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Michael Kratsios, who served in the White House and Defense Department in the first Trump administration, is a policy specialist on artificial intelligence.

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI chatbot similar to OpenAI's ChatGPT, is the most downloaded free app in the U.S. — but its swift rise to the top of the app store charts has raised potent privacy concerns at a time when the U.S. is banning TikTok over its ties to the Chinese government.

Like most apps, DeepSeek requires you to agree to its privacy policy when you sign up to access it — but you probably don't read it. 

SEE ALSO: What AI experts are saying about DeepSeek R1

In summary, "DeepSeek’s privacy policy, which can be found in English, makes it clear: user data, including conversations and generated responses, is stored on servers in China," Adrianus Warmenhoven, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, said in a statement. "This raises concerns because of data collection outlined — ranging from user-shared information to data from external sources — which falls under the potential risks associated with storing such data in a jurisdiction with different privacy and security standards."

Here's the TL;DR from DeepSeek's privacy policy:

• It collects "Information You Provide" 

  • Profile information like date of birth, username, email address, telephone number, password

  • The text, audio, prompt, feedback, chat history, uploaded files, and other content you provide to DeepSeek

  • Information when you contact them, like proof of identity or age and feedback or inquiries

• It collects "Automatically Collected Information"

  • Internet and other network activity information like your IP address, device identifier, and cookies

  • Technical information like your device model, operating system, keystroke patterns or rhythms, IP address, system language, diagnostic and performance information, and an automatically assigned device ID and user ID

  • Usage information like the features you use 

  • Payment information, which is self-explanatory

• It collects "Information from Other Sources"

  • Log-in, sign-up, or linked services and accounts, like if you sign up using Google or Apple

  • Advertising measurement and other partners share user information with DeepSeek, such as what you've bought at their stores

What do "keystroke patterns or rhythms" mean?

DeepSeek's privacy policy states that it collects "keystroke patterns or rhythms," which might seem unusual but not completely uncommon. For instance, TikTok collects the same information, while Instagram does not. 

DeepSeek didn't immediately respond to a request for clarification from Mashable, but there's a bit unknown regarding its keystroke data collection. We don't know what DeepSeek will do with the information. For its part, TikTok has said that collecting "keystroke patterns or rhythms" specifically refers to the timing of when keys are pressed — not the specific keys that are pressed. This creates a form of biometric identification that makes one user different from another. TikTok told Snopes that this practice is "fundamentally" different from keylogging, a type of monitoring originally developed in the mid-1970s by the Soviet Union that's still used today by hundreds of popular sites.

SEE ALSO: Could Trump ban DeepSeek? What the TikTok ban saga tells us.

Nicky Watson, the co-founder and chief architect of consent management platform Syrenis, told Mashable that "the biometrics space is growing rapidly, and the accuracy [at which] it can verify identities is unmatched."

"However, with more companies collecting biometrics, a whole new set of data privacy and security risks need to be addressed, including security breaches, identity theft, impersonation, and fraud. Biometrics' inability to be revoked or reset, unlike compromised passwords, makes it a much higher-stakes form of identification," Watson said.

What does DeepSeek do with my data?

It uses all this information for various purposes, like ensuring it sends users relevant advertising and notifying them about changes to its services, which is pretty typical. But it will also "comply with our legal obligations, or as necessary to perform tasks in the public interest, or to protect the vital interests of our users and other people." Moreover, its "corporate group" can access its data and share information with law enforcement agencies.

Many companies include that blanket statement in their privacy policies, but DeepSeek's data is stored "in secure servers located in the People's Republic of China." China has some notable legal requirements under its cybersecurity and privacy laws, including laws that demand tech companies cooperate with national intelligence efforts. This, combined with the current TikTok ban, leads to propaganda fears. For example, you can't ask DeepSeek questions about the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre.

