The technology industry is full of breaking news and updates. To help you keep up, we’ve rounded up four interesting-to-us stories about iPhone app privacy, Flickr, Twitter and Photoshop.
1. iPhone app privacy
TechCrunch recently reported that some iPhone apps record “every tap and swipe you make” while using the app. The worst part? The apps don’t need to ask for your permission.
Many companies with apps use a service called Glassbox. The app allows businesses to “prepare for the digital unknown” by using an “analytics platform to automatically record, index and analyze … digital interactions.”
Firms that use Glassbox can track app users’ actions via something called “session replay.” These replays allow the app’s developers to “record the screen and play them back to see how its users interacted with the app to figure out if something didn’t work or if there was an error,” TechCrunch reported. “Every tap, button push and keyboard entry is recorded — effectively screenshotted — and sent back to the app developers.” Unfortunately, the replay can sometimes capture unmasked sensitive data.
TechCrunch added that Glassbox is only one of multiple “user recording” technologies. Others include Appsee and UXCam.
Find out more about this story here.
What this means for you: If you’re concerned about your data falling into a stranger’s hands, read privacy policies, research apps and read some more. If you educate yourself on internet safety, you’re more likely to stay safe while working online.
2. You have a month to backup Flickr content
This update is for Flickr users. According to TechCrunch, the site’s free 1 terabyte plan will go away in March.
On March 12, Flickr will only allow people with free accounts to store 1,000 photos at a time. “Anything past that will be auto-deleted, starting with the oldest stuff,” TechCrunch added.
TechCrunch reported that the mass deletion was slated to happen in February. However, a lot of users had issues downloading their old content at the last minute. So, the company extended the deadline.
Here’s how to start the download process.
What this means for you: If you want to keep your free account and all your photos, start backing up your old content now. If you want to access more storage on Flickr, examine your budget to find out if you can afford another plan.
3. Twitter events
At CES in January, Twitter announced plans “to make it easier for publishers to better understand” the type of content that resonates “with its readers on the social network through a new kind of analytics dashboard.” The platform also is creating a dashboard that allows users to “better track real-time information around events, and” upcoming events.
According to TechCrunch, these additions are part of Twitter’s overall plan to enhance organizations’ user experience. Now, not only will organizations be able to use the app for marketing, but also business activities, and work tasks.
Go here for more information about these new updates.
What this means for you: From what we can tell, it’s good news. Your cam business is a business. So, any app additions meant to make running a business easier are welcome.
4. Remove.bg makes some background removal tasks easier
If you hate using Photoshop to remove backgrounds in your headshots or profile pics, consider using Remove.bg.
Remove.bg allows users to “clear out the background of an image in seconds, no lassoing or any other editing hassle required,” TechCrunch reported.
The program uses AI that trains “on images of people,” so it “only works on photos of humans for now,” and can immediately separate the photo’s subject from the background; it leaves “the image clean and ready for whatever you plan to do with it,” TechCrunch added.
What this means for you: This app sounds perfect for making headshots unique. If you usually use Photoshop for this task, Remove.bg should work well and according to its users, it’s easier and faster to use.
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Abbie Stutzer is a writer and editor from Lawrence, Kansas. Find her on Twitter at @abbiestutzer and on Insta at @abbiestutzer. Email her at abbie@ynotcam.com.
Photo by Pexels.
