Instagram to verify age of teens using Video selfies trial
Instagram is exploring new ways for teenagers to verify their age and comply with platform rules.
The Meta-owned app is testing video selfies with facial analysis software as a new age-verification method.
Some users on Instagram try to skirt its 13+ age rule by editing their date of birth to make them appear over 18.
But US teens attempting this will now be given three ways to verify age: upload ID, ask three adult users to vouch for them or take a video selfie.
Meta says it hopes the new methods will ensure teens have an "age-appropriate experience" on Instagram.
The tech giant has previously faced criticism over teen and child safety on its platforms.
Several US states probed Instagram last year over children's experiences on the photo-sharing app, in response to leaks from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.
Will Gardner OBE, chief executive of Childnet and director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, says the trial is encouraging: "The potential is there to try and help protect children from content which isn't for them and make their internet experience more age-appropriate."
5Rights Foundation, a UK organisation campaigning for child safety in the digital environment, says such efforts are "long overdue".
Platforms should "leave behind the 'don't look don't see attitude' that has led to millions of children being put at risk", 5Rights says, adding that "simply knowing the age of your users is not enough."
Parents and guardians of teen Instagram users were given additional tools to supervise their child's experience on Instagram earlier this month.
They can now set up time limits and view details of any reports their child makes on the platform.
Teens will also be "nudged" to look at other content if repeatedly viewing the same topics on Instagram's explore page, and encouraged to "take a break" if continuously scrolling through reels.
Video selfies have become a popular way for digital platforms - such as online banking apps - to verify users' age or identity.
Instagram currently uses video selfies as one way account holders can verify their identity if they get locked out of their account.
Meta has partnered with UK digital identification provider Yoti, whose technology estimates age by analysing human faces and facial features.
Yoti says its algorithm, trained on anonymous people's facial images and their date of birth, cannot individually identify users or anything about them, except their age.
Its latest white paper, published in May, said the technology was accurate for six to 12-year-olds with an error range of 1.36 years - and an error range of 1.52 years for 13 to 19-year-olds.
Meta says both companies will delete the image once a user's age has been confirmed.
Meanwhile, social vouching allows users to ask three mutual followers to confirm their age. Those being asked to confirm how old a user is must be at least 18, and cannot be vouching for any other users at the time.
Dr Ysabel Gerrard, lecturer in digital media and society at the University of Sheffield, says Instagram's new age-verification methods are a welcome addition to just asking users to upload ID.
But she says relying on age-verification tools as a way to protect young people online can overlook why they actually try to create adult accounts in the first place.
"A lot of them are saying they're 18 on Instagram not to do bad things or view bad content," Dr Gerrard says.
"Being technically registered as an adult makes them feel safe because they don't think they're going to be targeted."
For Dr Gerrard, Instagram's new verification mechanisms raise larger questions about what helps children to feel safe on social media platforms.
"Pretending to be an adult is one of them. It's a harsh reality, but we can't pretend it's not happening."
Source-BBC
Kevin Hart and Woody Harrelson team up for the Netflix action comedy, The Man from Toronto
The new Neflix action comedy The Man from Toronto, starring Woody Harrelson and Kevin Hart, debuts on Friday.
It's one of more than 20 projects Hart has in the works as an actor or producer, which has him up before the sun rises every morning.
"I'm a busy man, but I wouldn't have it any other way," he notes. "I love it. I find joy in it. I find happy in it. And, you know, while I got the energy and while I'm able, I will and I can."
It's also motivated Hart to stay in top physical shape, something Harrelson admits has inspired him as well.
"One of my first conversations was to ask him about how the hell he's so damn fit. And, you know, I really thought, I wish I had taken his advice because, you know, I'd be in a tight tee shirt right now," shares Woody, adding, "he did teach me a lot about what I could do if I decided to take up that, you know, that hard work."
The two actors both know a little something about being a part of successful on-screen duos; something Harrelson says is all about the love.
"You gotta love the people you're working with. It's got to congeal into a family," he explains. "And I will say that definitely happened with Kevin...I loved him before I met him. And after I met him, I loved him more. So I was very happy to see that come across on screen."