SEE ALSO: DeepSeek AI: What you need to know about the ChatGPT rival

"DeepSeek’s privacy policy openly states that the wide array of user data they collect goes to servers in China," Watson said. "This alone raises big questions about how that data could be used beyond just running the app. It’s so easy to get swept up in the hype of a new trending AI tool and accept the terms of use without thinking twice, but this privacy policy should make users stop and ask: Am I giving away private details like my location, browsing activity, or even personal messages without realizing it?"

WIRED reviewed the website's activity and found that DeepSeek sends data to the Chinese tech giant Baidu and the Chinese internet infrastructure firm Volces. And, as WIRED pointed out, the policy suggests that DeepSeek might also use user prompts to develop new models.

Why should an average user be concerned?

It's easy to ignore the importance of data security. At its core, reading through the fine print of privacy terms and conditions can be remarkably boring, which is precisely what makes it so dangerous. DeepSeek is subject to government access under China's cybersecurity laws, which mandate that companies provide access whenever the Chinese government demands it. We don't know how many AI models are trained or how they operate, and that's concerning, too, especially if your data could be misused or maliciously exploited.

SEE ALSO: Apple opens up about Siri privacy in wake of lawsuit

Plus, you don't want your identity stolen. You don't want your bank account information in the wrong hands. Let's say you give an abundant amount of personal information to a chatbot or use a credit card to pay for it, and that data is stored by the company and later hacked or improperly shared — you could be in trouble. In a situation like that, at best, it's really annoying to change your passwords; at worst, you're out of your life's savings. A company like DeepSeek, or even Meta or OpenAI, might not actively steal your information to take your identity. Still, cyberattacks happen — and if they're hosting your data, your data can be taken. Just yesterday, DeepSeek faced "large-scale malicious attacks," which forced the company to temporarily limit new registrations.

"There is always the risk of cyberattacks," Warmenhoven said. "As AI platforms become more sophisticated, they also become prime targets for hackers looking to exploit user data or the AI itself. With the rise of deepfakes and other AI-driven tools, the stakes are higher than ever."

What can an average user do? Is this worse than what all the other tech giants do?

"It shouldn’t take a panic over Chinese AI to remind people that most companies in the business set the terms for how they use your private data," John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab, told WIRED. "And that when you use their services, you’re doing work for them, not the other way around."

Safeguarding your data from DeepSeek is probably a good idea — but experts urge users not to stop there.

"To mitigate these risks, users should adopt a proactive approach to their cybersecurity," Warmenhoven suggested. "This includes scrutinizing the terms and conditions of any platform they engage with, understanding where their data is stored and who has access to it."

However, ultimately, it shouldn't be up to an individual. As F. Mario Trujillo, a staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told Mashable, "When you type intimate thoughts and questions to a chatbot or search engine, that content should be protected and not be unnecessarily used or shared. The best way to do that is to enact strong data privacy laws that apply to all companies, whether it be Google, OpenAI, TikTok, or DeepSeek." 

Protecting your privacy shouldn’t be up to you alone. Stronger data privacy laws would help everyone, whether it concerns apps located in China or apps with similarly questionable data privacy laws in the U.S., like Meta and OpenAI.

The James Webb Space Telescope is peering into distant worlds and rewriting our grasp of the cosmos.

And in 2025, its budget is on track to get slashed.

At January's Meeting of the American Astronomical Society, Tom Brown, who heads Webb's mission at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), showcased the observatory's achievements, while also revealing the institute has been asked to consider around 20 percent in cuts to its science and mission operations. (The institute operates major telescopes for NASA, like Webb and the Hubble Space Telescope.)

The budget shortfall would begin in October 2025, the start of the federal fiscal year. The telescope, orbiting about 1 million miles from Earth, has a team of scientists and engineers choosing the the most valuable targets, calibrating its observations, and fixing problems. Budget cuts would hit these jobs, and significantly diminish Webb's productivity, Brown said.

"The operations work at STScI, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and other NASA contractors is funded by the operational budget for Webb, so the funding cuts would incur reductions in staff working in these areas," Brown, who also researches star and galaxy formation, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

"One could see reductions in observing efficiency, anomaly response, calibration cadence and fidelity, support for instrument modes, and even the number of observing modes available for science," he added.

