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Uber has been hit with a monster fine in the EU for failing to safeguard the transfer of driver data.

On Monday, the Dutch Data Protection Authority (DPA) announced that it is fining Uber 290 million euros, or $325 million USD, for violating the EU's sweeping General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.

Uber accused of insufficient protection of personal data

According to the Dutch DPA investigation, Uber collected sensitive data about its drivers — including account details, taxi licenses, location data, photos, payment details, identity documents, and criminal and medical data — and stored them on US servers without using proper "transfer tools" for transferring data outside of the EU. "Because of this, the protection of personal data was not sufficient," said the announcement.

The fine is the end result of a complaint filed by 170 French Uber drivers to a France-based human rights group. The complaint was then escalated to the Dutch DPA since Uber's European headquarters is in the Netherlands.

This isn't the first time the EU has brought the hammer down on Uber for data privacy violations. In 2018, the transportation and delivery giant was fined 600,000 euros for a data breach and 10 million euros in 2023 for privacy infringement of its European drivers.

Other Big Tech companies have faced the consequences of the EU's strict laws around protecting user data. In 2021, Amazon was slapped with a $886 million penalty for failing to comply with the GDPR, and more recently, Meta was hit with a whopping $1.3 billion fine for improper transfer of data to the US.

The Dutch DPA said in its announcement that Uber has "ended the violation." However, in a statement to The Verge, Uber says it plans to appeal the ruling.

SAVE 32%: As of Aug. 26, you can grab a refurbished Dyson Airwrap Complete for just $339.99 at Dyson and Walmart. Typically, refurbished Airwraps go for $499.99, so this deal saves you $160 and costs you $260 less than the Airwrap brand-new at full price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Refurbished Dyson Airwrap Complete Long $339.99 at Dyson and Walmart
$499.99 Save $160.00 Get Deal

Dyson dropped a brand-new Airwrap today, but Dyson's older Airwraps are still bringing the heat.

As of Aug. 26, you can grab a refurbished Dyson Airwrap Complete Long at Dyson.com and Walmart for just $339.99. This is one of the best prices we've seen the refurbished model drop to, saving you $160 over the full price of the refurbished model and $260 compared to a brand-new model.

I tested out the Airwrap Complete when it first became available and again when the curly hair attachment dropped. Though it was definitely a luxurious hair tool and simplified some styling, it was one that I found hard to justify the $600 price tag in most situations, especially when the Shark FlexStyle exists and has a starting cost of $279.99.

SEE ALSO: Dyson Airwrap vs. Shark FlexStyle: Here's which hot air tool is worth your money

However, a $339.99 price tag makes the Airwrap much more of a competitor. The airflow generally feels better on the Airwrap, the attachments are more streamlined, and the curling barrels don't require you to switch them out to change the direction of your curls. With this deal, you'll get six attachments, while the FlexStyle that starts at $279.99 only comes with three attachments — the model that starts at $300 comes with five different attachments.

If you have curly hair, unfortunately, this deal only applies to the straight-to-wavy model, meaning there will be no diffuser or wide-tooth comb in the attachment selection. Instead, the Complete Long comes with the following: a Coanda smoothing dryer, a 1.2-inch Airwrap long barrel, a 1.6-inch Airwrap long barrel, a firm smoothing brush, a soft smoothing brush, a round volumizing brush, and a carrying case. Whether you buy from Walmart or Dyson, your product will also come with a one-year warranty.

There are very few scenarios where I think the Airwrap is worth springing for over the FlexStyle, but this refurbished deal is one of them. You can grab the multi-styler in the blue/blush, nickel/copper, or ceramic pop colorways.

Dyson gave their most famous hair tool an upgrade.

On Aug. 26, the brand released the Dyson Airwrap i.d., a multi-styler that comes with a new lineup of attachments and app compatibility designed to make curling hair easier than ever. Models are available for straight to wavy and curly to coily hair — both retail for $599.99, keeping in line with the pricing from past Airwraps.

This follows the release of Dyson's first-ever styling products, the Chitosan line, which also aim to make curls and other Airwrap-created styles last longer.

As Mashable's beauty tech reporter, I haven't tested this latest Airwrap (yet), but I have tested the Airwrap Complete, as well as plenty of dupes. So while I can't speak to a firsthand experience of the Airwrap until I work on the full review, I can walk you through what's new, and what stands out in the quickly growing multi-styler market.

New attachments for the Airwrap i.d.

Before we get into anything fancy, let's take a look at the core product: the styler and its attachments. Like past Airwraps, this one comes with six attachments and a case. For the straight to wavy Airwrap, you'll receive the following (with new attachments bolded):

1. Conical Airwrap barrel

2. Large round volumizing brush

3. Coanda smoothing dryer

4. 1.6-inch Airwrap long barrel

5. Soft smoothing brush

6. Fast dryer

What you'll get in the box with the Airwrap i.d. for straight to wavy hair. Credit: Dyson

While there are only two brand new attachments, Dyson's also made a few smart swaps from the old Airwrap Complete lineup, which included the Coanda smoothing dryer, a 1.2-inch Airwrap long barrel, a 1.6-inch Airwrap long barrel, a firm smoothing brush, a soft smoothing brush, and the round volumizing brush.

SEE ALSO: I tried 4 Dyson Supersonic dupes that are actually worth the hype

Instead of the smaller 1.2-inch barrel, Dyson went for a tapered option with a 20mm tip that can help you achieve tighter (and ideally longer-lasting) curls. They got rid of the firm smoothing brush, which was a redundancy with the soft smoothing brush. They also decided to include the 2.2-inch diameter round brush instead of the 1.5-inch round brush — for the Airwrap Complete, the former was only included for the curly and coily Airwrap. Finally, Dyson brought back the fast dryer, which a Dyson spokesperson confirmed is just a new name for the "pre-styling" dryer found on the first-generation Airwrap.

As for the Airwrap i.d. for curly and coil hair, the lineup includes (new attachments bolded):

1. Conical Airwrap barrel

2. Wave+Curl diffuser

3. Firm smoothing brush

4. Large round volumizing brush

5. Wide tooth comb

6. Fast dryer

What you'll get in the box with the Airwrap i.d. for curly to coily hair. Credit: Dyson

Although there are also two brand new attachments for this version, it closely resembles the Airwrap Complete Diffuse, which also had a diffuser, wide tooth comb, large round volumizing brush, and firm smoothing brush. Like the straight/wavy Airwrap, Dyson replaced a 1.2-inch barrel for the Conical Airwrap barrel, swapped the old diffuser model for this new one, and swapped the Coanda smoothing dryer for the fast dryer.

While it's hard to tell without testing how exactly it does this, the new Wave+Curl diffuser is designed to disperse airflow in two different ways: a dome mode and a diffuse mode. According to Dyson, the dome mode helps define natural waves and curls, while the diffuse mode adds volume. To me, that sounds like it might be offering the adjustability found on the Shark FlexStyle's diffuser.

Finally, Dyson's also released the blade concentrator attachment, which is not currently included with either Airwrap i.d., but can be purchased separately for $39.99, along with the 18 other Airwrap attachments offered (including those listed above). This attachment is designed for those who want the most precise and smoothest dry possible.

