#X platform privacy concerns

[mehmetyildizmelbourne-blog]

It Looks Like Elon Musk Finally Made Up His Mind About the Block Button

This seems like his next step toward a ‘freer’ X — but it might just invite more weirdos along for the ride. Apparently, this is his next bold step toward a freer X — freedom for everyone, including the people you wanted to block. Elon Musk’s platform X (you might remember it as Twitter, back when things made sense) has gone and reworked the blocking feature.  Now, when you block someone, they…

[formulawolff]

public display of affection - s.p.

pairing: fem!reader x sergio pérez

word count: 764

warnings: slight angst, cursing, pda (obv), nothing else really! just some sweet n tender shit

a/n: this was a request from an anon! (i believe)this fic is set during the 2023 azerbaijan grand prix, btw! i hope y'all enjoy some fluffy checo content <3

"private, not secret."

that was your mantra.

well, more like his mantra.

you could give two shits if the world knew about your romantic relationship with the esteemed formula one driver.

he was the one who was more concerned about it, always ensuring that your identity was concealed from the world. he avoided pressing questions in interviews or debriefs, stating that he simply did not want to respond out of respect for his privacy. he never posted you on his socials, and if he did, it was merely crumbs.

your fingers wrapped around his bicep. the shadow of your stature. your neatly manicured nails resting on his thigh.

of course, you were content with the fact that he at least posted about you. people knew you existed, just not exactly who you were.

although you were okay with it, you were beginning to grow restless. after all, it had been almost two years now, and he would barely even interact with you during race weekends in order to dodge the media or his fellow drivers.

you were well aware that he was not doing this out of secrecy, like he was intentionally trying to hide you from the world or well, someone else. you had those doubts at first, but he swiftly squashed them.

to put it simply, sergio pérez did not want everyone and anyone in his business.

especially in the world of formula one where a single rumor could accumulate into numerous headlines across various social media platforms. where one piece of gossip could buzz around the paddocks for months.

as frustrating as it was, you could only respect his wishes. after all, your relationship had been nothing but peaceful. if he felt that sharing with the world who you were would disturb that peace, then you couldn't blame him.

even if it was a little annoying. even if it did break your heart just a tiny bit that he refused to post one singular picture of you. to just give you a kiss in public. or hold your hand, even.

yet, here you were, pacing in the garage as he soars on the circuit, his car gliding along the track. there were only two laps left in the fifty-one lap spectacle, sergio maintaining his lead.

if he was able to pull this one off, he would be the only driver in history to become a repeat winner of the azerbaijan grand prix, as he won once before in 2021.

even though he was the one behind the wheel, your heart thumps, teeth gnawing at your lower lip, blocky headphones resting on your ears.

the checkered flag waves, your eyes widening, lips parting.

he did it.

he won.

"come on!" hugh shouts, waving fervently, "let's go meet your man!"

you follow the team as they pour of the garage, making their way to that designated sign. that number one. as sergio gets out of the car, he stands on it momentarily, pumping his fists in the air as the team jeers, praising the driver for a phenomenal performance.

as his head swivels, surveying the crowd, you can sense his entire body freeze the moment his eyes lock with yours.

hopping down from the car, he pushes his way through the red bull crew. ripping his helmet off, he tears off the balaclava, nearly panting as he wraps you up in a tight embrace.

hands cup the base of your neck, bringing you in, "come here. i can't fucking do this anymore."

lips crash into yours, the entire world falling away as your lashes flutter, mouth parting so he can have further access. his fingers squeeze, tightening as you loop an arm around his neck.

pulling away, he catches his breath, "i don't give a fuck anymore. okay? i need the world to know who you are. i need them to know that you're mine. i need everyone to know how much i fucking love you."

a giggle bubbles up in your throat as you brush away a few sweaty strands of hair, "was someone thinking about me?"

he nods, adoration glinting in his gaze, "i couldn't stop thinking about you, actually. you were on my mind the entire race."

"but baby," you counter, "you won! you won another grand prix!"

"no win compares to the prize by my side," sergio's head brushes against yours.

"you're my biggest win in life. and by god, i am going to show you off. i'm done hiding you. the world is going to know who my beautiful, amazing, wonderful, funny, girlfriend is. i promise you that."

[disneyprincemuke]

midnights, 7 * mv1

the news is out: three time world champion, max verstappen, and his girlfriend of 6 years have been broken up since the singapore weekend.

pairings: max verstappen x fem!reader

warnings: -

notes: wow i took thE longest break from this

(series masterlist)

(prev) // (next)

max isn’t typically the type to let panic settle in. at least, that’s what he likes to think. he likes to tell people he’s not bothered but outsiders are always quick to catch up with his suppressed emotions. 

alas, his worst fears have come true. news has broken that you’ve been broken up for almost 2 months. 

he has not been able to talk about it with daniel, so he can only imagine how things will break down in austin. 

he hopes that it’s not actually that big of a deal. plenty of other drivers have gotten themselves in messier breakups — the post doesn’t seem to touch on any speculations about how yours had come about. he can only bank on the hope that journalists are empathetic enough not to bring you up. 

but you’ve been very involved in his career and the cameras on the paddocks. they never missed the chance to have you speak into a mic or have a private conversation with you. 

pictures snapped of you together are never posted, but would be directly sent to either of you to truly encompass the privacy of your relationship. the respect shared between you and everyone on the paddocks was treasured, which is probably why your presence had been notable after you abruptly disappeared. 

he sinks into his couch, phone in hand as he stares at the pictures that sparked up speculations. it’s a low-quality picture of you leaving the red bull home, head down as your hair shied you away from the camera. the second picture is of him coming out of the building, hair dishevelled as he stood with his arms folded over his chest.

