Mashable

Good news for anyone wanting to spew hate and make the world a worse place: Meta has amended its Hateful Conduct policy to be more permissive to bad behaviour, allowing divisive and discriminatory content to thrive on its platforms. Users on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads are now allowed to call gay people "mentally ill", women "property", and entire ethnicities "diseases".

SEE ALSO: Instagram blocked LGBTQ+ content by accident, Meta claims

The tech giant made significant changes to its Hateful Conduct policy on Tuesday, lifting prohibitions against a wide range of divisive and harmful rhetoric. Notably, Meta's amended policy completely removed restrictions against dehumanising people on the basis of a "protected characteristic" by likening them to certain inanimate objects, filth, and diseases such as cancer. Users are also now permitted to state that protected characteristics don't or shouldn't exist, or are inferior.

Protected characteristics are defined by Meta as "race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, religious affiliation, caste, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, [or] serious disease."

Meta further removed its previous acknowledgement that hateful conduct on its platforms "creates an environment of intimidation and exclusion, and in some cases may promote offline violence." 

Meta explicitly permits anti-LGBTQ content

Equally as notable as the restrictions Meta has removed is the content that it now explicitly allows, with harmful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric specifically permitted. In a video posted on Tuesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the company is removing restrictions that are "out of touch with mainstream discourse." 

"We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words like 'weird,'" wrote Meta.

The American Psychological Association (APA) is clear that being transgender or same-sex attracted are not mental disorders, as neither cause significant distress or disability. Each was removed from the APA's official list of mental illnesses in 2012 and 1973 respectively. In fact, the APA notes that it is discrimination and lack of acceptance in society which can lead to transgender people suffering from the actual mental disorders of anxiety and depression. 

Such harmful ostracisation may often be expressed as, for example, allegations of mental illness or abnormality based on gender or sexual orientation.

"Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience," the APA states.

Meta's amended Hateful Conduct policy also explicitly allows content arguing that sexual orientation should preclude people from working in the military, law enforcement, or teaching, provided such arguments are based upon religious beliefs. Though at least there is such a caveat. Meta demands no such religious justification for the same discriminatory arguments based on gender.

Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of LGBTQ advocacy organisation GLAAD, has stated that Meta's changes have given a "green light for people to target LGBTQ people, women, immigrants, and other marginalized groups with violence, vitriol, and dehumanizing narratives."

"With these changes, Meta is continuing to normalize anti-LGBTQ hatred for profit — at the expense of its users and true freedom of expression," said Ellis. "Fact-checking and hate speech policies protect free speech."

Meta declined to comment when reached by Mashable, nor advise whether it had consulted with any advocacy groups prior to amending its policy.

Meta aligns itself more closely with Trump in lead-up to inauguration View on Threads

These changes coincide with Meta's decision to eliminate fact-checkers and replace them with a Community Notes system. Zuckerberg claimed that fact-checkers have become "too politically biased," and that "what started as a movement to be more inclusive has increasingly been used to shut down opinions and shut out people with different ideas."

As noted above, many such opinions are actively harmful and have no basis in fact. Even so, Meta seems determined to platform such content, with Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan stating in a blog post that they have been "limiting legitimate political debate and censoring too much trivial content and subjecting too many people to frustrating enforcement actions."

It appears that in Meta's estimation, subjecting users to enforcement of a conduct policy is less acceptable than subjecting them to dehumanisation. 

"We’re getting rid of a number of restrictions on topics like immigration, gender identity and gender that are the subject of frequent political discourse and debate," wrote Kaplan. "It’s not right that things can be said on TV or the floor of Congress, but not on our platforms."

Some would argue that this is more an indictment on the state of Congress than justification for more divisive, harmful content on social media. But with highly divisive Republican leader Donald Trump resuming office as the U.S. President in less than two weeks, it benefits Meta to loosen its Hateful Conduct policy and try working its way into his good graces.

"The recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point toward once again prioritising speech," said Zuckerberg. "So we're going to get back to our roots and focus on reducing mistakes, simplifying our policies, and restoring free expression on our platforms."

It seems reasonable to speculate that the changes to Meta's policy may also be designed to preempt a few moderation headaches. The issue of moderation was a significant topic of debate during Trump's first term, with elected officials often making statements on social media which fell afoul of the platforms' policies. Trump himself has frequently been accused of inciting violence by posting divisive rhetoric. Even so, Meta only took the step of suspending then-President Trump from Facebook and Instagram after the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, eventually lifting his ban two years later when he was no longer in office.

Meta has been attempting to endear itself to Trump in the lead-up to his second inauguration on Jan. 20. Zuckerberg dined with the president-elect late last year, the tech giant since confirming that it had donated $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund. This Monday Meta announced that three new members had been elected to its board of directors — including Dana White, Ultimate Fighting Champion (UFC) CEO and long-time friend and supporter of Trump.

"[Meta will] Work with President Trump to push back against foreign governments going after American companies to censor more," Zuckerburg declared Tuesday on Threads. "The US has the strongest constitutional protections for free expression in the world and the best way to defend against the trend of government overreach on censorship is with the support of the US government."

