The way people use smartphones may change completely in the coming years. According to Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, traditional mobile apps could disappear as artificial intelligence becomes more advanced.Speaking at the SXSW conference in Austin, Pei said the current app-based system is outdated and may soon be replaced by AI agents that can act on behalf of users.<h2>Why Carl Pei says apps may disappear</h2>Pei believes that today’s smartphone experience has not changed much in the past two decades.Users still rely on:Lock screens and home screensMultiple apps for different tasksApp stores to install softwareHe said this model creates unnecessary steps for simple tasks. For example, planning to meet a friend for coffee may involve messaging apps, maps, ride-hailing services and calendars.“It’s very hard to get things done on a phone,” Pei said, pointing out that users often switch between several apps to complete one task.According to him, AI agents could remove this complexity by handling tasks directly.

<h2>What is an AI-first smartphone?</h2>Pei described a future device powered by AI agents instead of apps.In this system:Users express an intention (for example, “book a trip” or “meet a friend”)The AI understands the requestThe system completes the task automaticallyInstead of opening apps and navigating menus, users would rely on AI to manage everything in the background. Pei said the goal is to build devices that “know you very well” and can act without constant input.<h2>How AI agents could work</h2>The transition to AI-first devices may happen in stages.Pei explained that the first stage already visible today is AI tools that can perform tasks like booking flights or ordering food.However, he called this stage “basic”.The next stage, according to him, is more advanced. AI systems will begin to understand long-term user behaviour and preferences.For example:Suggesting healthier habitsRecommending activities based on past behaviour Managing schedules automaticallyHe compared this to features like memory in AI tools such as ChatGPT, where systems learn from past interactions.<h2>Why current smartphones may change</h2>Pei argued that modern technology has advanced significantly, but smartphone design has not kept up.He said the current system still relies on humans manually interacting with apps. In contrast, future systems may be designed for AI agents to operate directly.“The future is not the agent using a human interface,” he said. “You need to create an interface for the agent.”This means smartphones may shift from app-based interfaces to AI-driven systems working in the background.<h2>Will apps disappear soon?</h2>Pei clarified that apps will not vanish immediately. Current systems, including Nothing’s own software, still rely on apps. However, over time, AI agents may take over more tasks, reducing the need for users to interact with apps directly.The idea reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are building AI agents that can perform actions across platforms instead of simply providing information.<h2>The bigger picture</h2>Pei’s comments come as AI companies and device makers explore new ways to integrate artificial intelligence into everyday technology.The shift from apps to AI agents could change how people use smartphones, manage tasks and interact with digital services.While the transition may take time, the direction is becoming clearer: future devices may focus less on screens and apps, and more on intelligent systems that act on behalf of users.&nbsp;

At the SXSW, Carl Pei said traditional smartphone apps could eventually disappear as AI agents take over everyday tasks. He argued that the current app-based system is outdated and inefficient, requiring users to switch between multiple apps for simple actions. 

The way people use smartphones may change completely in the coming years. According to Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, traditional mobile apps could disappear as artificial intelligence becomes more advanced. Speaking at the SXSW conference in Austin, Pei said the current app-based system is outdated and may soon be replaced by AI agents that can act on behalf of users. Why Carl Pei says apps may disappear Pei believes that today’s smartphone experience has not changed much in the past two decades. Users still rely on: Lock screens and home screens Multiple apps for different tasks App stores to install software He said this model creates unnecessary steps for simple tasks. For example, planning to meet a friend for coffee may involve messaging apps, maps, ride-hailing services and calendars. “It’s very hard to get things done on a phone,” Pei said, pointing out that users often switch between several apps to complete one task. According to him, AI agents could remove this complexity by handling tasks directly.

At the SXSW, Carl Pei said traditional smartphone apps could eventually disappear as AI agents take over everyday tasks. He argued that the current app-based system is outdated and inefficient, requiring users to switch between multiple apps for simple actions.&nbsp;

‘Apps may disappear in the future’: AI agents will take over, says Nothing CEO Carl Pei

Making an innovative effort, 71-year-old blind entrepreneur Tom Pey created a service application called Waymap, which helps users find turns on public places like railway platforms, bus stops, and stadiums.&nbsp;

The application gives step-by-step directions, is accurate to the nearest metre, and works even when the mobile phone does not have any signal.

It also works underground, indoors and in places where the conventional services remain notoriously unreliable.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/game-of-thrones-chatbot-tells-teenage-boy-to-come-home-he-kills-himself-770281">&nbsp;'Game of Thrones' chatbot tells teenage boy to 'come home'. He kills himself</a>

The application is so accurate that it can guide people to the cheese counter in a supermarket or their seat in a football stadium.

<h2>Here's how the entrepreneur developed the navigation app&nbsp;</h2>

The entrepreneur fell from the roof at the age of nine. However, he lost his eyesight 30 years later after his retinas got shattered due to the belated immune reaction to the twig which had gone up his nose.

He later received a grant from Google's charitable arm, which helped him found Waymap in 2017. The company was able to raise an additional £7 million in another funding round later.

“When you lose your sight, your world shrinks to going to the chemist or the doctor’s. A third of people who lose their sight do not go out on their own again. It changed me as an individual into one who was afraid to go out alone. Waymap means I have got the ability to explore the world again like anybody else,” said Pey.

Watch:&nbsp;Venezuela: Maduro Alleged Opposition Used Whatsapp App to Fuel the Crisis

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/venezuela-maduro-alleged-opposition-used-whatsapp-app-to-fuel-the-crisis-762753/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

He realised that blind or visually impaired people fail to rely on Google Maps and Apple Maps.&nbsp;

“We saw that there was a problem for blind people, which actually mirrored a similar problem for everybody. Google Maps and its equivalents only work outdoors for some people, some of the time, and work indoors for no one," stated the entrepreneur.

The navigation application uses the global positioning system (GPS) sensor in smartphones to pinpoint the location. The results are precise if it is connected to a wi-fi network but can perform badly if the signal is weak.

Waymap does not depend on wi-fi but downloads a map of the venue and checks out where the movements are being traced by the users around it.

(With inputs from agencies)

Making an innovative effort, 71-year-old blind entrepreneur Tom Pey created a service application called Waymap, which helps users find turns on public places like railway platforms, bus stops, and stadiums.

Making an innovative effort, 71-year-old blind entrepreneur Tom Pey created a service application called Waymap, which helps users find turns on public places like railway platforms, bus stops, and stadiums. The application gives step-by-step directions, is accurate to the nearest metre, and works even when the mobile phone does not have any signal. It also works underground, indoors and in places where the conventional services remain notoriously unreliable. Also Read: 'Game of Thrones' chatbot tells teenage boy to 'come home'. He kills himself The application is so accurate that it can guide people to the cheese counter in a supermarket or their seat in a football stadium. Here's how the entrepreneur developed the navigation app The entrepreneur fell from the roof at the age of nine. However, he lost his eyesight 30 years later after his retinas got shattered due to the belated immune reaction to the twig which had gone up his nose. He later received a grant from Google's charitable arm, which helped him found Waymap in 2017. The company was able to raise an additional £7 million in another funding round later. “When you lose your sight, your world shrinks to going to the chemist or the doctor’s. A third of people who lose their sight do not go out on their own again. It changed me as an individual into one who was afraid to go out alone. Waymap means I have got the ability to explore the world again like anybody else,” said Pey. Watch: Venezuela: Maduro Alleged Opposition Used Whatsapp App to Fuel the Crisis He realised that blind or visually impaired people fail to rely on Google Maps and Apple Maps. “We saw that there was a problem for blind people, which actually mirrored a similar problem for everybody. Google Maps and its equivalents only work outdoors for some people, some of the time, and work indoors for no one," stated the entrepreneur. The navigation application uses the global positioning system (GPS) sensor in smartphones to pinpoint the location. The results are precise if it is connected to a wi-fi network but can perform badly if the signal is weak. Waymap does not depend on wi-fi but downloads a map of the venue and checks out where the movements are being traced by the users around it. (With inputs from agencies)

Blind man creates navigation app that lets users find their turns at platforms, bus stops or stadiums

Nepali TikTok creator Manjita Manandhar was caught off guard when the Himalayan nation&nbsp;banned the popular social media platform last week for disturbing "social harmony and goodwill".

"I was shocked as the decision came suddenly," said Manandhar, who earns about $1,500 a month by making content for restaurants, hotels and brands, and posting them on the&nbsp;app.

"Business has halved since the&nbsp;ban&nbsp;and the income from other social platforms like Instagram and YouTube is not enough to support this loss," she said. The 26-year-old splits her income with a videographer and a manager, who oversees communication with clients.

Nepal's&nbsp;centre-left coalition&nbsp;government&nbsp;is the latest to&nbsp;ban&nbsp;the&nbsp;app. TikTok is owned by China-based ByteDance, and several countries have raised concerns over its proximity to the Chinese&nbsp;government&nbsp;and hold over user data across the world.

Neighbour India&nbsp;banned TikTok along with dozens of other&nbsp;apps by Chinese developers in June 2020, saying that they could compromise national security and integrity.

