Social media giant Facebook snooped on Snapchat users’ network traffic, engaged in anticompetitive behavior and exploited user data through deceptive practices. That’s according to a court document filed March 23, 2024.
The document mentions Facebook’s so-called In-App Action Panel (IAAP) program, which existed between June 2016 and approximately May 2019. The IAAP program, used an adversary-in-the-middle method called to intercept and decrypt Snapchat’s—and later YouTube’s and Amazon’s—SSL-protected analytics traffic to provide information for Facebook’s competitive decision making. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client.
On June 9, 2016, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg complained about the lack of analytics about competitor Snapchat.
“Whenever someone asks a question about Snapchat, the answer is usually that because their traffic is encrypted we have no analytics about them. . . .
Given how quickly they’re growing, it seems important to figure out a new way to get reliable analytics about them. Perhaps we need to do panels or write custom software. You should figure out how to do this.”
So, as part of the IAAP program, the company started Project Ghostbusters by using Onavo. Onavo was a VPN-like research tool that Facebook acquired in 2013. In 2019, Facebook shut down Onavo after a TechCrunch investigation revealed that Facebook had been secretly paying teenagers to use Onavo so the company could access all of their web activity.
The Project Ghostbusters technique relied on technology known as a server-side SSL bump performed on Facebook’s Onavo servers. SSL bumping, also known as SSL interception, involves intercepting and decrypting SSL/TLS traffic, inspecting it for malicious content or policy violations, and then re-encrypting and forwarding it to the intended destination.
To gain access to the data about their competitor, Facebook incentivized users to install “kits” on both Android and iOS devices that impersonated official servers and decrypted traffic that Facebook had no right to access.
These kits allowed Facebook to intercept traffic for specific sub-domains, allowing them to read what would otherwise be encrypted traffic and to measure in-app usage of their competitor’s apps. The users were clueless about what the kits did exactly, but it allowed the operators to view and analyze the traffic before it got encrypted.
According to the court documents, advertisers suing Meta claim that Facebook later expanded the program to Amazon and YouTube. This practice is likely in violation of wiretapping laws and “potentially criminal.” Facebook’s secret program likely violated the Wiretap Act, because it prohibits intentionally intercepting electronic communications with no applicable exception and the use of such intercepted communications.
We’ll keep you updated on how this develops.
We don’t just report on phone security—we provide it
Samsung has brought back the “Since last charge” battery care feature in the latest Device Care update. The company has essentially followed other smartphone brands in taking a U-turn.
Battery management for smartphones is a constant struggle, and Samsung made it unnecessarily cumbersome after it removed the “Since last charge” option. However, the company appears to have backtracked, presumably after a backlash from Samsung Galaxy smartphone users.
Samsung One UI 6.1 may include important battery charging status
Samsung started rolling out the latest One UI 6.0 OS update for its Galaxy-branded Android smartphones last year. The update includes several new Samsung-exclusive features.
However, for reasons best known to the South Korean tech giant, a crucial feature suddenly went missing. The ‘Since last charge’ feature resides inside the “Battery” tab in the Settings app.
As the name indicates, the “Since last charge” option tracks the Samsung Galaxy smartphone’s battery level, over a defined interval of time. Additionally, the feature shows users their “screen-on time” since it was last charged.
Although not many users keep a close watch on their smartphone’s battery, the missing feature was very useful. It tracked the device’s charging cycle and visually indicated usage patterns.
Samsung had replaced the “Since last charge” feature with its watered-down version that measured battery life over the last 24 hours regardless of charging. Needless to mention, this wasn’t ideal
How to get back the ‘Since last charge’ feature in Samsung Galaxy smartphones?
It wasn’t just Samsung that chose to ditch a much-needed feature. Other big brands, including Google, Xiaomi, and others removed the “Since last charge” metric. Incidentally, most of the brands have reintroduced the feature in its original form, and now Samsung has followed suit.
According to a Tweet, Samsung has revived the “Since last charge” option. Samsung has reportedly included the feature in an update to its Device Care app.
Breaking ‼️
Samsung heard your cries & brings back LAST FULL CHARGE Screen On Time in One UI 6 with new Device Care update (v13.8.06.11)!
Samsung hasn’t yet released the stable version of the Device Care app, tagged v13.8.6.11, via the official update channel.
The update is available from third-party sources. However, Samsung Galaxy smartphone users running One UI 6.0 should ideally refrain from installing the same as it requires side-loading an APK file. Although Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed the update or the feature, the latest version of the Device Care app should make its way to the Galaxy Store, presumably inside the upcoming One UI 6.1 update.