Zuckerburg further announced that Meta is moving its trust and safety and content moderation teams out of California, with U.S. content review now to be performed in Texas. The CEO claimed that "this will help remove the concern that biased employees are overly censoring content," though did not explain why he apparently believes that people in Texas are less biased than people in California.

UPDATE: Jan. 8, 2025, 8:53 p.m. AEDT This article has been updated with Meta's response to Mashable.

CES loves a flying car, doesn't it?

At this year's consumer tech showcase, we took a look at Xpeng Aero HT's Land Aircraft Carrier, and got inside the cockpit of the company's modular eVTOL (that's electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing for the uninitiated). An electric vehicle that's equally at home cruising the highway or soaring through the sky? Groundbreaking, sure — but also peak CES.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so far

Let’s clear one thing up: the massive, six-wheeled EV isn't technically a flying car. Xpeng's so-called "Mothership"— a minivan-like vehicle that gives off strong Cybertruck vibes — doesn't leave the ground. What it does do, though, is carry a two-seater eVTOL aircraft that actually takes to the skies. Still, it's undeniably cool. After chatting with co-founder and CEO Wang Tan, it’s obvious that Xpeng is all-in on its mission to give drivers the "freedom to fly."

Behold, the "Mothership" that holds the eVTOL. Credit: Emmett Smith / Mashable And it's open! Credit: Emmett Smith / Mashable

Because the Mothership is a near-final prototype, we couldn't take a proper peek inside. But we did get to sit in the two-person aircraft itself, where Tan walked us through the basics. Xpeng's goal is to make flying as simple as possible. The controls are minimal — a one-handed joystick for maneuvering, automated flight systems for short, self-guided trips, and backup button controls conveniently placed on the center console.

Xpeng Aero HT's modular eVTOL seen at CES. Credit: Emmett Smith / Mashable

But before you start dreaming of zipping through city skylines, pump the brakes. Xpeng envisions the eVTOL as more of a recreational escape, far from crowded urban spaces. And let’s be real—most drivers can barely handle two dimensions, let alone three. Oh, and you’ll need a Light Sport Aircraft license too.

The Mothership and eVTOL combo boasts a combined range of 1,000 kilometers — just over 620 miles. But here’s the kicker: the EV isn't just a ride; it's a mobile charging station for the eVTOL. Together, they form Xpeng's ambitious "phase 1" in the quest to make personal flight a reality. Phase 2? A car that actually flies.

So far, Xpeng claims over 3,000 intent orders and plans to start shipping in China by 2026. As for the price tag? Brace yourself — the Land Aircraft Carrier is expected to land somewhere around $300,000.

Hey, nobody ever said the future is cheap.

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.

TL;DR: Get a lifetime license for Windows 11 Pro on your PC for just £16 (reg. £159.49) through 12 January — an 89% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Windows 11 Pro: Lifetime license £16.00
£159.49 Save £143.49 Get Deal

Did you hear? Microsoft gave their latest and greatest operating system, Windows 11 Pro, an all-new 2024 feature update — enhancing Copilot AI, speeding up the platform code, and improving phone integrations. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading, now might be the time.

In this new year, new PC deal, you can upgrade to Windows 11 Pro for just £16. As an added bonus, each purchase gives you a license for two PCs.

What’s inside Microsoft’s OS update

Many people upgrade simply to get the new user design. Windows 11 looks much more futuristic than other versions, with new app icons, rounded corners, and an improved bottom taskbar. It almost looks like macOS.

You also get Copilot, the AI-powered assistant, fully integrated. This AI uses a custom version of GPT-4, so it’s like getting the paid version of ChatGPT included on your PC for help answering questions or getting help with basic tasks. It can even summarise web pages or change computer settings for you.

Unique features not found on the Home version

You’re getting Windows 11 Pro, not Windows 11 Home, which is free for most users. This means you get extra features:

• BitLocker device encryption: Keeps your data safe by encrypting your drive, so your files stay private if your device is lost or stolen.

• Remote desktop access: Access your PC from anywhere, letting you work remotely on files and software.

• Azure AD: Securely manage app and file access across devices.

• Hyper-V: Run virtual machines to test software safely without affecting your main system.

Install Windows 11 Pro for £16 (reg. £159.49) before this price drop ends on 12 January at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Unblock porn sites like xHamster with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

The online world might seem like a open place that you can freely navigate, but it's actually full of restrictions. These can be frustrating, but there is something you can do to protect your online freedom.

There will be many locations around the world that will restrict your access to certain sites, including porn sites like xHamster. But all is not lost. If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

How to unblock xHamster for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure servers in other locations. This process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like xHamster from anywhere in the world. It sounds complicated, but it's really not.

