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PSA: Your inactive Google account could be deleted on December 1
Do you have a Google account you haven't checked for awhile but want to keep? You'd better log in soon before it gets purged.
Facebook pilot links user profiles with online news subscriptions
Facebook is testing an account-linking feature that connects users' profiles with their news subscriptions.
Zoom waffles on the fate of US-based Chinese activist’s account
Zoom reactivates the account of a US-based Chinese activist that it closed after the account hosted a memorial for the Tiananmen Square Massacre.
Mitt Romney has a ridiculous Twitter alias: Pierre Delecto
In an interview with The Atlantic, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) admitted to being a "lurker" on Twitter. He wouldn't share his Twitter handle, but it didn't take long for the internet to figure out Romney's alias, Pierre Delecto (@qaws9876).
Instagram will notify you before it disables your account
Instagram is making a few changes to the way it disables accounts. Currently, the platform removes accounts with a certain percentage of violating content. But it's rolling out a new policy that will also allow it to disable accounts with a certain number of violations in a given timeframe.
Uber will deactivate riders with low ratings
Rude behavior or leaving trash behind could get you booted from Uber. The company has added "ratings-based rider deactivations" to its safety policy. Users can now get kicked off the app if they develop a "significantly below average rating."
Yahoo agrees to pay $50 million to data breach victims
Yahoo will have to cough up $50 million in damages as part of a settlement following massive data breaches that took place in 2013 and 2014. The first breach affected three billion accounts, while the second affected 500 million accounts -- neither were disclosed until 2016. Hacked information included passwords that were encrypted but could be cracked.
Sweden’s official tweets won’t come from citizens anymore
IKEA, ABBA, Volvo... Sweden has given the world a lot of great things, and back in 2011 it added to the list by becoming the first country to let regular citizens run its official Twitter account. Every week, a new Swede was given free rein to tweet whatever they wanted, in a pioneering bid to show the world how the country exists in the eyes of its people (much like The Swedish Number, which let anyone around the world chat to a random Swede). Now, the award-winning project -- which inspired similar accounts in other countries and cities around the world -- is coming to an end.
Google makes it easier to manage your account on Android
For all the features Google has revamped in recent years, it hasn't done much to change your account controls. That's a bit overdue when privacy is much more of a priority, don't you think? Google agrees. It's launching a reworked Google Account interface for Android that makes it easier to both navigate your settings and review your data. There's considerably clearer organization with more prominent categories (say, payment methods) as well as faster access to your activity data and privacy settings review. It'll also provide "prominent" alerts if Google believes there are areas where you can improve, such as removing your account from an old phone.
Google's refined Security Checkup identifies account vulnerabilities
While Google might soon switch VIPs over to advanced protection in the form of physical keys, the rest of us are fine with typical security practices -- so long as we follow them. To better secure your Google account, the company has a new version of its Security Checkup feature that points out vulnerabilities. Instead of needing to run through the same generic checklist of questions, the tool will instead identify weak areas in your account setup and bring them to your attention.
Oculus Social launches on Gear VR, Facebook tie-in coming soon
Following the lead of nearly everything else on the internet, Oculus has announced it's adding social features to the company's VR platform. Starting tomorrow, Gear VR owners will be able to create a profile of their own, and then search for others by their real name or username. Social hooks aren't that unexpected for a company owned by Facebook and of course, tie-ins for that are coming as well. We reached out to Oculus and the company says linking your account with Facebook will be completely optional, but for those who want it, it's coming next week.
Instagram multiple account support available to some iOS users
If you've been clamoring for multiple account support in the Instagram app, you might soon be in luck. Some iPhone users, including our own Mat Smith, are seeing the feature pop up on iOS. If you'll recall, the ability to sign in to multiple accounts and toggle back and forth when posting made an appearance back in November on the Instagram Android app.
Facebook's 'Security Checkup' is ready to guard your account
Facebook initially rolled out a new account safety feature, dubbed Security Checkup, this May as part of a limited test release. Today, that feature is available for all users. Security Checkup is designed to make finding and enabling Facebook's multitude of optional security settings much easier. Users will be able to automatically logout of rarely used devices, set alerts for suspicious login activity and reset their password. Even finding the checkup function itself will be a snap as it's going to be positioned at the top of your feed for the next few weeks.