Google on Wednesday introduced a new feature called Style Recommendations to improve the experience of online shoppers. The feature is currently only available for select Google users in the United States. It allows them to rate clothes they find during searches to automatically provide better Style Recommendations in their next search. The rating system for the clothes is similar to those found on platforms like Tinder with left & right swipes.
Users can add ratings to apparel in search results to get better style recommendations
Now, users in the US using Google’s mobile website or the app can refine their shopping searches with various new tools. The new features let signed-in shoppers rate products in their searches, so the Google app can pick up on their preferences. Once they like clothes in the searches, they can rate them using thumbs up or down. The users can also swipe right or left to get more personalized results. If you don’t like the results, more options will be displayed on the screen.
Google will remember your preferences. The next time you search for a similar set of accessories or clothes, you will get better style recommendations. That’s not all, you will also be able to specify the brands you like. Once you select your brands, Google will prioritize results in the search from these brands. You are also allowed to change your brand preferences any time you want.
Google’s new shopping tools for style recommendations are currently experimental
According to Google’s blog post, the new shopping tools to provide better style recommendations are currently experimental. Anyone in the US who has opted into Search Generative Experience (SGE) with Search Labs can experience these new features. If the shoppers like the results they receive, they can also try the virtual try-on (VTO) tool.
The VTO feature was introduced last year for US shoppers. It provides a diverse set of models including sizes ranging from XXS to 4XL. This feature helps shoppers visualize how apparel from different brands would look on them. We can expect Google to launch the new shopping tools for personalized recommendations globally at some point later this year.
Short-form videos have become an integral part of our digital landscape, thanks to the soaring popularity of platforms like TikTok. Following TikTok’s meteoric rise, other big players like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Snapchat have all jumped on the short-video bandwagon. Now, LinkedIn is gearing up to join the fray.TechCrunch reports that LinkedIn confirmed it is experimenting with a new short-video feed, taking a page from TikTok’s playbook. The news first surfaced when Austin Null, a strategy director at an influencer agency, shared a sneak peek (later shared on X) of the new feed on LinkedIn.
The new feed resides in the app’s navigation bar under a fresh “Video” tab. Once you tap into the Video tab, you’re greeted with a vertical feed of bite-sized videos that you can easily swipe through. Users can engage with the content by liking, commenting, or sharing. Details on how the feed curates content remain undisclosed.
Unlike the eclectic mix found in other apps, LinkedIn’s focus remains squarely on careers and professionalism. While video content has long been a part of the platform, this dedicated feed aims to elevate engagement and discovery by curating relevant, easily digestible videos.
According to LinkedIn, users increasingly turn to video content to learn from industry professionals. Hence, the platform is exploring new avenues to surface such valuable content. However, the feature is still in its early testing phase, meaning it’s not widely available yet.
For content creators, LinkedIn’s new feed might present an opportunity to expand their reach and share video content with a professional audience. There’s talk that LinkedIn might explore monetization options down the line, which could encourage creators to get on board.
However, not everyone may welcome this change with open arms. LinkedIn has long been valued for its professional and informational content, free from the distractions of typical short-form video feeds. Feel free to share what you think about it in the comments below.
Zoom has taken a monumental leap forward by introducing Zoom Workplace, an all-encompassing AI-powered platform designed to redefine how we work.
This innovative solution aims to streamline communication, enhance collaboration, and boost productivity. It addresses the challenges of dispersed teams and the overload of information that has become all too common in today’s work environment.
Recent studies, including a 2023 Morning Consult report commissioned by Zoom, highlight a growing concern among knowledge workers.
More than half report spending significant time each week on tasks such as sharing notes and action items, contributing to what has been dubbed the “collaboration paradox.”
This paradox refers to the increased effort in collaboration that, paradoxically, hampers effective teamwork and engagement.
Furthermore, an OpenText study found that 80% of global workers experience information overload, exacerbating the issue.
Introducing Zoom Workplace
Zoom Workplace emerges as a beacon of innovation, designed to combat these challenges head-on.
Zoom aims to simplify tasks, foster engagement, and enhance productivity by integrating AI capabilities across its platform.
This comprehensive solution combines Zoom’s trusted communication tools with added features for employee engagement, workspace optimization, and productivity, all underpinned by AI technology.
Welcome to Zoom Workplace, your AI-powered collaboration platform
AI Companion: A Game-Changer
At the heart of Zoom Workplace is the Zoom AI Companion, an AI assistant that promises to revolutionize productivity.
With capabilities such as summarizing meeting and chat threads, brainstorming assistance, and rapid composition of chats and email drafts, the AI Companion is designed to save valuable time and enhance the quality of work.
Notably, a GigaOm study commissioned by Zoom highlights the AI Companion’s transcription accuracy at 95%, and its ability to deliver results four times faster than its predecessors.
