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Submission + - 'Knockoff' Browser Extension Hides Sketchy Brands on Amazon (404media.co) 1

Submitted by alternative_right
alternative_right writes: A software developer made a Chrome and Firefox extension called Knockoff that automatically hides, grays out, or filters products from sketchy brands on Amazon, which highlights just how many shady brands are on the platform and how commonly they show up on searches for basic items.

In just a few minutes of using the extension, Knockoff dimmed product listings for screwdrivers made by âoeSUNHZMCKP,â spoons made by âoeSACATR,â and a lamp made by âoeROTTOGOON.â In a tweet announcing the extension, developer Josh Pigford wrote âoeSorry to brands like WNPETHOME, EHEYCIGA, YXYL, LU&MN, JOYIN, TOMY, GODONLIF, YOOJEE, LINGTENG, LANEIGE, VISCOO, BIODANCE, COOFANDY, BALENNZ, TOSY, and LUENX.â The extension can also hide all sponsored product listings. The extension quickly went viral as a much-needed filter for people who still use Amazon and, for those who donâ(TM)t use Amazon because of its horrendous labor practices and other concerns, it is evidence of what an incredible wasteland the platform has become.

Submission + - DuckDuckGo Browser Now Blocks Most YouTube Ads (nerds.xyz)

Submitted by BrianFagioli
BrianFagioli writes: DuckDuckGo has added built-in YouTube ad blocking to its browser, allowing users to skip most pre-roll and mid-roll ads while watching videos on the YouTube website. The feature is enabled by default on Windows, macOS, and iPhone, with Android support rolling out by default soon. DuckDuckGo says it uses community-maintained filter lists from the uBlock Origin project, along with its own compatibility rules, to keep pace with changes to YouTube ad delivery. While the feature will likely be welcomed by users tired of interruptions, it also raises questions about YouTube Premium and how creators are compensated when ad revenue is bypassed.

Submission + - Mushroom Behind 'Tiny Human' Visions Lacks Genes For Known Psychedelics (sciencealert.com)

Submitted by alternative_right
alternative_right writes: When eaten undercooked, the mushroom can produce vivid visions of miniature people â" not unlike Gulliver on his travels to Lilliput.

"Biosynthetic gene mining of the L. asiatica genome found no close hits with any genes known in the production of mushroom psychoactive compounds," write the researchers in their published paper.

"This supports our hypothesis of the presence of a novel unidentified metabolite responsible for the unique hallucinogenic properties of L. asiatica."

Submission + - The gamers taking on the industry to stop it switching off games (bbc.co.uk)

Submitted by Alain Williams
Alain Williams writes: Can a company take away something you've already paid for?

In the world of online video games, some already do. Publishers can decide to switch off a game's servers, often leaving it effectively unplayable.

Stop Killing Games, a growing consumer rights campaign started by American YouTuber Ross Scott in 2024, is challenging that practice.

In January, the group submitted a petition featuring nearly 1.3 million signatures to the European Commission, triggering a public hearing in the European Parliament in April. What began as an online campaign is now awaiting a decision from one of the EU's most powerful institutions.

Scott's campaign began following an announcement from the major studio Ubisoft, saying it would shut down the online-only racing game The Crew in 2024.

The French company said it was taking the game, which attracted more than 12 million players during its lifetime, offline, citing "upcoming server infrastructure and licensing constraints".

Submission + - Microsoft Deliberately Bricking All Office for Mac 2019/2021 Installations (osnews.com) 2

Submitted by joshuark
joshuark writes: MacOS users who opted to buy a copy of Microsoft Office for macOS back in 2019 or 2021, eschewing the Office 365 subscription, so you could keep on using Office 2019/2021 forever if you wanted to. Just like in the old days.

Consumer Rights Wiki reports:

"Microsoft Office 2019 and 2021 for Mac view-only conversion (2026) is a scheduled remote degradation of perpetually-licensed Microsoft Office software for macOS and iOS, set for July 13, 2026 when a license-validation certificate used by the Office apps expires.[1] After Office 2019 for Mac reached end of support in October 2023, Microsoft assured customers their installed apps would "continue to function."[2] The July 13, 2026 conversion instead drops the apps into a Microsoft-defined "reduced functionality mode," in which files can be opened and viewed but not edited or saved.[1][3] By May 30, 2026, the original 2023 end-of-support page had been re-dated and rewritten on Microsoft's site; the "continue to function" clause was removed.[4][2]" https://consumerrights.wiki/w/...

Microsoft’s advice to the users they’re stealing from is to keep using the applications as mere viewers, switch to the free Office 365 web applications, pay for a 365 subscription, or buy a brand new regular copy of Office 2024. None of these make any sense, and clearly, all of this should be illegal, but it’s not because the software industry is a clown show.

Submission + - Christians are turning to AI for spiritual guidance (nerds.xyz)

Submitted by BrianFagioli
BrianFagioli writes: A new study from Barna Group and Gloo suggests artificial intelligence is becoming a surprisingly influential spiritual tool for many Americans, including practicing Christians. According to the research, one in three adults now believes AI-generated spiritual guidance can be just as trustworthy as advice from a pastor. Among Millennials, that number climbs to 44 percent. The study also found many Christians are already using AI for Bible study, prayer assistance, personal growth, and finding meaning or purpose in life.

At the same time, many respondents expressed concern about where this trend could lead. Large majorities worried AI could misinterpret scripture, weaken religious faith, replace pastors, or even act as a substitute for God. Critics argue that while AI may be useful for studying religious texts or organizing information, it lacks wisdom, morality, lived experience, and genuine understanding. The findings raise uncomfortable questions about whether society is beginning to hand increasingly personal and spiritual responsibilities over to algorithms created by tech companies.

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