A man hired to help ransomware victims negotiate lower payments was secretly working with the criminals instead, passing them insider information to demand even larger ransoms—one case involved victims paying over $75 million. This case shows how a trusted person on the inside can cause enormous financial harm, especially to businesses that thought they'd hired protection but got betrayal instead. Worth knowing: when dealing with any cyber crisis or negotiation, make sure you understand who's advising you and consider getting a second opinion from someone completely independent of the initial advisor.
Meta's smart glasses, which look like regular sunglasses but record video and audio, are facing pushback from people worried about privacy—specifically that others might be filmed without knowing it. For anyone considering these glasses, it's worth understanding that wearing them in public might make people uncomfortable around you, and some places may eventually restrict their use, similar to how certain establishments have rules about photography. Worth knowing: if you're thinking about buying smart glasses, ask friends and family how they'd feel being around someone wearing them, as social acceptance matters just as much as the technology itself.
HyperTexting is a new app that transforms regular websites, blogs, and newsletters into a social media-style feed you can scroll through—making the open internet feel familiar and easy to browse. For people who've grown tired of social media's algorithms and advertising but miss the simplicity of discovering interesting content, this offers a middle ground that puts you back in control. You can try it out if you're looking for a fresher way to read articles and stay informed without the noise of mainstream platforms.
Disney is considering offering a completely free version of Disney+ that would show ads, following what other streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime already do. For people on a tight budget or those who want to sample Disney's content before paying, this could mean access to thousands of movies and shows without opening your wallet. Worth knowing: if this happens, the free tier would likely have more commercial interruptions and fewer viewing options than paid plans, so you'd want to compare what restrictions come with it before signing up.
Philips released a software update for its Hue Bridge Pro smart home device in early June that accidentally stopped some of these devices from working at all, leaving customers with non-responsive equipment. If you use Philips Hue lights and have a Bridge Pro hub, this matters because a routine update meant to improve your system could temporarily disable it without warning. Worth knowing: Philips is offering free replacements to affected customers, so if your Hue Bridge Pro stopped working after a recent update, contact their support team right away rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Disney+ is thinking about offering a free version of its streaming service, supported by ads, to attract more viewers who don't want to pay a monthly fee. Many people are cutting back on paid subscriptions these days, so Disney wants to compete with free options like YouTube and Tubi that are becoming increasingly popular. Worth knowing: if you're already paying for Disney+, a free tier with ads shouldn't affect your current subscription, but it's worth checking your account settings if this launches to make sure you're on the plan you want.
# Steam Games Now Easier to Check on Steam Machine
Steam has added a clear way to see whether your favorite games will work on their living-room gaming device, right there on each game's store page. This saves you the frustration of buying a game only to discover it won't run on the hardware you've invested in. Worth knowing: look for the Steam Machine compatibility badge on any game's page before you purchase it.
# A Modern Twist on the Flip Phone
A company called Dumb Co is selling flip phones that work alongside your regular smartphone, letting you experience the simplicity of old-fashioned phones without completely cutting yourself off from the modern world. For people who feel overwhelmed by constant notifications and screen time, this offers a genuine escape route—you can check emails and texts on your iPhone when you need to, then switch to the flip phone for calls and simple messages when you want peace and quiet. Worth knowing: these aren't just novelty items; they're designed to help you take real breaks from the endless cycle of apps and alerts that can drain your attention and energy.
The European Union has told Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) to remove features like autoplay videos and infinite scrolling because these designs are deliberately made to keep you glued to your screen longer than is healthy. Officials found that Meta didn't properly study how these addictive features might harm people's wellbeing, especially young people and older adults who may be more vulnerable. Worth knowing: if Meta doesn't make changes, the company could face enormous fines, so you may notice Facebook and Instagram looking or working differently in coming months.
Netflix is exploring the idea of offering live TV channels that run round-the-clock, similar to traditional television, rather than just on-demand shows and movies. For long-time TV watchers like you, this could make Netflix feel more familiar and give you something relaxing to put on without having to choose what to watch. Worth knowing: if this launches, you'd want to check whether it changes your Netflix subscription price or if it's included with what you already pay.
Europe's regulators say Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) has designed features that keep you scrolling endlessly—like infinite scroll and autoplay videos—in ways that exploit how our brains work, breaking new European tech rules. If you use Facebook or Instagram regularly, this matters because these platforms are being told to make their apps less addictive, which could mean fewer automatic notifications interrupting your day and less manipulation of what appears in your feed. Worth knowing: Meta could face hefty fines if they don't make changes, so you might notice the apps feeling different in coming months, with fewer "tricks" designed to keep you hooked longer than you intend.
A man in Florida who helped ransomware criminals collect payments from American businesses has been convicted and will go to jail for his role in the scheme. Ransomware gangs lock up companies' files and demand money to unlock them, and this negotiator made it easier for them to get paid by handling communications and pressuring victims to pay faster. Worth knowing: if your bank or business ever receives a message demanding payment to unlock files, hang up and call your bank or IT support directly on a number you find yourself—never use contact information from the suspicious message.