The blade concentrator has two curved surfaces that direct Dyson's famous Coanda airflow. Credit: Dyson An app to style your hair

The other major change with the Airwrap i.d. is the app compatibility. The Bluetooth-enabled Airwrap connects to the MyDyson app, which now includes the i.d. curl program. There, users can enter their hair profile, and the app will generate a styling routine for you, including wrapping, styling, and cold shot time.

With your routine programmed, you can then activate the Airwrap to take control with one press of the power button. It's not that much less work than hitting those buttons yourself, but considering there is a learning curve to curling your hair with the Airwrap, I could see this being a useful feature. We'll see how it works in practice when I get my hands on the Airwrap i.d.

Also, as you can likely guess from the name "i.d. curl", at this time the app only includes styling recommendations for the curl function of the Airwrap i.d.

Where to buy the Dyson Airwrap i.d.

If you're interested in picking up the latest Airwrap, it's available at Dyson.com for $599.99 for both straight and curly hair in two different colorways: vinca blue/topaz and ceramic patina/topaz.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap i.d. for straight to wavy $599.99 at Dyson
Shop Now Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap i.d. for curly to coily $599.99 at Dyson
Shop Now

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL was unveiled in mid-August alongside the Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold. I got a chance to review the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, and while I was blown away by its smooth-and-seamless operation, as well as its quirky AI feature set, nothing could have prepared me for its incredibly long battery runtime.

Up until now, according to Mashable's in-house testing, the iPhone 15 Pro Max lasted the longest on a single charge with an impressive runtime of 14 hours and 53 minutes. So imagine our surprise when the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted about four hours longer than the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

SEE ALSO: Pixel 9 Pro XL hands-on review: I zoomed in on strangers 5,280 feet away and saw the color of their clothes Google Pixel 9 Pro XL battery life

According to our battery test, which involves running a TikTok video loop continuously over Wi-Fi at 50% brightness, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL lasted a whopping 18 hours and 50 minutes — that's nearly 19 hours.

Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

Because our in-house testing is based on a continuous, non-stop video rundown, the average user will likely be able to eke out even more battery life out of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL based on usage that involves some standby time, as well as calling, texting, web browsing, and more.

Here's a look at some of the other runtimes we've recorded on the same battery life test:

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra - 13 hours and 1 minute

iPhone 15 Pro Max - 14 hours and 53 minutes

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 - 12 hours and 13 minutes

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 - 12 hours and 44 minutes

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on the Google Tensor G4 chip, which likely contributes to its long battery life. Based on the approximate 19-hour runtime, the processor is quite energy efficient. The downside, however, is that the performance figures, based on Geekbench 6, isn't very impressive. With a multi-core score of just 4,569, it's less powerful than even the Google Pixel 8 Pro that dropped last year.

For more details on Google's new current-generation phones, check out our full reviews on the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Google Pixel 9.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable Google Pixel 9 Pro XL $1,099.99 at Google
Get Deal

Jacques Audiard's musical about a cartel leader who undergoes gender affirming surgery hits Netflix Nov. 13.

A case was opened last month to investigate child pornography, drug sales, fraud and other criminal activities on the platform. The app’s founder, Pavel Durov, was detained over the weekend near Paris.

The iPhone 16 event date is Sept. 9, according to an X post from Greg Joswiak, Apple's senior vice president of marketing.

This is a slight departure from the Sept. 10 prediction from respected Bloomberg leaker and Apple analyst Mark Gurman who reported that the iPhone 16 event date is Sept. 10.

SEE ALSO: iPhone 16: 5 new rumored features that may make you ditch your phone iPhone 16 event date revealed

"We're glowing with excitement!" Joswiak said. "Monday, September 9. #AppleEvent"

Based on some credible rumors and leaks, the entry-level iPhone 16 models (e.g., iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus) are expected to get a slight camera redesign, a new capture button for convenient access to camera features, new colorways, and more.

The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models, on the other hand, will reportedly get an updated ultrawide sensor, improved Night Mode, a new "Desert Titanium" color, and more (as well as the capture button that will be featured on the lower-tier iPhone 16 models.)

In addition to the iPhone 16, according to Gurman, we're expecting the following:

• Apple Watch Series 10

• Apple Watch Ultra 3

• Apple AirPods 4

Based on the glowy Apple icon on the event invite, we're expecting some new information regarding Apple Intelligence as well.

For a more in-depth look at what to expect on the next-generation iPhone 16 models, check out or iPhone 16 rumor hub.

FREE $200 GIFT CARD: August 26 marks International Dog Day! Celebrate with deals across all pet gear. New Chewy customers receive a $20 e-gift card with the purchase of $49 or more.

Opens in a new window Credit: Chewy Get a $20 gift card on your first Chewy order of $49 or more Use code WELCOME at checkout Get Deal

August 26 marks International Dog Day, a day to celebrate the pups who make our life better — as if we don't already do that everyday. However, it's a good excuse to give our furry friends a little something extra, whether that be fresh treats or a new toy, ready to be ripped apart within seconds.

The deals are expansive, covering nearly every category. Amazon and Chewy are especially showing great deals on food from Purina Pro Plan and Hill's Science Diet. Plus if after an active summer your dog's bed is looking and smelling a little... funky, there are cozy options ready for a new season.

And while today is all about dogs, don't worry cat owners, there are plenty of deals for our feline friends, too. Here are the best deals to shop on International Dog Day.

Best International Dog Day Deal Opens in a new window Credit: Chewy Get a $20 gift card on your first Chewy order of $49 or more Use code WELCOME at checkout Get Deal Why we like it

When you're embarking on pet parenthood, the start-up costs are expensive. Between vet appointments, a crate, leash, harness, food, toys, well, the list could go on and on. What we're saying is, pet ownership is expensive so getting a little something back can go a long way.

For new Chewy customers, when you spend over $49 and use code 'WELCOME' at checkout, you'll receive a $20 e-gift card. Since we know you'll need a refresh on supply after a couple of months, whether it be food, treats, or toys, that $20 e-gift card will come in handy.

If you've yet to use Chewy, just know it will save you plenty of trips as it ships pet supplies straight to your door. This is especially helpful for heavy supplies like big bags of kibble or cat litter that you're sick of lugging home.

