Rocco Siffredi, the controversial porn actor, is back in the spotlight due to the release of the Netflix series 'Supersex' and recent allegations of sexual harassment. The series, which premiered on March 6, has sparked discussions about Siffredi's problematic behavior, including harassment claims by journalist Alisa Toaff and actress Cecile de Ménibus. Siffredi's struggles with depression and sex addiction are also highlighted, along with his controversial past. The series portrays his formative years and rise in the adult film industry, emphasizing themes of freedom and rebellion.

Apple's Vision Pro, recently launched in the United States, aims to revolutionize the mixed reality market by merging real and virtual environments more seamlessly than existing VR devices. Unlike traditional VR visors, Vision Pro allows users to interact with their surroundings while using digital applications through hand, eye, and voice commands. Despite its innovative features, the device faces criticism for its high cost, weight, and limited outdoor usability. The Vision Pro is seen as a promising start, with expectations for future improvements in size, weight, and functionality.

The article humorously suggests five gifts that could potentially lead to a breakup on Valentine's Day, including body products, unattractive clothing, camping holidays, gym memberships, and repeating last year's gift. It emphasizes the irony and subjective nature of these suggestions, noting that the right gift can be an opportunity to end a stagnant relationship. The article also mentions alternative worthy gifts available on the Natura website.

Il migliore dei mondi, the latest film by Marcello Macchia (Maccio Capatonda), available on Amazon Prime Video, is praised for its originality, humor, and action. The film, set in a world where technology halted in 1999 due to the millennium bug, follows Ennio Storto as he navigates a life without modern tech. Despite its 90s references, the film is a modern dystopia and a parody of nostalgic films. It features numerous cameos from well-known Italian actors and comedians, and subtly critiques the hyper-connected present while acknowledging the benefits of technology.

The article discusses the ongoing issues with taxi availability in Rome and Milan, exacerbated by limited licenses and a resurgence in tourism post-Covid-19. The Antitrust Authority and local municipalities are considering issuing more licenses and promoting cab sharing to address the shortage. However, taxi drivers and professional unions are concerned about increased competition and higher service costs. The situation is further complicated by extensive construction projects in Rome ahead of the 2025 Jubilee.

Matteo Salvini, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, is frequently involved in actions that backfire, earning him a reputation for political blunders. Notable incidents include his controversial visit to the Rummo pasta factory, his opposition to the 30 km/h speed limit in Bologna despite his ministry's involvement, and his embarrassing encounter in Poland where he was reminded of his past admiration for Vladimir Putin. These actions have led to public criticism and calls for boycotts, highlighting the ironic and often counterproductive nature of his political maneuvers.

As the outdoor concert season approaches, the author seeks advice from ChatGPT and Siri on making new friends at concerts. ChatGPT offers practical tips, such as joining online fan communities and preparing light conversation topics, while Siri proves unhelpful. The article highlights the importance of real-life interactions, citing musician Cosmo's initiative to cover phone cameras during concerts to encourage socializing.

Meta's new microblogging app, Threads, offers a familiar experience to long-time Twitter users, featuring posts up to 500 characters, multimedia content, and minimal graphics. Users can link their Instagram profiles and follow existing connections. Despite initial excitement, some users have criticized the quality of content and moderation issues. Threads has gained significant global traction, with over 160 million users, presenting a new challenge for Mark Zuckerberg to maintain public engagement.

Fedez's ongoing feud with Codacons, a consumer rights association, continues to escalate with accusations and counter-accusations. The conflict began in 2018 and has involved various incidents, including fundraising efforts during the Coronavirus pandemic and participation in the Sanremo festival. Codacons has frequently targeted Fedez and his wife, Chiara Ferragni, with numerous complaints, which Fedez often counters publicly. Despite occasional legal victories for Fedez, Codacons persists in its efforts, leading to a continuous cycle of disputes.

Neuralink, a company founded by Elon Musk, has implanted a chip called Telepathy in a human brain for the first time, aiming to help patients with severe neural disorders or paralysis interact with digital devices. The announcement has sparked a wide range of reactions online, from skepticism and fear to curiosity and support. Discussions vary from the technology itself to opinions about Musk, with some looking forward to the cyberpunk era and others jokingly or seriously concerned about the implications. The general sentiment is a mix of confusion and preconceived notions about the technology and Musk.

The article discusses the trend of travel platforms catering to singles for New Year's Eve, offering group trips designed for companionship, fun, and adventure. It highlights the growing market for solo travelers, with 33.1 percent of Italian families consisting of single individuals. The travel offerings range from local destinations like Tuscany, Rome, and Milan to international locations such as the Dolomites, the Egyptian Red Sea, and Miami. The article also mentions companies like Speedvacanze, Travel Single, Single in Vacanza, Vamonos, Si Vola, and We Road, which provide various travel packages for different age groups and preferences. The illustration is credited to Gloria Dozio of Acrimònia Studios.

The Italian cosplayer and LARP communities are highlighted as groups that share a passion for films, video games, anime, and manga, expressing creativity and forming a community through their art. Eastpak's 2024 campaign celebrates these communities' resistance to peer pressure and bullying, encouraging self-expression through their products. Cosplayers like Luke Nakamura, Matt Love, and Atena share their experiences, emphasizing the importance of creativity, respect, and tackling issues like sexual harassment. The article also details the extensive effort and passion that goes into creating costumes and embodying characters.

A Danish AI model named Life2vec, capable of predicting early deaths with 78 percent accuracy, was developed using data from 6 million Danish citizens and published in Nature. However, its application is not available to the public due to ethical concerns. Various online death calculators claiming to use Life2vec are misleading, as they are either inaccurate or explicitly state they are for entertainment purposes only. ChatGPT, a well-known AI, confirms that predicting the exact time of death is beyond AI's capabilities and advises consulting a healthcare provider for health concerns.

