Deciding what to get your dad for Father's Day is tricky. There are the standbys like tools for the grill or a new history book, but there are also plenty of unique options out there. That includes digital options like a Nintendo Switch Online membership or a subscription to MasterClass.

A MasterClass subscription is one of our favorite gifts for teachers, but it's also an especially good option right now as the site is running a Father's Day sale. Currently, you can gift dad a one-year membership for up to 50 percent off. Take the MasterClass Plus subscription, which is down to $96 from $180 annually. It offers unlimited classes and access on two devices.

Then there's the Premium tier, which allows unlimited access across six devices. The sale brings this option down to $120 from $240 for the year. The cheapest option is the Standard subscription, which offers one class every three months on one device. It has a 17 percent discount, bringing its cost down to $60 from $72 annually — still a bit of a savings. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/masterclass-subscriptions-are-up-to-half-off-right-now-for-fathers-day-140300419.html?src=rss

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YouTube is following in the potentially dangerous steps of Meta and X (formerly Twitter) by relaxing its content moderation policies. New internal training materials viewed by The New York Times instruct moderators to leave videos live if up to half its content violates YouTube's policies, an increase from a quarter of it. The platform introduced the new policy in mid-December, a month after President Trump was re-elected. 

The new guidelines reflect what YouTube deems as "public interest." These areas include discussing or debating elections, movements, race, gender, immigration and more. "Recognizing that the definition of 'public interest' is always evolving, we update our guidance for these exceptions to reflect the new types of discussion we see on the platform today," Nicole Bell, a YouTube spokesperson, told The New York Times. "Our goal remains the same: to protect free expression on YouTube while mitigating egregious harm." 

The platform has reportedly removed 22 percent more videos due to hateful and abusive content than last year. It's not clear how many videos were reported or would have been removed under the previous guidelines. 

YouTube reportedly told moderators to now value keeping content up if it's a debate between freedom of expression and risk. For example, they were shown a video called "RFK Jr. Delivers SLEDGEHAMMER Blows to Gene-Altering JABS" which falsely stated that Covid vaccines can change people's genes. However, YouTube told the moderators that public interest "outweighs the harm risk" and the video should stay up. It has since been removed, though the reason why is unclear.

Other videos allowed to remain online included one with a slur aimed at a transgender person and one in which a commentator discussed a graphic demise for former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol. 

Engadget has reached out to YouTube for comment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/youtube/youtube-now-allows-more-harmful-misinformation-on-its-platform-133002902.html?src=rss

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Google is officially letting you prioritize certain people in your life. The company has launched Pixel VIPs, an update that allows Google Pixel owners to "stay connected to the people who matter most and never miss a moment from them." It expands on Google's existing favorite contacts option, 9To5Google reports. 

Pixel VIPs includes features such as placing your "VIPs" at the top of your contact list and letting them bypass your device's do not disturb. If you click on a specific person then you can see their real-time location, weather and time. It also shows the last time you two connected. Plus, Google will suggest things for the two of you to do together based on your preferences. 

You also have the option of adding notes to their contact page. These tidbits might include their new dog's name, when they're traveling or a reminder of your plans together. 

The possibility that Google was working on this update first arose last summer under the name "besties," rather than "VIP." Reports from 9To5Google showed it replacing the favorite contacts option but didn't reveal much else. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/google-pixels-new-vip-contacts-lets-your-favorite-people-bypass-do-not-disturb-123053232.html?src=rss

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Good news to anyone living in the European Economic Area (EEA): Microsoft is toning down its "pick me" energy in order to further comply with the Digital Markets Act. The company has announced updates that notably include Microsoft Edge no longer begging to be your default browser. However, if you open the AI-powered browser, the guilt trip will return for the time being. This change should already be available, rolling in with an Edge update released on Thursday, May 29. 

On top of that, you should no longer get pestered by other apps to reinstall Microsoft Edge if you choose to remove it altogether. The only exception are progressive web apps (PWAs) that have Microsoft Edge tech. This update is still coming to some apps, and should roll out to Windows 10 and 11 this month.

