Fight back against online threats with a subscription to Surfshark

SAVE 81%: A two-year subscription to Surfshark is on sale for £1.78 per month as of Aug. 1, saving you 81% on list price.

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Please don't panic, but it's important to recognise the real online threats that are lurking out there in the digital world. The online world is full of hackers, malware, phishing scams, identity theft attempts, ad manipulation, and ISP tracking. We could go on, but you get the idea.

The best way of protecting yourself against these threats is with a VPN. These services protect your identity and data by hiding your real IP address and connecting you to a secure server that encrypts your traffic.

Surfshark is one of the most popular VPNs due to its wide range of advanced features and low price point. A two-year subscription to Surfshark is on sale for £1.78 per month as of Aug. 1, saving you 81% on list price. This plan lets you connect an unlimited number of devices, which is great news for large households with a lot of devices.

Secure your digital life with a discounted subscription to Surfshark.

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Save 81% on Surfshark

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This powerful VPN provides access to special servers designed for streaming

SAVE 82%: A three-year subscription to CyberGhost VPN is on sale for £1.99 per month as of Aug. 1, and includes an extra three months for free.

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CyberGhost VPN is offering one of the standout deals from the world of cybersecurity, with a three-year subscription available for just £1.99 a month as of Aug. 2. This deal saves you a massive 82% on list price, and even includes an extra three months of protection for free.

So that's a pretty convincing reason to try CyberGhost VPN, but what else? CyberGhost VPN is one of the most popular services out there, with decent connection speeds, powerful encryption, and much more. It's also one of the best services for streaming.

All subscribers get access to thousands of servers located all around the world, with seven multi-logins so everyone in your home can access their favourite content at the same time. CyberGhost VPN also offers special streaming servers that streamline the process of bypassing content restrictions to unlock extra content on sites like Netflix and Prime Video.

If all of that wasn't enough to convince you, every CyberGhost VPN plan comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee.

Save 82% on CyberGhost VPN

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Manage your brand online with this Shopify store creation course bundle

TL;DR: The Complete Shopify Store Creation Course Bundle is on sale for £17.90 as of Aug. 1, saving you 98% on list price.

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Whether you’ve already made a name for yourself as a brick-and-mortar brand or you’re building something brand new from the ground up, Shopify makes the process of building and managing an online store very doable. You’re sure to have some questions along the way, though, which is where this Shopify Store Creation Guide comes in handy.

For just £17.90, this 48-hour guide includes what you need to know about the Shopify platform — from navigating the layout to designing your website from scratch. Beyond just making it look visually pleasing, you’ll also learn how to make your site user-friendly and SEO-friendly.

The courses are taught by instructors like Yassin Marco, a specialist in online business creation; Bryan Guerra, a digital marketing and ecommerce guru; Jono Farrington, a Shopify SEO expert; and Leon Chaudhari, an entrepreneur who dabbles in just about everything.

This Shopify guide is valued at £1,002.. But for a limited time, you can get lifetime access to all seven courses for only £17.90.

Credit: Yassin Marco

Save 98% on the Complete Shopify Store Creation Course Bundle

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Build the video game of your dreams with this online training bundle

TL;DR: The 2021 Premium Unity Game Developer Certification Bundle is on sale for £14.41 as of Aug. 1, saving you 99% on list price.

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Last year might’ve sucked big time, but it was actually a great year for gaming. A couple shiny new consoles came out, as well as a treasure trove of new games. Major studios had some big releases, but the biggest standouts of the year were the indie gems.

In fact, Among Us, a charming indie party game of teamwork and betrayal, ranked high on many lists as one of the best games of 2020. It held its own among major studio hits and was even labeled one of the best comfort-food games of the year. And, guess what: It was made in a tiny development studio in Washington on none other than the Unity engine — a platform even non-coders can build games on.

With this Unity Game Developer Bundle, you have the potential to create the next Among Us. It features 17 courses and 146 hours of training on both Unity and Blender and is led mostly by John Bura. Bura’s contributed to 40 commercial games — several of which have risen to number one in the App Store. He’s also the owner of gaming studio Mammoth Interactive and even recently sold a game to Nickelodeon. With his instruction, you’ll be on your way to creating your dream game in no time.

The training itself is based on a learning-by-doing structure. That means, as you work your way through each course, you’ll actually create a game that mirrors the concepts you learned. For example, you’ll make a platform shooter game with pixel art, an AR block builder game, your own Battle Royale game, and even a 3D Super Mario clone. By the end, you’ll even learn how to monetise games and design your own completely from scratch.

While it's valued at well over £2,000, you can virtually enroll in this Unity training for only £14.41 for a limited time.

Credit: Mammoth Interactive

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Secure your online world for under £2 a month with Private Internet Access

SAVE 83%: A three-year subscription to Private Internet Access is on sale for £1.71 per month as of Aug. 1, and includes an extra two months for free.

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Cybersecurity is no joke, and that's why you need a VPN that doesn't mess around. Private Internet Access is a serious online security service that offers powerful protection for your data and identity.

A three-year subscription to Private Internet Access is on sale for £1.71 per month as of Aug. 1, saving you 83% on list price. That's a massive discount, but it gets better. This plan also includes an extra two months for free, and is fully refundable for 30 days.

