprung up like a mushroom overnight.But today, there are residents who are looking to the ancient histories of Odesa to bolster its multiculturalism. Odesa is at the crossroads of many cultures. This is especially true for Jewish history. Obviously you have a long history of Tartar, Turkish, and Greek influence in the area as well. Even further back, you have Vikings and Scythian communities. People today are interested in a more contemporary understanding of multiculturalism.AN: Can you expand on that?JM: There once was an Ottoman fort city where Odesa is now called Khadjibey. Fragments of Khadjibey are still in the city today. Odesa became, you could argue, the most progressive or liberal city within the Pale of Settlement during the Russian Empire. You had a lot of Jewish communities coming to Odesa to participate in cultural, social, and political life in a way they couldnt in other parts of the Russian Empire. There were musicians, theatrical practices, printing presses; all of these different threads of Jewish thought, philosophy, and debate. This also means you had folks like Zeev Jabotinsky, a zionist from the region. Especially after the pogroms of 1905, the response to this very public violence was a form of entrenched isolationism that eventually built itself into zionism.AN: Odesa also played an important role in the Jewish Labor Bund movement, which steadfastly opposed zionism. In fact Odesa was the center of the Bundist movement. For a while, places like Odesa and Kharkiv were havens of international Jewish life, instead of Israel, which is what Jabotinsky advocated for.JM: In the mid 19th and early 20th centuries, one-third of Odesa was Jewish, but the Jewish community was devastated by the end of World War II. We spoke to Marina Sapritsky-Nahum about this. Marina is a London-based researcher who looks at Jewish cultural identity in Odesa. We were also looking at different diasporic waves, and the many people who emigrated in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s that lobbied to move to the U.S. during the Cold War. There were many Jewish-Americans who were pushing to have asylum opportunities for Soviet Union Jews.AN: We cant have this discussion without talking about Brighton Beach.JM: (*A light chuckle*) I have to say, Brighton Beach does not play a large role in this season, because we were speaking to contemporary residents of Odesa. Many people do have relatives there, but it didnt necessarily factor into the relationships that people have with the city. That being said, there is a connection between Brighton Beach and the Odesa neighborhood of Moldavanka. Theres this caricature that exists of the Jewish gangster from Moldavanka that became really popular in Brighton Beach. This character featured in vaudeville circuits, and then got re-exported back to [Odesa]. We can point to the work of Isaac Babel as someone who wrote short stories about the legendary mafiosos from Odesa. Babel was born in Moldavanka.The cover of Odessa Stories, a 1931 book by Isaac Babel. ( /Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)AN: Sean Bakers new film, Anora, is about a sex worker from Brighton Beach. Its been met with praise, but I personally know Ukrainians who detest that movie because it makes Brighton Beach out to be this sort of Russian enclave, when in reality Brighton Beach has been called Little Odesa for so long. Its interesting to think about how these narrative reclamations spill over to other places.JM: Yeah, totally. Another person we spoke to was Marina Sonovic, whose work speaks to trends in pop and folk music which hint at different ambitions towards sovereignty, and how different regions of Ukraine reach towards sovereignty. Another person I enjoyed speaking to was Sophie Pinkham, whose research is more broadly about the post-Soviet context. Her book, Black Square, was also important for my research.AN: Your work in centering Ukrainian voices is especially important right now, given the Trump Administrations recent wafering in regard to who is responsible for the war.JM: The reason why I insist on this methodology, that of starting from and really sticking to adhering to resident perspectives, is because its very easy to get lost in large, zoomed out, flattened, geopolitical narratives about a city without ever spending time with it, and the complexity of its residents. I try to bring that resolution in times of war, when theres urgency and lots of sweeping narratives. These sorts of flattening narratives give no detail or knowledge of the fundamental way people live and act.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·41 Views