Google faces significant challenges in the AI development race, lagging behind OpenAI and Microsoft despite its long-term investments. The launch of Chat GPT by OpenAI in late 2022 caught Google off guard, leading to a flawed debut of its chatbot Bard and a subsequent drop in stock value. In December 2023, Google released Gemini, a multimodal AI model that has shown some improvements but has not significantly boosted the company's market position. Despite these setbacks, there is a belief among some experts that Google's extensive research and resources could eventually lead to success in AI, given more time and a potential shift in business strategy.

In 2024, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), an annual UN-promoted conference on internet governance, will be hosted by Saudi Arabia, raising concerns among digital activists due to the country's poor human rights record. The Saudi government has highlighted its digital achievements, but critics argue that hosting the IGF in Riyadh normalizes violence and repression. Civil society organizations have called for the UN to revoke Saudi Arabia's hosting rights, citing the country's persecution of journalists, activists, and the LGBTQ+ community. The article also mentions past and potential future problematic IGF host countries, such as Ethiopia and Russia.

The article reveals that two anti-Ukraine journalists, Vladimir Bondarenko and Irina Kerimova, are fictitious characters created by artificial intelligence as part of Russian disinformation campaigns. These profiles were used to spread false narratives about Ukraine being a failed state and to justify the Russian invasion. The disinformation operations were linked to Russian and Belarusian groups, including News Front, South Front, and Ghostwriter. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have taken actions to remove these fake profiles. The article highlights the ongoing use of sophisticated AI-generated profiles in disinformation strategies, reflecting advancements in Russia's tactics.

Cryptocurrencies have become a new battleground in the Ukraine war, potentially allowing Russian citizens and businesses to bypass sanctions. Ukrainian authorities have urged crypto trading companies to block Russian clients, but major exchanges like Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken have refused, citing compliance with regulations and tools to prevent sanction evasion. Coinbase has blocked 25,000 Russian-linked crypto wallets, fearing their use to evade sanctions. The U.S. Treasury and the American Financial Crimes Enforcement Network have warned about the use of virtual currencies to bypass restrictions. The European Union's new sanctions package includes measures to monitor digital currencies to prevent their use in evading sanctions.

The war in Ukraine has led to a significant increase in grain prices, causing global food security concerns. Ukraine and Russia are major exporters of wheat and barley, and the conflict has disrupted their exports. The European Union is considering genetic editing technologies, such as Crispr/Cas9, to improve crop yields and reduce dependency on imports. Experts argue that these technologies can enhance sustainability and food security. The EU's stance on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is being challenged, with calls to differentiate genome editing from traditional GMOs. The European Commission supports new genomic techniques, which could lead to more resilient crops and reduced pesticide use.

The Russian invasion has led to a significant exodus of tech talent and entrepreneurs from the country due to international sanctions and regional instability. Foreign companies like Google, Microsoft, and PayPal have ceased operations in Russia, while the Russian government has blocked access to Western social media platforms. The outflow of local tech companies began after the annexation of Crimea in 2014 but has now intensified, with many relocating to countries like Georgia, Turkey, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Thailand. Telegram groups have emerged to help Russians plan their exit and support each other.

European concern over hybrid warfare and potential cyber attacks linked to the Ukraine crisis has been escalating. The Lithuanian Central Bank has advised financial institutions to prepare for power outages and cyber attacks, highlighting the interconnectedness of the Baltic region's power grid with Russia. European regulatory authorities, including the European Central Bank and the UK's National Cyber Security Center, have issued similar warnings. The article underscores the preparedness of Western governments and companies against Russian-backed cyber threats, with experts like Sandra Joyce from Mandiant advising caution without panic. The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, has also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity in its new defense guidelines. Recent cyber attacks on Ukraine, attributed to Russia, have intensified these concerns.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has highlighted data management issues in Europe due to community regulations in its annual report to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Despite speculation, Meta's public policy director for Southern Europe, Laura Bononcini, denied any plans to close Facebook and Instagram in Europe. The Schrems II ruling by the European Court of Justice, which invalidated the U.S. Privacy Shield, poses significant challenges for data transfers between the EU and the U.S. Meta warns that without a new transatlantic data transfer framework, it may be unable to offer some of its key services in Europe, impacting its business operations and financial condition.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has temporarily allowed violent language in posts about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as revealed by internal emails. This policy change permits violent expressions against Russian soldiers and people, but only in the context of the invasion or self-defense. Russian leaders can also be insulted, provided the threats are not credible. The policy does not apply to prisoners of war. Meta's spokesperson, Andy Stone, confirmed the change, which applies to users in several countries, including Ukraine and Russia. The Russian Embassy in Washington and the Kremlin have condemned Meta's actions, with Russia blocking access to Facebook and Twitter and labeling Meta as an extremist organization.

Saudi Arabia plans to allow Muslims to perform the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca virtually through the 'Virtual black stone initiative,' developed by the Agency for Exhibitions and Museums Affairs in collaboration with Umm Al-Qura University. Prominent Saudi officials, including Abdul-Rahman al-Sudais, support the initiative. However, it has sparked controversy, with the Turkish religious authority Diyanet declaring that a virtual visit does not fulfill the religious obligation of Hajj. Remzi Bircan of Diyanet emphasized that physical presence is essential for the pilgrimage.

The Internet Archive is actively working to preserve Ukrainian websites, datasets, and digital resources amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Over a thousand volunteers, led by the Archive Team, are involved in three major projects to archive Ukrainian internet content. Additionally, the Saving Ukraine Cultural Heritage Online (Sucho) initiative has archived 10 terabytes of data, including 14,000 multimedia files from 2,300 websites. Quinn Dombrowski from Stanford University highlights the cultural significance of these efforts. The Internet Archive provides technical support and tools for these preservation activities, making the archived materials publicly accessible.

