News May 08, 2024
UK details requirements to protect children from ‘toxic algorithms’
The UK government has issued an ultimatum to major tech companies, demanding they take immediate action to curb the spread of harmful content on their platforms or face significant financial penalties. According to new guidelines outlined by Ofcom, the country’s media regulator, search and social media giants must implement robust age-checks and rigorous content moderation to better protect children online. The rules aim to prevent minors from encountering explicit or disturbing material, including topics such as eating disorders, self-harm, and pornography. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to £18 million or 10 percent of a company’s global revenue, whichever is greater. Ofcom warns that companies who disregard the guidelines can expect “enforcement action” and notes that the proposed codes place the responsibility for keeping children safer squarely on the shoulders of tech firms.
K-pop fans are furious about racism at the Met Gala. Here’s why.
As Stray Kids made history by becoming the first full K-pop group to attend the Met Gala, they were met with a rude and disrespectful welcome from photographers on the red carpet. Despite their coordinated outfits and poised presence, the group was subjected to snide comments about being “unemotional” and “robotic,” a racist stereotype that has persisted for decades. The photographers’ behavior, including yelling at them to jump or “do something crazy,” left a bad taste in many people’s mouths. Stray Kids’ fans have slammed the Met Gala photographers, calling their behavior “disgusting” and “xenophobic.” Despite knowing English, the group maintained their composure throughout the ordeal, with leader Bang Chan reportedly posting about having a great time despite the disrespect they faced. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of anti-Asian racism, which has led to increased racist rhetoric and violent attacks against Asian communities around the world.
How to watch ‘Doctor Who’: When does the new season premiere?
A new era for Doctor Who fans has finally arrived! The iconic British sci-fi series is about to embark on its first-ever season simultaneously released worldwide on Disney+, with two initial episodes premiering on Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m. ET. This historic season marks the debut of Ncuti Gatwa as the 15th Doctor, and showrunner Russell T. Davies has rebranded it as Season 1 to attract new audiences and give the franchise a fresh start. The eight-episode season will air weekly, offering plenty of thrilling adventures for both veteran Whovians and newcomers alike.
To stay up-to-date with the latest happenings in the Whoniverse, you’ll need a reliable streaming service. Disney+ offers a monthly subscription option starting at $7.99, or you can bundle it with Hulu and ESPN+ for just $9.99 per month. If you’re based in the UK, traveling to the UK, or simply cannot fathom adding Disney+ to your already crowded streaming service, then you’ll need a VPN to unlock geographical barriers.
Mashian Deals Want more hand-peast
Bluesky plans to launch DMs for users
Bluesky is borrowing pages from the social media playbook, as it prepares to unveil new features such as direct messages, video sharing, and revamped Custom Feeds. The decentralized app has made remarkable progress since its public launch in February, growing its user base from 40,000 to a staggering 5.6 million in just one year. Direct messaging is set to be integrated directly into the platform, allowing users to restrict who can reach out to them through options such as open, followed users only, and disabled. Meanwhile, videos up to 90 seconds long are also on the horizon, along with innovative ideas for Custom Feeds, including trending feeds, in-app feed creation, and improved discovery. Bluesky is also working on OAuth integration, aiming to one day enable “Log In with Bluesky.” While no release dates have been announced, these updates are expected to roll out over the next couple of months, as the company continues to evolve under the guidance of its notable backers, including Jack Dorsey, who recently confirmed his departure from the board.
Bluesky to add DMs, video support and in-app custom feed curation
Bluesky has unveiled its highly-anticipated roadmap for the upcoming months, and it’s packed with exciting features. First off, the decentralized social network is introducing direct messaging, allowing users to engage in one-on-one chats while having control over who can reach out to them. Additionally, Bluesky is working on improving its custom feeds, enabling users to curate their own feeds with features like in-app creation and better discovery. The company is also developing anti-harassment tools to create a safer online environment for its community. Furthermore, Bluesky is extending support for videos on the platform, making it easier for users to share their favorite clips. And, as if all this wasn’t enough, the social network is working on an “OAuth” login mechanism that will simplify the process of logging into third-party apps related to Bluesky. With these new features and improvements on the horizon, Bluesky is poised to take its decentralized social network to the next level.