All subscribers get fast connection speeds, around the clock customer support, and access to secure servers in 78 countries. Private Internet Access also has dedicated apps for all major operating systems, and lets you connect 10 devices simultaneously. That means you get protection for all your smartphones, computers, and routers with one account.

Save 83% on powerful protection for all your devices with Private Internet Access.

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Best VoIP for small business owners — whether you're WFH or not

Small businesses have to find ways to compete with the big box stores and companies with more resources and recognition. The best way is to stand out by developing a reputation for reliability and top-notch service. One of the keys to achieving that is by always being available and easy for your clients and customers to contact. There's a secret weapon that small businesses can utilize to stay connected: VoIP.

An excellent VoIP service (it stands for voice over internet protocol, in case you were wondering) goes a long way to making this possible while keeping costs low.

So what is a VoIP, exactly?

Think of it like using FaceTime or Skype but as a professional service, or as a souped-up and internet-connected version of your standard landline connection. Everything businesses need from their phone system, VoIP can do better — and often cheaper.

But, how do you know what to look for when seeking out a great VoIP service for your small business? Don't worry. We've got you covered with a look at the best VoIPs for every kind of small business and every budgetary need.

Why does your small business need a VoIP service?

When it comes to running your business, there is perhaps nothing more fundamental to the operation than communication, from organizing your team to getting in touch with customers and clients. VoIP services provide an enhanced version of what you'd expect from a standard business phone provider. A VoIP service gives you crystal clear phone calls and video calls because you're connected to the internet and have a digital connection that can transmit more data at faster speeds. Even better, you can typically get service from a VoIP provider at a lower price than a landline service.

That makes it ideal simply if you're trying to communicate with other employees remotely, but it also offers so much more. Many VoIP providers offer services for small businesses will give you toll-free numbers, automatic call recording, and even features like a switchboard feature or virtual receptionist assistant. All these capabilities make your business seem more professional to potential clients, as well as help you organize your work practices more effectively.

Why VoIP is ideal for the remote workplace

We already covered call quality and some of the additional features that you can get from a VoIP service, but there are other benefits as well. Key among them is the fact that VoIP systems can integrate seamlessly into your existing workflow. That is a big deal. Anyone who has ever been a part of an office that tries to switch over their CRM software knows just how big of a disruption it can be. VoIP services often offer options that allow you to use it with your existing software without any interruption.

It’s also the ideal tool for the modern workplace. As more and more companies are going remote — or staying remote after the pandemic — staying in touch with your team is as important as ever. So is making sure they have access to the tools that they need to do their job. VoIP services aren’t limited to the hard-wired connection of a landline. You’ll be able to set up conference calls and access the full suite of tools from your VoIP’s digital dashboard no matter where you’re working from.

What to look for in a small business VoIP

There are dozens of different VoIP companies out there, so it's crucial that you know what elements you most need. The smallest of small businesses may only need a cheap landline replacement and some basic collaborative features for remote workers. Still, it's likely you also want extra features, like being able to record calls or a virtual receptionist to handle multiple clients at once. 

Avoid overpaying for services you don't need. If your business doesn't rely on CRMs, then you shouldn't go out of your way to find a VoIP service that includes CRM integration. Make sure your VoIP can grow with you, such as by ensuring that you can upgrade your service as you develop. It's good to have a business plan for the future. 

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When selecting a VoIP, these are your best bets

We have evolved past the need for landlines. Welcome to the era of VoIP. At its simplest, a VoIP (also known as Voice over Internet Protocol) is a way of making phone calls through the internet rather than having to rely on a regular landline or your cell phone. Think of it kind of like FaceTime or Skype but typically far more advanced and specialized than those services.

While many VoIP services involve a subscription fee, don’t let the dollar signs fool you: they often end up saving you money and can prove to be cheaper than using a standard phone line. That's particularly the case when dealing with long-distance calls or business conferences. Such services are also typically far more reliable, which is crucial for certain scenarios. And as more of the world moves online and businesses shift to more remote work, being able to stay connected and in contact anywhere is increasingly important.

Keep on reading and we'll explain all when it comes to the wonders of VoIP and take a look at the best VoIPs, no matter what your situation is.

Why are VoIPs important?

VoIPs are important for many different people. For businesses, it can be hugely beneficial to have crisp and clear calls, no matter where you're calling from. Most companies can’t settle for static and spotty signals when it comes to important conference calls and daily communications. VoIPs provide a steady connection and crystal clear call quality as long as you have an internet connection.

SEE ALSO: What the heck is a VoIP? An expert explains.

For those people with relatives around the world, they can enjoy cheap phone calls that remain high in quality and aren't dependent on anything other than a regular landline for the relative. That's particularly useful when dealing with friends or family who aren't tech-savvy. You’ll save on those international charges that can add up in a hurry and spend more time talking about what is important to you rather than doing tech support for those on the other end of the line.

In all cases, the big benefit is the reduced costs. Regular calls and international calls cost a lot over time. Businesses have the additional expense of needing to pay for features like toll-free numbers or automatic call recording. These can all come as standard with certain VoIP services.

How do VoIPs work, exactly?

VoIP systems are much simpler than you might imagine. Put simply, they are a way to make calls over your internet connection instead of your landline or mobile network.

