theverge--2020-06-04--Kitty Hawk abandons its Flyer project, lays off dozens

Secretive Larry Page-backed “ flying car ” startup Kitty Hawk has pulled the plug on its Flyer electric vertical takeoff and landing ( eVTOL ) aircraft , and will lay off most of the 70-person team that was working on it , as TechCrunch first reported .
“ We have learned what we needed from [ Flyer ] — things like vehicle design and testing , manufacturing aircraft , and most of all , how humans would experience eVTOL , ” Alex Roetter , the president of the Flyer project , and Sebastian Thrun , Kitty Hawk ’ s CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We are proud to have built the first electrically-powered VTOL aircraft in the world flown by non-pilots .
Just as with our earlier Cora aircraft , Flyer is clearly a milestone in the history of Kitty Hawk and eVTOL vehicles.
” Kitty Hawk once said it would have a commercial version of the Flyer available in 2017 The only remaining project Kitty Hawk has disclosed it ’ s working on is a plane-shaped vehicle called Heaviside .
TechCrunch reports that a few Flyer staff will be brought over to the Heaviside project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 20 weeks of pay , annual bonuses , and will have their health insurance covered through the end of the year .
Launched in 2015 but revealed in 2017 , Kitty Hawk promoted that the Flyer would be so simple to fly that people wouldn ’ t need a pilot ’ s license .
The company even said at the time that people would be able to learn to fly it after just minutes of trying .
Kitty Hawk boldly promised a commercial version would be available by year ’ s end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looked more like a DIY project than something close to ready for consumers .
The startup even offered a $ 100 three-year “ membership ” that put prospective customers on a waiting list , gave them access to company-branded gear , and was also supposed to give them exclusive access to a flight simulator and company events .
One year later , Kitty Hawk unveiled a much sleeker version that looked more like a “ hoverbike , ” and gained a lot of buzz after letting YouTube star Casey Neistat become one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fly the Flyer .
( Neistat notably had to go through some two hours of training . )
Kitty Hawk also revealed a second aircraft called Cora in 2018 , which has since been spun out into a joint venture with Boeing .
The startup “ could not find a path to a viable business ” with Flyer In the blog post published Wednesday , Roetter and Thrun write that the goal with Flyer was to prove that the company could scale up the technologies that make consumer drones easy to fly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electric aircraft a reality : Over the last five years , we did just this .
We built and flew 111 aircraft .
More than 75 people flew Flyer .
We proved to ourselves that people could safely operate Flyer — and become a pilot — with less than two hours of training .
On a single day , we trained 50 new novice Flyer pilots , none of whom were licensed .
Overall , we conducted more than 25,000 successful flights crewed and uncrewed with our Flyer fleet — a huge number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flew Flyer thought the experience was “ magical.
” The feeling of being inside a human drone is hard to describe .
For those of us who flew it , it has changed our perspective on the power of flying forever .
But regardless of how “ magical ” it was to fly , Thrun told TechCrunch that the company “ could not find a path to a viable business ” with Flyer .
So Kitty Hawk says it will take all it learned with Flyer and apply it to “ doubling down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the Flyer felt like a novelty when it was first revealed three years ago , there is now a rush of startups and big companies trying to crack the idea of eVTOL aircraft as a viable transportation solution .
Kitty Hawk clearly believes Heaviside is its best bet to do just that — that is , unless the startup has another secret project up waiting in the wings .

Secretive Larry Page-backed “flying car” startup Kitty Hawk has pulled the plug on its Flyer electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and will lay off most of the 70-person team that was working on it, as TechCrunch first reported.
“We have learned what we needed from [Flyer] — things like vehicle design and testing, manufacturing aircraft, and most of all, how humans would experience eVTOL,” Alex Roetter, the president of the Flyer project, and Sebastian Thrun, Kitty Hawk’s CEO, wrote in a blog post. “We are proud to have built the first electrically-powered VTOL aircraft in the world flown by non-pilots. Just as with our earlier Cora aircraft, Flyer is clearly a milestone in the history of Kitty Hawk and eVTOL vehicles.”
Kitty Hawk once said it would have a commercial version of the Flyer available in 2017
The only remaining project Kitty Hawk has disclosed it’s working on is a plane-shaped vehicle called Heaviside. TechCrunch reports that a few Flyer staff will be brought over to the Heaviside project, and the rest will walk away with 20 weeks of pay, annual bonuses, and will have their health insurance covered through the end of the year.
Launched in 2015 but revealed in 2017, Kitty Hawk promoted that the Flyer would be so simple to fly that people wouldn’t need a pilot’s license. The company even said at the time that people would be able to learn to fly it after just minutes of trying. Kitty Hawk boldly promised a commercial version would be available by year’s end, despite showing off a vehicle that looked more like a DIY project than something close to ready for consumers. The startup even offered a $100 three-year “membership” that put prospective customers on a waiting list, gave them access to company-branded gear, and was also supposed to give them exclusive access to a flight simulator and company events.
One year later, Kitty Hawk unveiled a much sleeker version that looked more like a “hoverbike,” and gained a lot of buzz after letting YouTube star Casey Neistat become one of the first people outside the company to fly the Flyer. (Neistat notably had to go through some two hours of training.) Kitty Hawk also revealed a second aircraft called Cora in 2018, which has since been spun out into a joint venture with Boeing.
The startup “could not find a path to a viable business” with Flyer
In the blog post published Wednesday, Roetter and Thrun write that the goal with Flyer was to prove that the company could scale up the technologies that make consumer drones easy to fly and leverage them to make small, personal electric aircraft a reality:
Over the last five years, we did just this. We built and flew 111 aircraft. More than 75 people flew Flyer. We proved to ourselves that people could safely operate Flyer — and become a pilot — with less than two hours of training. On a single day, we trained 50 new novice Flyer pilots, none of whom were licensed. Overall, we conducted more than 25,000 successful flights crewed and uncrewed with our Flyer fleet — a huge number. And most importantly, those who flew Flyer thought the experience was “magical.” The feeling of being inside a human drone is hard to describe. For those of us who flew it, it has changed our perspective on the power of flying forever.
But regardless of how “magical” it was to fly, Thrun told TechCrunch that the company “could not find a path to a viable business” with Flyer. So Kitty Hawk says it will take all it learned with Flyer and apply it to “doubling down on Heaviside as our primary platform.”


theverge--2020-06-05--Motorola updates its budget lineup with the new Moto E and Moto G Fast

Motorola has a pair of new budget smartphones : the entry-level $ 149.99 Motorola E and the $ 199.99 Moto G Fast .
The two new phones help solidify Motorola ’ s lineup across the budget and midrange space , with the Moto E and the Moto G Fast joining the already released Moto G Power ( $ 249.99 ) and G Stylus ( $ 299.99 ) .
For comparisons to last year ’ s lineup , the new Moto E replaces the old Moto E6 , while the G Fast replaces the G7 Play .
As with the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Motorola appears to be fully abandoning the numbering system it had previously used .
The G Fast bears a strong resemblance to the Moto G Power and G Stylus , with a similar design and a 19:9 hole-punch display .
But nearly all the specs on the new G Fast are downgraded compared to its pricier siblings : while it shares the same Snapdragon 665 processor , it only offers 3GB of RAM ( instead of 4GB ) , just 32GB of internal storage ( versus 64GB and 128GB on the G Power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the display is a 720p panel , instead of the 1080p panel found on the other G-series phones .
The cameras on the G Fast are virtually identical to the G Power , too : a 16-megapixel main camera , an 8-megapixel 118-degree ultrawide camera , and a 2-megapixel macro camera .
There ’ s also an 8-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies .
It has the same 4,000mAh battery that the G Stylus has — but not quite as good as the 5,000mAh battery that gives the pricier G Power its name .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rear fingerprint scanner , USB-C charging , a 3.5mm headphone jack , and an IP52 “ water repellant ” design for the occasional drip or rain shower .
The Moto E , on the other hand , is a more substantial upgrade compared to last year ’ s E6 .
The phone has jumped up in size from a 5.5-inch screen to a 6.2-inch panel ( although still at 720p ) with a teardrop notch ( although there ’ s still a hefty chin for a bottom bezel ) .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a first for the E lineup .
Motorola has also put in a beefier processor , going from the Snapdragon 435 to a Snapdragon 632 .
RAM is still the same 2GB as the E6 , although internal storage has been doubled to 32GB .
The rear camera has also been upgraded to a dual-lens system , with a 13-megapixel main lens that ’ s joined by a 2-megapixel depth sensor .
There ’ s also a 3,550mAh battery , a 3.5mm headphone jack , and an IPX2 rating for water and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good for a splash at best ) .
The Moto E still uses Micro USB in 2020 Bafflingly , Motorola has still decided to use a Micro USB port for charging instead of USB-C. That ’ s a decision that was already bizarre in 2019 on the E6 and rises to the level of absurd a year later for its successor .
Both phones run Android 10 , which features the usual suite of improvements common to Motorola ’ s other recent phones , like the Edge Plus , including a gaming mode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various gestures to do things like launch the camera or turn on the flashlight .
Motorola is promising that the Moto G Fast will get one Android OS update down the line , but it has no such pledge for the Moto E. Both phones will be available on June 12th as unlocked devices .
The Moto E will also be available through several carriers , including T-Mobile , Metro by T-Mobile , Boost Mobile , US Cellular , Consumer Cellular , Xfinity Mobile , Republic Wireless , and certified prepaid on Verizon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold through Boost Mobile as well .

