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Malaysia’s ban requests for posts and accounts on Meta, TikTok jump six times in 2023

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andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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Malaysia’s ban requests for posts and accounts on Meta, TikTok jump six times in 2023

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A record-high number of restricted content on TikTok and Meta’s platforms in Malaysia for 2023 – all on government requests.

The report from Reuters highlights that for the first six months of 2023, there’s a jump in the official requests from the Malaysian government to remove social media posts and accounts. This is seen as ironic by some, given that Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s administration came to power in November 2022 on a reformist platform and promises to protect freedom of speech.

So far, the government has denied allegations of wrongdoing, instead clarifying that its actions were taken to curb provocative posts that touch on race, religion and royalty.

For the first six months of 2023, Meta has restricted approximately 3,100 pages and posts on Facebook and Instagram from Malaysian users – they were reported to have allegedly violated local laws, according to data published in the firm’s twice-yearly Transparency Report.

Compared to the previous six months, the January-June 2023 figure is six times higher and the highest since the company began reporting content restrictions in Malaysia in 2017.

ByteDance’s TikTok released a similar report and stated that it had received 340 requests from the Malaysian government to remove or restrict content between January and June 2023, affecting 890 posts and accounts. TikTok removed or restricted 815 of those for violating local laws or the platform’s community guidelines. Again, this is the highest figure since it began reporting requests from Malaysia in 2019, the data showed.

The total TikTok restrictions in the first six months of 2023 were triple the number from that of the second half of 2022. Malaysia made more requests to restrict content on TikTok than any other government in Southeast Asia, the data showed.

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Google Messages RCS chats are getting a background wallpaper

Android

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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The Google Messages app is getting better and better. Google recently announced a bunch of features for the app, and now something new is rolling out. RCS chats in Google Messages are getting a background wallpaper.

This will not only spice up the look of your conversations, but will help you set RCS chats apart from regular SMS chats. Do note that there is a reason why used a singular form here, as it’s a ‘wallpaper’, not ‘wallpapers’.

RCS chats in Google Messages are getting a background wallpaper

At the moment, based on the report from 9to5Google, there is a single wallpaper for dark mode, and a single wallpaper for light mode RCS chats. Dynamic Color seems to be in use here, but you don’t have any control over that wallpaper, it seems.

If you take a look at the images below, you’ll see what both light and dark modes look like. In light mode, it’s obvious that a wallpaper is in use. In dark mode, not as much, as it’s barely visible.

Now, Google is expected to give its users more control over this moving forward. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if such features became available in the near future, as it makes sense. That way you could really be able to customize your RCS convos.

WhatsApp has great solutions for background wallpapers

WhatsApp, for example, also has a wallpaper function. There, you can actually use a solid color of your choice for a wallpaper, and also include some doodles on top of that. Needless to say, that feature is useful to have… and also fun to use.

Having said that, we’re not sure how fast will this rollout go. The source says that the feature is rolling out, but there are no additional details about the rollout. So, it could take some time before everyone gets this.

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‘Unsubsribe’ button is now easy to spot in Gmail

Tech

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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‘Unsubsribe’ button is now easy to spot in Gmail

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Google has decided to make the ‘Unsubscribe’ button more prominent in Gmail for the web. This change follows something Google did back in October, when the company said that bulk senders would be required to include a one-click unsubscribe button.

Google makes ‘Unsubscribe’ button rather difficult to miss in Gmail for web

The ‘Unsubscribe’ button in Gmail for the web is now difficult to miss. If you check out the image below, things will be much clearer. The blue ‘Unsubsribe’ button now sits right next to the name of the sender and its email address.

All you have to do is tap that button, and Google will ask you to confirm your choice. Once you do that, you’ll be unsubscribed. Do note that this shortcut will also pop up in your inbox, when you hover over a message. It’ll be placed right before the ‘Archive’ option.

This change is rolling out as we speak, though it may not be available to everyone just yet. It is available for me, however, on all my accounts. Chances are everyone will have it in the near future.

Gmail can also bump package tracking to the top of your inbox now

In addition to this change to the ‘Unsubscribe’ button, Google also made another change to Gmail. You’ll be glad to hear that package tracking can now bump emails to the top of your inbox.

