Social Networks

Most of us agree that we can’t get through a week without spending some time scrolling through our social media apps. However, they might not always have your best interests in mind. As we enter a new year, more and more people are growing concerned about their privacy and security on their smartphones. Although most smartphones come with built-in security, there are also some risks that come with the things you download to them, including apps. We spoke with tech experts about three social media apps you should delete for better privacy on your phone in 2026. Read more about them below. This Clean, Effective Powder Helps Support Muscle Growth, Endurance, And Recovery Shutterstock 1. Facebook Although Facebook is considered the blueprint for most of today's big social media apps, it's increasingly becoming more concerning in the eyes of tech and cybersecurity experts. "Facebook is the first one I recommend for deletion," says tech expert Paul DeMott. "A large number of Facebook users access their account through a web browser; however, if you install the Facebook App on your device, you now have access to how you are utilizing the app, and how you are accessing other apps and websites.

Mumbai: Snapchat India hosted the second edition of its flagship creator event, Snap with Stars, turning it into an exclusive Christmas-themed celebration for top Mumbai-based creators. Adding star power to the evening, actors Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday attended the event to meet creators and spotlight their upcoming release, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri. The intimate gathering brought creators and celebrities together through interactive games, AR-powered activities, and speed-dating style sessions designed to encourage genuine connection and collaboration. Guests also explored Snapchat’s signature AR Lenses and immersive experiences set up across the venue. A standout moment came with Ananya Panday’s official debut on Snapchat, where she launched her Public Profile using a custom Lens, promising her audience a stream of fun, candid, and authentic Snaps. Designed as a closed-door, high-engagement initiative, Snap with Stars gives select creators the opportunity to interact closely with leading personalities from entertainment and culture—reflecting Snapchat’s core focus on real, close connections and co-creation. Sharing his experience, Kartik Aaryan said, “I’ve always had a simple approach to life – be real, have fun, make people smile and never take yourself too seriously. What I like about Snapchat is how easy, quick and in-the-moment

ST PHOTO: STEPHANIE YEOW The Straits Times The Straits Times Get the latest news and insights from Singapore and the world with The Straits Times. Published Dec 12, 2025 Over the past week, the talk of the town has been the release of a new book which chronicles the series of events that led to Singapore’s independence from Malaysia. The Albatross File: Inside Separation draws on notes kept by Singapore’s then Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee, along with oral history interviews with some of Singapore’s founding leaders. Dr Goh was Singapore’s chief negotiator with Malaysia, and the book details important moments in the days and months leading up to Singapore’s independence on Aug 9, 1965. This includes how an off-the-cuff remark by Dr Goh on July 15, 1965, sparked a turning point in Singapore’s history. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the book on Dec 7, when as he delivered his speech he turned emotional, recounting memories of when his father, founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, received an important call from Dr Goh while the Lee family was on holiday. He also recalled his father’s conflicted feelings about leaving the federation. My colleague Lin Suling provides her take in

A Lockesburg probationer was arrested Wednesday morning for his alleged role in an armed robbery in Hot Springs last month after reportedly being identified through Snapchat photos and AI software. Jonathon Earl Stewart Gonzalez, 26, was taken into custody around 11 a.m. at the Sevier County probation office while meeting with his probation officer and served with the warrant for a felony count of aggravated robbery, punishable by up to life in prison. He was transported to Hot Springs, where he was booked into the detention center shortly before 1:30 p.m. Gonzalez remained in custody Thursday on zero bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court. According to court records, he was convicted in 2020 of breaking or entering, theft of property and possession of a controlled substance and sentenced to six years in prison, but was later paroled; and on March 12, 2024, of felony fleeing and sentenced to six years' probation, all in Sevier County. According to the probable cause affidavit, on Nov. 23, Hot Springs police detectives spoke to a local man regarding a robbery who alleged he was at a friend's house party on Rector Street when his friend invited four people

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Fernando Mendoza is not your typical college football star. He helped lead the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten title since 1967, sure, but there’s more depth to the Indiana QB than what’s apparent on television. Off the field, Mendoza has taken an interest in business, real estate and finance. He earned his undergraduate degree from Cal in just three years and has interned for real estate firms. His LinkedIn is quite active, too. At Indiana, he is enrolled in business coursework. Here’s everything you need to know about Mendoza’s LinkedIn page and his degrees from Cal and Indiana MORE: The case for and against each 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist Fernando Mendoza LinkedIn page  Mendoza is active on LinkedIn and posts frequent updates on his page — from attending baseball games to announcing NIL partnerships with major brands like Adidas and more. Mendoza's LinkedIn includes an in-depth "About Me" section: "Process-driven and detail-oriented leader studying Business Administration at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business after graduating from UC Berkeley in three years," His page reads. "As a quarterback for Indiana Football, I apply a strong foundation in leadership, time management, and communication to excel both on and off the field. I’m