The feeling was mutual for Hart, who says that from their first conversation, to the first meeting, to the first day on set, the two "hit the ground running" and "never looked back."
Source-ABC
Toyota recalls electric cars over concerns about loose wheels
Motor industry giant Toyota is recalling 2,700 of its first mass-produced all-electric vehicles over concerns their wheels may fall off.
A spokesperson told our affiliate the BBC that the bolts on the bZ4X's wheels "can loosen to the point where the wheel can detach from the vehicle" after "low-mileage use".
The recall comes less than two months after the car was launched in Japan.
Car maker Subaru also says that for the same reason it will recall 403 electric cars it developed with Toyota.
On Friday, Toyota said in a statement that it had issued a safety recall for 2,700 bZ4X SUVs in the US, Europe, Canada and Japan.
"If a wheel detaches from the vehicle while driving, it could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash," a spokesperson said.
"No one should drive these vehicles until the remedy is performed," they added.
Toyota said it had notified Japanese safety regulators about the defect on Thursday and the cause of the issue was "still under investigation".
Another Japanese car manufacturer, Subaru also said it was recalling 403 of the Solterra, its first all-electric car jointly developed with Toyota, because of concerns over loose bolts. The firm did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the BBC.
Toyota is viewed as a relative latecomer to the electric vehicle market, as compared to rival manufacturers like Tesla, which launched its first electric car 14 years ago.
It launched the bZ4X in Japan last month. The car was only available on lease "to eliminate customer concerns regarding residual battery performance, maintenance and residual value," Toyota said earlier this year.
This week, the company said it would cut the number of vehicles it plans to produce next month by 50,000 to 800,000 because of a shortage of computer chips and supply disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Although Toyota currently aims to manufacture a total of 9.7m vehicles around the world this year, it has signalled that it may be forced to lower that number.
Source-BBC
Germany takes step closer to gas rationing
Germany has taken a step closer to gas rationing after a drop in supplies from Russia.
The country has triggered the "alarm" stage of an emergency gas plan to deal with shortages, Germany's economy ministry said.
It is the latest part of a standoff between the European Union and Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
German economy minister Robert Habeck said Russia was using gas "as a weapon" in response to EU sanctions.
"We must not fool ourselves. The cut in gas supplies is an economic attack on us by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin," Mr Habeck said, adding Germans would have to reduce consumption.
Mr Habeck said there would "hopefully never" be a need to ration gas for German industry, but he added: "Of course, I can't rule it out."
Germany has now moved to the second stage of its three-part emergency plan, which is triggered when there is disruption or very high demand for gas.
The government will provide €15bn (£13bn) of loans to try to fill gas storage facilities, and will start auctioning gas to industry to encourage big businesses to use less.
Moving to stage two of the plan puts more pressure on suppliers and network operators to balance out disruption by taking measures such as finding alternative sources for gas.
However, the country stopped short of letting utilities pass on soaring costs to customers, although that is theoretically possible under stage two.
Gas firms already had to ensure supplies under the first stage of the emergency plan, while gas network operators were reporting to the Economy Ministry at least once a day, and electricity grid operators had to ensure grid stability.
State intervention would happen under the third stage when there is a significant disruption to supply which the market cannot cope with, meaning supplies are rationed.
In the third stage, supply to industry would be restricted first, while households and critical institutions such as hospitals would continue to get available gas.
Twelve European Union countries have now been affected by cuts to gas supply from Russia, EU climate policy chief Frans Timmermans said on Thursday.
Russia cut flows through its Nord Stream 1 pipeline to 40% of capacity last week citing problems with equipment, affecting countries including Germany.
Nord Stream 1 is due to undergo maintenance from 11 to 21 July when flows will stop.
The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, has warned that Russia may cut off gas supplies to Europe entirely and that Europe needs to prepare now.
Russia has already cut gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland over their refusal to comply with a new payment scheme.