You can also separate yourself even further from the tech giant and uninstall the Microsoft Store on your device. Any apps you already downloaded will continue to update. The new option should come "later this year" on Windows 10 and 11 devices. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/microsoft-edge-will-stop-begging-you-for-attention-in-europe-at-least-130038477.html?src=rss

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The FDA has launched the generative AI tool, Elsa, agency-wide to help its employees with everything from clinical reviews to investigations. Sure, we're living in a time of widespread disinformation and pushbacks against science, but why not rush things through with AI?

Elsa — yes, weirdly like the snow queen from Frozen — completed a "very successful pilot program with FDA’s scientific reviewers." According to the FDA, the AI tool can help with reading, writing and summarizing everything from adverse events to assessments. Elsa can also do label comparisons and generate code. It's already being used to speed up clinical protocol reviews and scientific evaluations, along with finding "high-priority inspection targets."

Elsa should be a secure platform, the FDA states. It's not clear how exactly the agency trained Elsa, but the FDA claims it's not through "data submitted by regulated industry." The information exists in Amazon Web Services' GovCloud that, again, should keep all information internal.

The FDA calls Elsa the first step in its AI journey. "Today marks the dawn of the AI era at the FDA with the release of Elsa, AI is no longer a distant promise but a dynamic force enhancing and optimizing the performance and potential of every employee," said FDA Chief AI Officer Jeremy Walsh. "As we learn how employees are using the tool, our development team will be able to add capabilities and grow with the needs of employees and the agency."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-fda-rolls-out-its-own-ai-to-speed-up-clinical-reviews-and-scientific-evaluations-120052323.html?src=rss

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A couple months have passed since Apple released the iPad Air (M3) and our position remains the same: It's the best iPad on the market for just about everyone. Now, it's also a much more accessible option. 

A new Amazon sale sees Apple's 11-inch iPad Air with an M3 chip drop to $499 from $599. The 17 percent discount is available on the 128GB model with Wi-Fi capabilities and no AppleCare+. We gave the new iPad Air (M3) an 89 in our review, thanks, in part, to that M3 chip. Its single- and multi-core scores came in 16 percent higher compared to its predecessor when tested with Geekbench.

The iPad Air M3 also has a much better screen and multitasking abilities this time around. Plus, it's compatible with a much improved Magic Keyboard. The add-on is akin to the one you'd get with Apple's iPad Pro M4 while also dropping by $30 from the previous model. But, it will still cost you $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch one. 

Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m3-ipad-air-drops-to-a-record-low-price-133932775.html?src=rss

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Summer brings sun, joy and lots of time spent outside. But, it also means a lot of tracking in dirt and debris from outdoors so, if you've been putting off getting a new vacuum, now might be the time. Currently, iRobot is running a Father's Day sale on a few of its Roomba vacuums, including the 105 Vac Robot + AutoEmpty Dock.

The 105 Vac Robot is on sale for $280, down from $450 — a 37 percent discount. It's one of the newer, more basic models in Roomba's lineup and offers standard features like smart mapping. It also automatically empties debris for up to 75 days and has a schedule cleaning feature. Plus it has three cleaning stages: power-lifting suction, a multi-surface bristle brush and an edge-sweeping brush.

You can compare the iRobot's 105 with other options on our list of best budget robot vacuums. Our top pick is also a Roomba, the Vac Robot Vacuum Q0120 — currently 48 percent off at Wayfair. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-roomba-robot-vacuum-with-auto-empty-dock-is-170-off-145834328.html?src=rss

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Memorial Day weekend might be over but the sales have kept coming. Current deals include an all-new low price on the Samsung Galaxy S25, which is down to $685 from $860. The 20 percent discount is available on the 256GB model in either Silver Shadow or Mint. 

Samsung released the Galaxy S25 smartphone early this year alongside the S25+, Edge and Ultra. We gave it an 82 in our review thanks to its improved Gemini AI experience and new high-powered processor. It also offers 28 hours of battery life, a four hour improvement from its predecessor. 