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ONE Architecture & Urbanism shares housing and coastal resiliency plan for Coney Islandwww.archpaper.comONE Architecture & Urbanism made its mark in New York City more than a decade ago after the Amsterdam-based office rolled out a comprehensive master plan for Lower Manhattan with Bjarke Ingels Group, dubbed The BIG U.Now, ONE has grand plans to transform another coastal area: Coney Island. New York City Mayor Eric Adams debuted a multifaceted masterplan for the swath of Brooklyn coastline frequented by locals and tourists alike for its amusement park. The new plan by ONE, Coney Island West, would deliver 1,500 new housing units spread across multiple buildings. It would also renovate the Abe Stark Sports Center and the Riegelmann Boardwalk thats been centered by many, many artists, and the site of countless first kisses. (Maxim Gorkys Boredom is this authors personal favorite bit of Coney Island lore.)The master plan would deliver more than 1,500 housing units to Coney Island, among other features. (Courtesy New York City Mayors Office)After Adams shared the plan, NYCEDC released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Parcel Athe development site for Coney Island West. A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was also issued by NYCEDC to invite design-build teams capable of renovating the boardwalk, which entails significant coastal resilience features, including raising the sites elevation. A rendering shows terraced towers that overlook the Atlantic Ocean, just a short walk from the once thrilling but now defunct Parachute Jump, an emblem of Coney Islands past and present. The city is seeking developers who share a vision for inclusive, sustainable growth that honors Coney Islands rich history and contributes to the neighborhoods ongoing revitalization, the Mayors Office said in a statement.Phase one of Coney Island West, Parcel A, will be built on an 80,000-square-foot site owned by the City between West 21 and 22 Streets on Surf Avenue, due west of the Coney Island Amusement District.This portion will deliver 500 units, 25 percent of which will be affordable. Then, an additional 1,000 homes will be built near the Coney Island Cyclones stadium, boardwalk, and Abe Stark Center, the city shared in a press release.A timeline for project completion wasnt issued.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·44 Views
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France pushes for law enforcement access to Signal, WhatsApp and encrypted emailwww.computerweekly.comFrance is proposing a law to require encrypted messaging applications including Signal and WhatsApp and encrypted email services such as Protonmail to provide law enforcement with decrypted data on request.An amendment to Frances proposed Narcotraffic bill, which is passing through the National Assembly in the French Parliament, will require tech companies to hand over decrypted chat messages of suspected criminals within 72 hours.The law, which aims to provide French law enforcement with stronger powers to combat drug trafficking, has raised concerns among tech companies and civil society groups that it will lead to the creation of back doors in encrypted services that will be exploited by cyber criminals and hostile nation states.Individuals that fail to comply face fines of Euro 1.5 million while companies risk fines of up 2% of their annual world turnover if they fail to hand over encrypted communications demanded by French law enforcement.Back doors would be exploited by criminalsMatthias Pfau, CEO of Tuta Mail, a German encrypted mail provider, said that it was not possible to introduce back doors into encrypted services without fundamentally weakening their security.A backdoor for the good guys only is a dangerous illusion. Weakening encryption for law enforcement inevitably creates vulnerabilities that can and will be exploited by cybercriminals and hostile foreign actors. This law would not just target criminals, it would destroy security for everyone, he said.Matthew Hodgeson, CEO of Element, a secure communications platform used by governments, said that the company was concerned that the French proposals were not technically feasible without fundamentally weakening the security of messaging and email services.We are deeply concerned by yet another potential attack on encryption, he said. Like the Online Safety Act in the UK, this French proposal shows a deep misunderstanding of what is technically possible in end-to-end encrypted systems, he said.We will keep repeating ourselves until the message sticks - there are no safe backdoors into encrypted services, he added.France led international police operations against encrypted phonesFrance has played a key role in hacking dedicated encrypted messaging services used by drug traffickers, including EncroChat, Sky ECC, and Anom, resulting in the arrests of thousands of people worldwide suspected of drugs trafficking and money laundering.But opponents of the French law argue that breaking an encryption application that is allegedly designed for use by criminals is very different from breaking the encryption of chat apps, such as WhatsApp and Signal, and encrypted emails used by billions of people for non-criminal communications.We do not see any evidence that the French proposal is necessary or proportional. To the contrary, any backdoor will sooner or later be exploited, it is only a matter of time, said Pfau.French senators, tienne Blanc and Jrme Durain, first tabled the proposed law, entitled Getting France out of the drug trafficking trap in January 2024. The bill has passed its first reading, and is due to be considered in Committee on 4 March 2025 and by the Chamber of the National Assembly on 17 March 2025.The amendment establishes an obligation for platforms to implement the necessary technical measures to allow intelligence services to access the intelligible content of correspondence and data transiting through them.It requires French intelligence