Many Nepalis, however, said the&nbsp;ban&nbsp;has cut off a source of income and shut down a forum for free speech.

Dozens of people held&nbsp;protests&nbsp;in Kathmandu demanding the&nbsp;government&nbsp;revoke the&nbsp;ban, while others filed petitions against it at the Supreme&nbsp;Court. The&nbsp;court&nbsp;has asked the&nbsp;government&nbsp;to provide, in writing, its reasons for the&nbsp;ban&nbsp;before a Dec. 5 hearing.

Rajib Subba, an expert on cyber security, said the&nbsp;ban&nbsp;had affected many people for whom the&nbsp;app&nbsp;was "a social medium of livelihood, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and advocacy". There are about 2.2 million TikTok users in Nepal, said Sudhir Parajuli, president of the Internet Service Providers' Association of Nepal (ISPAN).

In a letter to&nbsp;Nepal's&nbsp;telecom regulator, TikTok said it routinely addresses "content and behaviour" that violate its community guidelines. It did not provide any details.

More than 1,600 cyber crime cases, most of them related to TikTok, have been registered over the last four years in Nepal, according to local media reports.

Nepali housewife Sushila Pokharel, a regular user of the platform who posts videos of her dancing and singing, said the&nbsp;ban&nbsp;deprives people of a source of recreation.

"Stop anything bad in it, but it is wrong to&nbsp;ban&nbsp;the&nbsp;app&nbsp;completely," she said.

Nepali TikTok creator Manjita Manandhar was caught off guard when the Himalayan nation banned the popular social media platform last week for disturbing "social harmony and goodwill".

Nepali TikTok creator Manjita Manandhar was caught off guard when the Himalayan nation banned the popular social media platform last week for disturbing "social harmony and goodwill". "I was shocked as the decision came suddenly," said Manandhar, who earns about $1,500 a month by making content for restaurants, hotels and brands, and posting them on the app. "Business has halved since the ban and the income from other social platforms like Instagram and YouTube is not enough to support this loss," she said. The 26-year-old splits her income with a videographer and a manager, who oversees communication with clients. Nepal's centre-left coalition government is the latest to ban the app. TikTok is owned by China-based ByteDance, and several countries have raised concerns over its proximity to the Chinese government and hold over user data across the world. Neighbour India banned TikTok along with dozens of other apps by Chinese developers in June 2020, saying that they could compromise national security and integrity. Many Nepalis, however, said the ban has cut off a source of income and shut down a forum for free speech. Dozens of people held protests in Kathmandu demanding the government revoke the ban, while others filed petitions against it at the Supreme Court. The court has asked the government to provide, in writing, its reasons for the ban before a Dec. 5 hearing. Rajib Subba, an expert on cyber security, said the ban had affected many people for whom the app was "a social medium of livelihood, creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and advocacy". There are about 2.2 million TikTok users in Nepal, said Sudhir Parajuli, president of the Internet Service Providers' Association of Nepal (ISPAN). In a letter to Nepal's telecom regulator, TikTok said it routinely addresses "content and behaviour" that violate its community guidelines. It did not provide any details. More than 1,600 cyber crime cases, most of them related to TikTok, have been registered over the last four years in Nepal, according to local media reports. Nepali housewife Sushila Pokharel, a regular user of the platform who posts videos of her dancing and singing, said the ban deprives people of a source of recreation. "Stop anything bad in it, but it is wrong to ban the app completely," she said.

Protests, court appeals as Nepal's TikTokers decry government ban on app

In a significant move, Russia launched an e-visa programme on Tuesday, August 1, to improve tourism and facilitate travel. It will grant easy visa access to travellers from 55 countries.

In a significant move, Russia launched an e-visa programme on Tuesday, August 1, to improve tourism and facilitate travel. It will grant easy visa access to travellers from 55 countries. Indian passport holders are also eligible to apply for the Russian e-visa. The e-visa will have a 60-day validity and travellers can stay up to 16 days in Russia. According to the government portal, Russian e-visa holders can get a tourist visa for up to six months if they have a hotel reservation. The application process is fast and easy. Applicants are not required to submit any invitations or confirmations. They can conveniently fill in the application form on the official website, which is open 24/7. It eliminates the need to visit a consular agency during specific business hours. The facility will process the e-visa within four calendar days, including weekdays and bank holidays. ALSO READ | 'Racy' Chinese restaurant closed after videos surface waiters feeding women 'mouth-to-mouth' Here's everything you need to know about the application process for Russian e-visa. How to Apply for a Russian E-Visa 1. Open the newly-launched official website for the Russian e-visa, https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru/. 2. Scroll down to find the "fill in an e-visa application form" option and click on it. 3. Read all the information on the official website before filling out the unified electronic visa application form. 4. Once you accept all the terms and conditions and click on "Fill out a new application form," a new page will appear. 5. Click on "Register as a new user." When you successfully register yourself, you can log in and move ahead to fill out the application form. 6. After completing the application form, the next step is paying the consular fee of $40 (₹3,290). 7. Approved applicants will receive a notification for the e-visa. The applicant has to get a printout of the verification mail and carry it on their trip to Russia. 8. Travellers will show the printed notification on their arrival to Russia to the immigration authorities. As per a report from the Border Guard Service of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, the tourist flow to the nation plunged by 96.1 per cent in 2022. Russia launched the e-visa initiative to attract international visitors, promote cultural exchange, and enhance economic ties between the countries involved. The programme is a boon for Indians who frequently travel to Russia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russia launches e-visa for Indians: Check step-by-step application process, benefits & other details

Meta's new Threads app, aimed at competing with Twitter, will not be launched in the European Union (EU) for now, media reports said. AFP news agency, while citing a source close to the company, said that the app will not be launched in the EU due to regulatory concerns. However, the source added Meta has decided to hold back the release in the EU's 27 countries as it seeks clarity on the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which will be fully implemented next year.

<h2>What is Digital Markets Act?&nbsp;</h2>

The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a significant regulatory framework introduced in Europe to address the dominance of large digital platforms and ensure fair competition in the digital market. It aims to regulate the behaviour of "gatekeeper" platforms, which have substantial market power, by imposing specific obligations and restrictions on them.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philadelphia-gunman-identified-as-gun-loving-blm-supporter-kimbrady-carriker-reports-612409">Philadelphia gunman identified as gun-loving BLM supporter Kimbrady Carriker: Reports</a>

The DMA establishes stringent regulations for major internet companies operating in Europe. One of these regulations prohibits platforms from sharing data across different services and restricts companies from directing platform users solely to their own products.

Meta's decision to postpone the Threads app release in the EU is likely influenced by the need to ensure compliance with these new regulations, media reports said.&nbsp;

<h2>Data privacy concerns and EU rules</h2>

The description of Threads on app stores in the United States reveals that personal data, including contact and geolocation information, will be collected and used for advertising purposes. Meta has previously faced scrutiny from European regulators for attempting to leverage data from WhatsApp to strengthen Instagram and Facebook, which was prohibited by EU rules.

As a result, it appears that Meta's decision to delay the Threads app launch in Europe aligns with its commitment to avoid further conflicts with EU regulations.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-killed-two-injured-after-explosions-rock-ukrainian-court-612402">One killed, two injured after multiple explosions rock Ukrainian court</a>

The Data Protection Commission in Ireland, where Meta's EU headquarters are located and which oversees the company's activities in Europe, stated that Meta has confirmed it will not be releasing the app in Europe "at this point."&nbsp;

According to the app's description on the app store, Threads provides a space for communities to come together and engage in discussions covering various topics.

Watch | British children are shorter than their European peers , says experts

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/british-children-are-shorter-than-their-european-peers-says-experts-612413/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Users have the option to follow and connect with their favourite creators and like-minded individuals who share similar interests. Additionally, users can establish their own following and express their thought with a broader audience.

<h2>Meta's compliance with new EU rules</h2>

Meta, along with other major companies, such as Amazon and Apple, informed the EU that they meet the threshold to be subject to the new rules when they are enforced next year. This indicates that Meta recognises the significance of complying with the DMA and is actively engaging with the regulatory framework to ensure its future operations align with EU requirements.

When contacted by AFP, Meta did not provide an immediate comment on the matter. However, it remains to be seen how Meta will navigate the regulatory landscape and address the concerns raised by the EU.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meta's new Threads app, aimed at competing with Twitter, will not be launched in the European Union (EU) for now, media reports said. AFP news agency, while citing a source close to the company, said that the app will not be launched in the EU due to regulatory concerns.