The article discusses how social networks and apps have revolutionized finance, making it more accessible to younger generations. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are popular for financial education, with influencers simplifying complex financial concepts. Despite the benefits, there are risks, including misinformation and potential fraud. The COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of cryptocurrencies have further fueled interest in finance among young people. Companies like eToro and Trade Republic have democratized investment, allowing even inexperienced users to participate in the market. However, experts advise caution and thorough research before making financial decisions.

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has been granted permission by the High Court of Justice in London to appeal to the UK Supreme Court against his extradition to the United States, where he faces up to 175 years in prison for revealing classified information and exposing war crimes. The decision follows a previous ruling that approved his extradition, overturning an earlier block. Assange's legal team, led by Stella Moris, plans to explore other legal avenues if the Supreme Court appeal fails. Assange was indicted in the U.S. in May 2019 under the Espionage Act and faces multiple charges, including endangering the lives of U.S. agents and soldiers. The extradition request was initially denied due to concerns over Assange's health and risk of suicide.

Meta is developing a new digital currency, internally dubbed 'Zuck bucks,' to be used within its services like Instagram and Facebook. This currency will not be blockchain-based but will function similarly to in-app tokens used in games like Roblox and Fortnite. The initiative is part of Meta's broader strategy to expand its financial services through Meta Financial Technologies, which may also include offering loans to small and medium-sized enterprises. Meta continues to explore blockchain technology, with plans to introduce NFTs on Instagram and Facebook.

Julian Assange, founder of WikiLeaks, has urged Ukrainians to download Briar, a secure messaging app, amid the threat of internet outages due to the Russian invasion and cyber attacks. Briar operates without a central server, using end-to-end encryption and decentralized networks like Tor to ensure privacy. It can sync messages via Bluetooth or WiFi even without internet access. Designed for activists and journalists, Briar also supports group chats, forums, and blogs, and allows offline data sharing. The app aims to create safe spaces for discussion and organization, with future plans to support crisis mapping and collaborative document editing.

Governments' pressure on Twitter to remove unwanted content has reached unprecedented levels, with 43,387 legal requests affecting 196,878 accounts in the first half of last year. The majority of these requests come from Japan, Russia, Turkey, India, and South Korea. Twitter's Vice President for Global Public Policy, Sinéad McSweeney, highlighted the growing threat to privacy and freedom of expression. The number of affected accounts increased by nearly 50% compared to the previous six months, while removal requests rose by 14%. Social media giants, including Twitter, are under scrutiny from governments and regulators regarding content moderation, with significant pressures from countries like India and Nigeria.

The NFT market, already troubled by thefts and declining valuations, faces a growing issue of fraud with counterfeit tokens. OpenSea, the largest NFT marketplace, has announced a new strategy to combat fake tokens, including a system that combines image recognition technology and human review. The company will continuously scan NFT collections to identify potential frauds and has updated its verification system, requiring creators to meet certain criteria for account and collection verification.

Despite the decline in Bitcoin's value, digital assets remain a target for criminals. The London police have reported a surge in street-level cryptocurrency thefts, particularly in the financial district. Victims have been forced to hand over their phones, leading to significant losses from their cryptocurrency accounts. Unlike bank transfers, cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible, making them attractive to thieves. Previous incidents include a student in Kent and an American entrepreneur in Madrid who were coerced into transferring large sums of cryptocurrency under threat.

The article discusses how the Ukrainian startup Reface, known for its face-swapping app, is contributing to the information war against Russia. By sending push notifications and videos to users worldwide, including in Russia, Reface aims to bypass censorship and raise awareness about the invasion's realities. The app has adopted a patriotic theme, encouraging donations for military support and allowing users to swap faces with President Zelensky. Despite facing negative reviews and potential cyberattacks, Reface continues its efforts to support Ukraine.

The European Commission, led by Ylva Johansson, plans to introduce legislation mandating companies to identify, report, and remove online child sexual abuse material. This move aims to address the rising incidence of such content, with significant contributions from major internet companies like Meta. However, critics, including European Digital Rights, warn that these measures could lead to mass surveillance and infringe on fundamental privacy rights. The Internet Watch Foundation's data supports the need for stricter regulations, but the debate continues on how to balance child protection with privacy.

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, Kyiv authorities have enlisted independent hackers and IT experts to counter cyber threats. Yegor Aushev, co-founder of a Kyiv cybersecurity firm, has called for 'cyber volunteers' to defend critical infrastructure and assist the Ukrainian military in digital espionage against Russian forces. The initiative has seen a significant response, with hundreds of applications being vetted to prevent Russian infiltration. This move follows multiple alleged Russian cyberattacks, including a recent malware incident affecting Ukrainian government agencies and a financial institution.

A disinformation campaign named Ghostwriter targeted Ukrainian military personnel on Facebook, urging them to surrender to Russian forces. Meta reported that these accounts were hacked and took measures to block the content. The campaign, linked to the Belarusian government-backed group Unc1151, aimed to undermine NATO's presence in Eastern Europe. Meta also identified other pro-Russian activities, including mass reporting to silence Ukrainian users and attempts to organize protests in Poland. Additionally, Russian troll factories, previously involved in the 2016 US elections, redirected traffic to websites blaming NATO and the West for the Russian invasion.

Two independent teams of forensic linguists have identified Paul Furber and Ron Watkins as the original authors behind the QAnon posts, using different machine learning methodologies. The findings, which have a 99% reliability rate, were deemed credible by experts. QAnon, a conspiracy theory that gained traction in 2017, has largely faded from public discourse following the end of Donald Trump's presidency and the inauguration of Joe Biden. The researchers hope this discovery will lead people to reconsider their beliefs in the conspiracy.

TikTok has restricted access to foreign content in Russia, amplifying Kremlin propaganda. Despite banning live streaming and new uploads in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, TikTok's unannounced policy changes have isolated Russian users from global content, leaving them exposed to pro-Kremlin narratives. The report by Tracking Exposed highlights the platform's role in spreading disinformation, with accounts supporting Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko remaining active. The study suggests a possible alliance between Russia and China in the information war, given similar content restrictions on Chinese social media platforms.