To get a little more technical, VoIP systems let you connect to a server that allows you to place calls to other telephone networks across your internet connection. It converts your analog voice signal — the kind that is used when placing a standard phone call — into a digital signal by your VoIP service provider and transmitted over your internet connection.

The result is an experience identical to placing a call over a landline or mobile network, except the call quality is better and the cost is typically cheaper.

What to look for when buying a VoIP service

There are dozens of different VoIP services out there, so it's important to know what you are looking for and what will best serve your needs.

Think about why you are considering a VoIP service in the first place. If you're looking to call relatives at a lower price, then you don't need to worry about business features like toll-free numbers, fax, or automatic call recording. However, you do want to make sure the calls are crisp and high-quality, and voicemail features could be useful.

If you're a small business, you don't have to worry about conference call support for dozens of users, but you could probably do with some flexibility to expand the plan as your business grows. You also want to check that you can port your old number across if customers are used to that number from before.

And if you’re a larger business, you’re going to want to take a look at the full suite of features. Conference calling might become essential, especially if your workforce is becoming more remote-friendly. Fax services, as well as toll-friendly numbers and answering machine features are also likely to need some consideration.

In all cases, it's vital to know what your budget is so you can keep to it accordingly. Read on to discover our picks for the best VoIPs.

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Twitter issues cash bounty challenge for undoing 'racist' photo cropping

Twitter just issued a new challenge that will pays people to actually do some good.

As part of the hacker conference DEF CON beginning Aug. 5, Twitter has announced a challenge to the hacking/coding community to help the company make the algorithm that crops the platform's photos less (apparently) racist.

Tweet may have been deleted

For photos attached to tweets that are a larger or different shape than the thumbnail proportions, a Twitter algorithm chooses what portion of the image to show in the tweet's preview. In Sept. 2020, Twitter users pointed out that this algorithm appeared to more consistently show white faces than black faces when there was an odd-shaped image that contained both. Some described this as an instance of algorithmic bias, which is when racism intentionally or inadvertently gets baked into the decisions a computer makes.

In response, Twitter shared the way the algorithm worked, and said that it would look into the matter. But the algorithmic bias bounty program takes efforts to solve this problem a step further by financially incentivizing people to mitigate it.

Tweet may have been deleted

Bug bounties are programs companies or other groups have that reward people (often, those outside the organizations) for finding bugs in their technical infrastructure. Bug bounties often focus on finding potential security breaches, and organizations pay bug bounty hunters for alerting them to the issues.

Twitter is taking this concept and applying it to the challenge of algorithmic bias in photo cropping. It will award $3,500 to a first place winner that can identify the cause of this apparent bias, plus $1,000 each for second place, "most innovative," and "Most Generalizable (i.e., applies to the most types of algorithms)," and $500 for third place.

The challenge is a neat use of the bug bounty model: Rather than apologizing and playing defense for an instance of algorithmic bias, Twitter is saying, we want proactive help. And we'll pay.

SEE ALSO: Twitter's giving away NFTs for free (it's hard to put a price on worthless)

"We want to take this work a step further by inviting and incentivizing the community to help identify potential harms of this algorithm beyond what we identified ourselves," Twitter's blog post announcing the challenge reads. "With this challenge we aim to set a precedent at Twitter, and in the industry, for proactive and collective identification of algorithmic harms."

The bounty program at this time is specific to the challenge of photo cropping. But the blog post announcing the challenge describes it as "Twitter’s first algorithmic bias bounty challenge." First, and maybe not last? Mashable has reached out to Twitter to learn whether it will launch more algorithmic bias bounties to hunt down bias in machine learning, and will update this when we hear back.

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11 best spy movies on Netflix

Spy movies offer a special brand of excitement. Dashing agents strut into high-stakes scenarios, race through exotic locations, and tumble into sexy alliances, taking audiences along for every vicarious thrill. Eye-popping gadgetry, heart-racing action sequences, and mind-bending twists are all to be expected, yet are nonetheless enthralling. Even across these standards, the spy movie can take forms dynamic, dramatic, and downright hilarious. Whatever kind of spy story you’re seeking, we’ve got something for you.

Here’s the best spy movies now on Netflix:

1. Casino Royale

For decades, Bond—James Bond—has defined the espionage thriller. Following in the footsteps of the likes of Roger Moore, Sean Connery, and Pierce Brosnan, English leading man Daniel Craig took on the role of 007 in this 2006 hit that reimagined Bond for the modern age. Directed by Martin Campbell, Casino Royale jetted audiences back to the MI6’s operative’s early days, when he was working toward achieving his license to kill. With blue eyes as steely as his demeanor, Craig made his mark on this storied franchise by hurling himself into exhilarating action, delivering sharp quips, and seducing a glamorous Bond Girl (Eva Green). Bringing added oomph to this blockbuster are supporting performances from Mads Mikkelsen, Jeffrey Wright, and Judi Dench. And if you want to double down, hit play on Quantum of Solace next. But be sure to do so before August 31, that’s when both will vanish.

How to watch: Casino Royale is streaming on Netflix.

