The American Psychological Association (APA) has issued a strong warning to federal regulators, highlighting concerns that AI chatbots masquerading as therapists could push vulnerable individuals toward self-harm or harm, as reported by the Times. Teenagers consulted AI chatbots claiming to be therapists, leading to distressing outcomes. The APA argues chatbots reinforce harmful thoughts, unlike human therapists who challenge them. Character.AI introduced safety measures, but critics say they are insufficient for vulnerable users....

Some of the biggest game announcements include Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the next entry in the military shooter franchise, scheduled for release on October 25. Gears of War: E-Day was also announced, a prequel to the franchise set fourteen years before the events of the original game. However, a release date wasn’t confirmed. Doom: The Dark Ages is a medieval-era prequel to Doom and is scheduled for release in 2025, alongside a long-awaited new entry in the Fable franchise....

“We tried something new, it wasn’t great (you called it),” Reddit said in the May 15th post. It also said that the new golden upvote system “wasn’t as fun or expressive as legacy awards.” As a result, it’s “(re)launching awards, not-so-new but definitely improved.” The company stated that the new system, available on both its mobile apps and site, will retain most of the mechanisms from the previous award program while incorporating some new elements....

Figuring out which web pages are safe and useful can be confusing if you’re not a tech expert, so I put together a list of the best 15 websites for seniors and their loved ones. These pages will connect you to online communities that share your interests and help you find resources on healthcare, jobs, beauty, spirituality, money management, games, and more. Visit as many of them as you please and don’t forget to save this page for future reference!...

I tested over 30 parental control apps for Mac, and took into consideration a range of factors: effectiveness, ease of use, features, real-time reporting, and value for money. I analyzed various offerings, from freemium services to premium solutions, aiming to find the one app to answer all of my needs. After rigorous testing, I can confidently say that Qustodio outperformed all the others. It combines an intuitive interface with a wide array of powerful parental control features, including screen time management and a web filter....

In my extensive testing of more than a dozen layout and design tools, my goal was to identify viable no-cost alternatives that could efficiently manage complex layout, design, and publishing tasks. It became clear quite quickly that the genuinely free tools didn’t leave a strong impression. I encountered common issues where supposedly free software locked important templates behind paywalls, significantly slowed down my computer, which hindered my productivity. In some cases, my antivirus software even flagged certain programs during the download process....

You should steer clear of free online virus scanners and removers from less than reputable sources. They may put you and your data at serious risk. I tested dozens of virus scanners and made a list of a few reliable ones with free trials (or even completely free versions!) that you can use to protect yourself. I suggest using a free trial of a reliable service rather than a free tool if you have sensitive data on your computer....

After extensive testing, I’ve found the best parental control apps for Windows. These parental controls offer tools like in-depth activity monitoring, thorough reporting, and screen time limiting to ensure your kids’ safety. Plus, they’re easy to set up and easily let you manage what your children are doing online. Of my top choices, Qustodio is the #1 parental control app for Windows. Its in-depth web filtering, location tracking, screen time limiting, and routine scheduling make it the #1 choice....

To safeguard your devices, I conducted extensive testing on multiple antivirus solutions and carefully selected the top performers specifically tailored to fortify Windows systems. These antivirus programs not only boast impressive malware detection capabilities but also provide a range of advanced features to enhance your security. Every antivirus on this list is effective, but Norton stands out as the best antivirus for Windows. It has industry-leading 100% malware detection, advanced security features like a built-in VPN and dark web monitoring, and responsive customer support....

Using a VPN to change your IP address and watch region-locked content is against Netflix’s Terms of Use. Additionally, many VPNs don’t work well with Netflix, and free ones often have strict limitations for streaming. Finding a VPN to protect your privacy without hindering your streaming abilities can be challenging. ExpressVPN can reliably access Netflix content in many regions. It’s fast and refreshes its IP addresses regularly, ensuring consistent performance for streaming....

