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Author: Jim Hendler

Jim Hendler is a ReturnByte journalist who closely follows the advancement of Internet technologies and social media. Follow him on Twitter at @jahendler
Altman was removed from his role as CEO and as the board member earlier in the year but the probe has confirmed his return. News 

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reinstated to the board after wrongful removal is verified

Jim Hendler, ,

Sam Altman joins OpenAI’s board after an independent investigation found his conduct “did not warrant removal.” A special committee of the OpenAI board announced the completion of the review and expressed full confidence in Altman and Greg Brockman’s continued leadership of OpenAI. Law firm WilmerHale interviewed board members, employees and reviewed “more than 30,000 documents” to reach its conclusion. “We have unanimously decided that Sam and Greg are the right leaders for OpenAI,” said Bret Taylor, OpenAI’s board chairman, in a statement early Saturday. Altman will continue as CEO on…

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As Meta expands WhatsApp's capabilities, users can anticipate greater personalization options including avatars. (Pixabay) News 

Upcoming changes to WhatsApp will give users more control over their avatars; Find out what to expect

Jim Hendler

Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, is introducing new features to improve the messaging platform’s user experience. A recent addition being tested is a feature that allows users to turn any image into a sticker, adding a personalized touch to conversations. While this feature offers more creative options, it also raises privacy concerns. In response, Meta is addressing these concerns with a new feature focused on avatars. The WhatsApp beta for Android 2.24.6.8 includes settings that allow users to control who can use their avatar in stickers. Users can choose to…

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Nab the amazing rewards with Garena Free Fire MAX redeem codes for March 10. (ff.garena.com) News 

New skins, free diamonds, and more up for grabs with Garena Free Fire MAX Redeem Codes for March 10

Jim Hendler

Garena Free Fire MAX continues to captivate players in India after the ban on its predecessor, Garena Free Fire. The game’s stunning graphics and engaging gameplay have made it a popular choice among gamers. Players can enhance their experience by using redeem codes provided by 111 Dot Studios, which offer a variety of free items like skins, diamonds, and weapons. These codes add an extra level of excitement to the already thrilling Free Fire Max gaming experience. Garena Free Fire MAX Redeem Codes March 10th H5I2U8W7P3N9Y4Q I3V6W4X7N2Y8Z5H J8C1D4W2N6P5Y9U K2R9W7X3P6N8Y4Z L5B8W6P9N3X7Y2T…

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Bitcoin miners are investing heavily in equipment and energy to capitalize on the surge in cryptocurrency value. (REUTERS) News 

Bitcoin miners are consuming energy at an unprecedented rate amid the surge in cryptocurrency prices

Jim Hendler,

Following a close call during the previous crypto winter, Bitcoin miners are now in a fight for survival, investing billions in equipment and consuming energy at unprecedented levels in anticipation of an upcoming update to the digital currency’s code that could impact their profits. The surge in activity is due to the rise of the world’s largest cryptocurrency, fueled by recently launched Bitcoin exchange-traded spot funds, and a quadrennial event called the halving, which is scheduled to take place in April. Bitcoin has more than quadrupled since plunging 64% in…

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Threads app revolutionizes user experience with draft-saving and in-app photo capture capabilities, streamlining content sharing. (REUTERS) News 

New features on Instagram’s Threads allow users to save drafts and take photos directly in the app; Here’s what’s changed

Jim Hendler

Threads, the social media platform similar to Twitter, is enhancing its functionality by adding two long-awaited features – the option to save drafts and take photos directly within the app. Instagram head Adam Mosseri revealed this update, which is designed to improve user experience and simplify the sharing of thoughts and moments. New features in Threads The implementation of these features follows a testing period with a selected group of users and responds to user requests for increased functionality. Mosseri emphasized that these additions are tailored to meet the evolving…

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Meta Platforms pressured by 40 states and D.C. to address rising account takeovers by scammers on Facebook and Instagram. (unsplash) News 

US states urge Meta to address Facebook and Instagram account hijackings

Jim Hendler

Forty states in the U.S. along with Washington, D.C. have urged Meta Platforms to take action against scammers who are taking over Facebook and Instagram accounts, in response to a significant increase in account hijackings. The states, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, said in a letter to Meta’s general counsel that scammers are “winning the war and running rampant at Meta” after the company announced thousands of job cuts in November 2022 focused on security and privacy. Since 2019, New York has seen a 1,000 percent increase…

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With iOS 17.4, Apple prioritizes user choice and compliance, offering flexibility and security enhancements for all (Unsplash) News 

iOS 17.4 introduces major updates such as redesigned App Store guidelines and enhanced NFC capabilities