More dog day dealsLeashes, harnesses, and accessories

• Frisco Traffic Leash with Dual Padded Handles & Poop Bag Dispenser — $5.78 $6.13 (save $0.35)

• Burt's Bees Oatmeal & Honey Dog Shampoo — $7.48 $11.99 (save $4.51)

• PetSafe Quick Snap Dog Collar — $7.99 $8.99 (save $1)

• Downtown Pet Supply Poop Bags and Dispenser — $15.99 $19.99 (Save $4)

• Flexi Classic Retractable Dog Leash — $19.38 $39.99 (save $20.61)

• Chom Chom Roller Pet Hair Remover — $19.99 $27.99 (save $8)

• Barkbay Medium Dog Harness — $23.79 $27.99 (save $4.20)

Food and treats

• Wellness Soft Puppy Bites — $2.87 $4.99 (save $2.12)

• Pedigree Marrobone Dog Treats — $5.99 $7.49 (save $1.50)

• Greenies Dental Dog Treats — $17.98 $19.99 (save $2.01)

• Purina Pro Plan Calm & Balanced Small Breed Dog Food, 5-pound bag — $24.68 $26.19 (save $1.51)

• Purina Pro Plan Adult Chicken & Vegetables Canned Dog Food — $32.40 $34.08 (save $1.68)

• Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance High-Protein Dog Food, 33-pound bag — $69.98 $72.99 (save $3.01)

Beds, crates, and car accessories

• BV Puppy Pads — $19.19 $29.99 (save $10.80)

• Coolaroo Steel-Framed Elevated Dog Bed — $24.43 $44.99 (save $20.56)

• Gapzer Pet Carrier, 20 pound capacity — $28.99 $39.99 (save $11)

• Urpower Dog Hammock Seat Cover — $33.99 $39.99 (save $6)

• Petmaker Dog Play Pen — $35.99 $59.99 (save $24)

• Bedsure Orthopedic XL Dog Bed — $47.99 $59.99 (save $12)

• Lesure Collapsible Dog Crate — $63.99 $89.99 (save $26)

• Mixjoy Orthopedic Donut Dog Bed — $63.99 $79.99 (save $16)

Toys

• Multipet Loofa Dog Toy — $2.39 $4.79 (save $2.40)

• Chuckit! Ultra Fetch Stick Dog Toy — $4.55 $11.99 (save $7.44)

• Chuckit! Ultra Tough Rubber Ball Dog Toy — $4.87 $14.99 (save $10.12)

• Chuckit! Paraflight Dog Toy — $4.81 $12.99 (save $8.18)

• Chuckit! Ultra Rubber Ball Dog Toy — $4.99 $14.99 (save $10)

• Kong Wubba Classic Dog Toy — $9.99 $13.99 (save $4)

• Multipet Lamb Chop Jumbo Toy — $14.99 $28.49 (save $13.50)

• Hunger for Words Talking Words Dog Toy — $16.80 $39.99 (save $23.19)

For our feline friends

• Greenies Chicken Cat Treats — $5.48 $6.49 (save $1.01)

• Fresh Step with Febreeze Gain Scent Cat Litter — $9.68 $11.39 (save $1.71)

• Fresh Step Multi-Cat Litter 2-pack — $27.44 $33.59 (save $6.15)

• Fresh Step Unscented Cat Litter — $27.51 $32.39 (save $4.88)

• Petlibro Automatic Cat Feeder — $55.98 $69.99 (save $14.01)

OpenAI has expressed its support for a California bill requiring AI-generated content to be labeled as such.

According to Reuters, OpenAI sent a letter of support to California State Assembly member Buffy Wicks, who authored the bill, titled the California Provenance, Authenticity and Watermarking Standards Act (AB 3211). The legislation passed by the state Assembly vote would require AI companies to put an invisible watermark on all content made or "significantly modified" by their AI models. Next, the bill is up for vote at the state Senate and would go on to review by CA Governor Gavin Newsom if passed.

The bill would also require AI companies to provide "watermark decoders" so that users can easily identify whether content is AI-generated or not.

SEE ALSO: OpenAI has a '99% effective' ChatGPT-detection tool ready. So why aren't they releasing it?

Image-generating models on the market vary in their levels of photorealism, protective guardrails, and copyright protections. DALL-E 3 is OpenAI's latest text-to-image model. As of February, images generated by the model on ChatGPT contain C2PA metadata, which provides the image's provenance. Similarly, Google has its own SynthID tool for watermarking images created by its model, Gemini. Grok-2, which Elon Musk's xAI company released, seems to have the least amount of restrictions since it can generate images of public figures and copyrighted works. Midjourney, one of the most advanced image models, is currently embroiled in a legal battle over copyright infringement.

In the letter viewed by Reuters, OpenAI underscored the importance of transparency of the provenance of images and other AI-generated content. "New technology and standards can help people understand the origin of content they find online, and avoid confusion between human-generated and photorealistic AI-generated content," said OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon in the letter.

The issue of AI-generated deepfakes and misinformation is especially significant with the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election. Already, AI-generated images of Kamala Harris speaking at a communist rally and Taylor Swift endorsing Donald Trump have circulated on social media.

SAVE $15: As of today, Aug. 26, you can grab the Amazon Kindle for just $84.99 at Amazon. The sale price saves shoppers 15%, taking it down from $99.99 to $84.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Amazon Kindle $84.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $15.00 Get Deal

Whether you're a library card carrier or someone who wants to get back into reading, the Amazon Kindle puts a whole world of books into the palm of your hand. Just in time for back to school and cozy fall days, the e-reader has hit a pretty competitive price.

Today on Amazon, shoppers can score the basic Amazon Kindle for just $84.99. This saves shoppers $15 (or 15%) of the original price of $99.99. Today's price of $84.99 is only $10 more than the e-reader's lowest-ever price.

With a 6-inch display size, this model is the lightest, most compact e-reader in the Amazon Kindle family. Like all Kindles, it has a glare-free, paper-like display that mimics the experience of reading a classic book. Since the Kindle is an e-reader and e-reader only, you don't have to worry about annoying notifications disrupting your reading like you would on any other tablet. We also appreciate the Kindle's extended battery life: a single charge can last up to 6 weeks.

Jumpstart your reading goals when you shop the Amazon Kindle for just $84.99 today at Amazon.

The iPhone 16 buzz is getting louder and louder as we approach its reported announcement date of Sept. 10. As someone who's been tracking the iPhone 16 rumor mill all year, there are dozens of credible rumors about the iPhone 16.

But the question is, which rumors will likely get the masses to upgrade?

I've decided to round up five new rumored features across the iPhone 16 — including iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max — that may get you to ditch your phone in favor of Apple's next-gen smartphone.

iPhone 16: 5 new features that may be worth the upgrade

Many iPhone users are often interested in camera quality and top-of-the-line shooter features. After all, Apple is known for putting a lot of effort into tweaking and upgrading its camera system, which is often praised for its crisp and clean photos.

That being said, you'll likely be happy to know that the iPhone 16 will have a new button that will make accessing your favorite camera features easier.

1. New capture button

Apple is reportedly placing a new capture button on all four iPhone 16 models.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, a reliable leaker and Apple analyst, it will allow you to conveniently do the following:

• Use a swiping gesture to zoom in and out while shooting photos and videos

• Use a pressing gesture for triggering autofocus

And per a report from Apple Insider, it may be able to do the following as well:

• Cycle through filters

• Adjust the exposure

• Tweak the degree of background blur

It will be reportedly located on the lower-right side of the phones. Plus, it will likely be capacitive. In other words, it won't have a physical button that will require you to push it down to actuate. It will simply require a finger touch. (It will likely feature some haptics so you know it's been "activated.")

2. New 48-megapixel ultrawide lens

This feature is exclusive to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models. Their predecessors, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, had a 12MP ultrawide shooter.

This time around, according to Jeff Pu, a reliable tech analyst from a Hong Kong investment firm, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will feature a brand-spankin' new 48-megapixel ultrawide lens. This should lead to better wide-field-of-view photos. So whether you're taking photos of stunning landscapes, group shots, or creative perspectives, the iPhone 16 Pro models' pictures should offer more detail, and according to Pu, better light gathering in dimmer environments.

