UK-based telecommunications company Colt Technology Services confirms that customer documentation was stolen as Warlock ransomware gang auctions files.
Yesterday, we announced The Third Edict, our next major Content Update for Path of Exile 2. In this news post, we're answering the most frequently asked questions from our community regarding the upcoming update.
When does the Third Edict launch on all platforms?
The Third Edict will launch at 1PM August 29 PDT on all supported platforms, including the standalone PC client, Steam and Epic Games Store clients as well as Xbox Series and PlayStation 5.
Will there be an economy reset?
Yes. Your existing characters will be kept and still available to play in the Standard Early Access leagues, but the new Rise of the Abyssal league will have a fresh economy. The new league has new content and features and it's highly recommended that you play there. If you do decide to use your old character, just note that due to extensive balance changes, it is possible you will need to reallocate passive points, and the functionality of certain elements of your build might have changed.
How do I start playing in a new league?
When creating a character, select the Rise of the Abyssal banner.
Is there a special in-game mechanic that is available only in the Rise of the Abyssal league and not in the core game?
Yes, the Rise of the Abyssal league has its own exclusive mechanics, content, rewards and bosses not available in the core game. After the league is complete, we will decide which of these features will make it into the core game.
Will there be challenges / challenge rewards in the Rise of the Abyssal league?
No.
Do I need to create a new character and start the game from the beginning?
Yes, if you want to play the Rise of the Abyssal League. However, you can continue playing your existing characters in the Early Access league if you wish.
With the introduction of Act Four and the Interlude, where do I continue if I want to play my existing character in the Standard Early Access league?
If your Standard character has already reached the Endgame, you can continue playing there. Your character will lose some quest rewards that previously granted resistances, but your Spirit and Attributes values will remain unchanged. In some cases, your passive tree may need to be reallocated if you allocated points that have been removed. If you'd like to experience Act Four and the Interlude content, just go back to Act Three town, then talk to Alva to travel to Act Four.
In case you hadn't reached the Endgame and were playing on Cruel difficulty prior to the release of Third Edict, your character will be transferred to the end of Act Three where you can continue into Act Four. All previously earned quest rewards will remain unchanged.
What happens to my stash tabs if I start in a new Rise of the Abyssal league?
Any stash tabs you have purchased will be available to use in the Rise of the Abyssal leagues. Since a new league is a fresh economy, your stash in the new league will not contain any items from your stash in other leagues. All the items will be in Remove Only stash tabs in the Standard leagues.
Speaking of stash tabs, when will I be able to convert my existing Premium Stash Tabs into Merchant's Tab?
Once 0.3.0 releases next Friday, you will be able to convert your Premium Stash Tabs purchased before the launch into Merchant's Tabs from your account settings on the website.
Just to clarify, the option to convert your Premium Stash Tab to a Merchant's Tab will be made available on the Path of Exile 2 website when the 0.3.0 patch is deployed on August 29th (PST).
When will the Merchant's Tab be available in the store?
Merchant's Tabs will be available for purchase in the Path of Exile 2 shop once The Third Edict releases next Friday. You will also have the option to convert Premium Stash Tabs purchased prior to the 0.3.0 release. Premium Stash Tabs purchased after 0.3.0 release cannot be converted.
August 29th is not a deadline to convert your stash tabs by.
Is this a paid expansion?
No. If you're an existing Path of Exile 2 player, all you have to do is to download the content update.
With the launch of The Third Edict on August 29th, Path of Exile 2 will be available for free for three days. If you've been thinking about trying the game, this weekend is the perfect time! Find out more about the Free Weekend here.
Will there be a predownload?
Yes, we will make the torrent file for the standalone PC client available for predownloading the day before the launch. Console players will also be able to download the patch prior to launch. Please note that only players with access to Path of Exile 2 will be able to predownload the patch.
What information will be revealed before the launch?
Next week we will publish information about Item Filters, what to expect at launch day and new Twitch Drops.