Jim Hendler

Apple has released the much-awaited iOS 17.4 update, which includes major changes designed for users in Europe. While the update does have some improvements for users worldwide, the main focus is on meeting the requirements of the Digital Markets Act and introducing specific changes for the European Union. EU changes In accordance with the Act on Digital Markets, Apple is renewing the App Store environment in the European Union (EU). Developers in the EU can now choose alternative app stores or distribute their apps through alternative channels, introducing a new…

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Shortly after Instagram and Facebook returned to normalcy, Google's Gmail and YouTube began experiencing issues. Here's what you need to know. News 

Gmail and YouTube Experience Outage Following Restoration of Instagram and Facebook

Jim Hendler, , ,

Late Tuesday, Meta’s Instagram and Facebook and other services struggled with prolonged outages that affected a significant user base. Meta recognized the problems and successfully solved them. Meanwhile, Google, another tech giant, also faced brief disruptions. While Facebook users encountered error messages and unintentionally logged out and were unable to log back in, Instagram users found themselves stuck in their feeds and unable to update and access new content. Soon after the normalization of Instagram and Facebook, problems started to appear in Google’s services. According to outage tracking website Downdetector,…

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Meta Communications Official Andy Stone confirmed that people are having trouble accessing their platforms News 

Elon Musk ridicules Meta Platforms in social media post following Instagram and Facebook outage experienced by users.

Jim Hendler

After users reported problems on Instagram and Facebook, X owner Elon Musk shared a funny post on Tuesday with rival platforms Meta. The billionaire said: “If you’re reading this message, it’s because our servers are working.” A few minutes later, he also shared a photo of penguins with the Instagram, Facebook and Threads logos greeting a penguin with the X logo. If you’re reading this post, it’s because our servers are working— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2024 pic.twitter.com/VTOACNfb3E— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 5, 2024 The social media platforms Facebook…

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Facebook and Instagram suffer global outage. (REUTERS) News 

Facebook and Instagram, owned by Meta, experiencing outages for hundreds of thousands of users worldwide

Jim Hendler,

On Tuesday, Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta Platforms, experienced a global outage affecting hundreds of thousands of users, as reported by Downdetector.com. The outage began around 10 a.m. ET, with more than 300,000 reports of outages on Facebook and about 40,000 on Instagram, according to the site. “We know people are having trouble accessing our services. We’re working on that now,” Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a post on X’s social media. Meta’s status dashboard showed that there were also problems with the API of WhatsApp Business.…

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Instagram brings new features to DM with the latest update. Check details. (Unsplash) News 

New Instagram update allows users to edit messages within 15 minutes of sending them in DMs

Jim Hendler

Instagram has introduced several new features in direct messages (DMs) to improve user experience. This update follows recent reports suggesting the platform may be developing a Friends Map feature similar to Snapchat, enabling users to view friends’ posts with location tags. The latest update includes enhancements to Instagram DMs. Explore the latest additions on the platform. Instagram is getting new features In a blog post, Instagram announced several new features coming to the social media platform aimed at helping users better express themselves, connect with friends, and organize their inbox.…

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Know why Elon Musk was sued by former Twitter executives including CEO Parag Agrawal. (Bloomberg) News 

Former Twitter executives Parag Agrawal and Vijaya Gadde, along with others, file lawsuit against Elon Musk

Jim Hendler,

Elon Musk, the owner of X, is facing a lawsuit from four former Twitter executives for allegedly failing to pay $128 million in severance payments and other grievances. The executives, including Twitter’s former CEO and CFO, claim they were unjustly fired without cause. The lawsuit also addresses Musk’s involvement in the rebranding of Twitter to X. Read on for further details on this shocking development. Musk is being sued by former executives According to the AP report, the reason for the lawsuit is that they were terminated without explanation on…

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Auroras were captured around the Arctic Circle as a result of a solar storm. Check details. (Representative Image) (Pexels) News 

Geomagnetic storm in 2024 causes breathtaking auroras near the Arctic Circle due to solar activity

Jim Hendler

Solar storm in 2024: With the solar maximum approaching, the Sun’s activity is predicted to rise. Recent weeks have seen the Sun unleash powerful X-class solar flares multiple times, posing a threat to Earth’s electrical infrastructure. Technological devices are particularly vulnerable during these events, leading to potential power outages and disruptions in radio communication. Following a G1-class geomagnetic storm, auroras were triggered on March 3. Solar storm According to a report by spaceweather.com, the Sun launched a CME into space on February 28 when a magneto filament erupted connected to…

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To comply with the new IT Rules 2021, WhatsApp banned over 67 lakh bad accounts in India in the month of January. Here's what you need to know. News 