“what do i do?” max mumbles, his finger swiping over the screen again and again, staring at the two pictures. as if it would change the course of things if he did it enough. “do i talk to her?”

“i don’t know, man,” daniel sighs, his face in the far corner of max’s screen. “i mean, the best you can do is to wait it out, right?”

“rumours could spread,” charles mutters, looking away briefly with his eyes widened. “if i were you, i’d want to do some damage control. but that’s probably just me.”

max sits back, staring at the empty half of his hotel bed. your absence is always noted when he’s all alone and he's too awake for his own good, once having the luxury of your company and bright smile making him feel giddy.

the difference between this breakup and all of charles' is that there is no controversy in this one. as far as he's concerned, this is all speculation from photos that are now circulating the internet and your obvious absence on race weekends.

nobody can even really confirm if it's true unless you or max say something. for now, they're just rumours. right?

unless you've started speaking to people, and gossip platforms. but you wouldn't do any of that, or at least that's what he's telling himself. but from what he can dig out of the grave in his brain, there was nothing that happened between you that can be twisted.

but what does he know?

he can only keep praying to the fact that you'll keep it as private as you usually do.

his phone is buzzing endlessly, his other friends sending him texts as the news shocks them as much as the world. lando is asking him if he's holding up fine, martin is expressing how he feels for max, and his own mother asking him why he hadn't told her earlier.

only victoria's message will be getting an answer. after all, she's the first person that found out.

"should i talk to her?" max thinks out loud, maximising the facetime call to get a good look at his friends' reactions. "she never does well with things like this, what if people are bothering her?"

charles' picture is overtaken by alexandra's face, eyes wide and cheeks flushed. "you wanna talk to her?"

max shrugs. "i don't know. maybe?"

"would that be the best choice though?" daniel tilts his head. behind him, heidi is approaching cautiously with a small smile. "babe, what do you think?"

heidi shrugs as daniel's camera slowly turns to her. "my opinion is probably not - it's been two months. and judging by the comments that i read, i don't think there's much disrespect that has to be told off publicly."

alexandra nods as charles slowly comes back into the frame next to her. "it's up to you, max. as of right now, it doesn't seem that serious."

max sighs again, this time louder as he feels everything coming down on him. he drops his head back and stares at the ceiling. "i don't know, you guys," he sighs again loudly. "i just want to know if she's alright."

"maybe not now, mate," charles answers sympathetically, frowning at him through the camera.

"just wait it out. it could die down quicker than you think," daniel says hopefully.

max nods, now suddenly feeling disinterest in their conversation. he only craves to be by himself now. "alright, i'll catch you guys in a bit," his eyes turn to the cats sleeping peacefully on the cat tree, "i've got to feed the cats."

taglist: @merchelsea @leclercdream @labelledejourr @laneyspaulding19 @lpab @graciewrote @hollie911 @thatsojasminesworld @mycenterfold @princessria127 @ironmaiden1313 @dl-yum @crlsummer @brekkers-whore @minkyungseokie @honethatty12 @barelytolerabled @vellicora @lokigoeschoki @avg-golden-retriever

[improbablecarny]

so I know I'd be preaching to the choir if I told Tumblr not to verify their twitter accounts by giving their ID to Elon Fucking Musk but please pay attention to these movements too.

from: https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/15/23874854/x-twitter-verification-government-id-paid-account-benefits

[ID: A screenshot of an article that reads: A pop-up window for the feature notes that X is partnering with Israel-based verification company AU10TIX to facilitate the new authorization feature. All verification information — including photographs of user IDs and “extracted biometric data” — may be stored by AU10TIX for up to 30 days. This may explain why X updated its privacy policy at the end of August to include carveouts for “biometric information]

From twitter's own Verification Policy page: https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/verification-policy

[ID: A screenshot from Twitter's verification policy page that reads: (2) Safety and Security Purposes: In certain instances, X may require your government-issued ID when needed to ensure the safety and security of accounts on our platform. We collect this data when investigating and enforcing our policies and may request an ID verification in response to impersonation reports. Currently, X focuses on account authentication to prevent impersonation, and may explore additional measures, such as ensuring users have access to age-appropriate content and protecting against spam and malicious accounts, to maintain the integrity of the platform and safeguard healthy conversations.]

Then TODAY, we get this:

[ID: A tweet from Elon Musk: As I said earlier this week, “decolonization”, “from the river to the sea” and similar euphemisms necessarily imply genocide. Clear calls for extreme violence are against our terms of service and will result in suspension.]

Keep in mind, he said this A DAY after he said THIS:

[ID: A screenshot of Twitter. The first tweet from @breakingbaht says "Okay. Jewish communties have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them." Elon Musk replies "You have said the actual truth."]

So a white South African, who literally just openly said some Protocols of the Elders of Zion shit was "the truth" is now saying that the word "decolonization" itself is a "call for extreme violence" that will put your account in jeopardy if you speak it. And per its own rules, Twitter can demand you provide ID verification if they have any vaguely defined "safety concerns". So they can send it to the government of the country that you just got suspended for criticizing.

Make sure you have people and a voice off of that platform. ASAP.

[darkskinwomen]

With Gabrielle Union, The Guardian, and others leaving X In the wake of these exits, more users are engaging in debates about the role of AI in society, politics, and the future of online platforms. Are you still using X (formally known as Twitter)?

In a significant shift for the social media landscape, actress Gabrielle Union, the renowned British newspaper The Guardian and others have announced their departure from X (formerly Twitter), citing ethical and creative concerns with the platform’s recent changes. This move has sparked intense discussion about the direction X is heading and the implications for its users.