Instagram will begin testing non-fungible tokens (NFTs) with a select group of creators in the U.S., allowing them to share NFTs on their feeds, stories, and messages. Initially supporting Ethereum and Polygon blockchains, with Solana and Flow to follow, the feature aims to help creators monetize their work. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed the integration, noting similar features will come to Facebook and augmented reality NFTs on Instagram stories. This move follows Twitter's NFT integration and hints from YouTube about potential adoption of web3 technologies.

WhatsApp is nearing the launch of its new Community feature, which will give group administrators more control and allow them to link multiple groups. This feature, currently in beta, will enable administrators to send messages to all members of linked groups and post important announcements. Additionally, WhatsApp Business is developing a new feature to allow users to set a cover photo on their profile, similar to Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. This feature is also in beta and may remain exclusive to business profiles.

Shein, a Chinese fashion ecommerce platform founded in 2008, has reached a valuation of $100 billion following a recent funding round that raised approximately $1 billion. The company, which operates exclusively online without physical stores, has surpassed the market capitalizations of European low-cost rivals H&M and Inditex combined. Known for its low prices and vast product assortment, Shein targets a young, primarily female audience and has become the second most downloaded shopping app in the US after Amazon. The company's growth has been fueled by changes in consumer behavior during the pandemic, with sales tripling in 2020 to $10 billion.

The Italian State Police website was rendered inaccessible from the early hours until mid-morning on May 16 due to a cyber attack claimed by the pro-Russian group Killnet on Telegram. Killnet, along with its subgroup Legion, has previously targeted other Italian institutions such as the Ministry of Defense, the Senate, Aci, and the Higher Institute of Health using DDoS attacks. The attack may be a retaliation for the police's recent thwarting of intrusion attempts on the Eurovision Song Contest's voting system. The Italian government's Computer Security Incident Response Team (Csirt) detailed the sophisticated Slow Http technique used in these attacks and provided preventive measures. The National Cybersecurity Agency had already warned of potential cyber attacks from Russia due to Italy's support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.

The blue crab, an invasive species in the Mediterranean, is being promoted as a sustainable food source in Italy. Chefs like Chiara Pavan at Venissa are incorporating it into their menus, while companies like Mariscadoras aim to introduce it into the Mediterranean diet and create a market for it. The species, which has no natural predators in the region, is thriving due to warmer sea temperatures. Efforts are being made to commercialize the blue crab, with initiatives like the Blueat project providing training on business opportunities. The startup Mariscadoras is also working to stabilize prices and supply chains for the blue crab, and has launched sauces in supermarkets. The article suggests that eating the blue crab is a contemporary way to adapt to ecosystem changes and could benefit biodiversity by controlling the species' population.

Google is introducing new options for European users to reject all cookies with a single click, complying with EU regulations. This feature, initially launched in France, will soon be available across the European Economic Area, the UK, and Switzerland. The change follows a €150 million fine from France's data protection agency, Cnil, for non-compliance with EU cookie rules. The new options aim to provide a clearer choice for users, addressing concerns raised by the European Center for Digital Rights (Noyb) about the complexity of current cookie consent processes.

The United States issued warnings about the Russian antivirus company Kaspersky immediately after the invasion of Ukraine, citing potential risks of cyber attacks. The Federal Communications Commission added Kaspersky to a list of companies posing a national security threat, leading to restrictions on its operations. European countries, including the UK, Italy, and Germany, have also expressed concerns and taken similar actions. Kaspersky has denied the allegations, emphasizing the security of its software.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, several major international companies and platforms are joining efforts to isolate the aggressor nation. TikTok has suspended new video uploads and live streaming in Russia due to a new law penalizing the spread of 'false news.' Netflix has halted its streaming service in Russia and stopped future projects and acquisitions. Activision Blizzard and Epic Games have ceased sales and in-game purchases in Russia, while Nintendo has paused its e-commerce operations due to payment processing issues. EA Games has removed Russian teams from its FIFA and NHL games and stopped all sales to Russia and Belarus. Samsung has suspended shipments of all products to Russia, and PayPal has ceased operations in the country, allowing only withdrawals for a limited time.

Russia has begun blocking access to several independent foreign media sites and social networks, likely in response to tech platforms blocking Russian state media outside the country. The move follows threats from the Kremlin against local and foreign media over their coverage of the Ukraine invasion. Major tech companies like Google, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok have restricted access to Russian state media in Europe. Russian authorities, including Roskomnadzor, have confirmed the blocks, which have affected sites like BBC, Deutsche Welle, Meduza, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. The Russian Foreign Ministry condemned the bans, claiming they deprive the world of Russia's perspective.

Ukraine has suffered another cyber attack, affecting the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces' website, as well as Privatbank and Oschadbank. The attack, identified as a distributed denial of service (DDoS), was confirmed by Microsoft to be potentially more extensive than initially thought. Ukrainian authorities suspect Russia's involvement, although no official attribution has been made. The incident raises concerns about cyber security amid escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with experts advising caution before assigning blame. Previous cyber attacks attributed to Russia have targeted Ukraine's infrastructure, causing significant disruptions.

Google warns that an Australian court ruling against the company could have devastating effects on its internet operations. The case involves George Defteros, a lawyer who successfully argued that a 2004 article by The Age defamed him, leading to a $40,000 damages award. Google, which refused to remove the article from its search results, is now appealing to Australia's highest court. The company argues that the ruling could make it responsible for any content linked through its search results, challenging a fundamental aspect of the internet.