Motorola has a pair of new budget smartphones: the entry-level $149.99 Motorola E and the $199.99 Moto G Fast. The two new phones help solidify Motorola’s lineup across the budget and midrange space, with the Moto E and the Moto G Fast joining the already released Moto G Power ($249.99) and G Stylus ($299.99).
For comparisons to last year’s lineup, the new Moto E replaces the old Moto E6, while the G Fast replaces the G7 Play. As with the other G-series phones launched earlier this year, Motorola appears to be fully abandoning the numbering system it had previously used.
The Moto G Fast Image: Motorola
The G Fast bears a strong resemblance to the Moto G Power and G Stylus, with a similar design and a 19:9 hole-punch display. But nearly all the specs on the new G Fast are downgraded compared to its pricier siblings: while it shares the same Snapdragon 665 processor, it only offers 3GB of RAM (instead of 4GB), just 32GB of internal storage (versus 64GB and 128GB on the G Power and Stylus, respectively), and the display is a 720p panel, instead of the 1080p panel found on the other G-series phones.
Related The new Moto G Stylus and G Power are surprisingly adept cameraphones
The cameras on the G Fast are virtually identical to the G Power, too: a 16-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel 118-degree ultrawide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. There’s also an 8-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies. It has the same 4,000mAh battery that the G Stylus has — but not quite as good as the 5,000mAh battery that gives the pricier G Power its name. Rounding out the spec sheet is a rear fingerprint scanner, USB-C charging, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an IP52 “water repellant” design for the occasional drip or rain shower.
The Moto E (2020) Image: Motorola
The Moto E, on the other hand, is a more substantial upgrade compared to last year’s E6. The phone has jumped up in size from a 5.5-inch screen to a 6.2-inch panel (although still at 720p) with a teardrop notch (although there’s still a hefty chin for a bottom bezel). There’s also a rear fingerprint sensor, which is a first for the E lineup.
Motorola has also put in a beefier processor, going from the Snapdragon 435 to a Snapdragon 632. RAM is still the same 2GB as the E6, although internal storage has been doubled to 32GB. The rear camera has also been upgraded to a dual-lens system, with a 13-megapixel main lens that’s joined by a 2-megapixel depth sensor. There’s also a 3,550mAh battery, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an IPX2 rating for water and dust (which, again, is good for a splash at best).
The Moto E still uses Micro USB in 2020
Bafflingly, Motorola has still decided to use a Micro USB port for charging instead of USB-C. That’s a decision that was already bizarre in 2019 on the E6 and rises to the level of absurd a year later for its successor.
Both phones run Android 10, which features the usual suite of improvements common to Motorola’s other recent phones, like the Edge Plus, including a gaming mode, customizable icons and colors, and various gestures to do things like launch the camera or turn on the flashlight. Motorola is promising that the Moto G Fast will get one Android OS update down the line, but it has no such pledge for the Moto E.


theverge--2020-06-05--Dropbox has quietly launched a new password manager in private beta

Dropbox has quietly launched a new password manager named Dropbox Passwords .
The app is only available in a private beta on Android , and although you can download it , you won ’ t be able to use it unless you ’ ve got an invite .
The app ’ s Play Store listing notes that the app is currently “ in development ” and therefore may be unstable .
The app seems pretty basic in its current state .
Like most password managers , it can create unique passwords , store them in one place , sync them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ login fields .
There ’ s no mention of other useful features like importing passwords from browsers and support for two-factor authentication .
It also advertises something called “ zero-knowledge encryption , ” which means only the user has access to data being stored in the app .
This is a common feature , though , with password managers like Dashlane , LastPass , and 1Password all offering the same protocol .
The app was first spotted by AndroidPolice , who point out that as Dropbox Passwords offers the ability to sign in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ click , ” it likely means the software is using Android ’ s autofill feature , introduced in 2017 with Android Oreo .
It does make sense for Dropbox to enter the password manager market , considering that many existing passwords already use Dropbox as a cloud option to sync data between devices .
The field is competitive though , with a range of services offering fairly similar features .
What ’ s undeniable is that everyone should be using a password manager , and given Dropbox ’ s name recognition it might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign up .

Dropbox has quietly launched a new password manager named Dropbox Passwords. The app is only available in a private beta on Android, and although you can download it, you won’t be able to use it unless you’ve got an invite. The app’s Play Store listing notes that the app is currently “in development” and therefore may be unstable.
The app seems pretty basic in its current state. Like most password managers, it can create unique passwords, store them in one place, sync them across devices, and automatically fill in login fields. There’s no mention of other useful features like importing passwords from browsers and support for two-factor authentication.
It also advertises something called “zero-knowledge encryption,” which means only the user has access to data being stored in the app. This is a common feature, though, with password managers like Dashlane, LastPass, and 1Password all offering the same protocol.
Dropbox Passwords is in private beta, but looks quite basic right now. Screenshots: Dropbox / Google Play Store
The app was first spotted by AndroidPolice, who point out that as Dropbox Passwords offers the ability to sign in to apps and websites with “one click,” it likely means the software is using Android’s autofill feature, introduced in 2017 with Android Oreo.


theverge--2020-06-05--German gas stations will have to provide electric car charging under new rules

Gas stations in Germany will be required to provide charging for electric vehicles as part of the country ’ s €130 billion coronavirus stimulus package , Reuters reports .
In addition , the government is also increasing its subsidy for electric vehicles by €3,000 to €6,000 for cars costing less than €40,000 .
Combined , these measures could be a big boost for electric car adoption in a country where many of the world ’ s biggest automakers are headquartered .
Electric vehicles are currently relatively uncommon in the country .
According to Reuters , less than 2 percent of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were electric , compared to 32 percent for diesel cars and 59.2 percent for petrol .
A key limiting factor for adoption is range anxiety , with customers worried that they won ’ t be able to recharge if their vehicle runs out of power while on the road .
The new law is an attempt to change this .
Despite the increase , research suggests Germany may need yet more chargers for electric cars to go fully mainstream .
Reuters notes that the country has 14,118 gas stations , but one report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stations and 7,000 fast chargers to achieve mass market adoption .
The country had 27,730 electric car charging stations as of March 2020 .
Still , it ’ s a positive step for a country where automotive giants such as VW , BMW , and Daimler have their headquarters .
Many of these established automakers are now heavily investing in electric vehicles after the Dieselgate scandal seriously undermined their green credentials .
Electric car manufacturer Tesla is also in the process of establishing its first European Gigafactory in the country at a site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only country to announce measures to increase the adoption of electric vehicles this week .
Yesterday , France announced a subsidy of up to €12,000 when they buy an electric car , Time reports .

