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OpenAI, SoftBank Pull Back on 0B Stargate Project – TipRanks.com

OpenAI, SoftBank Pull Back on $500B Stargate Project – TipRanks.com

Tech-news

OpenAI and SoftBank (SFTBF) have reportedly pulled back on their ambitious $500 billion Stargate project. The decision comes amid delays in securing any major data center deals, putting the future of one of the tech world’s most high-profile projects in doubt.

Elevate Your Investing Strategy:

Stargate Project Narrows to One Site by End of Year

In January 2025, President Trump announced the Stargate project alongside OpenAI, Oracle (ORCL), and SoftBank, with a goal to boost U.S. AI infrastructure. The project began with a $100 billion investment and aims to grow to $500 billion over the next four years.

However, the companies are now targeting a more modest goal of building just a single data center in Ohio by the end of the year. According to sources familiar with the matter, SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son and OpenAI’s Sam Altman have disagreed on key aspects of the Stargate deal, including the location of the site.

The sluggish launch of Stargate is a setback for Son, who is eyeing a key spot in the AI world with his massive investments. Despite the slow start, Son remains optimistic about OpenAI and has reportedly expressed interest in increasing his investment in the company.

Meanwhile, OpenAI has reportedly agreed to lease around 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity from Oracle in the U.S. as part of the Stargate project. As part of this, Oracle plans to build multiple data centers across the country, with potential sites in Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Wyoming, New Mexico, Georgia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Which Stargate Stock Has the Most Upside Potential?

Turning to Wall Street, SFTBF stock carries a Strong Buy rating from analysts as compared to a Moderate Buy consensus for ORCL stock. However, both stocks suggest more than 2% downside from current prices.

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launch on April 15, 2026. The headline features are the all-new ultrawide selfie camera and a more polished design. Here’s everything we know so far.

New Cameras

OPPO F33 Pro Launching April 15 With 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, New Design The new OPPO F33 series is just around the corner, and the Chinese smartphone maker has shared a lot more about the upcoming phones ahead of its India launch on April 15, 2026. The headline features are the all-new ultrawide selfie camera and a more polished design. Here’s everything we know so far. New Cameras Like the new iPhone 17, the highlight of the OPPO F33 Pro is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view. That’s significantly wider than what most phones in this segment offer, and OPPO says it can capture up to 30% more area in group selfies. To make that useful in real-world scenarios, the phone also includes an “AI Groupfie Expert” system. It can automatically switch to a wider 0.6x view when more people enter the frame and correct facial distortion for up to six faces at once. On the back, the F33 series uses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While that setup isn’t groundbreaking on paper, one of the new features is AI Portrait Glow, which adjusts lighting in real time depending on the scene. It offers multiple lighting styles, including Natural, Rim, and Studio modes, to improve portraits in tricky lighting conditions. Another interesting addition is the Colorful Front Fill Light, which replaces the usual harsh white flash with softer, adjustable tones to make selfies look more natural, especially at night. The phone also introduces creative features like Popout, which lets users create layered photos with a sense of depth directly from the camera, and Dual-View Video Redesigned Build Beyond cameras, OPPO is also making noticeable changes to the design. The F33 Pro introduces a new “Starry Sea” camera module with a cleaner layout and a more prominent lens design. The phone uses a one-piece back panel made from a thicker composite material, which OPPO claims improves durability without adding the fragility of glass. It’s also using a CNC carving process to create a mix of glossy and matte finishes on the same surface. The F33 Pro will be available in three finishes: Misty Forest, Starry Blue, and Passion Red, each with a slightly different texture and visual style. The device features a 6.57-inch flat display and weighs 194 grams, keeping things relatively slim and manageable. #OPPO #F33 #Pro #Launching #April #50MP #UltraWide #Selfie #Camera #DesignOppo

Like the new iPhone 17, the highlight of the OPPO F33 Pro is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view. That’s significantly wider than what most phones in this segment offer, and OPPO says it can capture up to 30% more area in group selfies. To make that useful in real-world scenarios, the phone also includes an “AI Groupfie Expert” system. It can automatically switch to a wider 0.6x view when more people enter the frame and correct facial distortion for up to six faces at once.

