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By zikalify · Posted
EU declares war on Meta's addictive Facebook and Instagram features by Paul Hill Credit: Pexels The European Commission has found that Meta is in breach of the Digital Services Act for the addictive designs it chooses to use on Instagram and Facebook to keep users hooked for hours. Specific aspects that the EU doesn’t like include infinite scroll, autoplay, push notifications, and the recommender system. The Commission’s investigation into the matter is part of formal proceedings into Meta’s compliance with the DSA that were launched on May 16, 2024. In these preliminary findings, the Commission found that Meta has not adequately assessed the risks of addictive design on the physical and mental wellbeing of users, including minors and vulnerable adults. Here are the main findings of the investigation: Meta overlooked how addictive features like infinite scroll trap users These designs urge users to stay online by putting the user into autopilot mode, which promotes unhealthy habits and compulsive use Meta disregarded known data about excessive use of Instagram and Facebook at night by minors Meta failed to account for how optimizing specific formats like Reels and Stories can drive compulsive behavior Meta’s default time limits for teens can be easily dismissed and fail to meaningfully reduce screen time Parental controls fail because high technical expertise and significant time are needed to understand them The safety tips and mental health resources are buried too deeply, making them inadequate To address these issues, the Commission believes that Meta needs to implement design changes in Instagram and Facebook. Changes it would like to see include disabling autoplay and infinite scroll by default, implementing effective screen time breaks, and changing the recommender system so it’s less engagement-oriented. Meta now has the chance to submit a defense, but if the Commission’s findings are confirmed, it could issue a non-compliance decision, which can result in a fine of up to 6% of the total worldwide annual turnover. -
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By monterxz · Posted
Fox guarding the hen house. -
By Hamid Ganji · Posted
Xbox CEO who laid off thousands will advise the Federal Reserve on productivity and jobs by Hamid Ganji Image via Microsoft The United States Federal Reserve is forming five new task forces to advance the conduct of monetary policy. These task forces, led by Chairman Kevin Warsh, include U.S. business leaders and college professors. Interestingly, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who has been making headlines over the past few weeks due to massive layoffs, is also a member of the Productivity and Jobs task force. As per the Federal Reserve announcement, the Productivity and Jobs task force will be responsible for assessing “the economic impact of new general-purpose technologies, including artificial intelligence, to inform the Federal Reserve's policy judgments.” The head of Xbox at Microsoft, along with Marc Andreessen, co-founder and general partner at Andreessen Horowitz, and Charles I. Jones, professor of economics at Stanford University who currently works at Anthropic, are members of the Federal Reserve's Productivity and Jobs Task Force. “Each task force will carefully consider whether policymakers' means and methods, analytical tools and policy approaches can be improved upon. I am honored that the best minds from a range of disciplines have agreed to work with us to sharpen our performance as an institution,” said Chairman Kevin Warsh. Asha Sharma is the former head of Microsoft's CoreAI division, but earlier this year, she became the new Xbox CEO, replacing Phil Spencer. Sharma's name has been tied to the massive layoffs at the Xbox unit in recent months. Earlier this month, it was announced that Microsoft planned to cut less than 2.5% of its workforce, with the Xbox unit among the divisions expected to see the largest cuts. Last week, Sharma announced the "most significant restructure in Xbox history." As a result, around 3,200 Xbox employees will be laid off. Also, at least four gaming studios will either part ways with Xbox or be sold to another company. Of course, Microsoft has been laying off staff for several years now, and this isn't a new policy introduced under Asha Sharma's leadership at Xbox. For example, Microsoft laid off about 650 employees from its Xbox unit in 2024. -
By Copernic · Posted