The Tonga archipelago in the South Pacific may remain without internet for two weeks following a volcanic eruption and subsequent tsunami that damaged an underwater cable. The eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, which occurred on January 15, caused significant damage and was felt as far as Fiji and New Zealand. The New Zealand High Commission confirmed extensive damage along Tonga's western coast and the capital's waterfront. International phone lines and internet connections are disrupted, and repairs may take time due to ongoing volcanic activity. The American cable-laying ship Cs Reliance will handle the repairs, but it is currently 4,000 kilometers away and needs additional equipment from Samoa.

Alaa Abdel Fattah, a key figure in the Arab Spring and a software developer, has been imprisoned in Egypt and is on a hunger strike to protest political charges against him. His deteriorating condition and potential death during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh highlight the hypocrisy of the Egyptian government, which is criticized for human rights violations. The article discusses the broader context of oppression in Egypt, the government's attempts to silence dissent, and the international response, including criticism from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and activists like Greta Thunberg. It also touches on the controversy of COP27's organization, including its sponsorship by Coca Cola and the European Parliament's call for humanitarian requirements for hosting COP.

Alaa Abdel Fattah, an Egyptian activist and political prisoner, has intensified his hunger strike coinciding with the COP27 conference in Egypt, highlighting the country's human rights abuses. Despite Egypt's attempts to present itself as an environmental leader, the government continues to repress civil society and political dissent. International figures and organizations, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Greta Thunberg, have criticized Egypt's actions and called for the release of political prisoners. The article underscores the hypocrisy of the Egyptian regime hosting a climate conference while violating basic human rights.

Google has announced agreements to pay over 300 European media outlets for their news on its search engine. The move follows the EU's copyright rules requiring payment for the use of work by musicians, artists, authors, publishers, and journalists. Google's new tool, the Extended News Preview, allows for paid snippets and thumbnails of articles, giving publishers control over their content's appearance in search results. The decision comes after a long battle by news publishers to get tech giants to pay for content use. Google initially removed news previews in France due to the EU law but later agreed to pay French publishers after a €500 million fine.

Elon Musk, the prospective new owner of Twitter, has announced his intention to reverse the ban on former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was removed from the platform for spreading misinformation and inciting hatred leading to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. Musk, who is also the CEO of Tesla, believes that permanent bans should be rare and reserved for spam or bot accounts. This stance is supported by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey. The announcement has been met with approval from American conservatives and Italian politician Matteo Salvini, while others have expressed concern over Musk's permissive approach to platform moderation.

BeReal, a social network launched in 2020 by Frenchmen Alexis Barreyat and Kévin Perreauda, encourages users to share authentic, unfiltered photos of themselves and their surroundings. It has gained popularity, especially on American university campuses, with a 315% increase in active users since the beginning of the year and ranking fourth in downloads in the US, UK, and France. BeReal's unique features include simultaneous use of front and back cameras, no photo retouching, and the RealMoji function, which requires expressive selfies as reactions to posts.

An internal report obtained by Vice reveals that Facebook may not know the whereabouts or the handling of the vast amounts of user data it possesses. Despite stringent privacy regulations from entities like the EU, the US, and India, Facebook's privacy engineers have warned of the company's inadequate control and understanding of how its systems use data. The report likens the situation to an ink bottle spilled on a table, making it impossible to separate or contain the data again. Facebook, however, claims the document does not reflect its privacy compliance processes. Privacy researcher Wolfie Christl suggests the report is a 'confession' to non-compliance with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The Bored Ape Yacht Club's Instagram account was hacked, leading to the theft of NFTs worth millions of dollars. Cybercriminals used a fake airdrop to gain control of users' MetaMask wallets, stealing NFTs from Bored Ape Yacht Club, Mutant Ape Yacht Club, and Bored Ape Kennel Club, among others. Yuga Labs, the company behind Bored Ape, is investigating the breach with Instagram. OpenSea has labeled the stolen NFTs as suspicious, but some have already been sold on LooksRare.

Tinder has introduced a new 'Festival Mode' feature designed to help users make new connections ahead of attending music festivals. The feature, found in the app's Explore section, allows users to match with others attending the same festival up to a month before the event. Tinder collaborated with Live Nation, Aeg Presents, and Superstruct Entertainment for this feature, which includes festivals worldwide. A survey by Tinder in the US found that nearly one in three young singles plans to attend a music festival or concert in 2022, with 64% enjoying meeting new people at live music events.

The Pegasus spyware, developed by the Israeli NSO Group, has been used to target Catalan independence leaders and potentially the UK government. Citizen Lab's investigation revealed that at least 65 Catalan politicians were spied on between 2017 and 2020, with suspicions pointing towards the Spanish government. The spyware also infiltrated networks at 10 Downing Street and the Foreign Office, with links to the UAE. Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into the matter.

A report by the International Monetary Fund highlights the correlation between cryptocurrency adoption and corruption in countries with weak currencies. The study suggests that cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are popular in nations with high inflation and capital controls, as they offer an alternative to unstable local currencies. The report calls for regulatory action to address potential risks associated with cryptocurrencies, such as money laundering and tax evasion. It also notes the potential for digital currencies to enhance transparency and reduce corruption if properly regulated. The report mentions the adoption of Bitcoin as legal tender in El Salvador and the ongoing debate over its economic impact. Additionally, the report touches on the role of cryptocurrencies in the context of the Ukraine conflict, with concerns about their use to bypass sanctions.

Elon Musk's proposal to buy Twitter has led some users to consider alternatives like Mastodon and Friendica. Mastodon, created by Eugen Rochko, is an open-source, decentralized microblogging platform similar to Twitter but without ads and algorithms. It emphasizes privacy and community moderation. Friendica, part of the Fediverse network, is an alternative to Facebook, focusing on interoperability and privacy. Both platforms offer features that allow users to control their content and interactions, presenting themselves as viable options to the dominant social media giants.

