ArtStation is hiding images protesting AI art on the platform

“No AI Art” images posted by artists started to dominate the trending section of ArtStation following the platform's refusal to ban AI-generated artwork. | Image: @joysilvart

Art platform ArtStation is removing images protesting AI-generated art from its homepage, claiming that the content violates its Terms of Service. Members of the ArtStation community have been protesting after AI-generated art began appearing on the platform in early December. Protestors are concerned that AI-generated art is derivative of the labor of human artists and often uses their work without attribution or compensation.

In a statement about the removals posted to Twitter, ArtStation said: “For site usability, we are moderating posts that violate our Terms of Service. We understand concerns about AI and its impact on the industry. We will share more about improvements to give users more control over what they see and how they use...

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Meta agrees to pay $725 million to settle Cambridge Analytica class action lawsuit

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Facebook’s parent company Meta has agreed to pay $725 million to settle a years-long class action lawsuit triggered by disclosures in 2018 that the company shared user data with consulting firm Cambridge Analytica that was used for political advertising.

The settlement (which can be read in full here, via Reuters) does not include an admission of wrongdoing on Meta’s part, and will still have to be approved by federal judges in the Northern District of California, reports CNBC. The settlement document states that the $725 million fee is the largest ever in a data privacy class action case, as well as the most Facebook has ever paid to resolve a class action lawsuit.

The lawsuit was originally prompted by the Cambridge Analytica scandal,...

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Twitter says paying Blue subscribers now get ‘prioritized rankings in conversations’

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Twitter has updated its list of features for Twitter Blue, saying subscribers paying for the $8-a-month service will now get “prioritized rankings in conversations” and the ability to upload videos up to 60 minutes in length.

Twitter owner Elon Musk has long promised to make Twitter Blue users more visible on the site. In November he said subscribers would get “Priority in replies, mentions & search, which is essential to defeat spam/scam,” and earlier this month the company repeated this promise, saying Twitter Blue will offer ”priority ranking in search, mentions, and replies.”

“This feature prioritizes your replies on Tweets that you interact with.”

An update to the company’s Twitter Blue support page (spotted by TechCrunch; compare...

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Microsoft and Activision Blizzard: the latest news on the acquisition

A screenshot from Call of Duty: Warzone, Activision Blizzard’s free-to-play FPS game. | Image: Activision

Everything you need to know about gaming’s biggest acquisition yet

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Elon Musk bought Twitter, and here’s everything that happened next

Laura Normand / The Verge

Elon Musk is now the owner, CEO, and sole director of Twitter. His “Twitter 2.0” era has so far included mass layoffs and rapidly changing policy decisions.

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Crypto collapse: FTX’s fall is one piece of a long, cold, contagious crypto winter

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

FTX is just the latest company facing an uncertain future as cryptocurrency values drop, revealing flaws in risky financial strategies that fueled the recent crypto and NFT boom.

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FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried is back in the US, released on $250 million bail

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Manhattan Federal Court after his arraignment and bail hearings on December 22, 2022 in New York City. | Photo by David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Now that Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) is back in the US, he has been released from federal custody. The New York Times and CNBC report the co-founder of the failed and allegedly fraudulent cryptocurrency exchange FTX was released on $250 million bail, secured by his parent’s home, ahead of his trial on eight criminal charges he faces, in addition to civil suits filed by the SEC and CFTC.

Prosecutors say billions in customer and investor funds are missing, accusing a small circle of insiders at FTX and Bankman-Fried’s crypto hedge fund, Alameda Research, of misusing the money for themselves from the very start of their operation.

First page of Sam Bankman-Fried’s $250 million Appearance Bond, secured by his parent’s home in...

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Read Microsoft’s response to the FTC’s Activision Blizzard lawsuit

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Microsoft has filed its response to the lawsuit filed by the US Federal Trade Commission to block the company’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In the 37-page document, which you can read in full below, Microsoft argues its case for why its $68.7 billion acquisition should go through — it also defends its acquisition of Bethesda owner ZeniMax, while admitting that it’s planning to make three future titles from the company exclusive to Xbox and PC.

Those games aren’t named, though Microsoft has basically announced that The Elder Scrolls VI will only be available on its platforms, and confirmed Starfield will be exclusive.

Microsoft’s filing pushes back against the FTC’s concerns in general, and also addresses the regulator’s...