Profitez des vidéos et de la musique que vous aimez, mettez en ligne des contenus originaux, et partagez-les avec vos amis, vos proches et le monde entier.
Prima oggi ho scoperto una nuova cosa tanto incredibile e stupida allo stesso tempo… e raramente ne capitano di così buone, specialmente in un venerdì a caso. A quanto pare, Zelensky (…che in realtà si scrive Zelens’kyj, temo), nel suo ufficetto mezzo chic da presidente di un paese sotto legge marziale, tra tutte le spillette […]
“la mia forma di autismo è cercare la spilla di Kuromi nell’ufficio di Zelenskyy ogni volta che lo mostrano parlare”
Prima oggi ho scoperto una nuova cosa tanto incredibile e stupida allo stesso tempo… e raramente ne capitano di così buone, specialmente in un venerdì a caso. A quanto pare, Zelensky (…che in realtà si scrive Zelens’kyj, temo), nel suo ufficetto mezzo chic da presidente di un paese sotto legge marziale, tra tutte le spillette di tipo vari reparti militari (credo; non ci capisco molto di questa roba) che tiene lì belle e fieramente inquadrettate… ne ha una di Kuromi. C-o-s-a??? 😳 t.me/c/1230970294/59634 È una scoperta che io faccio ben in ritardo, grazie solo a questo post qui, ma sembra che non sia una completa novità. Infatti, stando a questo articolo, che tenta di fare un po’ luce sulla situazione sicuramente buffa ma per niente chiara, almeno da dicembre 2024 si sa che il presidente ha tale incredibile spilletta…Is Sanrio’s Kuromi Fighting for Ukraine? Badge on Wall Behind Zelenskyy Stands Out: . A quanto pare, questa è stata vista casualmente per la prima volta in un video-comunicato (che allego anche sotto) che, come dice l’articolo, non ha niente di rilevante di per sé per la questione. E quindi, la cosa è proprio pazzurda… 💀
Per trovare un senso a questa visione certamente fatta di contrasti, un’ipotesi interessante viene quantomeno proposta, e cioè che questa spilla (ammesso sia una spilla, e non uno stemma, come molti degli altri… ripeto, sono igniorante), sarebbe del reparto speciale che si occupa dei droni, perché essendo un reparto hi-tech della difesa ci lavorano probabilmente svariati weeb. La scritta lì sopra, sempre stando agli sconosciuti su Internet (è troppo piccola perché io possa verificare personalmente, non sapendo l’ucraino), direbbe solo “distaccamento speciale”, quindi non si capisce. 💔
E… questa è tutta la lore che abbiamo a disposizione, a quanto pare: una miseria. Provando a cercare il nome del presidente in caratteri ucraini assieme alla parola Kuromi, ovviamente, non trovo niente, quindi la mia ricerca finisce qui, e ne sono triste. Ma comunque è assurdo che il signorone abbia una spilla militare di Kuromi, e io no… ok, io ho un segnalibro di essa, però provo comunque un po’ invidia, non so se mi spiego. 😓
Is Sanrio’s Kuromi Fighting for Ukraine? Badge on Wall Behind Zelenskyy Stands Out
Kuromi appears to have moved on from her beef with My Melody and now has a new enemy: Russia!
Sanrio is always up …
In the face of intense public opposition, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s xAI facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
Inside the Memphis Chamber of Commerce’s push for Elon Musk’s xAI data center
In the face of intense public opposition, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s xAI facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
In the face of intense public opposition, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s xAI facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
Inside the Memphis Chamber of Commerce’s push for Elon Musk’s xAI data center
In the face of intense public opposition, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s xAI facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
In the face of intense public opposition, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s xAI facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
Inside the Memphis Chamber of Commerce’s push for Elon Musk’s xAI data center
In the face of intense public opposition, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s xAI facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
Il Fediverso ha vissuto un bel boom iniziale e ora sembra attraversare un momento di calma. Forse complice l’estate, ma intanto stanno nascendo tante nuove piattaforme: ed è un bene!