Meta's new Threads app, aimed at competing with Twitter, will not be launched in the European Union (EU) for now, media reports said. AFP news agency, while citing a source close to the company, said that the app will not be launched in the EU due to regulatory concerns. However, the source added Meta has decided to hold back the release in the EU's 27 countries as it seeks clarity on the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which will be fully implemented next year. What is Digital Markets Act? The Digital Markets Act (DMA) is a significant regulatory framework introduced in Europe to address the dominance of large digital platforms and ensure fair competition in the digital market. It aims to regulate the behaviour of "gatekeeper" platforms, which have substantial market power, by imposing specific obligations and restrictions on them. Also Read | Philadelphia gunman identified as gun-loving BLM supporter Kimbrady Carriker: Reports The DMA establishes stringent regulations for major internet companies operating in Europe. One of these regulations prohibits platforms from sharing data across different services and restricts companies from directing platform users solely to their own products. Meta's decision to postpone the Threads app release in the EU is likely influenced by the need to ensure compliance with these new regulations, media reports said. Data privacy concerns and EU rules The description of Threads on app stores in the United States reveals that personal data, including contact and geolocation information, will be collected and used for advertising purposes. Meta has previously faced scrutiny from European regulators for attempting to leverage data from WhatsApp to strengthen Instagram and Facebook, which was prohibited by EU rules. As a result, it appears that Meta's decision to delay the Threads app launch in Europe aligns with its commitment to avoid further conflicts with EU regulations. Also Read | One killed, two injured after multiple explosions rock Ukrainian court The Data Protection Commission in Ireland, where Meta's EU headquarters are located and which oversees the company's activities in Europe, stated that Meta has confirmed it will not be releasing the app in Europe "at this point." According to the app's description on the app store, Threads provides a space for communities to come together and engage in discussions covering various topics. Watch | British children are shorter than their European peers , says experts × Users have the option to follow and connect with their favourite creators and like-minded individuals who share similar interests. Additionally, users can establish their own following and express their thought with a broader audience. Meta's compliance with new EU rules Meta, along with other major companies, such as Amazon and Apple, informed the EU that they meet the threshold to be subject to the new rules when they are enforced next year. This indicates that Meta recognises the significance of complying with the DMA and is actively engaging with the regulatory framework to ensure its future operations align with EU requirements. When contacted by AFP, Meta did not provide an immediate comment on the matter. However, it remains to be seen how Meta will navigate the regulatory landscape and address the concerns raised by the EU. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Twitter rival, Meta's Threads app, will not launch in EU. Here's why

Five users of TikTok in the US have filed a lawsuit in a federal court to overturn the statewide ban imposed on the video-sharing app in Montana, saying the restriction violates their right to free speech. 
 
The lawsuit has been filed hours after the unprecedented prohibition was signed into law by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday. 
 
Taking to Twitter, Gianforte said that the ban has been endorsed by him to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party". TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance and has been facing a firestorm of criticism over storing in China the private data on users. 
 
The lawsuit filed by the content makers states that national security power is being exercised by the state which only the federal government has power to wield and hence, it is violating people's right to free speech in the process.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/tiktok-car-theft-challenge-makes-hyundai-and-kia-pay-up-200-million-594047">TikTok 'car theft challenge' makes Hyundai and Kia pay up $200 million</a>

 
"Montana can no more ban its residents from viewing or posting to TikTok than it could ban the Wall Street Journal because of who owns it or the ideas it publishes," argued the lawsuit.

&nbsp;

<h2>TikTok - China's&nbsp;tool of espionage?</h2>

 
ByteDance has been accused by several US politicians of having the Chinese government's tutelage. They have called it a tool of espionage being used by Beijing, something which has been furiously denied by the company. 
 
The plaintiffs mentioned in the legal suit include a businesswoman who sells swimwear, a mother living with her family on a ranch, a former US Marine Corps sergeant, and a student who shares video snippets featuring her outdoor adventures. 
 
TikTok content creators enjoy a significant following on the platform and make money from it, as per the suit. The suit has appealed to the court to stop Montana's government from enforcing the ban and to ensure that the legal costs of the plaintiffs are paid. 
 
Montana has become the first state in the country to ban TikTok as the law will come into effect next year and debates continue to escalate over the popular video app's impact and security.

WATCH | TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tiktok-users-file-lawsuit-to-block-montana-ban-593978/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
The prohibition will act as a legal test to see whether the Chinese-owned platform can be banned nationally, something which is being increasingly demanded by lawmakers in Washington. 
 
The imposition of the ban makes it a violation each time "a user accesses TikTok, is offered the ability to access TikTok, or is offered the ability to download TikTok." 
 
For every violation, a fine of $10,000 will be imposed every day it takes place. 
 
As per the law, Google and Apple will have to drop TikTok from their app stores or else they will also face daily fines.

(With inputs from agencies)

<main>
<section>
You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>
</section>
</main>

Five users of TikTok in the US have filed a lawsuit in a federal court to overturn the statewide ban imposed on the video-sharing app in Montana, saying the restriction violates their right to free speech.

Five users of TikTok in the US have filed a lawsuit in a federal court to overturn the statewide ban imposed on the video-sharing app in Montana, saying the restriction violates their right to free speech. The lawsuit has been filed hours after the unprecedented prohibition was signed into law by Montana Governor Greg Gianforte on Wednesday. Taking to Twitter, Gianforte said that the ban has been endorsed by him to "protect Montanans' personal and private data from the Chinese Communist Party". TikTok is owned by Chinese company ByteDance and has been facing a firestorm of criticism over storing in China the private data on users. The lawsuit filed by the content makers states that national security power is being exercised by the state which only the federal government has power to wield and hence, it is violating people's right to free speech in the process. ALSO READ | TikTok 'car theft challenge' makes Hyundai and Kia pay up $200 million "Montana can no more ban its residents from viewing or posting to TikTok than it could ban the Wall Street Journal because of who owns it or the ideas it publishes," argued the lawsuit. TikTok - China's tool of espionage? ByteDance has been accused by several US politicians of having the Chinese government's tutelage. They have called it a tool of espionage being used by Beijing, something which has been furiously denied by the company. The plaintiffs mentioned in the legal suit include a businesswoman who sells swimwear, a mother living with her family on a ranch, a former US Marine Corps sergeant, and a student who shares video snippets featuring her outdoor adventures. TikTok content creators enjoy a significant following on the platform and make money from it, as per the suit. The suit has appealed to the court to stop Montana's government from enforcing the ban and to ensure that the legal costs of the plaintiffs are paid. Montana has become the first state in the country to ban TikTok as the law will come into effect next year and debates continue to escalate over the popular video app's impact and security. WATCH | TikTok users file lawsuit to block Montana ban The prohibition will act as a legal test to see whether the Chinese-owned platform can be banned nationally, something which is being increasingly demanded by lawmakers in Washington. The imposition of the ban makes it a violation each time "a user accesses TikTok, is offered the ability to access TikTok, or is offered the ability to download TikTok." For every violation, a fine of $10,000 will be imposed every day it takes place. As per the law, Google and Apple will have to drop TikTok from their app stores or else they will also face daily fines. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US: TikTok content creators file lawsuit against state ban imposed on app in Montana

In a first, Spain announced its plans to launch an application which will help wives in tracking the number of household chores being performed by their husbands. 
 
The new application aims to address the gender imbalance in housework and will log the hours spent by a family member performing household chores. 
 
Spain's minister for gender equality and domestic violence Angela Rodriguez said that her department working on the development of the free application. 
 
The minister stated that the application would enable women and men to log the number of hours they are spending in the house doing the chores.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/southern-europe-turning-into-desert-france-italy-and-spain-to-face-brutal-summer-of-drought-593212">Southern Europe 'turning into desert', France, Italy and Spain to face brutal summer of drought</a>

<h2> 
Govt plans to launch app in summer</h2>

The government is planning to release the application in the summer which will be launched as part of its 'co-responsibility plan'. “We women spend more time on domestic tasks than men,” said Rodriguez said, The Times reported. 
 
The minister was addressing a conference in Geneva which was discussing discrimination against women. A report was presented by the minister on women's rights in Spain at the convention. 
 
Rodriguez said that around half of the women who participated in a survey carried out by Spain's National Statistics Institute stated the majority of their household chores are performed by them. 
 
Comparatively, less than 15 per cent of men stated that they did the maximum house chores. 
 
The disparity in the division of housework has led to legal rows in Spain. In April 2017, a man was ordered to pay his ex-wife over €23,000 (almost $25,000) by a court in Cantabria for the household chores she did in their six years of marriage. 
 
Earlier this year, a businessman was ordered by a court in Velez-Malaga to pay his ex-wife €204,624.86 (around $220,318) for performing unpaid domestic labour in 25 years of their marriage based on the minimum wage. 
 
Now, the companies are bidding to lead the new project hoping that the application will soon be developed in the months ahead.

WATCH |&nbsp;Spain swimming pools feel the heat as water supplies dwindle

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spain-swimming-pools-feel-the-heat-as-water-supplies-dwindle-593719/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
A budget of €211,750 (almost $227,990) has been set aside by the government for the development of the application, reported Spain's ABC newspaper. 
 
It is hoped that the application will bring into focus the 'invisible tasks' that women undertake in their houses as well as the 'mental load' they go through while running the home. 
 
Citing the example of cleaning the kitchen, the gender equality minister said that women often carry out this task and also think about buying extra washing-up liquid as well as making sure enough food is available in the house.

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

In a first, Spain announced its plans to launch an application which will help wives in tracking the number of household chores being performed by their husbands.

