ChatGPT has introduced a new lock feature that lets you password-protect individual conversations, so other people who use your device can't accidentally stumble upon your private chats. This is handy if you share a tablet or computer with family members and want to keep certain discussions—like planning a birthday surprise or talking about health matters—completely hidden from view. Worth knowing: you'll find this lock option in the chat settings, and it only takes a moment to set up when you want extra privacy on a specific conversation.
Meta's AI assistant Muse had a feature that let people share their conversations by creating special links, but researchers discovered thousands of these links were accidentally showing up in public internet records where anyone could find them. This matters because it means private conversations between people and an AI could potentially be read by strangers, even if the person sharing thought only certain people would see them. Worth knowing: if you've used Meta's Muse assistant and shared conversations through links, those chats may have been visible to others—Meta has paused this feature while they fix the security problem.
When people share conversations from Meta's new Muse AI tool through links, those links aren't as private as they should be—security researchers were able to guess and access thousands of shared conversations that were meant to stay private. This matters because many of us use these kinds of sharing features to send sensitive information like business plans, health questions, or financial details to friends or colleagues, and we assume those links are truly secure. Worth knowing: before sharing any sensitive conversation through a link in Muse or similar tools, ask yourself whether that information would be safe if a stranger stumbled upon it, and consider sending it through a more private method like email or a direct message instead.
UK regulators are asking Apple to let other companies use the special chip in iPhones that handles payments and security features, which would allow new digital wallets and ticketing apps to work more easily on Apple devices. Right now, Apple keeps this technology mostly to itself, which means your options for how you pay or store your keys on an iPhone are limited compared to what Android phone users can do. Worth knowing: if these changes go ahead, you may see more choices for payment apps and digital services on iPhones, though Apple will likely take some time to implement any new rules.
Android Auto can be set to automatically start playing music or podcasts when you get in your car, but many people find this annoying and prefer to choose what they listen to instead. Turning off this feature gives you back control over what plays and when, so you're not stuck hearing something you didn't choose just because you started your car. Worth knowing: open Android Auto settings, tap "Media," and look for an "Autoplay" option—you can usually toggle it off in just a few taps.
Robot vacuums with cameras and microphones can map your home and learn your routines, which helps them clean better—but that same technology also means companies can collect detailed information about your living space. If your data ends up with third parties or isn't properly protected, someone could learn when you're away, what furniture you have, or other private details about your home. Worth knowing: check your vacuum's privacy settings, ask the manufacturer where your data goes and how long they keep it, and consider whether you really need the camera and microphone features enabled at all times.
Multi-link operation (MLO) is a new Wi-Fi 7 feature that lets your router use multiple frequency channels at the same time to send data to your devices, making your internet connection faster and more reliable. For someone who streams videos, joins video calls, or uses several devices at once, this means smoother performance and fewer frustrating slowdowns during peak internet use. Worth knowing: if your router has Wi-Fi 7 and supports MLO, it's generally safe to enable it in your settings, though the real benefit depends on whether your devices (like phones or laptops) also support this newer technology.
Hackers have found ways to break into older versions of Plex Media Server (the software many people use to store and watch their own movies and shows at home) and are actively installing malicious programs that either steal computing power to mine cryptocurrency or turn your device into a tool for hiding illegal internet activity. If you use Plex, this matters because an infected media server could slow down or damage your device, run up your electricity bill, or unknowingly help criminals hide their tracks online. You can protect yourself by checking Plex's website for the latest security update and installing it immediately, and Worth knowing: if you haven't updated Plex in several weeks, assume your version is vulnerable.
Hackers broke into OpenCode, a popular tool that helps programmers write code using artificial intelligence, and stole some users' security passwords that allow them to use AI services. If your account was affected, you could end up with unexpected charges on your AI service bills because hackers can use stolen keys to run expensive operations. Worth knowing: if you use OpenCode or similar coding tools, change your passwords and check your AI service bills for any unusual activity you didn't authorize.
Windows now comes with solid built-in protection called Defender that catches most threats without you paying extra, making expensive antivirus subscriptions unnecessary for many people. If you're doing everyday tasks like email, browsing, and online banking, the free protection that's already on your computer is usually enough to keep you safe. Worth knowing: stick with Windows Defender, keep your system updates turned on, and use common sense about what you click on—that combination protects most of us better than paid software would.
Privacy Badger, a popular tracker-blocking tool that millions already use, is now available for Safari on Mac computers (version 26.5 and higher). Most websites contain hidden tracking code that companies use to collect and sell your browsing information, often to data brokers who profit from knowing your habits—and Privacy Badger stops this from happening by blocking trackers before they can load. You can download Privacy Badger for free from the Safari Extensions menu if you want an extra layer of privacy beyond what Safari already provides.
About one in five Americans now regularly get their news from social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok instead of traditional news sources. This matters because social media feeds can mix real news with rumors, misleading information, or outright false stories—and it's often hard to tell the difference at a glance. Worth knowing: before sharing something you read on social media, take a moment to check if the story appears on established news websites, and be cautious about posts that seem designed to provoke strong emotions rather than inform.