Non dobbiamo legarci sempre e solo alle stesse, più varietà c’è e meglio è. A differenza dei social commerciali che ti servono un unico piatto cucinato da loro con ingredienti segreti, qui possiamo scegliere, sperimentare, imparare.
Forza, andiamo avanti, non arrendiamoci: è proprio quello che vorrebbero.
content moderation is one of the few places i think AI will actually be beneficial, because often times that is not a healthy job for people to do. obviously loss of jobs should be considered, but the fewer people we have to expose to toxic online content the better.
often the problem with this is lack of an appeal feature with review done by a human. your post could get blocked, your account and there would be nothing you could do.
McDonalds in 2023 tried using AI in their drive thru. It lasted all of 3 weeks before McDonalds realized their business went down 70%. People were trying to order "BIG MAC" and the AI would add 33 apple pies.
Then they would get frustrated, and drive off without paying or getting anything.
I've seen other similar stories from other companies. Maybe not to the same degree. But the theme of the day is CEOs pay billions to integrate AI. Then find out that best case scenario is it works slightly worse than humans. Worst case is it crumbles their business. But at no point have I ever read a story where CEOs gain big advantages from investing in AI. But now they already paid the money, so dammit they're going to use it!
And thats where we are today. Join us 5 years from now when Verizon replaces their entire crew with AI, and becomes just a keyosk in the mall with a touch screen.
I feel like that's where we're headed at this point. Major corps have all the tech and all the money. At this point we are seeing every new iteration of consumer tech/electronics costing more, lasting less time, and offering no greater value than previous iterations while sometimes actually taking away features and functionality in the process. They know they are the only game in town now and they only have to offer what they feel is enough to placate their clientele--if they even choose to go that far. People grumble, then they pay.
AI will replace people in many of these situations and it will suck and be less helpful and very problematic but that's the best they're going to offer. If anyone comes along trying to offer anything better they'll be swiftly dealt with by defeating and/or buying them out. There will probably be like 5 corps that own everything one day (maybe that's too many--3? 2 perhaps? I just can't see it being 1 for some reason)
The failure mode that stalls “AI for data” efforts or "AI on my APIs" efforts isn’t psychedelic hallucination—it’s confident inaccuracy: plausible answers that are wrong in subtle and costly ways.
The Machine Stops by E. M. Forster was written in 1909. It predates Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers by a couple decades. The light bulb was still a recent invention. Yet the world Forster wrote about is oddly recognizable.
It's about a crazy world where everyone just sits alone in their room, staring at a screen and making reaction videos to other people's reaction videos. The main character is a woman who's fully invested in her reaction videos and is perfectly content with her life. But her son has this crazy desire to touch grass. Ridiculous! Sure, anyone can go outside and touch grass if they want, but why would they? All media feeds are on their screens, indoors! Besides, her son lives on the other side of the planet and everyone's rooms look the exact same, so why bother going anywhere at all?
This is just a short story, less than 50 pages. Or if you enjoy audiobooks, it's an hour and a half. And honestly, there isn't much of a plot here. This is mostly the author imagining a horrible world where everyone lives their lives glued to technology and they don't even see a problem with that. So a lot of the story is just the author describing that world. The son fills the role of "voice of reason" as he shouts at his mother for being so obsessed with her videos. And that's where the author injects what he's really trying to say with this story (as if it was subtle before that). Of course, this isn't just a snapshot of life in this world, something has to happen. So towards the end of the story, the machine stops. Because if humanity becomes so reliant upon technology, what will they do if that technology goes away?
A lot of the story made me think of the humans from Wall-E if they never left their rooms. And I liked how the humans weren't being forced to stay in their rooms like prisoners, they just... didn't see any reason to leave. And that's where this story feels proto-cyberpunk to me. It's in the dehumanization through technology. These humans aren't being subjugated by technology, they're voluntarily using this technology. And it makes them less.
