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Republicans are barreling toward remaking the internet

Republicans are barreling toward remaking the internet

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For years, protecting kids online has been touted as one of the only issues Republicans and Democrats could agree on. Last year, nearly the entire Senate voted to pass a substantive kids online safety bill in an exceedingly rare show of bipartisanship. Right before the vote to pass the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), then-Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) praised the joint effort, saying, “It shows the chamber can work on something important, that no one let partisanship get in the way of passing this important legislation.”

But an event this week in Washington previewed how that conversation may take a different tone under President Donald Trump’s second term — one where anti-porn rules, conservative family values, and a push for parents’ rights take center stage.

The Federal Trade Commission workshop held on Wednesday — billed as “The Attention Economy: How Big Tech Firms Exploit Children and Hurt Families” — was more aggressively partisan than past tech-focused events. Originally announced with the milder tagline “Monopolizing Kids’ Time Online” at the end of the Biden administration, the Trump-era event deprioritized the academics and industry stakeholders found at similar FTC workshops.

In their place was a string of Republican regulators and lawmakers, alongside analysts from “family values” groups and conservative think tanks, including the Heritage Foundation, organizer of Project 2025. Remarks were delivered by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Katie Britt (R-AL), FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, and the agency’s other two Republican commissioners (the ones that remained after Trump broke Supreme Court precedent to attempt to fire their Democratic counterparts.)

Blackburn and Britt have both co-sponsored what are billed as bipartisan online safety rules: the KOSA for Blackburn and the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) for Britt. For years, these bills have been described as addressing common-sense problems with social media, like cyberbullying and addictive features that keep teens reaching for their phones. Both their Republican and Democratic backers constantly downplayed concerns that, for instance, KOSA might be used to make web platforms censor LGBTQ content. And many remarks at the FTC panel echoed common bipartisan talking points — FTC Commissioner Mark Meador, for example, riffed on the common comparison of the social media industry’s lobbying and marketing efforts to those of Big Tobacco.

Alongside calls for things like stronger privacy protections, Ferguson mentioned “cancel culture” in his opening remarks

But that earlier, bipartisan framing came together under Democratic President Joe Biden and a split Congress. With Republicans in control of all three branches of government, the tone has shifted. Alongside calls for things like stronger privacy protections, Ferguson mentioned “cancel culture” in his opening remarks, saying that “no parent wants their child canceled or exposed to public humiliation for some youthful indiscretion online.” The framing of his comments and those from other participants focused on giving parents more “control” and tools to monitor their children — a proposal that has bipartisan support but is a particular concern of the Republican “parents’ rights” movement.

Throughout the day, other speakers — several of whom have worked on efforts to exclude trans girls from sports or prevent the use of puberty blockers or other gender-affirming treatment — referenced Christian or family values in their remarks. Joseph Kohm, director of public policy at the Family Policy Alliance, said it’s not just Big Tech standing in the way of protections for kids online, but also the broader “sex industry,” which he says includes “prostitution, sex trafficking,” and porn. Kohm charged that this industry wraps itself in the banner of free speech but really is trying to ensure unfettered access to addictive porn sites to protect “a business model built on taking advantage of kids without parental consent and leaving them broken.” (Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee recently introduced a plan to wholesale ban online porn.)

Matthew Mehan, associate dean at the conservative Christian Hillsdale College, criticized teens’ constant need to track their friends’ locations as a sort of “mob mentality,” comparing the practice to “a bunch of orca whales” constantly locating each other “because you don’t know how to orient yourself. It’s because you don’t have relationships with God, your family, your work, your school, your community.”

The lineup could be taken as a targeted message at the very people who have previously stood in the way of kids online safety reform: fellow Republicans. Last year, the main roadblock to passing KOSA was House Republican leadership, which failed to put the bill to a vote after the Senate passed it 91-3. While Congress managed to speedily pass the Take It Down Act this year after first lady Melania Trump’s endorsement, the future of KOSA and other bills remains uncertain.

At this point, Republicans, who control both chambers of Congress, don’t necessarily need to convince Democrats to support online regulation. But locking out industry-aligned groups — not just conventional Big Tech companies but the tech world more broadly — could inspire pushback.