3. Thinner bezels

The iPhone 16 Pro models will reportedly have world-record breaking feature.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to popular X (formerly Twitter) tipster Ice Universe, the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max models will have the narrowest bezels of any mobile phone.

4. New 'Desert Titanium' color

Among users who have been crossing their fingers for a new bronze iPhone, your wish will be granted in the form of an iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Tweet may have been deleted

According to rumors, Apple is ditching last year's Blue Titanium color for a new bronze-like hue called "Desert Titanium."

5. Improved Night Mode

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 16 Pro models (i.e., iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max) will have a new "stacked design" on the rear cameras.

Without getting into the weeds of this technical upgrade, Kuo claims that a stacked design increases light capture and offers improved dynamic range. As a result, Night Mode is expected to get a sweet boost.

If you're curious to see more of an exhaustive list of all the new features coming to the new iPhone 16, check out our iPhone 16 rumor hub.

The authorities in the Netherlands said the ride-hailing company had violated European data protection laws when it sent sensitive information to the United States.

TikTok creator Jool Lebron popularized the viral phrase "very demure, very mindful." But she isn't the person getting the trademark.

Jefferson Bates, a Washington State man who appears not to be very demure or mindful, filed to trademark the phrase. According to legal documents obtained by NBC News and TMZ, Bates filed the request but did not name Lebron in the application.

In a since-deleted video on TikTok, Lebron said she "dropped the ball" on not trademarking it sooner.

Tweet may have been deleted

"I’ve just invested so much money and time into this," Lebron said in a TikTok video that Pop Crave posted on X before Lebron deleted it. "And I feel like I did it wrong. I feel like I didn’t try hard enough. I wanted this to do so much for my family and provide for my transition, and I just feel like I dropped the ball. Like, I feel like I fucked up, and someone else has it now. I don’t even know what I could’ve done better because I didn’t have the resources."

SEE ALSO: 'Very mindful, very demure' creator Jools Lebron can finance her transition thanks to the trend

However, whether or not the trademark application is approved, Lebron lives in an entirely different world today than before her phrase went viral. She now has over two million followers on TikTok and has skyrocketed to internet fame. Lebron has seen a lot of success from the viral phrase, including appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, creating videos with Verizon and Southwest Airlines, and earning enough money to help finance her transition.

Still, not having the trademark for the phrase "very demure, very mindful " could halt some of that influx of money. If the trademark application is approved, she won't be able to legally make and sell merchandise, for instance.

Not very demure. Not very mindful.

The new tariffs announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will match levies imposed by President Biden and could further strain relations between Canada and China.

Having a reliable, high-quality pair of headphones is an absolute must: whether you're traveling, working out, commuting, or simply enjoying your favorite music and podcasts in your downtime, a good pair of headphones helps you block out the world and focus. This week, we're seeing noteworthy deals on noise-cancelling headphones, AirPods, and more.

Take a look at this week's best headphones deals: Best noise-canceling headphones deal Bose QuietComfort Headphones $349 at Amazon (save $80) Get Deal Best budget headphones deal Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones $49.99 at Amzaon (save $10) Get Deal Best AirPods deal Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds $89 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal

As the week of Aug 26 kicks off, we're already seeing major deals on popular headphones, including Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones reaching their lowest-ever price. However, there are plenty of other affordable headphones and earbuds on the market as well. Whether you're looking for a budget pair of headphones to score for less than $100 or you're ready to splurge, there are deals this week for every shopper.

Best noise-canceling headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Bose Our pick: Bose QuietComfort Headphones $349.00 at Amazon
$429.00 Save $80.00 Get Deal Why we like it

This month, Bose QuietComfort noise-cancelling headphones have been hanging out on Amazon at their lowest-ever price of $329. While this deal has been active for some time, we don't know how long it's going to continue. So, if you're considering splurging on the premium headphones, we recommend claiming the $80 in savings before it's gone. Along with three different noise-cancellation modes, these headphones tout spatial audio features, a 24-hour battery life, and design features like soft ear cushions and a pressure-evening band that create utmost comfort.

Best budget headphones deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Our pick: Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones $49.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal Why we like it

Don't want to spend that much on a new pair of headphones? No problem. You can grab a budget pair of noise-cancelling headphones for less than $50 this week thanks to Amazon's deal on Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones. At just $49.99, these over-ear headphones are cheap without being cheaply made. They have a 40-60 hour battery life depending on which mode it's in, and feature BassUp technology that identifies lower frequencies and amplifies them. Plus, according to the brand's research, the headphones reduce ambient noise by up to 90%.

Best AirPods deal Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Our pick: Apple AiPods $89.00 at Amazon
$129.00 Save $40.00 Get Deal Why we like it

When it comes to quality earbuds, Apple AirPods are a timeless staple. This week, you can score a 2nd Generation pair for just $89 at Amazon - saving you $40. They're powered by the Apple H1 chip, which enables them to deliver rich, powerful sound. Plus, with the charging case, they offer 24 hours of playtime. AirPods are an especially great pick for those who have a lot of active devices: after an initial one-tap setup with your devices, AirPods are always connected. This means that sound can seamlessly switch between your iPhone, Apple Watch, Mac, iPad, and Apple TV depending on what you're using.

More of this week's best headphones deals:

• Sony WF-C700N Truly Wireless Noise Canceling in-Ear Bluetooth Earbud Headphones — $98 $119.99 (save $21.99)

• JBL Tune Buds — $49.95 $99.95 (save $50)

• JBL Vibe Beam — $29.95 499.95 (save $20)

• Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $59 $79.99 (save $20.99)

• Soundcore by Anker P20i True Wireless Earbuds — $19.99 $39.99 (save $20)

• SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds Pro 2 — $99.95 $217.17 (save $117.22)

• Sony WH-CH520 Wireless Headphones Bluetooth On-Ear Headset — $38 $59.99 (save $21.99)

• JBL Tune 510BT — $29.95 $39.95 (save $10)

• Amazon Echo Buds with Active Noise Cancellation — $44.99 $119.99 (save $75)

• Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Premium Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones — $248 $348 (save $100)

• Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Wireless Headphones — $98 $149.99 (save $51.99)

Turning night into day is something big meteors can do, but it might (one day) become as easy as firing up an app and tapping a spot on the map.

Reflect Orbital is a California-based startup that aims to sell sunlight and energy after the sun has set. They're doing it by sending a big mirror into space, aboard a satellite that's able to point said mirror in such a way to reflect the sun's light onto a precise location on Earth.

The startup isn't new; the company's founder and CEO Ben Nowack introduced it in April this year, during the International Conference on Energy from Space conference. "We want to make it as easy as possible — like, log into a website, tell us your GPS coordinates and we get you some sunlight after dark," he said at the time.

What's new, however, is the company's website, which now shows what using Reflect Orbital's services could look like in a very palpable, exciting way. On the site, you're prompted to "reserve a spot of light," with delivery beginning in "Q4 2025" (and applications closing in October). You can also move your cursor around a map to shine a spot of sunlight on a particular location.