Our biggest quip with the Samsung Galaxy S25 is that many things mirror the specs of its predecessor. The device offers the same display and camera sensors as the Galaxy S24. It's also almost the exact same thickness, with just 0.4 millimeters shaved off. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-samsung-galaxy-s25-is-cheaper-than-ever-right-now-133851668.html?src=rss

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Vertical videos have been a part of most people's every day lives for years now. TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels and more are all in portrait mode, as is a typical video call off a smartphone. But it's only now that PopSockets has caught up, releasing the Kick-Out Grip and Stand that can balance a phone vertically. 

The new model is part of PopSockets' MagSafe line but, as the name suggests, includes a kick stand that folds out of the traditional socket. All a person needs to do is flatten the grip and then pop out the top bit. It will fold down and serve as a light stand for the phone to rest on. 

PopSockets has launched the Kick-Out Grip and Stand in Black, Latte, Dusk and Putty, along with two Aluminum Radial options, French Navy and Silver. It retails for $40 and should work with any MagSafe compatible case, swappable PopTop or PopMount currently sold. However, it also comes with an adapter ring so it should work with almost any case. 

The new Kick-Out Grip and Stand feels like a small update but, if you're anything like me, it will stop water bottles, cups and other rogue phone props from constantly fall down. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/popsockets-finally-launches-a-vertical-grip-stand-123027346.html?src=rss

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Memorial Day brings the unofficial start of summer in addition to tons of deals across the internet. It's a decent time to shop for tech, believe it or not, from big purchases like laptops and tablets down to more affordable devices like tech accessories.

In the latter category, you'll find the Apple Magic Mouse with a USB-C port down to $68 for Memorial Day. That's a 14-percent discount and only $5 more than its record-low price. Notably, this deal is only for the white model with a USB-C port.

The Apple Magic Mouse is a solid wireless and rechargeable option to go with any of your Macs. It should pair automatically with the computer. Plus, one charge should last about a month and you can recharge it with an included woven USB-C Charge Cable. 

In addition to the Magic Mouse, there are a handful of other Apple accessories on sale for Memorial Day. Key among them are the Apple Pencil Pro for $99 and a four-pack of AirTags for $75.

Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/memorial-day-apple-deals-include-the-usb-c-magic-mouse-for-68-143823657.html?src=rss

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OpenAI has launched a new web page called the safety evaluations hub to publicly share information related to things like the hallucination rates of its models. The hub will also highlight if a model produces harmful content, how well it behaves as instructed and attempted jailbreaks. 

The tech company claims this new page will provide additional transparency on OpenAI, a company that, for context, has faced multiple lawsuits alleging it illegally used copyrighted material to train its AI models. Oh, yeah, and it's worth mentioning that The New York Times claims the tech company accidentally deleted evidence in the newspaper's plagiarism case against it.

The safety evaluations hub is meant to expand on OpenAI's system cards. They only outline a development's safety measures at launch, whereas the hub should provide ongoing updates. 

"As the science of AI evaluation evolves, we aim to share our progress on developing more scalable ways to measure model capability and safety," OpenAI states in its announcement. "By sharing a subset of our safety evaluation results here, we hope this will not only make it easier to understand the safety performance of OpenAI systems over time, but also support community efforts⁠ to increase transparency across the field." OpenAI adds that its working to have more proactive communication in this area throughout the company. 

Interested parties can look at each of the hub's sections and see information on relevant models, such as GPT-4.1 through 4.5. OpenAI notes that the information provided in this hub is only a "snapshot" and that interested parties should look at its system cards. assessments and other releases for further details. 

One of the big buts to the entire safety evaluation hub is that OpenAI is the entity doing these tests and choosing what information to share publicly. As a result, there isn't any way to guarantee that the company will share all its issues or concerns with the public.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-promises-greater-transparency-on-model-hallucinations-and-harmful-content-184545691.html?src=rss

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Uber is introducing a few new options for riders that it claims will save you money. These choices include Route Share, which can only be described as if Uber Pool and buses had a love child (though Uber has already tried to reinvent shuttle buses a few times). It offers pickups in certain spots "along busy corridors" every 20 minutes — though only during weekday rush hours. 

