Latest news with #GoogleMaps
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
After Meta, Google moves to restrict under-18 users from accessing inappropriate content
Google has begun the limited rollout of new age assurance technology in the United States, part of its broader plan to better protect underage users across its platforms. The initiative, announced earlier this year, is being tested with a small group of users before a potential wider implementation. The system is designed to distinguish between users over and under the age of 18 in order to offer more appropriate digital experiences for minors. This includes default safeguards such as restrictions on content, limited advertising exposure, and blocked access to adult-only apps on the Play Store. In cases where a user is identified as underage, Google says it will automatically activate features aimed at digital wellbeing, including break and bedtime reminders on YouTube, restrictions on repetitive content, and the disabling of location history features such as Timeline in Google Maps. The company explained that its approach combines machine learning-based age estimation with verification measures. If a user is flagged as under 18 and believes this is an error, they can choose to submit identification documents or a selfie to verify their actual age. According to Google, the technology analyses existing account signals, such as search history or the types of YouTube videos watched, to estimate a user's age. The process, the company claims, does not involve gathering new data or sharing detailed information across other websites or apps. The move follows similar measures taken in other regions where the technology has already been trialled. Google says it will observe the initial US rollout closely before expanding the programme further. While the system is intended to strengthen online safety for children and teenagers, the rollout raises ongoing questions around digital privacy, surveillance, and the balance between protection and user autonomy, claims the American tech giant. Google says the effort is part of a larger framework that includes enhanced parental controls via Family Link and dedicated platforms such as YouTube Kids. However, critics have previously raised concerns about the effectiveness and transparency of algorithm-driven age detection systems.
AFP
3 hours ago
- General
- AFP
Photo shows earthquake in Japan in 2024, not from recent Russian jolt
"Let's pray for Russia earthquake. The earthquake in their area was very strong, 8.7. Poor little children," reads a Facebook post written in a combination of Visayan and English and was shared on July 30, 2025. It also shares a photo of a group of people congregating in an area with the ground severely damaged. Image Screenshot of the false post taken on July 31, 2024, with the red X mark added by AFP Several other users on Facebook shared the same claim the day a magnitude 8.8 quake struck off Petropavlovsk on Russia's remote Kamchatka peninsula and was one of the 10 biggest recorded, according to the US Geological Survey (archived link). More than a dozen nations -- from Japan to the United States to Ecuador -- warned citizens to stay away from coastal regions, but later said they could return after fears of a catastrophe were not realised (archived link). Russia also lifted the the quake and tsunami spared the sparsely populated far east from casualties and major damage (archived link). The circulating photo, however, shows a different quake. Reverse image searches on Google led to a news report that Japanese news agency Kyodo News published on January 2, 2024 (archived link). The photo's caption indicates that it was taken in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, after a strong earthquake struck central Japan on New Year's Day. Image Screenshot comparison of the false post (L) and the 2024 photo published by Kyodo News It was Japan's deadliest earthquake in over a decade, claiming nearly 470 lives (archived link). Around half the victims were killed in the disaster itself, which brought tsunami waves and sparked a huge fire in Wajima's city centre, burning down a historic market. The rest perished later, as hundreds of aftershocks and cold weather compounded stress for survivors, including 40,000 people -- many elderly -- evacuated to shelters in school gyms and community centres. Other news outlets such as The Los Angeles Times and France24 also published the same photo on January 1, 2024 (archived here and here). Subsequent keyword searches on Google geolocated the photo to Wajima Junior High School in Japan's Ishikawa Prefecture (archived link). A Google Maps street view image of the school shows the identical grey building from the false posts. Image Screenshot comparison of the false post (L) and the Google Maps Street View of Wajima Junior High School AFP has repeatedly debunked misinformation triggered by disasters such as earthquakes.
AFP
3 hours ago
- Climate
- AFP
Old video from S.Africa falsely linked to Russia mega-quake
"A powerful tsunami hits Russia, sea waves over 13 feet high enter Russia," reads a Sinhala-language Facebook post shared hours after the 8.8 magnitude jolt struck off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka peninsula (archived link). The tremor was the region's strongest since 1952, the regional seismic monitoring service said. Storm surges of up to four metres (12 feet) were predicted for some parts of the Pacific with more than a dozen nations -- from Japan to the United States to Ecuador -- evacuating citizens from coastal regions. The warnings were later lifted, allowing millions of temporary evacuees to return home. The only reported fatality was a woman killed when her car fell off a cliff in Japan as she tried to escape, local media reported. The post featured a video of waves crashing onto the shore as people flee from the beach. Image Screenshot of the Facebook post taken on July 31, 2025, with a red X added by AFP Similar posts were also shared by users from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines but the footage does not show a tsunami hitting Russia. A reverse image search on Google surfaced multiple YouTube posts sharing the clip in March 2017 (archived here and here). The posts say it shows a beach in the coastal city of Durban. Image Screenshot comparison of the false post (left) and the original video Local media outlets eNCA and Southlands Sun reported that the beaches were closed due to the high tides at the time (archived here and here). Using details from the news reports, AFP was able to confirm the location of the video by comparing it with Google Maps street imagery of a beach in Durban.