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

A video, posted by Nowack on X, appears to show how this could work in practice. He uses an app to pinpoint a location on a map, and once he hits it, the actual, physical space he's standing on is illuminated. The camera turns up, and you can see a light shining from above.

Tweet may have been deleted

There's something magical about the idea of having the power to bring actual sunlight to a location just by moving your finger around a virtual app. But is it actually possible? Is it smart to do? And would it really look exactly as portrayed in the video?

Probably not, at least not in the near future. Nowack himself later tweeted that the video was a "simple demonstration," with "still lots of work ahead" of the company. He doesn't make it clear where the light source in the video is coming from, like perhaps a drone (we asked Ben, and we will update the article when we hear back). But we do know that the company tested its mirrors on a hot air balloon, but hasn't got any satellites in space yet. In a video dated July 2024, Reflect's founders said they plan to launch their "first very large deployable reflector" in the next "four to five months," with getting that to space being "the next step."

Tweet may have been deleted

Despite the fact that the video is dubious, the demo was a successful attention-grabber. Co-founder and CTO of Reflect Orbital, Tristan Semmelhack, wrote on X that the company already has "30k applications for a spot of light and climbing every second," and that it "10x yesterday's count in just a day."

With 30,000 applications and a limited amount of time in which a satellite can point a mirror at something, the idea seems quite limited in scope, even if it ever gets off the ground. But Reflect Orbital's ambitions are larger than a single satellite. According to Nowack, the company is developing an entire constellation of satellites "to sell sunlight to thousands of solar farms after dark."

"By precisely reflecting sunlight that is endlessly available in space to specific targets on the ground, we can create a world where sunlight powers solar farms for longer than just daytime, and in doing this, commoditize sunlight," he wrote.

The company currently splits its website into two parts: Lighting and Energy, with the first one focusing on bringing a spot of sunlight to some point on Earth after dark, seemingly for fun. The energy part is about bringing the sun's energy to a solar farm at night, thus perhaps adding some extra juice to the energy grid in that location when it's needed.

Many questions arise, from whether Reflect Orbital's satellites can actually deliver enough sunlight for either of these applications, to whether an entire fleet of mirror-bearing satellites would pollute our skies with unnecessary light sources, to whether this (if used on a large scale) could disrupt flora and fauna on Earth (some of these questions are tackled by Nowack in this video). For now, the company displayed one thing: The ability to grab a lot of attention online.

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We've been anticipating the release of Longlegs for months and now it's officially available to watch from behind a blanket on your couch at home.

Written and directed by Osgood Perkins (I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House) and starring Maika Monroe, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt, and the one and only Nicolas Cage, Longlegs has been a huge box office hit for the indie studio Neon. Critics are calling the film "unsettling," to say the least. If you have yet to see Cage in all his serial killer glory or you want to make your skin crawl once again from the (dis)comfort of your home, here's everything you need to know about how to watch Longlegs.

What is Longlegs about?

Longlegs follows the FBI investigation of a decades-long serial killing spree in Oregon. There's no other evidence at the crime scenes except for cryptic letters signed "Longlegs." It Follows star Maika Monroe is the lead FBI agent, Lee Harker, who is assigned to investigate the serial killer — and it turns out she might be more connected to the case than it seems. Oh, and that serial killer? It's Nicolas Cage in some extremely haunting prosthetics and makeup.

Here's a glimpse at the horror-thriller in the official trailer:

Is Longlegs worth watching?

A surprise hit, Longlegs has brought it over $100 million at the worldwide box office. That makes it the highest grossing indie film of the year and the top-grossing R-rated horror film of 2024. And considering Neon's production budget under $10 million (before prints and advertising costs), that makes it a massive success.

Of course, box office numbers don't mean much unless people actually like the film. Fortunately, critic reviews are largely positive for the Nic Cage serial killer thriller. It currently has an 86 percent critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Interestingly, though, audiences aren't quite as enthusiastic, giving Longlegs a 60 percent score based on over 2,500 ratings.

Mashable's own critic noted that while Cage's performance was brilliant, the film "doesn’t fully (or even partway) commit to its most bone-chilling ideas."

Read Mashable's full review of Longlegs.

Can I watch Longlegs at home?

While it's still in select theaters nationwide, you can skip the big screen and watch Longlegs at home as of Aug. 23. The horror-thriller is now officially available to rent or buy on digital-on-demand retailers like Prime Video, YouTube, and Apple TV for those who'd rather watch the film from their couch. If you'd rather wait and stream the film, keep reading for more information.

Note: If you choose to rent the film, you'll have 30 days to start watching and just 48 hours once you begin.

Here are some of the platforms where you can rent or purchase the film online:

• Prime Video — $18.49 to rent or $23.49 to buy for Prime members

• Apple TV — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy

• Fandango at Home (Vudu) — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy

• YouTube — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy

• Google Play — $19.99 to rent or $24.99 to buy

When is Longlegs streaming?

There's no official streaming date yet for Longlegs, but since the indie film distributor Neon has a deal with Hulu, we expect the film to make its streaming debut on the service later this year. You can set yourself up for success by signing up for the streamer ahead of time. Hulu is surprisingly one of the most affordable streamers around and offers a generous 30-day trial to newbies. Subscriptions start at $7.99 per month, but we've rounded up the best ways you can save on your subscription below.

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Students looking to stream Longlegs and other Neon hits can sign up for Hulu for only $1.99 per month. That's a savings of 75% compared to the full cost of Hulu with ads. You'll just have to verify your college email address using SheerID to score the deal.

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One of the best ways to get free streaming services, including Hulu, is to switch your mobile plan to T-Mobile's Go5G Next plan. Customers on this plan get Hulu with ads included in their plan for no extra cost, plus Netflix and Apple TV+. If you're already on a Go5G Next plan, head over to the T-Mobile promo page and choose "redeem now" to claim your offer. You'll have to enter your T-Mobile number and account details in order to sign up for Hulu.

Note: After your initial 12-month promotional period, you'll also have to take action in order to keep your subscription alive.

In pursuit of technological innovation, generative AI's advocates have thrust the tools for highly-realistic, nonconsensual, synthetic forgeries, more commonly known as deepfake porn, into the hands of the Average Joe.

Ads for "nudify" undressing apps may appear on the sidebars of popular websites and in between Facebook posts, while manipulated sexual images of public figures spread as trending fodder for the masses. The problem has trickled down through the online sphere into the real lives of users, including young people. Implicated in it all are AI's creators and distributors.

Government leaders are attacking the problem through piecemeal legislative efforts. The tech and social sectors are balancing their responsibility to users with the need for innovation. But deepfakes are a hard concept to fight with the weapon of corporate policy.

SEE ALSO: Explicit deepfakes are traumatic. How to deal with the pain. An alarming issue with no single solution

Solving the deepfake problem is made more difficult by just how hard it is to pinpoint deepfakes, not to mention widespread disagreement on who is responsible for nonconsensual synthetic forgeries.

Advocacy and research organization the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, which fights against the nonconsensual distribution of intimate images (NDII), defines sexually explicit digital forgeries as any manipulated photos or videos that falsely (and almost indistinguishably) depict an actual person nude or engaged in sexual conduct. NDII doesn't inherently involve AI (think Photoshop), but generative AI tools are now commonly associated with their ability to create deepfakes, which is a catchall term originally coined in 2017, that has come to mean any manipulated visual or auditory likeness.