In a first, Spain announced its plans to launch an application which will help wives in tracking the number of household chores being performed by their husbands. The new application aims to address the gender imbalance in housework and will log the hours spent by a family member performing household chores. Spain's minister for gender equality and domestic violence Angela Rodriguez said that her department working on the development of the free application. The minister stated that the application would enable women and men to log the number of hours they are spending in the house doing the chores. ALSO READ | Southern Europe 'turning into desert', France, Italy and Spain to face brutal summer of drought Govt plans to launch app in summer The government is planning to release the application in the summer which will be launched as part of its 'co-responsibility plan'. “We women spend more time on domestic tasks than men,” said Rodriguez said, The Times reported. The minister was addressing a conference in Geneva which was discussing discrimination against women. A report was presented by the minister on women's rights in Spain at the convention. Rodriguez said that around half of the women who participated in a survey carried out by Spain's National Statistics Institute stated the majority of their household chores are performed by them. Comparatively, less than 15 per cent of men stated that they did the maximum house chores. The disparity in the division of housework has led to legal rows in Spain. In April 2017, a man was ordered to pay his ex-wife over €23,000 (almost $25,000) by a court in Cantabria for the household chores she did in their six years of marriage. Earlier this year, a businessman was ordered by a court in Velez-Malaga to pay his ex-wife €204,624.86 (around $220,318) for performing unpaid domestic labour in 25 years of their marriage based on the minimum wage. Now, the companies are bidding to lead the new project hoping that the application will soon be developed in the months ahead. WATCH | Spain swimming pools feel the heat as water supplies dwindle A budget of €211,750 (almost $227,990) has been set aside by the government for the development of the application, reported Spain's ABC newspaper. It is hoped that the application will bring into focus the 'invisible tasks' that women undertake in their houses as well as the 'mental load' they go through while running the home. Citing the example of cleaning the kitchen, the gender equality minister said that women often carry out this task and also think about buying extra washing-up liquid as well as making sure enough food is available in the house. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Spain to launch app for wives to track if husbands are doing household chores

The customers of the Uber application in the United Kingdom will soon be able to book flight tickets through the ride-booking app, as the company aims to offer various forms of transport to its customers.&nbsp;

The new feature which allows consumers to book international and domestic flights is being rolled out on the UK application of Uber and will be available to all users in Britain by the summer.

Uber stated the function of flight booking was part of its ambition to “create a seamless door-to-door travel solution” alongside the car ride-sharing function, for which it was first known.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/delhi-most-forgetful-city-in-uber-lost-and-found-index-2023-588653">Delhi India’s ‘most forgetful city’ in Uber’s ‘Lost and Found Index 2023’</a>

The company has entered into a partnership with online travel agent Hopper which will allow users to book flights and in return, it will receive a small commission from every sale.&nbsp;

"The addition of flights to the Uber app is a big win for UK consumers who are looking for an easier way to book travel," stated Frederic Lalonde, CEO and co-founder of Hopper, in a press release.&nbsp;

"This new partnership will offer Uber users choice, transparency and flexibility when booking flights, all in the same place they are already booking their other transportation," he added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Uber's general manager in UK Andrew Brem said, “Our new functionality will make the booking and managing of air travel simple and stress-free, with the booking process taking as little as one minute.”

Uber’s chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, stated that he had planned to make his company “an operating system for everyday life” in 2019 when the ride-hailing application was merged with Uber Eats food delivery services.&nbsp;

He added that a feature was also added in the application to highlight local public transport options.

WATCH | Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi turns driver to understand workers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-turns-driver-to-understand-workers-581086/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The people in the UK, which is one of the largest markets of Uber outside North America, are already able to book coach tickets on the application's National Express and Megabus services, as well as get tickets for train journeys on Eurostar and across the National Rail network.&nbsp;

The US company has held its naming rights to the Thames Clippers commuter boat service from 2020 in London, which was later rebranded Uber Boat.&nbsp;

The tickets for these journeys can be booked through Uber’s app which permits passengers to board the riverboats by using a QR code on their phone.

To book flight tickets, Uber users will be required to enter their travel information, which includes where they are flying from and to, and the date of travel as planned. 
 
&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The customers of the Uber application in the United Kingdom will soon be able to book flight tickets through the ride-booking app, as the company aims to offer various forms of transport to its customers.

The customers of the Uber application in the United Kingdom will soon be able to book flight tickets through the ride-booking app, as the company aims to offer various forms of transport to its customers. The new feature which allows consumers to book international and domestic flights is being rolled out on the UK application of Uber and will be available to all users in Britain by the summer. Uber stated the function of flight booking was part of its ambition to “create a seamless door-to-door travel solution” alongside the car ride-sharing function, for which it was first known. ALSO READ | Delhi India’s ‘most forgetful city’ in Uber’s ‘Lost and Found Index 2023’ The company has entered into a partnership with online travel agent Hopper which will allow users to book flights and in return, it will receive a small commission from every sale. "The addition of flights to the Uber app is a big win for UK consumers who are looking for an easier way to book travel," stated Frederic Lalonde, CEO and co-founder of Hopper, in a press release. "This new partnership will offer Uber users choice, transparency and flexibility when booking flights, all in the same place they are already booking their other transportation," he added. Meanwhile, Uber's general manager in UK Andrew Brem said, “Our new functionality will make the booking and managing of air travel simple and stress-free, with the booking process taking as little as one minute.” Uber’s chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi, stated that he had planned to make his company “an operating system for everyday life” in 2019 when the ride-hailing application was merged with Uber Eats food delivery services. He added that a feature was also added in the application to highlight local public transport options. WATCH | Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi turns driver to understand workers The people in the UK, which is one of the largest markets of Uber outside North America, are already able to book coach tickets on the application's National Express and Megabus services, as well as get tickets for train journeys on Eurostar and across the National Rail network. The US company has held its naming rights to the Thames Clippers commuter boat service from 2020 in London, which was later rebranded Uber Boat. The tickets for these journeys can be booked through Uber’s app which permits passengers to board the riverboats by using a QR code on their phone. To book flight tickets, Uber users will be required to enter their travel information, which includes where they are flying from and to, and the date of travel as planned. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

UK: Uber app to offer users facility to book flight tickets by summer

Many of us apply for leave every other day. Be it for attending a marriage ceremony or going for a vacation, people generally tell the real motive. But at times, this doesn’t happen. These are the times when you are going for an interview in another company or have a date. People try to give any other reason but not reveal the truth. But everybody is not the same, right? This is true as a leave application e-mail, where an employee has shown courage to reveal the real reason to the boss, has surfaced on social media. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
My juniors are so sweet, asking me for leave to attend an interview. 😉😁 <a href="https://t.co/gcBELHIuAG">pic.twitter.com/gcBELHIuAG</a>
— Sahil (@s5sahil) <a href="https://twitter.com/s5sahil/status/1536922964213477377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The screenshot of the e-mail has been shared on Twitter by a person called Sahil. In it, his employee has asked for leave by saying that he has to attend an interview in another company. In the email, the employee wrote, “Dear sir, I’m sending you this email to inform you that I need leave for today to attend an interview for another company.” &nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The caption of the post said, “My juniors are so sweet, asking me for leave to attend an interview.” &nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
They are faithful sir ji
— abhishek a (@abhishe76096300) <a href="https://twitter.com/abhishe76096300/status/1536945606526062592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Such a honest person 😁
— Mallikarjuna.B (A+ve) (@Mallikarjun2891) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mallikarjun2891/status/1536986349655314438?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The honesty of the person has stumped the netizens. It will surely do the same for you. Now, social media is abuzz and people are praising the person. "Such an honest person," said a user. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Many of us apply for leave every other day. Be it for attending a marriage ceremony or going for a vacation, people generally tell the real motive. But at times, this doesn’t happen.

Many of us apply for leave every other day. Be it for attending a marriage ceremony or going for a vacation, people generally tell the real motive. But at times, this doesn’t happen. These are the times when you are going for an interview in another company or have a date. People try to give any other reason but not reveal the truth. But everybody is not the same, right? This is true as a leave application e-mail, where an employee has shown courage to reveal the real reason to the boss, has surfaced on social media. My juniors are so sweet, asking me for leave to attend an interview. 😉😁 pic.twitter.com/gcBELHIuAG — Sahil (@s5sahil) June 15, 2022 × The screenshot of the e-mail has been shared on Twitter by a person called Sahil. In it, his employee has asked for leave by saying that he has to attend an interview in another company. In the email, the employee wrote, “Dear sir, I’m sending you this email to inform you that I need leave for today to attend an interview for another company.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE The caption of the post said, “My juniors are so sweet, asking me for leave to attend an interview.” They are faithful sir ji — abhishek a (@abhishe76096300) June 15, 2022 × Such a honest person 😁 — Mallikarjuna.B (A+ve) (@Mallikarjun2891) June 15, 2022 × The honesty of the person has stumped the netizens. It will surely do the same for you. Now, social media is abuzz and people are praising the person. "Such an honest person," said a user. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Employee’s honest application for leave garners praise on social media. Find out why  

Five men and one woman from Afghanistan who were due to attend COP26 as delegates had their applications rejected just days before the event begins. The six people chose to remain anonymous because of security concerns. However, all of them have fled the Taliban and are hiding in neighbouring countries from where it would be easy to travel to the UK.