In 2025, NASA's budget request for Webb was $187 million, which included $60 million in grants that enable scientists at other institutions to plan and pursue investigations with the telescope. Yet Brown noted, in his presentation, that Webb's operations costs were "set idealistically low in 2011," and the operations budget must now contend with higher-than-anticipated inflation and a tight NASA budget. The space agency has a lot of ambitions and investments spread across a budget of some $25.4 billion, such as $7.6 billion in annual costs for the looming exploration of the moon, and eventually Mars. For example, NASA's new megarocket, the Space Launch System, was afforded over $2.4 billion in the 2025 fiscal year.

"If the budget cuts were to happen, the cuts would impact all aspects of operations."

Should Webb's operations budget be cut, meaning a drop of some $37 million compared with 2025 levels, little would be immune.

"If the budget cuts were to happen, the cuts would impact all aspects of operations," Brown said. "This includes solicitation and peer-reviewed selection of observing programs, observation planning and scheduling, flight operations and commanding, systems engineering, anomaly response, data calibration, data analysis tools, science data products, data processing and archiving, management of research grants, and public outreach."

The Webb telescope, which came online in 2022, is currently in its prime five-year mission. But it's performing excellently, and NASA suspects it could run for two decades, if not more. Its productivity over this span, however, could be hampered.

A deep field view of the universe captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, including some of the farthest-away objects ever seen in infrared light. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / STScI Tweet may have been deleted The Webb telescope's powerful abilities

The Webb telescope — a scientific collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency — is designed to peer into the deepest cosmos and reveal new insights about the early universe. It's also examining intriguing planets in our galaxy, along with the planets and moons in our solar system.

Here's how Webb is achieving unparalleled feats, and likely will for years to come:

- Giant mirror: Webb's mirror, which captures light, is over 21 feet across. That's over two-and-a-half times larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's mirror, meaning Webb has six times the light collecting area. Capturing more light allows Webb to see more distant, ancient objects. The telescope is peering at stars and galaxies that formed over 13 billion years ago, just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang. "We're going to see the very first stars and galaxies that ever formed," Jean Creighton, an astronomer and the director of the Manfred Olson Planetarium at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, told Mashable in 2021.

- Infrared view: Unlike Hubble, which largely views light that's visible to us, Webb is primarily an infrared telescope, meaning it views light in the infrared spectrum. This allows us to see far more of the universe. Infrared has longer wavelengths than visible light, so the light waves more efficiently slip through cosmic clouds; the light doesn't as often collide with and get scattered by these densely packed particles. Ultimately, Webb's infrared eyesight can penetrate places Hubble can't.

"It lifts the veil," said Creighton.

- Peering into distant exoplanets: The Webb telescope carries specialized equipment called spectrographs that will revolutionize our understanding of these far-off worlds. The instruments can decipher what molecules (such as water, carbon dioxide, and methane) exist in the atmospheres of distant exoplanets — be they gas giants or smaller rocky worlds. Webb looks at exoplanets in the Milky Way galaxy. Who knows what we'll find?

"We might learn things we never thought about," Mercedes López-Morales, an exoplanet researcher and astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics-Harvard & Smithsonian, told Mashable in 2021.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft The Ultimate Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle $54.97
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StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Centralspot Folding MagSafe Wallet - Works With Apple Find My $29.99
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SAVE 77%: As of Jan. 29, the INIU 10000mAh 22.5W fast-charging power bank is just $12.07 at Amazon after stacking a 50% coupon with a 27% discount off its usual $29.99 price.

Opens in a new window Credit: INIU INIU 10000mAh 22.5W Power Bank $12.07 at Amazon
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SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

Unlike most cheap power banks that skimp on ports, this one gives you two USB-C outputs and a USB-A port, so you can charge three devices at once. That means your phone, earbuds, and a friend's phone all get juice at the same time. Plus, it lets you charge with USB-C both ways, so you're not stuck carrying extra adapters like in 2015.