agencies to consult with Frances National Oversight Commission for Intelligence-Gathering Techniques (CNTR) - an independent body that has parallels with the UKs Investigatory Powers Commissioners Office (IPCO) - to obtain authorisations to demand clear-text versions of encrypted messages from tech companies.Law permits police use of spywareThe law also permits the use of spyware such as NSO Groups Pegasus or Paragon to allow police to remotely activate microphones and cameras of mobile phones and computers, according to an analysis by the civil society group, La Quadrature Du Net.It also extends the scope of algorithms, known as black boxes, which collect data on communications over the internet with the intention of identifying people suspected of criminal activity to authorise the collection of data for combating crime and organised crime.Police will also have powers to censor or restrict access to web sites and content relating to drug trafficking reported by members of the public through the Pharos reporting system, if the material is considered illegal, without the intervention of a judge.The move has raised concerns from human rights groups that shared memes or jokes about drugs, or excerpts of films could be wrongly blocked.French law in conflict with EU and German privacy lawsTuta Mail has warned that if the proposals are passed, it would put France in conflict with European Union laws, and German IT security laws, including the IT security Act and Germanys Telecommunications Act (TKG) which require companies to secure their customers data.If France goes ahead with its proposals Tuta Mail, which provides services in both France and Germany, would be forced to choose between complying with French or German law.German laws like the IT Security Act and the TKG [Telecommunications Act] force us to protect data and mandate that IT systems must not be altered in a way that the security is weakened just for access by law enforcement. We at Tuta will not comply with any law requiring a backdoor, but German law also prohibits us from doing so, says Pfau.The European Data Protection Supervisor has clearly stated that any new measure restricting encryption must pass the test of necessity and proportionality, based on substantiated evidence. We do not see any evidence that the French proposal is necessary or proportional, he added.La Quadrature du Net, a non profit organisation that defends peoples rights and freedoms on the net, has urged politicians to reject the amendment when it is discussed in the National Assembly in March.The group said in a blog post in January that civil society groups, cryptography experts and the French Cyber Security Agency ANSSI, have been warning for years that accessing encrypted communications is not only technically impossible but contravenes digital security requirements.End-to-end encryption is designed so that companies themselves do not have access to messages. Introducing access (a "backdoor") would weaken the level of protection of all communications and this is not provided for anywhere in the world, it said.The Observatory of Liberties and Digital Technology (OLN), a coalition representing, the French lawyers union, the magistrates union, and human rights groups, has also called for parliamentarians to reject the bill.It has raised concerns that the bill prevents information about surveillance operations from being disclosed to defendants, making it impossible for them to challengeThe persons prosecuted would thus no longer have any way of knowing or contesting when and how they were monitored, including therefore, in the event of potential abuse by the investigation services, it said.Amendment to French law will allow access to encrypted messages and emailDrug trafficking networks, terrorist groups and, beyond that, all criminal organisations are taking advantage of the widespread use of encrypted messaging and the difficulties for intelligence services to access the information exchanged on these platforms.This amendment establishes an obligation for platforms to implement the necessary technical measures to allow intelligence services to access the intelligible content of correspondence and data transiting through them. This access would be limited to correspondence and data that have been the subject of specific authorization to implement intelligence gathering techniques, after consulting the Intelligence Techniques Control Commission( CNCTR).To ensure compliance with these cooperation requirements, it is proposed to strengthen the criminal sanctions applicable to individuals and legal entities who refuse to fulfil their obligations: a fine of EUR 1.5 million for individuals who habitually commit these offences and a fine of up to 2% of annual global turnover excluding tax for legal entities in the same situation.Read the full amendment here0 Comments ·0 Shares ·42 Views
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How we rate deals at ZDNET in 2025www.zdnet.comEveryone likes to save, but how do you know when you're really saving? Here's how we rate the deals we share with you in 2025.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·43 Views
