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Sukeban Games 2024 Interview: Christopher Ortiz AKA kiririn51 Talks .45 PARABELLUM BLOODHOUND, Inspirations, Fan Reactions, VA-11 Hall-A, The Silver Case, and Much More

Over the years, I’ve been able to interview some of my favorite developers ever including a few I never though …




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Google Stadia will support “a variety of business models”

But the streaming gaming revolution "is not going to happen overnight."





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HACHETTE Employees Protest New Conservative Imprint...


HACHETTE Employees Protest New Conservative Imprint...


(First column, 10th story, link)





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Innovation Works opens grant application for hardware startups

The grant program provides hardware startups with reimbursement for working with local manufacturers.




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A Warming Climate Continues to Ravage Sea Ice at Both Poles

Even as winter takes hold in the Arctic, sea ice there is growing sluggishly. In Antarctica, summer’s arrival has driven sea ice to near-record lows.




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Those strange clouds over Vancouver are called 'asperitas,' and they are very rare

The rare type of cloud, whose name is Latin for "roughness," was first observed in 2006 by an amateur cloudspotter in Iowa.



  • News/Canada/British Columbia

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J. D. Vance Is Walking a Historically Unusual Path

There are not many usable precedents for what J. D. Vance can do with a one-term vice presidency.




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xAI's Grok-2 might be available for free on X soon

Elon Musk's xAI launched its AI chatbot, Grok, at the end of 2023 and it has remained exclusively available to X (formerly Twitter) premium users since. Now, one year later, Grok is seemingly coming to free X users in select areas, TechCrunch reports

The news comes from multiple reports on X by researchers and users who spotted updates to Grok. According to X user Swak, there are stipulations to who can access Grok for free and how much they can use it. For starters, accounts need to be at least seven days old and have a phone number attached to them. Free users are also reportedly limited by how many things they can do in two hours. They can ask the Grok-2 model 10 questions and the Grok-2 mini model 20 questions within that time frame. Furthermore, free users only get three image analyses each day. 

The Grok-2 and the Grok-2 mini models are relatively new, releasing late summer of this year. Grok-2 is xAI's most advanced AI chatbot to date and pulls real-time information right from X, while the company claims the mini version "offers a balance between speed and answer quality." 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/xais-grok-2-might-be-available-for-free-on-x-soon-150004395.html?src=rss




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Waymo's driverless cars in LA County are now available to everyone

Waymo has announced expanded availability of its driverless rideshare service throughout Los Angeles. That’s right. Waymo One is now available to all customers anywhere in LA county, which is 80 square miles. The company has dropped the waitlist for area residents. Now LA residents will get to experience sitting in endless traffic with a series of cameras and navigational algos leading the way instead of a person.

This expanded service starts today and it offers “fully autonomous rides” at any time of the day or night. Let’s hear it for some drunken late night bonding with an algorithm. Waymo also says it’ll further expand the service area in the future. After all, Los Angeles comprises five counties. 

It’s been offering driverless rides to LA customers for a while now, but with a mandatory waitlist. Waymo One also started small in San Francisco and Phoenix before announcing similar expansions. The service will be coming to Austin and Atlanta in the near future.

All told, the company says over 300,000 Los Angeles residents have joined the waitlist for the service and Waymo One has completed “hundreds of thousands of paid trips across the city.” Waymo says these driverless rides are also highly rated, with an average rating of 4.7 stars out of five. A recent survey indicated that 98 percent of customers are satisfied with the service.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/waymos-driverless-cars-in-la-county-are-now-available-to-everyone-173237519.html?src=rss




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This budget Roomba robot vacuum is nearly half off ahead of Black Friday

The blackest of Fridays is nearly upon us and companies have already begun rolling out the deals to separate consumers from their bank accounts. Here’s one for a well-regarded and budget-friendly robovac. The iRobot Roomba Essential Vac is on sale for just $140, which is a discount of 44 percent. The regular price is $250.

The Essential Vac features a similar design to the iRobot Roomba 694, which topped our list of the best budget robot vacuums. This one includes a three-stage cleaning system that works on both carpet and hard floors. It features the same smart navigation system as other iRoomba vacuums, so it’ll avoid stairs and work its way around items of furniture.

Despite being a budget-friendly robovac, there are some modern flourishes. The vacuum will automatically return to the charging station when the battery runs low, which is always nice. It also integrates with the Roomba app for setting cleaning schedules and for building a custom map of the home.

The battery life sits at around two hours, which is a decent metric for the price. That should be more than enough time to thoroughly clean a medium-sized home. The major caveat here is that this is a budget robovac, so it doesn’t mop and it doesn’t ship with a large debris canister. Still, the price is right for those curious about eliminating sweeping from that to-do list.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-budget-roomba-robot-vacuum-is-nearly-half-off-ahead-of-black-friday-184426408.html?src=rss




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Le Carnet de Karine: Sylvain Croteau combat la violence dans le sport

Amoureux du sport, Sylvain Croteau a décidé de consacrer sa carrière, depuis 10 ans, à prévenir et à contrer la violence et les abus dans ce monde.