Gas stations in Germany will be required to provide charging for electric vehicles as part of the country’s €130 billion coronavirus stimulus package, Reuters reports. In addition, the government is also increasing its subsidy for electric vehicles by €3,000 to €6,000 for cars costing less than €40,000. Combined, these measures could be a big boost for electric car adoption in a country where many of the world’s biggest automakers are headquartered.
Electric vehicles are currently relatively uncommon in the country. According to Reuters, less than 2 percent of the cars sold in Germany last year were electric, compared to 32 percent for diesel cars and 59.2 percent for petrol. A key limiting factor for adoption is range anxiety, with customers worried that they won’t be able to recharge if their vehicle runs out of power while on the road. The new law is an attempt to change this.
Germany’s automakers are investing heavily in electric vehicles
Despite the increase, research suggests Germany may need yet more chargers for electric cars to go fully mainstream. Reuters notes that the country has 14,118 gas stations, but one report suggests it will need around 70,000 charging stations and 7,000 fast chargers to achieve mass market adoption. The country had 27,730 electric car charging stations as of March 2020.
Still, it’s a positive step for a country where automotive giants such as VW, BMW, and Daimler have their headquarters. Many of these established automakers are now heavily investing in electric vehicles after the Dieselgate scandal seriously undermined their green credentials. Electric car manufacturer Tesla is also in the process of establishing its first European Gigafactory in the country at a site near Berlin.


theverge--2020-06-05--What a speech controversy at Stanford tells us about Facebook’s Oversight Board

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Let ’ s conclude what turned out to be Free Speech Week on The Interface with a look at a case involving the co-chairman of Facebook ’ s new Oversight Board , a Zoom recording of his law school class , and the N-word .
Can you use a racist slur on Facebook ?
The answer is probably not , but also maybe .
The company ’ s community standards prohibit “ direct attacks ” on people based on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a blog post in 2017 laying out some of the nuances involved in deciding whether a slur is , in fact , an attack , which often depends heavily on context that goes beyond the written word .
Later this year , some of the hardest decisions about whether a post should stay up on Facebook will be made by an independent Oversight Board .
The board , whose initial members were announced last month , will allow Facebook and Instagram users to appeal when they believe that their posts have been removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abide by the board ’ s decisions , and will also ask it to issue advisory opinions on emerging policy questions .
In the wake of this week ’ s controversy over President Trump ’ s Facebook posts about nationwide protests , which Twitter and Snap concluded promote violence , some asked the Oversight Board to weigh in .
On Wednesday , the board published a somewhat apologetic note explaining why it couldn ’ t : for a bunch of reasons , it just isn ’ t ready .
But one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that its initial members were selected for their commitment to free speech values .
Visit the board ’ s website and the first message you see reads : “ Ensuring respect for free expression , through independent judgment.
” In fact , one of the co-chairs of the board was involved in a speech controversy just this week .
Here ’ s Nick Anderson in the Washington Post : The incident took place that same week that global protests against the recent murders of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor , and Ahmaud @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country — and brought a heightened sensitivity to ongoing racist oppression in the United States .
I spoke with some Stanford law students about McConnell ’ s class , and they told me they found his reading of the N-word painful in part because a similar incident had taken place at the law school in November .
Then , a guest lecturer from Stanford ’ s history department read the N-word out loud while discussing racist cigarette marketing .
And just last month , another Stanford professor apologized after using a form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group N.W.A .
“ There is a feeling of exasperation and people just feeling a lot of pain , ” said Donovan Hicks , co-president of the Black Law Students Association at Stanford .
In his initial note to students , McConnell defended reading what he referred to as “ the horrific Henry quotation ” out loud : “ I do not think history should be stripped of its ugliness.
” In response , the Black Law Students Association sent a letter complaining about the incident to Stanford law students and faculty .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ students know , it ’ s our own history , ” the letter reads .
“ Ahmaud Arbery is our history .
Breonna Taylor is our history .
George Floyd is our history .
White men refusing to stop saying “ n— ” is our history.
” The students noted that , in the wake of the November incident , McConnell had written a note to students saying “ it is hard for me to see the pedagogical purpose ” of using what he called “ this most extreme racial epithet known to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell sent an email to students and faculty May 29th saying he had made the decision to read the passage with “ good will , ” and noted he had placed the speech in its proper historical context and condemned the use of the words .
He said he would not use the word again in class , but stopped short of apologizing .
McConnell told the Post he would have no further comment .
Jamal Greene , one of the other Oversight Board co-chairs , told Protocol he “ might have made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condemn McConnell .
Issie Lapowsky writes : This incident seems relevant to anyone looking to understand what the Oversight Board is , and how it might act .
When I saw tweets this week from people begging the board to weigh in on Facebook ’ s decision about the Trump posts , the implication was that the board would step in and remove what Facebook would not .
In fact , Facebook has said from the beginning that initially the board will only restore posts that the board concludes it has removed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinions on what Facebook ought to take down ; one person who is closely involved told me that could come within a few months .
But it ’ s not clear any of that will be up and running before , say , the 2020 US presidential election .
More than that , though , the McConnell incident — and his co-chairman ’ s reaction to it — helps us understand how the board is likely to see the world .
For some vocal subset of Facebook ’ s user base , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much speech .
The board ’ s initial makeup and starting assignment reflect that fear that Facebook might not be allowing enough speech .
This is , not coincidentally , something Mark Zuckerberg fears .
He told employees on Tuesday : For some , the McConnell classroom incident shouldn ’ t even qualify as an “ incident ” at all — a professor simply taught history , using the language of history , while condemning it to his students .
To others , though , including some of his students , McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can you avoid using a word you know to be harmful , as a show of support to Stanford ’ s black community and its allies ?
It all feels related to a question Facebook is being confronted with more and more — and increasingly , by its own employees .
Will it be a simple mirror for society , warts and all , or will it put a thumb on the scale for progressive change — including anti-racism ?
Zuckerberg has long said that , given his near-total control over Facebook as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rigging the company ’ s services in favor of any particular viewpoint .
Instead , whenever possible , he hopes to fight bad speech with more speech .
McConnell is just one member of the board , which will eventually include 40 members .
He won ’ t hear most or even all of the cases brought to the board .
And perhaps , as he begins to review cases involving offensive and dangerous speech later , he ’ ll find reason to vote for their removal from Facebook .
But until then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the decision he made last week — the moment in his Stanford classroom , with protests raging in the world around him , when he shut off his Zoom recording to leave no record of his words .
After I wrote about yesterday ’ s decision by Snap to remove Trump from promotion in its Discover tab , a reader asked whether the president had violated policy .
“ There ’ s a big difference between randomly deciding something is a good idea because it ’ s in a news cycle versus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that people under you can do , too , ” the reader wrote .
I checked in with Snap , and the company said the decision was not based on a violation of Snapchat ’ s community standards .
Instead , the decision was based on Spiegel ’ s Sunday memo to his team , which said the company “ can not promote accounts in America that are linked to people who incite racial violence , whether they do so on or off our platform.
” Today in news that could affect public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ⬆ Trending up : Apple CEO Tim Cook published a blog post to address the senseless killing of George Floyd and the long history of racism .
Apple is also donating to organizations like the Equal Justice Initiative , which challenge racial injustice and mass incarceration .
( Apple ) Trending sideways : Amid the pandemic , Amazon is funding research into a potential COVID-19 treatments , developing its own testing capabilities , and backing a study on immunity .
But these efforts aren ’ t doing much to quell the fears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OneZero ) Total cases in the US : More than 1,872,000 Total deaths in the US : At least 108,117 Total test results ( positive and negative ) in New York : 2,229,473 Total test results ( positive and negative ) in New Jersey : 837,420 Data from The New York Times .
Test data from The COVID Tracking Project .
⭐ Campaign staffers on Donald Trump and Joe Biden ’ s presidential campaigns were targeted with phishing attacks according to Google .
The attacks came from Iran and China , respectively .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street Journal : Facebook started labeling media outlets that are “ wholly or partially under the editorial control of their government , ” following an announcement of the policy in 2019 .
It will start labeling ads from these outlets later this year , and ban state-controlled media from advertising inside the US .
( Adi Robertson / The Verge ) Facebook , Google , and Twitter each have their own rules that govern political advertising .
Here ’ s how each company decides what you can and can ’ t see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Emily Glazer / The Wall Street Journal ) Trump ’ s campaign spent $ 1.48 million on Google ads in the first week of May .
It ’ s the highest weekly total of the 2020 campaign .
( Eric Newcomer and Mark Bergen / Bloomberg ) A review of President Trump ’ s 139 tweets from Sunday , May 24th , to Saturday , May 30th , found at least 26 contained clearly false claims , underscoring the challenge for Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in policing him .
These included five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , five promoting the false conspiracy theory about Joe Scarborough and three about Twitter itself .
( Linda Qiu / The New York Times ) Rumors about antifa storming Idaho to spread violence during the protests prompted residents to take up arms and stand watch .
Now , local officials across the state have acknowledged that not a single participant in the protests was known to have defiled a home or storefront in the name of antifa .
( Isaac Stanley-Becker and Tony Romm / The Washington Post ) Three men alleged to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boogaloo ” movement have been charged with trying to incite violence at protests in Minnesota and Texas .
The movement has been growing in Facebook groups .
( Andrew Blankstein , Tom Winter and Brandy Zadrozny / NBC ) ⭐ Nextdoor says it supports the Black Lives Matter movement .
But many of its volunteer moderators have been stifling conversations about race , police , and protests while removing posts with that mention Black Lives Matter .
Brianna Sacks and Ryan Mac at BuzzFeed have the scoop : Nextdoor users are sharing posts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realizing that police are probably watching .
For years , the company has aggressively recruited law enforcement onto its platform , coaching departments on how to build a friendly appearance on the app .
( Sarah Emerson / OneZero ) The George Floyd protests have turned the police scanner app Citizen into an overnight hit .
But it ’ s unclear whether the app is helping people stay safe or stoking their fears .
We think it ’ s stoking their fears !
( Jared Newman / Fast Company ) Signal announced a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the latest versions of the app .
Users sharing pictures through the app will be able to quickly blur faces , adding another layer of privacy to pictures .
Also useful for protest photography .
( James Vincent / The Verge ) People are calling on Instagram to let anyone share links in their stories amid the protests .
Currently , the company only allows users who have at least 10,000 followers or who are verified to use the link feature in their stories .
( Lauren Strapagiel / BuzzFeed ) Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic — and it ’ s becoming more sophisticated .
Here ’ s how to spot it .
( Christina Farr / CNBC ) Amazon is considering buying a stake worth at least $ 2 billion in Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel .
If it goes through , it would give Bharti a boost as it seeks to compete against the number one player in India , Reliance Jio .
( Aditya Kalra and Sumeet Chatterjee / Reuters ) Stuff to occupy you online during the quarantine .
Donate to support the fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestions in this updated guide from The Verge .
Prepare your phone for a protest .
The Markup has some good tips for you before you leave the house .
Leaving you with an extended selection of these today in light of how hard this week was and also my dad telling me he has started to read these first .
Send us tips , comments , questions , and cases for the Oversight Board : casey @ theverge.com and zoe @ theverge.com .