This feature, however, needs to be manually enabled. You’ll need to go to Gmail settings -> your email address, and find the option (on the mobile app). Once you enable that, Gmail will be able to bump up your package tracking to the top. That info will show up in brown/orange font color below the subject line, as shown below.

Furthermore, Google has tweaked the ‘Mark as unread’ button on Android. There is now a dot in the top-right corner of the icon. This change was actually made so that the button looks like the one on the desktop version of Gmail.

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OPPO Find X7 series camera details & final design revealed

Android

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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OPPO Find X7 series camera details & final design revealed

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Plenty of new OPPO Find X7 information just surfaced. The camera details for the entire OPPO Find X7 series appeared, along with what seems to be the final design OPPO will go with.

Let’s focus on the camera specs first, shall we. This info comes from Digital Chat Station, one of the most prominent Chinese tipsters. He’s rarely wrong, so chances are that this info is spot on.

The OPPO Find X7 series camera specs revealed, along with the final design

Starting with the OPPO Find X7, it will feature a 50-megapixel main camera (Sony’s LYT-808 sensor), the same one as the OnePlus 12. A 50-megapixel ultrawide camera will also be included, and a 64-megapixel telephoto unit (OmniVision OV64B sensor, 3x optical zoom).

The OPPO Find X7 Pro and Find X7 Ultra will seemingly have the same camera setups. A 50-megapixel main camera (Sony’s LYT-900 sensor) will be backed by a 50-megapixel ultrawide camera. A 50-megapixel telephoto periscope camera (Sony’s IMX890 sensor, 3x optical zoom) will also be included, as will a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto camera (6x optical zoom).

A number of rumors suggested that a dual telephoto periscope camera setup will happen, so… there you go. Truth be said, the camera setups on the ‘Pro’ and ‘Ultra’ models do look outstanding. That is not surprising considering that the OPPO Find X6 Pro was one of the best camera smartphones out there, and it still is.

The OPPO Find X7 Pro and/or Ultra design gets shown ahead of time

In addition to these specs, the design also surfaced. Earlier today, we shared an image of one of the OPPO Find X7 Pro or Ultra, and it seems like that design was accurate. Another image surfaced, giving us an even better look at the phone.

If you check out the image below, you’ll see what seems to be either the OPPO Find X7 Pro or Ultra. In fact, it’s easily possible that the two devices will look the same. The ‘Ultra’ model is said to have the advantage of satellite connectivity, though.

There are four cameras included on the back, two of which are periscope telephoto units. So, this is not the vanilla OPPO Find X7. You’ll notice that the largest portion of its backplate is covered by vegan leather. Dark blue and brown variants are shown here, and combined with a metallic frame.

A large camera oreo is located on the back, and it looks a lot better than some initial leaks suggested. It seems like the octagonal camera island won’t be in use at all by OPPO. That was to be expected, to be quite honest, as it didn’t look all that great. This is much, much better, and I believe most of you would agree.

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US officials doubt SMIC’s competitiveness in 7nm chips

Tech

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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US officials doubt SMIC’s competitiveness in 7nm chips

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The U.S. Department of Commerce has expressed skepticism regarding Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC) and its ability to compete on par with leading foundries like TSMC. While acknowledging SMIC’s progress in the 7nm class process technology, the department doubts the foundry’s capability to produce sufficient chips to meet Huawei’s demands. This, according to the department, signifies that the imposed curbs on China’s semiconductor sector are achieving their intended objectives.

Assistant Secretary for Export Administration, Thea Kendler, testified before a House Foreign Affairs Committee oversight panel, highlighting concerns about the performance and yields of SMIC-produced chips. Kendler stated that the semiconductor chip inside Huawei‘s Kirin 9000S, fabricated by SMIC using its 2nd generation 7nm-class process, exhibits lower performance than its predecessor and faces challenges in meeting market demands.

Concerns have been raised over SMIC’s capacity to meet Huawei’s chip demands with 7nm chips

The Huawei HiSilicon Kirin 9000S, despite being a notable breakthrough for SMIC and Huawei, faces difficulties in competing with rivals using advanced fabrication technologies. The chip’s performance, reportedly inferior to previous iterations and competitors like Apple’s A17 Pro and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, raises questions about SMIC’s readiness to compete on a global scale.