Gabrielle Union’s Exit

Union declared the “end of an era” in a heartfelt message, sharing her decision to leave the platform due to its new terms of service and a perceived loss of integrity in its environment. She emphasized her commitment to spaces that value inclusivity and authenticity, directing her followers to connect with her on other platforms like Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. Her announcement resonated deeply with many of her fans, raising questions about X’s ability to retain users who prioritize ethical engagement.

The Guardian’s Stand

The Guardian also left X, criticizing the platform’s declining standards in content moderation and user safety. The newspaper stated that it no longer finds X to be a safe and trustworthy place for meaningful journalism and audience interaction. This decision aligns with concerns about the platform’s new terms, which give X permission to use user-generated content for AI training, potentially infringing on creative and personal rights.

Concerns About AI and Content Ownership

X’s new terms of service, which took effect on November 15, allow the company to use user data—including photos and creative content—for training AI models. This change has sparked backlash among artists, creators, and privacy advocates. Many users worry that their work and personal information might be exploited, with little recourse given X’s legal stipulations favoring Texas courts. These policies have fueled broader debates about the ethics of AI and the rights of users in digital spaces.

[arminsumi]

ㅤ★ 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬

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𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

[lady-of-tearshed]

A melody through hell

Ruhn Danaan x OC!Lyrie

Ruhn Danaan week 2024

@cadiawrites @ruhnweek

Day four: Inspired by

Summary: This fic takes place in Ruhn's early life, when his father first starts to torture him. Ruhn troubled soul encounters a sweet and bubbly creature, who happens to know just how to ease his pain.

Inspired by: Seven, by Taylor Swift

Warnings: Mention of parental abuse, mention of scars, mention of burnt skin, mental distress

Ruhn ran, and ran. Tears streamed down his cheeks as his bare feet hit the streets of Lunathion. He had crossed the river gate already, his heart thumping so hard in his chest that it numbed his troubled mind. He halted at the edge of Istros river, kneeling at the edge of the canal, the shadow of the bridge above it giving him some sort of privacy. Not that this part of the city was very crowded, especially not at this time of the night. His shadows wrapped around his scorched arms, as if trying to comfort him. His Fae healing was struggling to restore his burnt skin. It would’ve been healed by now, if he had made the drop. But he hadn’t, yet. Maybe his father would stop torturing him once he’ll make the drop. Maybe… Maybe he would be proud of him once he’ll make the drop.

His tears caused his reflection to ripple, distorting his face like a mirror of how troubled and distressed his soul looked like from within. His shoulder quivered as he sobbed and hiccuped. He hated himself for crumbling down the way he did. He was weak. So very weak. The words his father used to describe him as he bruised the skin of his arms echoed through the crowned prince. He wasn’t worthy of this title. He would never be. “You should sink them in the water.” A breezy voice reached his pointy ears, almost falling face first into the river, but long fingers quickly pushed his shoulder back, making him fall back on his butt. He stared, wide-eyed, at the red-haired head peeking from the water.

She chuckled, placing a hand on her chest as she did so. She took a deep breath, then moved closer to the edge of the canal. She placed her hands on the platform Ruhn was standing on, her big blue eyes sinking into his. “You should sink them in the water,” She repeated, “Your arms, I mean.”. Ruhn breath hitched as she carefully took his hands in hers, her eyes scanning him for any sign of rejection. He didn't. He nodded slowly, letting the Mer sink his arms in the canal, his chest leaned just above the surface.

He hissed at the feeling of the cold water on his arms, but he forced himself to keep them there. The Mer was lovingly caressing his hands under the water, her lips in a tight line with compassion. “I'm Lyrie.” Her voice was light, soft, comforting… Lyrie… The name fitted her well, her voice sounded like a melody to his ear, just like a soft lullaby played by a lyre. “Ruhn.” He sniffled, the tears on his cheeks had now dried. The female had seemed to heal his aching heart already, only by her kindness and tender eyes.

○•○•○•○•○

Their friendship bloomed with the passing time, it grew stronger with each visit of the Crown Prince of the Valbaran Fae. Lyrie had been an anchor for Ruhn whenever his father tortured him. The thought of her sweet presence whenever he needed it made it easier for him to endure it all. Now, he has a friend. A friend… The thought of it made his heart flutter. “Ruhn? Is something wrong?” Ruhn hadn’t realized his hands had stopped braiding the Mer ginger hair, his thought had consumed him once more. He smiled softly at his friend, her head had peaked over her shoulder slightly, her eyes staring at him in concern. He chuckled, pushing her chin back to straighten her head. “No. Everything is right whenever I’m with you.”

Ruhn could’ve sworn he noticed the Mer ears turn pink, his were too, probably. He kept his fingers moving through her hair, carefully braiding her long hair. He was himself surprised by his sudden confession, but everything he said was true. Every moment passed with Lyrie felt… right. He felt like he belonged here, like they belonged together. She was the solace in the mess of his life. “You know,” She whispered, “I think your house is haunted. Maybe that’s why your dad is always mad… Maybe he’s possessed or something.” Ruhn couldn’t help the snort that came from him. She spun around, waves splashing all around her. Ruhn tried to keep hold of the strand of hair he was braiding, but it fell into the river. He tsked his tongue, but the female kept talking. “You know, I think you should come live with me,” Her hands gesture beneath the water, sending droplets with each movement, ”I’m sure there’s enough space for the both of us in my cave.”.