Unblock xHamster by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 a location that supports access to xHamster

4. Access xHamster from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-year subscription + 3 months free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling to a location without access to your favorite sites.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like xHamster, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

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

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Unblock xHamster for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

Tweet may have been deleted

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

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

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

• Yellow: Slow run

• Green: Results at the plate

• Blue: They protect the net in U.S. soccer

• Purple: Share the same first word

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

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

• Yellow: Move at a slow pace

• Green: Outcomes in an at-bat

• Blue: U.S. soccer goalkeepers

• Purple: Hand _______

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections Sports Edition #107 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Move at a slow pace - AMBLE, JOG, LOPE, TROT

• Outcomes in an at-bat - FIELDER'S CHOICE, HIT, STRIKEOUT, WALK

• U.S. soccer goalkeepers - HOWARD, NAEHER, SCURRY, SOLO

• Hand _____ - BALL, OFF, SHAKE, SPRING

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

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

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

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

Sony and Honda are betting big on the AFEELA 1, the sleek new electric vehicle five years in the making that's turning heads at CES 2025. Not only did Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) spill the tea on pre-order details — and its jaw-dropping price tag— on Monday but the company's also letting attendees get a first taste of life inside this futuristic ride.

We scored a seat inside the AFEELA 1 Signature, the top-tier trim of the lineup that clocks in a massive $102,000. But don't let the sticker shock scare you off just yet — this EV is loaded with bells, whistles, and cutting-edge tech designed to make that price feel (almost) reasonable.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025 live updates: Here's what we know, from Nvidia to John Deere announcements

One of the first things you’ll notice about the AFEELA? No door handles. It's a flex we've been seeing a lot in the EV world over the last few years, and SHM is fully on board. Instead of traditional handles, you're supposed to unlock the car through the AFEELA app on your phone. However, because the Las Vegas Convention Center WiFi was a mess, our guide had to go old-school — pressing a tiny button in the top corner to pop the door open manually. You can also just tap your phone to the door to open it as well.

Hilariously, someone at the briefing pointed out that the LiDAR cameras perched on top of the AFEELA are styled like cat ears. Yes, cat ears. It's oddly charming, and honestly? It kind of works.

Featured Video For You I Tried Xreal’s New One Pro AR Glasses at CES

Step inside, though, and the vibe shifts from playful to premium. The interior is where SHM really flexes its vision for the AFEELA brand. The joint company's big mission has been to "redefine the relationship between humans and mobility," and it's doubled down on creating an interior that feels more like an immersive sanctuary than a car. It's all about the experience —and SHM's not holding back.

We're talking a full-panoramic touchscreen display that stretches across the entire dashboard, ambient lighting along the door trims, OLED screens mounted on the back of every seat, and —wait for it — a Sony PlayStation 5 controller, which you can use with PlayStation Remote Play to play video games in the car. (Yes, according to one of the PR reps, the controller does come with the car.) The touchscreen itself can switch between themes (like one inspired by Sucker Punch's Sony game Ghost of Tsushima), and nestled on the corners of the driver and passenger seats are displays showing real-time camera views from the rearview mirror.

AFEELA does not come with a traditional hood ornament. Instead it features a customizable LED display. Credit: Mashable / Chance Townsend

The whole setup is undeniably extra, and it only gets wilder. The car boasts a sound system so loud it might actually qualify as a health hazard, which the rep used to blast music and — get this — screen an episode of Solo Leveling on Crunchyroll. I wish I was making that up. As if that weren't enough, the AFEELA is loaded with apps no one asked for but somehow make sense in modern EV universes. Zoom for your next web chat? Sure, why not — Teslas have it too. TikTok and YouTube? Of course. It's becoming standard, we guess. Because if you're already succumbing to brain rot, you might as well do it in style.

The car boasts a sound system so loud it might actually qualify as a health hazard...

There's also an AI assistant that SHM says it wants to function as a friend to drivers, which is why is called an "AI Agent" and not an assistant. Unfortunately, AFEELA’s "friendliness" wasn’t on full display during our demo, thanks to its shy streak (read: the convention center WiFi was seemingly on strike by this point). So, for now, we’ll have to take SHM’s word for it.

We didn't get to see the AFEELA in motion — which, fair enough, given the general chaos of CES — but SHM wasn't shy about hyping up its Full Self-Driving capabilities. The car is currently rated at Level 2+ (out of 6) on SAE International's levels of driving automation, which means semi-automated driving with some driver intervention is still required. Ambitious as ever, SHM says it's aiming for Level 4 — High Driving Automation — where the car would basically drive itself without human help. But let's be real, that dream is still stuck in development purgatory and not ready for prime time — Mercedes-Benz beat Tesla to become the first to sell Level 3 autonomous cars in the U.S. in April 2024; Level 4 is still the horizon.

All things considered, the first look at the AFEELA 1 Signature was thrilling, even for someone who neither drives nor has a snowball's chance of affording one. For now, pre-orders are only open to California drivers, with SHM citing the state's superior EV infrastructure as the reason.

On the CES floor, SHM showed off the AFEELA 1 Signature, retailing for a cool $102,900, while its slightly less bougie sibling, the AFEELA 1 Origin, will go for $89,900. The Signature is slated to ship in mid-2026, while the Origin lags behind with a 2027 release.

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.

There are a slew of AR glasses, VR headsets, and other high tech eyewear at CES 2025. Almost every device has some sort of AI implementation or camera embedded into the glasses, which provides the users with an array of capabilities – probably more than they would ever intend to use on a regular basis.