Let’s conclude what turned out to be Free Speech Week on The Interface with a look at a case involving the co-chairman of Facebook’s new Oversight Board, a Zoom recording of his law school class, and the N-word.
Can you use a racist slur on Facebook? The answer is probably not, but also maybe. The company’s community standards prohibit “direct attacks” on people based on their race. But the company also published a blog post in 2017 laying out some of the nuances involved in deciding whether a slur is, in fact, an attack, which often depends heavily on context that goes beyond the written word.
Later this year, some of the hardest decisions about whether a post should stay up on Facebook will be made by an independent Oversight Board. The board, whose initial members were announced last month, will allow Facebook and Instagram users to appeal when they believe that their posts have been removed in error. Facebook says it will abide by the board’s decisions, and will also ask it to issue advisory opinions on emerging policy questions.
In the wake of this week’s controversy over President Trump’s Facebook posts about nationwide protests, which Twitter and Snap concluded promote violence, some asked the Oversight Board to weigh in. On Wednesday, the board published a somewhat apologetic note explaining why it couldn’t: for a bunch of reasons, it just isn’t ready.
But one of the things we know about the Oversight Board is that its initial members were selected for their commitment to free speech values. Visit the board’s website and the first message you see reads: “Ensuring respect for free expression, through independent judgment.”
In fact, one of the co-chairs of the board was involved in a speech controversy just this week. Here’s Nick Anderson in the Washington Post:
Stanford University law professor Michael W. McConnell was nearing the end of a course on the creation of the Constitution last week when he decided to read a quote attributed to Patrick Henry from an 18th-century debate in Virginia. But first, McConnell paused the Zoom video recording, according to one of his students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, fearing backlash. Then the professor read the statement, which he said was intended to stoke racist opposition to ratification of the Constitution. The quote included the n-word. McConnell, who is white, resumed recording and turned to other topics, the student said.
The incident took place that same week that global protests against the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, among others, galvanized the country — and brought a heightened sensitivity to ongoing racist oppression in the United States.
I spoke with some Stanford law students about McConnell’s class, and they told me they found his reading of the N-word painful in part because a similar incident had taken place at the law school in November. Then, a guest lecturer from Stanford’s history department read the N-word out loud while discussing racist cigarette marketing. And just last month, another Stanford professor apologized after using a form of the N-word twice while discussing the hip-hop group N.W.A.
“There is a feeling of exasperation and people just feeling a lot of pain,” said Donovan Hicks, co-president of the Black Law Students Association at Stanford.
In his initial note to students, McConnell defended reading what he referred to as “the horrific Henry quotation” out loud: “I do not think history should be stripped of its ugliness.”
In response, the Black Law Students Association sent a letter complaining about the incident to Stanford law students and faculty. “If there is one thing black students know, it’s our own history,” the letter reads. “Ahmaud Arbery is our history. Breonna Taylor is our history. George Floyd is our history. White men refusing to stop saying “n—” is our history.”
The students noted that, in the wake of the November incident, McConnell had written a note to students saying “it is hard for me to see the pedagogical purpose” of using what he called “this most extreme racial epithet known to our language.” He went on:
To my mind, political correctness as it exists in the modern university is a problem, because it can stifle discussion and silence minority views. But that does not mean that all standards of civility should be dismissed as examples of “political correctness.” The use of some terms, especially when blatant, intentional, extreme, or devoid of legitimate context, can also stifle discussion and silence minority views. We should not be quick to censure the speech of others, but we should not let worries about freedom of speech and political correctness stop us from condemning what should be condemned.
McConnell sent an email to students and faculty May 29th saying he had made the decision to read the passage with “good will,” and noted he had placed the speech in its proper historical context and condemned the use of the words. He said he would not use the word again in class, but stopped short of apologizing.
McConnell told the Post he would have no further comment. Jamal Greene, one of the other Oversight Board co-chairs, told Protocol he “might have made a different choice” but did not condemn McConnell. Issie Lapowsky writes:
McConnell’s co-chair, Jamal Greene, wrote that he has “tremendous respect for [McConnell] as a person and a scholar.” “Striking the right tone in surfacing the ugliness of our constitutional history is a difficulty I myself have struggled with,” Greene wrote. “While I might have made a different choice in this instance, I take professor McConnell at his word that he has learned from his experience, as we all must strive to do as educators.”
This incident seems relevant to anyone looking to understand what the Oversight Board is, and how it might act. When I saw tweets this week from people begging the board to weigh in on Facebook’s decision about the Trump posts, the implication was that the board would step in and remove what Facebook would not.
In fact, Facebook has said from the beginning that initially the board will only restore posts that the board concludes it has removed in error. Eventually the board will issue opinions on what Facebook ought to take down; one person who is closely involved told me that could come within a few months. But it’s not clear any of that will be up and running before, say, the 2020 US presidential election.
More than that, though, the McConnell incident — and his co-chairman’s reaction to it — helps us understand how the board is likely to see the world. For some vocal subset of Facebook’s user base, the primary concern is that the platform allows too much speech. The board’s initial makeup and starting assignment reflect that fear that Facebook might not be allowing enough speech.
This is, not coincidentally, something Mark Zuckerberg fears. He told employees on Tuesday:
Over time in general, we just we tend to add more policies to restrict things more and more. And I think that this, while each one is thoughtful and good and we’re articulating specific harms — and I think that’s important — I do think that expression and voice is also a thing that routinely needs to be stood up for because it has the property that, you know, when something is uniformly positive, no one argues for taking it down. It’s always only when there’s something that’s controversial. Every time there’s something that’s controversial, your instinct is, “Okay, let’s restrict a lot,” then you do end up restricting a lot of things that I think will be eventually good for everyone.
For some, the McConnell classroom incident shouldn’t even qualify as an “incident” at all — a professor simply taught history, using the language of history, while condemning it to his students. To others, though, including some of his students, McConnell failed a basic test of empathy: can you avoid using a word you know to be harmful, as a show of support to Stanford’s black community and its allies?
It all feels related to a question Facebook is being confronted with more and more — and increasingly, by its own employees. Will it be a simple mirror for society, warts and all, or will it put a thumb on the scale for progressive change — including anti-racism? Zuckerberg has long said that, given his near-total control over Facebook as a company, he wants to avoid rigging the company’s services in favor of any particular viewpoint. Instead, whenever possible, he hopes to fight bad speech with more speech.
McConnell is just one member of the board, which will eventually include 40 members. He won’t hear most or even all of the cases brought to the board. And perhaps, as he begins to review cases involving offensive and dangerous speech later, he’ll find reason to vote for their removal from Facebook. But until then I’ll probably find myself thinking of the decision he made last week — the moment in his Stanford classroom, with protests raging in the world around him, when he shut off his Zoom recording to leave no record of his words.
Pushback
After I wrote about yesterday’s decision by Snap to remove Trump from promotion in its Discover tab, a reader asked whether the president had violated policy. “There’s a big difference between randomly deciding something is a good idea because it’s in a news cycle versus doing it based on a general policy that people under you can do, too,” the reader wrote.
I checked in with Snap, and the company said the decision was not based on a violation of Snapchat’s community standards. Instead, the decision was based on Spiegel’s Sunday memo to his team, which said the company “cannot promote accounts in America that are linked to people who incite racial violence, whether they do so on or off our platform.”
The Ratio
Today in news that could affect public perception of the big tech platforms.
⬆ Trending up: Apple CEO Tim Cook published a blog post to address the senseless killing of George Floyd and the long history of racism. Apple is also donating to organizations like the Equal Justice Initiative, which challenge racial injustice and mass incarceration. (Apple)
🔃 Trending sideways: Amid the pandemic, Amazon is funding research into a potential COVID-19 treatments, developing its own testing capabilities, and backing a study on immunity. But these efforts aren’t doing much to quell the fears of warehouse workers. (Emily Mullin / OneZero)
Virus tracker
Total cases in the US: More than 1,872,000
Total deaths in the US: At least 108,117
Reported cases in California: 120,896
Total test results (positive and negative) in California: 2,131,294
Reported cases in New York: 379,977
Total test results (positive and negative) in New York: 2,229,473
Reported cases in New Jersey: 162,530
Total test results (positive and negative) in New Jersey: 837,420
Reported cases in Illinois: 124,279
Total test results (positive and negative) in Illinois: 959,175
Governing
⭐ Campaign staffers on Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s presidential campaigns were targeted with phishing attacks according to Google. The attacks came from Iran and China, respectively. Here’s Robert McMillan at The Wall Street Journal:
The attacks don’t appear to have been successful, Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., said. The company has notified federal authorities and the targeted users of the attacks, said Shane Huntley, who runs Google’s in-house counterespionage group, known as the Threat Analysis Group. The Biden campaign was targeted by a China-based group, known as APT 31, Mr. Huntley said. This group has been linked by security firms to the Chinese government. The Trump campaign was targeted by an Iranian group called APT 35, he said. APT stands for advanced persistent threat, a shorthand used by cybersecurity professionals for sophisticated adversaries that are backed by nation-states.
Facebook started labeling media outlets that are “wholly or partially under the editorial control of their government,” following an announcement of the policy in 2019. It will start labeling ads from these outlets later this year, and ban state-controlled media from advertising inside the US. (Adi Robertson / The Verge)
Facebook, Google, and Twitter each have their own rules that govern political advertising. Here’s how each company decides what you can and can’t see on their platform. (Patience Haggin and Emily Glazer / The Wall Street Journal)
Trump’s campaign spent $1.48 million on Google ads in the first week of May. It’s the highest weekly total of the 2020 campaign. (Eric Newcomer and Mark Bergen / Bloomberg)
A review of President Trump’s 139 tweets from Sunday, May 24th, to Saturday, May 30th, found at least 26 contained clearly false claims, underscoring the challenge for Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey in policing him. These included five about mail-in voting that were not flagged, five promoting the false conspiracy theory about Joe Scarborough and three about Twitter itself. (Linda Qiu / The New York Times)
Rumors about antifa storming Idaho to spread violence during the protests prompted residents to take up arms and stand watch. Now, local officials across the state have acknowledged that not a single participant in the protests was known to have defiled a home or storefront in the name of antifa. (Isaac Stanley-Becker and Tony Romm / The Washington Post)
Three men alleged to be members of the far-right extremist “Boogaloo” movement have been charged with trying to incite violence at protests in Minnesota and Texas. The movement has been growing in Facebook groups. (Andrew Blankstein, Tom Winter and Brandy Zadrozny / NBC)
Industry
⭐ Nextdoor says it supports the Black Lives Matter movement. But many of its volunteer moderators have been stifling conversations about race, police, and protests while removing posts with that mention Black Lives Matter. Brianna Sacks and Ryan Mac at BuzzFeed have the scoop:
In California, other people using Nextdoor posed the same question. While private companies have no obligation to allow for untrammeled speech on their platforms, some of those who had been moderated said it was hypocritical of Nextdoor to publicly say that it supported diversity while its own moderators were aggressively using the site’s rules to clamp down on discussions about race. On Tuesday, Dylan Hailey, a 26-year-old security engineer from Alamo, California, wanted to show his support for the protests happening in his community. After reading a post on Nextdoor asking for people of “wealth and privilege” to acknowledge the systemic racism highlighted by demonstrators following the police killing of George Floyd, he commented “#BlackLivesMatter.” Within an hour, his comment was removed.
Nextdoor users are sharing posts about the George Floyd protests, not realizing that police are probably watching. For years, the company has aggressively recruited law enforcement onto its platform, coaching departments on how to build a friendly appearance on the app. (Sarah Emerson / OneZero)
The George Floyd protests have turned the police scanner app Citizen into an overnight hit. But it’s unclear whether the app is helping people stay safe or stoking their fears. We think it’s stoking their fears! (Jared Newman / Fast Company)
Signal announced a new face-blurring tool that will be incorporated into the latest versions of the app. Users sharing pictures through the app will be able to quickly blur faces, adding another layer of privacy to pictures. Also useful for protest photography. (James Vincent / The Verge)
People are calling on Instagram to let anyone share links in their stories amid the protests. Currently, the company only allows users who have at least 10,000 followers or who are verified to use the link feature in their stories. (Lauren Strapagiel / BuzzFeed)
Health misinformation is spreading quickly during the coronavirus pandemic — and it’s becoming more sophisticated. Here’s how to spot it. (Christina Farr / CNBC)
Amazon is considering buying a stake worth at least $2 billion in Indian mobile operator Bharti Airtel. If it goes through, it would give Bharti a boost as it seeks to compete against the number one player in India, Reliance Jio. (Aditya Kalra and Sumeet Chatterjee / Reuters)
Things to do
Stuff to occupy you online during the quarantine.
Donate to support the fight for justice. There are some new suggestions in this updated guide from The Verge.
Prepare your phone for a protest. The Markup has some good tips for you before you leave the house.
Those good tweets
Leaving you with an extended selection of these today in light of how hard this week was and also my dad telling me he has started to read these first.
Talk to us


