Pornhub will stop offering full access to new users in the UK on February 2, its parent company Aylo said Tuesday, citing the nation’s Online Safety Act and its age-verification requirements. The company said users who already verified their ages before the cutoff will still be able to access the adult site through existing accounts.

The move follows the Online Safety Act’s Protection of Children Codes, which took effect last summer and require adult sites to use “highly effective” methods of age verification. Aylo claims the system is backfiring and shifting both adults and minors to noncompliant porn sites that don’t verify age or moderate content according to Politico. Aylo’s lawyers argued that only device-based age verification methods sufficiently protect user data.

Alexzandra Kekesi, VP of Brand and Community at Aylo, said “anyone who has not gone through that process prior to February 2 will no longer be able to access [the sites] and they’re going to be met with a wall,” according to 404 Media. The adult site was similarly made unavailable in various US states after the passage of age-verification laws that Pornhub claimed put users’ privacy at risk. “These people did not stop looking for porn,” Aylo said at the time. “They just migrated to darker corners of the internet that don’t ask users to verify age, that don’t follow the law, that don’t take user safety seriously, and that often don’t even moderate content.”

Users who wish to get around these sorts of bans typically use VPNs to mask the origin of their internet traffic, though the UK is reportedly considering a ban on VPNs for children. The nation has also been considering a social media ban for users under 16 years of age, similar to the one enacted in Australia.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/pornhub-will-become-unavailable-for-many-uk-users-as-of-february-2-194622124.html?src=rss

A recent investigation by an online advocacy organization called the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) found that the Apple App Store and Google Play Store are rife with so-called “nudify” apps. These are AI applications that create nonconsensual and sexualized images, which is a clear violation of both companies’ store policies.

All told, the investigation found 55 of this type of app in the Google Play Store and 47 in the Apple App Store. Both platforms also still offer access to xAI’s Grok, which is likely the most famous nonconsensual deepfake maker in the world.

“Apple and Google are supposed to be vetting the apps in their stores. But they’ve been offering dozens of apps that can be used to show people with minimal or no clothing—making them ripe for abuse,” said Michelle Kuppersmith, an executive director at the nonprofit that runs TTP.

The apps identified by the report have been collectively downloaded over 700 million times and generated more than $117 million in revenue. Google and Apple get a cut of this money.

Many of the apps named in the investigation are rated as suitable for teens and children. DreamFace, for instance, is rated suitable for ages 13 and up in the Google Play Store and ages nine and up in the Apple App Store.

Both companies have responded to the investigation. Apple says it has removed 24 apps from its store, according to a report by CNBC. However, that falls shy of the 47 apps discovered by TTP researchers. A Google spokesperson has said the company suspended several apps referenced in the report for violating store policies, but declined to say how many apps it has removed.

This report comes after Elon Musk’s Grok was found to be generating sexualized images of both women and children. All told, the AI chatbot generated around three million sexualized images and 22,000 that involved children over a period of 11 days.

Representatives from the company haven’t really responded to these allegations, except to send an automated email to journalists that read “Legacy Media Lies.” Musk has also stated that he is “not aware of any naked underage images generated by Grok. Literally zero.”

X’s safety account did post that “anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.” Grok has proven to be more forthcoming than actual humans at the company, as the chatbot apologized for creating sexualized images of minors.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/apple-and-google-reportedly-still-offer-dozens-of-ai-nudify-apps-192712446.html?src=rss

An anonymous reader shares a report: Google on Tuesday announced an expanded set of Android theft-protection features, designed to make its mobile devices less of a target for criminals. Building on existing tools like Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and others introduced in 2024, the newly launched updates include stronger authentication safeguards and enhanced recovery tools, the company said.

[…] With the new features, users of Android devices running Android 16 or higher will have more control over the Failed Authentication Lock feature that automatically locks the device after an excessive number of failed login attempts. Now users will have access to a dedicated on/off toggle switch in the device’s settings.

The devices will also offer stronger protection against a thief trying to guess a device owner’s PIN, pattern, or password by increasing the lockout time after failed attempts. Plus, Identity Check, a feature rolled out for Android 15 and higher last year, now covers all features and apps that use biometrics — like banking apps or the Google Password Manager.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sonos has unveiled its first new product of 2026, the Amp Multi. This amplifier is a niche option for the owners of very large or complicated spaces, and it’s being billed as professional grade option for residential audio installations. The Amp Multi has eight 125W outputs and four configurable zones, and each channel can support up to three Sonos Architectural speakers. In other words, that’s a lot more audio than the average home needs. Even the Sonos Amp would probably be overkill for those of you living the apartment life.