But, the keyword here is "almost." And that's because of Chamelo Eyewear, a smart glasses company that's focusing on practicality.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so far

Chamelo brought a number of its latest products to CES, but all of the company's smart glasses focus on one main feature: Changing the tint on your sunglasses.

Also at CES was Chamelo's Chief Brand Officer, former New York Knicks player and two-time NBA All-Star Stephon Marbury. Unlike some other celebrity endorsements or collaborations, you can tell Marbury really uses Chamelo glasses. As you can see in our video interview above, Marbury broke down how Chamelo smart glasses work and their use cases with the passion and knowledge of a startup founder.

Chamelo offers your standard sunglasses, smart glasses for athletes, and its latest prescription lenses product Aura Rx. There's no camera screen, no audio recording, no fancy AI capabilities. The smart glasses can simply adjust the level of tint and the color of your smart glass lenses with the push of a button. Anyone who regularly wears glasses will actually use these tint features for everyday practical use.

The company also has an audio version of its product called the Music Shield, which simply adds an audio speaker to Chamelo's tint-changing glasses. Only the individual wearing the glasses can hear the music being pumped out of the handles.

This feature appeared to work well when Mashable tried it out on CES' showroom floor. Though Chamelo's glasses were playing music, I couldn't hear it until I placed the device on my head. Similarly, I couldn't hear the music playing on the pair Marbury was wearing either. The showroom floor is admittedly a loud environment, so it may have been difficult to pick up any sound leakage, but if there was any it seemed minor.

At an event where many companies try to outdo others with complex, never-before-seen features, it's good to see companies like Chamelo focus on the practical use-cases for their products.

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.

Self-driving cars are one thing. At this point, we've been there, seen that.

But, driverless tractors are a whole other thing entirely.

You may not think of John Deere, best known for manufacturing farming and other agricultural equipment when you think of the Consumer Electronics Show. But, John Deere has been leading the charge when it comes to technological advancements in the farm, construction, and other heavy machinery industries.

At CES 2025, John Deere delivered another set of innovations in the space: A fleet of autonomous vehicles.

While you can check out the John Deere CES 2025 press conference in full here, Mashable went over to the John Deere booth to check out John Deere's "autonomy journey" ourselves.

Credit: Mashable

John Deere's autonomous 9RX tractor for large-scale agriculture uses "16 individual cameras arranged in pods to enable a 360-degree view of the field," according to the company. John Deere says that its autonomous tractor can help farmers "step away from the machine and focus their time on other important jobs."

The autonomous vehicles can also help farmers with improving safety and can help manage labor shortages, according to the company. 

Credit: Mashable

The autonomous 5ML orchard tractor for air blast spraying features Lidar sensors to help cover the more dense areas found in orchards. The 460 P-Tier autonomous articulated dump truck (ADT) can be used to handle repetitive construction tasks found in quarry operations like transporting building material around a site, according to John Deere.

Credit: Mashable

The autonomous battery electric mower can take care of mowing the lawn without an operator. It features two cameras on the front, left, right, and rear. This provides 360-degree coverage for commercial landscaping needs, according to the company.

Credit: Mashable

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.

"Mark, Meta, welcome to the party," said X CEO Linda Yaccarino in response to Tuesday's announcement that Meta is replacing fact-checkers with Community Notes.

In a keynote interview with journalist Catherine Herridge at CES 2025, the first thing Herridge asked about was Meta's pivot to the feature that allows users to add notes to posts that might be misleading or inaccurate.

"Think about it as this global collective consciousness, keeping each other accountable at global scale in real time. And it couldn't be more validating than to see that Mark and Meta realized that," responded Yaccarino.

"When you think about Community Notes, Mark and Meta realized that it's the most effective, fastest fact-checking, without bias... also it inspires great behavior. Human behavior is inspired because when a post is noted, it's dramatically shared less, so that's the power of Community Notes," she continued before welcoming Meta and CEO Mark Zuckerberg to the proverbial party.

Despite Yaccarino's depiction of Community Notes as a success story for X, the reality of the program is much different. A 2023 Mashable investigation found several posts with accurate Community Notes were seen by a fraction of users. A 2024 report from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) came to a similar conclusion finding "74 percent of accurate community notes on U.S. election misinformation never get shown to users" and that "posts without Community Notes promoting false narratives about U.S. politics have garnered billions of views, outpacing the reach of their fact-checked counterparts by 13 times."

SEE ALSO: I read all the community notes on Elon Musk's X account. Here's what I learned.

So while Community Notes may be a good idea in theory, it hasn't effectively decreased the rampant spread of misinformation and toxic content on X.

Yaccarino said she's excited for Meta's content moderation pivot, but not everyone shares that sentiment. Groups like the aforementioned CCDH, Free Press, and the Real Facebook Oversight Board have spoken out about Meta's shift, saying it's a regressive approach to content moderation and will lead to more misinformation and hateful content on the platform.

"By abandoning its fact-checking program in favor of a discredited 'community notes' system, Meta is turbocharging the spread of unchallenged online lies, worsening the spread of hate, and creating more risks to our communities, democracy, public health, and the safety of our kids," CCDH founder and CEO Imran Ahmed said in a press statement on Tuesday.

