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Zoom Denies End-to-End Encryption to Free Users
Videoconferencing company Zoom confirmed this week that it won’t enable its end-to-end encryption for free calls because it wants to allow law enforcement access to these calls if necessary. Zoom’s statement about the policy reads: “Zoom does not proactively monitor meeting content, and we do not share information with law enforcement except in circumstances like child sex abuse. We do not have backdoors where participants can enter meetings without being visible to others. None of this will change,” says a spokesperson. “Zoom’s end-to-end encryption plan balances the privacy of its users with the safety of vulnerable groups, including children and potential victims of hate crimes. We plan to provide end-to-end encryption to users for whom we can verify identity, thereby limiting harm to t...
‘Call of Duty’ Creators Are Implementing More Systems to Curb Racism in Games
Sourced from Polygon. Call of Duty developers Infinity Ward has announced that the company will be issuing more bans for racist usernames, and will begin taking more steps to monitor racist content in-game in the future. The Call of Duty series of games has become infamous for hosting a large number of trolls who use racist insults to harass other players, usually via voice chat. “There is no place for racist content in our game. This is an effort we began with launch and we need to do a better job. We’re issuing thousands of daily bans of racist and hate-oriented names,” Infinity Ward says in a tweet. pic.twitter.com/o2nR4ZNQL0 — Infinity Ward (@InfinityWard) June 3, 2020 /* custom css */ .tdi_3_f84.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_f84.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Infini...
Sony Delays PS5 Reveal Event
Sourced from Wikimedia. Sony has announced that it has decided to postpone the PlayStation 5 reveal event, originally scheduled for 4 June. pic.twitter.com/ZAY8StN0EU — PlayStation (@PlayStation) June 1, 2020 The company has decided to postpone the event and the new generation console’s reveal as rioting and civil unrest continues in the US following the killing of unarmed man George Floyd. A killing that many Americans feel to be direly unjust. In addition, the globe is also still grappling with the society-crippling COVID-19 pandemic. “We have decided to postpone the PlayStation 5 event scheduled for June 4. While we understand gamers worldwide are excited to see PS5 games, we do not feel that right now is a time for celebration and for now, we want to stand back and allow more important...
Major Petrol Price Hike Could Cripple South Africa’s Economy says Expert
Sourced from the South African The major fuel price hike scheduled for tomorrow (3 June) is going to further hurt the economy and have a major impact on deeply indebted consumers. This is after the petrol price in the country slumped to a 21-year low as South Africa descended into a nationwide lockdown. All grades of petrol will spike at R1.18 ($0.07) a litre while diesel will increase by R0.22 ($0.013) a litre. Neil Roets, CEO of one of the largest debt counselling companies in South Africa, Debt Rescue, says the increases would have a devastating impact on consumers who are mostly three months or more behind in the repayments of their loans. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_56f.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_56f.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } “This is going to lead to further un...
YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Pledge Support for Blackout Tuesday
Image by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images YouTube Music, Apple Music, Spotify and Amazon Music have all pledged in support of Blackout Tuesday – a campaign calling for the music industry to put normal day-to-day operations on ‘pause’ and “and instead spend time reflecting on how to support the black community.” According to The Verge, this movement is “aimed at protesting police violence and racism as well as honouring George Floyd, whose death at the hands of police has sparked universal outcry and demonstrations in US cities and around the world.” The global music streaming platforms have each attempted to do just this through social media blackouts, specially dedicated and curated playlists as well as moments of silence. “June 2nd is Black Out Tuesday, a day of collective disconnect from w...
5 Best Video Games For Parents and Kids Under Lockdown
Sourced from The Guardian. With only grade 7 and grade 12 learners returning to school in the next few weeks, most children are still confined to their homes under the nationwide level 3 lockdown in South Africa. While many parents are working from home, and children are schooling from home as well, there is always a few hours of the day to settle down to some video games together. Of course, you don’t want your kids drowning in screen time, but if you’re a parent that games, or if your children game, this is an excellent way to connect with them. The following are 5 great video games to play with your children during level 3 lockdown in South Africa that are certain to be fun for both you and your kids: 5. FIFA or any other sports game /* custom css */ .tdi_3_d66.td-a-rec-img{ text-align:...