Fast Company
4 hours ago
- Fast Company
City planning without permission
When I worked as a corporate consultant, I had access to all sorts of enterprise software packages that would've been cost-prohibitive to most people, but that didn't stop me from trying out free programs. Especially if it meant I could dabble in someone else's area of expertise without getting permission for a software seat license. If you're an armchair urbanist or moonlight as a community activist, you know how important it is to maximize your impact with limited time. I've been there, I'm still there, and I can help. There's a treasure trove of free web tools online related to urbanism. I don't know of anyone using all of these all the time, but I use some of these every week. Use these resources to demonstrate expertise in your amateurbanism work. 'Amateurbanism' is not a dig at people who aren't working professionally in planning, design, or engineering. As someone who gets paid to plan and implement great street networks for all ages and abilities, I want amateur urbanists to be equipped for conversations and presentations about creating happy, healthy communities. Google Maps Many earthlings have used Google products, and the satellite views and street views are great ways to ground a conversation about project sites and travel routes. I find that a lot of people don't realize Google Maps has drawing tools, so you can illustrate proposed locations for community gardens, protected bike lanes, festival street closure areas, etc. This is ideal for location-based projects. Google Earth Google Earth brings in the 3D visualization of terrain and buildings. You can model things like where a new playground structure could fit in a park, granny flat additions in backyards, or simulate the changes brought by a proposed rezoning. The measurements also help with space planning. OpenStreetMap Anyone can add overlooked details like accessibility obstacles, safety concerns, parking availability, EV charging infrastructure, and much more to OpenStreetMap. This is a great tool to engage your email list, organization members, or friends. Your team can generate maps that reflect your knowledge and pro-community bias. Envision Tomorrow This is a scenario planning tool funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It models the impacts of growth and development scenarios on factors like land consumption, transportation habits, greenhouse gases, and affordability. If you're comfortable with Google Maps, you'll be fine here. You might use Envision Tomorrow to analyze or critique a zoning ordinance, downtown revitalization plan, or transportation plan. Walk Score You've probably heard of the site that evaluates neighborhood walkability based on proximity to everyday destinations. (They also include bike and transit scores.) This helps assess site accessibility when reviewing development proposals to advocate for community needs like locating affordable housing near transit. But it's also a great conversation starter at a county or city level. Realtors love this reference and so should you. Streetmix Streetmix is collaborative street design between residents and city planners. You can model traffic-calming measures, sidewalk expansions, and storefront space. If it's a great neighborhood street idea, it's designable in Streetmix. highway lighting versus pedestrian lighting sharrows versus bike lanes multiuse paths versus sidewalk–bike lane combos right-sized vehicle lanes versus deadly-sized vehicle lanes I can't overhype Streetmix. They make it shockingly simple to expose the silliness of Departments of Transportation (DOTs) while inspiring alternatives to the same old junk infrastructure. Canva Canva turns you into a professional designer. Their templates, graphics, and text options are more than you'll ever need for slide decks, reports, social media content, and memes. Use Canva for outreach campaigns, events, ideas, and causes. In fact, stop reading this post, open Canva, and make something. SketchUp SketchUp is a powerful 3D modeling tool, but does have a learning curve. I've seen it used for park proposals and streetscape ideas for public meetings. But my favorite is when developers use it to illustrate the not-too-scary density of commercial buildings and multifamily housing. UrbanSim If you're comfortable with GitHub and coding, then UrbanSim might be a playground for you. The models begin with detailed data about a region, and then estimate and validate interconnected model components. Public agencies and consultants use this to model how land use policies and transportation changes could impact housing affordability, environmental sustainability, traffic patterns over time, and more. The core platform is open source. It's a higher learning curve, but I thought it was worth including.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
From Cravings to Clicks: How AI Is Redesigning the Way We Eat Out
The AI Appetite: Eating in the Era of Algorithms Voice, Vision, and Conversational Dining How Diners Can Leverage AI Live Events Restaurant Owners: It's Time to Adapt or Fade Out Traditional searching is no more. Discovery platforms with AI power, such as Google Maps Yelp , and OpenTable, now employ machine learning to find out not only what individuals consume, but where, when, and why they consume it. These platforms interlink location information, behavioural trends, weather, calendar links, and even mood (through biometric wearables or prompts) to suggest the ideal venue at the optimal the digital-first world we live in today, the decision to go out for a meal begins far earlier than when the food lands on the table, but it begins with information. AI is quick to automate how we find, weigh up, and interact with restaurants. From food delivery apps , voice commands, to hyper-personalized suggestions, AI systems are learning what we want before we isn't about convenience, but it's a strategic transformation of how food experiences are found and served. AI is scanning everything from user feedback and social sentiment on social media to dietary needs and previous orders, building a tailored dining experience around your decisions are becoming conversational with AI helpers such as Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Users can now utter, "I need a romantic Italian place with veg options close to Juhu" and receive clever, apt suggestions on the the visual side, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are using AI to push food content based on your viewing history, location, and even facial expressions during engagement. Your next dinner inspiration might come from a 15-second video the algorithm knew you'd you are a diner, begin by activating AI-driven recommendations within your apps. Utilize tools such as OpenTable, ChatGPT-concierge service, or AI chatbots integrated into Google Maps to receive customized outcomes. Seed the algorithm with your tastes—post reliable reviews, use filters carefully, and interact with content expressing your to dive deeper? Give apps such as Crave AI or Tastewise a try that utilize AI for analyzing menus and offering suggestions based on diet, mood, and local trending you're on the opposite side of the plate, not leveraging AI in your operations is lost potential. From intelligent pricing and forecasting inventory to chatbot reservations and customized email marketing—AI can bring customer experience and operational effectiveness to a higher integrating with AI-driven recommendation platforms brings your restaurant to the top of the search list—for the right consumer at the right isn't only suggesting restaurants, but it's redefining the way we interact with food. In a data-driven world and an age of personalization, the smartest thing to do when dining out is to allow AI to guide the process. You're a diner or a business, and the tools are ready.