Ruhn sighed, raising the edge of his pants to dip his feet in the water. His eyes were shining with adoration for Lyrie, he grinned, keeping silent as she kept going excitedly. “And we could be pirates! Well, you could be, and I’d protect your boat- our boat from the undersea creatures!” He swishes his feet in the water, before nodding slowly. “Yeah. Maybe.” She smiled, swimming closer to the edge of the canal, resting her wet chin on Ruhn’s knee, her braid half done floating on the water surface. She took his hand in hers, placing a cold shell in his palm. “Here. This gives me strength. It’s yours now.” Ruhn’s eyes filled with water as he nodded, smiling. His throat was too tight to thank her, but she understood his silence more than anyone could. He clung the shiny shell in the palm of his hand, he wouldn’t be sad anymore, he wouldn’t be scared. Because whatever he would have to face, Lyrie would always be waiting for him in the Istros river, and she would make everything okay.

Taglist: @mybestfriendmademe

[simplydnp]

Dan talking abt how tiktok is “the downfall of humanity” gave very millennial😭. Girl don’t act like you weren’t on tumblr in its peak years and don’t scroll on twitter every day (arguably worse). It’s just a pet peeve of mine when people say that because thats literally what gen x/boomers said about everything on the internet. MySpace was the true start of the downfall of humanity imo. Everything else just followed along! 👺

well he is a millenial 😔

i think he's trying to be conscious of everything that comes along with tiktok--safety concerns, privacy concerns, as well as the erasure of the creator and the platforming of The Algorithm.

he doesn't deny there's good content there, he even says in the video if his fyp gave him this content continually, he would use it. but he's all too aware of the advertising and prevalence of the algorithm. and, he's concerned about the amount of time people (cough, phil, cough) put into it.

i think they're valid concerns. i think having good-faith criticism about the things you choose to spend your time on are important. not that having guilt all the time is good, but something doesn't have to be 'perfect' in order for you to interact with it. (see youtube, twitter, and even here with tumblr)

i'll be honest, i'm a gen z who doesn't use tiktok. there's good tiktoks out there, but i prefer a different type of slop (everything is slop don't lie to yourself).

like if it really bothers you that much i suggest you sit with that discomfort and figure out why.

a lot of people older than gen z shit on tiktok because they think it's turning the frogs gay--it's just a title of something they can blame their hatred of everything different from them on, and their disgust for the youth who dare to not live by their morals. it's not about tiktok itself. whereas dan is seeing the flaws and faults of the app and the culture. you don't have to agree with him, but his opinion on it shouldn't ruin your day. he's just a guy.

[linnitheo]

Against All Odds (Part 2)

Lewis Hamilton x Y/N

Y/N’s POV

You couldn’t believe what you were reading. Lewis Hamilton had just asked if you wanted to meet up before he left for his next race. You stared at your phone, rereading the message multiple times to make sure you hadn’t imagined it. This was beyond surreal.

After a moment of internal panic and excitement, you typed back a quick response: “I’d love to! Let me know when and where.”

Your hands trembled as you hit send. What would you even talk about? How were you going to handle this without completely embarrassing yourself? Despite the anxiety bubbling inside, there was also a part of you that felt… calm. Lewis didn’t seem like someone who would judge you, and after the kindness he’d shown in his previous message, you had no doubt that this wasn’t just a pity invite. He genuinely seemed interested in getting to know you.

A few minutes later, your phone buzzed again. “How about tonight? There’s a little place by the Thames that’s quiet. I could use the escape.”

You agreed, heart pounding in your chest. Tonight. You were going to meet Lewis Hamilton in person, one-on-one. The thought made you dizzy, but you quickly pulled yourself together. You had a few hours to get ready, and you were determined to make the most of this unexpected opportunity.

Lewis’ POV

Lewis sat back on the couch, glancing at his phone after sending the message. He wasn’t sure why he had reached out again. Maybe it was the way you had looked at him—like you saw the man behind the racing suit, behind the fame. There was something refreshing about that. Something he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

As he stared out of the window of his London hotel room, the city’s skyline illuminated in the distance, he felt a strange sense of anticipation. This wasn’t like meeting fans at events or signing autographs. It was something more personal. He wondered what you would be like in a quieter setting, away from the noise of the crowd and the cameras.

Part of him felt guilty for dragging you into his world. He had seen the backlash you were getting online. People assumed things about you, about your motives. He hated that side of fame—the assumptions, the cruelty, the lack of privacy. He didn’t want you to get hurt just because you’d had a chance encounter with him.

But something told him this was worth pursuing, even if it was just for one night of normalcy.

Y/N’s POV

Later that evening, you arrived at the spot Lewis had mentioned—a quaint little café near the river. The warm lights from inside cast a soft glow across the cobblestone street, and you could hear the faint sounds of jazz music playing in the background. You spotted Lewis at a corner table by the window, dressed casually in a black hoodie and a cap pulled low over his face. He looked completely different from the man on the racetrack, but there was no mistaking him.

As you approached, he looked up and smiled, standing to greet you. “Hey, you made it,” he said warmly, pulling out a chair for you.

“I almost didn’t believe it was real,” you admitted with a laugh, sitting down. “I feel like I’m in a dream.”

He chuckled. “It’s real, I promise. How have you been holding up? I saw some of the stuff online. I hope it hasn’t been too much.”

You appreciated the concern in his voice. “It’s… been a lot. But I’m okay. I didn’t expect any of this to happen.”

Lewis leaned back in his chair, looking out at the river. “I get it. I’m sorry you got pulled into it. People can be harsh when they don’t know the full story.”

There was a moment of silence as the two of you took in the peaceful surroundings. It felt strange, being here with him like this, but at the same time, it felt right. The conversation flowed easily, moving from the chaos of race weekends to more personal topics. You talked about your life, your job, your love for racing, and how you had admired Lewis for years—not just for his skills on the track, but for the way he used his platform to speak out on important issues.