draw.io Desktop 30.3.6 by Razvan Serea draw.io desktop is a downloadable security-first diagramming application that runs on Windows, MacOS and Linux. Creating diagrams in the desktop app doesn’t need an internet connection. This is useful when you are disconnected or when you must create diagrams in a highly secure environment, where data protection is of the utmost importance. When you use the draw.io desktop app, your diagrams will be stored on your local device. Because this is a stand-alone application, also designed to run offline, there are no interfaces to cloud storage platforms available. Of course, you can still store your diagrams in folders that are synchronised to your cloud storage if you wish. Easy-to-use diagram editor The draw.io apps work just like the office and drawing tools you are used to using. Drag and drop shapes from the shape libraries and drag to draw connectors between them. Drag connectors to add waypoints and set a precise shape and position, or let them reroute automatically. Double click and start typing to add a label to anything. Create tables and swimlane flows with a familiar tool. Style shapes and connectors with customisable palettes, sketch options, fonts and text formatting tools. Search for shapes, including in open-source icon libraries. Use our vast libraries of shapes and templates, organised into logical categories, to create a range of diagrams and infographics. Generate diagrams from text descriptions using our smart templates. Diagram faster with keyboard shortcuts. draw.io Desktop 30.3.6 changelog: Uses electron 43.1.0 #2170 , #2230 , #2468 Updates to draw.io core 30.3.6. Download: draw.io 64-bit | Standalone (Open Source) Download: draw.io 32-bit | ARM64 | ARM64 Standalone Links: draw.io Home Page | Project page @GitHub | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware -
By News Staff · Posted
FREE: Cybersecurity Program Development for Business: Essential Planning Guide (was $49.95) by Steven Parker Claim your complimentary copy (worth $49.95) of "Cybersecurity Program Development for Business: The Essential Planning Guide" for free, before the offer ends on July 22. (link below) Description In 2016, we reached a tipping point—a moment where the global and local implications of cybersecurity became undeniable. Despite the seriousness of the topic, the term "cybersecurity" still exasperates many people. They feel terrorized and overwhelmed. The majority of business people have very little understanding of cybersecurity, how to manage it, and what's really at risk. This essential guide, with its dozens of examples and case studies, breaks down every element of the development and management of a cybersecurity program for the executive. From understanding the need, to core risk management principles, to threats, tools, roles and responsibilities, this book walks the reader through each step of developing and implementing a cybersecurity program. Read cover-to-cover, it’s a thorough overview, but it can also function as a useful reference book as individual questions and difficulties arise. Unlike other cybersecurity books, the text is not bogged down with industry jargon Speaks specifically to the executive who is not familiar with the development or implementation of cybersecurity programs Shows you how to make pragmatic, rational, and informed decisions for your organization Written by a top-flight technologist with decades of experience and a track record of success If you’re a business manager or executive who needs to make sense of cybersecurity, this book demystifies it for you. How to download for free Please ensure you read the terms and conditions to claim this offer. Complete and verifiable information is required in order to receive this free offer. If you have previously made use of these offers, you will not need to re-register. Cybersecurity Program Development for Business: The Essential Planning Guide Was $49.95, but is now FREE | Above link offer expires July 22. The below offers are also available for free in exchange for your (work) email: View our recent time-limited free eBook offers The Complete Free AI Learning: Master ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & More ($21 Value) now FREE How to Build an AI Design Workflow with Gamma ($21 Value) now FREE The Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide – Featured free content Python Notes for Professionals – Featured free content Learn Linux in 5 Days – Featured free content Quick Reference Guide for Cybersecurity – Featured free content We post these because we earn commission on each lead so as not to rely solely on advertising, which many of our readers block. It all helps toward paying staff reporters, servers and hosting costs. Other ways to support Neowin The above deal not doing it for you, but still want to help? Check out the links below. Check out our partner software in the Neowin Store Buy a T-shirt at Neowin's Threadsquad Subscribe to Neowin - for $14 a year, or $28 a year for an ad-free experience Disclosure: An account at Neowin Deals is required to participate in any deals powered by our affiliate, StackCommerce. For a full description of StackCommerce's privacy guidelines, go here. Neowin benefits from shared revenue of each sale made through the branded deals site.
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