The Amp Multi will be available “in the coming months,” according to the company’s press release, and there’s no pricing information yet for the product listing on its website. But given the high-end customers this is targeting, expect the Amp Multi to cost a fair bit more than the $800 Sonos Amp.

Sonos has mostly been keeping its proverbial head down on the product side as it continues to address fallout from a bungled app redesign in 2024 that soured customers and put the company in dire straits. First there were layoffs, then the CEO left. Sonos’ temporary chief exec, Tom Conrad, got the position permanently last summer. Once the business’ position does stabilize at last, we will hopefully be hearing more positive updates from Sonos in the future.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/sonos-introduces-amp-multi-for-complicated-residential-installs-191000421.html?src=rss

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Anker’s Soundcore Liberty 4 NC earbuds just dropped to $56.99 on Amazon, their lowest price yet, according to price-trackers. Normally $99.99, these true wireless earphones have been widely praised for what they offer at this price point. PCMag even named them the best budget earphones of 2023 and gave them an Editor’s Choice badge. That alone makes this deal worth a closer look, especially if you’re looking for a sub-$60 option with solid noise cancellation and more-than-decent sound quality.

soundcore by Anker Liberty 4 NC Wireless Earbuds, 98.5% Noise Reduction, Adaptive Noise Cancelling to Ears and Environment, Hi-Res Sound, 50H Battery, Wireless Charging, Bluetooth 5.3

$56.99
at Amazon

$99.99
Save $43.00

$56.99
at Amazon

$99.99
Save $43.00

The Liberty 4 NC earbuds check a lot of boxes. They support active noise cancellation (ANC), have a punchy bass-heavy sound, and come with a companion app that gives you an 8-band EQ and customizable controls. They’re compatible with Android’s LDAC codec and Google Fast Pair, while multipoint connectivity lets you stay connected to two devices at once. Each earbud has a responsive touch panel, and the layout—playback, skip, noise mode toggle—is easy to get used to. You can tweak it in the app if you need to add volume controls. There’s a Transparency mode too, for when you don’t want to fully block out the outside world.

Battery life clocks in at around 10 hours without ANC (or eight with it on), and the case adds another 40 hours (32 with ANC). The USB-C case also supports Qi wireless charging. On the downside, the IPX4 rating means they’re only splash-resistant, not something you’d want to dunk or rinse. And while the ANC isn’t perfect, it does noticeably cut down low-end background noise like airplane engine hum or cafe chatter, though higher-pitched sounds may still bleed through a bit, according to this PCMag review. That’s a common tradeoff at this tier, and for $56.99, it’s not a bad one. The Liberty 4 NC is available in four colors—black, white, light blue, and navy blue—at the time of writing, and all ship with four ear tip sizes for a decent fit. For everyday listening, travel, or WFH Zoom calls, this is one of the strongest wireless earbud options under $60 right now.

The French government is saying au revoir to Microsoft Teams and Zoom as it embraces a home-grown alternative. By next year, civil servants across all departments will have switched to French videoconference platform Visio, as EuroNews reports.

As with Teams and Zoom, Visio has an AI-powered transcription tool. Visio runs on a French company’s cloud infrastructure as well. The platform has around 40,000 users and it’s been in testing for the last year. The government expects the switch to help reduce costs by as much as €1 million ($1.2 million) each year for every 100,000 users.

The decision to ditch Microsoft Teams and Zoom is part of a broader effort to rely less on foreign software services — particularly US ones. Under the Suite Numérique project, France also plans to jettison the likes of Gmail and Slack for government use. 

“The aim is to end the use of non-European solutions and guarantee the security and confidentiality of public electronic communications by relying on a powerful and sovereign tool,” David Amiel, minister for the civil service and state reform, said. “This strategy highlights France’s commitment to digital sovereignty amid rising geopolitical tensions and fears of foreign surveillance or service disruptions.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-french-government-is-ditching-zoom-and-microsoft-teams-for-a-home-grown-alternative-184747010.html?src=rss

France will replace the American platforms Microsoft Teams and Zoom with its own domestically developed video conferencing platform, which will be used in all government departments by 2027, the country said. From a report: The move is part of France’s strategy to stop using foreign software vendors, especially those from the United States, and regain control over critical digital infrastructure. It comes at a crucial moment as France, like Europe, reaches a turning point regarding digital sovereignty.

