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Netflix wants to win over families with Netflix Playground, a brand new standalone gaming app built specifically for kids 8 and under. There are no ads, no in-app purchases, and no extra fees on top of your existing Netflix membership. It is currently live in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, the Philippines, and New Zealand, with a worldwide rollout set for April 28.
What can kids actually do on Netflix Playground?
You download the app on a phone or tablet, sign in with your Netflix account, and kids get instant access to a growing library of games featuring characters they already love. Peppa Pig, Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Storybots, Horton, and more appear across various activities.
Kids can care for guinea pigs and make smoothies in the Peppa Pig game, practice memory matching and connect-the-dots with Sesame Street characters, explore cause-and-effect play with Horton, or make a “fart-filled song” using a turntable in the Bad Dinosaurs game.
Every game is instantly playable and works offline too, which makes it genuinely useful for long trips without a strong internet connection.
What else is Netflix bringing for kids?
Beyond the app, Netflix also announced a new preschool animated series called Young MacDonald, created by Gabrielle Meyer of Ada Twist, Scientist fame. The show follows Mac, Old MacDonald’s grandson, as he tends to his farm with a pig named Dumpling.
Trash Truck and The Creature Cases also got renewed for additional seasons, and a packed slate of returning favorites, including CoComelon Lane, Ms. Rachel, Mark Rober’s CrunchLabs, Sesame Street, and Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, is coming through summer 2026.
Netflix’s gaming efforts haven’t taken off the way the company hoped, partly because it has fewer iconic franchises than rivals like Disney+. Focusing on kids’ content helps close that gap, and families with young children are simply less likely to cancel their subscriptions.

There’s a certain comfort in downloading an app that millions of others already use. If it’s trending, topping charts, and splashed across your feed, it must be safe… right? Not quite.
A new warning from the FBI suggests that some of the most popular apps on your smartphone — yes, the ones you casually installed during a late-night scroll — could be quietly collecting far more data than you ever intended to share. And the concern isn’t limited to one country. It’s global, messy, and a lot closer to home than it sounds.
The problem isn’t the app — it’s where it comes from
The FBI’s latest public service announcement doesn’t name and shame specific apps. That would be nearly impossible, given how quickly app charts change. It points to a much broader concern: foreign-developed apps, particularly those tied to jurisdictions with expansive national security laws.
Take China, for example. Its legal framework includes provisions that can compel companies to cooperate with national intelligence efforts. That outright means app developers may be required to share user data if asked. Individually, that might sound like a distant, abstract concern. But collectively, across millions of users and devices, it becomes something far more tangible. Even without an official list, it doesn’t take much to connect the dots. Widely used apps like CapCut, Temu, SHEIN, Lemon8, and even TikTok (and its lighter variants) are often part of this broader discussion. Many of these dominate download charts across both Android and iOS.
As for the permissions, let’s be very honest, nobody reads them. You install an app, it asks for access to contacts, storage, maybe your microphone, and you tap Allow without a second thought. It’s practically muscle memory at this point. But according to the FBI, that’s exactly where things start to unravel. Once permissions are granted, apps can continuously collect data — not just once, but persistently. And that data can include:
– Your contact list
– Email addresses and phone numbers
– Physical addresses
– Device identifiers and user IDs
This is technically the social map of who you know, how you connect, and who you might target next.
Your contacts aren’t just yours anymore
Some apps encourage you to “invite friends” or sync your contacts. But behind the scenes, this can mean entire address books getting uploaded and stored. In some cases, developers openly state that this data may be stored on servers overseas — including in China — for as long as they deem necessary. Now, the most concerning part is that some apps won’t function unless you agree to these terms. So the choice isn’t really a choice. There’s also the risk of malware hidden inside seemingly legitimate apps. It can exploit vulnerabilities in your phone, bypass standard permissions, and install backdoors for deeper system access. This is about potential unauthorized access beyond what you agreed to. And once that door is open, closing it isn’t always straightforward.
It’s easy to presume iPhones are safer. And to an extent, Apple’s tighter ecosystem does reduce certain risks, especially compared to Android’s sideloading flexibility. But safer doesn’t mean safe. iOS apps can still request excessive permissions, store data externally, and operate within the same global frameworks that raise these concerns.
So, what are you actually supposed to do?
The FBI isn’t asking you to delete half your apps overnight. But it is nudging users toward a bit more awareness; something most of us conveniently ignore. A few simple habits can go a long way:
– Check permissions before installing (yes, actually check them)
– Avoid apps that demand unnecessary access.
– Limit contact syncing unless absolutely needed.
– Review privacy settings after installation.
– Be cautious with apps from unfamiliar developers.
Smartphones have become extensions of ourselves: holding our conversations, relationships, routines, and even identities. Apps are the gateways to that world. And while they make life easier, faster, and infinitely more entertaining, they also come with trade-offs that are rarely visible upfront. The FBI’s warning isn’t telling you to abandon your favorite apps. All it’s asking you to do is pay attention.