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Opens in a new window Credit: TCL TCL 98-inch QM7-Series 4K UHD Smart TV $1,999.99 at Best Buy
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SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

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SEE ALSO: Where to preorder Samsung's new Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra smartphones

Gamers, you’re in luck. This TV supports HDMI 2.1, meaning smooth 4K gameplay at 120Hz for next-gen consoles. LG’s Game Optimizer gives you quick access to VRR, ALLM, and other key gaming settings to fine-tune performance on the fly. GeForce NOW compatibility lets you stream cloud-based PC games directly to the TV without needing a console or gaming PC.

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The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has reportedly rushed to wipe the metadata from some of its memos after the embedded information indicated that they were written by people associated with Project 2025. While many members of President Donald Trump's administration have links to The Heritage Foundation's controversial movement, questions have been raised regarding whether some of these authors are even part of the OPM. 

SEE ALSO: Did Trump's executive order just make everyone in the U.S. female?

Spotted by Reddit user r/AdeptGreen, several memos issued by the OPM since Trump's inauguration have had metadata showing them to be written by people linked to Project 2025. Metadata is information about another set of information, such as its author, the date it was created, and the file's size. It is frequently embedded within the file. 

For example, the OPM states that Jan. 22 memo Guidance on Presidential Memorandum: Return to In-Person Work is from its Acting Director Charles Ezell. However, the document's metadata indicates that it was actually created by Noah Peters, an attorney linked to Project 2025. Mashable downloaded the memo on Tuesday prior to its alteration, and was able to view the original metadata.

While Peters' name was in the metadata of some OPM memos, others were apparently penned by James Sherk, who Trump has announced will serve on the White House Domestic Policy Council. He has also been linked to Project 2025, previously working for The Heritage Foundation for over a decade. According to the metadata, Sherk authored two joint memos with the OPM and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

While the OPM has reportedly removed the metadata and reuploaded its memos, Mashable was unable to access them at all at time of writing on Wednesday, the links to each one now failing to load. Tech researcher Molly White has archived the original documents.

It's common practice for managers to have employees draft documents which they subsequently sign off on. However, it's much less common for people to write memos for departments that they aren't a part of. Though Peters' LinkedIn page now lists him as a full-time Senior Advisor at OPM, Mashable was unable to find any information suggesting Sherk has any role with either this department or the OMB.

Peters' and Sherk's apparent work on the OPM's memos appear to be the product of Trump's increasing politicisation of the federal workforce. Last week Trump issued an executive order reinstating Schedule F, a policy from his first term which reclassified thousands of federal workers as political appointees. This reclassification granted Trump's administration the authority to hire, dismiss, or otherwise manage people in these roles — including installing workers who adhere to the president's politics.

Such consolidation of power was also a goal for Project 2025, which stated in its policy agenda that a conservative U.S president must have the "boldness to bend or break the bureaucracy to the presidential will."

Regardless of its appropriateness, it wouldn't be surprising to see more federal documents with surprising authors in the future — especially considering Trump's plans to shrink the U.S. government. Almost all federal employees were offered buyouts on Tuesday, with promises of around eight months of wages on the condition that they voluntarily leave their jobs by Feb. 6. Over two million workers reportedly received the offer.

Though the Trump administration likely doesn't expect everyone to accept its offer, doing so looks like a smart move right now. Trump has made no secret of his intent to eliminate millions of government jobs via the newly-created, Elon Musk-led U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The organisation had been planned to be co-led by Vivek Ramaswamy, who previously expressed an intention to reduce the federal workforce by 75 percent, including firing one million people in 2025.

While Ramaswamy is no longer involved with the project, DOGE's goal to execute drastic cuts amongst federal personnel appears to remain in place.

What is Project 2025?

Organised by conservative think-tank The Heritage Foundation, Project 2025 is a political movement which aims to swiftly and decisively steer the U.S. toward the right. 