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Microsoft says three future Bethesda games will be Xbox-exclusive

Image: Microsoft

We knew Microsoft would make Bethesda’s Starfield exclusive to Xbox and PC, and it sure looked like The Elder Scrolls VI would skip PlayStation and Nintendo, too. But now, Microsoft’s lawyers are revealing that they’ve got eyes on at least one more exclusive title — there are three future Xbox exclusives from Bethesda, they revealed today, in a response to the FTC’s lawsuit against the Activision Blizzard deal.

“Xbox anticipates that three future titles — REDACTED — all of which are designed to be played primarily alone or in small groups — will be exclusive to Xbox and PCs,” reads a passage in Microsoft’s response.

Here’s the surrounding context, so you can see for yourself:

What might that third game be? Well, B...

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Hackers stole encrypted LastPass password vaults, and we’re just now hearing about it

Pictured: the encrypted vault with your passwords. | Illustration by Beatrice Sala

LastPass has a doozy of an updated announcement about a recent data breach: the company — which promises to keep all your passwords in one, secure place — is now saying that hackers were able to “copy a backup of customer vault data,” meaning they theoretically now have access to all those passwords if they can crack the stolen vaults (via TechCrunch).

If you have an account you use to store passwords and login information on LastPass, or you used to have one and hadn’t deleted it before this fall, your password vault may be in hackers’ hands. Still, the company claims you might be safe if you have a strong master password and its most recent default settings. However, if you have a weak master password or less security, the company...

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Tesla’s Full Self-Driving is blamed for eight-car pileup in California

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

A Tesla driver is blaming Full Self-Driving software for having caused an eight-car pileup in the Yerba Buena Tunnel in California last month, according to a police report obtained by CNN Business.

According to the December 7th report obtained by CNN Business, California Highway Patrol (CHP) reviewed tunnel footage and found that a Tesla made an unsafe lane change before abruptly slowing down from 55 mph to 20 mph — causing vehicles behind it to crash into one another.

In the report, the driver of the Tesla blamed the automaker’s Full Self-Driving software that allegedly malfunctioned and caused a sudden slowdown. The Thanksgiving incident left nine people with minor injuries, including one child that was hospitalized.

California Highway...

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How to take control of macOS notifications

Illustration by Samar Haddad / The Verge

Are you annoyed by how quickly the macOS notification banners that appear in the upper-right corner of the screen disappear? Has it ever annoyed someone you know? Is that person so frustrated with macOS notifications and multitasking that they write an 826-word attack against the preferred platform of many of their Verge colleagues?

Well, maybe I can help you make it a bit less annoying. All it takes is deciding which app notifications you’d like to keep on-screen, which you want to hide automatically, and which you’d prefer to only show up as a red badge on your dock.

A note: for these directions, I used a Mac loaded with macOS Ventura. If you have macOS Monterey or older, your directions and screens may be slightly different.

N...

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Tesla’s in-car navigation will get friendlier to non-Superchargers

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Tesla’s Superchargers have been the most convenient charging network for owners of its electric cars, but this week, the automaker announced it will begin to better integrate other compatible fast charging networks as well.

Non-Tesla fast charging stations that meet certain criteria over a 60-day period, like an excellent charge success rate, could be whitelisted as what the company calls a “Qualified Third-Party Charger.” Once designated by Tesla, the station would thereby be bestowed as such into Tesla’s built-in navigation system.

Your in-car navigation now includes more qualified third-party chargers across Europe and Israel.

Read more → https://t.co/vQQu9M3NrD

— Tesla Charging (@TeslaCharging) December 21, 2022

The program is...

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TikTok’s parent company reportedly accessed US journalists’ data

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

An internal investigation at ByteDance found that several employees accessed TikTok data for two US journalists and a “small number” of other people connected to them, according to internal emails obtained by The New York Times. That data reportedly included the reporters’ IP addresses, which were used to see if they had been nearby ByteDance employees in an attempt to figure out who was leaking documents and information to the press.

The report is the latest in a series of investigations that have turned up evidence of ByteDance employees in China having access to American TikTok users’ data and is coming out during a time when lawmakers are making moves to restrict the app. It also represents ByteDance walking back denials that it’s...

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See inside your Steam Deck with JSAUX’s $30 transparent backplate

JSAUX’s Steam Deck transparent backplate. | Image: JSAUX

JSAUX might sound like just another alphabet soup electronics brand, but it’s quickly developed a reputation as the foremost accessory vendor for the Steam Deck — and today, it’s announced what (I’m fairly sure!) is the very first transparent shell for the system.

And you know how we love our transparent gadgets here at The Verge.