Basically, you can save "up to" 50 percent off UberX by treating Uber like a bus, walking to a pickup location and then getting dropped off at another designated spot near your destination. The Pool bit is that there might be up to two other riders with you. 

Route Share will let you book a seat between seven days and 10 minutes before you need it. The option is now available from 6AM to 10AM and 4PM to 8PM on weekdays in New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Baltimore, with more cities coming. 

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Uber is also rolling out two different ride passes, a price lock and a prepaid option. The price lock pass lets you pay $3 to reserve a set cost for a specific ride. It seems to be pretty low risk, as if the ride ends up being cheaper when you use it, Uber won't charge you the difference. You can use a price lock pass on up to 10 different routes each month. This pass is now available in cities like Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami and San Francisco — but should roll out to the rest of the US soon. 

Then there's the prepaid pass, which lets you pay for multiple trips at a time. So, say you take an Uber to work or your partners place regularly, you can buy a set of trips along that route. The passes will work for 30 days or up to $50 in savings, whichever you hit first. You do have to buy either five, 10, 15 or 20 rides at a time, so Uber gets a guarantee you'll use their service and you get a discount in return. Both types of passes will also be available on teen accounts this fall. 

Update, May 14 2025, 2:17PM ET: An earlier version of this article's headline referred to Uber's new offering as "Ride Shares" instead of "Route Share." 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/uber-introduces-route-share-a-rush-hour-version-of-pool-161059274.html?src=rss

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There's about to be a new online movie rental site in town. Letterboxd is introducing a transactional video-on-demand service for its users, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The social media platform for movie lovers announced the news during the Cannes Film Festival. 

The Letterboxd Video Store will have curated rental categories such as up-and-coming filmmakers, under-appreciated movies and more on demand. There will also be areas that highlight the movies premiering at different film festivals, many of which will be available for a set amount of time. Plus, the rental service could offer some movies that only have a limited distribution, getting them in front of a wider audience. 

Letterboxd pitches its Video Store it as a natural next step for the company. “Every day, we see members recommending films to each other, adding to their watchlists and hungry to discover more,” Letterboxd CEO Matthew Buchanan stated. “Letterboxd Video Store is our way of delivering for those film lovers, creating a dedicated space for films that deserve an audience.”  

However, while we know it should be coming, that's about all the logistical information we have. Letterboxd has yet to release pricing, launch dates or countries where rentals will be available. These finer points should all arrive in the upcoming months. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/letterboxd-will-launch-a-curated-online-rental-service-for-films-145056220.html?src=rss

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There are some great keyboard attachments for the iPad, but sometimes, you just want to physically write things down with a "pencil." While Apple's stylus lineup can be confusing, it's clear that the Apple Pencil Pro is the most advanced model of the bunch. If you've been looking to grab one, whether it's for note-taking or more intricate drawing, the device is back down to $99 at Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. That's $30 off Apple's list price, and while it's $10 more than the all-time low we saw last October, it matches the largest discount we've tracked in 2025.

Apple released this top-end model last year. It offers features such as pressure sensitivity, a squeeze gesture to see menu options and a built-in gyroscope that improves the process of changing your pen's orientation and brush tools. The hardware is as comfy to hold as the older second-gen Pencil, plus it works with Apple's Find My network, so you can easily locate the tool at any time. The catch is that it's only compatible with select iPads: You'll need an iPad Pro with an M4 chip, an M2 or M3 iPad Air or the most recent iPad mini to take advantage.

If you don't want to spend quite that much, the USB-C Apple Pencil is technically on sale for $69 as well. That's $10 less than buying from Apple direct, though it's a price we've seen at third-party retailers fairly often over the past several months. This model has most of the basic features, including tilt sensitivity, the ability to attach to an iPad magnetically and a "hover" feature that lets you preview inputs before you make them. It also works with a wider range of iPads, including the base iPad (A16). However, it lacks pressure sensitivity — so it won't make darker marks when you press down harder — and it can't recharge while it's magnetically attached.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-pencil-pro-falls-back-to-its-lowest-price-this-year-134027593.html?src=rss

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Mother's Day is this Sunday and the window to get presents delivered is dangerously close to shutting. But there are plenty of great subscription gifts to buy your mom, including a year of MasterClass. Even better, the learning site is currently running a Mother's Day sale — though you can also use it to pick up a subscription for yourself. 