Initially, it was perceived that either the Home Office or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had vetoed their trip to the UK.&nbsp;

However, a report by the Guardian reveals that this decision had not been made by any UK government department. A source told The Guardian that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat would not be registering delegates from Afghanistan to COP26. This comes after guidance from the Bureau of the Cop.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ahead-of-cop26-india-rejects-calls-for-net-zero-carbon-emissions-target-424774">Also read |&nbsp;Ahead of COP26, India rejects calls for net-zero carbon emissions target</a>

No reason has been given for the rejection of applications.

The six have expressed their concern over the matter as they said that they are upset with UNFCCC’s decision to bar them from attending the global climate event.

The COP26 summit in UK's Glasgow will be held from October 31 to November 12. As a part of the NDCs, the countries are required to submit an emissions reduction plan at the summit. Co-chaired by UK and Italy, the summit will see participation by heads of state and governments from over 120 nations.

Five men and one woman from Afghanistan who were due to attend COP26 as delegates had their applications rejected just days before the event begins. The six people chose to remain anonymous because of security concerns.

Five men and one woman from Afghanistan who were due to attend COP26 as delegates had their applications rejected just days before the event begins. The six people chose to remain anonymous because of security concerns. However, all of them have fled the Taliban and are hiding in neighbouring countries from where it would be easy to travel to the UK. Initially, it was perceived that either the Home Office or the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) had vetoed their trip to the UK. However, a report by the Guardian reveals that this decision had not been made by any UK government department. A source told The Guardian that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) secretariat would not be registering delegates from Afghanistan to COP26. This comes after guidance from the Bureau of the Cop. Also read | Ahead of COP26, India rejects calls for net-zero carbon emissions target No reason has been given for the rejection of applications. The six have expressed their concern over the matter as they said that they are upset with UNFCCC’s decision to bar them from attending the global climate event. The COP26 summit in UK's Glasgow will be held from October 31 to November 12. As a part of the NDCs, the countries are required to submit an emissions reduction plan at the summit. Co-chaired by UK and Italy, the summit will see participation by heads of state and governments from over 120 nations.

COP26: Delegate applications for six Afghans rejected days before event

Google has always been at the forefront in introducing novel features to its operating system with every new version of Android.

In order to make the Android operating system’s user interface (UI) more user friendly and accessible, the American tech giant has reportedly been working on a new feature on Android 12 which lets users control their phones using facial expressions.

According to reports, the Camera Switches feature, which is one of the accessibility services in the Android Accessibility Suite app, will support gesture controls on the UI.

For example, the app tracks when a user will open their mouth and then map that to open the notifications panel. Alternatively, users can raise their eyebrows to return to their homescreen.

Among the probable face gestures that Google is incorporating into the app include smiling, opening the mouth, and looking out right, left or down.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/android-12-the-biggest-design-change-in-android-operating-systems-history-386000">Android 12: The biggest design change in Android operating system's history</a>

Corresponding camera actions include getting to homepage, scrolling backward and forward, and selecting.

The users also will be ready to select how sensitive the gesture is going to be&nbsp;by adjusting the gesture size and duration.

The feature would require the device’s camera to be switched on, and Android 12-enabled devices will show a standing bar indicating the camera is getting used.

According to XDA developers—a mobile software development community that tracks the latest developments in the Android ecosystem—the new feature is currently in beta mode and is touted to be handy for specially-abled users.

(With inputs from agencies)<o:p></o:p>

Google has always been at the forefront in introducing novel features to its operating system with every new version of Android. In order to make the Android operating system’s user interface (UI) more user friendly and accessible, the American tech giant has reportedly been working on a new feature on Android 12 which lets users control their phones using facial expressions.

Google has always been at the forefront in introducing novel features to its operating system with every new version of Android. In order to make the Android operating system’s user interface (UI) more user friendly and accessible, the American tech giant has reportedly been working on a new feature on Android 12 which lets users control their phones using facial expressions. According to reports, the Camera Switches feature, which is one of the accessibility services in the Android Accessibility Suite app, will support gesture controls on the UI. For example, the app tracks when a user will open their mouth and then map that to open the notifications panel. Alternatively, users can raise their eyebrows to return to their homescreen. Among the probable face gestures that Google is incorporating into the app include smiling, opening the mouth, and looking out right, left or down. Also read | Android 12: The biggest design change in Android operating system's history Corresponding camera actions include getting to homepage, scrolling backward and forward, and selecting. The users also will be ready to select how sensitive the gesture is going to be by adjusting the gesture size and duration. The feature would require the device’s camera to be switched on, and Android 12-enabled devices will show a standing bar indicating the camera is getting used. According to XDA developers—a mobile software development community that tracks the latest developments in the Android ecosystem—the new feature is currently in beta mode and is touted to be handy for specially-abled users. (With inputs from agencies)

Google’s new Android 12 feature lets users control UI with face gestures

A&nbsp;one-page-long&nbsp;job application, which was&nbsp;handwritten by&nbsp;Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in&nbsp;1973, is once again up for auction.&nbsp;You can bid to buy either the original document or an NFT version of it.&nbsp;

This application was made after&nbsp;Jobs&nbsp;dropped out of Reed College.&nbsp;It was just&nbsp;three years before he founded Apple.&nbsp;

Although it does not&nbsp;tells&nbsp;about any&nbsp;position or the company he was applying for, it&nbsp;says&nbsp;he&nbsp;was interested in electronics tech or design engineer positions.&nbsp;

He had listed his skills as computer and calculator experience.&nbsp;Jobs&nbsp;went on to&nbsp;co-found Apple with Steve Wozniak in 1976.&nbsp;

Nonfungible tokens or&nbsp;NFTs&nbsp;are assets that delegate ownership of a virtual item, such as a photo, video or tweet to a person.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Can be held by only one person at a time,&nbsp;the asset’s&nbsp;ownership&nbsp;is recorded on a digital ledger.&nbsp;

The website, which is auctioning the document, claims to be&nbsp;selling the&nbsp;original&nbsp;copy and a digital version&nbsp;of it&nbsp;to find which has more value.&nbsp;

Till now,&nbsp;the physical version has attracted a top bid worth $1,000 while the NFT version has got a bid worth $545.93.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A one-page-long job application, which was handwritten by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 1973, is once again up for auction. You can bid to buy either the original document or an NFT version of it.

A one-page-long job application, which was handwritten by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in 1973, is once again up for auction. You can bid to buy either the original document or an NFT version of it. This application was made after Jobs dropped out of Reed College. It was just three years before he founded Apple. Although it does not tells about any position or the company he was applying for, it says he was interested in electronics tech or design engineer positions. He had listed his skills as computer and calculator experience. Jobs went on to co-found Apple with Steve Wozniak in 1976. Nonfungible tokens or NFTs are assets that delegate ownership of a virtual item, such as a photo, video or tweet to a person. Can be held by only one person at a time, the asset’s ownership is recorded on a digital ledger. The website, which is auctioning the document, claims to be selling the original copy and a digital version of it to find which has more value. Till now, the physical version has attracted a top bid worth $1,000 while the NFT version has got a bid worth $545.93. (With inputs from agencies)

1973 job application of Steve Jobs is going under the hammer as original and NFT

Application revenue earned from mobile phone users around the world jumped to record amount in the first half of 2021, market tracker Sensor Tower said on Monday.

Touching nearly $65 billion, the revenue drove Apple and Google app platforms (App Store and Google Play Store) to thrive even as the companies come under the radar of authorities for antitrust practices.

Initial figures from Sensor Tower suggest that $64.9 billion was spent on App Store and Google Play Store in the period between January-June of this year, inducting a 25 per cent jump from the same period in 2020.

According to the company, $41.5 billion was spent on Apple’s App Store in the first half of this year on subscriptions and other apps, including purchases within the applications. By the end of June, Google Play Store is expected to generate a revenue of $23.4 billion.

Which apps topped the list?

TikTok was the top grossing non-game mobile application. Users spent roughly $920 million on the app this year, denoting a 74 per cent jump from the first six months of last year, as revealed by Sensor Tower.

YouTube, which is owned by Google, followed TikTok and is the second biggest non-game generator of revenue, with users spending $565 million on the platform.

Spending on mobile games increased by 18 per cent this year, touching $44.7 billion. China’s internet firm Tencent had the top most grossing mobile game - Honor of Kings, which generated over $1.5 billion in the first half of 2021.

"While consumer spending in mobile games is growing at a slower clip than last year, this doesn’t indicate a downturn for the industry but rather a normalization after the surge in interest during the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic," AFP cited Sensor Tower as saying in a post.

The survey sheds light on the growing importance of the “app economy”.