In its policy agenda "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise," Project 2025 lays out a lengthy set of proposals and plans for a right-wing U.S. administration, spanning over 900 pages. These plans include significantly downsizing the Department of Education, criminalising pornography, eliminating gender-affirming healthcare, and abolishing federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. 

Initially published in 2023, Project 2025's policy agenda has garnered the condemnation of Democratic politicians while becoming a guiding force for Republicans.

Trump previously distanced himself from Project 2025 in 2024, stating that he had "no idea who is behind it."

"I disagree with some of the things they’re saying and some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social last July. "Anything they do, I wish them luck, but I have nothing to do with them."

Even so, Trump's slew of executive actions since his inauguration have closely mirrored Project 2025's wishlist. The president has also appointed individuals involved with the document to key roles in his administration. Such appointees include Russell Vought, one of the authors of Project 2025's policy agenda and Trump's pick to head the OBM after having taken on the role during the president's first term. Vought was the previously quoted Project 2025 author who called for federal agencies to "bend or break" to Trump's demands.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Types of hits on a diamond

• Green: Reasons for a whistle in basketball

• Blue: Same mascot

• Purple: Cities with NFL teams

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Baseball hits

• Green: Basketball fouls

• Blue: Bulldogs

• Purple: Actual NFL home cities

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #128 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Baseball hits - SINGLE, DOUBLE, TRIPLE, HOME RUN

• Basketball fouls - FLAGRANT, OFFENSIVE, PERSONAL, TECHNICAL

• Bulldogs - GEORGIA, GONZAGA, MISSISSIPPI STATE, YALE

• Actual NFL home cities - ARLINGTON, FOXBORO, GLENDALE, SANTA CLARA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

TL;DR: Looking for Microsoft Office deals? A license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business (for Windows or Mac) is available for a one-time price of £128.59 (reg. £200.95) through 2 February, giving you lifetime access to key productivity tools.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC — Lifetime License £128.59 at the Mashable Shop
£200.95 Save £72.36 Get Deal

Why deal with subscription fees when you can own your productivity tools for life? Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business offers lifetime access with a one-time purchase of £128.59 — a 36% discount — letting you unlock the full suite with no recurring payments: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. Whether you’re managing projects for work, school, or personal life, this edition provides all the tools you need to stay productive.

What’s new in Office 2024? For starters, Excel now allows you to handle larger datasets and multiple workbooks at once, making it easier to work on complex projects and analyses. PowerPoint ups your presentation game with new features for recording presentations, including integrated voice narration, and live camera feeds, which can help add a personal touch, especially during virtual meetings or remote work settings. Outlook now comes with an upgraded accessibility checker that ensures your emails are clear, readable, and meet accessibility standards, helping you communicate more effectively.

Office 2024’s streamlined interface is designed to be intuitive, with a unified look across apps, making it easier to jump between tasks and stay organised. Whether you're preparing financial reports, creating presentations, or simply managing everyday tasks, this suite works seamlessly across both Macs and PCs.

This one-time payment guarantees a lifetime device license for all of these tools.

Say goodbye to monthly fees and hello to a better way to work — score a lifetime device license to Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business for Mac or PC for £128.59 (reg. £200.95) until 2 February at 11:59 p.m. PT. Get this deal — and more Microsoft Office deals — at the Mashable Shop.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Liverpool have been absolutely perfect in this year's Champions League, and comfortably sit on top of the standings. PSV haven't been quite so dominant, but they are still fighting for a place in the knockout rounds.

We're all set for a really interesting matchup between these two sides. If you want to watch PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is PSV vs. Liverpool?

PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 29. This fixture takes place at the Philips Stadion.

How to watch PSV vs. Liverpool for free

PSV vs. Liverpool is available to live stream for free on Virgin Media Player.