Source-BBC
Supreme Court strikes down New York law limiting carrying of concealed guns in public for self-defense
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled 6-3 to strike down a century-old New York state law that requires gun owners to show "proper cause" -- or a specific special need -- to carry a handgun in public. The case is widely seen as a test of whether there's a fundamental right to carry a concealed gun outside the home in public for self-defense.
Writing for the majority, Justice Clarence Thomas said that the Second and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution protect an individual's right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home. "Because the State of New York issues public-carry licenses only when an applicant demonstrates a special need for self-defense, we conclude that the State’s licensing regime violates the Constitution," Thomas wrote in the opinion.
The case, New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, involves a state requirement that applicants for concealed carry permits show “proper cause” -- a unique need for individual self-protection -- in order to be approved. Two New York gun owners challenged the law as highly discretionary and unconstitutional. State officials granted a limited license for concealed carry to each, but they were forbidden from possessing a weapon in places frequented by the public. Gun rights groups insist armed, otherwise law-abiding citizens would not pose an enhanced threat to public safety.
New York state officials argued that its gun-permitting regime is rooted in history and tradition and critical to limiting the threat of gun violence in sensitive places. Seven other U.S. states – home to more than 80 million Americans – have similar “proper cause” permitting regimes.
Less restrictive concealed carry regimes would "multiply the number of firearms carried in high-density places," New York Solicitor General Barbara Underwood argued at the Supreme Court last year. "Proliferation of arms on subways terrifies a lot of people."
Source-ABC
Grenada’s new Prime Minister sworn into office
Attorney Dickon Mitchell was sworn in as Grenada’s ninth Prime Minister on Friday, pledging to end nepotism, reform the electoral system and work for the betterment of the tri-island state.
Mitchell, 44, who led the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) to a 9-6 victory in Thursday’s general election, took the oath of office before Governor General Dame Cecile La Grenade in the presence of his grandmother, his two children and supporters of the party.
He said that a collective approach would be needed to deal with the many problems confronting Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
“Those challenges require us to collectively as a united people. The boxing match is over, the referees have ruled and as the champion it is our job to govern on behalf of all of the citizens of Petite Martinique, Carriacou and Grenada.
“I wish to assure the nation that under my leadership, the National Democratic Congress must lead by example by taking a united citizens approach to our governance. It does not mean that we do not have to make tough but difficult decisions and often times that’s the hallmark of leadership,” said Mitchell, who in October took over the reign of the NDC following the party’s disastrous outings in the last two general elections when it was trounced 15-nil.
He told the ceremony that when those decisions are required “we will make them but we will ensure that we can explain, consult and justify to our people why we are making the decisions”.
Mitchell, who had been critical of the Parliamentary Electoral Office (PEO) in the run-up to the general election that his predecessor, Dr. Keith Mitchell had called ahead of the constitutional deadline of March 2023, said the victory does not mask the problems at the institution.
“I will not be a hypocrite by suggesting that I was always happy with the Parliamentary Office or for that matter the office of the Supervisor of Elections or some of the challenges we faced, but at the end of the day I think we can conclude…that all in all things have to be looked at” and that the will of the people has been demonstrably shown.
“Having said that I will not also be a hypocrite by indicating that we believe we need to significantly strengthen our electoral process. It is in dire need of reform, it has to function to serve the people, it has to be service oriented, it has to be efficient and it as to be a system that encourages our citizens to vote rather than discourages them.
“And so it is certainly one of the main issues that we will seek to immediately address so that we can ensure that our democracy is strengthened for generations of Grenadians to come”.
Mitchell said he was urging Grenadians to be part of the transformation of the country and that while the members of the Cabinet and portfolios will be known soon, such a task will be undertaken on a merit basis.
“We would not move forward as a people,” he said, if appointments to key government institutions, boards and other services were done on a party loyalty basis.
He has vowed to break the cycle of nepotism under his administration and was urging all Grenadians, who in the past had shied away from serving the country to come forward as the “doors are open.
“If you believe in serving your country and you have the skills…we need you,” he said, adding “we need fresh faces with innovative ideas driven by the common desire to make our place a better place”.