Currently, Epic Games is trying to break Apple’s tight grip on the App Store, hoping to force Apple to open the store to third parties and to limit Apple’s earnings from apps.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/facebook-hits-1-trillion-value-after-judge-rejects-antitrust-complaints-394581" hreflang="en">Facebook hits $1 trillion value after judge rejects antitrust complaints</a>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/twitters-interim-grievance-officer-for-india-quits-days-after-appointment-394478" hreflang="en">Twitter's interim grievance officer for India quits days after appointment</a>

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/wild-child-of-silicon-valley-the-rise-and-fall-of-john-mcafee-394249" hreflang="en">Wild child of Silicon Valley: The rise and fall of John McAfee</a>

Application revenue earned from mobile phone users around the world jumped to record amount in the first half of 2021, market tracker Sensor Tower said on Monday.

Application revenue earned from mobile phone users around the world jumped to record amount in the first half of 2021, market tracker Sensor Tower said on Monday. Touching nearly $65 billion, the revenue drove Apple and Google app platforms (App Store and Google Play Store) to thrive even as the companies come under the radar of authorities for antitrust practices. Initial figures from Sensor Tower suggest that $64.9 billion was spent on App Store and Google Play Store in the period between January-June of this year, inducting a 25 per cent jump from the same period in 2020. According to the company, $41.5 billion was spent on Apple’s App Store in the first half of this year on subscriptions and other apps, including purchases within the applications. By the end of June, Google Play Store is expected to generate a revenue of $23.4 billion. Which apps topped the list? TikTok was the top grossing non-game mobile application. Users spent roughly $920 million on the app this year, denoting a 74 per cent jump from the first six months of last year, as revealed by Sensor Tower. YouTube, which is owned by Google, followed TikTok and is the second biggest non-game generator of revenue, with users spending $565 million on the platform. Spending on mobile games increased by 18 per cent this year, touching $44.7 billion. China’s internet firm Tencent had the top most grossing mobile game - Honor of Kings, which generated over $1.5 billion in the first half of 2021. "While consumer spending in mobile games is growing at a slower clip than last year, this doesn’t indicate a downturn for the industry but rather a normalization after the surge in interest during the extraordinary circumstances of the Covid-19 pandemic," AFP cited Sensor Tower as saying in a post. The survey sheds light on the growing importance of the “app economy”. Currently, Epic Games is trying to break Apple’s tight grip on the App Store, hoping to force Apple to open the store to third parties and to limit Apple’s earnings from apps. Also read: Facebook hits $1 trillion value after judge rejects antitrust complaints Also read: Twitter's interim grievance officer for India quits days after appointment Also read: Wild child of Silicon Valley: The rise and fall of John McAfee

People spent nearly $65 billion on mobile apps this year. Which ones topped the list?

Applications modelled on our current social media ecosystem&nbsp;have been accused of lacking balance. Misinformation is rampant on almost every portal, which has become the dominating discourse for all developers on the internet.

Now, a vigilante crime application “Citizen” has become testimony to how dangerous online false information is, and how little time it takes for the information to spread like wildfire.&nbsp;A man from California was falsely accused of starting a wildfire on the application. In addition, a $30,000 reward was advertised for whoever successfully tracks the man.

By the next day, the company has realised the gravity of error, after which it was retracted from the portal.&nbsp;

“Citizen” is a vigilante application which providers users information about local crime using police scanners and other sources. On Saturday, the app pinned the blame of a large bushfire that broke out in California over the weekend on a homeless man.

In the aftermath of the in-app alert, the suspect was momentarily detained by police officials. Eventually, they ascertained that there simply wasn’t enough evidence available linking him to the crime, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Fire Department to The Guardian.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/amazon-to-extend-ban-on-police-use-of-face-recognition-tech-386008" hreflang="en">Amazon to extend ban on police use of face recognition tech&nbsp;</a>

Turns out, they’ve now arrested another person for allegedly igniting the fire. But even then, the cost of misinformation attributed falsely to a person on social media is too high in current times. The man’s image had made rounds across several portals by the time Citizen took it down.&nbsp;Over 861,000 people had seen the alert, The Guardian claims.

In response to the erroneous reporting, the application issues a statement saying they are “actively working to improve” their processes to avoid a similar situation in the future. In addition, they said that they error is being “very seriously” by stakeholders.

The picture of the innocent man remained on the application for over 15 hours, which may have led to “potentially disastrous” consequences, as stated by Jim Braden, a sheriff.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-lo-2021-a-magic-window-for-3d-video-calls-386004" hreflang="en">Google l/O 2021: A magic window for 3D video calls</a>

Applications modelled on our current social media ecosystem have been accused of lacking balance. Misinformation is rampant on almost every portal, which has become the dominating discourse for all developers on the internet.

Applications modelled on our current social media ecosystem have been accused of lacking balance. Misinformation is rampant on almost every portal, which has become the dominating discourse for all developers on the internet. Now, a vigilante crime application “Citizen” has become testimony to how dangerous online false information is, and how little time it takes for the information to spread like wildfire. A man from California was falsely accused of starting a wildfire on the application. In addition, a $30,000 reward was advertised for whoever successfully tracks the man. By the next day, the company has realised the gravity of error, after which it was retracted from the portal. “Citizen” is a vigilante application which providers users information about local crime using police scanners and other sources. On Saturday, the app pinned the blame of a large bushfire that broke out in California over the weekend on a homeless man. In the aftermath of the in-app alert, the suspect was momentarily detained by police officials. Eventually, they ascertained that there simply wasn’t enough evidence available linking him to the crime, as confirmed by the Los Angeles Fire Department to The Guardian. Also read: Amazon to extend ban on police use of face recognition tech Turns out, they’ve now arrested another person for allegedly igniting the fire. But even then, the cost of misinformation attributed falsely to a person on social media is too high in current times. The man’s image had made rounds across several portals by the time Citizen took it down. Over 861,000 people had seen the alert, The Guardian claims. In response to the erroneous reporting, the application issues a statement saying they are “actively working to improve” their processes to avoid a similar situation in the future. In addition, they said that they error is being “very seriously” by stakeholders. The picture of the innocent man remained on the application for over 15 hours, which may have led to “potentially disastrous” consequences, as stated by Jim Braden, a sheriff. Also read: Google l/O 2021: A magic window for 3D video calls

Vigilantism gone wrong: Mobile app falsely accused homeless man of starting bushfire in California

President Donald Trump's executive order banning China's TikTok could prevent U.S. app stores from offering the popular short-video app and make advertising on the platform illegal, according to a White House document seen by Reuters.&nbsp;

Trump signed an order last week prohibiting transactions with TikTok if its parent ByteDance does not reach a deal to divest it in 45 days. It did not specify the scope of the ban, stating only that the U.S. Department of Commerce would define which transactions would be barred at the end of the 45-day period.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/twitter-in-talks-with-tiktok-to-discuss-possible-merging-reports-319139" hreflang="en">Twitter in talks with TikTok to discuss possible merging: Reports</a>

The White House document, sent out to supporters last week, provides insight into the Trump administration's thinking. It shows the U.S. government is considering disrupting key aspects of TikTok's operations and funding, amid concerns over the safety of personal data that the app handles.&nbsp;

"Prohibited transactions may include, for example, agreements to make the TikTok app available on app stores ... purchasing advertising on TikTok, and accepting terms of service to download the TikTok app onto a user device," the document states.

A source familiar with the White House document verified its authenticity. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Some technology industry experts said eliminating TikTok's ability to be offered on Apple Inc and Google owner Alphabet Inc's app stores, which in turn allow it to be downloaded on iPhone and Android smartphones, could cripple the app's growth.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="/world/tiktok-threatens-legal-action-in-us-court-over-trumps-executive-order-318834" hreflang="en">TikTok threatens legal action in US court over Trump's executive order</a>

"That kills TikTok in the U.S," said James Lewis, a cyber security expert with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "If they want to grow, these rules are a huge obstacle."&nbsp;

He added, though, that the U.S. government may not be able to prevent Americans from downloading TikTok from foreign websites.&nbsp;

Apple and Alphabet did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Following Trump's executive order last week, TikTok told advertisers it would continue to honor planned ad campaigns, refund any that it cannot fulfill, and work with major influencers to migrate to other platforms in the event of a ban. Some advertisers told Reuters they were drafting contingency plans and considering other apps for their marketing.

It is not clear whether Trump's order will be implemented. Microsoft Corp has been leading negotiations to acquire the North America, Australia and New Zealand operations of TikTok under the supervision of the Trump administration. A successful deal would make banning transactions with TikTok moot.

The White House document seen by Reuters is not clear on whether the United States would implement a similar crackdown on WeChat, the social media app owned by China's Tencent Holdings Ltd that Trump also sought to ban in an executive order on last week.&nbsp;

TikTok, which has said is exploring legal challenges to Trump's order, has 100 million active users in the United States, and is especially popular with teenagers. It has said U.S. user data is safely stored in the United States and Singapore, and that it would not hand over such information to the Chinese government.

President Donald Trump's executive order banning China's TikTok could prevent U.S. app stores from offering the popular short-video app and make advertising on the platform illegal, according to a White House document seen by Reuters.

