City of San Francisco Urges Apple and Google to Eliminate ‘Nudify’ Applications
What? The municipal authorities of San Francisco have recently issued a formal request for Apple and Google to eradicate all “nudify” applications from their app marketplaces.
Investigations have uncovered “dozens of applications” facilitating “deepfake NCII [non-consensual intimate images] for payment,” as reported by TechCrunch.
So What? A nudify app employs advanced software—frequently utilizing artificial intelligence—to digitally undress individuals in photographs.
Initially, when the Tech Transparency Project presented their findings to Apple and Google, a subset of these applications was expunged, yet a comprehensive removal was not achieved.
Now What? This initiative by San Francisco represents a significant advancement in the fight against AI-fueled exploitation.
Nonetheless, parents intent on safeguarding their children may consider refraining from sharing their children’s images online or, if sharing is necessary, ensuring that their accounts remain private and accessible only to trusted contacts.
Research Indicates Parental Screen Time May Heighten Children’s Anxiety
What? A recent study, titled “Mommy, Do You Love Your Phone More Than Me?,” has established a link between parental smartphone usage and a child’s feelings of insecure attachment towards their caregivers.
In essence, increased parental engagement with devices correlates with heightened insecurity in offspring.
So What? For decades, research has illuminated a positive correlation between elevated technology and social media usage and increased risks of anxiety and depression.
However, this study illuminates the potential ramifications of technology use on the mental well-being of children, extending beyond one’s personal mental health.
Now What? Habitual scrolling often occurs subconsciously. Families might contemplate dedicating time to interactions devoid of screens or initiating a digital detox in their homes.
(Consider Plugged In’s Screen Fast as a potential starting point.) For further insights into technology, peruse our complimentary Parents’ Guide to Technology.
Cybercriminals Compromise WordPress Websites
What? Experts have alerted that numerous websites utilizing WordPress—the leading content management framework globally—are at peril due to “two recently patched vulnerabilities that are currently under active exploitation,” as reported by TechRadar.
Another publication, TechCrunch, elaborates that websites operating on WordPress versions 6.9.0 to 6.9.4 and 7.0.0 to 7.0.1 are susceptible to complete takeover.
So What? TechCrunch estimates that approximately 90 million websites could face exploitation due to this vulnerability.
Now What? WordPress strongly advises users to promptly update their websites to mitigate risks. Given the software’s widespread use in both commercial and blogging contexts, it is essential for families to ensure that any sensitive information hosted on their sites is safeguarded through compliance with WordPress security updates.
Source link: Pluggedin.com.