WhatsApp's voicemail-like feature was first reported in August, but there was not much information about it at that time. Just in time before the holidays, the messaging app introduced a new set of updates to improve communication and AI integration. Missed Call Messages Are a Smarter Way to Replace Voicemail Mariia Shalabaieva/Unsplash As noted on its Dec. 11 blog post, WhatsApp's new Missed Call Messages service will replace the traditional voice message service with an easier and more convenient method. Now, if someone doesn't pick up your call, you can record a voice or video message and send it with just a single click. It will make it very easy for people to send an urgent or heartfelt message. WhatsApp highlights that with this feature, "voicemails are a thing of the past" because it presents a modern method for staying in touch, particularly during the busy holidays. Reactions on Voice Chats and Prioritization in Calls The platform also brings "live reactions" while having voice chats, so people can share reactions with "cheers!" without disrupting conversations. It enhances an entertaining aspect within group conversations and family calls. Moreover, WhatsApp has given importance to the speaker during video calls, thus making it

Reddit claims that the ban infringes the ‘implied freedom of political communication’. Popular online forum Reddit has filed a lawsuit against the Australian government over the country’s social media ban for minors which came into force this Wednesday (10 December). The landmark legislation, a part of the country’s Online Safety Act, marks the world’s first social media ban for under-16s as a measure to bolster child safety on the internet. The ban affects Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, YouTube, Snapchat, Reddit, Kick, Twitch and TikTok. In its lawsuit filed today (12 December), Reddit claimed that the ban infringes the “implied freedom of political communication” and should be “invalid”. In a statement accompanying the filing, the platform claimed that the law “has the unfortunate effect of forcing intrusive and potentially insecure verification processes on adults as well as minors”. It also said that the law is “inaccurately” applied to the platform. “We’re a forum primarily for adults and we don’t have the traditional social media features the government has taken issue with,” the statement on r/RedditSafety said. Currently, Reddit is still complying with the regulation, which requires the designated platforms to employ measures such as age estimation through facial or voice recognition

WhatsApp has released a holiday update with multiple new features. The update includes missed call messages, voice chat reactions, group call speaker spotlight, Meta AI image improvements, animated photos, a new desktop media tab, cleaner link previews, new Status stickers, and questions on Channels. Calls Missed Call Messages: If a call is not answered, users can now send a voice or video note in one tap, depending on the call type. This replaces traditional voicemails and allows recipients to catch up later. Reactions in Voice Chats: Participants can react during live voice chats without interrupting the conversation, providing quick feedback. Group Call Speaker Spotlight: During video calls, the active speaker is automatically highlighted to make following the conversation easier. Chats Meta AI Image Creation Improvements: WhatsApp’s Meta AI now uses updated models from Midjourney and Flux, enabling higher-quality image generation for chats or Status updates. Animate Images with Meta AI: Photos can now be animated into short videos for chats or Status updates. New Media Tab on Desktop: A dedicated media tab on Mac, Windows, and Web allows users to search documents, links, and media across all chats in one location. Cleaner Link Previews: Link previews have been streamlined to

Updated Dec. 11, 2025, 9:56 p.m. ET Pete Alonso bid adieu to New York and Mets fans in an Instagram post on Thursday night. After Alonso officially left the Mets after seven professional seasons and nine with the organization, the first baseman thanked the city of New York and several people within the franchise in a highlight reel set to his most recent walkup song "Layla" by Derek & The Dominos. The mashup featured his first career home run, historic National League Wild Card-clinching blast and his long ball against the Braves that set the new Mets franchise record, before flashing to a photo of him in an Orioles uniform. Here is what Alonso said in the post: New York, thank you. These last few years have shaped me in ways I’ll carry for the rest of my life. This city demands your best and I’m proud to look back knowing I gave everything I had into earning the privilege of wearing that jersey. I’ve been blessed with incredible teammates, coaches, trainers, staff, and countless people who helped shape me into the player and man I am today. I’m forever grateful for every person who challenged me, supported me and