Technology

Uber is expanding its robotaxi empire for the second time in as many weeks. The ridesharing giant has started taxi test rides for employees in the San Francisco Bay Area, using Lucid Gravity SUVs upgraded with Nuro's autonomous car technology.

Meta is reportedly planning to integrate facial recognition tech into its smart glasses, but not everyone is content to idly sit by and let it happen.

Per Wired, a cavalcade of more than 70 organizations such as the ACLU and Fight for the Future have signed a letter urging Meta to "immediately halt and publicly disavow" its plans to bring facial recognition tech to its growing lineup of smart glasses. In March, a separate group of organizations wrote to Congress to express the same concerns.

These groups agree that Meta cannot be trusted to safely incorporate the technology into its glasses at all, and thus they say that the best course of action is for Meta to eliminate its plans altogether.

Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.

We, the undersigned 75 local, state, and national organizations that advocate for domestic violence survivors, worker rights, bodily autonomy, consumer privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties, write to urge Meta to immediately halt and publicly disavow its plans to deploy facial recognition features on its Ray-Ban and Oakley glasses, including the feature reportedly known internally as 'Name Tag.'

The letter also calls on Meta to "Stop opposing privacy legislation that would require Meta to obtain explicit user consent before collecting or processing biometric data." As Mashable has reported previously, facial recognition features could violate some state privacy laws, which prohibit companies from collecting biometric data without affirmative consent.

Mashable reached out to Meta for comment and will update this story if necessary.

SEE ALSO: Apple is testing four smart glasses designs to compete with Meta, report says

The worry here, of course, is that Meta glasses with face recognition would give predators and other ne'er-do-wells more power to inflict harm. Civil liberties organizations have also warned that widespread facial recognition could lead to a surveillance state.

The letter puts forward a fairly comprehensive case for its argument:

"Facial recognition technology built into inconspicuous consumer eyewear represents a serious threat to privacy and civil liberties for every member of our society, and particularly for historically marginalized and vulnerable groups including domestic violence survivors, targets of stalkers and sexual harassers, religious minorities, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and women and children, among others. These concerns cannot be resolved through product design changes, opt-out mechanisms, or incremental safeguards — few of which Meta seems to have meaningfully considered. Our concerns reflect the fundamental danger of the technology itself."

Meta's internal name for facial recognition tech is reportedly Name Tag, and it's rumored to launch as soon as this year.

According to Engadget, it works in one of two ways: Name Tag can either recognize people who are actively connected to a Meta platform in that moment, or it can recognize people who simply have an account on a service like Instagram. In other words, it can't identify you if you don't have a Meta account, at least, not yet.

These potential harms would also coexist with ongoing issues, such as the invasiveness of recordings from smart glasses.

If Meta wants to avoid the fate that befell Google Glass, it's going to need to iron out some of these problems, one way or another.

Want to learn more about getting the best out of your tech? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories and Deals newsletters today.

The residents of the small town of Festus, Missouri — the site of a new $6 billion data center project — are taking their outrage over the predatory AI data center boom to the polls.

The town, population just 12,000, ousted four incumbent city council members in a local election last week. Each of the representatives had voted yes to the controversial project, which will raze 360 acres of land for a data center operated by an unnamed company.

SEE ALSO: The NAACP is fighting back against AI data centers

The deal was approved by city council members on March 30 — just one week before the election — but city residents organized quickly, including running a successful grassroots campaign to replace one of the incumbents with a local advocate who had never before run for public office. Festus residents have also filed a recall petition targeting the city's mayor and remaining council members, as well as a lawsuit against both the city and the project's developer for alleged secret dealings.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Communities around the nation are pushing back against massive data center investment projects, including state and federal data center subsidies, as their environmental and economic toll becomes clearer. Advocates successfully stalled dozens of projects in 2025. Addressing community concern, a coalition of tech giants signed onto a voluntary, non binding White House pledge, called the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, committing to provide or pay for all energy costs associated with future AI projects.

Last week, the residents of Port Washington, Wisconsin approved a first-of-its kind referendum requiring large scale data center projects go to a local vote for approval. The referendum applies to projects with a minimum $10 million cost and which receive tax benefits.

