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<h3>Stricter DMs for teen accounts</h3>

One of the biggest changes is how direct messages (DMs) work for teen users. New chats will now display key safety information at the top of the screen, including when the account was created. This helps teens quickly spot red flags, such as someone using a brand-new account to make contact.

Teens will also see quick-access options to block or report users. Meta has combined the two actions into one button to simplify the process. These changes build on existing safety notices and nudity protection tools already built into the app.

<h3>New rules for accounts featuring children</h3>

Instagram is also stepping up protections for accounts that showcase children, especially those run by adults such as parents of &ldquo;kidfluencers.&rdquo; These accounts will now be automatically placed into Instagram&rsquo;s strictest messaging settings. That includes blocking messages from strangers and enabling the Hidden Words filter, which screens out offensive comments.

This move comes after repeated concerns about adult users targeting these accounts with inappropriate messages. Meta says that even though most of these accounts are run responsibly, there are cases where predators leave sexualized comments or request explicit images. These are clear violations of the platform&rsquo;s rules.

To curb this, Instagram will stop suggesting these accounts to adults who have been blocked by teens and make it harder for those adults to find the accounts through search or recommendations. 
As part of the crackdown, Meta says it removed nearly 135,000 Instagram accounts for posting inappropriate content aimed at children. They also disabled around 500,000 additional linked accounts across Instagram and Facebook.

Meta is sharing this data with other tech companies through the <a href="https://technologycoalition.org/news/announcing-lantern/" target="_blank">Tech Coalition&rsquo;s Lantern program</a>. The initiative aims to help platforms identify and take down harmful users more effectively by coordinating across services.

For more updates like this, check out our <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/tech" target="_blank">tech news</a> page for the latest on platform changes, digital safety, and more.

Instagram Targets Predators With Safety Update

Instagram Adds Tools to Block Suspicious Users

The company said it has observed active exploitation of a newly discovered vulnerability in SharePoint servers. The issue does not affect cloud-based SharePoint Online services included in Microsoft 365.

The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) confirmed that the exploit allows hackers to execute malicious code, gain access to file systems, and manipulate internal configurations of affected servers. A Microsoft spokesperson noted that the company has been &ldquo;coordinating closely with CISA, DOD Cyber Defense Command, and key global cybersecurity partners throughout the response.&rdquo;

Microsoft described the vulnerability as enabling a network spoofing attack, where authorized attackers can disguise themselves as legitimate users or systems. Spoofing can be used to steal sensitive data or impersonate internal users, potentially compromising operations or manipulating transactions.

The FBI confirmed that it is aware of the attacks and is &ldquo;working closely with its federal and private-sector partners.&rdquo; However, the bureau declined to provide additional details about the scope or attribution of the attacks.

Security analysts said this incident reflects a broader trend of attackers shifting focus from cloud infrastructure back to locally hosted servers, which tend to have more fragmented security oversight.

&ldquo;This is exactly the kind of opening that advanced threat actors look for, an unpatched, high-value enterprise tool that many companies haven&rsquo;t secured fully,&rdquo; said one cybersecurity analyst familiar with the incident.

So far, the identity of the attackers remains unknown. However, past incidents of this scale have been attributed to nation-state actors, particularly those aligned with cyber espionage campaigns.

Microsoft emphasized that customers using SharePoint Online are not affected by the exploit. The attacks only impact on-premises deployments, which are often used by government agencies and large corporations for secure document management.

