Facebook removes hundreds of pages and groups in Indonesia

Following the takedown of hundreds of pages and groups linked to Iran on Thursday, Facebook has continued its cull in Indonesia.

The social media giant has been targeting "coordinated inauthentic behavior" on the platform, announcing the same  the removal of accounts, pages, and groups linked to the Saracen Group.

SEE ALSO: Some Facebook employees considered quitting over Apple mess

Described as a "fake news syndicate," the Saracen Group has been under the spotlight for its smear campaigns against Indonesian politicians and other people. 

According to The Straits Times, the syndicate reportedly charged $5,600 for a customised fake news article, which would then be disseminated to its hundreds of thousands of followers. Read more...

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At-home DNA testing company gives the FBI access to its database

The FBI has struck up a partnership with one of the largest at-home DNA testing services, according to BuzzFeed News. Apparently, Family Tree DNA has allowed the agency to access its genealogy database containing the DNA profiles of over a million users. Law enforcement has been using the public's increasing fascination with DNA testing as a tool to crack cases for quite a while now. But this is reportedly the first time a private firm has willingly given authorities access to its repository.

While the company doesn't have a contract with the FBI, it reportedly agreed to start testing DNA samples and uploading the results to its database for comparison last fall. In December 2018, it changed its terms of service to say that it allows law enforcement to access its database to identify suspects for violent crimes (homicide, sexual assault) and to ID the remains of victims.

The partnership could lead to a resurgence of privacy concerns when it comes to law enforcement's use of DNA testing services. Authorities aren't only getting access to a million users' profiles, after all -- they'll also be able to see those people's potential relatives. Family Tree stands by the partnership, though, telling BuzzFeed News in a statement:

"Without realizing it [Family Tree DNA founder and CEO Bennett Greenspan] had inadvertently created a platform that, nearly two decades later, would help law enforcement agencies solve violent crimes faster than ever."

The firm also clarified that the FBI will not be able to access more information than the average user can. "We came to the conclusion that if law enforcement created accounts, with the same level of access to the database as the standard FamilyTreeDNA user, they would not be violating user privacy and confidentiality," Greenspan said. Feds will still have to secure a subpoena or a search warrant if it wants to see data not visible to a normal user.

Family Tree DNA was one of the testing firms linked to the Golden State Killer's capture last year after its parent company received a subpoena asking for more information about one of its users. While that turned out to be a false lead, other DNA testing databases ultimately enabled authorities to identify and arrest the serial killer/rapist.

Source: BuzzFeed News

via engadget.com

Nintendo announces mobile game 'Dr. Mario World' for iOS and Android

Nintendo is releasing yet another game for your phone.

The company is set to release its puzzle game Dr. Mario World for iOS and Android devices sometime during the "early summer" of this year, as per an announcement on Thursday.

SEE ALSO: Meet the kid who paid for college by creating a Roblox game

There's not a whole lot of detail yet, aside from the fact that the game will be free to download, but as you can expect, it will come with in-app purchases. 

The doctor is in! Mario puts on the white coat once again in the mobile game Dr. Mario World, targeting an early summer 2019 global release#DrMario https://t.co/DTRBympHj0 pic.twitter.com/RfMZbbs3Mp

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 31, 2019 Read more...

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Nintendo is making a 'Dr. Mario World' mobile game with Line

Nintendo is developing yet another mobile game, this time making Mario put on the lab coat he wore once back in the '90s. The gaming giant has announced that it's working on an action puzzle game entitled Dr. Mario World with Line Corp. If it's anything like the original Dr. Mario released in 1990 for the NES, SNES and Game Boy, it'll offer a Tetris-like experience that'll have you killing viruses on-screen using capsules tossed in by the beloved Italian plumber-turned-physician.

The doctor is in! Mario puts on the white coat once again in the mobile game Dr. Mario World, targeting an early summer 2019 global release. #DrMario https://t.co/DTRBympHj0 pic.twitter.com/RfMZbbs3Mp

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 31, 2019

Nintendo has been cranking out mobile games in recent years, launching titles for smartphones from its famous franchises such as Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing. It's hoping to make Dr. Mario World available for download worldwide in early summer this year for iOS and Android. If everything falls into place for the company, the puzzle game might come out at the same time as Mario Kart Tour for mobile.