President Donald Trump's executive order banning China's TikTok could prevent U.S. app stores from offering the popular short-video app and make advertising on the platform illegal, according to a White House document seen by Reuters. Trump signed an order last week prohibiting transactions with TikTok if its parent ByteDance does not reach a deal to divest it in 45 days. It did not specify the scope of the ban, stating only that the U.S. Department of Commerce would define which transactions would be barred at the end of the 45-day period. Also read: Twitter in talks with TikTok to discuss possible merging: Reports The White House document, sent out to supporters last week, provides insight into the Trump administration's thinking. It shows the U.S. government is considering disrupting key aspects of TikTok's operations and funding, amid concerns over the safety of personal data that the app handles. "Prohibited transactions may include, for example, agreements to make the TikTok app available on app stores ... purchasing advertising on TikTok, and accepting terms of service to download the TikTok app onto a user device," the document states. A source familiar with the White House document verified its authenticity. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Some technology industry experts said eliminating TikTok's ability to be offered on Apple Inc and Google owner Alphabet Inc's app stores, which in turn allow it to be downloaded on iPhone and Android smartphones, could cripple the app's growth. Also read: TikTok threatens legal action in US court over Trump's executive order "That kills TikTok in the U.S," said James Lewis, a cyber security expert with the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies. "If they want to grow, these rules are a huge obstacle." He added, though, that the U.S. government may not be able to prevent Americans from downloading TikTok from foreign websites. Apple and Alphabet did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Following Trump's executive order last week, TikTok told advertisers it would continue to honor planned ad campaigns, refund any that it cannot fulfill, and work with major influencers to migrate to other platforms in the event of a ban. Some advertisers told Reuters they were drafting contingency plans and considering other apps for their marketing. It is not clear whether Trump's order will be implemented. Microsoft Corp has been leading negotiations to acquire the North America, Australia and New Zealand operations of TikTok under the supervision of the Trump administration. A successful deal would make banning transactions with TikTok moot. The White House document seen by Reuters is not clear on whether the United States would implement a similar crackdown on WeChat, the social media app owned by China's Tencent Holdings Ltd that Trump also sought to ban in an executive order on last week. TikTok, which has said is exploring legal challenges to Trump's order, has 100 million active users in the United States, and is especially popular with teenagers. It has said U.S. user data is safely stored in the United States and Singapore, and that it would not hand over such information to the Chinese government.

US ban on TikTok could cut it off from app stores, advertisers

Google used for anti-India hate campaign. Twitterverse slams google's oversight. This application was downloaded more than 1000 times so far.

Khalistani App pops up in Play Store

Earlier, Madras HC had issued an Interim Order. Apple, Google asked to ban this application.

WION Wallet: Supreme court refuses to stay ban on Tik Tok

As we head for a 7-phase general election, back to back campaigns are underway to seek votes. But, how well do we know our candidates? 
Have we ever scrolled through their affidavits and nomination papers? For the voters in Tamil Nadu (which goes to polls on April 18) this otherwise complex process is just a few taps away via a free mobile app that was launched on Tuesday.

Arappor Iyakkam a voluntary movement based out of Tamil Nadu has compiled the crucial information on all the 863 candidates who are to contest from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The information which has been sourced from their respective affidavits is tabulated on a free app that is available for download from the Android Play Store.&nbsp;

Generally one would have to sift through hundreds of individual PDF files from the Election commission site in order to have a look at the candidates’ affidavits, but this App displays information in a user-friendly manner in Tamil and English. A tap on the constituency will display the candidates and once a particular a candidate is selected his/her individual details will be shown.&nbsp;

The individual details include a photograph, the party’s name, candidates’ educational background, profession, assets and liabilities declared, details of pending criminal cases. The details mentioned on the App are as mentioned by the candidates on the self-attested affidavits. In order to distinguish between cases, the criminal cases and the politically motivated cases have been mentioned separately. &nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Jayaram Venkatesan, the Convener of Arappor Iyakkam said, heavyweight candidates from established parties are projected easily, but much is not known about their background. We hope the App will boost the confidence of the good candidates and put fear in the minds of those with a criminal background. This is a politically neutral App that gives equal chance to all candidates.

This App is the result of the efforts of over 200 volunteers who had been working overtime from March 26 until today’s launch, said Deepa Seshadri, State Body Member, Arappor Iyakkam. Our App does not require any personal information or registration for the users, it has been made to empower and educate the voters to choose wisely. Can’t we spare 10 minutes to have a look at the candidates who could end up representing us for the next five years, she questioned.&nbsp;

To widen their reach, the team is also coming up with constituency-wise explainer videos with a voice-over that enlists the profile and background details about each candidate. Very soon the App would also incorporate the details of candidates contesting the by-polls to Tamil Nadu’s 18 vacant assembly seats.&nbsp;

As we head for a 7-phase general election, back to back campaigns are underway to seek votes. But, how well do we know our candidates? Have we ever scrolled through their affidavits and nomination papers?

As we head for a 7-phase general election, back to back campaigns are underway to seek votes. But, how well do we know our candidates? Have we ever scrolled through their affidavits and nomination papers? For the voters in Tamil Nadu (which goes to polls on April 18) this otherwise complex process is just a few taps away via a free mobile app that was launched on Tuesday. Arappor Iyakkam a voluntary movement based out of Tamil Nadu has compiled the crucial information on all the 863 candidates who are to contest from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The information which has been sourced from their respective affidavits is tabulated on a free app that is available for download from the Android Play Store. Generally one would have to sift through hundreds of individual PDF files from the Election commission site in order to have a look at the candidates’ affidavits, but this App displays information in a user-friendly manner in Tamil and English. A tap on the constituency will display the candidates and once a particular a candidate is selected his/her individual details will be shown. The individual details include a photograph, the party’s name, candidates’ educational background, profession, assets and liabilities declared, details of pending criminal cases. The details mentioned on the App are as mentioned by the candidates on the self-attested affidavits. In order to distinguish between cases, the criminal cases and the politically motivated cases have been mentioned separately. Speaking to WION, Jayaram Venkatesan, the Convener of Arappor Iyakkam said, heavyweight candidates from established parties are projected easily, but much is not known about their background. We hope the App will boost the confidence of the good candidates and put fear in the minds of those with a criminal background. This is a politically neutral App that gives equal chance to all candidates. This App is the result of the efforts of over 200 volunteers who had been working overtime from March 26 until today’s launch, said Deepa Seshadri, State Body Member, Arappor Iyakkam. Our App does not require any personal information or registration for the users, it has been made to empower and educate the voters to choose wisely. Can’t we spare 10 minutes to have a look at the candidates who could end up representing us for the next five years, she questioned. To widen their reach, the team is also coming up with constituency-wise explainer videos with a voice-over that enlists the profile and background details about each candidate. Very soon the App would also incorporate the details of candidates contesting the by-polls to Tamil Nadu’s 18 vacant assembly seats.

NGO launches bilingual know your candidate App for Tamil Nadu

App that equates air pollution with cigarettes

Lately, I can't log onto Facebook without being asked to consider my own motivations for using the site.

As a researcher who focuses on online communities, I'm accustomed to this running meta-narrative about what it is I'm actually doing online — but usually, that narrative plays inside my head, not all the way down the feed I'm scrolling through.

It's like my research questions have sprung to life these days: What's Facebook all about, anyway? Is this even fun? If it's not fun … what is it, exactly?

This is an exciting time in the very short history of social media use.

Facebook's users are becoming critical of the systems into which they’ve been conscripted. This is an important moment: Will public opinion follow the same well-worn cycle of outrage and acceptance, or will it jump the tracks and begin engaging Facebook on new, more challenging terms?

Researchers have been asking tough questions about Facebook for the past decade, but even armed with the most prestigious credentials, they pose a much smaller threat than educated consumers. And without consumer outrage, government regulation seems unlikely to move forward.

'Sound and fury'

So far, at least in my own feed, the same old script is being followed to the letter. The soul-searching is punctuated by passionate cris-de-coeur from the feed's more opinionated characters: Wake up, sheeple! If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product — remember? Quit Facebook! Encrypt your data! Smash your phone under the heel of your steel-toed boots!

Next, right on cue, the incisive social commentators swoop in to remind us that these calls are coming from inside the house. "Pretty ironic that you're posting all this stuff on Facebook!" To which everyone silently rolls their eyes in resignation.

Cue the gallows humor about how we're all under constant surveillance, rinse and repeat. The human condition's same old two-step. Sound and fury, signifying nothing.

That this discursive cycle was triggered by the revelations earlier this year that voter profiling company Cambridge Analytica obtained the Facebook data of 50 million American accounts is beside the point.

This is only the latest in a long series of such leaks about data mining. In 2017, approximately 200 million registered voters' personal data stored by voter profiling company Deep Root Analytics was accidentally made public. The previous year, Russian hackers accessed a large cache of voter information owned by the Democratic National Committee.

What this latest go-round is revealing is that these are industry practices that will carry on undisturbed, regardless of what Mark Zuckerberg says or does. This is not a Zuckerberg problem anymore it's a problem with an advertising model that is the industry standard.