Moreover, Kendler emphasized SMIC’s struggle to produce a sufficient quantity of Huawei’s Kirin 9000S due to limitations in access to modern tools. Despite Huawei’s plan to ship around 100 million smartphones in 2023, concerns linger about SMIC’s capacity to meet such demands without modern equipment.

While the U.S. government has imposed export controls to restrict China’s access to high-end process technologies, SMIC is reportedly making progress on a 5nm-class technology in addition to the 7nm one. The recent unveiling of the Huawei Mate 60 and Huawei Mate 60 Pro based on a domestically-made 7nm SoC adds complexity to the situation. The U.S. officials assert that the trade sanctions are effective, hindering China’s advanced technology acquisition, and expect continued obstacles for Huawei and SMIC in achieving complete autonomy in developing next-generation nodes. Despite reported subsidies from the Chinese government, SMIC’s journey toward autonomy faces challenges, reflecting the ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the semiconductor industry.

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A new WhatsApp redesign could render existing floating action buttons obsolete

Apps

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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A new WhatsApp redesign could render existing floating action buttons obsolete

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WhatsApp for Android is rolling out a new update that could make it easier and faster to post status updates from the dedicated Updates tab. The new 2.23.26.13 version of the app, still in beta testing, provides a redesign that essentially renders the floating action buttons obsolete.

In its current version, WhatsApp for Android has two floating action buttons (FABs) on the bottom right of the screen, which must be tapped for a user to post a text or an image. However, with the implementation of Channels and its introduction in the Updates tab, clicking those buttons became less coherent. That was because posts by followed channels overlapped the FABs, making it easier to tap them unintentionally.

However, an image posted by WABetaInfo shows two new icons, a Camera icon and a Pencil one, situated into the Status header that replace the FABs altogether. Those two icons can be used for quicker and seamless GIF, text, or image sharing between contacts. The redesign aims to enhance the overall user experience.

As an additional note, WABetaInfo suggests that some users may be able to test a different redesign, where the two new icons are added to the FABs. Moreover, while the redesign is expected with the 2.23.26.13 version of the app, some users may be lucky enough to get the updated look with the previous version. The changed look should become more widely available in the coming days.

While the update possibly won’t be more than a minor tweak in the interface, WhatsApp recently added a new feature that should have been there a long time ago – Pinned Messages.

As you might have guessed, the feature allows users to easily find important messages by placing them on top. For the time being, the app permits a user to pin one message to the top of a conversation for 24 hours, seven days, or a month.

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Google Lens improves search experience with simplified filters

Android

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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Google has streamlined its Lens feature, offering users a more straightforward experience with just three filters to choose from when conducting visual searches. The previous version of Google Lens presented a carousel of six filters, including Translate, Text, Search, Homework, Shopping, and Places. However, the updated Lens now simplifies the options to Translate, Search, and Homework.

The goal of this modification, according to Google, is to make it easier for users to quickly find what they’re looking for without the need to navigate through a multitude of filters. While Google has reduced the number of filters from six to three, the functionality of Google Lens remains intact. Google has consolidated several specialized filters into the default Search tab, eliminating the need for users to switch between different filters manually.

The transition involves merging features into the default Search tab, ensuring a more cohesive user experience. For instance, text copying or optical character recognition (OCR) capabilities are still available, though the process is now integrated into the toolbar, providing a slightly less dedicated experience.

Each of the three filters in Google Lens now also includes icons for better visual clarity

Lens now surfaces the shopping results directly in the main Search filter, further aligning with the user preference for a unified and simplified approach. The new design also highlights the recent addition of Homework capabilities. It emphasizes Google’s commitment to providing a comprehensive and versatile tool for users.

The updated Lens experience includes the addition of icons to each of the three filters, enhancing visual clarity for users. Below the viewfinder, an “Add to your search” text field appears to facilitate query refinement. Additionally, it incorporates a blue accent consistent with the overall Search design, contributing to a more cohesive and visually appealing interface.

Google has already rolled out this refinement to Lens for both Android and iOS devices, to ensure users get the most out of Google Lens. The changes spotted by 9to5Google aim to create a more user-friendly and intuitive experience, aligning with user preferences for simplicity and functionality within the Lens feature.

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Google Chrome’s new tracking protection Limits Website Tracking

Hacking

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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Google Chrome’s new tracking protection Limits Website Tracking

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Goodbye, third-party cookies. Hello, Tracking Protection!