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Une victoire qui va calmer les esprits

Quel match de fou, hier après-midi, à Buffalo! Mais puisque c’est le résultat qui compte, ce n’est pas le temps de faire la gueule fine.




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Canadien 7, Sabres 5: «Les boys en avaient assez» – Martin St-Louis

Traverser une séquence de revers, ça n’a rien de plaisant. Surtout quand elle vous refoule jusqu’au dernier rang de la LNH.




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Devant ses anciens coéquipiers du CH, Shea Weber fait son entrée au Temple de la renommée

Voyez ce que l’ancien défenseur avait à dire sur son passage dans la Belle Province!




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Blitz recalls a long line of war movies going back decades, but that doesn't mean it's not relevant

Following a mother and son during the the Blitz, Nazi Germany's bombing campaign on London during the Second World War, director Steve McQueen's new drama understands the war film — perhaps a bit too well.




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27 000$ dérobés à Hydro-Québec: un avocat de Laval a volé de l’électricité pendant 14 ans

Un avocat de Laval épinglé pour son compteur d’Hydro-Québec trafiqué qui lui a fait économiser près de 27 000$ d’électricité devra payer une amende.




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Ottawa ordonne la reprise du travail aux ports de Montréal et de Québec

Le ministre du Travail, Steven MacKinnon, ordonne la reprise des activités dans les ports au pays qui sont à l’arrêt en raison de conflits de travail.




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«Ce n’est pas vrai que je n’ai rien fait»: une ex-directrice de l'école Bedford avait sonné l’alarme à propos du climat toxique

Pour la première fois, une ex-directrice de l’école Bedford explique de vive voix avoir alerté plusieurs fois ses supérieurs quant au climat toxique.




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Les Québécois insatisfaits de l’élection de Trump, selon un sondage Léger-Le Journal-TVA

À l’exception notable des électeurs conservateurs.




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Trudeau et Poilievre au coude-à-coude au Québec, selon un sondage Léger-Le Journal-TVA

Le Bloc Québécois trône toujours en tête, à 35% des intentions de vote, selon un sondage Léger-Le Journal-TVA.




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Trump va nommer Elon Musk à la tête d’un ministère de l’«efficacité gouvernementale»

Donald Trump a indiqué mardi qu’il comptait nommer Elon Musk à la tête d’un ministère nouvellement créé de l’«efficacité gouvernementale»




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Privacy commissioner launches investigation into World Anti-Doping Agency

Canada’s privacy commissioner has launched an investigation into the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and “its handling of biological samples collected from athletes.”




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James Van Der Beek en dit plus sur son cancer

James Van Der Beek s’est ouvert sur son combat contre le cancer.




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Teashop 'forced to close' by VAT rules

Small businesses say they deliberately avoid earning too much, to stop becoming liable for the sales tax and losing money.




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Moldova cleans up its act to attract foreign businesses

Deputy PM admits former Soviet state was until recently a 'highly corrupt country' - but insists things are changing fast.




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Nutrition et cancer de l’ovaire

En 2024, on estime que 3000 Canadiennes recevront un diagnostic de cancer de l’ovaire.




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Pharmaceutical water systems in transformation mode with advanced processes & shift towards analytics

Indian and multinational pharma companies are leading the charge by investing in digital transformation and aligning Indian operations with global standards. Essentially, pharmaceutical water systems are




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Union Ayush secretary to inaugurate 61st Ayurveda Seminar at Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala in Kerala on November 10

The secretary of the Union Ayush Ministry, Dr Rajesh Kotecha, will inaugurate the 61st Ayurveda Seminar organized by the Kottakkal Aryavaidyasala (Kottakkal AVS) on November 10 at Kottakkal in




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SEC recommends marketing approval for Dr Reddy's SPMS drug Siponimod tablets

The Subject Expert Committee (SEC), which advises the national drug regulator on approval of new drugs and clinical trials, has recommended grant of market authorisation for Dr Reddy's Laboratories' Siponimod




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SEC recommends approval for MSN Laboratories' sleep disorder drug

The Subject Expert Committee (SEC), which advises the national drug regulator on matters related to approval of new drugs and medical devices and clinical trials, has recommended grant of market authorisation for




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Telangana DCA warns private hospitals of stern action for illegal sale of narcotic drugs

Finding regulatory violations in two private hospitals operating in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the Telangana drugs control administration (DCA) has issued advisories to all the private hospitals in the state mandating strict obtainment of NDPS licence (NDPS Form II) from the DCA to purchase and sell NDPS drugs.