Source: Nintendo, Reuters

via engadget.com

Some Facebook employees considered quitting over Apple mess

Facebook's questionable research tactics has led Apple to remind them who's boss.

After TechCrunch revealed Facebook misused Apple's Enterprise Developer Certificate program to spy on consumer phone and web activity through its "Research" app, Apple pulled the plug.

SEE ALSO: Facebook is making more money than ever because nothing matters

Facebook relies on Apple's program to run internal apps on iOS devices, from simple things like bus schedules to communication tools like Workplace and Messenger.

That led to plenty of frustration within Facebook's workplace, as employees were unable to get work done due to the shutdown, as reported in the New York Times. Read more...

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Facebook isn't sorry about its shady 'research' app

Facebook may have just been caught spying on teens' phones under the guise of "market research," but the company isn't about to apologize for it.

In a company memo published by Business insider, Facebook's VP of Production, Engineering, and Security Pedro Canahuati, attempts to explain the company's ongoing drama with Apple that resulted from news of its "research" app being made public.

SEE ALSO: 'F*ck ethics. Money is everything': Facebook employees react to scandal on gossip app

Apple earlier revoked Facebook's Enterprise Certificate, which allows companies to distribute apps internally outside of its App Store. Thousands of Facebook employees rely on these apps for day-to-day work. On Thursday, Apple granted Facebook a new Enterprise Certificate, but the company now has to rebuild "a few dozen" apps, as Canahuat explained in his memo to employees. Read more...

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Mozilla says Facebook isn't transparent enough with political ads

It's not just activist groups complaining that Facebook's browser add-on policies are hurting political ad transparency. Mozilla has sent a letter to the European Commission contending that Facebook's approach is creating a "lack of transparency." The browser developer wants to launch a Firefox Election package for the EU's upcoming parliamentary elections, but Facebook's recent changes will prevent an add-on in that package from identifying ads and showing how they're targeting users. Mozilla further noted that Facebook's political ad archive toolkit is still private and limited to a "small number of privileged researchers."

While Facebook did reveal plans to release a political ad transparency tool ahead of the EU elections, Mozilla was concerned this would be the same as the ad archive site Facebook delivered to the US in 2018, complete with "simple keyword searches." This wouldn't live up to the EU's Code of Practice on Disinformation, Mozilla argued, and would prevent more advanced research.

The company said it had talked to Facebook about its views, but that it was "unable to identify a path" toward useful political ad data disclosures. It hoped that the Commission would bring up the issue with Facebook -- in other words, that it might pressure the social network into making changes.

You might not see Facebook change its mind in the near future. In a response to previous complaints, it contended that its approach to browser plugins was part of a "routine update" meant to thwart deceptive ad blockers and scrapers that would feed data to "bad actors." It believes it's protecting privacy, and it's not in a rush to implement anything that could undermine that protection.

Source: Mozilla

via engadget.com

Facebook’s iOS apps return after temporary Apple ban

After revoking Facebook's enterprise certificates that allowed the company to distribute the software outside of the Apple App Store, Facebook announced today that the certification has been restored, per Mike Issac. Internal apps used by the company are running again, once again allowing employees to communicate and collaborate with one another. Facebook said the revocation of the certificates did not have an impact on its consumer-facing services.

latest on FB v Apple:

"We have had our Enterprise Certification, which enables our internal employee applications, restored. We are in the process of getting our internal apps up and running. To be clear, this didn't have an impact on our consumer-facing services." --FB spox

— rat king (@MikeIsaac) January 31, 2019

Facebook's internal applications were temporarily inaccessible after Apple moved to shut down one of the social network's apps. Facebook was paying teenagers $20 a month in gift cards to use an app called "Facebook Research," a VPN that gave the company full access to all of the teen's phone and web activity. The app required users to install an enterprise certificate, which allowed Facebook to access private messages, photos, videos, emails, web activity and location information.