Nexo has launched the first credit card that provides liquidity based on cryptocurrencies, created in collaboration with Mastercard and DiPocket. The Nexo Card allows users to use their digital assets as collateral without selling them, supporting Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether among others. Available in physical and virtual forms, it offers zero percent annual percentage rate for eligible Nexo customers and instant cashback in Bitcoin or Nexo tokens. Antoni Trenchev, co-founder and CEO of Nexo, highlights the card's potential to integrate digital assets into everyday spending. The card aims to simplify cryptocurrency payments and plans to expand internationally with additional features.

European and U.S. law enforcement agencies have shut down RaidForums, a major online marketplace for stolen data. The site, which had over 530,000 registered members, was a hub for cybercriminals to trade sensitive information like credit card numbers and account credentials. The operation, named Torniquet, involved the FBI, Europol, and other agencies. Diogo Santos Coelho, the alleged founder, was arrested in the UK and faces charges in the U.S. for conspiracy and aggravated identity theft.

The European Union has reached a comprehensive agreement on phone and internet data roaming within its member states, extending the abolition of roaming charges until 2032, including 5G. This regulation ensures that travelers can use their mobile phones at domestic rates while abroad. The revised regulation also adjusts wholesale price caps to sustain retail roaming services and enhances transparency for services that may incur additional costs. Consumers will have the right to the same quality and speed of connection abroad as at home, and access to emergency services without extra charges. The new regulation will take effect on July 1, 2022, and apply to all EU countries, including Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.

WhatsApp, used by over two billion users to send more than 100 billion messages daily, has announced new features for voice messages that will be available globally in the next two weeks. These improvements include background playback, the ability to pause and resume recording, listening to messages before sending, and a slight sound quality enhancement by displaying the actual waveform during playback. The app, owned by Meta, has offered end-to-end encrypted voice messaging since 2013, and these messages have become a preferred form of communication for many users, especially in emerging markets.

The Bank of Italy has halted the operations of N26's Italian branch, preventing it from acquiring new customers and promoting new products or services, including cryptoassets. This decision follows a 2021 investigation that found significant anti-money laundering compliance deficiencies. N26 has communicated that existing accounts will remain operational and secure, and it has made significant investments in anti-money laundering measures. The bank is working on a plan to address the identified deficiencies to have the regulatory action lifted.

The Archaeological Park of Pompeii is trialing a prototype robot dog named Spot, developed by Boston Dynamics, to monitor the ruins and collect data for planning conservation efforts. Spot is equipped with a 360-degree camera and is being tested alongside a flying laser scanner for 3D scanning. This initiative is part of a broader project to make the park 'smarter' and optimize its management. The UNESCO had previously threatened to list Pompeii as an endangered site unless conservation improved. Spot can navigate various terrains and inspect small tunnels, including those dug by tomb raiders, enhancing safety and efficiency. Boston Dynamics' robots have also been tested by the Massachusetts Police, the French Army, and Ghost Robotics' quadrupeds by the US Border Police.

Israel has blocked Ukraine from using the Pegasus spyware, produced by Nso Group, to avoid jeopardizing relations with Russia. Despite Ukraine's efforts to acquire Pegasus since the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014, the Israeli Ministry of Defense did not permit Nso to sell the software to Ukraine. Pegasus is known as one of the most advanced hacking tools, capable of accessing photos, documents, recording calls, and decrypting messages without the target's knowledge. The United States supported Ukraine's access to the software, while Estonia, a member of the EU and NATO, was warned not to use Pegasus against Russian targets. Nso Group's spyware has been purchased by security agencies and governments in at least 45 countries, officially to fight organized crime and terrorism, but it has also been used to surveil journalists, human rights activists, and political dissidents.

Cryptocurrencies are playing a significant role in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, with Ukraine using them for international donations and Russians, including ordinary citizens, using them to circumvent international sanctions and protect their savings from the falling ruble. Since the war began, Bitcoin spending in rubles has increased by 260%, with the weekly value of rubles converted into Bitcoin reaching approximately $28 million. The number of Russian Bitcoin accounts has also risen, and the average transaction size has increased. While concerns exist that Russian oligarchs may use cryptocurrencies to move their fortunes, the majority of the increase in Russian cryptocurrency trading is dominated by small investors.

Russian users are increasingly downloading Wikipedia due to fears of censorship following threats from Moscow authorities over the platform's coverage of the Ukraine conflict. A 29-gigabyte file containing the Russian-language Wikipedia has seen a significant surge in downloads, facilitated by Kiwix. The Russian government agency Roskomnadzor has threatened to shut down Wikipedia if it does not conform to the Kremlin's narrative, leading to concerns within the Wikipedia community. The arrest of a prominent Russian Wikipedia editor in Belarus underscores the escalating offensive against the platform.

In response to the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukraine has leveraged PayPal and cryptocurrencies to secure international donations. PayPal has enabled Ukrainian residents and refugees to receive foreign payments, waiving fees temporarily. Cryptocurrencies have also played a crucial role, with the Ukrainian government legalizing their use to support the resistance. The Crypto Fund of Ukraine has raised over $54 million, with the total donations exceeding $100 million. The new legislation allows Ukrainian banks to open accounts for cryptocurrency companies, with regulatory oversight by national financial bodies.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a massive refugee crisis, with many Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries like Poland, Romania, and Hungary. Some refugees, such as Anastasia and Natalia, have used the dating app Tinder to find temporary shelter and support. Their story, along with others like Jonas in Norway hosting a Ukrainian refugee, highlights the app's unexpected role in providing aid. Additionally, some users are using Tinder to inform Russian citizens about the ongoing war, bypassing censorship.

Russia, facing global sanctions and the withdrawal of major companies due to its invasion of Ukraine, is considering legalizing hacking to keep its economy afloat. The Russian government is contemplating revoking legal actions against individuals using pirated software, as part of a broader plan to ensure economic stability under sanctions. This move could affect Western tech giants like Apple, Adobe, Samsung, and Microsoft, which have scaled back operations in Russia. The proposal aims to reduce Russia's dependence on foreign products and transition to domestically developed solutions during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Instagram has introduced encrypted chats for users in Ukraine and Russia amidst the ongoing conflict. Announced by Nick Clegg, Meta's President of Global Affairs, the feature aims to protect communications from interception. Meta, which owns Facebook and WhatsApp, is also downgrading posts from Russian state media globally and has blocked RT and Sputnik in the region. Additional security features have been implemented, such as the ability for users to lock their Facebook profiles, preventing others from viewing friend lists or downloading profile and cover photos.

