Some subreddits could be paywalled, hints Reddit CEO

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has hinted at potential paywalled subreddits as a future revenue source, alongside testing AI-powered search results. This follows Reddit's recent moves to monetize, including charging developers for API calls and signing a deal with Google for training data, which led to widespread protests. Huffman emphasized that while the free version of Reddit will continue, paywalled subreddits could offer exclusive content.

He suggested that the company might experiment with paywalled subreddits as it looks to monetize new features. “I think the existing, altruistic, free version of Reddit will continue to exist and grow and thrive just the way it has,” Huffman said. “But now we will unlock the door for new use cases, new types of subreddits that can be built that may have exclusive content or private areas, things of that nature.”

🔗 9to5Mac
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macOS Sequoia makes it harder to run apps that don’t follow Apple’s security rules

In macOS Sequoia, Apple is tightening security by disabling the Control-click shortcut to bypass Gatekeeper for opening unsigned or unnotarized apps.

Users must now go to System Settings > Privacy & Security to review and allow such apps.

Developers are urged to ensure their apps are properly signed to avoid these extra steps for users.

🔗 9to5Mac
🧑‍💻 @agamtechtricks

Hackers could spy on cellphone users by abusing 5G baseband flaws, researchers say

A group of researchers from Pennsylvania State University revealed security flaws in 5G basebands used in smartphones, which could allow hackers to spy on victims. They presented their findings at the Black Hat conference and released a tool called 5GBaseChecker on GitHub for further research.

The vulnerabilities affected processors from Samsung, MediaTek, and Qualcomm, used in devices from brands like Google, OPPO, and Motorola. Exploiting these flaws, hackers could send phishing messages or downgrade connections to older protocols, making eavesdropping easier. Most vendors have since patched the identified vulnerabilities, with Samsung and Google confirming the fixes.

🔗 TechCrunch
🧑‍💻 @agamtechtricks

Google is about add a built-in AI in the Chrome browser that will work locally

Google is testing a built-in AI in the Chrome browser, allowing users to access a large language model via the Prompt API. This API supports natural language requests for tasks like data processing and classification, and can leverage the system's GPU, NPU, or CPU to optimize performance.

This integration aims to enhance privacy, enable offline functionality, reduce delays, and eliminate reliance on external services. Google plans to expand the API based on user feedback and will offer an Origin Trials add-on for testing experimental APIs. The company is also working with other browser developers to standardize these APIs.

🔗 Winaero | Blog Post
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You can now share 20 slides in one Instagram post

Instagram is expanding the number of photos and videos that can be added to a single grid post. Each carousel post can now have up to 20 photos or videos. Users could previously add up to 10 pieces of content to each carousel post.

This update, rolling out globally today, brings Instagram closer to TikTok, which allows up to 35 photos per post.

🔗 The Verge
🧑‍💻 @agamtechtricks

Exposing Security Flaws in Microsoft's Copilot: A Black Hat Revelation

Michael Bargury, Zenity CTO, revealed security flaws in Microsoft's Copilot at the Black Hat conference. He highlighted that the default settings in Copilot Studio, a tool for building AI-driven enterprise bots, are insecure, making it easy for attackers to exploit these bots to access sensitive data of the organisation that uses this tech.

Bargury demonstrated how attackers can use indirect prompt injection attacks, similar to remote code execution, to compromise Copilot and perform malicious activities. Although Microsoft has fixed some issues, vulnerabilities remain, especially in older installations.

🔗 The Register
🧑‍💻 @agamtechtricks

RBI Introduces Delegated Payments Through UPI

The Reserve Bank of India has announced a new feature allowing delegated payments through UPI. This enables a primary user to authorize a secondary user to make UPI transactions from the primary user's bank account, with transaction limits set by the primary user.

The system aims to make UPI accessible to minors and individuals without bank accounts through a 'family account' feature. These transactions will be limited to savings accounts only. Additionally, the RBI has increased the threshold for tax payments via UPI from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh per transaction.

🔗 ET
🧑‍💻 @agamtechtricks

End of an era: Nova Launcher's parent company lays off practically everyone

Nova Launcher, a popular Android custom launcher, has undergone significant changes after its parent company, Branch Metrics, laid off over 100 employees, including nearly the entire Nova team. Only founder Kevin Barry remains, who is continuing work on Nova 8.1 but with a reduced scope.

The now former Nova Launcher employees seem to echo the sentiment that there’s no reason to panic and that Kevin will continue his good work. With the loss of customer support and PR, future development is expected to slow, focusing mainly on minor updates and bug fixes.

🔗 Android Authority
🧑‍💻 @agamtechtricks