"Meta is now saying it’s up to you to spot the lies on its platforms, and that it’s not their problem if you can’t tell the difference, even if those lies, hate, or scams end up hurting you. Rather than stepping up to the challenge of responsible platform governance, Meta is retreating from accountability. This is huge step back for online safety, transparency, and accountability, and it could have terrible offline consequences in the form of real-world harm."

UPDATE: Jan. 8, 2025, 7:00 p.m. UTC Added statement from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH).

Instagram recently blocked teen users from viewing the results for numerous LGBTQ+ terms by accident, according to a spokesperson for Meta, the platform's parent company.

The restrictions were reported by User Mag, which found that teen users searching for content related to dozens of hashtags including #lesbian, #bisexual, #gay, #trans, #queer, #nonbinary, #Tgirlsarebeautiful, and #lesbianpride were instead shown a blank page with a message directing them to the platform's sensitive content policy.

That policy prohibits content "that impedes our ability to foster a safe community," and includes material that may be "sexually explicit or suggestive."

SEE ALSO: Instagram announces new tools to fight sextortion and help teen victims

"These search terms and hashtags were mistakenly restricted — an error that has now been fixed," a Meta spokesperson told Mashable. "It's important to us that all communities feel safe and welcome on Meta apps, and we do not consider LGBTQ+ terms to be sensitive under our policies."

Meta attributed the issue to technology that helps limit user exposure to sensitive content mistakenly misclassifying several LGBTQ+ terms, making them temporarily restricted.

Instagram's new teen accounts limit sensitive content by default. Teens between the ages of 13 and 15 need parental permission to change the setting.

Mashable previously reported on claims made by adult LGBTQ creators that Instagram has shadowbanned their content. The platform has tried to address general concerns regarding "non-recommendable" content, with mixed reviews from affected creators.

Meta told Mashable that LGBTQ content isn't considered sensitive and is eligible for recommendation, provided the content doesn't violate any other platform policies.

LGBTQ youth advocates criticized Instagram for the search restrictions.

"For many LGBTQ people, especially youth, platforms like Instagram are crucial for self-discovery, community building, and accessing supportive information," Leanna Garfield, social media safety program manager at GLAAD, told User Mag. "By limiting access to LGBTQ content, Instagram may be inadvertently contributing to the isolation and marginalization of LGBTQ users."

During the height of CES 2025, Qualcomm unveiled the existence of its new Snapdragon X processor, which the company says will create opportunities for more budget-friendly Windows laptops as early as this year. We're talking Copilot+ laptops in the $600 range, which we would definitely welcome with open arms. The chip will also be used in at least one mini desktop PC at some point.

The new chipset is being positioned by Qualcomm as a more accessible high-end chip for a much wider audience. “Snapdragon X is an ideal solution for students, freelance workers, and budget-conscious consumers who need a reliable and powerful laptop that can keep up with their busy lives,” Qualcomm said in a press release detailing the announcement. Though the Snapdragon X is technically a downgrade, the company says that it will still offer the same top-notch, AI-focused performance we've seen in the Snapdragon X Elite and X Plus computers that hit the scene in 2024 (which typically cost somewhere in the $800 to $1,000 and up ranges).

SEE ALSO: CES 2025 live updates: Here's what we know, from Nvidia to John Deere announcements

Qualcomm also said in the release that we can expect Snapdragon X-equipped laptops from big-name manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, and Lenovo to hit the market starting this month. These will all be part of Windows' Copilot+ line of laptops, which feature advanced AI processing and CPU speeds.

CES 2025 has officially kicked off, and amidst all the news about new graphics cards and very expensive EVs, home and pet owners should be pleasantly surprised by LG's AeroCatTower. Every cat owner knows the struggle of finding functional feline furniture that's not an eyesore, and this sleek cat tower solves that problem.

Part sleek air purifier, part feline-friendly perch, this futuristic gadget not only cleans the air but doubles as a weight-monitoring throne for your furry overlord.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025 live updates: Here's what we know, from Nvidia to John Deere announcements

Unveiled at the Las Vegas Convention Center, the AeroCatTower stood out from the typical CES lineup. The demo setup featured a delightfully bizarre scene: a stuffed cat (decidedly creepy) and two more furry stand-ins (mercifully less creepy) lounging around the device.

Per the reps at the booth, the tower's air-purifying abilities adjust when the cat is sitting on it. When your furry buddy is onboard, the tower can use a lower flow so as not to disturb them, then ramp back up when they're gone.

Mashable / Chance Townsend Credit: Rest in power little buddy.

The AeroCatTower cleverly combines functionality with a bit of whimsy. Its dome-shaped seat is perfect for your feline companion. LG might have delivered the CES sleeper hit of the year for cat owners who want to pamper their pets while keeping their air free of dust and allergens.

The AeroCatTower also features a built-in heater and an attachable stepper designed to help older cats easily reach the top. For those interested in its pet health-tracking capabilities, the device integrates seamlessly with LG's ThinQ app. You can also track how long your furry friend sleeps — very fun.

There's no price or release date yet, but be on the lookout for this in the future.