theverge--2020-06-05--Gmail’s stupid tiny compose button gets a little less tiny on Android

Google has tweaked the appearance of the compose button in Gmail ’ s Android app .
First spotted by 9to5Google , the old button , a small “ floating action button ” with a plus in it , is now an oblong button containing a pen icon along with the word “ Compose.
” It minimizes into its old circle shape when you scroll down your list of emails .
Ultimately , though , I ’ d still argue that the bottom-right of the screen is a bad place for the app ’ s most important button .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compose buttons — which it uses across other G Suite apps like Drive and Docs — are the result of hours of testing that show that users easily find buttons when they ’ re positioned on the bottom right of the screen .
I don ’ t doubt that there are objectively good reasons for them .
But anecdotally ?
I forget the button ’ s there , especially since I prefer to compose new emails from my laptop , where Gmail ’ s web interface has the compose button on the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ write the occasional new email from my phone , my brain expects the compose button to be on the top of the screen with the rest of Gmail ’ s controls and my newest messages .
As such , I find myself opening and scrolling fruitlessly through the Gmail app ’ s left-hand menu .
The bottom-right of the display is also where my thumb tends to hover when it ’ s not directly interacting with the screen , thus obscuring the button .
I ’ m sure part of the appeal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s within easy reach of your thumb ( if you ’ re right-handed , that is ) , but for me it ends up having the opposite effect .
The floating action button is a key part of Google ’ s Material design guidelines , so unsurprisingly these buttons can be found across plenty of Android apps .
Whether it ’ s Twitter , WhatsApp , OneNote , or ToDoist , most apps have their equivalent of their “ create new ” button on the bottom right of the screen .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m prepared to admit that I ’ m the one with the problem here .
But at least those apps use a solid block of contrasting colors to help the button pop off the display .
Google , meanwhile , uses buttons with the same background color as the rest of the app , and relies heavily on a drop shadow to distinguish them .
All that said , I ’ m liking the subtle change Google has made to Gmail ’ s compose button so far .
Not only is it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it transforming from an oblong into a small circle as you scroll also does a nice job of catching your eye .
I won ’ t know if it ’ s solved my issues until the next time I have to hurriedly compose an email , but it seems like a step in the right direction .
I just wish it wasn ’ t positioned in the last place I always think to look .