Lewis listened intently, nodding along as you spoke. When it was his turn, he shared stories from his early career, about the pressure he had faced as the first Black driver in F1, about the sacrifices he had made along the way. He opened up in a way you hadn’t expected, and it made you realize that beneath the fame and success, he was just a person trying to navigate life like everyone else.

As the night went on, you both seemed to forget about the world outside. The hours slipped by unnoticed until the café was nearly empty, the soft hum of the city outside the only reminder that time was passing.

But just as you were about to suggest leaving, Lewis’ phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen, his expression hardening slightly.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice taking on a serious tone. “Something’s come up.”

You watched as he quickly typed out a response, his face a mask of concentration. You couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. You had been having such a great time, and now reality was crashing back in.

“It’s okay,” you said, trying to hide your disappointment. “I understand.”

But Lewis shook his head. “It’s not what you think. There’s some drama back at the team—something about the media running with a story about us.” He sighed, rubbing his forehead. “I thought we’d get away from all of that tonight.”

Your heart sank. “What kind of story?”

“Apparently, someone caught wind of us meeting up tonight. They’re spinning it into something more than it is. They’re saying you’re just using me for attention.” His voice was tight with frustration.

Your chest tightened. Of course, the media would twist things. You had prepared yourself for that, but hearing it from Lewis made it feel more real, more damaging.

“I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” you said quietly, feeling a weight settle over you. “Maybe it’s better if we don’t—”

“No.” Lewis cut you off, his eyes locking with yours. “This isn’t your fault, and I don’t care what they say. I wanted to meet you, and I’m glad I did. I’m just… tired of all of this. The scrutiny. The constant judgment.”

You were about to respond when the door of the café suddenly swung open, and a man with a camera stepped inside. His eyes locked onto you and Lewis, and before you could react, the flash went off.

Lewis was on his feet in an instant, his hand gripping your arm protectively. “We need to go. Now.”

You barely had time to process what was happening before he was leading you out the back door, into the cool night air. Your heart raced as you followed him down a narrow alley, the sound of footsteps behind you growing fainter as you turned the corner.

When you finally stopped, Lewis turned to face you, his expression a mixture of frustration and apology. “I’m so sorry about this. I didn’t think anyone would find us here.”

“It’s not your fault,” you said, your voice steady despite the adrenaline still pumping through you. “I knew this could happen.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I just didn’t want to drag you into this mess.”

You smiled softly, taking a step closer to him. “I’m not scared, Lewis. I’m here because I want to be.”

For a moment, he just looked at you, his eyes searching yours as if trying to find something he hadn’t realized he was missing. Then, before you could react, he closed the distance between you, his lips brushing against yours in a soft, hesitant kiss.

When he pulled back, his eyes were filled with uncertainty, as if he wasn’t sure what to expect. But you smiled, your heart pounding in your chest for an entirely different reason now.

“I’m glad I met you too,” you whispered.

And for the first time that night, the chaos of the world around you seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of you, standing together against all odds.

To be continued…

[tzifron]

A new Federal Trade Commission staff report that examines the data collection and use practices of major social media and video streaming services shows they engaged in vast surveillance of consumers in order to monetize their personal information while failing to adequately protect users online, especially children and teens.

The staff reportis based on responses to 6(b) orders issued in December 2020 to nine companies including some of the largest social media and video streaming services: Amazon.com, Inc., which owns the gaming platform Twitch; Facebook, Inc. (now Meta Platforms, Inc.); YouTube LLC; Twitter, Inc. (now X Corp.); Snap Inc.; ByteDance Ltd., which owns the video-sharing platform TikTok; Discord Inc.; Reddit, Inc.; and WhatsApp Inc.

[...]

“The report lays out how social media and video streaming companies harvest an enormous amount of Americans’ personal data and monetize it to the tune of billions of dollars a year,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan. “While lucrative for the companies, these surveillance practices can endanger people’s privacy, threaten their freedoms, and expose them to a host of harms, from identity theft to stalking. Several firms’ failure to adequately protect kids and teens online is especially troubling. The Report’s findings are timely, particularly as state and federal policymakers consider legislation to protect people from abusive data practices.”

The report found that the companies collected and could indefinitely retain troves of data, including information from data brokers, and about both users and non-users of their platforms. The staff report further highlights that many companies engaged in broad data sharing that raises serious concerns regarding the adequacy of the companies’ data handling controls and oversight. In particular, the staff report noted that the companies’ data collection, minimization and retention practices were “woefully inadequate.” In addition, the staff report found that some companies did not delete all user data in response to user deletion requests.

The staff report also found that the business models of many of the companies incentivized mass collection of user data to monetize, especially through targeted advertising, which accounts for most of their revenue. It further noted that those incentives were in tension with user privacy, and therefore posed risks to users’ privacy. Notably, the report found that some companies deployed privacy-invasive tracking technologies, such as pixels, to facilitate advertising to users based on preferences and interests.

[angeloftheodd]

Be careful if you’re on Twitter / X: Soon, unless your profile is completely locked or private, your tweets will remain viewable to the users on your block list. Blocked accounts can’t engage with your content, but they *can* still see it. This is concerning if you’re a user who gets a lot of threats or harassment, as it removes a boundary that adds a level of protection for one’s privacy.

Elon Musk is a hypercapitalist who claims to be an anarchist. When people talk about bootlicking, he is the corporate boot that gets licked the most. OF COURSE his fascist-appropriated version of “anarchy” totally excludes crucial concepts like consent and freedom of association.