“The aim is to end the use of non-European solutions and guarantee the security and confidentiality of public electronic communications by relying on a powerful and sovereign tool,” said David Amiel, minister for the civil service and state reform. On Monday, the government announced it will instead be using the French-made videoconference platform Visio. The platform has been in testing for a year and has around 40,000 users.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

TikTok has reached a settlement in a closely-watched lawsuit over social media addiction, narrowly avoiding a trial that’s scheduled to begin jury selection Tuesday. Terms of the deal, which was reported by The New York Times, weren’t disclosed. 

TikTok’s settlement comes about one week after Snap reached a settlement in the same case. The trial is expected to move forward in Los Angeles with Meta and YouTube as the only defendants. Mark Lanier, a lawyer for the plaintiff, said in a statement to NYT that they were “pleased” with the settlement and that it was “a good resolution.” TikTok didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. 

The trial stems from a 2023 lawsuit brought by a California woman known in court documents as “K.G.M.” She sued Meta, Snap, TikTok and YouTube and alleged that their platforms were addictive and had harmed her as a child. The judge in the case previously ordered the companies’ executives, including Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri, to testify. YouTube’s top exec, Neal Mohan, is also likely to testify, according to The New York Times. 

The lawsuit is the first among several high-profile cases against social media companies to go to trial this year. Meta is expected to head to court in New Mexico in early February in a case brought by the state’s attorney general, who has alleged that Facebook and Instagram have facilitated harm to children. TikTok and Snap are collectively facing more than a dozen other trials in California courts this year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-settles-to-avoid-major-social-media-addiction-lawsuit-183943927.html?src=rss

LG has launched a subscription program in the UK that allows people to make monthly payments in order to rent LG TVs, soundbars, monitors, and speakers.

LG Flex customers can sign up for one, two, or three-year subscriptions in order to get lower monthly payments.

“At the end of your subscription, you can apply for a free upgrade, keep paying monthly, or return your device,” the LG Flex website says. Subscribers will have to pay a £50 (about $69) fee for a “full removal service,” including dismounting and packaging, of rental TVs.

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Whether you’re a smart TV veteran or are somehow just now setting your first TV with an internet connection, there’s a lot to learn. Modern TVs are basically computers, complete with their own operating systems and application ecosystems. That means you can tweak them to run better.—or just the way you want them to. Here are a few tips, tricks, and hacks that every smart TV owner should be aware of.

Turn off motion smoothing on your smart TV

Wondering why every single TV show and movie you watch on your brand new TV looks like a soap opera or a cheap community theater production? It’s probably because of motion smoothing.

This “feature”, which is the default on far too many TVs, artificially ups the frame rate from either 24 or 30 frames per second to 60 or 120 frames, or even higher. This effect can bring a real immediacy to live events like sports, but it’s not great for regular old TV shows. Because where does the TV get those extra frames from? It makes them up, often creating an uncanny blurring effect reminiscent of old school videotape. I recommend turning this feature off basically the minute you set up your TV, and our friends at PCMag have a guide to disabling the feature covering all the major smart TV platforms.

Hook up an ethernet cable to make your smart TV faster

Streaming 4k takes up a lot of bandwidth. Modern wifi routers can usually handle without much of an issue, especially if your TV is close to your router. Even so, it’s a good idea to physically connect your smart TV to your network with an ethernet cable if you have the option.

There’s a couple of reasons to do this. One, wired connections are more stable, mostly because they’re not vulnerable to interference from neighboring wireless networks and other devices, so you’ll be far less like to suffer through stuttering images or audio dropouts. Two, connecting your TV via ethernet frees up the wireless spectrum for all of your other devices, which is important if you live in a house with other internet users (not to mention other smart devices).

Customize your smart TV’s home screen

Smart TVs tend to come pre-loaded with any number of apps, all of them prominently placed on the home screen. You can, and should, move the apps you actually use to the top instead. How to do this will vary depending on your operating system, but it generally means pressing and holding on the app you want was at the top of the list and then moving it around. Failing that, you may need to do some digging in the settings.