Virgin Media Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock Virgin Media Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream PSV vs. Liverpool for free by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Visit Virgin Media Player

5. Watch PSV vs. Liverpool for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream PSV vs. Liverpool (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Virgin Media Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on Virgin Media Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream PSV vs. Liverpool in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

There's a lot of pressure on Manchester City to secure a win in their final Champions League group-stage game. If they don't get something from their matchup with Club Brugge, they will exit this year's competition. It has been a tough season for Manchester City, but that would take things to another level.

If you want to watch Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Manchester City vs. Club Brugge?

Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 29. This fixture takes place at the Etihad Stadium.

How to watch Manchester City vs. Club Brugge for free

Manchester City vs. Club Brugge is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Ireland, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Champions League from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge on RTÉ Player by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Ireland

4. Sign in to RTÉ Player

5. Watch Manchester City vs. Club Brugge for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTÉ Player, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Manchester City vs. Club Brugge in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Shopping for a new speaker is no longer about music. Well, not entirely. Because finding a speaker with excellent sound is fairly straightforward. The top audio brands all produce high-end speakers. But you have to think beyond that. You have to think smart. Because this is the age of the smart home.

It might seem like a daunting task because smart speakers are everywhere. It's hard to know which speaker is the smartest, or which models have the right kind of smarts to suit your home and lifestyle. You can spend all day combing over product descriptions and review sections to find the best fit for your smart home.

But you don't need to go to all that hassle. We've done some of the hard work for you and compiled a list of some of the best smart speakers around. First off, here's some helpful information to help you make that final decision.

What is a smart speaker?

Smart speakers usually come with built-in voice assistants and can be found in almost any home at this point. If you have a bunch of smart devices in your home — smart lights, a smart thermostat, smart home security, a smart robot vacuum, or even a smart toaster (yes, that's a real thing) — a smart speaker can act as a hub that keeps them connected and controls your smart home overall. In short, a smart speaker is what makes your home truly smart. It's the smart home nucleus.

Are smart speakers worth the money?

Although smart speakers aren't always the best way to listen to your audio and aren't usually prioritised for music, they're absolutely worth having if you have the budget. (And you might not even notice the audio downgrade unless you have a finely-tuned audiophile ear.) Plus, smart speakers don't always have to break the bank — there are plenty of budget options out there, including the fantastic Echo Dot.

Why do you need a smart speaker?

The real reason to get a smart speaker is convenience. Hands-free voice assistants are the name of the game when it comes to smart speakers. Being able to plan your day, catch up on news, play music, and control most of your smart tech just by talking to your a speaker is truly excellent. It's a great way to maximise your day by doing less. 

What's the best voice assistant?

The three best-known voice assistants are Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri. Out of those three, most would put Siri at the bottom. That's not to say that Siri is a bad voice assistant, but Apple is just way too exclusive about their propriety operating systems, and Siri is only available to Apple devices. Then we get to Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. It comes down to personal choice. Both Amazon and Google have their specialist skills. You can't really lose with either choice here — just think about what features you want most, and go for the one that fits that vision best. It's fair to say Alexa is more popular of the two, though.

What skills does Alexa have?

If you're an online shopper and have an arsenal of smart devices throughout your home, Alexa will probably be your best bet. Amazon's smart speakers recognise more devices than Google's Assistant, so you're more likely to have a better time with an Echo if you really want to go for a true smart home. Alexa's direct connection to the Amazon store also makes online shopping easy, allowing you to add things to your cart and check out solely through voice commands. If you get lots of goods from Amazon, Amazon's smart speakers are a no-brainer. 

What can Google Assistant do?

Google Assistant tends to be better at things like general knowledge, location services, and other real-world information that you might need at a moment's notice. Google Assistant is also great for those with Android phones, enabling easy exchanges of information between your smartphone and smart speaker when using Google-supported apps. Google speakers also tend to be better at networking, so if you're looking to buy more than one smart speaker and connect them, Google is a good start. 

What is the best smart speaker? 

That's something that only you can decide. But we've tried to make your life easier by lining up a selection of the best smart speakers from top brands. There's something for everyone on this list, not to mention every budget — because these speakers don't always come cheap. You just need to consider the options, and then pick the speaker that best matches up with your smart home and lifestyle needs.