Broadly, "deepfake" images could refer to minor edits or a completely unreal rendering of a person's likeness. Some may be sexually explicit, but even more are not. They can be consensually made, or used as a form of Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA). They can be regulated or policed from the moment of their creation or earlier through the policies and imposed limitations of AI tools themselves, or regulated after their creation, as they're spread online. They could even be outlawed completely, or curbed by criminal or civil liabilities to their makers or distributors, depending on the intent.

Companies, defining the threat of nonconsensual deepfakes independently, have chosen to view sexual synthetic forgeries in several ways: as a crime addressed through direct policing, as a violation of existing terms of service (like those regulating "revenge porn" or misinformation), or, simply, not their responsibility.

Here's a list of just some of those companies, how they fit into the picture, and their own stated policies touching on deepfakes.

Anthropic 

AI developers like Anthropic and its competitors have to be answerable for products and systems that can be used to generate artificial AI content. To many, that means they also hold more liability for their tools' outputs and users.

Advertising itself as a safety-first AI company, Anthropic has maintained a strict anti-NSFW policy, using fairly ironclad terms of service and abuse filters to try to curb bad user behavior from the start. It's also worth noting that Anthropic's Claude chatbot is not allowed to generate images of any kind.

Our Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) prohibits the use of our models to generate deceptive or misleading content, such as engaging in coordinated inauthentic behavior or disinformation campaigns. This also includes a prohibition on using our services to impersonate a person by presenting results as human-generated or using results in a manner intended to convince a natural person that they are communicating with a natural person.

Users cannot generate sexually explicit content. This includes the usage of our products or services to depict or request sexual intercourse or sex acts, generate content related to sexual fetishes or fantasies, facilitate, promote, or depict incest or bestiality, or engage in erotic chats.

Users cannot create, distribute, or promote child sexual abuse material. We strictly prohibit and will report to relevant authorities and organizations where appropriate any content that exploits or abuses minors.

Apple

In contrast to companies like Anthropic, tech conglomerates play the role of host or distributor for synthetic content. Social platforms, for example, provide opportunity for users to swap images and videos. Online marketplaces, like app stores, become avenues for bad actors to sell or access generative AI tools and their building blocks. As companies dive deeper into AI, though, these roles are becoming more blurred.

Recent scrutiny has fallen on Apple's App Store and other marketplaces for allowing explicit deepfake apps. While it's App Store policies aren't as direct as its competitors, notably Google Play, the company has reinforced anti-pornography policies in both its advertising and store rules. But controversy remains among the wide array of Apple products. In recent months, the company has been accused of underreporting the role of its devices and services in the spread of both real and AI-generated child sexual abuse materials.

And Apple's recent launch of Apple Intelligence will pose new policing questions.

Apple News does not allow ad content that promotes adult-oriented themes or graphic content. For example, pornography, Kama Sutra, erotica, or content that promotes "how to" and other sex games.

Apple App Store offerings cannot include content that is overtly sexual or pornographic material, defined as "explicit descriptions or displays of sexual organs or activities intended to stimulate erotic rather than aesthetic or emotional feelings." This includes "hookup" apps and other apps that may include pornography or be used to facilitate prostitution, or human trafficking and exploitation.

Apps with user-generated content or services that end up being used primarily for pornographic content, Chatroulette-style experiences, objectification of real people (e.g. "hot-or-not" voting), making physical threats, or bullying do not belong on the App Store and may be removed without notice.

GitHub

GitHub, as a platform for developers to create, store, and share projects, treats the building and advertising of any non-consensual explicit imagery as a violation of its Acceptable Use Policy — similar to misinformation. It offers its own generative AI assistant for coding, but doesn't provide any visual or audio outputs.

GitHub does not allow any projects that are designed for, encourage, promote, support, or suggest in any way the use of synthetic or manipulated media for the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery or any content that would constitute misinformation or disinformation under this policy.

Alphabet, Inc.Google

Google plays a multifaceted role in the creation of synthetic images as both host and developer. It's announced several policy changes to curb both access to and the dissemination of nonconsensual synthetic content in Search, as well as advertising of "nudify" apps in Google Play. This came after the tech giant was called out for its role in surfacing nonconsensual digital forgeries on Google.com. 

AI-generated synthetic porn will be lowered in Google Search rankings. 

Users can ask to remove explicit non-consensual fake imagery from Google.

Shopping ads cannot promote services that generate, distribute, or store synthetic sexually explicit content or synthetic content containing nudity. Shopping ads cannot provide instructions on the creation of such content.

Developers on the Google Play Store must ensure generative AI apps do not generate offensive content, including prohibited content, content that may exploit or abuse children, and content that can deceive users or enable dishonest behaviors. 

YouTube

As a host for content, YouTube has prioritized moderating user uploads and providing reporting mechanisms for subjects of forgeries.

Explicit content meant to be sexually gratifying is not allowed on YouTube. Posting pornography may result in content removal or channel termination. 

Creators are required to disclose [altered or synthetic content] content when it’s realistic, meaning that a viewer could easily mistake what’s being shown with a real person, place, or event.

If someone has used AI to alter or create synthetic content that looks or sounds like you, you can ask for it to be removed. In order to qualify for removal, the content should depict a realistic altered or synthetic version of your likeness.

Microsoft 

Microsoft offers its own generative AI tools, including image generators hosted on Bing and Copilot, that also harness external AI models like OpenAI's DALL-E 3. The company applies its larger content policies to users engaging with this AI, and has instituted prompt safeguards and watermarking, but it likely bears the responsibility for anything that falls through the cracks.

Microsoft does not allow the sharing or creation of sexually intimate images of someone without their permission—also called non-consensual intimate imagery, or NCII. This includes photorealistic NCII content that was created or altered using technology. 

Bing does not permit the use of Image Creator to create or share adult content, violence or gore, hateful content, terrorism and violent extremist content, glorification of violence, child sexual exploitation or abuse material, or content that is otherwise disturbing or offensive.

OpenAI 

OpenAI is one of the biggest names in AI development, and its models and products are incorporated into — or are the foundations of — many of the generative AI tools offered by companies worldwide. OpenAI retains strong terms of use to try to protect itself from the ripple effects of such widespread use of its AI models.

In May, OpenAI announced it was exploring the possibility of allowing NSFW outputs in age-appropriate content on its own ChatGPT and associated API. Up until that point, the company had remained firm in banning any such content. OpenAI told Mashable at the time that despite the potential chatbot uses, the company still prohibited AI-generated pornography and deepfakes. 

Users can't repurpose or distribute output from OpenAI services to harm others. Examples include output to defraud, scam, spam, mislead, bully, harass, defame, discriminate based on protected attributes, sexualize children, or promote violence, hatred or the suffering of others.

Users cannot use OpenAI technologies to impersonate another individual or organization without consent or legal right.

Users cannot build tools that may be inappropriate for minors, including sexually explicit or suggestive content. 