The Cato Institute called the event “a one-sided airing of grievances against tech companies”

“Small tech innovators like our members can offer essential, real-world expertise on policy implementation, technical feasibility, and the operational requirements of maintaining user privacy and safety,” ACT | The App Association, a trade group for small and medium-sized tech companies, wrote in a letter to Ferguson. “A balanced, inclusive dialogue would better equip the Commission to craft more effective policies to protect children online and avoid implementation challenges seen in recent policy proposals.”

Even the Cato Institute, the Koch-founded libertarian think tank, called the event “a one-sided airing of grievances against tech companies” in a blog post ahead of the workshop. Cato free expression and technology fellow David Inserra wrote that he was initially invited to participate, but that “the real disappointment is that we lost the chance to have a fruitful discussion featuring different perspectives on an important policy issue.”

Amid the shift in tone, though, the FTC event still turned out parents who lost their kids after struggling with online harms. For those parents, passing reforms that they believe could save kids like their own is still the top priority, regardless of which party currently controls the agenda. “Parents aren’t asking for a pass. They’re asking for help,” said Maurine Molak, a parent advocate whose teen son, David, died by suicide after experiencing cyberbullying. “This is a collective action problem, and it takes all of us working together to find common ground.”

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Gmail users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox.

1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically

How To Stop Spam from Cluttering Your Gmail Inbox? Most Gmail users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox. 1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords. Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email. 2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain. Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc. 3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox. This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively. 4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam. To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images. 5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically. 6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future. 7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email. Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox. #Stop #Spam #Cluttering #Gmail #InboxGmail

Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords.

Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email.

2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders

block entire domain to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain.

Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc.

3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources

Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox.

This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively.

4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails

report spam to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam.

To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images.

5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading

Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically.

6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting

report spam to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future.

7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address

A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email.

Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox.

#Stop #Spam #Cluttering #Gmail #InboxGmail">How To Stop Spam from Cluttering Your Gmail Inbox? Most Gmail users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox. 1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords. Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email. 2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain. Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc. 3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox. This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively. 4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam. To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images. 5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically. 6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future. 7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email. Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox. #Stop #Spam #Cluttering #Gmail #InboxGmail

users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox.

1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically

How To Stop Spam from Cluttering Your Gmail Inbox? Most Gmail users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox. 1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords. Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email. 2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain. Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc. 3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox. This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively. 4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam. To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images. 5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically. 6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future. 7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email. Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox. #Stop #Spam #Cluttering #Gmail #InboxGmail

Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords.

Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email.

2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders

block entire domain to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain.

Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc.

3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources

Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox.

This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively.

4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails

report spam to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam.

To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images.

5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading

Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically.

6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting

report spam to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future.

7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address

A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email.

Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox.

#Stop #Spam #Cluttering #Gmail #InboxGmail">How To Stop Spam from Cluttering Your Gmail Inbox?

Most Gmail users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox.

1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically

How To Stop Spam from Cluttering Your Gmail Inbox? Most Gmail users deal with a constant flow of spam, promotions, and unnecessary updates every day. Even after trying to unsubscribe or block certain senders, unwanted messages often continue to appear. Some don’t even offer a proper way to opt out. Instead of dealing with each email individually, using the right settings and filters can make a big difference. Here are different ways to stop spam from taking over your Gmail inbox. 1. Use Gmail Filters to Manage Emails Automatically Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords. Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email. 2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain. Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc. 3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox. This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively. 4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam. To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images. 5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically. 6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future. 7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email. Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox. #Stop #Spam #Cluttering #Gmail #InboxGmail

Filters are highly effective in addressing recurring spam problems in Gmail accounts. Rather than constantly deleting similar emails, filters can automatically treat specific messages based on the sender’s identity or specific keywords.

Filters can be created directly from an email. Simply open the message, click the three-dot menu, and select “Filter messages like this.” After that, choose what action Gmail should take, such as deleting or organizing the email.