2. Austin Powers

Elizabeth Hurley andMike Myers in "Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery." Credit: New Line / Kobal / Shutterstock

What if James Bond had zero chill? Then you’d have Austin Powers, a shag-obsessed English spy with a wild sense of style and a vintage worldview from the 1960s. Of course, so is he. In this hit 1997 action-comedy, Mike Myers stars as the titular secret agent, whose been thawed out of cryostasis to best his longtime nemesis Dr. Evil (also played by Myers). However, in the thirty years since they last faced off, the world has changed drastically, turning both hero and villain into funny fish out of water. Joining Myers in scoring laughs is a cutup cast that includes Elizabeth Hurley, Michael Yorke, Mindy Sterling, and Seth Green. Director Jay Roach plays with espionage standards, like hi-tech tools, eccentric foes, busty femme fatales, and outrageously convoluted death traps, to create a parody that’s sure to please. For bonus fun, create a DIY marathon, by following the first film with its sequels, Austin Powers The Spy Who Shagged Me and Goldmember.

How to watch: Austin Powers International Man of Mystery is streaming on Netflix.

3. The Sum of All Fears

When it comes to a steely secret agent played by a string of debonair men, the Brits have James Bond, and the Americans have Jack Ryan. Dreamed up by bestselling novelist Tom Clancy, Jack Ryan is an affable CIA agent who’s been portrayed by the likes of Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Chris Pine, John Krasinski, and—in this instance—Ben Affleck. In this 2002 thriller, Ryan is an analyst, who is astoundingly intelligent but untrained for the field. However, when Neo-Nazis secretly scheme to push the US and Russia into renewed nuclear conflict, Ryan will dive in to action and political intrigue to save his nation from devastation. Director Phil Alden Robinson delivers teeth-clenching tension, which is rooted in stirring performances from an ensemble that includes Morgan Freeman, James Cromwell, Philip Baker Hall, Ciarán Hinds, and Liev Schreiber.

How to watch: The Sum of All Fears is streaming on Netflix.

4. Unknown

Is this one critically heralded? No. Still, this 2011 movie was a box office smash because it’s an action-thriller starring Liam Neeson. So, if that’s your jam, you won’t want to miss this fast-paced flick, which has horror-director Jaume Collet-Serra (House of Wax, Orphan, The Shallows) dipping his toe into espionage. Based on a French novel by Didier Van Cauwelaert, Unknown stars Neeson as Dr. Martin Harris, who is traveling to Berlin with his picture-perfect wife (January Jones). But then a forgotten briefcase and a taxi-cab crash spins him into a bizarre new reality: his wife says she’s not his wife, and she insists he’s not Dr. Martin Harris. Chasing down the truth, this anonymous man of action uncovers deception, conspiracy, and an assassination plot…and that’s just for starters. Lacing tension, terror, action and intrigue, Collet-Serra and Neeson create a juicy thriller that delivers.

How to watch: Unknown is streaming on Netflix.

5. Red Joan

Sophie Cookson as Young Joan and Stephen Campbell Moore as Max Davis in "Red Joan." Credit: Nick Wall / Lionsgate / Kobal / Shutterstock

This espionage drama begins in a picturesque English garden, where a sweet old lady (Judi Dench) is pruning shrubbery when she’s abruptly arrested for treason. Flashbacks whisk us to World War II-era England, when Joan Smith (Sophie Cookson) was a bright young woman with high ideals, who strode into a world of international intrigue, torrid romance, and potential nuclear war. Inspired by Melita Norwood, an English civil servant who gave classified atomic weapons information to the KGB, Red Joan reveals a story about a complicated and controversial woman, who broke all the rules--and arguably betrayed her nation--in hopes of saving the world. Theater director Trevor Nunn guides his cast through portrayals that are restrained but riveting. But best of all are stinging sequences of spy craft, injected with a woman’s touch for diversion, from fur coats and baby carriages to men’s squeamishness over a box of sanitary napkins.

How to watch: Red Joan is streaming on Netflix.

6. The Net

This 1995 film is a wonderful and entertaining time capsule about the early days of the internet and Americans’ emerging fears about online spying. With the intensity and vulnerability that made her an A-lister, Sandra Bullock stars as a reclusive hacker who follows a mysterious glitch down a rabbit hole of conspiracy, identity theft, and a ruthless syndicate that’s wants to delete her. To best her sinister foes, she’ll have to use her computer savvy, her fast-dwindling friend list, and her wits. Pitching his protagonist out from behind the comfort zone of her computer screen, director Irwin Winkler creates a web that’s world-wide and full of threats, from Cancun beaches, to sterile retirement homes, to sprawling convention centers, and the arms of a handsome stranger (Jeremy Northam). The look of the old-school internet might cause chuckles, but the chills of this espionage thriller still hold up.

How to watch: The Net is streaming on Netflix.

7. The Snowden

Want something more harrowing than fictional speculation that something wicked lurks online? Then, check out this 2016 biopic/thriller about the eponymous American CIA subcontractor, who leaked highly classified information about how the U.S. government employed the internet to spy on its own citizens. Some believe Edward Snowden is a hero or a whistleblower. Others see him as a spy and a traitor. Oliver Stone, the heralded filmmaker behind Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July, Wall Street, and JFK, has never shied away from provocative political content and he makes bold swings here. With Snowden, he brings his signature gravitas and pulls together a star-studded cast that includes Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Timothy Olyphant, and Nicolas Cage. In this suspenseful offering, they declassify the personal story of the man and the myths behind the global headlines.

