For years now, Twitter has been rolling out tool after tool designed to combat harassment and abuse. While the company says these initiatives are working — despite a lack of data — it’s also doubling down on its efforts: Twitter will soon roll out another set of changes to protect users. [More]
taking it seriously
Internet Redefines “Re-Accommodate” For United Airlines
By 4.10.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Amid the uproar over videos that show a United Airlines passenger being forcibly pulled from his seat and dragged off a flight that was overbooked, the carrier’s CEO Oscar Munoz issued a statement apologizing for ” having to re-accommodate” customers on the flight. The internet has, of course, redefined that word for the airline many times over. [More]
Apple, Samsung Say They’ve Already Fixed Issues Revealed In WikiLeaks Documents
By 3.8.17
The recent WikiLeaks data dump of alleged “Vault 7” CIA documents put some people on edge. Did, as WikiLeaks contends, the government already have tools to remotely bypass encryption on iPhones or turn your Samsung TV into a listening device? For their part, Apple and Samsung say they have already fixed — or are working to fix — the vulnerabilities referenced in the leaked docs. [More]
Twitter Adds New Features To Hide, Possibly Prevent Some Abuse
By 2.7.17
Twitter’s own CEO once candidly declared that the social media network “suck[s] at dealing with abuse and trolls,” and the company — as recently as last week — has repeatedly made promises to do something to curb the ugliness. Today, Twitter announced a trio of new tools that it hopes may mitigate the widespread abuses. [More]
Twitter (Again) Promises New Approach To Reduce Harassment And Abuse
By 1.31.17
Twitter is something of a double edged sword, for its millions of users. On one hand, conversations are fast-flowing, free, and open, and a single retweet can bring that smart thing you said to everyone’s attention. Conversely, a single retweet can bring that smart thing you said to the attention of a roving hate mob, making your life utterly miserable and possibly putting you in actual danger.
Twitter’s been saying for years that it needs to improve its tools for mitigating abuse and harassment, and for years users have been finding each new option insufficient at best. But this time, the company’s leadership promises, they’re going to make good changes. For real. [More]
Lawmakers Introduce Bill Aimed At Preventing Hot Car Deaths
By 9.15.16
In an effort to keep children from dying in hot cars, three lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require car manufacturers to integrate technology capable of warning adults that there’s still a child in the backseat. [More]
Airlines Verbally Warning Passengers To Not Use Samsung Note 7 During Flights
By 9.12.16
Days after the Federal Aviation Administration put out a statement asking passengers not to use or charge their Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on a plane following reports of exploding and smoking devices, some travelers say airlines are taking additional steps to ensure those devices are turned off. [More]
Heroin Mixed With Powerful Animal Tranquilizer Linked To Spike In Overdoses In Ohio
By 9.6.16
A sharp increase in heroin overdoses in the Cincinnati area — more than 200 in the last two weeks, killing three — has medical and law enforcement officials on edge. One possible culprit for the uptick? A super strong synthetic animal tranquilizer called carfentanil. [More]
Uber Driver Accused Of Robbing, Assaulting Disabled Woman
By 8.31.16
It seems every week we’re reporting on ride-share drivers accused of mistreating the passengers they’re hired to take from point A to B, and this week is no different: an Uber driver in Massachusetts has been accused of stealing from an elderly disabled woman and assaulting her in the process. [More]
Today In Hacks: Opera Sync, Voter Databases
By 8.29.16
If it’s a day that ends in Y, someone who shouldn’t have access to a system is trying to get access to that system. Unfortunately, today there’s news in the air of two big successes for the bad guys. One has hit 1.7 million web browser users; the other, at least 200,000 registered voters. [More]
Uber Driver Accused Of Raping A Passenger In Atlanta
By 8.16.16
All too often we find ourselves writing about another occasion where an Uber driver is accused of assaulting a passenger, and here we are again, unfortunately: a woman in Atlanta says her driver sexually assaulted her after picking her up early Saturday morning. [More]
Uber Passenger Claims Driver Attacked Her After Dropping Her Off
By 8.5.16
A Los Angeles woman says she doesn’t feel safe alone with Uber drivers at night, after a driver allegedly attacked her after taking her to her destination. [More]
Terminix Offering $87M To Family Sickened By Industrial Pesticide During Caribbean Vacation
By 8.1.16
The Delaware family that was sickened by toxic pesticide during their stay in a luxury condo in the Caribbean last year could be getting $87 million from Terminix as part of a proposed settlement. [More]
Woman Killed After Trying To Save Daughter From Tiger Attack At Chinese Wildlife Park
By 7.27.16
While there are many opportunities for us humans to brush up against wildlife, there’s always the risk of getting too close to nature. A recent tragic incident at a drive-through wildlife park in China shows just how dangerous it can be to interact with wild animals, which are, well, still wild, even if we have up-close-and-personal access to them. [More]
Noodles & Company Apologizes After Police Officer Denied Service At DC-Area Restaurant
By 7.27.16
Noodles & Company has apologized after a uniformed police officer said she was denied service at a D.C.-area location, saying the company does not “tolerate any form of discrimination.” [More]
Lawsuit: Passenger Injured After United Airlines Failed To Provide Wheelchair Assistance
By 7.20.16
A United Airlines passenger has filed a lawsuit against the company, claiming that she fell down an escalator and was injured after the carrier failed to provide her with wheelchair assistance as promised. [More]
Taco Bell Employee Fired After Denying Service To Sheriff’s Deputies
By 7.18.16
A cashier at an Alabama Taco Bell was fired after two Sheriff’s deputies were refused service on Saturday night. [More]
Deaf Customer Sues Taco Bell For Discrimination, Claims She Was Denied Service
By 7.15.16
A New Jersey woman is suing Taco Bell for discrimination, claiming that she was denied service at two separate drive-thru locations because she’s deaf. [More]