Indoor wireless is hitting limits as more devices crowd the same spectrum. Streaming, video calls, and smart home gear are pushing networks harder while power use rises. A new class of laser chips offers a different path by moving data onto light.
Researchers built a chip-scale optical link that delivers ultra-fast indoor connections with lower energy use. Instead of broadcasting signals widely, it sends data through controlled infrared beams, opening more usable capacity while avoiding interference in dense spaces.
At the core is a chip with 25 microscopic lasers, each carrying its own stream. Working in parallel, they push throughput far beyond a single source. In testing, the setup reached more than 360 gigabits per second across a short indoor link.
The gains are not just speed. Power use drops significantly, offering a more efficient way to handle rising demand.
Laser array proves the speed
Performance comes from a 5 by 5 array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers, each acting as its own high-speed channel.
In tests over two meters, individual lasers delivered about 13 to 19 gigabits per second. With 21 active channels, total throughput reached 362.7 gigabits per second, among the fastest chip-scale optical results so far.
The limit came from the receiver hardware, not the transmitter, suggesting higher speeds are possible with better components.
A custom optical setup also shapes each beam into a defined square, limiting overlap so multiple links can run side by side without interference.
Why light changes the equation
Radio networks struggle in crowded spaces where signals interfere and capacity gets stretched. Light avoids those limits by offering more bandwidth and precise control over where signals go.
Instead of blanketing a room, the system creates a grid of targeted beams with minimal spillover. Measurements show uniform coverage across the target area, helping maintain stable performance for multiple devices.
The setup runs at about 1.4 nanojoules per bit, roughly half that of comparable Wi-Fi systems. The tradeoff is range, as the current setup works over short distances and depends on line of sight.
Where this goes next
This approach is meant to complement existing networks by offloading heavy traffic in high-demand indoor spaces.
The hardware fits on a sub-millimeter chip built with standard processes, making integration into fixtures or access points plausible, though no commercial timeline is given.
As demand rises, combining radio and light-based links could become standard, with laser systems handling the heaviest traffic.

Virtual Verum Finance cards can be linked to Apple Pay and Google Pay, giving users seamless access to in-store payments, online shopping, hotel bookings, flight purchases, and more worldwide.

The cards work globally, enabling payments without geographic limitations while providing a high level of security and full control directly within the app.

Issuing a card takes just a few minutes and does not require switching to third-party services — the entire process is handled within Verum Messenger.

Users get a unified solution for communication and finance: from messaging to managing payments and digital assets in one application.

Download Verum Messenger, get your Verum Finance card, and start using it today.

The team behind Verum Messenger has announced a new update, introducing a full-featured macOS version of the application.

The launch of the Mac version marks a significant step in the platform’s development, enabling users to access Verum Messenger not only on mobile devices but also on desktop environments.

The macOS version ensures seamless synchronization across devices while maintaining the platform’s core principles: security, stability, and independence.

Unified Digital Experience

With the release of the macOS version, users can now:

— communicate on a larger screen
— manage chats and files more efficiently
— use the messenger in a full desktop environment
— access core features without limitations

This is particularly valuable for users who rely on messaging platforms for both communication and professional use.

Expanding Capabilities

Verum Messenger continues to evolve into a multifunctional platform combining:

— secure communication
— financial tools (Verum Finance)
— digital asset operations, including Tether
— investment features such as Verum Gold

Toward a Full Ecosystem

The macOS release reflects Verum Messenger’s strategy to become a universal digital platform available across all major devices.

According to the team, the goal is to provide users with continuous access to communication and financial services regardless of device or environment.

Verum Messenger continues to build technologies focused on security, usability, and global accessibility.

In the age of digital transformation, protecting personal data has become a top priority for internet users. Email remains one of the primary communication tools, yet it is often one of the most vulnerable points in terms of security. Against this backdrop, privacy-focused solutions are gaining momentum — and Verum Mail is one of them.

What is Verum Mail

Verum Mail is a modern email service designed with a strong focus on security, privacy, and user experience. The platform provides a protected environment for communication, reducing the risks of data breaches and unauthorized access.

Key Features

One of Verum Mail’s core strengths is its use of advanced encryption technologies. This ensures that only the sender and recipient can access the contents of an email — not even the platform itself.

In addition, Verum Mail follows a strict data minimization policy. Unlike traditional email providers, it does not use user data for advertising or tracking purposes.

The service also offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it suitable for both individuals and businesses.

Why It Matters

With the growing number of cyber threats and data leaks, users are becoming increasingly aware of their digital privacy. Verum Mail provides a solution that balances strong security with everyday usability.

Outlook

Privacy-first services are shaping the future of digital communication. Verum Mail demonstrates that secure email can be both reliable and accessible to a wide audience.

The Swiss service Proton Mail, which positions itself as highly private and secure, provided Swiss authorities with the payment data associated with the account defendtheatlantaforest@protonmail.com. The Swiss authorities then shared this information with the Federal Bureau of Investigation under a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) request. This was reported by 404 Media in March 2026.

The account is listed as the primary contact for the Stop Cop City / Defend the Atlanta Forest movement — a protest initiative opposing the construction of a police training center in the Atlanta forest. Using the payment data (card identifier), investigators were able to determine the real identity of the account holder. At the time of publication, the person had not been charged with any crimes.

Proton emphasizes that:
• the data was provided only to Swiss authorities, not directly to the FBI;
• the company operates strictly under Swiss law;
• when payments are made with cryptocurrency or cash, such data does not arise at all.

However, using a regular bank card leaves a trace that can be disclosed under a court request.

Key takeaways

Proton’s promise — Reality when paying by card

Strong Swiss legal protection
Switzerland fulfills U.S. MLAT requests

Minimal metadata
A payment token is also metadata

End-to-end encryption
The request specifically targeted payment data

For those who need true anonymity from U.S. government agencies and their allies, Proton Mail paid with a bank card is not the best option.

The only email service that, as of 2026, truly does not collect and cannot disclose any identifying data is Verum Mail (verum.email). No registration, no payments, no user database, and no logs that could be handed over under MLAT. 

Proton remains a good solution against corporate surveillance and mass profiling. But against a targeted investigation requesting payment data, it is far from being the “last line of defense.”

True anonymity begins with completely removing any links to a real identity — including the method of payment.