MetaFacebook

While parent company Meta continues to explore generative AI integration on its platforms, its come under intense scrutiny for failing to curb explicit synthetic forgeries and IBSA. Following widespread controversy, Facebook's taken a more strict stance on nudify apps advertising on the site.

Meta, meanwhile, has turned toward stronger AI labelling efforts and moderation, as its Oversight Board reviews Meta's power to address sexually explicit and suggestive AI-generated content.

To protect survivors, we remove images that depict incidents of sexual violence and intimate images shared without the consent of the person(s) pictured.

We do not allow content that attempts to exploit people by: Coercing money, favors or intimate imagery from people with threats to expose their intimate imagery or intimate information (sextortion); or sharing, threatening, stating an intent to share, offering or asking for non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII)... 

We do not allow promoting, threatening to share, or offering to make non-real non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) either by applications, services, or instructions, even if there is no (near) nude commercial or non-commercial imagery shared in the content.

Instagram

Instagram similarly moderates visual media posted to its site, bolstered by its community guidelines.

We don’t allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks.

Snapchat 

Snapchat's generative AI tools do include limited image generation, so its potential liability stems from its reputation as a site known for sexual content swapping and as a possible creator of synthetic explicit images.

We prohibit promoting, distributing, or sharing pornographic content. We also don’t allow commercial activities that relate to pornography or sexual interactions (whether online or offline).

Don't use My AI to generate political, sexual, harassing, or deceptive content, spam, malware, or content that promotes violence, self-harm, human-trafficking, or that would violate our Community Guidelines. 

TikTok 

TikTok, which has its own creative AI suite known as TikTok Symphony, has recently waded into murkier generative AI waters after launching AI-generated digital avatars. It appears the company's legal and ethical standing will rest on establishing proof of consent for AI-generated likenesses. TikTok has general community guidelines rules against nudity, the exposure of young people's bodies, and sexual activity or services.

AI-generated content containing the likeness (visual or audio) of a real or fictional person aren't allowed, even if disclosed with the AI-generated content label, and may be removed. This applies to AI-generated content featuring a public figure — adults (18 years and older) with a significant public role, such as a government official, politician, business leader, or celebrity — when used for political or commercial endorsements. Content featuring a private figure (any person who isn't a public figure, including people under 18 years old) are also prohibited.

X/Twitter

Elon Musk's artificial intelligence investment, xAI, has recently added image generation to its platform chatbot Grok, and the image generator is capable of some eyebrow-raising facsimiles of celebrities. Grok's interface is built right into to the X platform, which is in turn a major forum for users to share their own content, moderated haphazardly through the site's community and advertising guidelines.

X recently announced new policies that allow consensual adult content on the platform, but did not specify the posting of sexual digital forgeries, consensual or otherwise.

You may not post or share intimate photos or videos of someone that were produced or distributed without their consent. We will immediately and permanently suspend any account that we identify as the original poster of intimate media that was created or shared without consent. We will do the same with any account that posts only this type of content, e.g., accounts dedicated to sharing upskirt images.

You can’t post or share explicit images or videos that were taken, appear to have been taken or that were shared without the consent of the people involved. This includes images or videos that superimpose or otherwise digitally manipulate an individual’s face onto another person’s nude body.

This story will be periodically updated as policies evolve.

First, the bad news: it's really hard to detect AI-generated images. The telltale signs that used to be giveaways — warped hands and jumbled text — are increasingly rare as AI models improve at a dizzying pace. 

It's no longer obvious what images are created using popular tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E, and Gemini. In fact, AI-generated images are starting to dupe people even more, which has created major issues in spreading misinformation. The good news is that it's usually not impossible to identify AI-generated images, but it takes more effort than it used to.

AI image detectors - proceed with caution

These tools use computer vision to examine pixel patterns and determine the likelihood of an image being AI-generated. That means, AI detectors aren't completely foolproof, but it's a good way for the average person to determine whether an image merits some scrutiny — especially when it's not immediately obvious.

"Unfortunately, for the human eye — and there are studies — it's about a fifty-fifty chance that a person gets it," said Anatoly Kvitnitsky, CEO of AI image detection platform AI or Not. "But for AI detection for images, due to the pixel-like patterns, those still exist, even as the models continue to get better." Kvitnitsky claims AI or Not achieves a 98 percent accuracy rate on average.

Other AI detectors that have generally high success rates include Hive Moderation, SDXL Detector on Hugging Face, and Illuminarty. We tested ten AI-generated images on all of these detectors to see how they did.

AI or Not

AI or Not gives a simple "yes" or "no" unlike other AI image detectors, but it correctly said the image was AI-generated. With the free plan, you get 10 uploads a month. We tried with 10 images and got an 80 percent success rate.

AI or Not correctly identified this image as AI-generated. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / AI or Not Hive Moderation

We tried Hive Moderation's free demo tool with over 10 different images and got a 90 percent overall success rate, meaning they had a high probability of being AI-generated. However, it failed to detect the AI-qualities of an artificial image of a chipmunk army scaling a rock wall.

We'd love to believe a chipmunk army is real, but the AI detector got it wrong. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Hive Moderation SDXL Detector

The SDXL Detector on Hugging Face takes a few seconds to load, and you might initially get an error on the first try, but it's completely free. It also gives a probability percentage instead. It said 70 percent of the AI-generated images had a high probability of being generative AI.

SDXL Detector correctly identified a tricky Grok-2-generated image of Barack Obama in a public bathroom Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / SDXL Detector Illuminarty

Illuminarty has a free plan that provides basic AI image detection. Out of the 10 AI-generated images we uploaded, it only classified 50 percent as having a very low probability. To the horror of rodent biologists, it gave the infamous rat dick image a low probability of being AI-generated.

Ummm, this one seemed like a lay-up. Credit: Screenshot: Mashable / Illuminarty

As you can see, AI detectors are mostly pretty good, but not infallible and shouldn't be used as the only way to authenticate an image. Sometimes, they're able to detect deceptive AI-generated images even though they look real, and sometimes they get it wrong with images that are clearly AI creations. This is exactly why a combination of methods is best.

Other tips and tricksThe ol' reverse image search

Another way to detect AI-generated images is the simple reverse image search which is what Bamshad Mobasher, professor of computer science and the director of the Center for Web Intelligence at DePaul University College of Computing and Digital Media in Chicago recommends. By uploading an image to Google Images or a reverse image search tool, you can trace the provenance of the image. If the photo shows an ostensibly real news event, "you may be able to determine that it's fake or that the actual event didn't happen," said Mobasher.

Google's "About this Image" tool

Google Search also has an "About this Image" feature that provides contextual information like when the image was first indexed, and where else it appeared online. This is found by clicking on the three dots icon in the upper right corner of an image.

Telltale signs that the naked eye can spot

Speaking of which, while AI-generated images are getting scarily good, it's still worth looking for the telltale signs. As mentioned above, you might still occasionally see an image with warped hands, hair that looks a little too perfect, or text within the image that's garbled or nonsensical. Our sibling site PCMag's breakdown recommends looking in the background for blurred or warped objects, or subjects with flawless — and we mean no pores, flawless — skin.

At a first glance, the Midjourney image below looks like a Kardashian relative promoting a cookbook that could easily be from Instagram. But upon further inspection, you can see the contorted sugar jar, warped knuckles, and skin that's a little too smooth.