2. Block Entire Domains Instead of Single Senders

block entire domain to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Some individuals still use multiple versions of their addresses when sending email messages. The problem is that simple blocking is ineffective, since the same individual will continue to send new emails. To address this issue, it may be better to block all emails from a specific domain.

Just like filters, one can do the following to block these emails. Type the domain in Google’s Gmail search tab, click on “filter,” and then proceed to choose actions such as deleting the email, marking it as spam, etc.

3. Use Email Aliases to Track Spam Sources

Gmail allows the use of aliases by adding a “+” sign to an existing email address. These variations can be used while signing up on different websites, while still keeping everything in one inbox.

This makes it easier to track where spam is coming from. If unwanted emails start appearing on a specific alias, the source can be identified and then filtered or blocked more effectively.

4. Avoid Opening Suspicious Emails

report spam to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Most suspicious emails include tracking components that activate when the recipient opens them. These are typically invisible pictures that indicate whether the recipient has viewed the message, hence increasing the likelihood of receiving more spam.

To prevent this, one should refrain from opening any strange-looking emails, such as those from unknown sources or with funny subject lines. Such emails can either be disposed of immediately or filtered through other means. One can use Gmail’s settings to request permission to view external images.

5. Turn Off Automatic Image Loading

Images inside marketing emails are often used to track activity. As soon as an email opens and the images load, it confirms to the sender that the email address is active. To stop this, automatic image loading can be disabled in Gmail. After enabling the setting to ask before showing images, tracking images will no longer load automatically.

6. Report Spam Instead of Just Deleting

report spam to Stop Spam from Taking Over Your Gmail

Removing spam by deleting emails is only a short-term fix. It clears space but doesn’t prevent new spam from arriving. Using the “Report Spam” option is more effective. It helps Gmail understand which emails are unwanted and improves its filtering system over time, reducing similar spam in the future.

7. Limit Use of Primary Email Address

A primary email address can quickly become overloaded if it is used everywhere. Over time, it gets shared across many platforms, leading to more promotional and spam emails. To avoid such inconvenience, one should use their primary email address only for essential accounts and, in other cases, use a secondary email.

Although spam cannot be entirely eliminated from a user’s life, it is possible to control its impact using certain tactics. Simple things like filtering, reporting spam, and reducing the number of emails you receive will significantly help you manage your inbox.

#Stop #Spam #Cluttering #Gmail #InboxGmail
You know those little ADT security signs? You know, the ADT logo-emblazoned yard signs or stickers you find in front of houses or slapped on a window by the front door. Well, ADT is rethinking them: today, the home security company announced the ADT Live Light, a light-up version of its logo yard sign that will—you guessed it—shine when your ADT alarm system has been tripped. 

Besides being a visual indicator for your neighbors that something is amiss, ADT says the Live Light could be useful in helping first responders identify which house is yours. It would also serve the same purpose as the stickers and yard signs that came before it: letting would-be intruders know that they risk triggering an alarm by messing with your stuff. And while it can activate automatically, you can also turn it on using the ADT+ app if you want.

The Live Light is wireless and powered by three included AAA lithium batteries. It’s IP65-rated, meaning it should be dust-proof and resistant to water jets from any direction, and should operate in temperatures ranging from 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Both good things if you’re expecting people to leave their light-up sign out in the elements year-round (although those of us in the Midwest might want to bring it in for a couple of months in the winter). The sign itself is 10 x 10 inches tall and 1.75 inches thick, and goes into the ground with a 21-inch stake, although it can also be wall-mounted. 

The Live Light requires a $25-per-month ADT Professional Monitoring subscription and costs $50, including professional installation. There’s no option to install it yourself; ADT requires that one of its own installers carry out what doesn’t strike me as a terribly complicated procedure. (But what do I know? I’m just a little ol’ country technology reporter.)

Images showing the ADT My Safety feature in the ADT+ app.
© ADT

ADT also announced a new ADT+ app feature called My Safety. My Safety extends ADT’s subscriber service beyond your house by letting you do things like set a check-in timer that, if missed, will prompt ADT to contact emergency services for you. It also offers the manual options of speaking or texting with ADT agents, or setting an “Emergency Phrase” that lets you speak a custom phrase to summon help—that is, ADT will again contact emergency services for you. The company says subscribers will be able to use that last feature even if their phone isn’t in their hand, and I’ve asked exactly how that works.