Since the story was written in 1909, it's in the public domain. So you can read it or for free. I borrowed the audiobook on Hoopla and I thought the narrator did a great job of making the mother character always sound irritated by the minor inconveniences in her life. That feels accurate.
This short story isn't exactly a masterpiece but it's an interesting oddity from 1909 and isn't a major commitment to read so I recommend checking it out.
In the face of intense public opposition, the city’s Chamber of Commerce has gone to unusual lengths to promote Musk’s xAI facility: sending out a mailer, for the first time in recent memory, that includes misleading facts.
Lithuania's broadcasting regulator (LRTK) challenges the accuracy of data reported by piracy tracking firm MUSO, which is the main input for key EUIPO reports. Citing flaws such as the inclusion of legal sites and an inability to track VPN or IPTV use, LRTK argues that its country is being unfairly portrayed as a piracy leader. In response, MUSO says the LRTK's statements are themselves misleading and the company demands a correction.
Going in circles: Trump sets new deadline for peace in Ukraine — Ukraine to mass produce long-range Flamingo missile in winter — Video shows aftermath of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast — Where is Crimea? And othe
Medical Supplies for Ukraine’s Hospitals. Partnering for global health equity.
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Olga (L) and Zabit (R), Ukrainian citizens of Azerbaijani origin who fled Soviet crackdowns during Azerbaijan’s independence uprising in 1990, harvest potatoes in their garden plot on Aug. 21, in Sloviansk, Ukraine. Sloviansk is the city where the war began in 2014, marked by its occupation by Russian militias led by Igor Strelkov, also known as Girkin. The town is located in Donetsk Oblast, a Ukrainian region cited in peace-talk discussions involving U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin over a potential front-line freeze and territorial exchanges. (Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
Going around in circles — Trump setsnew deadlinefor peace in Ukraine, Graham again threatens with tough legislation. We will know in within two weeks whether there will be peace in Ukraine. After that we will have to maybe take a different tact,” U.S. President Donald Trump told conservative commentator Todd Starnes.
Russia wouldtake 4 yearsto fully occupy Donbas, Zelensky says. “I explained to (U.S. President Donald Trump) that the talks about them (Russia) occupying our Donbas by the end of (2025) are all just chatter,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraineregains controlof most of Tovste in Donetsk Oblast, military says. Tovste is a front-line village southwest of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk and near the key town of Vuhledar.
Russian attack hitsUS electronics plantin western Ukraine. “This was an ordinary civilian facility with American investment. They produced everyday household items, such as coffee machines,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Video shows aftermath of Ukrainian drone strikes onoil pumping stationin Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. Ukrainian drones struck the Unecha oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast on Aug. 21, the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, announced in a video published to social media.
Ukraine to mass producelong-range Flamingo missilein winter, Zelensky says. President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Flamingo had undergone successful tests, describing it as “the most successful” missile Ukraine currently has.
Russiaopposes European troopsin Ukraine under Trump-backed security guarantees, Lavrov says. Sending European troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees would amount to “foreign military intervention,” which Moscow won’t support, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Aug. 21.
Zelensky urges ‘strong response‘ from US if Putin rejects talks with Ukraine.
“We are ready for the bilateral meeting. If the Russians are not, then we would like to see a strong response from the United States,” Zelensky said, adding that he asked Trump to impose additional sanctions on Moscow if it rejects talks with Ukraine.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine regains control of most of Tovste in Donetsk Oblast
The 5th Separate Heavy Mechanized Brigade pushed Russian troops from the settlement through coordinated operations involving infantry, drone units, and artillery, according to the military.
Photo: Pierre Crom / Getty Images
Learn more Where is Crimea? And other things you (and US presidents) should know
U.S. President Donald Trump referred to Crimea as a piece of land “right in the ocean” that is “the size of Texas” while talking on the Mark Levin Show, a right-wing talk radio program, on Aug. 20.