TL;DR: Unlock lifetime access to Babbel’s language courses across 14 languages for $159 with code LEARN.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$646.20 Save $487.20   Get Deal

Picking up a new language can feel overwhelming, especially if traditional memorization methods haven’t worked for you. Babbel takes a more practical, conversation-first approach, focusing on how people actually speak in real life instead of endless vocab drills. Its lessons are developed by more than 150 linguists and language educators, designed to help you understand not just words, but context, tone, and cultural nuance.

A lifetime Babbel subscription typically costs $599, but for a limited time, it’s available for $159 when you use the code LEARN.

Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up!

What you can learn with Babbel:

With this plan, you get unlimited access to lessons in 14 different languages, all structured to fit into your daily routine. Each lesson takes about 10 to 15 minutes, making it easier to stay consistent whether you’re commuting, traveling, or fitting in a quick session between tasks.

Some of the available languages include:

• Spanish

• French

• German

• Italian

• Portuguese

• Swedish

And there are even more to explore.

Instead of relying on repetitive exercises or generic, automated content, Babbel centers its lessons around real-world conversations. You’ll work through topics like travel, business, culture, and everyday interactions, all built by language experts and grounded in how people actually communicate. Speech recognition tools help refine your pronunciation, while guided dialogue exercises give you a more natural way to practice speaking.

Your progress syncs across devices, so you can switch between your phone and computer without losing your place. There’s also an offline option that lets you download lessons ahead of time. You can learn at your own pace, revisit previous material, and move between beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels depending on your experience.

Use code LEARN to get lifetime access to Babbel for $159 ($599).

StackSocial prices subject to change.

We're just about halfway through April, and Paramount+ still has plenty of life left in it when it comes to movies recently added to the service for U.S. subscribers. With so many movies to choose from—not to mention all the new CBS and Paramount+ Originals TV series like Marshals and The Madison—deciding on what to watch can be tough.

With gas prices trending upward this spring, the appeal of going electric for some has never been stronger.

Netflix's subscribers have been treated to a solid couple of months of movies, with some top-shelf titles gracing its Top 10 and beyond, including Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, all the James Bond movies (which are leaving soon), and some fun creature horrors like Anaconda and the newly-released Thrash.

TL;DR: Live stream Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free on Virgin Media Player. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League quarter finals were electric last week, but places in the semi-final stage are not yet decided. Atletico Madrid are 2-0 up against Barcelona and will be confident of getting a result in front of their fans at the Metropolitano Stadium, but Barcelona possess the talent to overturn that deficit.

If you want to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona?

Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 14. This fixture takes place at the Metropolitano Stadium.

How to watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona for free

Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona 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 Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona 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 Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Atletico Madrid vs. Barcelona in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League for free on Prime Video. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League semi finals are calling. Well, they're calling for PSG after they raced into a 2-0 lead against Liverpool last week. In truth, the scoreline could have been much worse for Liverpool. They'll still believe that they can turn things around at Anfield, but they'll need to produce something truly special to stop PSG from scoring.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. PSG?

Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League kicks off at 3 p.m. ET on April 14. This fixture takes place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. PSG for free

Liverpool vs. PSG is available to live stream for free on Prime Video (30-day free trial).

This free stream is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can unblock Prime Video to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Liverpool vs. PSG 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 the UK

4. Visit Prime Video

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

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 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 watch Liverpool vs. PSG without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Champions League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Prime Video?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Watch Liverpool vs. PSG in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

After just over four years, I've finally come back to the world of Android, which means that once again I care about Android mobile games. A lot has changed since I was last here, but it seems I'm just in time for the biggest set of changes to hit the mobile platform since the first games hit the Play Store.

We're inching closer to the blockbuster movie season, which unofficially begins the first weekend in May. However, Netflix gave us a taste of the summer with a new shark thriller that premiered on April 10. It might not be Jaws, but I'm always entertained by sharks and how they terrorize humans. That formula will always work for me.

Ever wondered what you're missing by sticking to Windows and not trying out Linux? As a dual booter, I jump between Linux and Windows every day, and I find Linux far more feature-rich compared to Windows.

Many Silicon Valley heavy hitters are investing heavily in smart glasses, and a new report sheds light on Apple's plans to join the party.