Google has tweaked the appearance of the compose button in Gmail’s Android app. First spotted by 9to5Google, the old button, a small “floating action button” with a plus in it, is now an oblong button containing a pen icon along with the word “Compose.” It minimizes into its old circle shape when you scroll down your list of emails. Ultimately, though, I’d still argue that the bottom-right of the screen is a bad place for the app’s most important button.
I’m sure that Google’s floating compose buttons — which it uses across other G Suite apps like Drive and Docs — are the result of hours of testing that show that users easily find buttons when they’re positioned on the bottom right of the screen. I don’t doubt that there are objectively good reasons for them.
The old button was a cross contained in a circle. Image: Google The new button minimizes into a circle when you scroll down. Screenshot: Gmail
But anecdotally? I forget the button’s there, especially since I prefer to compose new emails from my laptop, where Gmail’s web interface has the compose button on the top left. When I do need to write the occasional new email from my phone, my brain expects the compose button to be on the top of the screen with the rest of Gmail’s controls and my newest messages. As such, I find myself opening and scrolling fruitlessly through the Gmail app’s left-hand menu.
The bottom-right of the display is also where my thumb tends to hover when it’s not directly interacting with the screen, thus obscuring the button. I’m sure part of the appeal of putting a button there is that it’s within easy reach of your thumb (if you’re right-handed, that is), but for me it ends up having the opposite effect.
Twitter’s compose button is a solid blue color against a white background, and I think it’s much easier to spot. Screenshot: Twitter
The floating action button is a key part of Google’s Material design guidelines, so unsurprisingly these buttons can be found across plenty of Android apps. Whether it’s Twitter, WhatsApp, OneNote, or ToDoist, most apps have their equivalent of their “create new” button on the bottom right of the screen. They’re pretty popular, so I’m prepared to admit that I’m the one with the problem here. But at least those apps use a solid block of contrasting colors to help the button pop off the display. Google, meanwhile, uses buttons with the same background color as the rest of the app, and relies heavily on a drop shadow to distinguish them.


theverge--2020-06-05--Apple is testing a better way to change iPad keyboard brightness

Apple is working on a way to make it easier to change iPad keyboard brightness , according to new code @ @ @ @ @ beta version of iPadOS 13.5.5 reportedly contains references to keyboard shortcuts that could change the @ @ @ @ @ as well as the iPad ’ s screen .
Apple ’ s new iPad Pro @ @ @ @ @ ways a great solution for iPad power users , but the company ’ s continued @ @ @ @ @ row on its iPad keyboards comes with some big tradeoffs .
In order to change @ @ @ @ @ example , you currently have to delve down multiple levels in the Settings app .
@ @ @ @ @ able to actually make use of the keyboard shortcuts in this beta software , so @ @ @ @ @ they won ’ t ship until a later version of iPadOS 13 or even 14 @ @ @ @ @ to have clocked that the present situation is less than ideal .

Apple is working on a way to make it easier to change iPad keyboard brightness, according to new code analyzed by 9to5Mac. A beta version of iPadOS 13.5.5 reportedly contains references to keyboard shortcuts that could change the brightness of the keyboard backlighting as well as the iPad’s screen.
Apple’s new iPad Pro Magic Keyboard is in many ways a great solution for iPad power users, but the company’s continued refusal to include a function row on its iPad keyboards comes with some big tradeoffs. In order to change keyboard backlighting brightness, for example, you currently have to delve down multiple levels in the Settings app.


theverge--2020-06-05--Call of Duty adds screen that says Black Lives Matter

Infinity Ward just released an update for Call of Duty : Modern Warfare that adds a splash screen message in support of the Black Lives Matter movement .
Players are being told they need to update their client upon finishing multiplayer games , and once they do , the message appears on screen .
“ Our community is hurting , ” the statement reads .
“ The systemic inequalities our community experiences are once again center stage .
Call of Duty and Infinity Ward stand for equality and inclusion .
We stand against the racism and injustice our Black community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lives Matter , we will never truly be the community we strive to be.
” The Verge has confirmed that the message subsequently appears every time you launch Modern Warfare on a PS4 .
It also appears on loading screens and when switching to a separate mode like Warzone .
Several video game companies have issued statements of support for black communities this week following protests against police brutality in the US and the killing of George Floyd .
Placing the message in front of everyone playing a hugely popular first-person shooter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wider group of people .

Infinity Ward just released an update for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare that adds a splash screen message in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Players are being told they need to update their client upon finishing multiplayer games, and once they do, the message appears on screen.
“Our community is hurting,” the statement reads. “The systemic inequalities our community experiences are once again center stage. Call of Duty and Infinity Ward stand for equality and inclusion. We stand against the racism and injustice our Black community endures. Until change happens and Black Lives Matter, we will never truly be the community we strive to be.”
The Verge has confirmed that the message subsequently appears every time you launch Modern Warfare on a PS4. It also appears on loading screens and when switching to a separate mode like Warzone.


theverge--2020-06-05--DoorDash says it is ‘prepared to provide support’ for Caviar workers arrested in NYC during curfew

A pair of alarming videos appeared to show at least one Caviar delivery worker being arrested by New York City police on Thursday , allegedly for violating the city ’ s curfew imposed this week in response to demonstrations protesting the death of George Floyd and systemic police brutality .
But the worker and other on-demand food delivery app contractors are permitted to work in the city , even past curfew , based on a designation as essential workers by city officials .
Caviar parent company DoorDash tells The Verge it is “ alarmed ” by the reports of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to provide them with our support.
” “ food delivery workers are deemed ‘ essential ’ and permitted to travel.
” “ We are alarmed by reports that a courier appears to have been arrested this evening in New York City shortly after curfew .
Under the City ’ s curfew order , food delivery workers are deemed ‘ essential ’ and permitted to travel to and from work and to be in public while performing their work while the curfew is in effect , ” a DoorDash spokesperson says .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with City officials to determine what transpired .
Essential workers must be able to complete their work and feel safe and secure while doing so , and we are prepared to provide them with our support.
” In one video , a Caviar delivery worker is seen getting arrested by a group of police officers near Central Park , allegedly 27 minutes after the 8PM ET curfew , according to a video shared on Twitter this evening .
In a separate video shared on Twitter just minutes before at 9:01PM ET , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of at least six officers .
“ Are you serious ?
Look , look , look , look .
I ’ m not even doing anything , ” the man says , showing clear distress as the cops handcuff him and confiscate his bike and orange Caviar bag .
“ It tells me on the app I can show you guys something.
” It was initially unclear if this was the same worker or a separate incident altogether .
But statements from city officials suggest it was one incident involving a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different angles and featuring different moments of the arrest .
A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department tells The Verge that “ police detained the male , verified his credentials and he was released.
” Major US cities began imposing curfews earlier this week in an attempt to curb protests , many of which are peaceful demonstrations against police brutality and racism .
Yet countless videos over the past few days have shown widespread examples of police violence and inhumane treatment of demonstrators in response , including beatings , use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ kettling ” of protestors into tight areas , including the NYPD ’ s decision to trap thousands on the Manhattan Bridge on Tuesday night .
On-demand delivery workers are now caught between the protests and law enforcement , as on-demand apps like Caviar , DoorDash , and Uber Eats informed them that they could continue taking orders as essential workers in certain cities despite the curfew .
In some locations , like San Francisco and Washington , DC , Uber and other apps ceased operations during curfew hours .
But in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contractors , many of whom rely on the apps for income during the pandemic and yet receive no other form of financial assistance , they could continue working .
“ Our teams on the ground are working closely with cities on how to best support them based on their needs and the local situation , ” an Uber spokesperson told BuzzFeed News earlier this week regarding its inconsistent approach to city curfews .
“ Some cities have requested that we suspend operations during curfew hours while others want to ensure Uber is available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was “ tailoring operations based on the guidance we have received from governments , ” seemingly indicating the company was told by New York City officials it could keep its workers on the streets .
A note posted to competing service Postmates ’ website tells New York City customers it is “ safe to order delivery during curfew hours ” : Later in the evening , New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio acknowledged the arrest on Twitter , writing , “ Just got off the phone with [ New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the troubling video of a delivery worker arrested by police while doing his job .
This is NOT acceptable and must stop .
Food delivery is essential work and is EXEMPTED from the curfew.
” De Blasio also said journalists covering protests were also essential workers .
“ We WILL protect their rights , ” he wrote .
“ The public depends on the information they provide .
Will get NYPD to fix this immediately.
” Update June 5th , 12:20AM ET : Clarified that it ’ s currently unclear whether the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or two separate incidents .
Update June 5th , 12:25AM ET : Added comment from New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Police Department .