<h4>CISA and Microsoft both advised organizations to:</h4>

<ul>
	<li>Review and apply the most recent SharePoint security updates</li>
	<li>Monitor server traffic for suspicious activity</li>
	<li>Isolate vulnerable servers from the internet if patching isn&rsquo;t possible</li>
	<li>Enable anti-malware and network-level protections</li>
</ul>

For more cybersecurity updates, visit our <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/tech" target="_blank">Tech News</a> page! 
&nbsp;

Hackers Use Microsoft Flaw to Hit Government Servers

Microsoft Detects Live Attacks on Sharepoint Systems

The series follows the iconic Wednesday Addams, portrayed by Jenna Ortega, as she navigates the dark, mysterious world of Nevermore Academy. Set against a backdrop of eerie happenings and family secrets, Wednesday has captivated viewers with its combination of offbeat charm and thrilling storytelling. From the beginning, it was clear that Ortega&rsquo;s performance as the iconic goth character was a standout, and Tim Burton&rsquo;s unique vision brought an added layer of magic to the show. Season 1 not only delivered a compelling narrative but also became Netflix&rsquo;s most-watched English-language series ever, solidifying its appeal with both fans and critics alike.

Looking forward, fans of Wednesday can expect an even darker and more thrilling season 2, which will be split into two parts. The first installment is set to premiere on August 6, followed by the second part on September 3, 2025. While plot specifics have been kept under wraps, creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar have teased that season 2 will delve deeper into the Addams family&rsquo;s dark past and uncover even more secrets of Nevermore Academy. With Ortega&rsquo;s portrayal of Wednesday continuing to captivate audiences, the second season promises to build on the momentum established by its predecessor.

Alongside the announcement of season 3, the possibility of expanding the Wednesday universe is also being explored. Discussions for a potential spinoff series focusing on other characters from the Addams family are currently underway. Bela Bajaria, Netflix&rsquo;s chief content officer, recently hinted at the idea of a spinoff, citing the richness of the Addams family&rsquo;s lore and the opportunities for further storytelling. With so many iconic characters in the Addams universe, the potential for spinoffs could lead to more deep dives into this dark and enchanting world.

The decision to renew Wednesday for a third season just weeks before the second season premieres reflects Netflix&rsquo;s confidence in the show&rsquo;s continued success. The series&rsquo; unique combination of supernatural intrigue, family drama, and dark humor has resonated with audiences worldwide. As the Addams family&rsquo;s gothic world continues to unfold, fans can expect more twists, turns, and chilling revelations in season 3. Whether it&rsquo;s Wednesday&rsquo;s evolving relationships, the sinister secrets of Nevermore, or new adversaries that threaten her at every turn, there is much to look forward to.

For now, fans can eagerly await the return of Wednesday in just a few weeks, but the excitement doesn&rsquo;t end with season 2. With the potential for further exploration of the Addams universe and the promise of a third season, it seems that Netflix has only just begun to scratch the surface of this creepy, kooky, and captivating world.

Wednesday Renewed for S3: What's Next for the Addams Family?

Wednesday Gets Third Season Renewal on Netflix

<h3>What the wristband can do</h3>

By reading motor nerve signals from your arm, the device lets you:

<ul>
	<li>Move a cursor by rotating your wrist</li>
	<li>Tap your thumb to your finger to open an app</li>
	<li>Write letters in the air and have them appear on your phone</li>
	<li>Type without using a keyboard, just by mimicking the motion of writing</li>
</ul>

This kind of control could be the first step toward the kind of gesture-based interfaces we&rsquo;ve only seen in sci-fi films, think holograms you swipe through midair or virtual objects you sculpt with your hands. While Meta&rsquo;s wristband doesn&rsquo;t project visuals into space, it lays the groundwork for a future where users interact with digital environments without touching a screen or holding a controller.

Meta is working with Carnegie Mellon University to test the wristband on people with spinal cord injuries. Even those with full hand paralysis often retain some muscle activity, allowing the device to interpret their intentions and translate them into digital actions.

Meta&rsquo;s approach is simple: no surgery, no invasive procedures. Just strap it on, train a few gestures, and go. It also shows potential for more than just replacing the mouse or keyboard. With time, users might be able to control drones, manipulate virtual objects in AR, or even develop new types of digital interactions that don&rsquo;t exist yet.

For more updates like this, check out our dedicated <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/tech" target="_blank">tech news page</a>!