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The best radar detectors: Expert recommendedwww.zdnet.comWhen cruising down a lonely stretch of highway, it's easy to get swept away and forget about the pressure of your foot on the gas. Next thing you know, you might be getting a pricey speeding ticket or even a date in traffic court. If only you had a radar detector.A radar detector notifies you when your vehicle's speed may be monitored by law enforcement. This allows you to find police before they find you, allowing you to slow your speed and correct your driving. In short, radar detectors can help you drive safer while saving you money with fewer tickets. They are legal in only two areas (Washington, DC and Virginia).Also: Best dash camsWhat is the best radar detector right now?ZDNET researched the best radar detectors available based on features, display, and price. Our pick for the best radar detector overall is the Uniden R7, thanks to its integrated GPS, strong signal, and ease of use. Read on to learn about the best radar detectors you can buy right now. Sort by All The best radar detectors of 2025 Show less The Uniden R7 gets our pick for the best radar detector overall, thanks to its customizable voice alerts and false alarm detection. It keeps you safer with advanced false alert filtering, 360-degree monitoring, and arrow detection. There is even GPS technology employed to help the device remember and mute typical false alarms. You'll also find red light and speed camera locations will automatically update to remain current at all times. The OLED display is a bonus for easy visibility.Customers who bought the Uniden R7 said they love that it's easy to set up and use, as well as its extensive configuration settings.Uniden R7 features:GPS:Yes |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Pros Integrated GPS Strong signal strength Ease of use Cons On the larger side Lacks Bluetooth The Uniden R7 gets our pick for the best radar detector overall, thanks to its customizable voice alerts and false alarm detection. It keeps you safer with advanced false alert filtering, 360-degree monitoring, and arrow detection. There is even GPS technology employed to help the device remember and mute typical false alarms. You'll also find red light and speed camera locations will automatically update to remain current at all times. The OLED display is a bonus for easy visibility.Customers who bought the Uniden R7 said they love that it's easy to set up and use, as well as its extensive configuration settings.Uniden R7 features:GPS:Yes |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less If you find yourself on a budget, the Cobra RAD 480i could be a great fit for you. At just $150, it's very affordable when compared to others in its class. LaserEye technology helps detect signals from all around your vehicle for better front and rear detection, while built-in security protocols help provide early warnings while reducing the threat of false alarms. Use the corresponding iRadar app to view further up the road or receive real-time alerts from the over 3 million drivers in the community.Users who own the Cobra Rad 480i report in reviews that they like that the unit allows you to adjust sensitivity as well as the low rate of false positive alerts.Cobra RAD 480i features:GPS:No |Voice alerts:No |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Pros Bluetooth connectivity Voice alerts Adjustable sensitivity Cons Noisy Suffers from false alerts If you find yourself on a budget, the Cobra RAD 480i could be a great fit for you. At just $150, it's very affordable when compared to others in its class. LaserEye technology helps detect signals from all around your vehicle for better front and rear detection, while built-in security protocols help provide early warnings while reducing the threat of false alarms. Use the corresponding iRadar app to view further up the road or receive real-time alerts from the over 3 million drivers in the community.Users who own the Cobra Rad 480i report in reviews that they like that the unit allows you to adjust sensitivity as well as the low rate of false positive alerts.Cobra RAD 480i features:GPS:No |Voice alerts:No |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less The Escort MAX 360c MKII gives you the ability to customize your screen, viewing in high resolution details like signal type and strength when you connect to Escort Live. Incorporated is a full-color graphic display that uses both antennas and arrows to identify risks around your vehicle and near your location. This radar detector is compatible with both iPhone and Android devices for easy connectivity. Plus, there is the benefit of built-in Wi-Fi, so you can see in real-time if there is a ticket threat in your future.Users who own the Escort Max 360cMKII praise the detector's range and accuracy as well as the built-in dash camera.Escort MAX 360c MKII features:GPS:Yes, via app |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Pros Excellent connectivity Rear radar antenna Auto lockout Cons Pricey Mediocre rear-range The Escort MAX 360c MKII gives you the ability to customize your screen, viewing in high resolution details like signal type and strength when you connect to Escort Live. Incorporated is a full-color graphic display that uses both antennas and arrows to identify risks around your vehicle and near your location. This radar detector is compatible with both iPhone and Android devices for easy connectivity. Plus, there is