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Carabao Cup might not be the ultimate priority for the top teams, but the chance to take home a trophy is always something to take seriously. And we're at the semi-final stage now, so the remaining four teams have a significant chance of winning the competition. Don't expect anything less than total commitment.

If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Arsenal vs. Newcastle United?

Arsenal vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup starts at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 7. This fixture takes place at the Emirates Stadium.

How to watch Arsenal vs. Newcastle United for free

Arsenal vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Arsenal vs. Newcastle United 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 ITVX

5. Live stream Arsenal vs. Newcastle United for free from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Arsenal vs. Newcastle United without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream the semi-final matchup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, 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 eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream Arsenal vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

Second monitors are a thing of the past: Introducing a new "rollable" laptop from Lenovo that hides a new way to extend your screen size with no additional products.

Unveiled at this week's annual CES event in Las Vegas, Lenovo's ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable AI laptop, is, according to the company, a first of its kind personal device that can instantly increase the laptop's vertical display to make working, coding, and creating content easier and more efficient on-the-go.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025 highlights: What we've seen so far

The device has a flexible OLED display powered by small motors in its hinge, which vertically unrolls a tucked away screen that transforms the 14-inch display into a significantly larger 16.7 inch screen. The rolling motion is powered by a key on the keyboard or even just a hand gesture, according to user preference. Once extended, the display can be used for vertical split-screening as if its a second monitor, or for simply boosting your screen's surface area.

Credit: Lenovo

"Engineered for maximum versatility and reliability, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable combines the portability of a traditional laptop with the expanded workspace of a larger device," writes Lenovo. "With a unique vertical laptop screen experience, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 also encourages better posture, reducing strain for professionals working long hours."

The design was first introduced as the Lenovo rollable laptop concept two years ago. The fully realized, consumer-ready version will go to market at an eyebrow-raising $3,499 sometime in early 2025.

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.

The OnePlus 13 is here and it seems like it might be really good.

That's the vibe you'd get from reading reviews, which dropped on Tuesday. Everyone from CNET to The Verge and TechRadar is singing the praises of OnePlus's $899 flagship, though not without some criticism along the way. Between seemingly fantastic battery life, capable cameras, and a reasonable price, reviews indicate the OnePlus 13 may be "the one to get" if you want to live outside of the Apple, Google, and Samsung ecosystem.

(Note: CNET and Mashable share the same parent company, Ziff Davis)

SEE ALSO: Dell roasted at CES for adopting Apple-like device names OnePlus 13 reviews roundup

Most of these reviews are overwhelmingly positive about the OnePlus 13. Let's find out why.

Staggering battery life

The most noticeable constant across nearly every OnePlus 13 review is praise for its battery life. Take it from TechRadar's Philip Berne, who flatly called it "the best I’ve ever experienced from a mobile phone."

Under lab testing, TechRadar was able to get nearly three hours of juice more than the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which is a couple Benjamins more expensive than the OnePlus 13. Berne also noted the astonishingly fast charge speeds of the OnePlus 13, whether wired or wireless. According to Berne, wired charging got the phone past 50 percent in 15 minutes, while it could get a full charge wirelessly in an hour.

Quality cameras (for some)

The OnePlus 13 sports a stylish-looking triple-camera setup on the rear, with matching 50MP standard, telephoto, and ultrawide lenses. According to most reviews, you can get some gorgeous shots out of this phone, though it may be a step behind the most expensive Apple devices. Interestingly, however, CNET's Andrew Lanxon found that the default camera settings made images look unnatural and, frankly, bad. According to Lanxon, the thing to do is switch the settings to "Master Mode," and then not touch anything else.

Doing so made colors and shadows look more natural, which Lanxon praised as being more "authentic-looking" than what the default settings produced. According to him, the standard settings out of the box is are "quite frankly ruining the images."

Intense durability

Aside from battery life, another thing nearly every reviewer took time to note was the OnePlus 13's high degree of physical durability.

To be more specific, the OnePlus 13 carries an IP69 rating, which in layman's terms means it can withstand high pressure water blasts to some extent. That's...cool, but the bigger worry for most people will be whether or not the phone can survive being submerged underwater. Good news! Thanks to its additional IP68 rating, it can. According to The Verge's Allison Johnson, she could "sleep better at night knowing that my phone will likely survive a dip in a body of water."

Disappointing support window

Lastly, OnePlus has one major, objective disadvantage compared to the likes of Google and Samsung: software support. PCMag's Sarah Lord called it a "missed opportunity" by OnePlus because it only carries four years of software support, as opposed to the seven that Google and Samsung offer. Security updates also only last six years, compared to the seven that Google and Samsung provide.

Only four years of software updates for a flagship-quality phone is sure to disappoint some people who want to buy a phone and use it for a very long time. But, with every other positive quality the OnePlus 13 apparently has, maybe the gamble is worth it.

SAVE UP TO $1,000: Samsung dropped a Pro version of The Frame TV at CES, and Frame TVs are on sale at Samsung and Best Buy for up to $1,000 off now.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K LS03D $1,999.99 at Samsung
$2,999.99 Save $1,000.00 Get Deal

A huge Unpacked event slated for Jan. 22 isn't stopping Samsung from participating just as hard at CES 2025. New versions of Samsung's other flagship tech products are dropping left and right, including several TVs. One release that stands out is the one that's gone viral for blending in: a Pro version of Samsung's artistic TV, The Frame.