How to watch: Snowden is streaming on Netflix.

8. The American

This 2010 film combines elements of espionage-thriller and the Revisionist Western to create a uniquely captivating story. George Clooney stars as a contract killer looking to get out of the life…without losing his. Following a gruesome catastrophe in Sweden, his handler promises one last job in picturesque Italy. Soon, this dashing death dealer has crossed paths with a beguiling local, a patient priest, and an enigmatic assassin. Each of these blossoming relationships—for better or nerve-racking—spur him to reflect on his life, which is written in blood. Can he truly just walk away? Director Anton Corbijn brings a steamy atmosphere, sharp edge, and a hint of Hitchcockian glamor to this tense tale of hit men, deception, double-crosses, and second chances. Violante Placido, Thekla Reuten, Paolo Bonacelli, and Johan Leysen co-star.

How to watch: The American is streaming on Netflix.

9. The Penguins of Madagascar

Benedict Cumberbatch voices a smug wolf spy in "Penguins of Madagascar." Credit: Shutterstock

I spy something family-friendly! After proving stealthy scene-stealers in the Madagascar movies, 2014’s The Penguins of Madagascar gives this wacky waddle an espionage-stuffed spinoff of their own. Directors Eric Darnell and Simon J. Smith crack open the origin story of how the four-penguin squad of Skipper, Kowalski, Rico, and Private came together. Then, they give these silly spies a globe-trekking mission that pits them against an ornery octopus, who is a master of disguise. Along with espionage drama standards—like lush locations, wild tech, and gonzo action—this animated romp also offers tons of laughs, working in parody, prat falls, and fart jokes with equal relish. Bringing verve to the voice cast are celebrated dramatic actors John Malkovich, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Peter Stormare, as well as documentarian Werner Herzog.

How to watch: Penguins of Madagascar is streaming on Netflix.

10. American Ultra

A popular trope in spy movies is the sleeper agent, a mild-mannered person who contains the muscle memory and spycraft skills of a deadly operative. In some cases, their true identity is a mystery even to themselves. That is until a cryptic code word unlocks a treasure trove of secrets. Imagine The Manchurian Candidate as a stoner comedy, and you’ll have some sense of the wacky pleasures of 2015’s American Ultra. Jesse Eisenberg stars as a hapless convenience store clerk, whose big plan is to propose to his cool girlfriend (Kristen Stewart). That is until an ambush by heavily armed foes turns on his hidden programming, revealing he’s Jason Bourne…if Jason Bourne was a pothead with anxiety issues. Director Nima Nourizadeh brings a frenzied pace, explosive action, and an intoxicating goofiness to the familiar premise of an agent gone rogue to save his girl. Connie Britton, John Leguizamo, Walton Goggins, and Topher Grace co-star.

How to watch: American Ultra is streaming on Netflix.

11. The Losers

Critics loathed this 2010 offering, writing it off for its endless stunt sequences, mindless entertainment, and abject absurdity. But sometimes all of the above is exactly what you want. Plus—despite its insulting title—this action flick is full of big names in butt-kicking, including Pacific Rim’s Idris Elba, The Walking Dead’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Guardians of the Galaxy’s Zoe Saldana, and the MCU’s Captain America, Chris Evans. Director Sylvain White harnesses all this star power into an unhinged adaption of the Andy Diggle and Jock’s Vertigo Comic series, The Losers. This fast-paced film follows an eccentric but elite black-ops team, who must fight for their lives once they’ve been betrayed and disavowed. Their path to potential salvation involves explosive action, lots of swagger, and plenty of smirking one-liners. Simply put, it’s a perfect pick for Netflix and Veg.

How to watch: The Losers is streaming on Netflix.

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Reminder: Banned content of all kinds is still thriving on social platforms

It's a tale as old as the internet.

Social platforms like Facebook and YouTube continue rolling out content moderation tools meant to keep harmful content like hate speech, misinformation, and incitements to violence off their platforms. Reports show that users keep successfully posting terrible stuff anyway.

The latest example concerns anti-semitic content. There is a rise in anti-semitism around the world, and that's translating to (and fueled by) posts on social media.

As reported by the New York Times, two new studies — from the Center for Countering Digital Hate, and the Anti-Defamation League, respectively — show that social platforms including Facebook (and Instagram), Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, Twitch, TikTok, and Roblox (yes, even Roblox) remove only a small percentage of content the organizations reported as anti-semitic.

Specifically, the Center for Countering Digital Hate reports that Facebook removed just over 10 percent of the "hundreds" of pieces of content the researchers reported, while Twitter acted on around 11 percent. YouTube responded to 21 percent, and TikTok acted on 18 percent.

The ADL's report had similar findings, though Twitter fared better. It assigned grades to platforms based on their responsiveness to reports on hate speech. Twitter got a B- (congrats!), Facebook and TikTok received C- grades, and Roblox got a dismal D.

The director of the ADL summed up the findings appropriately for the Times: The results are depressing, but unsurprising.

That's because these reports are just the latest examples of how users keep successfully publishing content that social platforms say they prohibit, with objectionable content running the gamut from hate speech to Covid-19 misinformation to incitements to violence.

In late July, The Washington Post reported on studies that showed how anti-COVID vaccine propaganda and misinformation easily flourished on Facebook and YouTube. Countering this sort of content has been a priority for social platforms, but the content President Biden described as "killing people" is still thriving.