Block ads on your smart TV

Tired of all the ads showing up on your TV? You might be able to block them using your router. Lifehacker has a guide to blocking ads on Samsung, LG, and Roku smart TVs that explains how to change your internet settings so that your TV can’t access the ads in the interface anymore.

Disable quick start to save energy and speed up your smart TV

Smart TVs are basically computers, meaning they need to boot up when you turn them on. Most users don’t want to wait every time they turn on the TV though, which is why smart TVs don’t actually turn off—they suspend their functions, the same way your phone or laptop does. That’s fine if you use your TV constantly, but a real waste of electricity for a TV that you only turn on occasionally. And shutting down your set completely could have another benefit: reducing bugginess. To reiterate, a smart TV is basically a computer, and every computer user knows that restarting your computer can fix random problems.

Some TVs allow you to disable this feature—just look for a “quick start” option in the settings. Others, including Sony, suggest that you unplug TVs you won’t be using for months at a time in order to shut them down completely.

Use an antenna to get free channels

Streaming television is great, but don’t overlook traditional broadcast TV. Most major cultural events, from the Super Bowl, to the Oscars, to the World Series, are still free to watch on network TV, as are of the most popular shows. If you live in a major city, or even just close to one, there’s a good chance you can watch network TV free of charge using nothing more than a small TV antenna. This can mean free access to stations like NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and PBS—no need to pay for cable or a pricey “live tv” streaming subscription. All you need to do is plug in an antenna, scan for channels, and you’re good to go. (Lifehacker has a guide to the best digital TV antennas to help you get started.)

Clear your smart TV’s cache

Not to keep harping on this point, but a smart TV is a computer, and like a computer, it can build up all sorts of junk in its memory over time. If your smart TV is suddenly moving more slowly than you remember, or even crashing, it might be time to clear out its various caches. Get started with this guide to clearing the cache on every major smart TV brand.

Enable security features on your smart TV

Your smart TV is a potential security risk. It’s a computer, like any other, and that means you need to keep it up to date, secure all accounts connected to it, and be mindful of any built-in microphones and cameras. Check out our guide to securing your smart TV for more on these tips and more.

Disable “automatic content recognition” to stop your smart TV from spying on you

I’ve written about why smart TVs are so cheap, and it turns out a big part of it is automatic content recognition, or ACR. Most brands of smart TVs are constantly monitoring what you’re watching and using that to build a profile with your viewing habits that can be sold to third parties, a practice that nets the TV manufacturers are lot of money. If this concerns you, consider turning the feature off to protect your privacy. Lifehacker has a guide to disabling ACR on the major smart TV platforms.

Install a different launcher for your smart TV

If you want your smart TV to have an entirely different look and feel, you may be able to install a different launcher, which will give you much more control. Google TV users, for example, can install Projectivy to completely replace the default launcher. This won’t be an option for every model of smart TV, but it’s worth considering if you’re feeling stuck with the software that came preinstalled.

If you filed a claim last year as part of the Siri class action suit against Apple, your payment is on the way. According to the settlement website, class payment distribution began on Jan. 23, and many users on Reddit report that funds have landed in their bank and payment apps over the last several days.

If you see a deposit from “Lopez Voice Assistant” or some variation, it’s not a scam. The settlement allowed class members to opt for payment via direct deposit (ACH) as well as electronic or paper check, which will be delivered through email or regular mail, respectively.

Some class members are reporting that they received their funds via a different method than they expected, so if you submitted a claim, keep an eye on your transactions as well as your mailboxes to confirm receipt. Note that payouts are being distributed in batches and may take a few days to arrive.

What is the Apple Siri settlement?

Last year, Apple agreed to a $95 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit over privacy concerns with Siri-enabled devices. Users whose devices may have activated and recorded conversations without their knowledge were able to claim compensation. Initially, the settlement was set to pay out $20 per device—iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, HomePod, iPod touch, and Apple TV were all eligible—for up to five devices per individual claimant.

However, due to the final class size, the payout came to just $8.02 per device up to a maximum of $40.10.

If you have questions about the settlement and want to speak with an administrator, you can call 888-981-4106 and select option 0 on the main menu. You may have to leave a message and request a callback.