TikTok Promises to Promote Black Creators After Censorship Accusations Make Light
Sourced from Gadgets 360. Chinese Social Media platform TikTok laid out a series of actions on Monday in an effort to address criticisms that its algorithm is suppressing black creators on the app. The actions include launching a “creator diversity council” in which the platform will aim at “recognising and uplifting the voices driving culture, creativity, and important conversations on the platform [itself]”. Continued in the blog post, TikTok says it will also reassess its moderation strategies, establish a new “user-friendly” appeals process, and develop a new creator portal for expanding communications and “opportunities for our broader creator community”. TikTok says that it will “stand in solidarity with the Black community” and participate in “Black Out Tuesday.” Tuesday will be kep...
Unisa Confirms Postponement of Online Exams Due to Overworked Servers
Sourced from EWN. The University of South Africa (Unisa) has been forced to postpone several exams after technical issues interrupted last week’s set of online exams. Affected modules whose exams have been postponed include those studied by criminology students, as well as those in development studies. Sipho Xukwe, a third-year criminology student told City Press on Friday that he wasn’t able to submit his exam answers during online writing sessions this week because the system was “clogged due to the high volume of exam scripts and question papers.” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_6d7.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_6d7.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Xukwe continues says that while trying to answer questions, “A message popped up saying [the system] cannot hold the number of stud...
WATCH: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Astronauts Enter International Space Station
Sourced from CNET. SpaceX’s new Crew Dragon capsule successfully docked with the International Space Station, bringing the companies first crew to the orbiting platform. The crew’s arrival completes another part for SpaceX’s first crewed mission with the Crew Dragon, which successfully blasted off on 30 May from world-famous lift-off point Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Crew Dragon’s passengers — NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley — are set to begin an extended stay on board the ISS that could last up to four months. They will join three crewmates already living on board the station: NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and Russian cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner, according to The Verge. Watch in the video below how astronauts Behnken and Hurley exit the Crew Dragon and greet t...
5 Essential Mobile Apps for Moms
Being a mother has to be one of the most exciting but also demanding experiences life can provide. One moment your heart is swelling with thoughts of all the wonderful memories you will create with your little one – then suddenly, you are worrying about how you are going to juggle it all: the sleepless nights, the rocking to bed, the learning and unlearning. Luckily, mobile apps have been a silver lining when it comes to handling motherhood. These five essential apps will no doubt bring convenience and laughter into your life: 1. Lullaby Songs for Babies Sometimes rocking and singing your child to sleep can be exhausting. Conveniently, Lullaby Songs for Babies puts your vocal cords to rest for a few moments. The application has multiple lullabies available, which are categorised into certa...
‘Anonymous’ Hacktivists Attack and Take Down United Nations Website
After hacking and taking down the Minneapolis Police Department website, the Anonymous hacker-group continued their protest spree and hacked the United Nations website, taking down a part of the site – the United Nations Civil Society Participation website – and replacing it with an image protesting the death of Minneapolis native George Floyd. Hacktivists protest by hacking a United Nations webpage. Floyd was killed by police officer Derek Chauvin – while in custody – who restrained Floyd with a knee to the back of the neck. Floyd was handcuffed and unarmed at the time. Riots were sparked across the United States and even other countries as footage of the incident was released online. The group posted a video to another hacked page with a message to the police of Minneapolis. “This traves...
Apple Music Slashes Subscription Prices for Kenyan Users
Sourced from the South Africa. Apple Music has reduced its prices by almost half of the original price and increased its trial period by double the initial period in Kenya. The subscription-based music streaming service offers access to over 50-million songs. Initially, individual users would have to pay about KES 1,066 ($9.99), however, this is about to change. According to Apple, the new prices will be as follows: Individuals will now pay KES 319.17 ($2.99) Family package, with up to six members, will cost KES 532.66 ($4.99) University Students in Kenya will now pay KES 159.05 ($1.49) What isn’t clear from the price reduction is whether or not the library of content has also been slashed. It is yet not known whether or not users will have the amount of music available to them also ...