In April, BuzzFeed News shared the results of an internal Facebook report that detailed how "Stop the Steal" organizers successfully incited people to violence in Facebook groups and posts the platform failed to act on.

Thanks in part to the abhorrent rhetoric of politicians like Donald Trump, throughout the pandemic, Asian people have faced a flood of hate and harassment on social media. As CNET reported in April, the ADL found that "17% of Asian Americans said in January they experienced severe online harassment compared with 11% during the same period last year, the largest uptick compared with other groups."

SEE ALSO: When you become the target of racist disinformation

These reports all fall under the categories of content Facebook and, for the most part, other platforms ban in their community standards. And in the cases of anti-semitism, COVID misinformation, Stop the Steal organizing, and Asian hate, posts on social networks all appear to correlate with real-world violence or death.

Facebook publishes a quarterly Community Standards Enforcement Report, which shows data about numbers of reports of prohibited content, and Facebook's responsiveness. The most recent report from May on the first three months of 2021 says that the prevalence of hate speech is declining, and comprises just "0.05-0.06%, or 5 to 6 views per 10,000 views." Facebook also says its advancements in AI have led it to "proactively detect" — rather than rely on user reports — 97 percent of the hate speech content it removes.

The recent reports on anti-semitic posts show the gaps in these figures, however. That 97 percent refers to posts the social media company removes, but there were still plenty of posts for the non-profit organizations to find (and report themselves). On the combined platforms, 7.3 million people viewed the anti-semitic posts, the Center for Countering Digital Hate found.

The fact that we've heard this story before doesn't make it any less upsetting. These companies continually pledge to improve and acknowledge that they have work to do. In the meantime, people die.

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Space photos show intense drying of California mountains

The drys are getting drier.

NASA satellite photos underscore how snow trends are significantly changing in the Sierra Nevada — the mighty mountain range California heavily relies on for water, which irrigates the Golden State's prosperous growth of fruits and vegetables.

Snow and rainfall naturally vary in California, referred to as "boom and bust" cycles. But dry spells have become more frequent and intense. "Over the past 10 years, there have been fewer boom years, while the dry years have been getting drier," snow scientist McKenzie Skiles told NASA.

As the climate continues warming, snowpack has diminished, which is particularly problematic during drier years. Scientists found that between 2008 and 2017 the snow level in the Sierra Nevada (the elevation where it snows more than it rains) moved up 2,300 feet. "The result is less snow cover over time and less water stored in the snowpack," NASA explained.

The satellite imagery below, showing both a 2006-2021 timelapse and a drought year in 2015 versus a wetter year in 2017, illustrate the extremes in California snowpack, and how increasing dryness threatens outdated, 20th century conceptions of water reliability. We're living in a warmer, and warming, climate regime.

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A dry year on left (2015), versus a wetter year on right (2017). Credit: nasa

In the greater West, 2021 may end up as the driest year in modern history. What's more, the Southwest is currently mired in an over two-decades-long megadrought, the most severe such drought in at least 400 years.

SEE ALSO: 3 signs the climate op-ed you're reading is full of it

Yes, droughts come and go, but the dryness is becoming drier. "[Droughts are] going to get worse and worse unless we stop global warming," University of Michigan climate scientist Jonathan Overpeck told Mashable in April.

The evidence is visible in the Sierra Nevada. And in the state's dropping reservoir levels.

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'Clifford' delayed as COVID variant cases threaten Hollywood's comeback

Paramount had planned to release Clifford the Big Red Dog on Sept. 17. Unfortunately, COVID doesn't give a crap about anyone's plans.

The fantasy comedy based on Norman Bridwell's classic children's books has been delayed to a to-be-decided date. Multiple outlets report that the change in plans is COVID's fault as cases surge in the United States and elsewhere, fueled by the "Delta" variant of the virus.

Paramount didn't release a formal statement to accompany the news, and social media accounts for the studio and the movie both haven't mentioned it as of Saturday afternoon. It's not clear if the planned premiere at September's Toronto International Film Festival is still happening, though Clifford isn't currently listed on the festival's website and a direct link found via Google search redirects to TIFF's full itinerary.

The move comes in the same week that the public learned of Centers for Disease Control data that paints a chilling picture of the Delta variant's capabilities and spread. While the risk of serious illness is quite low for vaccinated people, and breakthrough infections (i.e. when the virus infects someone who's been vaccinated) are uncommon, Delta "is as contagious as chickenpox" for the unvaccinated. The problem, though, is there's data suggesting that vaccinated individuals can carry and transmit the virus, even if their own case is asymptomatic or minor.

This is particularly troubling news for parts of the world where vaccination rates remain low, as it is in many parts of the U.S. Case numbers are already surging in various locations, and the expectation is that things will get only get worse — significantly so, if vaccination rates don't improve — before they get better.

The delay for Clifford is particularly appropriate given the movie's target audience. This is unquestionably a family movie, and children younger than age 12 aren't currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration to receive vaccines. Paramount could always follow the lead of other studios and put Clifford out on its Paramount+ streaming service, but after a bruising 2020 (and 2021) for Hollywood, the studio would no doubt prefer to stick with a theatrical release.