Wikipedia's community of volunteers has rapidly and accurately covered the Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite challenges. The article on the invasion has been frequently updated and protected against vandalism. Wikipedia emphasizes using reliable sources and maintaining neutrality. The Russian version of the article faced debates over terminology and threats of censorship from Roskomnadzor, which the Wikimedia Foundation opposed, highlighting the importance of access to reliable information during crises.

The crisis in Ukraine has escalated with Russia's recognition of the Donbass separatist regions, prompting the European Union to deploy a cyber defense team to assist Ukraine against potential cyber threats. Six EU countries, including Lithuania, Croatia, Poland, Estonia, Romania, and the Netherlands, have formed a cyber rapid response team to help Ukraine defend against cyber attacks, particularly DDoS attacks that have already targeted Ukrainian government websites. The initiative aims to bolster cybersecurity cooperation among EU member states. The UK and US have also accused Russia of orchestrating these attacks, which Moscow denies. Historical context includes previous Russian cyber attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure and the global impact of the NotPetya malware in 2017.

As Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, Twitter suspended several accounts of researchers posting real-time updates and fact-checking Russian content, citing errors rather than coordinated bot actions. The suspensions, which affected prominent accounts in multiple languages, raised concerns about potential mass reporting campaigns. Twitter's representatives, including Elizabeth Busby and Yael Roth, acknowledged the mistakes and stated efforts to restore the accounts and prevent future errors. The incident underscores the challenges of moderating content during geopolitical crises.

On February 21, former U.S. President Donald Trump launched Truth, a new social network aimed at countering liberal narratives and promoting free speech. Initially available only on Apple devices in the U.S., the app quickly topped the App Store's social network chart despite user issues such as error messages and long waiting lists. Truth aims to be a politically unbiased platform, similar to Gettr and Parler, and replicates Twitter's design and functionality. The app faced a partial outage on its first day due to high traffic.

Clearview AI, a controversial American facial recognition company, aims to collect 100 billion face photos to make nearly everyone in the world identifiable. The company plans to expand its database, which is already the largest of its kind, by adding 1.5 billion images monthly. Clearview AI seeks $50 million in funding to achieve this goal and develop new products, including augmented reality glasses for military use. The company faces criticism and legal challenges for acquiring images without consent, with countries like Australia, France, and Canada taking action against its practices.

Germany's fuel distribution network has been compromised by a cyber attack targeting Mabanaft's logistics systems and supply chain. Mabanaft, through its subsidiary Oiltanking Deutschland, stores and transports gasoline, diesel, and heating oil for companies like Shell. The attack was discovered on January 29, and Mabanaft declared force majeure for most of its activities in Germany. Oiltanking Deutschland's terminals are operating at limited capacity, and Shell's German subsidiary and Aral are using alternative suppliers. The incident underscores the growing risks to critical infrastructure and logistics companies, especially during a global fuel shortage.

The online game Wordle has been purchased by the New York Times for an undisclosed amount, reported to be less than seven figures. Created in October by Brooklyn programmer Josh Wardle, the game quickly rose from 90 users to 300,000 in two months, with global popularity by January. The New York Times, known for its subscriber-only crossword and word games, has announced that Wordle will remain free to play. Clones of Wordle have emerged, such as Italy's Parolette, and Apple has removed blatant copycats from its store. Jonathan Knight, the New York Times' general manager of games, commended Wordle for capturing the collective imagination.

In the first half of 2021, Twitter took action against over 4.8 million accounts, a significant increase from the 1.9 million users addressed in the same period the previous year. According to Twitter's latest transparency report, 1.2 million of these accounts were suspended, with the majority violating platform rules on child sexual exploitation. Nearly 500,000 profiles were suspended for posting child pornography content. Twitter's report emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for child sexual exploitation, with permanent suspensions for violators and a ban on creating new accounts. The company also reported that 89% of the 453,754 unique accounts blocked for violating child pornography policies were proactively identified by Twitter's internal tools.

Data breaches in the European Union increased by 8% in 2021, with over 130,000 personal data violations reported. The report by Dla Piper highlights that the Netherlands, Liechtenstein, and Denmark had the highest number of notifications per capita, while Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Greece had the lowest. Fines for data breaches also surged by 594%, with Luxembourg, Ireland, and France issuing the highest penalties. Giulio Coraggio of Dla Piper attributes Italy's low notification rate to unclear sanction criteria from the data protection authority, which may deter companies from reporting breaches.

The heirs of Spanish painter and sculptor Pablo Picasso, including his granddaughter Marina Picasso and her son Florian Picasso, are entering the crypto-art world by selling NFTs of a previously unreleased ceramic work from 1958. The digital pieces will be sold on Nifty Gateway and Origin Protocol, with an auction at Sotheby's in March that includes a unique NFT and the actual ceramic bowl. A portion of the proceeds will go to charities addressing nursing shortages and reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The NFTs will feature music by Florian Picasso, John Legend, and Nas. The initiative aims to bridge the NFT and fine art worlds.

Spotify faces controversy over Joe Rogan's podcast, accused of spreading Covid-19 misinformation. Neil Young demanded his music be removed from the platform, followed by Joni Mitchell, in protest against the misinformation. Spotify complied with Young's request and announced measures to add disclaimers to Covid-19 related content. Joe Rogan, a significant figure for Spotify, responded by denying intentional misinformation but acknowledged mistakes.