the benefit of built-in Wi-Fi, so you can see in real-time if there is a ticket threat in your future.Users who own the Escort Max 360cMKII praise the detector's range and accuracy as well as the built-in dash camera.Escort MAX 360c MKII features:GPS:Yes, via app |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less If you frequently drive to and from the office or travel for work, the Escort Max 4 is a great tool for staying safe on the road. With a built-in GPS function and integration with both Car Play and Android Auto, it learns your routes to better distinguish between false alerts and true detection. With app integration, it's easier to confirm and dismiss notifications as well as mute the voice alerts; there is also a physical mute button on the 12V power adapter for safer, one-touch use while driving.I got to use the Escort Max 4 on a recent road trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and it was a great help on curvy Appalachian highways for staying aware of potentially slowed or stopped traffic due to police patrols, speed cameras, and even construction. The magnetic windshield mount and quick-release power cable made it easy to stow when traveling through Virginia, where it is illegal to use radar detectors.Escort Max 4 features:GPS:Yes |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Pros Quick-release magnetic mount and suction cup Voice alerts App integration Built-in GPS Cons Steep learning curve for setting custom parameters Expensive If you frequently drive to and from the office or travel for work, the Escort Max 4 is a great tool for staying safe on the road. With a built-in GPS function and integration with both Car Play and Android Auto, it learns your routes to better distinguish between false alerts and true detection. With app integration, it's easier to confirm and dismiss notifications as well as mute the voice alerts; there is also a physical mute button on the 12V power adapter for safer, one-touch use while driving.I got to use the Escort Max 4 on a recent road trip from Cleveland, Ohio to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and it was a great help on curvy Appalachian highways for staying aware of potentially slowed or stopped traffic due to police patrols, speed cameras, and even construction. The magnetic windshield mount and quick-release power cable made it easy to stow when traveling through Virginia, where it is illegal to use radar detectors.Escort Max 4 features:GPS:Yes |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:DC |Voltage:12V |Display type:OLED Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less While the Waze app isn't billed as a radar detector, the user base does help to provide real-time information on the locations of red light cameras and speed traps along your route. And along with helping you avoid getting a ticket, Waze users can provide real-time updates on traffic jams, restaurant and gas station locations, and even special events like parades and street carnivals. The app also features an integrated GPS system that operates similarly to Google Maps, and you can integrate your Spotify playlists for safer multitasking while driving.Waze app users said they love the ability to report real-time traffic information as well as the integrated GPS functionality.Waze app features:GPS:Yes |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:N/A |Voltage:N/A |Display type:N/A Pros Real-time user updates Integrated GPS Event alerts for traffic jams and special events Free Cons Ad-supported While the Waze app isn't billed as a radar detector, the user base does help to provide real-time information on the locations of red light cameras and speed traps along your route. And along with helping you avoid getting a ticket, Waze users can provide real-time updates on traffic jams, restaurant and gas station locations, and even special events like parades and street carnivals. The app also features an integrated GPS system that operates similarly to Google Maps, and you can integrate your Spotify playlists for safer multitasking while driving.Waze app users said they love the ability to report real-time traffic information as well as the integrated GPS functionality.Waze app features:GPS:Yes |Voice alerts:Yes |Power source:N/A |Voltage:N/A |Display type:N/A Read More Show Expert Take Show less What is the best radar detector? PLACEHOLDERBest radar detectorPriceGPSPowerUniden R7 $450Built-in 12V DC Cobra RAD 480i $139N/A 12V DC Escort MAX 360c $600Companion app 12V DC Escort Max 4$399For false alerts only12V DC Waze Free Built-in N/A Show more Which is the right radar detector for you? When choosing a radar detector, the most important thing to keep in mind is whether or not it's legal to own and use in your state. Some areas have outlawed the use of radar detectors for civilians, so check all local laws and ordinances to make sure you aren't illegally owning and operating one.Buy this radar detector...If you need...Uniden R7 A well-rounded radar detector. The Uniden R7 features integrated GPS and voice alerts for additional road safety. Cobra RAD 480i A budget-friendly radar detector. The Cobra RAD 480i retails for about $150, making it one of the cheaper options on the market. Escort MAX 360c A radar detector with a great display. The Escort MAX 360c uses an OLED display for cleaner, easier to read text. Escort Max 4A radar detector for frequent commuters. Built-in GPS technology learns your routes to reject repeated false alert locations for better accuracy.Waze app A user-friendly radar detector app. Waze users help provide real-time updates to red light camera and speed trap locations. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a radar detector While searching for the best radar detectors, you should consider the following factors:Features:There are several bonus features you may find from model to model, such as GPS connectivity or false alert detection. These features can greatly simplify use and improve your chances of picking up on radar.Display:Visibility is a critical factor when selecting a radar detector. The best radar detectors come with an OLED display that provides greater clarity and color for your images.Cost:Budget is a primary concern for many users, so we look for the best affordable radar detectors that come at a reasonable cost for their features. Show more How did we choose these radar detectors? When researching each radar detector featured on this list, I kept these criteria in mind:Legality: Not all states or cities allow the use of radar detectors, or radar jammers. Each model on this list has been ensured to follow federal guidelines for radar detection, but be sure to check all state and local laws before purchasing.Installation: Setting up a radar detector shouldn't take all day or require special knowledge. Each model on this list has been chosen for its easy setup and user-friendly controls.Consistency and reliability: A radar detector should give you clear and consistent warnings each time it picks up a radar signal. Each model on this list was chosen for its reliability based on customer reviews. Show more Is it illegal to have a radar detector in your vehicle? While federal law only bans radar detectors from being used in commercial vehicles, use in personal vehicles is regulated at the state and municipal level. Make sure you consult all applicable laws before you purchase a radar detector. Show more What's the difference between a radar detector and a radar jammer? A radar detector, well, detects radar signals. These devices search for signals given off by police radar scanners and alert you to their presence, allowing you to correct your speed or other driving faux pas and avoid a ticket. Radar detectors are generally legal across the United States, except in commercial vehicles. Though it is best to check state and local laws before purchasing anything.A radar jammer is something very different, and very illegal. Both federal law and FTC regulations prohibit the use of radar jammers, as they intentionally interfere with radar communication systems to provide false readings. Offenders, even first-time offenders, can face heavy fines, equipment and property forfeiture, and even prison time. Show more How much does a radar detector cost? The cost of a radar detector significantly varies from a few hundred dollars to more than a thousand dollars. The best radar detectors range in price from $150 to less than $700, depending on the model you choose. Show more More radar detectors to considerWhile we've rounded up our top radar detector picks, here's a few more to consider if you're not set on one of the picks above. Show less View now at Best Buy This is the best radar detector if you're looking to splurge. Full Review Read Full Review Escort Redline 360c This is the best radar detector if you're looking to splurge. Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon If you are in the market for a radar detector but don't want to spend a whole paycheck on one, this Uniden radar detector does the trick. Full Review Read Full Review Uniden DFR7 If you are in the market for a radar detector but don't want to spend a whole paycheck on one, this Uniden radar detector does the trick. Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon The Escort MaxCam 360c not only alerts you to nearby radar bands, it also has an integrated dash cam for recording your drives and more accurate information in the event of a collision or other emergency. Full Review Read Full Review Escort MaxCam 360c The Escort MaxCam 360c not only alerts you to nearby radar bands, it also has an integrated dash cam for recording your drives and more accurate information in the event of a collision or other emergency. Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Amazon This compact device has a bright OLED display, making it easier to read at-a-glance and keep you safe on scenic byways where accidents, construction, and slow traffic may not always be immediately visible. Full Review Read Full Review Uniden R4 This compact device has a bright OLED display, making it easier to read at-a-glance and keep you safe on scenic byways where accidents, construction, and slow traffic may not always be immediately visible. Read More Show Expert Take Show less Further ZDNET Tech Coverage Smartphones Smartwatches Tablets Laptops TVs Other Tech Resources ZDNET Recommends0 Comments ·0 Shares ·42 Views
