Max cracks down on password sharing for streaming users

April 22, 2025, 3:21 pm

Max Streaming is drawing a hard line on household sharing by introducing an extra monthly fee for anyone added outside your home. Clearly, the days of “free rides” are over as the company tightens up its policy and reminds you that sharing isn’t caring when extra dollars are on the line.

bgr.com / Max now charges you $8 a month to share your password

androidheadlines.com / Max makes password borrowers pay up with Extra Member Add-on

cnet.com / Max Streaming Password Crackdown: $8 Extra Member Fee Rollout Begins

permalink / 4 stories from 4 sources in 7 hours ago #streaming #entertainment #platform-fee #privacy #warnerbrosdiscovery +

Google reverses course on Chrome cookie phase-out

April 22, 2025, 2:21 pm

In an unexpected twist, Google has opted to keep third-party cookies alive in Chrome—effectively scrapping its planned phase-out. This U-turn, which ensures ongoing user tracking under the guise of improved ad targeting, has left market watchers bemused by the tech giant’s persistence in old habits.

theverge.com / Google is scrapping its planned changes for third-party cookies in Chrome

theregister.com / RIP, Google Privacy Sandbox

arstechnica.com / Google won’t ditch third-party cookies in Chrome after all

permalink / 6 stories from 6 sources in 8 hours ago #dataprivacy #techpolicy #google #browsers #technology +

Bluesky debuts revamped verification with blue checkmarks

April 22, 2025, 2:20 pm

In an effort to disrupt the social media status quo, Bluesky has introduced a new verification system complete with blue checkmarks. The move, aimed at boosting accountability and user trust, has ignited a wave of discussion about digital identity while the platform maintains its uniquely unorthodox charm.

Bluesky: @sarahp.bsky.social

cnet.com / Bluesky Introduces Blue Checkmarks and New Verification Methods

cnet.com / Yes, the Ice Bucket Challenge Is Splashing Back Into Your Feed: Here's Why

techcrunch.com / Burning questions (and some answers) about Bluesky’s new verification system

permalink / 4 stories from 3 sources in 8 hours ago #social #bluesky #technology #social-media #technews +

Google Messages adds nudity warning and blur feature

April 22, 2025, 12:21 pm

In a bid to keep chats PG, Google has updated its Messages app with a new nudity warning system. The feature promptly detects and either warns about or blurs explicit images, offering users better control over incoming content while maintaining privacy—all processed entirely on the device with zero cloud interference.

winbuzzer.com / Google Messages Activates AI Powered Nudity Blurring with On-Device Warnings

cnet.com / Google's New Nudity Warnings in Messages Will Warn You of Incoming Explicit Images

arstechnica.com / Google Messages can now blur unwanted nudes, remind people not to send them

permalink / 3 stories from 3 sources in 10 hours ago #google #social #aiethics #apps-software #ai +

Google Antitrust Trial Heats Up With DOJ Demands

April 22, 2025, 6:20 am

During a contentious antitrust trial, Google lambasted the DOJ’s proposals—deeming divestiture demands “extreme” and “fundamentally flawed”—while a Perplexity AI executive urged against a breakup. The legal battle intensifies as both sides trade barbs over remedies with a side of courtroom theatrics.

Reddit: r/technology, r/technews

Bluesky: @warnercrocker.bsky.social, @lifewinning.com, @aaronbrethorst.bsky.social

arstechnica.com / ChatGPT head tells court OpenAI is interested in buying Chrome

bgr.com / OpenAI says it would buy Chrome if Google is forced to sell it

theverge.com / OpenAI tells judge it would buy Chrome from Google

techcrunch.com / OpenAI exec says the company would buy Google’s Chrome browser if offered the chance

macrumors.com / OpenAI Wants to Buy Google's Chrome Browser

theinformation.com / Google Rebuffed OpenAI Request to Access Search Data - The Information

winbuzzer.com / Google Antitrust Trial Reveals Details of Samsung’s Costly Gemini AI Integration Deal

medianama.com / Google Says US Department of Justice’s Proposed Antitrust Action Could Slow Innovation

permalink / 16 stories from 11 sources in 16 hours ago #techpolicy #google #antitrust #browsers #government +