On the back, the F33 series uses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While that setup isn’t groundbreaking on paper, one of the new features is AI Portrait Glow, which adjusts lighting in real time depending on the scene. It offers multiple lighting styles, including Natural, Rim, and Studio modes, to improve portraits in tricky lighting conditions. Another interesting addition is the Colorful Front Fill Light, which replaces the usual harsh white flash with softer, adjustable tones to make selfies look more natural, especially at night. The phone also introduces creative features like Popout, which lets users create layered photos with a sense of depth directly from the camera, and Dual-View Video

Redesigned Build

People posing for a selfie with the F33 Pro

Beyond cameras, OPPO is also making noticeable changes to the design. The F33 Pro introduces a new “Starry Sea” camera module with a cleaner layout and a more prominent lens design. The phone uses a one-piece back panel made from a thicker composite material, which OPPO claims improves durability without adding the fragility of glass. It’s also using a CNC carving process to create a mix of glossy and matte finishes on the same surface.

The F33 Pro will be available in three finishes: Misty Forest, Starry Blue, and Passion Red, each with a slightly different texture and visual style. The device features a 6.57-inch flat display and weighs 194 grams, keeping things relatively slim and manageable.

#OPPO #F33 #Pro #Launching #April #50MP #UltraWide #Selfie #Camera #DesignOppo">OPPO F33 Pro Launching April 15 With 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, New Design The new OPPO F33 series is just around the corner, and the Chinese smartphone maker has shared a lot more about the upcoming phones ahead of its India launch on April 15, 2026. The headline features are the all-new ultrawide selfie camera and a more polished design. Here’s everything we know so far. New Cameras Like the new iPhone 17, the highlight of the OPPO F33 Pro is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view. That’s significantly wider than what most phones in this segment offer, and OPPO says it can capture up to 30% more area in group selfies. To make that useful in real-world scenarios, the phone also includes an “AI Groupfie Expert” system. It can automatically switch to a wider 0.6x view when more people enter the frame and correct facial distortion for up to six faces at once. On the back, the F33 series uses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While that setup isn’t groundbreaking on paper, one of the new features is AI Portrait Glow, which adjusts lighting in real time depending on the scene. It offers multiple lighting styles, including Natural, Rim, and Studio modes, to improve portraits in tricky lighting conditions. Another interesting addition is the Colorful Front Fill Light, which replaces the usual harsh white flash with softer, adjustable tones to make selfies look more natural, especially at night. The phone also introduces creative features like Popout, which lets users create layered photos with a sense of depth directly from the camera, and Dual-View Video Redesigned Build Beyond cameras, OPPO is also making noticeable changes to the design. The F33 Pro introduces a new “Starry Sea” camera module with a cleaner layout and a more prominent lens design. The phone uses a one-piece back panel made from a thicker composite material, which OPPO claims improves durability without adding the fragility of glass. It’s also using a CNC carving process to create a mix of glossy and matte finishes on the same surface. The F33 Pro will be available in three finishes: Misty Forest, Starry Blue, and Passion Red, each with a slightly different texture and visual style. The device features a 6.57-inch flat display and weighs 194 grams, keeping things relatively slim and manageable. #OPPO #F33 #Pro #Launching #April #50MP #UltraWide #Selfie #Camera #DesignOppo

on April 15, 2026. The headline features are the all-new ultrawide selfie camera and a more polished design. Here’s everything we know so far.