From Crimea to Donbas, Russia’s “peace” has always meant more war. We’re here in Ukraine to give the world a reality check. Support independent journalism in this critical moment.
Massive Russian drone, missile attackkills 1, injures 26in Ukrainian cities far from front line despite peace talks. The attack caused fires at a large electronics plant in Mukachevo, with damage also reported in other cities, including Lviv.
General Staff: Russia has lost1,029,660 troopsin Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.
The number includes 830 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
The ground drone revolution in Ukraine
International response
Switzerland, Austria ready togive Putin immunityfor peace talks. Switzerland is prepared to grant Russian President Vladimir Putin immunity from arrest if he travels to Geneva for peace negotiations, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said in an interview on Aug. 19.
Lithuaniacloses airspace near Belarus ahead of joint Russian-Belarusian military drills. The closure comes ahead of the “Zapad-2025” military drills, scheduled to take place in Belarus from Sept. 12 to 16. Minsk said the joint exercises with Russia are intended to test both countries’ ability to ensure security and repel possible aggression.
Ukrainian detained in Italy for allegedNord Stream sabotage, media report. Italian police have arrested a Ukrainian national under a European arrest warrant in connection with the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions, German prosecutors announced on Aug. 21.
Kim Jong Un reportedlyawards troopswho fought for Russia. At a ceremony in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un praised the overseas troops and said their participation demonstrated “the power of the heroic (North Korean) army.”
Trump’s intelligence chief ordered halt tointelligence sharingon Russia-Ukraine peace talks among ‘Five Eye’ allies, CBS reports. U.S. intelligence sources told CBS News that Gabbard signed a directive barring the sharing of information with the Five Eye alliance, which includes the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.
In other news
Trump administrationescalates purgeof senior US intelligence officials, Economist reports. The officer, who served as the CIA’s top Russia and Eurasia analyst during the 2016 election and helped produce the report detailing Moscow’s interference on behalf of Donald Trump, was among the most senior career officials targeted.
Ex-defense official charged withabuse of powerafter awarding himself bonuses, extra payments. A former acting director general of a state-owned defense enterprise has been charged under suspicion that the official abuse his power in awarding himself 700,000 UAH ($17,000) in bonuses and extra payment during his service, the city of Kyiv’s Prosecutor’s Office announced on Aug. 21.
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A former acting director general of a state-owned defense enterprise has been charged under suspicion that the official abuse his power in awarding himself 700,000 UAH ($17,000) in bonuses and extra payment during his service, the city of Kyiv's Pros…
Microsoft AI chief says it’s ‘dangerous’ to study AI consciousness: People will start to believe in the AIs as conscious entities that they’ll advocate for AI rights, model welfare and AI citizenship
Microsoft AI chief says it’s ‘dangerous’ to study AI consciousness: People will start to believe in the AIs as conscious entities that they’ll advocate for AI rights, model welfare and AI citizenship
The problem with ABC news in my experience is they assume their audience are familiar with the geopolitical situation in Asia and of course most westerners aren't.
Like the whole toilet paper thing during the pandemic. The way they reported it made it sound like it was a global issue rather than an Australia issue. The situation that arose to create that problem simply doesn't exist in other parts of the world, but because of the way they reported it, they made people think that it was an international problem. Then it actually became an international problem. Now granted, a certain amount of brainlessness has to be considered on the behalf of the people reading this stuff but still, it demonstrates the issue.
I read an article that suggests classified ads used to support newspapers and hard journalism, and the Internet and sites like Craigslist took away that revenue to pay reporters.
Yep that's pretty much how it went. Also print ads have lost against digital ads, which pay way less money to publishers and keep paying less each year
I was confused there for a second but apparently the BBC has introduced a paywall only for US users. Site is still completely free to read anywhere else, which is why I didnt even realize that there is a paywall.
Which of course means that US Americans could simply VPN their way around it..