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Android TV Users Beware: Vo1d Malware Botnet Now Controls 1.6M Deviceswww.forbes.comCopyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.Cybercriminals are constantly evolving their methods, and the latest example of this is the alarming spread of the Vo1d malware botnet. This highly sophisticated malware has now infected 1,590,299 Android TV devices across 226 countries, transforming them into anonymous proxy servers for illicit activities. What makes this malware particularly concerning is its resilience and ability to grow despite previous exposure by security researchers.According to an investigation by XLab, Vo1d reached its peak infection rate on January 14, 2025, with 800,000 active bots currently in operation. Researchers speculate that the botnet is being leased to cybercriminal groups for various illegal operations, from ad fraud to bypassing regional internet restrictions. The botnets infection patterns suggest that devices are being rented out and then returned, leading to sharp surges and declines in the number of active bots in specific regions. The most significant impact has been recorded in Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia, Argentina, Thailand, and China.Vo1d Malware ExplainedVo1d is not just another botnetit is one of the largest and most advanced in recent years, surpassing even notorious botnets like Mirai and Bigpanzi. Its sophisticated Command and Control infrastructure employs 2048-bit RSA encryption and Domain Generation Algorithms, making it incredibly difficult to dismantle. The malware uses 32 DGA seeds to generate over 21,000 C&C domains, ensuring that it remains operational despite efforts to disrupt its network.One of the primary functions of Vo1d is transforming infected devices into proxy servers. This allows cybercriminals to reroute malicious traffic through these compromised devices, obscuring their original locations and avoiding detection. These proxies can be used for a range of illicit activities, including:Ad Fraud: The malware can manipulate online advertising systems by generating fake clicks and views to artificially inflate revenue for fraudulent advertisers.Illegal Transactions: Threat actors can use infected devices to carry out financial fraud, identity theft, and other cybercrimes while appearing to operate from legitimate IP addresses.Security Evasion: The botnet enables criminals to bypass geo-restrictions, content filters, and cybersecurity defenses, making it more difficult for law enforcement to trace their activities.What makes Vo1d even more dangerous is its evolving nature. The latest version includes enhanced stealth capabilities and custom XXTEA encryption, further complicating detection and removal efforts. Even if researchers manage to register a C&C domain, they cannot issue commands to disable the botnet due to the strong encryption measures in place.Vo1d also deploys specialized plugins, including the Mzmess SDK, which coordinates fraudulent ad-clicking activities. This SDK enables the botnet to simulate human-like interactions, tricking advertising networks into paying for fake engagement. Additionally, Vo1d has the capability to harvest system information from infected devices, including IP addresses, device specifications, and network details, which could be leveraged for further cyberattacks.Another notable aspect of Vo1ds evolution is its infection technique. While the precise infection vector remains unknown, researchers suspect that it spreads through malicious firmware updates, sideloaded applications, or vulnerabilities in Android TV systems. Some indications suggest that compromised third-party app stores and illicit streaming services may play a role in distributing the malware.The botnets infrastructure also includes a layered obfuscation mechanism, making it difficult for security researchers to analyze and take down. Each infected device communicates with multiple C&C servers in a decentralized manner, reducing the risk of the entire network collapsing if specific nodes are shut down. Furthermore, Vo1d can dynamically update its payload, allowing it to introduce new features or evade security measures over time.7 Essential Tips to Stay SafeGiven the scale and complexity of this and other botnets, consumers must adopt a proactive approach to cybersecurity. Android TV users and IoT device owners should take the following precautions to minimize the risk of infection:Only buy Android TV and IoT devices from trusted manufacturers and authorized resellers. Avoid purchasing from third-party sources that may preload devices with malware.Cybercriminals exploit vulnerabilities in outdated software. Ensure that all firmware and security updates are installed promptly to close potential security gaps.Do not install apps from outside the Google Play Store or third-party firmware images that promise extended functionality. These often contain hidden malware.If your Android TV or IoT device has remote access enabled, disable it unless it is absolutely necessary. This reduces the risk of unauthorized access by cybercriminals.Disconnect devices from the internet when they are not actively being used.Configure your home network to separate IoT devices from computers and smartphones that contain sensitive data. This way, even if an IoT device is infected, it cannot easily spread malware to other crucial systems.Use security software or a network monitoring tool to detect abnormal internet traffic patterns that could indicate a compromised device.0 Comments ·0 Shares ·40 Views