For the My Safety feature, there’s no call history, and for subscriptions with multiple people on them, only the person who initiates a call with ADT monitoring will be able to see status, activity, alerts, and notifications. It’s nice to see the company has thought of that—it can be important for victims of abuse to be able to discreetly seek help. An ADT representative told Gizmodo via email that the ADT+ app update with My Safety is available now for all subscribers in the U.S., except in Milwaukee, WI.

#ADTs #Big #Idea #LightUp #ADT #Sign #YardADT,apps,Home security,Smart Home">ADT’s New Big Idea Is a Light-Up ADT Sign for Your Yard You know those little ADT security signs? You know, the ADT logo-emblazoned yard signs or stickers you find in front of houses or slapped on a window by the front door. Well, ADT is rethinking them: today, the home security company announced the ADT Live Light, a light-up version of its logo yard sign that will—you guessed it—shine when your ADT alarm system has been tripped.  Besides being a visual indicator for your neighbors that something is amiss, ADT says the Live Light could be useful in helping first responders identify which house is yours. It would also serve the same purpose as the stickers and yard signs that came before it: letting would-be intruders know that they risk triggering an alarm by messing with your stuff. And while it can activate automatically, you can also turn it on using the ADT+ app if you want. © ADT © ADT The Live Light is wireless and powered by three included AAA lithium batteries. It’s IP65-rated, meaning it should be dust-proof and resistant to water jets from any direction, and should operate in temperatures ranging from 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Both good things if you’re expecting people to leave their light-up sign out in the elements year-round (although those of us in the Midwest might want to bring it in for a couple of months in the winter). The sign itself is 10 x 10 inches tall and 1.75 inches thick, and goes into the ground with a 21-inch stake, although it can also be wall-mounted.  The Live Light requires a -per-month ADT Professional Monitoring subscription and costs , including professional installation. There’s no option to install it yourself; ADT requires that one of its own installers carry out what doesn’t strike me as a terribly complicated procedure. (But what do I know? I’m just a little ol’ country technology reporter.) © ADT ADT also announced a new ADT+ app feature called My Safety. My Safety extends ADT’s subscriber service beyond your house by letting you do things like set a check-in timer that, if missed, will prompt ADT to contact emergency services for you. It also offers the manual options of speaking or texting with ADT agents, or setting an “Emergency Phrase” that lets you speak a custom phrase to summon help—that is, ADT will again contact emergency services for you. The company says subscribers will be able to use that last feature even if their phone isn’t in their hand, and I’ve asked exactly how that works. For the My Safety feature, there’s no call history, and for subscriptions with multiple people on them, only the person who initiates a call with ADT monitoring will be able to see status, activity, alerts, and notifications. It’s nice to see the company has thought of that—it can be important for victims of abuse to be able to discreetly seek help. An ADT representative told Gizmodo via email that the ADT+ app update with My Safety is available now for all subscribers in the U.S., except in Milwaukee, WI. #ADTs #Big #Idea #LightUp #ADT #Sign #YardADT,apps,Home security,Smart Home

ADT Live Light, a light-up version of its logo yard sign that will—you guessed it—shine when your ADT alarm system has been tripped. 

Besides being a visual indicator for your neighbors that something is amiss, ADT says the Live Light could be useful in helping first responders identify which house is yours. It would also serve the same purpose as the stickers and yard signs that came before it: letting would-be intruders know that they risk triggering an alarm by messing with your stuff. And while it can activate automatically, you can also turn it on using the ADT+ app if you want.

The Live Light is wireless and powered by three included AAA lithium batteries. It’s IP65-rated, meaning it should be dust-proof and resistant to water jets from any direction, and should operate in temperatures ranging from 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Both good things if you’re expecting people to leave their light-up sign out in the elements year-round (although those of us in the Midwest might want to bring it in for a couple of months in the winter). The sign itself is 10 x 10 inches tall and 1.75 inches thick, and goes into the ground with a 21-inch stake, although it can also be wall-mounted. 

