BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Instagram lets users hide likes to reduce social media pressure
Instagram is offering its users the option to hide the number of likes they receive on posts on the app. The aim is to “depressurize people’s experience” on the platform, the social media giant said. Users with the feature enabled will now see the username of a follower who has liked the post, “and others”, instead of a number. The tool has been tested in several countries since 2019, but it is ... Read more
2021-05-26 19:55:58
Bitcoin Mining Council to report renewable energy usage
A new Bitcoin Mining Council has been created to improve the crypto-currency's sustainability, following a meeting of "leading" Bitcoin miners and Elon Musk. The Tesla CEO tweeted the development was "potentially promising". It's hoped the council will "promote energy usage transparency" and encourage miners to use renewable sources. The process of creating Bitcoin ... Read more
2021-05-25 19:45:02
AI emotion-detection software tested on Uyghurs
A camera system that uses AI and facial recognition intended to reveal states of emotion has been tested on Uyghurs in Xinjiang, the BBC has been told. A software engineer claimed to have installed such systems in police stations in the province. A human rights advocate who was shown the evidence described it as shocking. The Chinese embassy in London has not responded directly to the claims bu ... Read more
2021-05-25 19:44:24
Epic v Apple: What have we learned?
The much-hyped Epic v Apple trial is due to finish on Monday in California. Epic Games is suing Apple over the way it runs its App Store. It says the store is a monopoly and charges exorbitant fees on games like Epic's popular Fortnite. Apple makes Epic pay a 30% commission on in-app payments. The judge may take weeks, if not months, to make a ruling. But during the three-week trial we've seen ... Read more
2021-05-24 19:53:54
Epic v Apple: What have we learned?
The much-hyped Epic v Apple trial is due to finish on Monday in California. Epic Games is suing Apple over the way it runs its App Store. It says the store is a monopoly and charges exorbitant fees on games like Epic's popular Fortnite. Apple makes Epic pay a 30% commission on in-app payments. The judge may take weeks, if not months, to make a ruling. But during the three-week trial we've seen ... Read more
2021-05-24 19:53:29
Florida governor signs bill to ban Big Tech 'deplatforming'
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a first-in-the-nation bill that can penalise tech companies for deplatforming politicians. The legislation states that platforms can only suspend accounts for 14 days, and will be fined as much as $250,000 (£176,000) per day for violations. NetChoice, a tech lobbying group whose members include Twitter and Facebook, testified against the bill in March. T ... Read more
2021-05-24 19:52:31
Covid: Parts of England to trial self-isolation support
More ways of supporting people to self-isolate in areas with higher coronavirus infection rates are to be piloted in nine parts of England. There will be "buddying" services for people needing mental health support and alternative accommodation for those in overcrowded homes. Social care support and translation services will also be available. It is hoped the schemes will encourage mo ... Read more
2021-05-23 20:10:18
Covid: India tells social media firms to remove 'India variant' from content
India's government has instructed social media companies to remove any content that refers to the "Indian variant" of Covid-19. The IT ministry said the World Health Organization (WHO) listed the variant as B.1.617 and any reference to "Indian" was false. Geographical terms have been used to describe a number of other variants, including the UK and Brazil. India's government ... Read more
2021-05-23 20:09:09
Tinder tweak urges people to think before sending abuse
Dating app Tinder will detect abusive messages and ask the writer to stop and think before sending them, in an effort to tackle harassment. The automated system will learn to detect "harmful language" from messages reported by users. Tinder said the "Are you sure?" system had "reduced inappropriate language in messages sent" in trials by about 10%. Instagram and Tw ... Read more
2021-05-21 19:48:31
Apple v Epic: Tim Cook appeared on the stand in Epic legal row
Apple boss Tim Cook took the witness stand for the first time in his company's major legal battle with Epic Games over an alleged monopoly. Epic, maker of the hit video game Fortnite, claims Apple's tight control over iPhone apps hurts competition. During his appearance, Mr Cook argued that keeping control of the App Store helped keep iPhones secure. He also said he did not know if the App Stor ... Read more
2021-05-21 19:46:58