These are the best smart speakers in 2025.

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Playing music out loud from your smartphone is a crime against music. Good sound is one of the few things that smartphone tech brands have never quite mastered. For the best audio experience from your phone or smart device it comes down to one of two options: great headphones or a great Bluetooth speaker.

If you're more inclined towards the communal listening experience, or you don't like having to rely on headphones, the range of portable Bluetooth speakers is getting better all the time. Wired speakers were once considered to go-to option for audiophile-quality sound, but that isn't necessarily the case anymore. Though it's true that the real appeal of Bluetooth speaker is the convenience of listening anywhere.

Indeed, there are lots of high-quality portable Bluetooth speakers. These are great for taking out on a picnic, or when you're travelling away and you want tunes in the hotel or at the poolside. Or even for just moving from room to room around the home. But what should you look for when buying a portable Bluetooth speaker? What's the difference between a great-sounding and under-performing Bluetooth speaker? Here's a quick guide and a selection of the best available Bluetooth speakers.

How good is Bluetooth speaker sound quality?

It's as good as you need it to be. So ask yourself the following questions: Will you be using your speakers solely for music? For podcasts? Maybe a bit of both? This factors into what kind of audio power you need, whether that's surround sound, Dolby Atmos, or traditional stereo. Not all speakers produce the same kind of sound quality, so it's important to know exactly what kind of listening experience you're looking to get out of it before you make the purchase. Typically, smaller speakers are more portable, but their sound quality isn't quite as strong as larger devices.

How many speakers do you need? 

Always choose quality over quantity. Having two amazing speakers, for instance, will always ensure better results than multiple average speakers. However, having too many speakers around is just going to take up an unnecessary amount of space. Indeed, two speakers is a sweet spot, and certainly an ideal set-up if you listen to a lot of music. That's because music is normally recorded for a stereo setting. Having a left and right channel will do you wonders. Fortunately several of the options below can be connected to other speakers for stereo sound. If you have a smaller space, however, one good speaker is perfectly adequate.

What smart features do Bluetooth speakers have?

As with everything in life, it's a case of getting what you pay for. Some low-price Bluetooth speakers are good at just pumping out lively tunes. Others will include smart features such as voice assistant, EQ customisation, app control, and other advanced tech. Ask yourself if you want to integrate your speaker into a system of smart devices. Several of the below options have smart functions and access to Alexa.

Are portable speakers waterproof?

Finding a waterproof speaker is not absolutely necessary, but plenty of portable speakers are waterproof or water resistant — the portability means they'll see a lot of poolside and party action, which means lots of splashing and spillages. It would be a shame if a rogue glass of water ended up being the demise of your new speaker, so if you have the option to go waterproof, do it.

What is the best portable Bluetooth speaker?

If you're not much of an audiophile and simply keen on stepping away from using your smartphone's built-in speaker, don't get too stressed over whether the bass is strong and the mids are crisp. Go with the type that suits you best, and you'll be satisfied regardless. We've tried to make the buying process a little easier by handpicking some standout speakers from top brands. There should be something for everyone in this roundup of the best portable speakers, with a speaker for every budget.

These are the best portable Bluetooth speakers in 2025.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 29 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Belonging to someone

• Green: This could happen in your sleep

• Blue: Film franchises

• Purple: Associated with "house"

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Owned

• Green: Things You Might Do in Your Sleep

• Blue: Movie Series with 2024 Releases

• Purple: ___House

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #598 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Owned: BORE, HAD, HELD, POSSESSED

• Things You Might Do in Your Sleep: DREAM, DROOL, SNORE, TALK

• Movie Series with 2024 Releases: ALIEN, GLADIATOR, VENOM, WICKED

• ___House: FULL, GINGERBREAD, HAUNTED, WHITE

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 29

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for January 29 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for January 28, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Mammary gland.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter D appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter U.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

UDDER.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 29

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.