This is a little surprising to me because I read it on a daily basis and haven't seen sign of the paywall yet. I don't know if Ublock Origin is simply squashing that as well, or I'm somehow lucky.
The BBC has been run as a business now and it's absolutely stupid. It was never meant to make a profit that was never really the point. It was supposed to be a public service and a projection of soft power, that seems to have gone out to the window now.
I suspect a lot of the work at the BBC don't actually agree with this, but management don't listen to anyone.
I forgot about the paywall and assumed this was due to their international reputational damage, over things like their pro-Israel “reporting” of the occupations in Palestine.
I'll say it again. Stop tracking me and I'll look at your ads. I look at physical mailers, like I literally look through them, more than I look at Internet ads.
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent letters today to more than a dozen prominent technology companies reminding them of their obligations to protect the privacy and data security of American consumers despite pressure from foreign governments to weaken such protections. He also warned them that censoring Americans at the behest of foreign powers might violate the law.
The letters were sent to companies that provide cloud computing, data security, social media, messaging apps and other services and include: Akamai, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Cloudflare, Discord, GoDaddy, Meta, Microsoft, Signal, Snap, Slack and X.
The letters noted that companies might feel pressured to censor and weaken data security protections for Americans in response to the laws, demands, or expected demands of foreign powers. These laws include the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, which incentivize tech companies to censor worldwide speech, and the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, which can require companies to weaken their encryption measures to enable UK law enforcement to access data stored by users.
“I am concerned that these actions by foreign powers to impose censorship and weaken end-to-end encryption will erode Americans’ freedoms and subject them to myriad harms, such as surveillance by foreign governments and an increased risk of identity theft and fraud,” Chairman Ferguson wrote.
The letter noted that as companies consider how to comply with foreign laws and demands, they are still required to comply with the FTC Act’s prohibition against unfair and deceptive practices in the marketplace. For example, if a company promises consumers that it encrypts or secures online communications but then adopts weaker security in response to demands from a foreign government, such an action could be considered a deceptive practice under the FTC Act, the letter noted.
The FTC has brought dozens of cases over the past two decades against companies that have failed to keep their promises to consumers to deploy reasonable safeguards to protect consumer data.
FTC Warns Companies(Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Discord, Meta, Microsoft, Signal, Snap, X and more) Against Censoring or Weakening the Data Security of Americans at the Behest of Foreign Powers
Republished here under Public Domain.
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent letters today to more than a dozen prominent technology companies reminding them of their obligations to protect the privacy and data security of American consumers despite pressure from foreign governments to weaken such protections. He also warned them that censoring Americans at the behest of foreign powers might violate the law.
The letters were sent to companies that provide cloud computing, data security, social media, messaging apps and other services and include: Akamai, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Cloudflare, Discord, GoDaddy, Meta, Microsoft, Signal, Snap, Slack and X.
The letters noted that companies might feel pressured to censor and weaken data security protections for Americans in response to the laws, demands, or expected demands of foreign powers. These laws include the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, which incentivize tech companies to censor worldwide speech, and the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, which can require companies to weaken their encryption measures to enable UK law enforcement to access data stored by users.
“I am concerned that these actions by foreign powers to impose censorship and weaken end-to-end encryption will erode Americans’ freedoms and subject them to myriad harms, such as surveillance by foreign governments and an increased risk of identity theft and fraud,” Chairman Ferguson wrote.
The letter noted that as companies consider how to comply with foreign laws and demands, they are still required to comply with the FTC Act’s prohibition against unfair and deceptive practices in the marketplace. For example, if a company promises consumers that it encrypts or secures online communications but then adopts weaker security in response to demands from a foreign government, such an action could be considered a deceptive practice under the FTC Act, the letter noted.
The FTC has brought dozens of cases over the past two decades against companies that have failed to keep their promises to consumers to deploy reasonable safeguards to protect consumer data.
reminding them of their obligations to protect the privacy and data security of American consumers despite pressure from foreign governments to weaken such protections
Yeah, but that mostly goes the other way around. If it comes to privacy, Europe isn't the best but the US is a laughing stock.