Removing the block option from a platform is a violation of both consent AND freedom of association. Elon is ignoring users’ consent by forcing us to forfeit our privacy and grant online access to people we don’t want in our lives. It’s peak capitalist/misogynist entitlement.

Elon removing the block option on a platform full of Red Pill rhetoric and far-right users in general is VERY intentional and VERY dangerous. I’m pretty sure he wants “certain people” (including me) to feel so unsafe there, it makes us leave/self-select out of there.

Elon is determined to destroy Twitter, or at least the X-marked shell that’s left of it. That, or he wants to create an audience that’s way more aligned with his interests. Meanwhile, it was the diversity of voices and discussions that made the platform successful in the first place. Old Twitter literally had something or someone for pretty much everyone. Now, people who genuinely believe that women shouldn’t vote are all over my timeline, all while the actual content I consume is diametrically opposed to that. Go figure.

No matter how much worse he makes the platform, his apologist fan boys double down harder and try to claim he’s making the site better. I have stopped blocking the many, many bots that now plague my follower count. I guess that was a smart/energy-saving move, because Elon changing/removing the block option altogether makes that a far more fruitless endeavor than it ever has been. There will be more bots than human users there at this rate, if that isn’t the case already.

[mariacallous]

The social media company X is closing its San Francisco office “over the next few weeks,” according to an internal email sent out by CEO Linda Yaccarino earlier today. “This is an important decision that impacts many of you, but it is the right one for our company in the long term,” Yaccarino wrote in the email, first reported by The New York Times.

Employees in San Francisco reportedly will be moved to new locations in the Bay Area, “including the existing office in San Jose and a new engineering focused shared space with [xAI, Musk’s AI startup] in Palo Alto,” the note said. The company’s executive team is said to be working on “transportation options” for staff. X did not respond to WIRED's request for comment.

The official announcement comes a few weeks after Musk said in a post on X that he planned to move X and SpaceX headquarters to Texas. X would move to Austin, specifically, Musk said at the time. Bloomberg reported earlier this year that X had already been staffing up a trust and safety team for X based in Austin.

While the state of Texas is known to be more business-friendly than California—it has one of the lowest tax burdens in the US—Musk’s publicly stated reasoning for the move to Texas was more ideological than financial. He said at the time that the “final straw” was a new California law that aims to protect the privacy of transgender children, which he perceived to be “attacking both families and companies.” He also said that he’s “had enough of dodging gangs of violent drug addicts just to get in and out of the building.”

The latest update from Yaccarino suggests it’s the San Francisco office, specifically, that is the thorn in X’s side. And it’s an about-face for Musk, who tweeted a year ago that, despite incentives to move out of San Francisco, X would not move its HQ out of the city. “You only know who your real friends are when the chips are down,” he waxed poetically on X. “San Francisco, beautiful San Francisco, though others forsake you, we will always be your friend.”

The shuttering of the X office marks the end of an era for the company formerly known as Twitter, and for the historic Mid-Market neighborhood that in the 2010s managed to lure in burgeoning tech companies like Twitter, Uber, Spotify, and Square.

Twitter’s earliest offices were in SoMa, or the South of Market neighborhood of San Francisco, until 2011, when then mayor Ed Lee instituted a controversial tax break for tech companies. The ruling erased the 1.5 percent payroll tax for companies that moved into certain Mid-Market buildings. Twitter jumped at the opportunity.

The company was considered an anchor tenant in a densely populated neighborhood marked by homelessness and open drug use. Suddenly an airy, high-end food market, a Blue Bottle Coffee shop, and tech workers with MacBooks and overpriced sneakers dotted Market Street, alongside people in various states of distress camped out in front of still-vacant storefronts.

The end results of Lee’s tax breaks and revitalization plans for the neighborhood are a topic of debate, and the pandemic has been a hugely complicating factor, with reports suggesting that San Francisco’s office spaces are more than a third vacant on average.

Musk, now famously, carried a sink into the Twitter offices just after he closed the deal to buy the platform in October 2022, tweeting, “Let that sink in!” After changing the company name to X in summer 2023, Musk erected a giant, blinking X atop the offices, only to be compelled to take it down days later when the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection received dozens of complaints about the flashing lights and concerns about the sign’s structural safety.

X also was allegedly a poor tenant in the Musk era: Its landlord, SRI Nine Market Square, in early 2023 filed a suit against X for more than $3 million in unpaid rent. SRI Nine Market sought to extend Twitter’s line of credit to $10 million as an assurance that future rent would be paid. Other vendors also have sued X for failing to pay its bills.

But in January of this year, SRI Nine Market dropped the case, Reuters reported. It’s unclear why. SRI Nine Market did not respond to an inquiry on the current state of X’s lease and whether the company would be breaking said lease by vacating its office space in the coming weeks.

[somber-sapphic]

Sickly Sparring

〖500 Follower Prompt: I love you, but you look like a corpse” + “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” + 💼 + ☀️〗

〖Summary: Sometimes it takes a little pushing to get Alex to take care of herself.〗

〖Word Count: 950〗

〖Pairing: Sick Alex x R〗

〖A/N: Hello! I'm officially back, please enjoy the first of 11 fics in my follower celebration thingy :)〗

☾Masterlists☽

“Alex, you need to stop. I love you, but you look like a corpse.” You sighed, pinching the bridge of your nose as you watched your idiot girlfriend square up against her sister. What had started as a friendly sparring match to hone Kara’s skills had turned incredibly competitive as Alex lost time after time to a far less experienced opponent. She was beyond frustrated and nothing you said had helped. 