SEE ALSO: After COVID-19, we're going to need more than therapy

Clifford may end up being the big red dog in the coal mine, ahead of a coming spate of delays for big movies set to release in the early fall. With COVID guidance leaning back in the direction of universal masking and distancing in light of Delta, theaters may find that bringing audiences back in for movies — family-friendly or not — is once again a tough sell.

That would be a devastating blow to one corner of the entertainment industry that is only just starting to bounce back after the pre-vaccine 2020 shut everything down. The fact that there is now a vaccine and people are just refusing it (for reasons other than health or religion) makes this latest setback, and the prospect of more to come, all the more frustrating.

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Stop messing with bears in national parks

In my past life as a park ranger, I've seen people repeatedly approach big animals, the likes of elephant seals and Alaskan brown bears.

This is a continued, selfish insult to the lives of wild animals, many of which are already threatened and existing on just preserved pockets of their once bountiful habitat. It's true that many visitors respect wildlife, yet a vibrant strain of ignorance and naivety of the wilderness persists in U.S. culture, resulting in park visitors continuing to disturb or harass gregarious animals, notably the wild bison and grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park.

Most recently, the park charged a woman for disturbing wildlife after she approached and agitated a grizzly mom and her cubs, reports Montana's Billings Gazette. The woman is set to appear in court in late August.

You can watch the videotaped interaction on YouTube. A woman walks within 15 feet of the grizzly family group to take a picture. The mother bear, naturally defensive, bluff charges the woman to discourage her from coming any closer. Thankfully, there was no physical attack and lethal park response: Bears, even when not in the wrong, often lose.

If there's one crucial message to take away from this unfortunate event, it's this succinct reality: Bears, like all wildlife, need space. Giving them space shows respect and allows these wild animals the ability to live their lives unhindered by human threats or presence.

In Yellowstone, for example, visitors are required to "keep at least 100 yards (93 meters) from bears at all times and never approach a bear to take a photo." A similar regulation exists in Alaska's Katmai National Park, of Fat Bear Week internet fame: Visitors are told to keep at least 50 yards from bears at all times while at a popular bear-viewing site.

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Beyond respecting wildlife, keeping a smart distance from large animals also avoids serious injuries to people, or worse. Be like journalist Deion Broxton, whose avoidance of a Yellowstone bison herd went deservedly viral in 2020.

"Oh no, I'm not messing with you," Broxton said on camera as a bison came near.

In 2019, negligent people stood within 10 yards of a Yellowstone bison. The bison charged, resulting in a nine-year-old girl getting violently tossed into the air. In 2017, parents ignored a warning not to feed sea lions: The sea lion leaped out of the water, snatched a young girl and pulled her into the water (she survived).

SEE ALSO: The deep sea discoveries of 2020 are stunning

Why do people approach dangerous animals? A prominent reason is many people today are out of touch with the wilderness. They might grow up in a world largely influenced by TV and urban life, without sufficient exposure to the natural world. At young ages, children miss crucial cues about natural danger. These cues shape their future understanding and views.

"There’s certainly not an innate knowledge of which animals are dangerous or not — it has to be learned," Clark Barrett, a biological anthropologist at the University of Los Angeles, California, told me.

So when children grow up and become adults, they might not have a grip on the realities and threats of the wild world. "It’s almost as if people leave their brain in their car when they go into the wilderness," explained Dan Blumstein, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Los Angeles, California.

But we're certainly not helpless. Listen to park rangers, educate yourself and those in your life when you enter the wilderness. Think about the animals: Give 'em space.

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Telegram will let 1,000 people join a video call but it still won't touch revenge porn

Telegram's latest feature would be more exciting if the company actually did more to protect its users, and civilized society.

Telegram announced in a Friday blog post that group video calls will now allow up to 1,000 users to join and participate. There's a much smaller limit on the number of participants who can share video from their camera or screen — it's capped at 30 — but as many as 970 others are free to join the call and watch along.

The post also notes that Telegram isn't quite finished expanding the total supported viewer count for video calls. "We will keep increasing this limit until all humans on Earth can join one group call and watch us yodel in celebration (coming soon)," the post reads (emphasis in original).

The expansion of group video call viewer counts comes just over a month after Telegram launched the feature initially. The new announcement also reveals a few other additions, including higher resolution video messages, as well as the ability to expand them; screen sharing for one-on-one calls; timestamp links; and more.

You can find a full rundown of all the details in Telegram's announcement.

The expansion of group video calls is potentially a helpful thing for some users, but as with all things Telegram-related, this expansion of access to content sharing on the platform isn't as exciting as it could be. That's because Telegram takes a hands-off approach to policing the material shared in private chats.

The company's FAQ page addresses this directly in a question: "There's illegal content on Telegram. How do I take it down?" The response reads: "All Telegram chats and group chats are private amongst their participants. We do not process any requests related to them."

The policy has all sorts of implications for the kinds of content that can be shared behind the proverbial closed doors of a private chat, with revenge porn in particular being a specific and publicly reported concern. And while there's something of an understandable push-and-pull here — the tension between protecting people's privacy versus keeping society safe — critics argue that there are more concrete steps Telegram could take.