Facebook tests a new Security Checkup to keep your account safe
Over the last few years Facebook has made a number of tweaks to make it easier to protect your account from hackers, but that doesn't mean individual users are keeping up. Since there's no point to security features if people don't use them, and hacked accounts are annoying for everyone (why are they always selling sunglasses? Who wants cheap Oakleys that much?) it's testing a new Security Checkup feature. The idea is that it's a simple and straightforward walkthrough for some of the things everyone should keep an eye on in regards to their account -- update the password, double check connected apps and devices, activate login alerts -- and if the response is good, more people will see the prompt soon. If you (or your friend/relative with the account that's constantly pushing spam) aren't seeing it yet, a visit to the Privacy Basics page is another way to make sure things are locked down.
The Daily Grind: Have you ever been hacked in an MMO?
The Massively tip line frequently receives notes from MMO gamers who are upset about being hacked in one MMO or another. Sometimes it's the result of a serious security flaw in the game, but sometimes it's just a lapse in a player's personal security. One way or another, it sucks. I've never had an MMO account of mine hacked, but a guildie or two of mine has in the past, which has resulted in our guild vault being cleaned out. Fortunately, the studio (Blizzard, in this case) restored the accounts and every scrap of loot and gold that was taken. But I know not all studios respond that way when it's not their fault but ours, and some folks find they've lost their accounts and characters forever. Have you ever had an MMO account hacked? How did the studio handle it? And what did you do to safeguard yourself afterward? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Hallowtide begins in ArcheAge today
Trion Worlds will update ArcheAge's western servers today with a new patch reverently named Version 1.2 Build 4.13. Notably, it ushers in Hallowtide, ArcheAge's autumn event, which runs until November 4th, when the Conquest of Auroria patch launches. Today's update also includes several gameplay and bug fixes, including bugs relating to trial account chat. The studio has promised a full reveal of Hallowtide later today. In other ArcheAge news, numerous players and Massively readers report that the free subscription time promised by Trion in compensation for launch issues is not properly triggering on their accounts. [Thanks, dirtyklingon.]
Dark Age of Camelot grants accounts free playtime for its birthday
Like its sibling Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot is currently welcoming old players back with free account time just in time for its October anniversary. Unlike UO, though, DAOC's Come Back to Camelot promotion extends to the most ancient of accounts and runs for two weeks only: All accounts that were inactive on or before September 24th, 2014 are eligible for 13 free days! Simply login to the account center, re-subscribe, and the 13 free days will be applied to your account automatically! This campaign will run until October 31st. Broadsword Online also touted a hot fix that permits a dozen previously unrollable race/class pairings. If you've ever wanted a Troll Warlock or Sylvan Champion, now is the time.
WildStar offering a free mount to players with 2-step verification
Do you have 2-step verification on your WildStar account already? The team at Carbine Studios really wants you to, since the added layer of security helps ensure that no one steals your stuff. So you're getting a little added incentive starting on July 10th -- a free bike! The Retroblade mount is free to all accounts with 2-step verification starting tomorrow, while everyone without 2-step verification will simply have to stare at your new ride with envy. Or, you know, get verified. This bonus is in addition to the existing benefits offered by the verification process, which includes a cosmetic headpiece, a title, and a 2% experience boost on all characters. Plus confidence that your account won't get stolen, which is also fun. The announcement has more details about the process if you haven't already gotten in on the verification train; all you'll need is a smartphone and a few moments to log in.
The Daily Grind: Do you share MMO accounts with your friends?
Account sharing. It's a bad idea. No, it's a terrible idea. It violates most MMO terms of service agreements, and it violates the most basic security principles: Never share your game account. Anything shared can easily be stolen or compromised by someone even less security-aware than you. But if you've been playing MMOs long enough, you've probably shared your account, at least with your spouse or your kids or roommate. And then it spreads. Your guild really needs a main tank for a dungeon run, but you want to get some grub, so you let a guildie play you. You want to dual-box a friend's newbie to catch her up while she's at work. You need someone to log in your toon and refresh your house while you're on vacation. I'm not judging you here; I'm guilty myself. Heck, before I was allowed to join my first guild way back forever ago, I was required to hand over my account info to the recruiting officer to prove I wasn't a spy! And my husband and I pretty much share our characters completely, rules be damned. Do you folks share your MMO accounts with friends, guildies, or relatives? Has it ever come back to haunt you? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
1Password for Android can now be your only account manager
For the longest time, AgileBits' 1Password for Android was just a pale shadow of its desktop and iOS counterparts. Besides the ancient interface, you couldn't add anything -- if you signed up for a service, you had to turn on another device just to put the new account behind 1Password's secure walls. As of today, though, the app has caught up. The redesigned 1Password 4 for Android has both a modern interface and true independence; you can add passwords, credit cards and other sensitive info without touching any other hardware. Data syncs like it does on other platforms (including to folders, if you dislike the cloud), and there's a built-in browser if you want to log in as quickly as possible.