The $30 JSAUX PC0106 Transparent Back Plate for Steam Deck isn’t a full shell, as it just covers (slash exposes) the rear half of the PC gaming portable. But that’s not all you get for your 30 bucks. It also comes with three sets of back buttons, at least one of which is taller than the originals for a longer throw. (It’s not clear whether they’ll help with the stiff press, but the image below gives me hope.)

...

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New NY state law takes aim at warehouse work quotas like the ones Amazon uses

Image: Shutterstock

Yesterday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Warehouse Worker Protection Act (WWPA), which protects warehouse distribution workers from undisclosed or unlawful work speed quotas. In addition to protecting warehouse workers from unreasonably demanding work quotas, the law will require distribution centers to inform workers of their performance and rights in the workplace.

While the law doesn’t target Amazon specifically, its authors say it was designed to address the management practices and quotas that the e-commerce giant places on its employees, which has often been criticized for the dehumanizing expectations placed on its warehouse workers.

The WWPA follows a similar law that was passed in California last September (AB-701)...

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Here’s what’s driving the frigid storm that’s messing up holiday plans across the US

Miguel Salazar clears sidewalks of Sherman St. in Denver, Colorado, on Thursday, December 22nd, 2022. | Photo by Hyoung Chang / The Denver Post

Frigid temperatures are expected to sting two-thirds of the continental US this week as a powerful storm system races eastward. The timing couldn’t be worse, hitting right before the holidays, when many Americans are planning to travel. Those journeys — and evenjust being outside in some of the hardest-hit regions — may become treacherous as brutal cold blankets the country.

“What better way to kick off the official start of astronomical winter than with numerous winter weather hazards impacting a majority of the Nation,” a National Weather Service (NWS) forecast said early Wednesday. This morning, the NWS updated its forecast to warn of “widespread disruptive and potentially crippling impacts across the central and eastern United...

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Fans can sue over trailer that featured a cut character, says court

Himesh Patel in Yesterday | Image: Tribeca Film Festival

A trailer for Danny Boyle’s film Yesterday might count as false advertising for including a character — played by Ana de Armas — who was cut from the film. As reported by Variety yesterday, a California court is allowing parts of a lawsuit against Universal City Studios to proceed over Universal’s objections. The ruling finds trailers are commercial speech advertising the content of a film and not, as Universal argued, artistic expression that receives full First Amendment protections.

Ana de Armas was originally part of a love triangle in Yesterday, a romantic comedy about a man who wakes up in a world where The Beatles never existed, then shoots to superstardom by appropriating their songs. According to CinemaBlend,she was cut because...

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The new trailer for That ‘90s Show brings back some old friends

Topher Grace and Laura Prepon in That ‘90s Show. | Image: Netflix

When Netflix first unveiled its sequel to That ‘70s Show, the focus was primarily on the new cast of kids hanging out in Red and Kitty’s basement. But in the first full trailer for That ‘90s Show, we also get a glimpse at some key returning faces: Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama, who will all be reprising their roles in guest appearances.

The new show is set in 1995 and follows Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), Eric and Donna’s kid, as she spends a summer with her grandparents and meets a new crew of friends along the way. Naturally, Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) is excited to have the house full of kids again, while Red (Kurtwood Smith) is less than enthused. Just as important, there appears to be an...

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YouTube’s NFL Sunday Ticket deal is a brilliant move for its subscription future

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

The “pick me! pick me!” bidding war for NFL Sunday Ticket has finally come to an end, and YouTube won big. The company announced a “multi-year” deal that will see it carry Sunday Ticket both standalone (as a YouTube Primetime Channel) and through YouTube TV. It’s a massive score for YouTube, which successfully fended off Big Tech rivals like Apple to land the deal, and a pivotal moment as live sports continue their transition away from traditional cable — DirecTV is the soon-to-be-former Sunday Ticket rights holder — in favor of major streaming platforms.

In one fell swoop, Google has solidified YouTube as a vital destination for NFL fans. And it has resoundingly committed to a long-term future for YouTube TV, which has over 5 million...

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God of War Ragnarök is a story about letting go

Kratos and Atreus in God of War Ragnarök | Image: Sony

A spoiler-filled look at the ending of one of the year’s biggest games.

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The 80-plus best last-minute digital gift ideas you can still get

You can gift the fitness enthusiast in your life a Peloton subscription even if they don’t own a Peloton. | Image: Peloton

Waited until the very last minute to start your holiday shopping? Hey, we get it. Life gets busy sometimes, and judging by how long lines at stores tend to be on Christmas Eve, you’ve got company. If you don’t want to waste precious time in one of those lines, there are thankfully a bunch of digital gifts you can purchase instead. To make your life easier, we’ve rounded up a bunch of options across categories ranging from travel and health to film so you can quickly find the perfect gift without leaving the comfort and warmth of your home.