Details of WhatsApp banning over 67 lakh ‘bad’ Indian accounts in January

Jim Hendler

Meta-owned WhatsApp banned over 67,000,000 bad accounts in India in January under new IT rules 2021. Between January 1 and 31, the company banned “6,728,000 accounts.” About 1,358,000 of those accounts were proactively banned before users reported them, WhatsApp said in its monthly compliance report. The most popular messaging platform, which has more than 500 million users in the country, again received a record 14,828 complaint reports in the country in January, with 10 “actions”. “Accounts Actioned” means reports where WhatsApp took corrective action based on the report, and taking…

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WhatsApp is set to revolutionise messaging with an upcoming update, enabling users to message users of Signal and Telegram apps too. (Bloomberg) News 

WhatsApp aims to facilitate cross-app messaging with Signal and Telegram, breaking down barriers.

Jim Hendler

WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, is planning to enhance user experience by introducing a new feature that will enable users to send messages to third-party apps like Signal and Telegram. The highly anticipated update, known as version 2.24.6.2, was announced by WABetaInfo. Connection between applications This innovative move by WhatsApp is in line with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and emphasizes chat interoperability to promote seamless communication across platforms. In response to the DMA, WhatsApp had earlier announced the beta testing of the chat compatibility feature in Android version 2.24.5.18.…

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The image of Earth captured by Odysseus serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's ongoing quest for exploration. (X/ Intuitive Machines) Space 

Odysseus moon lander captures last photo of Earth’s crescent before shutting down

Jim Hendler

In a touching moment amidst the vastness of space, the Odysseus moon lander, operated by Intuitive Machines, transmitted its final message before shutting down for the lunar night. Despite landing with a leg askew and losing power, the spacecraft left a lasting and awe-inspiring image – a distant crescent Earth shining against the grey lunar horizon. The image, received on February 22 but shared by Intuitive Machines on X on February 29, serves as a reminder of humanity’s lonely presence in the vastness of space. Despite its compromised state, Odysseus…

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Experience stunning photography, seamless performance, and eco-conscious design with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G, which just received a big price cut on Amazon. (Samsung) News 

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G now offered at a discounted price on Amazon!

Jim Hendler

Samsung fans can celebrate as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G, known for its impressive features, is now available at a discounted price on Amazon. The smartphone, originally priced at Rs. 1,49,999, is now being sold at Rs. 1,09,999, a 27% reduction. Explore all the discounts offered by Amazon. Offers and discounts Also read: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra In addition to the attractive price reduction of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 5G, customers can take advantage of various offers and discounts to make their purchase even more affordable. For example,…

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DisasterAWARE users are now equipped with NASA's LHASA model for real-time monitoring and response to landslide threats worldwide. (NASA Scientific Visualization Studio) Space 

NASA and PDC collaborate to enhance worldwide preparedness for landslides using cutting-edge technology

Jim Hendler

NASA and the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) have partnered to improve worldwide awareness and response to landslide dangers by incorporating NASA’s Landslide Hazard Assessment for Situational Awareness model (LHASA) into the DisasterAWARE platform. Each year, landslides cause substantial harm and loss of life in communities globally. By utilizing LHASA’s features, users of DisasterAWARE now have a powerful tool to quickly identify, monitor, and address landslide risks. Developed over years of research and testing, LHASA uses a machine learning model that integrates a variety of data, including land slope, soil moisture,…

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Bad content is removed from these platforms as they don't meet the policies that Meta has for these apps in India. News 

Over 22 Million Pieces of Harmful Content Removed from Facebook and Instagram in India

Jim Hendler, ,

Meta said it removed more than 17.8 million bad content from 13 Facebook policies and more than 4.8 million inappropriate content from 12 Instagram policies in India in January. In January, Facebook received 29,548 complaints through India’s complaint mechanism and said it provided tools for users to resolve issues in 21,060 cases. These include, for example, pre-defined channels for reporting content for certain violations, self-remediation streams where they can download their data, ways to resolve hacked accounts, etc., Meta said in its monthly report under IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital…

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Leaving groups on Instagram is an option but if you ever decide to rejoin the group, you'll need to ask one of the group members to add you back. News 

Feeling Overwhelmed by Groups on Instagram? Here’s How to Leave Them

Jim Hendler

In today’s digital age, social media plays a significant role in our lives, and platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp dominate by far. Instagram in particular has become increasingly popular due to its many features that allow users to connect with friends, family and celebrities. One of its notable features is the ability to create groups where users can interact by sharing memes, reels, and similar content. However, there are instances where individuals may want to leave a group for a variety of reasons, such as maintaining privacy, reducing the distraction…

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