Meta’s New Wristband Can (Almost) Read Your Mind

Meta’s Wristband Lets You Control Devices by Thought

<h3>Price growth vs. sales decline: A growing disconnect</h3>

Despite the persistent affordability crisis, home prices have now increased for 24 consecutive months on an annual basis, underscoring the market&rsquo;s supply-demand imbalance. However, the pace of appreciation has slowed sharply compared to 2024, when year-over-year gains exceeded 5% in some months.

<ul>
	<li>Regional disparities: The Northeast and Midwest saw stronger price growth (up 4.2% and 3.4%, respectively), while the South and West lagged (0.3% and 1%)</li>
	<li>Declining markets: Florida, Texas, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C., reported negative price growth, with Cape Coral, FL, leading declines at -9% annually</li>
	<li>Inventory shifts: Housing supply rose 15.9% year-over-year to 1.53 million units, but remains below pre-pandemic levels (1.8&ndash;1.9 million)</li>
</ul>

Meanwhile, sales activity varied by region:

<ul>
	<li>Northeast (-8%), Midwest (-4%), South (-2.2%): Declines were sharpest in high-cost areas</li>
	<li>West (+1.4%): A modest uptick, though sales were still down 4.1% year-over-year</li>
</ul>

<h3>What&rsquo;s driving the trends?</h3>

The housing market&rsquo;s sluggish sales and persistent price growth stem from several key factors. Mortgage rates, averaging 6.75% for a 30-year fixed loan in June, continue to deter buyers, though the National Association of Realtors (NAR) estimates that a drop to 6% could spur an additional 160,000 sales. Economic uncertainty has also played a role, with the Federal Reserve pausing rate cuts in 2025 and softening job markets, making buyers more cautious. First-time buyers, in particular, are being squeezed out of the market, accounting for just 30% of sales in June, well below the 40% needed for a balanced market. Meanwhile, cash buyers are increasingly dominant, making up 29% of transactions (up from 28% in 2024), further sidelining mortgage-dependent buyers and exacerbating affordability challenges.

<h3>Consumer impact: A &ldquo;wait-and-see&rdquo; market</h3>

Prospective homeowners face a tough dilemma. In high-demand areas like Cape Coral, FL, mortgage payments are now 95% higher than in 2020, pricing out many would-be buyers. Homes are also sitting longer on the market, 27 days in June compared to 22 days a year ago, as hesitation grows. While 20.7% of listings saw price cuts in June, the highest rate for the month since 2016, sellers aren&rsquo;t rushing to slash prices. Instead, many are pulling listings altogether, with off-market withdrawals up 47% year-over-year in May, signaling a standoff between buyers waiting for affordability to improve and sellers unwilling to concede on price.

<h3>Economic ripple effects</h3>

The housing slowdown threatens to weigh on broader economic growth, with residential investment&mdash;including construction and broker activity&mdash;remaining a persistent drag on GDP in 2025. Still, there are some encouraging signs. As of May, price growth, now at 1.8% annually, has fallen below inflation, which could gradually improve real affordability. Inventory is also recovering, with <a href="https://www.zillow.com/research/home-value-sales-forecast-33822/" target="_blank">Zillow</a> forecasting that supply could near pre-pandemic levels by year-end, easing some of the market&rsquo;s tightness. Additionally, the Federal Reserve is expected to cut rates in late 2025 or 2026, which could reignite buyer demand and stabilize the market. For now, however, the housing sector remains in a holding pattern, with both buyers and sellers waiting for clearer signals before making major moves.

