PayPal using your data to boost its ad business
Well, well, well … What do we have here? Another tech giant selling your data to make a buck? Shocking, I know.
This time, it’s PayPal. Through the new PayPal Ads network, the company plans to tap into customer transactions to supercharge targeted ads. This feels pretty darn gross if you’re using it to run a business, buy things you don’t necessarily want filling up your ad feed, or know that data being sold to who-knows-who for who-knows-why.
New app limits kids bathroom breaks
Are your kids ready for this to become the norm?
Is nothing sacred? YouTube is cracking down on ad blockers. If you have one enabled in your browser, YouTube might skip straight to the end of the video you’re attempting to watch, play it without audio or just refuse to load the video altogether. The only fix? Disable your ad blocker for YouTube or pay $13.99 for YouTube Premium. Ugh.
We talk a ton about self-driving cars, but if you’ve been in an airplane, you’ve already been in a self-driving vehicle! Modern airplanes are computer-controlled for what percentage of the flight? Is it … A.) 10%, B.) 40%, C.) 50% or D.) 95%?
Allowing specific calls while on Do Not Disturb
Do Not Disturb keeps calls and texts from bugging you, but what if there’s a person or two you want to get through any time? Here’s how to flag important contacts and silence the rest.
🕹️ Told ya this would happen: I wish I was in the business of selling police drones. The Denver Police Department will soon deploy drones to respond to 911 calls. They’ll use them to map areas before their officers show up and send live video footage back to assess the situation. Watch for all departments to get a fleet of drones.
Social media is overrun with pics and videos of celebs: These product endorsements are mostly AI-generated scams. Recently impersonated? Jennifer Lopez pushing skincare, Tom Hanks promoting a dental plan and MrBeast hawking iPhones. Don’t fall for it. Look for reviews, don’t buy directly from social media, and stick to well-known brands.
What are the odds? A San Diego woman found out she had three felonies during a routine background check that relies on people-search databases. The charges, dating back to 2014, included burglary, identity theft and possession of a controlled substance. Turns out, she’s innocent. The real culprit shares her exact name and birthday.
🚨 Grooming is a big problem: A Georgia man was sentenced to life in prison after he stalked and almost killed a 15-year-old girl. The two met on Snapchat, where he chatted with her until she invited him over. He showed up with duct tape, rope and a knife and sexually assaulted her before stabbing her 86 times. She survived but will likely suffer a lifetime of anguish. Please, I’m begging you to watch your kids.
Power move: T‑Mobile is shelling out $4.4 billion to acquire almost all of UScellular’s network and customers and compete with the Big Two (Verizon and AT&T). If you have UScellular or T‑Mobile, expect better 5G service across the country, especially in rural areas. UScellular customers can keep their current plan or switch to T‑Mobile.