A pair of alarming videos appeared to show at least one Caviar delivery worker being arrested by New York City police on Thursday, allegedly for violating the city’s curfew imposed this week in response to demonstrations protesting the death of George Floyd and systemic police brutality.
But the worker and other on-demand food delivery app contractors are permitted to work in the city, even past curfew, based on a designation as essential workers by city officials. Caviar parent company DoorDash tells The Verge it is “alarmed” by the reports of the arrests and that it is “prepared to provide them with our support.”
“food delivery workers are deemed ‘essential’ and permitted to travel.”
“We are alarmed by reports that a courier appears to have been arrested this evening in New York City shortly after curfew. Under the City’s curfew order, food delivery workers are deemed ‘essential’ and permitted to travel to and from work and to be in public while performing their work while the curfew is in effect,” a DoorDash spokesperson says. “We are gathering information and are in contact with City officials to determine what transpired. Essential workers must be able to complete their work and feel safe and secure while doing so, and we are prepared to provide them with our support.”
In one video, a Caviar delivery worker is seen getting arrested by a group of police officers near Central Park, allegedly 27 minutes after the 8PM ET curfew, according to a video shared on Twitter this evening.
In a separate video shared on Twitter just minutes before at 9:01PM ET, a Caviar worker is seen getting arrested by a group of at least six officers. “Are you serious? Look, look, look, look. I’m not even doing anything,” the man says, showing clear distress as the cops handcuff him and confiscate his bike and orange Caviar bag. “It tells me on the app I can show you guys something.”
It was initially unclear if this was the same worker or a separate incident altogether. But statements from city officials suggest it was one incident involving a single Caviar worker captured on video from different angles and featuring different moments of the arrest.
A spokesperson for the New York City Police Department tells The Verge that “police detained the male, verified his credentials and he was released.”
Major US cities began imposing curfews earlier this week in an attempt to curb protests, many of which are peaceful demonstrations against police brutality and racism. Yet countless videos over the past few days have shown widespread examples of police violence and inhumane treatment of demonstrators in response, including beatings, use of tear gas and other irritants, and “kettling” of protestors into tight areas, including the NYPD’s decision to trap thousands on the Manhattan Bridge on Tuesday night.
On-demand delivery workers are now caught between the protests and law enforcement, as on-demand apps like Caviar, DoorDash, and Uber Eats informed them that they could continue taking orders as essential workers in certain cities despite the curfew. In some locations, like San Francisco and Washington, DC, Uber and other apps ceased operations during curfew hours. But in New York City, the apps assured their contractors, many of whom rely on the apps for income during the pandemic and yet receive no other form of financial assistance, they could continue working.
“Our teams on the ground are working closely with cities on how to best support them based on their needs and the local situation,” an Uber spokesperson told BuzzFeed News earlier this week regarding its inconsistent approach to city curfews. “Some cities have requested that we suspend operations during curfew hours while others want to ensure Uber is available for essential services.”
DoorDash told BuzzFeed it was “tailoring operations based on the guidance we have received from governments,” seemingly indicating the company was told by New York City officials it could keep its workers on the streets. A note posted to competing service Postmates’ website tells New York City customers it is “safe to order delivery during curfew hours”:
The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority. We are actively working with local officials to monitor the situation in your city. While it is safe to order delivery during curfew hours, please note that activity in your area may impact restaurant availability and delivery times. We will work as quickly and safely as possible to complete your order. We appreciate your loyalty, patience, and understanding for the duration of these regulations.
Later in the evening, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio acknowledged the arrest on Twitter, writing, “Just got off the phone with [New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shae] after seeing the troubling video of a delivery worker arrested by police while doing his job. This is NOT acceptable and must stop. Food delivery is essential work and is EXEMPTED from the curfew.”
De Blasio also said journalists covering protests were also essential workers. “We WILL protect their rights,” he wrote. “The public depends on the information they provide. Will get NYPD to fix this immediately.”
Update June 5th, 12:20AM ET: Clarified that it’s currently unclear whether the two viral videos show one worker getting arrested or two separate incidents.


theverge--2020-06-05--Facebook moves to limit spread of extremist ‘boogaloo’ pages and groups

Facebook is limiting the spread of pages and groups linked with the word “ boogaloo , ” an internet slang term used in some far-right extremist circles to refer to the idea of an impending second American Civil War , as first reported by Reuters .
The boogaloo term has since evolved into a disjointed anti-government movement with various and at times conflicting views .
Facebook says it will no longer recommend boogaloo pages and groups to users and is demoting them in search results , Facebook tells The Verge .
The change was made on June 2nd .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Incitement policy to ban boogaloo and similar terms when used with images or statements depicting armed violence .
On Thursday , the FBI arrested three men in Nevada who self-identified with the boogaloo movement on terrorism-related charges for plotting to incite violence at an anti-police protest in Las Vegas .
More and more self-described boogaloo members , many of which are also gun rights advocates , are using protests against racism and police brutality as cover to to promote anti-government demonstrations involving displays of firearms , CNN reports .
A report found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 72,000 combined members An April 22nd Tech Transparency Project ( TTP ) report found 125 boogaloo Facebook groups with more than 72,000 members combined .
More than 60 percent of the groups were created in the three months before the report was published .
“ In several private boogaloo Facebook groups that TTP was able to access , members discussed tactical strategies , combat medicine , and various types of weapons , including how to develop explosives and the merits of using flame throwers , ” the report said .
“ Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s recent tweets calling on people to ‘ liberate ’ states where governors have imposed stay-at-home orders , ” the report continued .
And a Network Contagion Institute report found that “ since November of 2019 , mentions of boogaloo/boog have more than doubled [ on Reddit ] and show sustained and increasing activity over the COVID-19 period.
” The term “ boogaloo ” draws inspiration from the title of the 1984 movie Breakin ’ 2 : Electric Boogaloo , according to a separate Network Contagion Institute report .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ boogaloo ] term is often used by libertarians , gun enthusiasts , and anarchists to describe an uprising against the government or left-wing political opponents that is a near-mirror copy , or sequel to , the American Civil War , ” the report states .

Facebook is limiting the spread of pages and groups linked with the word “boogaloo,” an internet slang term used in some far-right extremist circles to refer to the idea of an impending second American Civil War, as first reported by Reuters. The boogaloo term has more recently evolved into a disjointed anti-government movement with various and at times conflicting views.
Facebook says it will no longer recommend boogaloo pages and groups to users and is demoting them in search results, Facebook tells The Verge. The change was made on June 2nd. On May 1st, Facebook updated its Violence and Incitement policy to ban boogaloo and similar terms when used with images or statements depicting armed violence.
On Thursday, the FBI arrested three men in Nevada who self-identified with the boogaloo movement on terrorism-related charges for plotting to incite violence at an anti-police protest in Las Vegas. More and more self-described boogaloo members, many of which are also gun rights advocates, are using protests against racism and police brutality as cover to to promote anti-government demonstrations involving displays of firearms, CNN reports.
A report found more than 125 boogaloo groups with more than 72,000 combined members
An April 22nd Tech Transparency Project (TTP) report found 125 boogaloo Facebook groups with more than 72,000 members combined. More than 60 percent of the groups were created in the three months before the report was published.
“In several private boogaloo Facebook groups that TTP was able to access, members discussed tactical strategies, combat medicine, and various types of weapons, including how to develop explosives and the merits of using flame throwers,” the report said.
“Some members appeared to take inspiration from President Donald Trump’s recent tweets calling on people to ‘liberate’ states where governors have imposed stay-at-home orders,” the report continued. And a Network Contagion Institute report found that “since November of 2019, mentions of boogaloo/boog have more than doubled [on Reddit] and show sustained and increasing activity over the COVID-19 period.”


theverge--2020-06-05--Jeff Bezos says ‘black lives matter’ in response to angry customer email

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos issued a public pledge of support to the Black Lives Matter movement on Friday .
The chief executive did so in reply to a customer email criticizing his company ’ s response to the death of George Floyd and ongoing protests around the country against racism and systemic police brutality .
Bezos posted his reply publicly on Instagram .
Right now , Amazon.com has a prominent “ Black Lives Matter ” banner at the top of the page that links to a blog post describing actions the company is taking to support black communities and racial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the banner , saying “ it is quite disturbing to get on the AMAZON website and see ‘ BLACK LIVES MATTER.
’ ” The customer later said that “ ALL LIVES MATTER , ” a common right-wing refrain used to criticize the Black Lives Matter movement .
“ ‘ Black lives matter ’ doesn ’ t mean other lives don ’ t matter .
Black lives matter speaks to racism and the disproportionate risk that Black people face in our law enforcement and justice system , ” Bezos said in part of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s full email and Bezos ’ response on Bezos ’ Instagram post .
Mark Zuckerberg also stated “ black lives matter ” in an email sent to employees that he posted publicly Friday evening .
“ To members of our Black community : I stand with you .
Your lives matter .
Black lives matter , ” said Zuckerberg .