Kara, who up until a few rounds ago hadn’t completely understood what was going on, finally realized why her sister was performing so poorly. She had been triumphant in the beginning, pleased that she’d been progressing so far in her training, but that reality had come crashing down when she noticed the symptoms. Being someone who so rarely got sick she hadn't known to look for illness and when Alex said that everything was fine, she didn’t really have any reason not to believe her. 

“I think Y/n’s right, why don't we take a break? I for sure could use some lunch and these kryptonite lights are making my muscles hurt.” The blonde complained, playing up imaginary pain for Alex’s benefit. She rolled her shoulders back and forced her lips into a frown, scrunching up her nose as she stretched. 

Alex scoffed at the idea and rolled her eyes, doing a poor job of disguising the wince that the simple action caused. She swiped a hand under her runny nose and settled back into a defensive stance, gesturing to Kara to do the same. The alien glanced back at you, a concerned expression on her face. You were sure that yours was a mixture of worry and annoyance. 

“You don’t know what you’re talking about, neither of you do. Come on Kara, two more rounds then we can take a break,” she ordered, stumbling to the side as she tried to walk closer to her sister. You lurched forward and raised your arms, prepared to catch her if she fell. 

“No, you’re done. Kar, can you give us a minute?” you asked, clambering awkwardly up onto the platform. Kara glanced quickly between the two of you and nodded, scampering to the door. She trusted you to take care of the ailing DEO agent. The second she was gone you wrapped your arms around her waist and eased her onto the ground, nearly dropping her as her legs gave out. She sneezed suddenly and instinctively curled into your side as you sat her down on the edge of the platform. 

She opened her mouth to speak, but you got there first. 

“Yeah yeah, I know. You’re a big strong agent who never gets sick because someone with your line of work can't afford to get sick, when you get sick people get hurt.” You teased, rattling off Alex’s usual spiel before she got the chance. She groaned and dropped her head onto your shoulder, showing a level of vulnerability that she would usually save for the privacy of your home.

“Who the hell gets sick in August?” She whispered; her words muddled with congestion. A small smile graced your lips, you were happy that she was feeling okay enough to joke about it. You wrapped an arm around her shoulders, hugging her close. At this proximity, you could feel a slight fever on her sweaty skin, not helped by the summer heat. 

“Only you, my dear. So, am I taking you home or what?” Alex coughed roughly into a slightly raised hand, not trying to cover very well. You didn’t mind, the two of you shared a bed so the likelihood that you would walk away from this scot-free was already low. 

You smoothed a few pieces of hair out of her eyes with two fingers, resting them on her temple for a moment to judge her temperature. The brunette hummed at the soft touch and let her eyes slip closed. She was tired and seemed willing to give in to your offer. 

“We walked here.” She mumbled, lifting her head to meet your eyes. It was true, the two of you lived close enough that you generally walked to the DEO together rather than pay someone to drive you the few blocks from your apartment. 

“I’m sure Kara or J’onn will be more than willing to fly us. Come on love, let someone take care of you for once.” You kissed her hairline, still a bit apprehensive though it seemed like she may be giving in. There was always a chance with Alex that she would change her mind at the last minute and decide to do something stupid like go into the field without backup or act like she was fine while actively bleeding out. 

“If we go home…will you make that soup that I like?” 

“Of course, I will. I’ll make as much soup as your heart desires. Can we go now? You’re falling asleep on me.” She nodded and aimed a sloppy kiss against your collarbone. All she really managed was to mush her face further against your chest, but that seemed to work for her because she didn't move. 

“You can come back in Kara.” She burst into the room the second you finished your sentence, a caring smile on her face. The blonde superhero must have been lurking outside the door, listening to your conversation. 

“Ready love?” you asked, hoisting Alex up into your arms. She wrapped her arms around your neck and nodded, muffling a cough against your skin. Every time she got sick, she’d do this, she’d cling to the last bit of health that she had for as long as she could then crash hard. You were thankful that she was trusting you to take care of her when she couldn’t take care of herself. 

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[cyberpunkonline]

The Race for the Everything App in the West: Unraveling the Quest for Digital Domination

In the neon-drenched, cyberpunk reality of the 21st century, the digital realm is witnessing a colossal battle, reminiscent of Neal Stephenson's speculative universes. Tech corporations, with their sights set on the horizon, are not just competing but are on an ambitious quest to forge the "Everything App"—a digital El Dorado that promises to centralize our online lives. This pursuit, led vigorously by X (formerly known as Twitter) and echoed by a symphony of other platforms, is transforming the way we interact with digital services.

At the heart of this evolution lies a simple, yet profound strategy: expansion beyond core functionalities. Apps that once specialized in specific domains are now crossing into territories uncharted, offering a suite of services that range from messaging and social networking to financial transactions and beyond. This trend is not a mere coincidence but a calculated move towards creating a digital ecosystem where users can perform every conceivable online activity within a single app.

The Vanguard of the Everything App

X, under the stewardship of Elon Musk, is potentially the most audacious contender in the race. Initially a platform for microblogging, X is now venturing into areas like payment processing and content creation, aiming to transform itself into an indispensable tool for its users. However, X is not alone in this pursuit. Apps like WeChat in China have already demonstrated the viability of the "everything app," serving as a model for Western counterparts.

Facebook (now Meta), with its vast suite of services including Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus, is another titan striving to stitch together a comprehensive digital tapestry. Google, through its ecosystem encompassing Gmail, Google Pay, and YouTube, is also inching towards creating a unified experience. Meanwhile, Amazon's expansion into cloud services, media streaming, and even groceries underscores the same ambition: to be the one-stop digital shop for its users.