<h3>July outlook: More of the same?</h3>

Preliminary data suggests no major turnaround yet:

<ul>
	<li>Mortgage rates: Still hovering near 7% as of mid-July</li>
	<li>Pending sales: NAR&rsquo;s June index, based on contracts signed, will be released July 30, offering clues for July closings</li>
	<li>New home sales: A <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-existing-home-sales-hit-nine-month-low-june-2025-07-23/" target="_blank">Reuters survey</a> predicts a modest June increase, but existing homes dominate 90% of the market</li>
</ul>

<h3>Bottom line</h3>

The US housing market remains stuck in low gear, with record prices and sluggish sales reflecting deeper affordability strains. For now, buyers and sellers are in a standoff, waiting for rates to fall or prices to adjust further. As NAR&rsquo;s Lawrence Yun put it: &ldquo;The second half of the year really depends on what happens with mortgage rates.&rdquo;

US Housing Market: Record Prices Amid Slumping Sales in June 2025

Starting in the coming weeks, the company will pilot a new feature called <a href="https://www.uber.com/newsroom/women-preferences/" target="_blank">Women Preferences</a>, allowing female riders and drivers to opt to be matched with other women on trips.

The feature is rolling out first in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit, and it&rsquo;s built around one core idea: comfort and choice. According to Uber, women nationwide have consistently asked for more flexibility in using the platform, and this new feature aims to deliver exactly that.

There are now three ways for riders to request trips with women drivers.&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Riders can select the new Women Drivers option when requesting a ride. If wait times are longer than expected, they can still choose another available ride</li>
	<li>Riders can use the Reserve feature to schedule a trip ahead of time with a woman driver for added planning and certainty</li>
	<li>In the app settings, riders can enable a preference for women drivers. While not guaranteed, this increases the chances of being matched with a woman each time they request a ride</li>
</ul>

On the driver side, the system works just as simply. Women drivers can turn on a setting in the app to prioritize trip requests from women riders. They can also turn this setting off whenever they want.&nbsp;

This option allows women drivers to feel more confident, especially during late-night hours or in unfamiliar areas, while still allowing them to choose what works best for their schedule and comfort level.

The idea is not entirely new. Uber introduced a similar option in Saudi Arabia in 2019, shortly after women gained the legal right to drive there. The reception was overwhelmingly positive, and since then, the feature has expanded to more than 40 countries, completing over 100 million trips.&nbsp;

In each market, Uber has used feedback from <a href="https://several.com/news/tag/automotive" target="_blank">real drivers and riders</a> to refine the experience and make it more reliable.

Uber&rsquo;s U.S. rollout comes at a time when rider and driver safety continues to be a top concern. Although incidents remain statistically rare compared to the volume of rides taken each year, Uber&rsquo;s most recent safety report showed that safety features are more important than ever to users.&nbsp;

Since 2017, the company has launched a range of tools including trip audio recordings, in-app emergency assistance, and rider verification features. The new Women Preferences option complements those efforts by giving users more input at the start of each ride.

According to Uber, about 20 percent of their U.S. driver base is women. They believe this new feature could help bring more women to the platform by giving them added confidence to drive when and where they choose.&nbsp;

In other countries, the introduction of the feature helped retain new drivers and offered more earning opportunities by reducing barriers related to safety concerns.

It&rsquo;s worth noting that Lyft, Uber&rsquo;s main competitor in the U.S., launched a similar program called Women+ Connect in 2023.&nbsp;

Unlike Uber&rsquo;s version, Lyft&rsquo;s feature also includes nonbinary users, although neither platform guarantees a match. Instead, the systems are designed to prioritize those matches when possible.

In Uber&rsquo;s case, rider and driver eligibility is based on account settings and government ID details, which helps the app match users accurately.&nbsp;

While a match isn&rsquo;t guaranteed, setting the preference increases the likelihood of being paired with a female counterpart.

The company has not yet provided a timeline for expanding the feature beyond the initial three cities.&nbsp;

However, Uber has indicated that rollout decisions will depend in part on local driver availability, rider demand, and feedback during the pilot.

Whether helping a rider feel more at ease on a late-night trip or encouraging more women to sign up and drive, Uber&rsquo;s new Women Preferences could make the platform more flexible for everyone.

New Uber Feature Lets Women Choose Women Riders or Drivers

Uber Offers Female Riders & Drivers a Women-Only Ride Option

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