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Asahi Kasei Medical launches Planova FG1 next-generation virus removal filter

Asahi Kasei Medical has launched the Planova FG1, a next-generation virus removal filter featuring higher flux for the manufacture of biotherapeutics, in October 2024.




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Accumold showcases micromoulding innovation at Compamed

Accumold, with over 40 years of experience in micromoulding technology, is set to participate at Compamed, taking place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 11-14 November. The company will highlight its small and complex parts for medical device OEMs.




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What Made This Bizarre ‘Dandelion’ Supernova?

A strange supernova remnant first appeared as a “guest star” seen in 1181 by sky watchers in China and Japan




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Clean Energy Is Bringing Electricity to Many in the Navajo Nation

Thousands of homes in Navajo and other tribal lands don’t have access to electricity. A $200-million federal funding effort aims to fix that problem with solar power and other clean energy




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Astrology Was an Important Science for Medieval People

In medieval times, astrology was considered a serious science, a branch of astronomy. Curator Larisa Grollemond of the Getty Museum, walks us through the medieval zodiac and how someone’s sign decided their day-to-day life.




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Magnetoelectric Material Stimulates Neurons Minimally Invasively

Researchers at Rice University have developed a magnetoelectric material that converts a magnetic field into an electric field. The material can be formulated such that it can be injected into the body, near a neuron, and then an alternating magnetic field can be applied to the area from outside the body. Magnetic fields are very […]




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Available for Preorder: The 2024-25 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors

On October 8, 2024, Drug Channels Institute will release our 2024-25 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors. This report—our fifteenth edition—remains the most comprehensive, fact-based tool for understanding and analyzing the large and growing U.S. pharmaceutical distribution industry.

9 chapters, 350+ pages, 178 exhibits, 750+ endnotes: There is nothing else available that comes close to this valuable resource.

We are providing you with the opportunity to preorder this thoroughly updated, revised, and expanded 2024-25 edition at special discounted prices. This means that you can be among the first to access our new report. Those who preorder will receive a download link before October 8.
You can pay online with all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) or via PayPal. Click here to contact us if you would like to pay by corporate check or ACH.

Special preorder and launch pricing discounts will be valid through October 23, 2024.

Read on for more details.
Read more »
       




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Drug Channels News Roundup, September 2024: Inside JNJ’s Gross-to-Net Bubble, Optum Rx’s Private Label Biosimilars, Where Biosimilars Boom, Accumulators vs. Patients, and Steve Collis Retires

Autumn is here! Curl up with your favorite pumpkin-spiced blog and savor these acorns that we’ve squirrelled away for you:
  • Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicines gives a peek inside its $43 billion gross-to-net bubble
  • Optum Rx joins the private label biosimilar bandwagon
  • Biosimilars boom for provider-administered drugs
  • Fresh evidence of how copay accumulators hurt patients
Plus, words of wisdom from Cencora's soon-to-be-former CEO Steve Collis.

P.S. Join my more than 58,000 LinkedIn followers for daily links to neat stuff along with thoughtful and provocative commentary from the DCI community.

There’s still time to request an invite to the inaugural Drug Channels Leadership Forum. Attendance will be highly limited. We have already begun extending invitations, so apply now to be considered. Click here to view the full agenda.

Read more »
       




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Innovative Models for Improving Access and Visibility for Specialty-Lite and Retail Therapies

Today’s guest post comes from Timothy Nielsen, Vice President of Customer Success at AssistRx.

Timothy discusses the affordability and patient journey challenges of specialty-lite products for patients, manufacturers, and health care providers. He explains how AssistRx's Advanced Access Anywhere (AAA) solution streamlines processes for specialty-lite products and facilitates enrollment via a digital hub.

To learn more, register for AssistRx's free webinar on October 8: Meet Your Patients Where They Are & Gain Visibility: Even at Retail.

Read on for Timothy’s insights.
Read more »
       




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NOW AVAILABLE: 2024–25 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors

I am pleased to announce Drug Channels Institute's new 2024–25 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors, available for purchase and immediate download.
We’re offering special discounted pricing if you order before October 23, 2024.

2024–25 Economic Report on Pharmaceutical Wholesalers and Specialty Distributors—our 15th edition--remains the most comprehensive, fact-based tool for understanding and analyzing the large and growing U.S. pharmaceutical distribution industry. This 2024-25 edition includes substantial new material—outlined on page vii of the report overview.

9 chapters, 380+ pages, 178 exhibits, more than 750 endnotes: There is nothing else available that comes close to this valuable resource.

You can pay online with all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) or via PayPal. Click here to contact us if you would like to pay by corporate check or ACH.

Email Paula Fein (paula@drugchannels.net) if you’d like to bundle your report purchase with access to DCI’s video webinars.