Apple only allows developers to use the enterprise certificate system to give employers access to information on employee devices. By extending the certificates to people outside of the company's employ, Facebook violated Apple's policies. Apple revoked the certifications, which resulted in all of Facebook's internal apps that used the certification suddenly being inaccessible.

Source: Mike Isaac

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Study suggests Facebook users are happier if they leave for a month

You've no doubt heard anecdotal evidence of Facebook users feeling better after they've quit the social network, but how often does that help, really? A fair amount, according to researchers. A study (PDF) from New York University and Stanford showed that Facebook users were happier, more satisfied with life and slightly less likely to feel anxious, depressed or lonely. They also used other social networks less, and used Facebook less when they came back.

Those who were off Facebook found a number of things to do in its place, including meeting friends and family or watching TV. They didn't spend as much time consuming news, though.

This doesn't necessarily mean that you should rush to delete your account -- as TechCrunch observed, there are some factors to consider. This is self-reported data, so there's a chance this doesn't represent the subjects' complete emotional landscape. It's unclear what would happen if the break were longer, for that matter. Also, the researchers conducted this study ahead of the 2016 US presidential election, right when political tensions were high. It might have been more enjoyable to leave Facebook simply because it helped users avoid heated debates and rhetoric.

With that said, the findings lend credence to claims that taking a break might help. While it's still not clear how social networks affect mental health, there are indications of potential problems. Between the fierce political discussions and cherry-picked moments, you're not really getting a full picture of other people's lives -- that might skew your feelings in unexpected ways.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Stanford (PDF)

via engadget.com

Apple has now broken all of Google’s internal iOS apps

Google is joining Facebook in iOS hell.

Apple has now revoked Google’s Enterprise Certificate, breaking all of the search engine’s internal apps, according to The Verge.

A source familiar with the situation informed the news outlet that pre-release beta versions of Google’s iOS apps have stopped working as of Thursday.

These apps include new builds of Gmail, Google Maps, and Hangouts. Apps meant for internal company use, such as the search engine’s cafe app and Gbus transportation app have also ceased working.

“We’re working with Apple to fix a temporary disruption to some of our corporate iOS apps, which we expect will be resolved soon,” said a Google spokesperson in a statement provided to Mashable. Read more...

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Oh my god they have Airpods in, they can't hear this meme

Airpods can't catch a break. 

After getting smushed into slime ASMR, turned into weird earrings, and mocked for rich people flexing, Airpods are the subject of yet another meme. 

The meme makes fun of people using Airpods, joking that they can't hear warnings because they're wearing Apple's overpriced wireless earphones. In one of the most popular versions of the meme, a bystander attempts to tell Oedipus (yeah, that Oedipus) that he's about to fulfill the prophesy of killing his father and marrying his mother. 

oedipus you're gonna fuck your mom oh my god he has airpods in oh my god he can't hear us! oh my god!

— zoe (@wretchedophelia) January 29, 2019 Read more...

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Massive AirPods Upgrade?

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Minor League Baseball is swinging big and going weird with new team names

In the late fall of 2018, one of the most viral sports stories was about a new Minor League Baseball (MILB) team in Madison, Alabama. The reason for all the hype wasn't their game so much as their name: the Rocket City Trash Pandas

The name was unveiled in September 2018, after the "Trash Pandas" moniker won a public vote, beating out four similarly absurd space-animal combinations: Moon Possums, ThunderSharks, Space Chimps, and Comet Jockeys. 

The newly-named Trash Pandas generated plenty of headlines, and they got an extra boost in late October when the team's amazing astronaut raccoon logo was unveiled. The space-related look and "Rocket City" reference are a nod to the large NASA hub, including Space Camp, in nearby Huntsville. Read more...