Ask AI Companion will be able to gather, synthesize, and share information across Zoom Workplace, help you prepare for meetings, and more.
Seamless Collaboration and Engagement
Zoom Workplace introduces several key features aimed at improving the collaboration experience:
Meetings Tab: Streamlines the entire meeting lifecycle, from preparation to collaboration during the meeting and follow-up actions.
Team Chat Innovations: Includes shared spaces and new tabs to organize channel-related assets, enhancing team collaboration.
Employee Engagement: Integrated with Workvivo, Zoom Workplace offers tools for creating a sense of belonging through shoutouts, team spaces, and surveys.
Optimized In-Person and Flexible Work: Features such as Workspace Reservation and Visitor Management help optimize the in-office experience, addressing the challenges of flexible work arrangements.
Open Platform and Integration
Zoom Workplace stands out not only for its AI capabilities but also for its openness and flexibility.
With over 2,500 integrations available in the Zoom App Marketplace, including those with Microsoft and Google, Zoom Workplace enables seamless experiences. It empowers customers to tailor the platform to their specific needs.
Zoom’s introduction of Zoom Workplace marks a significant milestone in the evolution of digital workspaces.
By leveraging AI to address the collaboration paradox and streamline the work experience, Zoom sets a new standard for productivity and engagement in the modern workplace.
As businesses continue to navigate the challenges of dispersed teams and information overload, Zoom Workplace offers a promising solution that could redefine the future of work.
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Masa Network, the world’s leading decentralized personal data network, has announced its integration with LayerZero, an interoperability protocol that seamlessly connects blockchains and allows developers to build omnichain applications, tokens and experiences.
The integration with LayerZero will enable communication for the Masa Data Network which will be launched on a dedicated Avalanche Subnet, with Ethereum and Binance Smart Chain. The MASA token interoperability will further expand to Polygon, Base, Celo and more in the future via LayerZero’s Omnichain Fungible Token (OFT) Standard, which enables native cross-chain token transfers.
Masa is set to launch its native MASA token alongside the Network Mainnet on or around April 11th, 2024. Masa aims to shift the control of personal data back to users in the AI era. A person’s digital footprint and social graph are encrypted and stored in a completely private way in a Zero-Knowledge Soulbound Tokens (zkSBTs) data locker on the Masa Network. Users can own, share and earn from their data to train AI models, power AI agents, and power innovative AI applications.
Users earn MASA tokens as rewards when their data is used by developers to power the decentralized AI economy.
Calenthia Mei, the Co-founder of Masa, said, “Masa is thrilled to be integrating with LayerZero Labs, which has become the industry standard for interoperability. Masa wants to empower users to own, share, and earn from their data, no matter which blockchain network their data is on. With LayerZero’s support, we are excited to be cross-chain and interoperable from the very beginning.”
With the explosion of AI models, Masa has emerged as a leader in supplying vast amounts of privacy-first personal training data, powering the future of AI applications. It has amassed over 1.4 million unique wallets and over 37 million proprietary data points.
Developers can utilize Masa Network’s massive collection of private-by-default user data to train AI models, build innovative apps, power decentralized advertising, and more. Masa will also be providing out-of-the-box large-language models for real-time data searching within the network.
Simon Baksys, VP of Business of Development at LayerZero, commented “We are excited to collaborate with Masa to enhance privacy and innovation in AI development. The integration of LayerZero infrastructure with Masa’s ecosystem will enable accelerated development of personalized AI applications while ensuring user data remains private and secure.”
About LayerZero
LayerZero is an interoperability protocol that connects blockchains (50+ and counting), allowing developers to build seamless omni-chain applications, tokens, and experiences. The protocol relies on immutable on-chain endpoints, a configurable Security Stack, and a permissionless set of executors to transfer censorship-resistant messages between chains. For more information, visit: Website.
About Masa
Masa is the world’s data network, empowering users to own, share and earn from their data. In the AI era, Masa is building a scalable, secure, and resilient global data market, where millions of developers can build innovative applications using privacy-first user data.
Masa has amassed over 1.3 million unique wallets and over 37 million proprietary data points in its exponential growth since its launch in August 2022. It has raised more than $9.2 million in funding from leading investors such as DCG, Anagram and GoldenTree, and was incubated by Coinlist’s Seed Program and Binance’s Most-Valuable-Builder Accelerator. For more information, visit their website or contact Calanthia Mei at [email protected].
A new update fixes the screen flicker issue on the OnePlus Pad
This update not only brings a fix for the screen flicker issue, but it also boosts security. It delivers an Android security patch for February 2024. OnePlus is a bit late on this one, but a boost in security is nice to see.
