Information Technology

Maria Diaz/ZDNETApple has settled a class action lawsuit in which tens of millions of users can expect a slice of the payout.On Tuesday, the iPhone maker agreed to pay $95 million to settle a 2019 lawsuit claiming that Siri violated the privacy of Apple users by recording their conversations, as reported by Reuters.Also: The first open-source, privacy-focused voice assistant for the home is hereKnown as Lopez v. Apple, Inc., the class action lawsuit was filed by three plaintiffs who alleged that Apple programmed Siri to intercept conversations even when no hot word, such as “Hey Siri,” was spoken. Further, the plaintiffs claimed that Apple violated their privacy by sharing recordings of the conversations with third-party contractors.In settling the suit, Apple has denied any wrongdoing on its part. Before the plaintiffs and Apple users can receive their cut of the payout,  the settlement must be approved by US District Judge Jeffrey White in the Oakland, Calif. federal court. More

SOPA Images / Contributor A VPN, or virtual private network, is software that encrypts your data online to create a secure connection between your computer and the internet. It’s a useful tool for protecting your private information while connected to public Wi-Fi and can even let you enjoy streaming services in another part of the […] More

SOPA Images / Contributor A VPN, or virtual private network, is software that encrypts your data online to create a secure connection between your computer and the internet. It’s a useful tool for protecting your private information while connected to public Wi-Fi and can even let you enjoy streaming services in another part of the […] More

Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNETAnother day, another bug in Windows 11 24H2. Early last week, Microsoft revealed the latest glitch to befall its newest flavor of Windows 11. And this one could keep you from downloading any future security updates.The problem occurs if you installed the Windows 11 24H2 version through physical media such as a CD or USB flash drive anytime between Oct. 8, 2024, and Nov. 12, 2024. Those dates covered the October 2024 and November 2024 security updates as part of the installation.Also: Why Windows 11 requires a TPM – and how to get around itIn this event, your PC is unable to receive any future Windows security updates. That means you’re stuck if new vulnerabilities are discovered and you need to patch the OS. The problem doesn’t occur if you installed or updated Windows 11 24H2 through Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog website. “When using media to install Windows 11, version 24H2, the device might remain in a state where it cannot accept further Windows security updates,” Microsoft said on its Windows 11, version 24H2 known issues and notifications page.”This occurs only when the media is created to include the October 2024, or November 2024, security updates as part of the installation,” the company explained. “Please note, this only occurs when utilizing media – such as CD and USB flash drives – to install Windows 11, version 24H2. This issue does not occur for devices where the October 2024 security update or the November 2024 security updates are installed via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog website.” More

<!–> ZDNET’s key takeaways With plans as low as $120 for three years, TunnelBear is an affordable VPN with a free version The software is hassle-free, with minimalistic settings and an outlook that makes setting up and navigating the app easy. Server distribution is smaller than the competition and may not be ideal for streaming. […] More

PerlaStudio/Getty Images Between unencrypted messaging hacks, data breaches, and AI scam calls, smartphone-centered security threats appear to be everywhere. iVerify found that one type of spyware is trying to make a comeback. Also: Why you should power off your phone once a week – according to the NSA Recently, the mobile security firm resurfaced findings from its spyware […] More

ZDNETFollowing the 2024 US presidential election, X (formerly known as Twitter) has experienced one of its largest user exoduses since Elon Musk acquired the platform two years ago. The day after the election, about 115,000 US web visitors deactivated their X accounts. Numerous celebrities, public figures, and media platforms, according to The Guardian and Prism Reports, have also announced their departures from the platform. Users seem to be flocking from X to alternative text-based social media apps, including Bluesky and Instagram’s Threads.Also: Why I don’t regret leaving X for BlueskyEven before the turmoil that has plagued X since Musk’s takeover, many users had reasons to consider leaving. From social media detoxes to the search for a new online space, platform migration happens frequently.In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to fully delete your X account and take all of your valuable data with you. We’ll also share a reliable, cost-effective solution for deleting tweets, likes, direct messages, and follows. Finally, if you choose to stay on X, we’ll show you how to opt out of Grok AI, which Musk is training on your data by default. More

Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images The US is preparing to ban the world’s most popular router over national security fears. According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Chinese-owned TP-Link is currently under investigation by the US Justice, Commerce, and Defense departments because of its link to several high-profile hacking incidents. The move […] More