The Siren Song of Convenience

The allure of an everything app lies in its promise of unparalleled convenience. Imagine a digital Swiss Army knife that not only connects you with friends and family but also handles your finances, entertains, educates, and even shops for you. The potential benefits are immense, offering a seamless integration of digital services that could simplify user experience, enhance efficiency, and possibly even reduce the digital clutter of having multiple apps for different needs.

A Dystopian Shadow

However, beneath the glossy surface of convenience, there lurks a more sinister possibility. The consolidation of services into a single platform raises alarming concerns about privacy, data security, and monopolistic control over the digital lives of billions. The more we rely on a single app for our daily needs, the more we risk creating a digital monoculture vulnerable to surveillance, censorship, and exploitation. In a dystopian twist, the everything app could become the ultimate tool for digital hegemony, where choice is an illusion, and autonomy is traded for convenience.

The Unstoppable Momentum

Despite the dichotomy of potential outcomes, the race towards the everything app is unlikely to slow down. The convergence of services into unified platforms reflects a broader trend in digital evolution, driven by user demand for efficiency and the corporate quest for dominance. As this race accelerates, we find ourselves at a crossroads, navigating between the utopian dream of digital convenience and the dystopian nightmare of centralized control.

The everything app is both a looming threat and a beacon of progress in our communications landscape. Its emergence is a testament to our insatiable appetite for innovation and our willingness to explore the unknown. As we venture further into this digital frontier, the decisions we make today will shape the cybernetic world of tomorrow. The everything app is not just a possibility; it is an inevitability. Time will tell whether it becomes a tool for liberation or an instrument of control.

In the words of Neal Stephenson, we are coding our own new world, and in this world, the everything app stands as both the zenith of our aspirations and the nadir of our fears. As we hurtle towards this uncertain future, one thing is clear: the digital landscape will never be the same again. - REV1

[beardedmrbean]

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a Florida bill prohibiting children under 14 from joining social media.

Parents can sue social media companies for $10k for not promptly deleting an account of a child under 14.

Similar bills signed in other states have faced constitutional challenges from NetChoice LLC.

A new Florida bill could open the floodgates for parents to sue for up to $10,000 if social media companies fail to remove flagged accounts of their underage children in a timely manner.

The new bill, HB3, was signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday. It prohibits children under 14 from being on social media. Children ages 14 and 15 need their parent's consent to join the platform.

The Florida Gov. argued pedophiles are taking advantage of children on the apps. The Speaker of the Florida House, Paul Renner, echoed those concerns and also brought up mental health concerns associated with the platforms.

"You can have a kid in the house safe seemingly and then you have predators that can get right in there into your own home," DeSantis said at the bill signing ceremony. "You can be doing everything right, but they know how to manipulate these different platforms."

The bill requires social media companies to delete already existing accounts that belong to children under 14, by the child's request within five business days, or a parent's request within 10 business days. For 14 or 15-year-old children, the account must be confirmed by a parent. If it isn't, the user has 90 days to file a dispute before being terminated.

Companies that allow minors access after being aware of their age could be responsible for up to $50,000 in penalties or fines per violation if the charges are found to be a "consistent pattern of knowing or reckless conduct."

Parents can also sue companies on behalf of their child if the platform doesn't comply and take down the account, potentially receiving up to $10,000 in damages.

Privacy vs. protection

While the legislation is set to go into place by January 2025, Stacey Lee, a professor of law & ethics at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School said the bill will likely face "significant legal obstacles" related to First Amendment issues.

Lee said regulating social media has become a "hot-button political issue," but these efforts are consistently met with constitutional hurdles, which DeSantis has acknowledged.

The bill's effectiveness in preventing minors from accessing social media also remains questionable, Lee said.

"Regulating the digital landscape for minors without infringing on these principles presents a formidable challenge calling for thoughtful consideration and innovative solutions," Lee said.

Other states with similar bills like California, Utah, Ohio, and Arkansas, have been challenged by tech coalition NetChoice LLC for signing similar laws. Both California and Arkansas received preliminary injunctions and Ohio received a temporary restraining order on its social media law, according to spokesperson Krista Chavez. The case in Utah hasn't had its hearing yet.

NetChoice is a major coalition of social media platforms opposing these restrictions and it includes TikTok, Meta, Google, and X among others. NetChoice has cited privacy concerns in its reasoning against these kinds of laws.

Chavez said NetChoice has repeatedly expressed constitutional concerns with HB3 in public statements, testimony, and in a letter to Gov. DeSantis about the bill.

NetChoice Vice President & General Counsel Carl Szabo referred to HB3 as a "bad policy" in a statement shared with BI.

Szabo said the bill poses a data risk because it forces users to hand over sensitive personal information to websites or lose their access to information channels. It also infringes on First Amendment rights to share and access online speech, he said.

"We're disappointed to see Gov. DeSantis sign onto this route," Szabo said in the statement. "There are better ways to keep Floridians, their families, and their data safe and secure online without violating their freedoms."

Another attempt at regulating social media

DeSantis voted against a more restrictive version of the bill that proposed banning social media for children under 16 and required proof of ID to join social media.

The governor said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that he "vetoed HB 1 because the Legislature is about to produce a different, superior bill."

It's not the first time the Florida governor has focused his legislation on protecting children.

DeSantis passed a bill last year that restricted children's use of cellphones in the classroom.

"Being buried in those devices all day is not the best way to grow up," DeSantis said at the signing ceremony. "It's not the best way to get a good education."

The latest bill follows a series of legislative attempts from the government to place restrictions on social media.

An attempt to ban or force a sale of TikTok recently passed the House on March 13 with 352 votes in favor of the bill. It will next be voted on by the Senate, at which point, if it passes, it will end up on the desk of President Joe Biden — who has said he'd sign it.