If you're not familiar, MasterClass offers video lessons by more than 200 experts everything from cooking to music. For Mother's Day, you can gift a 12 month Standard MasterClass subscription for $60, down from $120. This tier allows your mom to use MasterClass on one device, but doesn't include offline mode.

There are two other tiers — also half off (or there about) during the sale. The Plus tier is down to $96 from $180 and offers two devices with the ability to watch videos while offline. Then there's the Premium level, which is available for $120, down from $240. It allows for six devices and offline mode. There's no clear end date for the sale, with the offer simply saying "ends soon." 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-masterclass-mothers-day-sale-takes-half-off-annual-subscriptions-144422002.html?src=rss

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In April, a US District Court ruled that Google monopolized open-web digital ad markets. Now, the tech giant and the US Justice Department are at odds about what Google must do about it. The DOJ argues that Google should sell AdX, or Ad Exchange, a platform for publishers to sell unused ad space in real-time. It also wants the company to offload Google Ad Manager, previously DoubleClick for Publishers (Google DFP). 

The DOJ claims that both platforms minimize competition and contribute to Google's monopoly in the advertising space. The executive department has also pushed Google to sell Chrome due to a separate ruling that the company held a monopoly on search engines. 

Unsurprisingly, Google has no interest in getting rid of its products — it also plans to appeal the Court's ruling on Google Ad Manager. Google has announced "a proposal that fully addresses the Court’s findings." These changes include allowing all rival publisher ad servers to make real-time bids on AdX and letting publishers set different price floors for each bidder. 

"In contrast, the DOJ is seeking remedies that go significantly beyond the Court’s narrow ruling by forcing a divestiture of Google Ad Manager," Google stated in its announcement. "This would risk breaking a tool advertisers use to connect with publishers and efficiently reach their customers, and that app and video publishers use to monetize their content — businesses that aren’t even part of the narrow market of 'open web display ads' at issue in this case."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/doj-pushes-for-google-to-sell-its-advertising-platforms-134250436.html?src=rss

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In a development that can only be seen as positive, non-consensual deepfake porn site Mr. Deepfakes has shut down for good, reports 404 Media. This news comes due to the site losing one of its service providers. 

"A critical service provider has terminated service permanently. Data loss has made it impossible to continue operation," a notice on the site reads. "We will not be relaunching. Any website claiming this is fake. This domain will eventually expire and we are not responsible for future use. This message will be removed around one week." 

As sites continued to crack down on non-consenual deepfake porn, Mr. Deepfakes became an open space for it. Users could upload videos and connect with creators to commission videos. People also used it as a way to collaborate on new techniques, share their methods and provide datasets. All of it was with the goal of creating this non-consensual media, sometimes with a strong likeness to real people. 

The creator of Mr. Deepfakes is still technically anonymous. However, German newspaper Der Spiegel reportedly tracked down one of the individuals behind it, a 36-year-old in Toronto. 

Governments across the world have been taking steps to make sexually explicit deepfakes illegal. Last week, the US Congress passed a bill criminalizing the "publication of non-consensual, sexually exploitative images," including deepfakes. The UK has made multiple attempts in recent years to make it illegal to create sexually explicit deepfakes. Currently, it's illegal to share this content, but not to produce it. In early 2024, the European Commission proposed new rules to criminalize sharing non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/leading-deepfake-porn-site-is-shut-down-for-good-120018413.html?src=rss

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Despite an eight year anticipatory wait, Nintendo is still "surprised" at just how many people want the Switch 2. The company has announced that about 2.2 million people have entered a pre-order lottery in Japan alone, far more than the number of consoles it can deliver on June 5, aka launch day. 

