Sharing βdeepfake pornβ could soon be illegal in the UK
A government-backed review has warned that current laws do not go far enough to cover βdisturbing and abusive new behaviours born in the smartphone era.β During the past decade, numerous steps have been taken to confront the threat of sexual harassment online posed by evolving digital trends. In 2015,
Current in Social
New TikTok feature allows users to set screen time reminders
Self-regulating our social media consumption has proved to be difficult. Now, app designers are incorporating time-sensitive features to prevent us from getting lost in endless scrolling loops. Tapping into social media has become as ingrained into our daily habits as checking text messages, e-mails, and news notifications. But unlike apps used...
How smartphone dependence is harming our memories
βDigital amnesiaβ is on the rise, a concerning phenomenon thatβs seeing our ingrained reliance on tech take a toll on our ability to remember important information. For those of us fortunate enough to own a smartphone, they play an integral role in our day-to-day lives. We use them to communicate,...
TikTok launches slew of safety features including For You filtering
TikTok is rolling out a slew of new safety features, including βmaturityβ ratings on videos for young users, an algorithm that prevents bulk viewing of problematic content, and the ability to filter in the For You page using words or hashtags. Tuning your algorithm on TikTok can require a ton...
Apps and advertisers are officially coming for our lock screens
Itβs only a matter of time until our lock screens become the next hottest real estate in tech. Advertisers are upping the ante with rollout in the coming months, according to reports. Have you ever sat peacefully with your phone locked beside you wishing it would, of its old accord,...
Facebook removing some posts offering abortion pills
Following the Supreme Courtβs decision to strip away constitutional protections for abortion, the platform is temporarily banning users who share status updates explaining how to legally obtain abortion pills in the mail. After months of speculation, the US Supreme Court has overturned Roe V Wade, the integral ruling from 1973...
Apple faces Β£768m lawsuit for allegedly βthrottlingβ older iPhones
Up to 25 million Britons who owned an older iPhone model in 2017 may be able to claim damages from Apple. A consumer champion claims the tech giant deliberately ruined phone performances to push buyers towards new devices. When it comes to our phone devices, somewhat ironically, weβre the ones under the thumb. Over the last few years, phone usage has become more obsessive than ever. Up to five hours...
This browser extension counters climate anxiety and doom scrolling
If you download this irreverent browser extension, whenever you read a doom and gloom climate story, youβll receive a small call to action accompanied by an amusing snarky comment. Finally, pop-ups we can get onboard with. As someone whose job it is to follow every minute detail of the existential crisis that is climate change, take it from me: doom scrolling can feel exhausting. Every morning youβre trawling through stories describing...
Tinder is working towards ending the USβ LGBTQIA+ blood ban
Tinder has partnered with Human Rights Campaign (HRC) to do away with Americaβs archaic and discriminatory policy which prohibits blood donations from gay and bisexual men. Every year, Pride organisations join forces to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and shine a light on the challenges its members face on a daily basis. And of course, each time June rolls around, brands across the globe jump at the opportunity to tap into the...
EU ruling aims to stop market domination from Big Tech giants
A new EU law dubbed the Digital Markets Act will aim to stem the relentless market domination of Big Techβs giants. This will, in theory, provide smaller online businesses with a chance to grow. As much as weβd love it to be, the world just isnβt an equal opportunity place, is it? Ah well, at least our phones are always there to provide a bit of escapism, complete with all...