Yeah, europe yet again is trying to get this law to break encryption but don't act as if the US hasn't been trying the same since forever
Max (stylized in all uppercase; Russian: Макс, [ˈmaks] MAKS) is a Russian messenger released by VK in 2025. As of July 2025, it is in beta-testing stage. By analogy with the Chinese platform WeChat, a universal mobile application ("superapp") is being developed on the basis of Max, which allows, in addition to using the functions of the messenger, to also receive electronic Gosuslugi, verify identity through a digital ID, use a strengthened electronic signature, and also make payments. :::
Russia’s new state-backed messaging app Max will come pre-installed on all devices sold in the country starting on Sept. 1, the government announced Thursday.
Max (stylized in all uppercase; Russian: Макс, [ˈmaks] MAKS) is a Russian messenger released by VK in 2025. As of July 2025, it is in beta-testing stage. By analogy with the Chinese platform WeChat, a universal mobile application ("superapp") is being developed on the basis of Max, which allows, in addition to using the functions of the messenger, to also receive electronic Gosuslugi, verify identity through a digital ID, use a strengthened electronic signature, and also make payments. :::
Russia’s new state-backed messaging app Max will come pre-installed on all devices sold in the country starting on Sept. 1, the government announced Thursday.
FYI, there isn't much difference between this and mandatory encryption backdoors. Both are fundamentally authoritarian... So when your gov's push for encryption backdoors, they are a domestic enemy en par with Putin and all other dictatorships.
Whether or not that's a defense depends on the details of the French legal system. In most countries, there are rights you're not allowed to sign away. No idea whether security of the person is one of those rights in France.
Hosted by the Brooklyn Public Library, this Burner Phone 101 workshop introduced participants to phone-related risk modeling, privacy-protective smartphone practices, the full spectrum of burner phone options, and when to leave phones behind entirely.
Hosted by the Brooklyn Public Library, this Burner Phone 101 workshop introduced participants to phone-related risk modeling, privacy-protective smartphone practices, the full spectrum of burner phone options, and when to leave phones behind entirely…
so I thought it wouldn't be available because it needs connection to MS servers I think? anyway, I was looking at the sites on the megathread and MS flight simulator is available on several websites, like fitgirl repacks, steamrip etc (I assume that's the 2020 version but there is a 2024 one as well on gamebounty). so now I'm actually curious, has anyone tried it? does it work well?
The Fitgirl Repack is the 2020 version. There is a portable version released by Digitalzone (Archive size 9.49GB, based on the online-fix.me p2p release), which works online, but still needs a microsoft account according to release notes (so a burner account is preferable). Haven't tried it, but the Digitalzone portables i did try in the past all worked well so i expect the same here.
If you want to play airplane simulation and you want to really fly and enjoy flying then I still recommend you to buy the X-plane 12, because it is much closer to flying than the FS. x-plane.com/
A central Japan city said Thursday it will seek to pass an ordinance recommending all residents limit smartphone use to two hours a day outside of work and school amid concerns over the impact of excessive technology exposure, though there will be no penalties proposed.
The ordinance drafted by the city of Toyoake in Aichi Prefecture is likely to be the first such municipal regulation in Japan that targets a limit on the use of smartphones and other electronic devices, according to the city. If passed by the local assembly, the ordinance will come into effect on Oct. 1.
A central Japan city said Thursday it will seek to pass an ordinance recommending all residents limit smartphone use to two hours a day outside of work and school amid concerns over the impact of excessive technology exposure, though there will be no…
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson sent letters today to more than a dozen prominent technology companies reminding them of their obligations to protect the privacy and data security of American consumers despite pressure from foreign governments to weaken such protections. He also warned them that censoring Americans at the behest of foreign powers might violate the law.