Known for its unique usage of ambient light sensors that dim and matte-ify to appear like legitimate framed art (or blend in with the wall it's hanging on) when you're not watching TV, the new Frame Pro features a lighting system never before seen on a Frame model. We don't know the exact pricing yet, but here's what we do know.

SEE ALSO: 5 new gadgets from CES 2025 that you can actually buy right now How is the Frame Pro different from the regular Frame?

The Frame Pro is the first Frame model to use Samsung's most premium QLED tech, Neo QLED. "Neo QLED" is Samsung's term of endearment for mini LED, which offer more precise lighting due to their ability to be individually controlled, and the fact that there are more of them (compared to larger LED bulbs).

These baby bulbs allow for deeper, more accurate black tones and more vibrant, more variable bright tones, coming together to produce an image that's not washed out, and much closer to what you'd see IRL. (Better brightness also means HDR support is actually worthwhile.) Note that the mini LEDs of the Pro are only lined up along the bottom of the screen rather than scattered throughout like a true local dimming arrangement, but still, it's more local dimming than what non-mini LEDs can provide.

You'll notice the difference particularly when watching movies in the dark and watching sports in the daylight. When you're not watching TV, your display options are pretty endless. Upload your own photos or use art from MoMA, the estates of Magritte and Basquiat, and more, totaling more than 3,000 curated works of art at your fingertips.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025: Google to bring Gemini to TVs. 3 wild things it can do.

For the first time on The Frame, you can also mirror content directly from a console or cable box wirelessly using Samsung's Wireless One Connect box. Because how is it really going to look like framed art if there's a cable hanging from it?

Though Samsung did announce some new 8K TVs, the Frame Pro is still 4K. Samsung did, however, boost the Frame Pro's variable refresh rate support to up to 144Hz, making it a more viable gaming TV than the non-Pro models.

The Frame also wasn't left out of the AI treatment that its other 2025 TVs are getting. Through Vision AI, you can search things on the internet by just clicking on them on screen, enact Live Translate, or control other smart devices in your home.

How much will The Frame Pro cost?

Samsung hasn't yet disclosed when The Frame Pro will start shipping, or how much it will cost. But we can guess. Taking prices of the 2024 version of The Frame into account (as well as the fact that the Pro version has an upgraded Neo QLED lighting system), it's likely that the 43-inch The Frame Pro will debut between $999.99 and $1,499.99, the 85-inch The Frame Pro will go for between $4,299.99 and $4,699.99, with the rest of the sizes scattered between.

Speaking of the older Frame models, they're on sale at Samsung and Best Buy. If you're already anticipating The Frame Pro being too pricey for your preferences, the 2024 Frames, which came out less than a year ago, are still solid art TVs. The models marked with a 🔥 are back to their Cyber Monday prices, and the ones that aren't are still within Cyber Monday range by a few hundred dollars.

• Samsung 43-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $799.99 $999.99 (save $200)🔥

• Samsung 50-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $899.99 $1,299.99 (save $400)🔥

• Samsung 55-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $999.99 $1,499.99 (save $500)🔥

• Samsung 65-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,599.99 $1,999.99 (save $400)

• Samsung 75-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $1,999.99 $2,999.99 (save $1,000)

• Samsung 85-inch The Frame QLED 4K TV — $3,299.99 $4,299.99 (save $1,000)

Curious about what else is going on at CES? Mashable's covering the highlights in all the categories you care about.

Mashable Tech Reporter Matt Binder gave the new Xreal One Pro a test drive at CES 2025. The upgraded model from XREAL features a new chipset, larger FOV, higher max brightness, and a more lightweight design.

Enron wants to sell you a nuclear reactor for your home — no, of course not really.

The pranksters behind the Birds Aren't Real nonsense "revived" the defunct, famously fraudulent company in December. Now, we've gotten its first "product." Of course, it's something as ridiculous as an at-home nuclear reactor. 

The company's X account released a slick, faux launch video for the Enron Egg, an at-home micro nuclear reactor that can power a house for up to ten years.

Tweet may have been deleted

The stilted delivery, pauses for applause, and cringey attempts at being cool do ring true to an actual tech presentation. And you have to give them credit for detail. The product page looks and reads quite similar to the sort of breathless copy you'd find from a tech company describing its latest phone. It promises: "Limitless Power. Perfectly Controlled."

As CNN first uncovered, Connor Gaydos — co-creator of the misinfo parody Birds Aren't Real — had his company purchase the trademark to Enron back in 2020. Now, they're doing fake products, seemingly parodying the tech industry's willingness to package dangerous ideas and products with relentless positivity.

So, no, your home will not be powered by a nuclear egg one day. But it is a good laugh.

American family life has become so challenging that U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory last year, warning that the stressors parents experience take too great of a toll on their mental health and well-being.

