# iOS End-to-End Encrypted RCS Messaging
Apple is starting to roll out a new security feature for iPhone users that scrambles their text messages so only the person they're messaging can read them—similar to what Android users have had for a while. This means your private conversations stay private, even from Apple itself or hackers trying to intercept them. You can watch for a small lock icon appearing next to your messages, which signals that your chat is protected.
Google's security team discovered that someone used artificial intelligence to create a sneaky computer attack that had never been seen before—and they caught it before it could cause widespread harm. This matters because it shows AI is being used to find new ways to break into computers, which means the safety of your devices and personal information could face cleverer threats going forward. Worth knowing: keep your Google account password strong, enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already, and stay alert to any unusual account activity.
OpenADR and Matter are teaming up so your home appliances can automatically receive signals from the electricity grid about when power is in high demand or cheaper to use. For people on fixed incomes or those wanting to lower their energy bills, this means your washing machine or water heater could run during off-peak hours without you having to remember to adjust the settings yourself. Worth knowing: check if your utility company offers a demand response program, as that's where you'd see real savings from this kind of smart coordination.
Venmo has changed its app so that when you send money to friends, those payments stay private by default instead of being visible to everyone. This matters because your financial information—who you're paying and how often—stays between you and your friends rather than being broadcast online where strangers can see it. Worth knowing: if you use Venmo, check your privacy settings to make sure payments to friends aren't accidentally public.
TikTok is now offering a paid subscription in the UK for £3.99 a month that removes all the advertisements you'd normally see while scrolling. If you don't pay, you can still use TikTok free of charge, but you'll see personalised ads based on your viewing habits instead.
TikTok has introduced a paid subscription option in the UK where you can watch videos without any advertisements appearing on your screen. Worth knowing: this also means your personal information won't be collected and sold to advertisers, which gives you more privacy while you're scrolling through the app.
Joanna Stern, a respected tech journalist, spent a year living with AI tools and robots to write a new book called *I Am Not a Robot*, and she's found that while the flashy humanoid robots aren't ready for prime time yet, certain AI applications—especially wearable devices you can carry with you—could genuinely improve daily life. She's now left her job at The Wall Street Journal to start her own media company, and she's using AI to help run it, giving her real insight into which AI tools actually work versus which ones are just hype. You can watch for her new book this month or look up her reporting to understand which AI gadgets are worth your attention and which ones are still just promises.
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NHS England has handed a US technology company called Palantir direct access to identifiable patient information—names, addresses, medical records—to help build a new AI system, without first removing identifying details as a safety step. MPs are concerned this puts your privacy at risk and could damage public trust in the health service, especially since the data goes to an American firm rather than staying fully under UK control.
Worth knowing: if you're uncomfortable with your NHS records being used this way, you can contact your local MP to ask how they plan to hold the health service accountable on patient data protection.
TikTok is now offering a paid subscription option in the UK that removes all the advertisements you normally see while scrolling through videos. This is the first time they've brought this ad-free choice to an English-speaking country, giving people the option to pay for a cleaner viewing experience if they prefer.
Rather than simply replacing workers, AI is creating two very different experiences at work: some people get to use AI as a helpful tool to do their jobs better, while others find their every move tracked and judged by AI systems they don't fully understand. For those of us in our 50s, 60s, and beyond, this matters because many of us are still working or considering part-time roles, and understanding whether we'll be empowered by technology or monitored by it affects our job satisfaction and dignity. Worth knowing: if your workplace introduces new AI systems, it's fair to ask how they'll be used—specifically whether they're tools you'll control or systems that will track your performance.
An addiction medicine expert is drawing parallels between how people become dependent on substances and how we might become over-reliant on AI tools in our daily lives. The comparison suggests that just as addiction involves losing control over a behavior despite knowing its downsides, we risk letting AI make decisions for us without thinking critically about whether we actually need it.
Worth knowing: Understanding these warning signs—like defaulting to AI for tasks you could do yourself, or feeling anxious when you can't access it—can help you use technology as a helpful tool rather than a crutch.