The letters were sent to companies that provide cloud computing, data security, social media, messaging apps and other services and include: Akamai, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Cloudflare, Discord, GoDaddy, Meta, Microsoft, Signal, Snap, Slack and X.
The letters noted that companies might feel pressured to censor and weaken data security protections for Americans in response to the laws, demands, or expected demands of foreign powers. These laws include the European Union’s Digital Services Act and the United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act, which incentivize tech companies to censor worldwide speech, and the UK’s Investigatory Powers Act, which can require companies to weaken their encryption measures to enable UK law enforcement to access data stored by users.
“I am concerned that these actions by foreign powers to impose censorship and weaken end-to-end encryption will erode Americans’ freedoms and subject them to myriad harms, such as surveillance by foreign governments and an increased risk of identity theft and fraud,” Chairman Ferguson wrote.
The letter noted that as companies consider how to comply with foreign laws and demands, they are still required to comply with the FTC Act’s prohibition against unfair and deceptive practices in the marketplace. For example, if a company promises consumers that it encrypts or secures online communications but then adopts weaker security in response to demands from a foreign government, such an action could be considered a deceptive practice under the FTC Act, the letter noted.
The FTC has brought dozens of cases over the past two decades against companies that have failed to keep their promises to consumers to deploy reasonable safeguards to protect consumer data.
Max (stylized in all uppercase; Russian: Макс, [ˈmaks] MAKS) is a Russian messenger released by VK in 2025. As of July 2025, it is in beta-testing stage. By analogy with the Chinese platform WeChat, a universal mobile application ("superapp") is being developed on the basis of Max, which allows, in addition to using the functions of the messenger, to also receive electronic Gosuslugi, verify identity through a digital ID, use a strengthened electronic signature, and also make payments. :::
Russia’s new state-backed messaging app Max will come pre-installed on all devices sold in the country starting on Sept. 1, the government announced Thursday.
A Chinese national was sentenced today to four years in prison and three years of supervised release for writing and deploying malicious code on his then-employer’s network.
Wired, Business Insider, Index on Censorship magazine and more outlets got tricked into publishing AI-Generated, fabricated articles that feature people who do not seem to exist.
t.me/c/1230970294/59634
Olap
in reply to Pro • • •acosmichippo
in reply to Pro • • •aliser
in reply to acosmichippo • • •frunch
in reply to aliser • • •Can't you just call customer service and keep escalating it to the next department until it's solved?
/s
Lost_My_Mind
in reply to Pro • • •McDonalds in 2023 tried using AI in their drive thru. It lasted all of 3 weeks before McDonalds realized their business went down 70%. People were trying to order "BIG MAC" and the AI would add 33 apple pies.
Then they would get frustrated, and drive off without paying or getting anything.
I've seen other similar stories from other companies. Maybe not to the same degree. But the theme of the day is CEOs pay billions to integrate AI. Then find out that best case scenario is it works slightly worse than humans. Worst case is it crumbles their business. But at no point have I ever read a story where CEOs gain big advantages from investing in AI. But now they already paid the money, so dammit they're going to use it!
And thats where we are today. Join us 5 years from now when Verizon replaces their entire crew with AI, and becomes just a keyosk in the mall with a touch screen.
frunch
in reply to Lost_My_Mind • • •I feel like that's where we're headed at this point. Major corps have all the tech and all the money. At this point we are seeing every new iteration of consumer tech/electronics costing more, lasting less time, and offering no greater value than previous iterations while sometimes actually taking away features and functionality in the process. They know they are the only game in town now and they only have to offer what they feel is enough to placate their clientele--if they even choose to go that far. People grumble, then they pay.
AI will replace people in many of these situations and it will suck and be less helpful and very problematic but that's the best they're going to offer. If anyone comes along trying to offer anything better they'll be swiftly dealt with by defeating and/or buying them out. There will probably be like 5 corps that own everything one day (maybe that's too many--3? 2 perhaps? I just can't see it being 1 for some reason)