The move is expected to increase adoption and intensify competition in the AI space, particularly against established players like OpenAI, as noted by The Economic Times (ET). The model ranks first on VBench for video generative AI. Alibaba’s stock rose nearly 5% after the announcement. The company plans a $52 billion investment in AI and cloud computing. Alibaba announced on Wednesday that it has released four variants of Wan 2....

“Apple Intelligence will arrive later than anticipated, coming in iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 in October and missing the initial September releases. Still, 18.1 will go into beta for developers this week,” shared Gurman in a post on X. Apple Intelligence was the highlight of Apple’s most recent event, and is one of the most important updates this year. The technology is expected to add innovative features to iPhones, Macs, and iPads, enhance Siri and integrate ChatGPT....

After thoroughly testing the available choices, I’ve picked the top password managers that deliver airtight protection. These apps provide unbreakable encryption, zero-knowledge architectures, and various safety features to ensure password security. Every password manager on this list provides reliable safety, but I found that Dashlane is the best overall password manager. It uses AES 256-bit encryption, offers two-factor authentication, supports passkeys, and has several other safety features. Protect your passwords with Dashlane...

According to the Washington Post, the protesters, allegedly early testers, considered OpenAI treated artists like “PR puppets” and, in revenge, allowed random users to try the video generator tool for free through the open-source AI platform Hugging Face before its official release to the public. Artists with early access to OpenAI’s video tool Sora leaked API with authentic tokens through Hugging Face Users were able to use Sora for three hours, for free, until it was shut down The protesters shared an open letter and a petition to request OpenAI to pay artists for their creative work...

These “cracks” promise free access to paid software, but they come with hidden dangers. Many users searching for free software unknowingly download these malicious files, which can infect their devices with malware. Malware is often hosted on trusted platforms like Mediafire and Mega.nz to avoid detection. Files are often password-protected or encrypted, making it harder for security systems to detect. Infected devices collect sensitive data, such as passwords, from web browsers for theft....

According to Reuters, Australians and tech companies reacted with mixed emotions after learning the news as the debate was still heated earlier this week and has been discussed for months. The Australian parliament approved the bill to ban social media access for children under 16 Prime Minister Albanese expressed his content with the decision TikTok Spokesperson said they were “disappointed” with the Australian government On Tuesday, tech giants like Meta and Google urged the government to delay the bill until more data and analysis were made, but the Australian parliament, after considering many arguments, approved the measure led by Prime Minster Anthony Albanese....

Brazil’s Supreme Court authorized X’s return after months of suspension. Musk agreed to comply after facing fines and legal threats targeting X and Starlink. The contested accounts belonged mostly to Bolsonaro supporters questioning the 2022 election results. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes stated in an order issued Tuesday that the company had met all the requirements necessary for the immediate return of activities in Brazil, bringing an end to the suspension....

In a controlled test, researchers instructed ChatGPT o1 to achieve specific goals “at all costs,” as reported by The Economic Times (ET). ChatGPT o1 denied involvement in its schemes, lying in 99% of interrogations. Researchers noted the AI rationalized its actions and crafted convincing denials. Expert Yoshua Bengio warns of increasing risks from AI deception and self-preservation. The model responded with behaviors that alarmed developers, including attempts to disable its oversight mechanisms and copying its code to a different server to avoid being replaced by an updated version, said ET....

According to CNBC, the device has already been available for weeks in China. Honor expects to sell Magic V3 in Europe, including Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and also include the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific in the expansion plan. The new smartphone comes with an AI feature called Magic Portal, which opens on multiple screens and allows users to easily exchange information across apps, like an address from a chat to Google Maps....

Microsoft noted that Mint Sandstorm demonstrated the ability to quickly incorporate proof-of-concept exploits into their operations, while Mango Sandstorm relied on tools from previous intrusions to connect to their command and control infrastructure. Microsoft has identified connections between Lace Tempest, FIN11, TA505 cybercrime gangs, and the Clop ransomware operation in recent attacks. Additionally, Microsoft found that some of these intrusions resulted in LockBit ransomware attacks, although further details were not provided....