Chrome, the world’s most popular browser, is taking a major step toward a privacy-first web with the launch of its Tracking Protection feature.

Starting January 4th, this limited rollout marks a turning point in Google’s Privacy Sandbox initiative, paving the way for a cookie-less future for all Chrome users by the second half of 2024.

But why the cookie crackdown? For decades, these tiny bits of data have been the backbone of online advertising, enabling websites to track your online activity and personalize your experience.

While some benefits exist, the privacy concerns are undeniable.

Your browsing habits, from news articles you read to products you browse, become fodder for targeted ads, creating an unsettling sense of being watched and manipulated.

Google is working on a set of privacy-preserving options for third-party cookies, as it acknowledges the importance of creating a more equitable online environment. To achieve this goal, Google is introducing the Privacy Sandbox.

These new tools will allow websites to continue offering relevant ads and personalized content, all without compromising your privacy.

Tracking Protection is a crucial piece of this puzzle. It acts as a shield, restricting third-party cookies by default and limiting the ability to track your activity across different websites.

This means less creepy ad stalking and more control over your data.

But what does this mean for you?

A small chance to be part of the pilot: If you’re one of the lucky 1% of Chrome users globally, you’ll be randomly selected to participate in the Tracking Protection test. You’ll receive a notification, and that’s it! Chrome will automatically restrict cookies for you.

No need to panic if things break: If a website relies heavily on third-party cookies and you encounter issues, Chrome will alert you and offer a temporary solution to re-enable cookies for that specific site. Remember, this is a testing phase, and feedback is crucial.

A glimpse into a brighter future: Tracking Protection is just the beginning. As Chrome implements more Privacy Sandbox features, browsing the web will become a more private and secure experience without sacrificing the valuable content and services we rely on.

The road to a cookie-less future isn’t without its challenges.

Balancing privacy with the needs of businesses and ensuring a vibrant online landscape is a complex task.

However, Chrome’s commitment to Privacy Sandbox is a promising step in the right direction.

By participating in the Tracking Protection test, you can be a part of this groundbreaking initiative and help shape the future of the web.

So, embrace the change, explore the possibilities, and get ready to wave goodbye to the era of third-party cookie dominance!

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A week in security (December 11 – December 17)

Malware

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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A week in security (December 11 – December 17)

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OPPO Find X7 design appears without octagonal camera island

Android

andreasc

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December 18, 2023

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OPPO Find X7 design appears without octagonal camera island

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The OPPO Find X7 design has just been shown in a new leak. Many of you will be glad to hear that the octagonal camera design is nowhere to be found. It may still appear on the OPPO Find X7 Pro or OPPO Find X7 Ultra.

The OPPO Find X7 series leaks have been all over the place. We’ve seen several different designs, and at this point, it’s anyone’s guess on which one is accurate.

The alleged OPPO Find X7 appears without an octagonal camera island

If you take a look at the image provided below, you’ll see the newly-leaked OPPO Find X7 design. This one doesn’t look bad at all, and it’s in line with the OnePlus Open and OPPO Find X6 Pro. That actually makes us believe it’s legit.

On the back, you’ll notice a large circular camera island. That’s a design language OPPO has turned to when it comes to its flagships. In that camera island, there are four camera sensors, including two telephoto periscope cameras. The Hasselblad logo is also placed there. An LED flash sits in the top-left corner, outside the camera island.

The power/lock button sits on the right-hand side, while two separate volume buttons are included on the left. What’s interesting here is that the alert slider seems to be missing. That’s not all, though.

This image seems to have been tampered with

If you check out the place where the alert slider should be, the upper portion of the phone’s right side, you’ll notice that something’s wrong. That portion of the image has seemingly been tampered with. It’s as if someone deleted part of the frame. That makes us take this image with a grain of salt, that’s for sure.

What’s also odd is that the regular Find X7 has two telephoto periscope cameras. This could easily be the OPPO Find X7 Pro. The OPPO Find X7 Ultra, which was rumored recently, could include the octagonal camera island.

On the flip side, those leaks with the octagonal camera setup may be false altogether. In that case, all two or three phones will include a circular camera setup on the back.

The OPPO Find X7 series is expected to launch in the first quarter of next year.

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