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Apple reportedly blocks Google's internal iOS apps, too

Earlier this week, Apple banned Facebook from running internal iOS apps because Facebook had been using Apple's enterprise certificate to distribute software outside of the App Store. Now, Apple has apparently put the same kibosh down on Google, which had done the same thing. According to The Verge, sources within Google have reported that pre-release beta apps of Google Maps, Hangouts and Gmail for iOS have now stopped working, as well as employee-only apps like Google's internal cafe app.

This all came to light a few days ago, when TechCrunch reported that Facebook had used Apple's enterprise certificate to distribute 'Facebook Research,' a VPN app that allowed the company root access to participants' phones. It turns out that Google had done similar with an app called Screenwise Meter.

Google released a statement yesterday, where it admitted to the mistake and disabled the app. It said: "The Screenwise Meter iOS app should not have operated under Apple's developer enterprise program — this was a mistake, and we apologize. We have disabled this app on iOS devices. This app is completely voluntary and always has been. We've been upfront with users about the way we use their data in this app, we have no access to encrypted data in apps and on devices, and users can opt out of the program at any time."

Apple banning these companies from running internal iOS apps have pretty serious consequences. It means that now both Facebook or Google have to stop development of their apps for iOS, at least until they've mended their relationship with Apple.

We've since reached out to Google for comment.

via engadget.com

Nintendo reportedly plans smaller and cheaper Switch for this year

It's no surprise that the Switch has been a huge success for Nintendo. In its earnings report today, the company revealed that it sold over 32 million Switch units, which means it's getting close to dethroning the beloved Nintendo 64. But it also sounds like Nintendo is also planning to change things up a bit this year. According to a Nikkei report, the company is developing a smaller and cheaper version of the Switch focused on portability, and without some of the features in the original console. A rumor in October suggested Nintendo was developing a new Switch, but instead of improving on the existing model, it's just as likely the company is looking for ways to streamline the system.

As Ars Technica speculates, the console's plastic dock could be the first thing to go. It's available separately for $90, and there are also cheaper ways to get your Switch to output to a TV (it's relying on a USB-C connection, after all). Nintendo could conceivably move towards a smaller and cheaper screen, and potentially even make the controller a physical part of the console, instead of the removable Joy-Cons. It also wouldn't be out of character for Nintendo to break existing functionality with a console revamp -- the 2DS was a cheaper spin on the 3DS that was still very playable without 3D.

A cheaper Switch could be exactly what Nintendo needs to increase console sales this year. While the Switch is doing well overall, the company revised its sales projections for its 2018 fiscal year to 17 million, down from 20 million. And a more portable console could also help get the Switch into smaller hands, now that 3DS sales are also slowing down.

Via: Ars Technica

Source: Nikkei

via engadget.com

Girl's wild frozen hair shows the power of the polar vortex

Alright, Mother Nature, you've done your thing — and we're all very impressed — but this is getting out of hand. 

In recent days, extremely cold temperatures have caused everything from 2,600 flight delays to the halting of U.S. postal service delivery (and they never stop for anything). But if there's anything we can learn from cold Midwesterners, it's that this polar vortex doesn't need to be a polar snorefest. 

Iowa native @taylor_scallon showed the power of negative temps when she shared a video of herself  outside with a very interesting hairstyle. She managed to get her hair to defy gravity and freeze straight up when she went outside with wet hair.   Read more...

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Facebook removed hundreds of accounts and pages linked to Iran

Facebook has removed nearly 800 fake accounts, pages and groups its security researchers say were linked to Iran.

The accounts, which were in many cases made to look like local news organizations, engaged in "coordinated inauthentic behavior," according to Facebook and had accumulated more than 2 million followers and hundreds of thousands of followers on Instagram.

SEE ALSO: 50 percent of Facebook users could be fake, report claims

As with previous mass takedowns tied to Iran, Facebook's head of cybersecurity policy, Nathaniel Gleicher, was quick to caution that though the accounts originated in Iran, the company hasn't been able to definitively say whether or not it was part of a state sponsored campaign. Read more...

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Dogs are eating edibles in record numbers

ASPCA reports a 765% increase in calls about pets being poisoned by marijuana. Read more...

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