Most of us Facebook users have been on the platform for about a decade, and perhaps our outrage is our growing pains.

We've gained some critical distance through time spent on the platform. We are less easily distracted by the ostensible fun the platform offers. And we appear to be compelled to ask questions about Facebook we've never asked before

Must ask different questions

Fenwick McKelvey, co-director of the Media History Research Centre at Concordia University’s Milieux Institute for Art, Culture and Technology, wishes that the media would start asking different questions about how data is being used by platforms like Facebook.

"The media narrative still assumes that the goal of these platforms (like Facebook) is to expose people to information," McKelvey told me. "But it's less and less about that — the goal is to manage and control people's behaviour.”

Among the urgent questions media commentators should be asking, McKelvey believes, is how online advertisers are deploying user data to subtly nudge people. He provides the illustrative example of SnapChat — a company with relatively strong privacy settings in place — that leaks data to advertisers with dizzying granularity that reflects the industry standard.

Through SnapChat's protocols, your phone informs advertisers how much time passes between the moment you're served one of their ads and the moment you make a purchase at their business, either online or in person.

Every time you walk into a retailer with your phone's location services on, you are leaking data about your consumption habits.

Perhaps we should be burrowing even deeper into Facebook's business practices.

Facebook tends to rely on the fact that most of its data collection practices are laid bare in its terms of service. But according to Martin French, an assistant professor of sociology at Concordia, Facebook’s notion of "consent" is flimsy at best.

Most unaware of how their data is being used

"Facebook reportedly changed its policies after 2015 to stop app developers accessing information on app users' network. But for me, the question is: Are Facebook users, in the real world, actually aware of the changing ways their data is being used, and the policies that purportedly govern these uses?" wonders French.

French posits that based on research that has been done on who reads and understands social media privacy policies, most users are unaware of how their data is actually being used. The "consent" that Facebook is talking about when they refer to an agreement with their users is not really a kind of consent that conforms to any dictionary definition of that term.

The consensus among social scientists who study life online is that whatever dynamics play out online have offline analogs.

We've had a decade to incorporate Facebook into our lives, and like any learning process, our success with it has been uneven.

We're at a critical moment as users of Facebook. It's our responsibility to educate ourselves about the implications of our participation. Deactivating our accounts won't change how our personal data is valued to advertisers.

But perhaps, as we become mature users of social media, we can begin to demand that limits be set on how and when our data is bought and sold.

*Kathryn Jezer-Morton is a Doctoral student, at Concordia University

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-do-we-stay-on-facebook-its-complicated-93906">original article</a>.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Facebook's users are becoming critical of the systems into which they’ve been conscripted

Lately, I can't log onto Facebook without being asked to consider my own motivations for using the site. As a researcher who focuses on online communities, I'm accustomed to this running meta-narrative about what it is I'm actually doing online — but usually, that narrative plays inside my head, not all the way down the feed I'm scrolling through. It's like my research questions have sprung to life these days: What's Facebook all about, anyway? Is this even fun? If it's not fun … what is it, exactly? This is an exciting time in the very short history of social media use. Facebook's users are becoming critical of the systems into which they’ve been conscripted. This is an important moment: Will public opinion follow the same well-worn cycle of outrage and acceptance, or will it jump the tracks and begin engaging Facebook on new, more challenging terms? Researchers have been asking tough questions about Facebook for the past decade, but even armed with the most prestigious credentials, they pose a much smaller threat than educated consumers. And without consumer outrage, government regulation seems unlikely to move forward. 'Sound and fury' So far, at least in my own feed, the same old script is being followed to the letter. The soul-searching is punctuated by passionate cris-de-coeur from the feed's more opinionated characters: Wake up, sheeple! If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product — remember? Quit Facebook! Encrypt your data! Smash your phone under the heel of your steel-toed boots! Next, right on cue, the incisive social commentators swoop in to remind us that these calls are coming from inside the house. "Pretty ironic that you're posting all this stuff on Facebook!" To which everyone silently rolls their eyes in resignation. Cue the gallows humor about how we're all under constant surveillance, rinse and repeat. The human condition's same old two-step. Sound and fury, signifying nothing. That this discursive cycle was triggered by the revelations earlier this year that voter profiling company Cambridge Analytica obtained the Facebook data of 50 million American accounts is beside the point. This is only the latest in a long series of such leaks about data mining. In 2017, approximately 200 million registered voters' personal data stored by voter profiling company Deep Root Analytics was accidentally made public. The previous year, Russian hackers accessed a large cache of voter information owned by the Democratic National Committee. What this latest go-round is revealing is that these are industry practices that will carry on undisturbed, regardless of what Mark Zuckerberg says or does. This is not a Zuckerberg problem anymore it's a problem with an advertising model that is the industry standard. Most of us Facebook users have been on the platform for about a decade, and perhaps our outrage is our growing pains. We've gained some critical distance through time spent on the platform. We are less easily distracted by the ostensible fun the platform offers. And we appear to be compelled to ask questions about Facebook we've never asked before Must ask different questions Fenwick McKelvey, co-director of the Media History Research Centre at Concordia University’s Milieux Institute for Art, Culture and Technology, wishes that the media would start asking different questions about how data is being used by platforms like Facebook. "The media narrative still assumes that the goal of these platforms (like Facebook) is to expose people to information," McKelvey told me. "But it's less and less about that — the goal is to manage and control people's behaviour.” Among the urgent questions media commentators should be asking, McKelvey believes, is how online advertisers are deploying user data to subtly nudge people. He provides the illustrative example of SnapChat — a company with relatively strong privacy settings in place — that leaks data to advertisers with dizzying granularity that reflects the industry standard. Through SnapChat's protocols, your phone informs advertisers how much time passes between the moment you're served one of their ads and the moment you make a purchase at their business, either online or in person. Every time you walk into a retailer with your phone's location services on, you are leaking data about your consumption habits. Perhaps we should be burrowing even deeper into Facebook's business practices. Facebook tends to rely on the fact that most of its data collection practices are laid bare in its terms of service. But according to Martin French, an assistant professor of sociology at Concordia, Facebook’s notion of "consent" is flimsy at best. Most unaware of how their data is being used "Facebook reportedly changed its policies after 2015 to stop app developers accessing information on app users' network. But for me, the question is: Are Facebook users, in the real world, actually aware of the changing ways their data is being used, and the policies that purportedly govern these uses?" wonders French. French posits that based on research that has been done on who reads and understands social media privacy policies, most users are unaware of how their data is actually being used. The "consent" that Facebook is talking about when they refer to an agreement with their users is not really a kind of consent that conforms to any dictionary definition of that term. The consensus among social scientists who study life online is that whatever dynamics play out online have offline analogs. We've had a decade to incorporate Facebook into our lives, and like any learning process, our success with it has been uneven. We're at a critical moment as users of Facebook. It's our responsibility to educate ourselves about the implications of our participation. Deactivating our accounts won't change how our personal data is valued to advertisers. But perhaps, as we become mature users of social media, we can begin to demand that limits be set on how and when our data is bought and sold. *Kathryn Jezer-Morton is a Doctoral student, at Concordia University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Opinion: Why do we stay on Facebook? It's complicated

Oracle Corp said it would buy NetSuite Inc in a deal valued at about $9.3 billion to expand into the fast-growing cloud market. 
 
Netsuite shares rose 18.6 per cent to $108.64 in premarket trading, just shy of the offer price of $109 per share. 
 
Like rivals SAP SE and Microsoft Corp, Oracle has focused on moving its business to the cloud-based model, essentially providing services remotely via data centers rather than selling installed software. 
 
NetSuite, founded in 1998, pioneered the cloud computing revolution, by creating the first company dedicated to providing business applications over the internet. 
 
Oracle has also acquired companies such as Textura and Opower to increase its competitiveness in the cloud market. 
 
The company expects the deal to immediately add to its adjusted earnings in the first full fiscal year after the transaction closes. 
 
Oracle shares were up 1.6 per cent at $41.6 in premarket trading. 
 
(Reuters)

NetSuite pioneered cloud computing revolution by creating the first company dedicated to providing business application over the internet

Oracle Corp said it would buy NetSuite Inc in a deal valued at about $9.3 billion to expand into the fast-growing cloud market. Netsuite shares rose 18.6 per cent to $108.64 in premarket trading, just shy of the offer price of $109 per share. Like rivals SAP SE and Microsoft Corp, Oracle has focused on moving its business to the cloud-based model, essentially providing services remotely via data centers rather than selling installed software. NetSuite, founded in 1998, pioneered the cloud computing revolution, by creating the first company dedicated to providing business applications over the internet. Oracle has also acquired companies such as Textura and Opower to increase its competitiveness in the cloud market. The company expects the deal to immediately add to its adjusted earnings in the first full fiscal year after the transaction closes. Oracle shares were up 1.6 per cent at $41.6 in premarket trading. (Reuters)

Tech giant Oracle to buy cloud computing pioneer in $9.3 billion deal

application

Application, News on Application, stories on Application, articles on Application, Application stories at Wion, Application news, Application latest news