As Mashable's own Rachel Kraus wrote in a 2020 report, WhatsApp users have the ability "to report content and users to WhatsApp, which may disable accounts or share information with authorities." The same kind of reporting feature also exists on Facebook, the company that owns WhatsApp. Facebook also says it uses automated technology to stop users from posting pornography in private groups.

Or take Discord, the Slack-like messaging service that lets anyone create a private group where they can share media and stream video. The company's Trust & Safety team won't snoop into private groups proactively, but user reports can spur that team to investigate those spaces. This can lead to users being banned and groups getting shut down.

SEE ALSO: Why women in tech are so angry all the time

So while the situation with Telegram isn't without its complexities, it's also refusing to take action on certain things in an environment where other, competing companies have done so. That's why Rachel's report is such a tough read; the path to preventing (or at least minimizing) the scenario she describes is right there, trailblazed by others. So it's not so much that Telegram can't fix the problem; it simply won't.

That may or may not stop you from using Telegram, especially now with 1,000-viewer video calls opening the door to all kinds of remote gathering opportunities. Just make sure you go in with both eyes open, and — as always in our extremely online world — be very careful about what you share with people.

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Save up to 67% on a wireless charging station and clear the cord clutter from your life

A cluttered desk can actually make you less productive. So, if your desk space isn't perfectly zen, that could be the reason you keep missing your deadlines.

Clean up some of the cord clutter by snagging a wireless charging station. For a limited time, you can get one for up to 67% off. All you have to do is enter the code ANNUAL15 at checkout to get the discounted price.

4-in-1 Versatile Wireless Charger

This versatile stand can handle up to four devices at the same time without slowing down or lagging on charge time. It can be used with both Samsung and Apple products. It's normally $60, but for a limited time, you can use the code ANNUAL15 to get it for $34.81.

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4-in-1 Versatile Wireless Charger — $34.81 with code ANNUAL15

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Tree of Light: Wireless Charger + Bluetooth Speaker + LED Lamp

If you miss the relaxing scenes of nature while you're stuck in the big city, place this Tree of Light Lamp and charger at your desk to drift off to sleep as if you were camping in the wilderness. It works triple duty as a Bluetooth speaker and go-to nightlight for your room. Get it on sale for just $110.46 (normally $149) when you enter code ANNUAL15 at checkout.

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Tree of Light: Wireless Charger + Bluetooth Speaker + LED Lamp — $110.46 with code ANNUAL15

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Apple Watch Wireless Charger Keychain

Charge your watch wirelessly from anywhere with this lightweight Apple Watch charger that weighs as much as a typical keychain. It's small enough to fit in your pocket, yet packs a 950mAh battery capacity. Get it for just $16.99 (regularly $49) with the code ANNUAL15.

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Apple Watch Wireless Charger Keychain — $16.99 with code ANNUAL15

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Wooden Qi Wireless Charger

At the end of a long day, don't fumble around with wires; simply place your device on top of this wooden wireless charger that looks sleek and charges your devices faster than a typical USB. Enter the code ANNUAL15 at checkout and you can take it home for just $59.49 (regularly $99).

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Wooden Qi Wireless Charger — $59.49 with code ANNUAL15

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Hudly Invisible Wireless Charger

Place this charger under any desk or surface and turn your workspace into a secret charging station. Your device will actually charge through the table or desk you place it under, as long as it's less than 1.2 inches thick. Get it for just $59.49 (normally $99) with the code ANNUAL15.

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Hudly Invisible Wireless Charger — $59.49 with code ANNUAL15

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Wireless Qi Canvas Duo Device Charger

Charge two of your favorite devices, like your iPhone and AirPods, at the same time with this duo charger. The woven fabric on top ensures your devices never get scratched or dented when you use it. Take it home for a limited time for just $50.99 (normally $99) when you enter ANNUAL15 at checkout.

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Wireless Qi Canvas Duo Device Charger — $50.99 with code ANNUAL15

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Magnetic Power Tiles: 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Station

Charge up to four devices at the same time when you bring this tile charging station together. Or use the different pieces separately in different rooms to wirelessly charge all of your favorite devices wherever you wish. Get it for just $33.99 (normally $99) with the code ANNUAL15.

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Magnetic Power Tiles: 4-in-1 Wireless Charging Station — $33.99 with code ANNUAL15

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Teamwork 2-in-1 Wireless Phone and Apple Watch Charger

Charge two devices in the time you normally spend on one with this phone and Apple Watch charger. It powers you up faster than a typical USB charger and actually looks good doing it. It's normally $79, but you can get it for $33.99 with the code ANNUAL15.

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MAGIQPAD Ultra Slim Wireless Charging Pad

This ultra-slim charging pad makes working from home easier and charging on the road a breeze. Since it's lightweight, it fits easier in carry-ons and backpacks. Take over 45% off and get it for just $25.49 with the code ANNUAL15.

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MAGIQPAD Ultra Slim Wireless Charging Pad — $25.49 with code ANNUAL15

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CRESUER ENEGUFO Dual Angle 7.5W Fast Qi Wireless Charger

You don't have to remove your phone case to charge your device on this thin 7.5W charger. Convenient and fast, it not only gets your device back up and running quickly, but also clears up your workspace. Use the code ANNUAL15 and get it for just $23.79 (normally $49).

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CRESUER ENEGUFO Dual Angle 7.5W Fast Qi Wireless Charger — $23.79 with code ANNUAL15

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