Now, in regards to the screen flicker issue, it was only present when switching between landscape and portrait modes. So it wasn’t as much of a hindrance as it could have been. Still, it’s nice to see it fixed now.
The changelog reveals quite a few fixes, actually
There are several more entries in the changelog, though. This update also improves the system stability and performance of the device. It reduces power consumption in order to extend the battery life… “in some scenarios”.
OnePlus also fixed a problem that prevented users from switching between apps in recent tasks. It also fixed the issue with calendar events, as some users were unable to add them.
The last entry in the changelog says another rather specific problem has been fixed. In some cases, information did not display properly on the tablet when it is connected to your phone via Multi-Screen Connect. That should no longer be the case.
The update is rolling out in stages, so it may take a while for everyone to get it
The update is rolling out OTA (Over-The-Air) as we speak. Do note that it’s rolling out in stages, so it may take a while for everyone to get it. Updating via a WiFi connection is always recommended… unless you have plenty of mobile data.
Your tablet will let you know when the update is ready, though you can always manually check if you want. There you have it. The OnePlus Pad is over a year old at this point, but it’s very nice to see that the company is improving the experience the device offers.
Right now, we are all still trying to navigate through the foggy sea that is AI and copyright law. For example, The New York Times is suing Microsoft and OpenAI over using NYT articles. The introduction of generative AI was unprecedented, so governmental bodies are scrambling to find some solid and sensible laws regarding how it’s used. Well, the U.S. Patent Office announced that updates to AI copyright laws are set to come out.
When it comes to making laws surrounding new technology, it can be pretty rough. Just recently, the EU started laying out some actual laws surrounding artificial intelligence. Companies and countries within the EU will have to start enforcing these laws within the next couple of years.
The U.S. Patent Office will post updates regarding its laws against AI
The announcement from the patent office doesn’t actually lay out any solid laws. However, it’s a bit of a checkpoint letting us know what the office is planning on doing and when it plans on having some legislature down on paper. The office is going to release a detailed report about copyright law going forward.
Firstly, the report will touch on subjects such as digital replicas. This involves using AI to replicate a person’s voice, artistic style, and other aspects of a person’s identity. This is probably one of the biggest gripes that people have about AI. Many people, especially public figures, fear the thought of having their identity replicated and warped via AI and posted to the world.
Secondly, the report will talk about the copyrightability of works that were crafted using AI. So, if a person crafts a song using artificial intelligence, the question remains if that person can legally copyright that work and call it their own even if they didn’t make it. This section will be published separately from the first. The U.S. patent office plans on having that out by the end of the Summer of 2024.
Additional reports
The U.S. Patent Office will publish an update separately to the Compendium of U.S. Copyright Office Practices. This update will supply people with guidance and examples of Works containing AI-generated material. This will help people further understand what types of works can and cannot be copyrighted. Before posting this report, the office is going to publish a public notice requesting comments on the matter.
Lastly, the patent office assembled a group of academic and government economists to discuss the potential economic impacts of copyright and AI. They will post their findings at a later date. The U.S. Patent Office plans on having all of this laid out by the end of the fiscal year of 2024. So, we’ll be getting more information as the year goes on.
Google is once again experimenting with the UI for its native Contacts app. Following a prior leak where the app’s single-contact page looked to be getting a more decluttered view, a new tweak has been uncovered…only this time it tackles the top search bar.
In keeping with the spirit of spring-cleaning and decluttering, Google has a minor redesign in the works for the top search bar of the Contacts app, where the account switcher and the “add contact” button are getting bumped off to the side. It’s a small change, but the whole change feels very Play Store-esque.
Image Credit: TheSPAndroid
This isn’t a change that is available to the public yet, as it is neatly tucked behind hidden flags, the kind you need a rooted Android to enable. The scoop comes courtesy of AssembleDebug over on TheSpAndroid, who has found several of these UI tweaks over the past few weeks.
It’s a work in progress that could be dead in the water by next week, as Google seems to experiment with various designs at once and could at any moment nix one in favor of the other. However, the question remains whether this is just part of a larger redesign or perhaps a complete overhaul of the Contacts app. Contacts is not exactly an app that one frequently opens as a standalone app, but is mostly just where your contacts live that you access through other apps.
Given this, one tends to wonder if Google spending time on this redesign signals a bigger change. Perhaps there’s a new feature in the works that warrants elements of the UI being switched around? It wouldn’t be completely off-brand when you consider that Google I/O is just around the corner, and this is when Google typically announces upcoming features for the forthcoming version of Android. It’s fun to speculate, and we only have a few more weeks before we hopefully find out what Google has in store for the Contacts app.