At a second glance, all is not as it seems in this image. Credit: Mashable / Midjourney

"AI can be good at generating the overall scene, but the devil is in the details," wrote Sasha Luccioni, AI and climate lead at Hugging Face, in an email to Mashable. Look for "mostly small inconsistencies: extra fingers, asymmetrical jewelry or facial features, incongruities in objects (an extra handle on a teapot)."

Mobasher, who is also a fellow at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), said to zoom in and look for "odd details" like stray pixels and other inconsistencies, like subtly mismatched earrings. 

"You may find part of the same image with the same focus being blurry but another part being super detailed," Mobasher said. This is especially true in the backgrounds of images. "If you have signs with text and things like that in the backgrounds, a lot of times they end up being garbled or sometimes not even like an actual language," he added.

This image of a parade of Volkswagen vans parading down a beach was created by Google's Imagen 3. The sand and busses look flawlessly photorealistic. But look closely, and you'll notice the lettering on the third bus where the VW logo should be is just a garbled symbol, and there are amorphous splotches on the fourth bus.

We're sure a VW bus parade happened at some point, but this ain't it. Credit: Mashable / Google Notice the garbled logo and weird splotches. Credit: Mashable / Google It all comes down to AI literacy

None of the above methods will be all that useful if you don't first pause while consuming media — particularly social media — to wonder if what you're seeing is AI-generated in the first place. Much like media literacy that became a popular concept around the misinformation-rampant 2016 election, AI literacy is the first line of defense for determining what's real or not. 

AI researchers Duri Long and Brian Magerko's define AI literacy as "a set of competencies that enables individuals to critically evaluate AI technologies; communicate and collaborate effectively with AI; and use AI as a tool online, at home, and in the workplace."

Knowing how generative AI works and what to look for is key. "It may sound cliche, but taking the time to verify the provenance and source of the content you see on social media is a good start," said Luccioni.

Start by asking yourself about the source of the image in question and the context in which it appears. Who published the image? What does the accompanying text (if any) say about it? Have other people or media outlets published the image? How does the image, or the text accompanying it, make you feel? If it seems like it's designed to enrage or entice you, think about why. 

How some organizations are combatting the AI deepfakes and misinformation problem

As we've seen, so far the methods by which individuals can discern AI images from real ones are patchy and limited. To make matters worse, the spread of illicit or harmful AI-generated images is a double whammy because the posts circulate falsehoods, which then spawn mistrust in online media. But in the wake of generative AI, several initiatives have sprung up to bolster trust and transparency.

The Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) was founded by Adobe and Microsoft, and includes tech companies like OpenAI and Google, as well as media companies like Reuters and the BBC. C2PA provides clickable Content Credentials for identifying the provenance of images and whether they're AI-generated. However, it's up to the creators to attach the Content Credentials to an image. 

On the flip side, the Starling Lab at Stanford University is working hard to authenticate real images. Starling Lab verifies "sensitive digital records, such as the documentation of human rights violations, war crimes, and testimony of genocide," and securely stores verified digital images in decentralized networks so they can't be tampered with. The lab's work isn't user-facing, but its library of projects are a good resource for someone looking to authenticate images of, say, the war in Ukraine, or the presidential transition from Donald Trump to Joe Biden. 

Experts often talk about AI images in the context of hoaxes and misinformation, but AI imagery isn't always meant to deceive per se. AI images are sometimes just jokes or memes removed from their original context, or they're lazy advertising. Or maybe they're just a form of creative expression with an intriguing new technology. But for better or worse, AI images are a fact of life now. And it's up to you to detect them.

We're paraphrasing Smokey the Bear here, but he would understand. Credit: Mashable / xAI

Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov has been arrested in France in relation to an investigation concerning the messaging app's moderation — or lack thereof. 

Durov was taken into custody at Paris-Le Bourget Airport on Saturday evening local time, with Reuters reporting that he had just arrived from Azerbaijan by private jet. According to AFP's sources, the warrant for Durov's arrest was issued by OFMIN, a French law enforcement agency focused on combating violence against minors.

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Telegram is reportedly being investigated for failure to curb criminal activity on its platform, thanks in no small part to its permissive moderation policies. It has also been accused of failing to cooperate with French authorities investigating such activity, which apparently includes fraud, drug trafficking, child sexual abuse material, promotion of terrorism, organised crime, and cyberbullying.

The messaging app has released a statement defending Durov, claiming that it has not violated the law and now awaits "a prompt resolution of this situation."

"Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act —  its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving," Telegram wrote in a post on X. "Telegram’s CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide and travels frequently in Europe. It is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform."

Tweet may have been deleted

French authorities can hold suspects for a maximum of 96 hours, after which they must either be released or charged. According to a report from The Guardian, Durov's detention period has already been extended beyond Sunday night by the investigating magistrate. 

While Durov was born in Russia, he also holds multiple other citizenships, including one from France. This appears to be causing some conflict between the countries, as Russian officials reportedly state that France is refusing to provide Durov access to the Russian consulate.

Some Russian officials have further accused France of censorship. Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova reportedly claimed that the true motive behind Durov's arrest "is an attempt to close Telegram as an internet resource where you can find out the truth about world events." The messaging app is a popular tool for Russian authorities.

Russia was previously at odds with Telegram in 2017, when the latter refused demands that it decrypt communications from six users suspected of "terrorism-related activities." In response, Russia fined Telegram and blocked it in the country, a ban which Russian courts upheld until it was eventually lifted in 2020.

Social media users have begun using the hashtag #FreePavel to call for his release, with billionaire Elon Musk using it to share a video of Durov praising his platform X for becoming "more pro-freedom of speech." Whistleblower Edward Snowden also condemned Durov's arrest, calling it "an assault on the basic human rights of speech and association."

Telegram's loose approach to moderation lures criminals

Telegram has built a reputation as a privacy-focused messaging app, offering end-to-end encryption and stating that it will "protect user data at any cost." Unfortunately, this policy has also allowed misinformation, disinformation, and criminal activity to flourish on the app, with data leaks, revenge porn, counterfeit documents, and Nazi extremists all finding a home on Telegram.

The company is well aware that its services are being used for criminal purposes. Despite this, Telegram appears to have little interest in attempting to halt such activity. It specifically addresses the issue on its FAQ page, responding to the question, "There's illegal content on Telegram. How do I take it down?"

"All Telegram chats and group chats are private amongst their participants," wrote Telegram. "We do not process any requests related to them."

This isn't to say that Telegram has never dabbled in moderation. Shortly after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, the app blocked "dozens" of channels on the grounds that they promoted violence. At the time, a Telegram spokesperson told CNN that they "routinely remove publicly available content that contains direct calls to violence."

Even so, Telegram has a much longer and more consistent history of taking a laissez-faire approach to content moderation.

The dichotomy between law enforcement and the right to privacy isn't one with a clear solution. Governments around the world have tried forcing tech companies to build back doors into their encryption, citing the need for law enforcement to access users' chat logs. However, privacy advocates argue that it's impossible to create an encryption bypass without weakening security for everyone, as the technology just doesn't work that way.