The Live Light requires a $25-per-month ADT Professional Monitoring subscription and costs $50, including professional installation. There’s no option to install it yourself; ADT requires that one of its own installers carry out what doesn’t strike me as a terribly complicated procedure. (But what do I know? I’m just a little ol’ country technology reporter.)

Images showing the ADT My Safety feature in the ADT+ app.
© ADT

ADT also announced a new ADT+ app feature called My Safety. My Safety extends ADT’s subscriber service beyond your house by letting you do things like set a check-in timer that, if missed, will prompt ADT to contact emergency services for you. It also offers the manual options of speaking or texting with ADT agents, or setting an “Emergency Phrase” that lets you speak a custom phrase to summon help—that is, ADT will again contact emergency services for you. The company says subscribers will be able to use that last feature even if their phone isn’t in their hand, and I’ve asked exactly how that works.

For the My Safety feature, there’s no call history, and for subscriptions with multiple people on them, only the person who initiates a call with ADT monitoring will be able to see status, activity, alerts, and notifications. It’s nice to see the company has thought of that—it can be important for victims of abuse to be able to discreetly seek help. An ADT representative told Gizmodo via email that the ADT+ app update with My Safety is available now for all subscribers in the U.S., except in Milwaukee, WI.

#ADTs #Big #Idea #LightUp #ADT #Sign #YardADT,apps,Home security,Smart Home">ADT’s New Big Idea Is a Light-Up ADT Sign for Your Yard

You know those little ADT security signs? You know, the ADT logo-emblazoned yard signs or stickers you find in front of houses or slapped on a window by the front door. Well, ADT is rethinking them: today, the home security company announced the ADT Live Light, a light-up version of its logo yard sign that will—you guessed it—shine when your ADT alarm system has been tripped. 

Besides being a visual indicator for your neighbors that something is amiss, ADT says the Live Light could be useful in helping first responders identify which house is yours. It would also serve the same purpose as the stickers and yard signs that came before it: letting would-be intruders know that they risk triggering an alarm by messing with your stuff. And while it can activate automatically, you can also turn it on using the ADT+ app if you want.

The Live Light is wireless and powered by three included AAA lithium batteries. It’s IP65-rated, meaning it should be dust-proof and resistant to water jets from any direction, and should operate in temperatures ranging from 4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Both good things if you’re expecting people to leave their light-up sign out in the elements year-round (although those of us in the Midwest might want to bring it in for a couple of months in the winter). The sign itself is 10 x 10 inches tall and 1.75 inches thick, and goes into the ground with a 21-inch stake, although it can also be wall-mounted. 

The Live Light requires a $25-per-month ADT Professional Monitoring subscription and costs $50, including professional installation. There’s no option to install it yourself; ADT requires that one of its own installers carry out what doesn’t strike me as a terribly complicated procedure. (But what do I know? I’m just a little ol’ country technology reporter.)

Images showing the ADT My Safety feature in the ADT+ app.
© ADT

ADT also announced a new ADT+ app feature called My Safety. My Safety extends ADT’s subscriber service beyond your house by letting you do things like set a check-in timer that, if missed, will prompt ADT to contact emergency services for you. It also offers the manual options of speaking or texting with ADT agents, or setting an “Emergency Phrase” that lets you speak a custom phrase to summon help—that is, ADT will again contact emergency services for you. The company says subscribers will be able to use that last feature even if their phone isn’t in their hand, and I’ve asked exactly how that works.

For the My Safety feature, there’s no call history, and for subscriptions with multiple people on them, only the person who initiates a call with ADT monitoring will be able to see status, activity, alerts, and notifications. It’s nice to see the company has thought of that—it can be important for victims of abuse to be able to discreetly seek help. An ADT representative told Gizmodo via email that the ADT+ app update with My Safety is available now for all subscribers in the U.S., except in Milwaukee, WI.

#ADTs #Big #Idea #LightUp #ADT #Sign #YardADT,apps,Home security,Smart Home

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