The latest report from Bloomberg's Mark Gurman claims that Apple is currently testing four different designs for smart glasses, which would compete with the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses. Gurman says the product could be unveiled in late 2026 ahead of a 2027 launch.

A lot could change in that time, though Gurman has a very impressive track record of Apple scoops.

The Bloomberg report states that Apple is testing a variety of frame styles, such as rectangular, oval, and circular, as well as multiple color options. Some or all of these designs could be available upon launch if Apple smart glasses do come to market.

In addition, the glasses would feature unique oval camera lenses, oriented vertically, with lights, according to Bloomberg. Finally, onboard speakers would allow users to take phone calls and listen to music, similar to other AR glasses from companies like Xreal and TCL.

Based on previous reports, Apple will be making augmented reality glasses with a built-in display, similar to Meta Ray-Ban Display smart glasses and the unreleased Google Android XR glasses expected to be released later this year.

Presumably, by the time Apple smart glasses are released, Apple will have also introduced the long-awaited Siri AI upgrade. That could allow users to talk to Siri while wearing the glasses for voice control, help with navigation, or activate other AR features.

SEE ALSO: The best smart glasses of CES 2026

Meta-Ray Ban smart glasses sales tripled in 2025, per Reuters, but smart glasses have not yet gone mainstream the way smartphones, tablets, or laptops have.

Big Tech companies see this new form factor as a major potential opportunity (see also: AI wearables), but it's not yet clear how eager the average consumer will be to incorporate smart glasses into their daily life.

Apple may be better suited to introduce a new form factor than other companies based on its previous success with smartphones and MP3 players; however, the company's previous AR device, the Apple Vision Pro, has seen very lackluster sales.

The first time I encountered mesh Wi-Fi was when I went to university. One Wi-Fi password, but no matter where you roamed on campus you'll stay connected. I've always thought of mesh networks as enterprise technology that you need an IT department to handle, but then router makers figured out how to make mesh easy enough for mere mortals.

Grand Theft Auto VI is one of the most anticipated video games ever, and is quickly becoming one of the most prematurely hacked games ever, too.

Originally reported by Hackread and The Cybersec Guru, the prominent hacker group ShinyHunters claimed it had hacked GTA developer Rockstar Games over the weekend. The group said it was in possession of valuable data, and set a deadline of Tuesday, April 14 for Rockstar to pay up, lest the data be released to the public.

“Rockstar Games, your Snowflake instances were compromised thanks to Anodot.com. Pay or leak," ShinyHunters said in a statement on Saturday. "This is a final warning to reach out by 14 Apr 2026 before we leak, along with several annoying (digital) problems that’ll come your way. Make the right decision, don’t be the next headline.”

SEE ALSO: 'Pragmata' proves a great game only needs one great idea

However, Rockstar is framing things a little differently. In a statement to Kotaku, the company downplayed concerns about the material in question.

“We can confirm that a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed in connection with a third-party data breach," Rockstar said. "This incident has no impact on our organization or our players.”

Reports indicate the hack was focused less on personal data and more on corporate assets. In other words, it doesn't seem like player information is at stake here (as Rockstar said), but things like marketing materials could see the light of day before Rockstar intended.

If ShinyHunters sounds familiar, that's because the group was also responsible for major hacks of Salesforce and Bumble in recent years.

As for GTA VI, Rockstar had to do damage control after a major hack revealed some game details ahead of time, all the way back in 2022. With the game set for release in November of this year, hopefully, the leaks will end one way or another soon.

Save 38%: The Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro is on sale at Amazon for $111.52, bringing the gaming headphones down to their lowest price ever — if you pick up the Mercury White colorway. All said, you'll save $68.47 on the usually $179.99 headphones.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro $111.52 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $68.47   Get Deal

Gaming peripherals don't have to be overtly ugly, and cute gaming peripherals don't have to be overly expensive.

If you've ever prioritized making your gaming setup cute, those are two statements that have probably felt dubiously true at times. This is not one of those times. As of April 13, the Razer Kraken Kitty V3 Pro headphones are on sale for $111.52, knocking nearly $70 off their price point, putting them in line with other mid-range priced gaming headphones, and down to their lowest price ever, according to the price tracker camelcamelcamel. At the time of writing, the deal only applies to the Mercury White colorway of the headphones — the black and pink versions are both priced at $159.99.