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos issued a public pledge of support to the Black Lives Matter movement on Friday. The chief executive did so in reply to a customer email criticizing his company’s response to the death of George Floyd and ongoing protests around the country against racism and systemic police brutality. Bezos posted his reply publicly on Instagram.
Right now, Amazon.com has a prominent “Black Lives Matter” banner at the top of the page that links to a blog post describing actions the company is taking to support black communities and racial justice. The customer took issue with the banner, saying “it is quite disturbing to get on the AMAZON website and see ‘BLACK LIVES MATTER.’” The customer later said that “ALL LIVES MATTER,” a common right-wing refrain used to criticize the Black Lives Matter movement.
“‘Black lives matter’ doesn’t mean other lives don’t matter. Black lives matter speaks to racism and the disproportionate risk that Black people face in our law enforcement and justice system,” Bezos said in part of his reply.
You can read the customer’s full email and Bezos’ response on Bezos’ Instagram post.


theverge--2020-06-05--Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook will ‘review’ policies on speech promoting state violence

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg released a lengthy statement on his personal page on Friday saying he supports the Black Lives Matter movement and will begin engaging in a series of reviews of company policy .
Specifically , Zuckerberg says he and company leadership will review its controversial stance around “ threats of state use of force , ” following President Donald Trump ’ s statement about shooting protesters that sparked outrage and various levels of response from both Facebook and Twitter .
The post largely repeated points Zuckerberg made in an all-hands meeting earlier this week , the details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We ’ re going to review our policies allowing discussion and threats of state use of force to see if there are any amendments we should adopt .
There are two specific situations under this policy that we ’ re going to review , ” Zuckerberg writes .
“ The first is around instances of excessive use of police or state force .
Given the sensitive history in the US , this deserves special consideration .
The second case is around when a country has ongoing civil unrest or violent conflicts.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ To members of our Black community : I stand with you .
Your lives matter .
Black lives matter , ” making him Zuckerberg one of the few tech leaders to personally avow support for the movement outside company statements and donations .
Shortly after Zuckerberg ’ s post , Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos shared a post on his Instagram account also pledging support for the movement and detailing an email exchange in which he explains the meaning of the phrase to a customer who complained about Amazon ’ s Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of our Black community : I stand with you .
Your lives matter .
Black lives matter.
” Zuckerberg has spent the last few days defending his decision not to take action against a Trump post in which the president wrote , “ When the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” Twitter , which had just prior fact-checked the president ’ s false statements about mail-in ballots , restricted the tweet in an unprecedented move , ensuring it would be labeled as “ glorifying violence ” and disabling the ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on the other hand , left up the post containing identical language .
“ I know many people are upset that we ’ ve left the President ’ s posts up , but our position is that we should enable as much expression as possible unless it will cause imminent risk of specific harms or dangers spelled out in clear policies , ” Zuckerberg said late last week in a Facebook post clarifying his position .
The public and employee response has been widespread outrage , with employees staging their first ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dozens of former employees writing an open letter condemning Zuckerberg ’ s decision .
The situation has even led to some high-profile resignations .
In his new Friday evening post , Zuckerberg says the company will “ review our policies around voter suppression to make sure we ’ re taking into account the realities of voting in the midst of a pandemic.
” He specifically cites potential misinformation , like the kind Trump tweeted out that led to Twitter ’ s fact-checking note , around mail-in voting and trying to better clarify what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debate about the voting policies and attempts to confuse or suppress individuals about how , when or where to vote.
” Zuckerberg also says Facebook will be reviewing how it handles violating content that depart from its binary , leave-it-up or take-it-down approach .
“ I know many of you think we should have labeled the President ’ s posts in some way last week .
Our current policy is that if content is actually inciting violence , then the right mitigation is to take that content down — not let people continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zuckerberg writes .
“ There is no exception to this policy for politicians or newsworthiness .
I think this policy is principled and reasonable , but I also respect a lot of the people who think there may be better alternatives , so I want to make sure we hear all those ideas.
” Additionally , Facebook will work to improve the transparency around how it makes these decisions and whether it can “ change anything structurally to make sure the right groups and voices are at the table ” when it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech and moderation issue .
Important context here is that Facebook ’ s workforce is composed of less than 10 percent black and Hispanic employees .
In 2018 , a black employee , Mark Luckie , quit over what he publicly said was Facebook ’ s “ black people problem , ” referencing the company ’ s lip service regarding racial diversity and inclusion efforts that Luckie said rarely translated to meaningful change .

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg released a lengthy statement on his personal page on Friday saying he supports the Black Lives Matter movement and will begin engaging in a series of reviews of company policy. Specifically, Zuckerberg says he and company leadership will review its controversial stance around “threats of state use of force,” following President Donald Trump’s statement about shooting protesters that sparked outrage and various levels of response from both Facebook and Twitter.
The post largely repeated points Zuckerberg made in an all-hands meeting earlier this week, the details of which were reported in The Verge.
“We’re going to review our policies allowing discussion and threats of state use of force to see if there are any amendments we should adopt. There are two specific situations under this policy that we’re going to review,” Zuckerberg writes. “The first is around instances of excessive use of police or state force. Given the sensitive history in the US, this deserves special consideration. The second case is around when a country has ongoing civil unrest or violent conflicts.”
He also ended the note by writing, “To members of our Black community: I stand with you. Your lives matter. Black lives matter,” making him Zuckerberg one of the few tech leaders to personally avow support for the movement outside company statements and donations. Shortly after Zuckerberg’s post, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos shared a post on his Instagram account also pledging support for the movement and detailing an email exchange in which he explains the meaning of the phrase to a customer who complained about Amazon’s Black Lives Matter website banner.
“To members of our Black community: I stand with you. Your lives matter. Black lives matter.”
Zuckerberg has spent the last few days defending his decision not to take action against a Trump post in which the president wrote, “When the looting starts, the shooting starts.” Twitter, which had just prior fact-checked the president’s false statements about mail-in ballots, restricted the tweet in an unprecedented move, ensuring it would be labeled as “glorifying violence” and disabling the ability to retweet or comment on it. Facebook, on the other hand, left up the post containing identical language.
“I know many people are upset that we’ve left the President’s posts up, but our position is that we should enable as much expression as possible unless it will cause imminent risk of specific harms or dangers spelled out in clear policies,” Zuckerberg said late last week in a Facebook post clarifying his position. The public and employee response has been widespread outrage, with employees staging their first ever walkout on Monday of this week and dozens of former employees writing an open letter condemning Zuckerberg’s decision. The situation has even led to some high-profile resignations.
In his new Friday evening post, Zuckerberg says the company will “review our policies around voter suppression to make sure we’re taking into account the realities of voting in the midst of a pandemic.” He specifically cites potential misinformation, like the kind Trump tweeted out that led to Twitter’s fact-checking note, around mail-in voting and trying to better clarify what the line is “between a legitimate debate about the voting policies and attempts to confuse or suppress individuals about how, when or where to vote.”
Zuckerberg also says Facebook will be reviewing how it handles violating content that depart from its binary, leave-it-up or take-it-down approach. “I know many of you think we should have labeled the President’s posts in some way last week. Our current policy is that if content is actually inciting violence, then the right mitigation is to take that content down — not let people continue seeing it behind a flag,” Zuckerberg writes. “There is no exception to this policy for politicians or newsworthiness. I think this policy is principled and reasonable, but I also respect a lot of the people who think there may be better alternatives, so I want to make sure we hear all those ideas.”
Additionally, Facebook will work to improve the transparency around how it makes these decisions and whether it can “change anything structurally to make sure the right groups and voices are at the table” when it does make a definitive choice around a controversial speech and moderation issue.