YouTube is testing longer but fewer ads on TV for some users

Google is currently in the testing phase of a new approach to delivering ads on the YouTube app for TVs. Users can anticipate encountering fewer, albeit longer, ads. This shift is aimed at enhancing the viewing experience, particularly during extended content, akin to the customary commercial breaks seen in linear TV programming.

Additionally, YouTube is working on refining the ad timer for TV, aiming to provide a clearer indication of the remaining time in the ad break. Currently, YouTube displays the length of a specific ad along with a placeholder indicating "Ad 1 of 2," which doesn't offer a precise estimate of the break's duration. The company has announced plans to commence testing this updated timer, focusing on the total duration of the ad break, in the near future.

Earlier this year, YouTube introduced 30-second unskippable ads for TV viewers. In April, the company reported reaching 150 million viewers through connected TVs in the U.S. According to the latest announcement, people are now consuming over 700 million hours of YouTube content on TV screens every day. This underscores the significant role TV screens play in the company's advertising strategy.

In March, the company unveiled a multiview feature for sports, enabling users to watch multiple games simultaneously. In June, this feature was extended to non-sports content.

Beyond YouTube ads, Google revealed that starting in November, it will be streamlining certain ad controls for creators. They will now have the option to enable or disable pre-roll, post-roll, skippable, and non-skippable ads, but the specific format will be determined by YouTube's system. Additionally, creators will have the ability to manually insert ads during a live stream.

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Youtube is removing some ad control for creators

AT&T Resets Millions of Customer Passcodes After Data Leak: What You Need to Know

AT&T recently confirmed a significant data breach affecting over 7.6 million current customers and 65 million former customers. The leaked information, which dates back to 2019 or earlier, includes personal details like names, addresses, phone numbers, and social security numbers. Fortunately, financial information and call history were not compromised. In response to the breach, AT&T has reset passcodes for affected customers. Passcodes, usually four-digit numbers, serve as an additional layer of security when accessing accounts. However, security experts warn that the encrypted passcodes leaked alongside customer information could be easily deciphered, posing a risk of unauthorized account access. Affected customers are advised to set up free fraud alerts with major credit bureaus and remain vigilant for any suspicious activity related to their accounts. AT&T is proactively reaching out to impacted customers via email or letter to inform them about the breach and the meas...

Signal Introduces Usernames for Encrypted Messaging: A Secure Way to Connect

Signal, the encrypted messaging service, is launching a new feature in the coming weeks: support for usernames. This beta feature allows users to establish unique usernames, enabling connections without divulging phone numbers. source: Signal Blog To create a username, navigate to your settings and select "Profile." Once you've chosen a unique username, generate a QR code or link to share with others. Recipients can connect by entering your username into the chat bar. Usernames can be changed at any time, though previous usernames may be claimed by others. Signal began testing usernames last fall. Unlike social media platforms, Signal usernames do not serve as logins or public handles. They offer a discreet means of communication without revealing personal phone numbers. While a phone number is required to register for Signal, sharing it is optional. Usernames remain private and do not appear on profiles or in chats unless shared explicitly. As Randall Sarafa, Signal'...

Facebook is shutting down news tab in US and Australia

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is making big changes to how it handles news content on its platform. It's planning to remove the news tab from Facebook in the U.S. and Australia by April 2024. This decision follows the discontinuation of Facebook News in the UK, Germany, and France last year. The number of people using Facebook News in Australia and the U.S. has dropped significantly, which influenced Meta's decision. The company wants to focus more on what users enjoy, like short-form videos, rather than news articles. News content makes up less than 3% of what people see on their Facebook feed, so most users might not even notice this change. Over time, publishers have also noticed less traffic coming from Facebook to their websites. This move is partly because of new regulations in countries like Australia and Canada, which require platforms like Facebook to pay online publishers for their content. Meta has decided not to invest in new news-related products and won't ...

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