During his address, Mitchell confirmed he had held talks with the former prime minister, who had initiated the call earlier on Friday and that the discussions centered on the need to improve Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
“There was no suggestion that he was not magnanimous and I want to publicly thank him for doing so and he indicated that he wanted that we spoke privately before he made any public statements. So to him and his fellow colleague Members of Parliament, I extend my best wishes and congratulations and I will ensure that they too work on behalf of the people who have elected them to serve as members of Parliament”
Source-CMC
TCI IS THE FIRST OT TO JOIN THE BLUE BELT PROGRAM
The Turks and Caicos Islands is the first UK Overseas Territory in the Caribbean to join the UK Government’s flagship marine conservation programme, Blue Belt.
The announcement was made by Lord Goldsmith, Minister for Pacific and the Environment at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) at a World Oceans Day event celebrating the work of the UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) within the Blue Belt Programme in the United Kingdom (UK).
The Minister responsible for Tourism and the Environment met with Lord Goldsmith during the day of activities and used the opportunity to make a presentation on the topic “Small Islands Big Impacts”. During the Presentation, Minister Connolly thanked the UK Government for the opportunity to highlight the work of her team in environment management and conservation. The Minister further addressed the Challenges, the work related to Climate Change, legislative review, partnerships and the way forward.
During the ‘Small Islands Big Impact’ presentation, Minister Connolly added, “This programme will directly benefit the Turks and Caicos Islands; ensuring that marine protection brings lasting benefits to the marine environment and local communities for future generations. From this partnership, we will be purchasing a new catamaran vessel that will be used in demarcating park boundaries and swim zones. The vessel will also be used for conducting industry-leading research in our waters to help improve our knowledge and management of this precious resource”.
The Blue Belt Programme will support work to protect our reefs, as well as the wider marine environment of TCI, which faces the impacts of both global and local threats – from climate change to illegal fishing. The Minister added that the Turks and Caicos Islands prides itself of having 1/3 of the country set aside in protected areas having third largest barrier reef in the world.
Support from Blue Belt includes:
· Work to monitor and conduct research into tackling coral diseases, such as Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, that is impacting reefs across the Caribbean.
· The creation of a new Marine Protected Area (MPA) covering over half of TCIs Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This new MPA will act as a sanctuary for key species such as sharks and rays, protecting them from human activities.
· Work to prevent illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing has been a challenge for the TCI Government over recent years, and Blue Belt will work to strengthen enforcement regimes through enhanced data analysis, informing more strategic patrols, and funding more capacity on-island.
· Monitor, manage and minimize the impact of human activities such as tourism and marine pollution (e.g. plastics) across TCI.
Minister Connolly was accompanied by Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Tourism, Mr. Ronlee James and Director of Environment and Coastal Resource (DECR) Mrs. Lormeka Williams who attended the UK Overseas Territories Baited Remote Underwater Video (BRUVs) Network meeting on the 7 June 2022 ahead of the World Ocean day event. The meeting discussed the BRUV’s programme which will be launched in the TCI in August. This work will be key in the continued work of the DECR on fishery stock assessments and reef health.
Millions of iPhone users could get payouts in legal action
Millions of iPhone users could be eligible for payouts, following the launch of a legal claim accusing Apple of secretly slowing the performance of older phones.
Justin Gutmann alleges the company misled users over an upgrade that it said would enhance performance but, in fact, slowed phones down.
He is seeking damages of around £768m for up to 25 million UK iPhone users.
Apple says it has "never" intentionally shortened the life of its products.
The claim, which has been filed with the Competition Appeal Tribunal, alleges Apple slowed down the performance of older iPhones, in a process known as "throttling", in order to avoid expensive recalls or repairs.
It relates to the introduction of a power management tool released in a software update to iPhone users in January 2017, to combat performance issues and stop older devices from abruptly shutting down.
Mr Gutmann, a consumer champion, says the information about the tool was not included in the software update download description at the time, and that the company failed to make clear that it would slow down devices.