Nintendo will announce the winners tomorrow, April 24, and anyone not chosen will be entered into a second drawing. However, that still won't provide enough spots for every entrant. "In response to this demand, we are currently working on further strengthening our production system," the company wrote on X in a post translated from Japanese. "We plan to continue producing and shipping a considerable number of Nintendo Switch 2 units in the future. We apologize for the delay in our ability to meet your expectations." The company further notes that other retailers should begin pre-orders on the 24th. 

Nintendo has faced a few hurdles around pre-orders for the Switch 2. It delayed them in the US following President Trump's extreme tariffs and uncertainty about price. Now, the company has confirmed pre-orders in the US and Canada will also begin on April 24 and the Switch 2 will maintain its $450 price tag. Though, this might result in a loss for Nintendo.

A lack of supply and heavy demand could also bring exploitative resellers. Such was the case with other big ticket consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. They were both listed on sites like eBay and Amazon for up to $1,700. Nintendo's SNES Mini and NES Mini were for sale on eBay for more than double their sticker price. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/nintendo-somehow-underestimates-demand-for-switch-2-pre-orders-141030573.html?src=rss

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Amazon has sold Kindle ereaders for almost two decades but it wasn't until last year that it went beyond black and white. The Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition came out in October and — despite a previous screen issue that seems fixed — it's a great product overall. Our biggest quip is the price, $280 for the 32GB edition, compared to $200 for the 32GB Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, for example. 

Now, a new sale is easing the strain on our wallets, dropping the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition to $225 — a 20 percent discount and record-low price. The deal is the same whether or not you opt for three months free of Kindle Unlimited. The seven-inch display touts "paper-like color," up to eight weeks of use in one charge and has an an IPX8 waterproof rating. Plus, it's especially nice for graphic novel readers who want to get the full effect. 

Amazon is also running two types of book sales. If you have one of their ereaders, then you can get three times the amount of points every time you buy a Kindle book between today and Friday, April 25. If ereaders aren't your thing then you can check out Amazon's Book Sale, on through Monday, April 28. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazons-kindle-colorsoft-is-back-on-sale-for-a-record-low-price-125807447.html?src=rss

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Meta's Oversight Board has deemed Meta was right to leave up two videos reported for hate speech and harassment, though it recommends changes for the company. The decision follows revisions Meta made in January to its Hateful Conduct Policy.

The Board started looking into the two posts last August. One of the videos showed a trans woman being confronted in a bathroom by another woman who misgenders the trans woman and asks why they should be allowed to use the women's room. The included caption states that the trans woman is a "male student who thinks he's a girl." The second is of a trans woman winning a track race with onlookers disapproving. That caption similarly calls the individual, a "boy who thinks he's a girl" and names the person (who is a minor).

In its decision, the Board claims that "public debate on policies around transgender peoples' rights and inclusion is permitted, with offensive viewpoints protected under international human rights law on freedom of expression." Yes, you did read "offensive viewpoints" and "permitted" in the same sentence. It goes on to state that a majority of the Board couldn't find a strong enough "link" between removing these posts and limiting harm to trans individuals and that they didn't "represent" harassment or bullying.

"Transgender women and girls' access to women's bathrooms and participation in sports are the subjects of ongoing public debate that involves various human rights concerns. It is appropriate that a high threshold be required to suppress such speech," the decision continues.

The Board states that Meta's recent "hastily announced" policy changes didn't influence its decision but that it is concerned about content and implementation. "Meta should identify how the policy and enforcement updates may adversely impact the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, including minors, especially where these populations are at heightened risk," the Board states. "It should adopt measures to prevent and/or mitigate these risks and monitor their effectiveness. Finally, Meta should update the Board every six months on its progress, reporting on this publicly at the earliest opportunity."

The Board also calls out a specific line in Meta's updated policy which states, "We do allow allegations of mental illness or abnormality when based on gender or sexual orientation, given political and religious discourse about transgenderism and homosexuality and common non-serious usage of words such as 'weird.'" It recommends Meta remove the word "transgenderism," a term organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign called out as signaling "a disturbing alignment with anti-LGBTQ+ political rhetoric."

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/metas-oversight-board-criticizes-companys-hastily-announced-hate-speech-policy-changes-120042137.html?src=rss

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