Enter Umi, a digital family well-being coach designed by Panasonic Well presented on Tuesday at CES, also known as the Consumer Electronics Show, in Las Vegas.

Yoky Matsuoka, CEO of Panasonic Well, told Mashable that Umi aims to improve family wellness with a unique suite of coaching services.

SEE ALSO: 3 must-know tips when using AI to streamline your home life

Imagine a parent who wants to make positive changes, like getting more sleep, eating healthier, or spending more time together as a family, but struggle with brainstorming and executing effective solutions.

Matsuoka said that's where Umi, scheduled to launch later this year, can step in. The conversational AI agent will not only make suggestions, based on the user's specific circumstances, but also offer referrals to the brand's partners, which include the meditation app Calm and the health coaching platform YourCoach. Umi will also help users create "achievable" goals paired with a daily plan and metrics.

"We wanted to build healthy habits through behavior change, to connect those, and make those things into routines," Matsuoka said.

For example, the parent who wants to do less short-order cooking for a child with selective eating tendencies could ask Umi for help, and the agent might respond with a plan to introduce a new food to that child once a month.

But Umi is also meant for multi-generational use, since so many parents are taking care of their aging parents, too. A parent who's also caring for an elder could ask Umi for help with coordinating schedules, finding specific healthcare services, and dealing with burnout. The aging parent could also chat with Umi about their needs.

Umi, however, is not designed to offer medical advice. When relevant, the platform can restrict user functions and share medical and crisis resources when necessary. A parent whose child is experiencing a mental health crisis, for example, will be directed to seek care immediately. Umi also has a built-in safety check identifying violent language.

While Umi can perform certain administrative tasks relevant to helping users set and achieve their wellness goals, it's not a digital personal assistant. Panasonic's Well division has a product for that called Yohana, which can do things like order Halloween costumes, hire a handyman, find a moving company, and research hotels.

SEE ALSO: AI apps can automate your home life, and it's more cool than scary

Matsuoka, who also oversees Yohana, wants parents to feel less overwhelmed. The name Umi means sea in Japanese, and Matsuoka liked the feelings of calmness and centering the word evoked.

Though Umi uses more than one large language model for its AI, Matsuoka specifically touts the brand's partnership with Anthropic. She noted that the LLM excelled at some of Umi's core tasks, and that she valued what she described as the company's commitment to ethical AI.

While Umi will collect highly valuable data from families about their interests, routines, and preferences, including from teens and younger users who have permission to interact with the agent, Matsuoka said that information will not be sold to third-parties. Umi also isn't trained on user data but instead fake data inspired by what real users have shared with the app so far.

When Umi launches to the public in mid-2025, it will be available via an app, then likely on desktop. Umi's pricing isn't available yet, but Matsuoka said the product's cost will be "accessible" to as many people as possible.

"This problem is not a problem of wealthy people, this is a problem of every family out there," she said.

Asus showcased a fresh lineup of AI laptops during its "Always Incredible" virtual launch event at CES 2025, including an all-new notebook called the Asus Zenbook A14.

There's a good reason why its model number looks a lot like the word "Air": Starting at just 2.18 pounds, it's the lightest Copilot+ PC ever. Asus says the Zenbook A14 achieves this feat thanks to Ceraluminum with magnesium, which takes the aluminum-ceramic hybrid released in the Zenbook S 14 and adds magnesium alloys, helping achieve an even more lightweight build overall. Asus also credits this material with the laptop's shock, smudge, and scratch resistance.

Credit: Asus

The Zenbook A14 marks more than one first for Asus, as it's also the Zenbook line's first Qualcomm Snapdragon model, offering both Snapdragon X Elite and Snapdragon X processors, featuring a 45 TOPS NPU. In other words, it's plenty to power a Copilot+ machine, whether you're using AI features like live captions, Cocreator in Microsoft Paint, or super resolution in the photos app. The 32GB of memory on board and 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD are also there to help give you the smoothest experience possible, alongside the dual fan that keeps your machine running efficiently without getting too hot.

SEE ALSO: CES 2025: This AI nature camera wants you to be besties with your backyard plants

Perhaps even more impressively, with all that power the Zenbook A14 is still rated at up to 32 hours of offline video playback on a single charge. (For reference, the longest-lasting laptop that Mashable staff has ever tested lasted almost 23 hours per charge.) The estimated battery life for online video streaming sits at a nearly as impressive 28 hours, with web browsing clocking in last at 19 hours.

Credit: Asus

Other notable features on this Zenbook include a 14-inch OLED display with 600 nits of peak brightness, a speaker system with Dolby Atmos support, and a full set of IO ports, including one USB 3.2 port, two USB 4.0 ports, one HDMI 2.1 port, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

On Jan. 13, the Asus Zenbook A14 will be available for purchase in the colorway Iceland gray at the ASUS Store and Best Buy for $1,099, with no preorder period. Another configuration of the laptop in the color Zabriskie beige is projected to become available for $899.99 in late winter or early spring 2025.

Mashable is on the ground live at CES 2025! We’re covering all the wildest and most important developments this week, so please keep checking back in with us. Want to submit a product you represent for our teams’ consideration as we identify the Best of CES? Here’s more info on how to do it.