Best last-minute digital gifts

For TV and movie buffs

• The Criterion Collection gift card
• YouTube TV or YouTube Premium
• A Crunchyroll gift card for the anime lover in your life
• A...

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Need a last-minute gift? Hasbro made me into a Star Wars action figure

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Remember when Hasbro announced it’d let you put your 3D-printed face on a fully licensed Star Wars, Marvel, Ghostbusters, G.I. Joe, or Power Rangers action figure for $60 plus tax? Well, my Hasbro Selfie Series figure just arrived this week — and while it’s not a perfect resemblance, I’m still kind of blown away. This might be the perfect last-minute gift for a fan for reasons I’ll soon explain.

But first, let me show you Mini Mandalorian Sean so you can judge for yourself.

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Click here for a larger image.

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Click here for a larger image.

Photo by Sean Hollister / The Verge

Click here...

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Apple apparently pulls option to upgrade to new HomeKit architecture in iOS 16.2

The option to upgrade to new Home architecture has been removed from iOS 16.2 | Image: Apple / The Verge

Apple has apparently removed the option to upgrade to the new HomeKit architecture on devices running iOS 16.2. The change follows multiple reports of issues and problems with the Home app after the upgrade was installed.

The new Home app architecture was one of the key features of iOS 16.2, with Apple claiming that the upgrade would be “more reliable and efficient.” Now, MacRumors discovered that the Home app in iOS 16.2 no longer offers the option to upgrade to the new architecture within the Home app settings. Several reporters at The Verge have also confirmed that the upgrade option is unavailable on their devices.

The new architecture was first introduced in the iOS 16.2 beta back in October as an optional upgrade before the iOS...

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Ikea and Sonos’ Symfonisk bookshelf speaker is $20 off

Online or in-store, you can get a black or white Symfonisk bookshelf speaker for $99.99, a $20 discount off its usual price. This is the second-gen model developed alongside Sonos, complete with Wi-Fi connectivity so you can use it to complete your Sonos surround sound setup. It supports Apple AirPlay 2 for easy audio streaming via Apple products and has Spotify Connect compatibility. This speaker can be slotted naturally onto a bookshelf or, like the image above suggests, mounted to your wall as a small shelf. This model released in early 2022 and has a faster processor and more memory than its predecessor, plus a more logical button layout. This deal lasts through January 22nd, 2023.

If you’re curious what else is available in the...

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YouTube lands NFL Sunday Ticket in major shake-up of sports streaming

NFL Sunday Ticket subscribers will be watching their games in a new place. | Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

YouTube will be the new home of NFL Sunday Ticket, Google and the NFL announced, ending the months-long question of where the major broadcasting package would end up. NFL Sunday Ticket has been available in the US exclusively via DirecTV since 1994, but the satellite provider won’t have it starting with the 2023 NFL season.

Now, it will be available either as an add-on for YouTube TV subscribers or à la carte via YouTube Primetime Channels, which launched last month to “bring shows and movies from more than 30 services directly into the YouTube interface.”

No one has confirmed how much it will cost for viewers, but the Sunday Ticket package for this season costs $293.94 to purchase from DirecTV or nearly $400 if purchasing the Max...

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2022: a space yearbook

Illustration by Micha Huigen / The Verge

There was a lot going on in the space industry this year — here are some of the highlights.

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Tech self-care for the new year: a guide

Self care doesn’t have to mean at-home spa treatments. | The Verge

Was the term “self-care” invented by the beauty-industrial complex to sell more bath bombs? Probably, but that doesn’t mean that setting aside time to take care of yourself every once in a while is a bad idea. That goes for the technology in your life, too.

Are you pretending not to see a rat’s nest of cables behind your desk? Does the triple-digit unread email notification make you cringe every time you look at your homescreen? Or has that once-clear phone case turned a dingy shade of yellow? Look, I’m not here to shame you. But maybe it’s time to take a look around at the tech you use every day to see where a little effort in tidying up can go a long way. If you’re looking for somewhere to start, you’ve come to the right place....

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These were the video games that defined 2022

Illustration by Micha Huigen / The Verge

Player-created stories, gigantic leaks, and a new force in mobile gaming.

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Elon Musk’s giant payday on trial: everything he said in court

Illustration by Jason Allen Lee for The Verge

Enjoy this enormous $900 PDF from the Delaware Court of Chancery

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