If you preordered the report, you should have already received an email with download instructions last week. Please contact us if you did not receive your email.

Read on for some additional details.
Read more »
       




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FDA reopens National Forensic Chemistry Center after expansion and renovation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a photo:

Catherine Dasenbrock, director of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s National Forensic Chemistry Center, speaks to guests prior to officially reopening the center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sept. 24, 2024, celebrating the completion of the 64,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the facility in Cincinnati, Ohio. The NFCC is a specialty laboratory that serves as the FDA’s national forensic laboratory providing specialized laboratory services in analytical chemistry and molecular/microbiology related to adulteration/contamination, counterfeiting, and product tampering of FDA regulated commodities including drugs, dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, veterinary feeds, and medical devices.

FDA photo by Matthew MacRoberts




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FDA reopens National Forensic Chemistry Center after expansion and renovation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a photo:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials and General Services Administration leaders officially reopen the National Forensic Chemistry Center during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Sept. 24, 2024, highlighting the completion of the 64,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the center in Cincinnati, Ohio. The NFCC is a specialty laboratory that serves as the FDA’s national forensic laboratory providing specialized laboratory services in analytical chemistry and molecular/microbiology related to adulteration/contamination, counterfeiting, and product tampering of FDA regulated commodities including drugs, dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, veterinary feeds, and medical devices.

(From left)
Marie Maguire, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Headquarters Operations, Office of Criminal Investigations, FDA
James Sigg, Deputy Commissioner for Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Commissioner, FDA
Catherine Dasenbrock, Director, National Forensic Chemistry Center, Office of Inspections and Investigations (OII), FDA
Duane Satzger, Associate Director, Office of Medical Products and Specialty Laboratory Operations, OII, FDA
Katy Kale, Deputy Administrator, GSA
Douglas Stearn, Principal Deputy Associate Commissioner, OII, FDA

FDA photo by Matthew MacRoberts




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FDA reopens National Forensic Chemistry Center after expansion and renovation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a photo:

Scientists explain the work they do to guests attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a 64,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s National Forensic Chemistry Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2024.

The NFCC is a specialty laboratory that serves as the FDA’s national forensic laboratory providing specialized laboratory services in analytical chemistry and molecular/microbiology related to adulteration/contamination, counterfeiting, and product tampering of FDA regulated commodities including drugs, dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, veterinary feeds, and medical devices.

FDA photo by Matthew MacRoberts




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FDA reopens National Forensic Chemistry Center after expansion and renovation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a photo:

Scientists explain the work they do to guests attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a 64,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s National Forensic Chemistry Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2024.

The NFCC is a specialty laboratory that serves as the FDA’s national forensic laboratory providing specialized laboratory services in analytical chemistry and molecular/microbiology related to adulteration/contamination, counterfeiting, and product tampering of FDA regulated commodities including drugs, dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, veterinary feeds, and medical devices.

FDA photo by Matthew MacRoberts




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FDA reopens National Forensic Chemistry Center after expansion and renovation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a photo:

Scientists explain the work they do to guests attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of a 64,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s National Forensic Chemistry Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2024.

The NFCC is a specialty laboratory that serves as the FDA’s national forensic laboratory providing specialized laboratory services in analytical chemistry and molecular/microbiology related to adulteration/contamination, counterfeiting, and product tampering of FDA regulated commodities including drugs, dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, veterinary feeds, and medical devices.

FDA photo by Matthew MacRoberts




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A Salmon on Every Plate/The Hard Road of Innovation

Chicken was once an expensive delicacy. In 1928, America’s quest for a better diet and a better standard of living was summarized by the campaign promise of “a chicken in every pot.” Today, chicken is a ubiquitous, low-cost source of protein, which we largely take for granted. Despite depletion of ocean-based stocks, fish hold similar potential. To begin this transformation, FDA must approve a scientifically-based innovative product—a faster growing genetically-engineered (GE) Atlantic salmon. When FDA Matters wrote about this subject 18 months ago, I believed the agency was near to approval of this first-ever food product from a GE animal. It is still not resolved and there are implications for all innovations that require FDA approval.




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Minnesota Becomes 18th State to Adopt Consumer Data Privacy Law

On May 24, Governor Tim Walz signed into law Minnesota’s new comprehensive data privacy law, the Minnesota Consumer Data Privacy Act (HF 4757 referenced as the MCDPA). The MCDPA goes into effect on July 31, 2025, with some exceptions for colleges and universities (who have until 2029). The MCDPA is similar to other state privacy laws, […]




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NY Passes Two Kids Privacy Bills to Restrict Access to Addictive Algorithmic Feeds

The New York legislature passed two bills on June 7, 2024 directed at children’s use of online technologies – the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act (S7694) that restricts access to addictive algorithmic feeds and the New York Child Data Protection Act (S7695) that bans sites from collecting, using, sharing or selling personal […]