He claims that Apple introduced this tool to hide the fact that iPhone batteries may have struggled to run the latest iOS software, and that rather than recalling products or offering replacement batteries, the firm instead pushed users to download the software updates.
Mr Gutmann said: "Instead of doing the honourable and legal thing by their customers and offering a free replacement, repair service or compensation, Apple instead misled people by concealing a tool in software updates that slowed their devices by up to 58%."
The models covered by the claim are the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, SE, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus and iPhone X models.
It is an opt-out claim, which means customers will not need to actively join the case to seek damages.
In a statement, Apple said: "We have never, and would never, do anything to intentionally shorten the life of any Apple product, or degrade the user experience to drive customer upgrades.
"Our goal has always been to create products that our customers love, and making iPhones last as long as possible is an important part of that."
Source-BBC
Tropical wave causes widespread flooding, forces cancellation of schools in Belize
Schools in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts were closed on Monday as Belize came under heavy rains and strong winds linked to the passage of a tropical wave.
The National Meteorological Service (NMS) said the wave follows the area of low pressure that crossed over the weekend.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology said that based on the recommendation of the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) and the NMS it had taken the decision that “all class sessions in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts have been cancelled for today” and that schools in the other districts where flooding is being experienced are being asked to advise the authorities on the situation.
“The Ministry will continue to closely monitor all other districts for developments and will inform the public of any changes made to the school schedule. We urge everyone to pay keen attention to the advisories issued by the NEMO and the NMS, and to take all necessary precautions to safeguard health and lives.”
NMS said that some areas in the Orange Walk and Corozal districts received as much as five inches of rainfall during the past 48 hours and that the tropical wave will continue to support very wet conditions persisting at least through to mid-week.
“Heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected over most areas of the country producing daily rainfall totals of one to three inches with locally higher amounts. A flood watch remains in effect in keeping with the flood advisories issued for areas prone to flooding as the weather is expected to get worse in the coming days,” the NMS added.
NEMO said shelters have been opened in the villages of Carmelita and San Jose in the Orange Walk District and that people living near rivers, creeks, and low-lying areas are cautioned to be on the alert and take the necessary actions to save lives, including moving to safer areas.
DISRUPTION OF FLIGHT SERVICES JUNE 18th AT THE PROVIDENCIALES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
A group of disgruntled firefighters bound together and staged a strike last weekend to demand their voices be heard regarding a salary increase disparity.
Sources say that the firefighters asked for an across-the-board increase, but when it was given, it was shockingly inequal.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) announced that it has and continues to prioritize improving work conditions and salaries/wages at the TCIAA. They said that the workers did not give the TCIAA sufficient notice of their intention to strike and in response to a recent announcement by the TCIAA to its staff that it was immediately introducing a phased salary increase to all staff.
The Airports Authority also said that the initial 15% increase to the fire service was a first step in a two-step process leading to the introduction of a salary grading scale. The TCIAA mentioned that they proposed in their 2022/23 budget to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, a reserved sum to meet the demands of the salary increase.
The TCIAA said that they will continue to work with its Team Members, including the Fire Service, to adequately address the salary concerns and any other issues affecting their work environment.
The Airports Authority mentioned that construction of a new Fire Hall and Air Traffic Control Tower is underway. Another effort, they said, which is being taken to improve work conditions at the TCIAA. They have expressed hope that the anticipated redevelopment of the Providenciales International Airport would address several other workplace issues.
Deputy Leader of the People’s Democratic Movement, Honorable Robert Been, said that the recent news regarding cancelled or postponed flights due to the disgruntled workers is saddening. He said that these flights are the bread and butter of the islands and must not be taken lightly.
Hon. Been said that respect and proper communication are the means to avoiding public conflict such as this as it appears that the 15% increase was not equal across the board. He added that mutual agreements between the parties involved could have been settled long before public travelling and airline partners were so unfairly inconvenienced, and the aviation reputation of the Turks and Caicos Islands was compromised once again.
Hon. Been called upon the current administration to visit the various departments to find out issues, challenges, and concerns to properly take care of the people.