BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Facebook's Trump ban upheld by Oversight Board for now
Donald Trump's ban from Facebook and Instagram has been upheld by Facebook's Oversight Board. But it criticised the permanent nature of the ban as beyond the scope of Facebook's normal penalties. It has ordered Facebook to review the decision and "justify a proportionate response" that is applied to everyone, including ordinary users. The former president was banned from both sites in ... Read more
2021-05-05 20:33:58
Tim Cook warns of Apple product shortages
Apple has warned of potential product shortages later in the year. A computer-chip shortage has been accelerated primarily by pandemic-driven disruptions over the past year. Industries around the world are struggling to meet a surge in demand for products such as cars, high-tech gadgets and smartphones. And Apple chief executive Tim Cook says supply issues could affect products that feature its ... Read more
2021-04-29 20:36:06
Facebook: Smoking and alcohol ads 'target Australian children'
Facebook approved adverts targeting teenage children interested in gambling, smoking and extreme weight loss, a report says. Research by the lobby group Reset Australia created a Facebook page under the name Ozzie News Network to explore the advertising options. And it was able to create targeted ads, based on profiling by the technology giant, for as little as A$3 (£2.16). Facebook told BBC Ne ... Read more
2021-04-28 20:51:14
Cyber-attack hackers threaten to share US police informant data
Washington DC's Metropolitan Police Department has said its computer network has been breached in a targeted cyber-attack, US media report. A ransomware group called Babuk is reportedly threatening to release sensitive data on police informants if it is not contacted within three days. The FBI is investigating the extent of the breach, US media reported, citing the Washington DC police departmen ... Read more
2021-04-27 20:18:59
Facebook and Google 'failed to remove scam adverts'
Facebook and Google failed to remove online scam adverts after fraud victims reported them, according to consumer watchdog Which? Google had failed to remove 34% of the scam adverts reported to it, compared with 26% at Facebook, the study indicated. Both companies said they removed fraudulent adverts, which are banned on their platforms. But Which? said a more proactive approach was needed. Th ... Read more
2021-04-26 20:22:05
Facebook v Apple: The ad tracking row heats up
A new feature is being introduced to iPhones and iPads this week which is causing a huge rift between Apple and Facebook. It will allow device users to say no to having their data collected by any app. Facebook has been put in a spin by this because user data - and the advertising it can generate - is what makes the company so profitable. This update could deal a severe blow to its business mode ... Read more
2021-04-25 20:05:41
Tesla's Autopilot 'tricked' to operate without driver
The Autopilot feature in Tesla vehicles can be tricked into operating without a driver, an influential consumer magazine in the US has found. Consumer Reports engineers looked into claims that Autopilot can operate without a driver present. They tested the Model Y on a closed track and concluded the system could be "easily tricked". It comes days after a fatal Tesla crash in Texas. Po ... Read more
2021-04-24 20:17:17
Tesla's Autopilot 'tricked' to operate without driver
The Autopilot feature in Tesla vehicles can be tricked into operating without a driver, an influential consumer magazine in the US has found. Consumer Reports engineers looked into claims that Autopilot can operate without a driver present. They tested the Model Y on a closed track and concluded the system could be "easily tricked". It comes days after a fatal Tesla crash in Texas. Po ... Read more
2021-04-22 20:41:19
Google and Apple attacked on app store 'monopoly'
Senators have grilled Apple and Google in Washington over "anti-competitive" behaviour related to their app stores. Representatives from Tile, Spotify and Match also gave evidence, accusing the two tech firms of charging exorbitant fees and copying their ideas. Both Apple and Google's app stores charge fees of up to 30% for in-app purchases. The two companies said the fees were justif ... Read more
2021-04-21 20:22:45
Apple event: AirTag, iPad and iMac lead line-up
Apple has shown off its latest product line-up in its first big event of 2021. The firm is increasing the number of products which will contain its own in-house developed M1 chip, as the sector struggles with a global semiconductor shortage. It finally unveiled its much-anticipated tracker tile, the AirTag, which will launch at the end of April. And it announced its first significant update to ... Read more
2021-04-20 20:33:35