A study by the European Commission and national consumer protection authorities reveals that many e-commerce sites in Europe are plagued by fake reviews, with 55% of websites potentially violating the directive on unfair commercial practices. The investigation found that a significant number of online stores, marketplaces, booking sites, and comparison services fail to ensure the authenticity of reviews, with many not providing clear information on how reviews are collected or processed. Commissioner Didier Reynders emphasized the need for online businesses to offer transparent and reliable information to consumers, highlighting the importance of authentic reviews in consumer decision-making.

The Red Cross experienced a cyber attack that compromised the data of over 515,000 vulnerable individuals. The attack targeted an external company in Switzerland responsible for storing data from at least 60 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies worldwide. The Geneva-based organization expressed its greatest concern over the potential disclosure of the compromised data. The attack led to the suspension of IT systems managing the Restoring Family Links program, which reunites families separated by conflicts, migrations, and disasters. The International Committee of the Red Cross's Director-General, Robert Mardini, appealed not to share, sell, or misuse the data. The breach affects missing individuals, their families, unaccompanied or separated children, detainees, and others receiving services due to armed conflicts, natural disasters, or migrations. Cybersecurity expert David Masson from Darktrace highlighted the unfortunate and devastating nature of the attack, emphasizing that no one is immune to cyber threats.

Bitcoin and cryptocurrency mining are facing increasing scrutiny and bans due to their high energy consumption and regulatory challenges. China has imposed significant restrictions, leading to a mining exodus to countries like Kazakhstan, which now faces its own energy crisis and public protests. Kosovo has banned mining to address energy shortages, and Iran has a complicated relationship with mining due to sanctions. The European Union is also considering bans, with Sweden's financial regulator calling for a halt to mining. Amidst these challenges, a project named Cryptoland aims to create a self-sufficient cryptocurrency community on an island, though its feasibility remains uncertain.

Government computer systems in Ukraine have been infected by a powerful malware, as reported by Microsoft. The attack, which affected multiple government, non-profit, and IT organizations, appears to be more extensive than initially thought. The malware, disguised as ransomware, aimed to destroy data on command. Ukrainian officials suspect Russian intelligence services are behind the attack, which occurred after failed talks between Russia and the United States over the Ukraine border crisis. This incident adds to the ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with fears of a potential military escalation.

The Austrian Data Protection Authority has ruled that the use of Google Analytics violates the GDPR, following complaints from the Austrian NGO Noyb. The decision is based on the Schrems II ruling by the European Court of Justice, which found that data transfers to the U.S. do not comply with GDPR due to U.S. surveillance laws. Despite Google's claims of implementing protective measures, the authority deemed them insufficient. The ruling suggests that U.S. companies may need to host foreign data outside the U.S. or adapt their data protection measures. Similar decisions have been made by the European Data Protection Supervisor regarding the European Parliament's use of Google Analytics.

Europol is required to delete a large amount of data on European citizens following an order from the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS). The agency had been retaining data on non-suspects longer than necessary, violating data minimization and retention principles. Europol must now delete unrelated data after six months, with a year to filter its database. The decision aims to reduce the risk of innocent citizens being unjustly suspected. Europol expressed concerns about the impact on its ability to analyze complex data sets related to serious crimes. The Guardian reported that Europol had accumulated over four petabytes of data from EU citizens.

A significant data breach involving Siae, the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers, has resulted in the online publication of stolen data by the Everest ransom team. The breach, initially claimed in October 2021, involved the theft of 60 gigabytes of sensitive information, including personal identification and financial data of Siae members. Despite initial ransom demands, Siae refused to pay, leading to the gradual reduction of the ransom amount and eventual public release of the data. The breach was facilitated through phishing, and the motives behind the data release remain unclear, though it is suspected that a third party may have paid for the data.

In 2021, Google blocked 1.2 million potentially dangerous apps from its Play Store, preventing billions of harmful installations. The company also closed 190,000 dangerous developer accounts and 500,000 inactive ones. Google Play Protect scans billions of apps daily to limit malware. The new Data Safety section on Google Play, launched in April 2021, requires developers to provide privacy and security information by July 20. Google has collaborated with SDK developers to enhance security, resulting in 98% of apps on Android 11 or later reducing access to sensitive APIs and user data. Google Pixel devices feature a Security Hub and advanced machine learning models for malware detection.

The article discusses the escalation of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo following a police operation against organized crime in northern Kosovo, which resulted in the arrest of 19 people, including 10 Serbian police officers. The Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić accused the operation of targeting the Serbian minority, while Kosovo officials, including President Hashim Thaci and Foreign Minister Beghjet Pacolli, stated the operation was aimed at dismantling criminal networks and was not a threat to Serbs. The NATO-led KFOR forces, through spokesperson Colonel Vincenzo Grasso, indicated that Belgrade was informed of the arrests, contradicting Vučić's claims. The article also touches on the broader conflict between Serbia and Kosovo, the failed negotiations over territory exchange, and the inflammatory remarks by Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic, which have further complicated relations. Vučić has called for a compromise to avoid further conflict, with the next step being a summit in Paris to discuss the resumption of negotiations.

Thousands of citizens have been protesting in Belgrade for the eighteenth consecutive Saturday against President Aleksandar Vučić and the government, demanding their resignation and free elections. Vučić, a center-right nationalist and head of the Serbian Progressive Party (Sns), is accused of authoritarian policies and limiting freedom of expression and media, creating an illiberal climate. Serbia ranks 76th in the world for press freedom according to Reporters sans frontieres, having dropped ten positions from the previous year. The protests began after the beating of Borko Stefanović, leader of the opposition Left Serbia (Ls) party. The protesters demand public media access in view of future elections. The latest demonstration in April was the largest since the protests began, with about 20,000 people. Vučić's party responded by organizing a counter-rally of 100,000 supporters. Vučić has been in power for seven years and is supported by the EU and the US for his role in stabilizing the region and continuing negotiations with Kosovo over territorial exchanges.