SEE ALSO: We found the pink cat ear headphones Beyoncé wore in her viral Verizon commercial

The V3 Pro line looks adorable, yes, but it also offers a ton of functionality as a higher-end pair of gaming headphones. You'll get three modes of connectivity, between the wired USB-A connection, Bluetooth 5.3, or a 2.4 GHz connection. On the sound front, these headphones are equipped with 40mm drivers and spatial audio, offering a well-rounded (and adjustable) soundscape to tailor to your gaming experience. And for another point on the aesthetics front, they have RBG lighting.

If you're determined to spend below $100 on your gaming headphones (or you really want pink ones), Woot has the Kraken Kitty V2 Pro headphones on sale for $99.99.

SAVE 38%: As of April 13, you can get the Roborock Qrevo Series QV 35A robot vacuum and mop for $399.99 at Amazon, down from $649.99. That's a 38% discount or $250 savings.

Roborock Qrevo Series QV 35A $399.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $250   Get Deal at Amazon

Mashable's vacuum expert, Leah Stodart, has been reviewing Roborock's newest flagship robot vacuums, and they did not disappoint. But those premium models can run you anywhere from $850 to $1,000.

If you want a thorough clean without dropping nearly a grand, the Roborock QV 35A is a great alternative. Right now, Amazon has it marked down to $399.99. That's a 38% discount or a $250 price cut.

SEE ALSO: I've tested 30+ robot vacuum and mop combos, including CES 2026 models. Here are the top 5 to buy.

It uses 8000Pa of HyperForce suction to pull dirt and pet hair out of your rugs and corners. (If you're a pet owner, you'll be happy to hear that there's a full-rubber main brush and an SGS-certified side brush with a 0 percent hair-tangling rate.) It also tackles hard floors with dual spinning mops that rotate at 200RPM, and it auto-lifts 10mm when it detects carpet so you don't end up soaking your rugs.

The all-in-one docking station is automatic, too. It empties the vacuum's dustbin into a sealed bag that lasts up to nine weeks. It also refills the water tank, washes the dirty mopping pads, and air-dries them.

If an app icon appears on my desktop—ZAP! Gone. I now even hide my taskbar so that nothing greets me but a pristine wallpaper and my open apps. I don't plan to be less vigilant any time soon.

The sun is out, the birds are singing, and the wildlife is buzzing with plenty of activity, which puts me in the mood for some action-packed streaming entertainment to watch this week.

SAVE $370.01: The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $428.99, down from the list price of $799. That works out to a 46% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Solix Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 $428.99 at Amazon
$799 Save $370.01   Get Deal

I've tested dozens of portable power stations and while plenty of them get the job done, there are a handful that have stood out as exceptional models. These are the models I reach for in power outages, for using in the yard, and for heading out on camping adventures. One of my favorite models I've ever tested is currently at a nice sale price from Amazon.

As of April 13, the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $428.99, marked down from the list price of $799. That's a 46% discount that takes $370.01 off the price.

The Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 is like your favorite comfort meal. It satiates on every level on any day, and you don't get tired of it. It's more or less perfect. The C1000 Gen 2 simply does an excellent job at what it's designed to do, and it skips anything flashy or unnecessary. It offers a solid 1,024Wh of battery life, weighs under 25 pounds, and recharging in record-breaking time.

SEE ALSO: Get ready for camping season with the Bluetti Elite 100 V2 while it's over half off

Peak output on the Anker Solix C1000 Gen 2 reached 3,000W and it had no issue pouring shots from the beefy (and not very portable) De'Longhi La Specialista Touch Espresso Machine I used when testing it out. Anker put five AC ports on the Gen 2, three USB-C, and one USB-A. Two of the USB-C ports can output 140W.

One of the major reasons I reach for the Solix C1000 Gen 2 time and time again is its quick recharging ability. Anker won a Guinness World Record for the power station's ability to recharge fully in just 49 minutes. That means you can pretty much forget to recharge it, begin packing up the car for camping, plug it in, and have it near 100% by the time you drive off.

While you're busy making campsite reservations for the rest of spring and summer, upgrade your setup with the Solix C1000 Gen 2. Today's sale price of $428.99 is the lowest we've seen in 2026 so this is a great time to snatch up one of my favorite power stations for camping.