Author: Daniel (The Tech Blog UK)
Women Who Code Charity Shutting Down Due to Lack of Funding Women Who Code (WWC), a charity supporting women in the technology sector, has announced its closure due to a lack of funding. The US-based organization had a community of 360,000 people across 145 countries. The closure has sparked shock and sadness among women working in the industry, who describe it as “awful” and “heartbreaking.” Many women found comfort and support within the WWC community, which provided networking opportunities, career advice, and skill-building events. Jessica Mu, VP for technology at Artest Management Group, expressed disappointment at the closure, stating that…
House Plans to Package TikTok Legislation with Critical Aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan House Speaker Johnson intends to package TikTok legislation with critical aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan and send it to the Senate, where President Joe Biden has vowed to sign it into law. The legislation, which has bipartisan support and the backing of Biden, aims to ban TikTok in the U.S. unless it cuts ties with its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, within one year. A similar bill already passed the House in March with overwhelming support. Now, the House plans to combine the TikTok bill with…
Apple Removes WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Threads from App Store in China Apple has removed several popular messaging and social media apps from its App Store in China at the request of the Chinese government. The apps include WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Threads. In a statement, Apple said that China’s national internet regulator ordered the removal of the apps due to unspecified “national security concerns.” Apple emphasized its obligation to follow local laws in the countries where it operates. These apps, owned by Meta, were already blocked in China and were not widely used. The removal by Apple further separates…
How to Stay Safe from WhatsApp Scams WhatsApp Verification Code Scam You receive an unexpected verification code from WhatsApp via text message. Scammers have entered your number into WhatsApp to try to access your account. A WhatsApp contact may message you, asking for the verification code under the guise of a story, such as accidentally entering your number. Passing on the verification code allows scammers to take over your account. What Happens Next? Scammers may target your contacts for money or sensitive information. They can access personal details from your messages, potentially leading to more scams or blackmail. How to…
TikTok to Launch Photo-Sharing App, Taking on Instagram TikTok has announced plans to enter the photo-sharing market with the launch of a new app, directly challenging social media rival Instagram. The company revealed that it is working on a “dedicated space” for images and text, signaling its intention to expand beyond short-form videos. Some users have already received notifications stating that their photo posts will be shared to a new app called “TikTok Notes” unless they opt out. This move follows a trend of social media platforms imitating each other’s features, with Instagram introducing Reels, a TikTok-like video tool, in…
Protect Yourself from Online Hacking: Tips and Advice More than 22,500 people had their social media or email accounts hacked last year, new data shows. Data from Action Fraud, the national fraud and cybercrime reporting service, reveals that in 2023, 22,530 individuals reported their online accounts being hacked, resulting in a collective loss of £1.3 million. Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, emphasizes the importance of securing online accounts to mitigate the risk of fraud and cyberattacks. She advises individuals to use strong, unique passwords for their email and social media accounts and suggests implementing 2-step verification for added security.…
Samsung Overtakes Apple as World’s Largest Mobile Phone Seller In a significant shift, Samsung has reclaimed its position as the world’s biggest mobile phone seller, surpassing Apple, which had held the title since the end of 2023. The reversal in rankings follows a steep sales drop for Apple, largely attributed to slowing sales in China and increased competition from local rivals. Market Share Dynamics: Samsung secured a 20.8% market share, outpacing Apple’s 17.3% share, according to research firm IDC. Global smartphone shipments saw an 8% increase to 289.4 million units in the first quarter of the year. Apple’s Sales Decline:…
New parts calibration process will begin this fall; Activation Lock to limit use of parts from lost or stolen devices Apple to Introduce Used Parts in Repair Process Apple has announced a significant enhancement to its repair processes, allowing customers and independent repair providers to utilize used Apple parts in repairs. This initiative, set to commence with select iPhone models in the fall, aims to maintain user privacy, security, and safety while providing more repair options, prolonging product lifespan, and reducing environmental impact. Key Points: Enhanced Repair Experience: John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering, emphasizes Apple’s commitment…
Why You Should Be Cautious When Scanning QR Codes Despite warnings about the risks associated with scanning QR codes without prior verification, new research reveals that a significant number of people still engage in this practice. According to the study, nearly three-quarters of Brits (72%) simply point and scan QR codes without considering potential security threats, while only 16% are aware of the risk of being scammed. While scanning a QR code affixed to a public surface may seem harmless, it can lead to various security vulnerabilities. For instance, cybersecurity expert Adrianus Warmenhoven from NordVPN warns that scanning a malicious…
MPs Call for Government Advice on Engaging with Young People, Including on TikTok A group of MPs from the culture, media, and sport committee has urged the government to publish advice for its departments on effectively engaging with young people, including on platforms like TikTok. Despite TikTok being banned on government devices due to data security concerns, the committee emphasizes the need to communicate accurate information in a relatable manner. The MPs stress the importance of countering misinformation online, especially among young people who increasingly rely on social media for information. With platforms like TikTok being popular among 15 to…