New Cameras

OPPO F33 Pro Launching April 15 With 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, New Design The new OPPO F33 series is just around the corner, and the Chinese smartphone maker has shared a lot more about the upcoming phones ahead of its India launch on April 15, 2026. The headline features are the all-new ultrawide selfie camera and a more polished design. Here’s everything we know so far. New Cameras Like the new iPhone 17, the highlight of the OPPO F33 Pro is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view. That’s significantly wider than what most phones in this segment offer, and OPPO says it can capture up to 30% more area in group selfies. To make that useful in real-world scenarios, the phone also includes an “AI Groupfie Expert” system. It can automatically switch to a wider 0.6x view when more people enter the frame and correct facial distortion for up to six faces at once. On the back, the F33 series uses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While that setup isn’t groundbreaking on paper, one of the new features is AI Portrait Glow, which adjusts lighting in real time depending on the scene. It offers multiple lighting styles, including Natural, Rim, and Studio modes, to improve portraits in tricky lighting conditions. Another interesting addition is the Colorful Front Fill Light, which replaces the usual harsh white flash with softer, adjustable tones to make selfies look more natural, especially at night. The phone also introduces creative features like Popout, which lets users create layered photos with a sense of depth directly from the camera, and Dual-View Video Redesigned Build Beyond cameras, OPPO is also making noticeable changes to the design. The F33 Pro introduces a new “Starry Sea” camera module with a cleaner layout and a more prominent lens design. The phone uses a one-piece back panel made from a thicker composite material, which OPPO claims improves durability without adding the fragility of glass. It’s also using a CNC carving process to create a mix of glossy and matte finishes on the same surface. The F33 Pro will be available in three finishes: Misty Forest, Starry Blue, and Passion Red, each with a slightly different texture and visual style. The device features a 6.57-inch flat display and weighs 194 grams, keeping things relatively slim and manageable. #OPPO #F33 #Pro #Launching #April #50MP #UltraWide #Selfie #Camera #DesignOppo

Like the new iPhone 17, the highlight of the OPPO F33 Pro is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view. That’s significantly wider than what most phones in this segment offer, and OPPO says it can capture up to 30% more area in group selfies. To make that useful in real-world scenarios, the phone also includes an “AI Groupfie Expert” system. It can automatically switch to a wider 0.6x view when more people enter the frame and correct facial distortion for up to six faces at once.

On the back, the F33 series uses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While that setup isn’t groundbreaking on paper, one of the new features is AI Portrait Glow, which adjusts lighting in real time depending on the scene. It offers multiple lighting styles, including Natural, Rim, and Studio modes, to improve portraits in tricky lighting conditions. Another interesting addition is the Colorful Front Fill Light, which replaces the usual harsh white flash with softer, adjustable tones to make selfies look more natural, especially at night. The phone also introduces creative features like Popout, which lets users create layered photos with a sense of depth directly from the camera, and Dual-View Video

Redesigned Build

People posing for a selfie with the F33 Pro

Beyond cameras, OPPO is also making noticeable changes to the design. The F33 Pro introduces a new “Starry Sea” camera module with a cleaner layout and a more prominent lens design. The phone uses a one-piece back panel made from a thicker composite material, which OPPO claims improves durability without adding the fragility of glass. It’s also using a CNC carving process to create a mix of glossy and matte finishes on the same surface.

The F33 Pro will be available in three finishes: Misty Forest, Starry Blue, and Passion Red, each with a slightly different texture and visual style. The device features a 6.57-inch flat display and weighs 194 grams, keeping things relatively slim and manageable.

#OPPO #F33 #Pro #Launching #April #50MP #UltraWide #Selfie #Camera #DesignOppo">OPPO F33 Pro Launching April 15 With 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, New Design

The new OPPO F33 series is just around the corner, and the Chinese smartphone maker has shared a lot more about the upcoming phones ahead of its India launch on April 15, 2026. The headline features are the all-new ultrawide selfie camera and a more polished design. Here’s everything we know so far.

New Cameras

OPPO F33 Pro Launching April 15 With 50MP Ultra-Wide Selfie Camera, New Design The new OPPO F33 series is just around the corner, and the Chinese smartphone maker has shared a lot more about the upcoming phones ahead of its India launch on April 15, 2026. The headline features are the all-new ultrawide selfie camera and a more polished design. Here’s everything we know so far. New Cameras Like the new iPhone 17, the highlight of the OPPO F33 Pro is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view. That’s significantly wider than what most phones in this segment offer, and OPPO says it can capture up to 30% more area in group selfies. To make that useful in real-world scenarios, the phone also includes an “AI Groupfie Expert” system. It can automatically switch to a wider 0.6x view when more people enter the frame and correct facial distortion for up to six faces at once. On the back, the F33 series uses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While that setup isn’t groundbreaking on paper, one of the new features is AI Portrait Glow, which adjusts lighting in real time depending on the scene. It offers multiple lighting styles, including Natural, Rim, and Studio modes, to improve portraits in tricky lighting conditions. Another interesting addition is the Colorful Front Fill Light, which replaces the usual harsh white flash with softer, adjustable tones to make selfies look more natural, especially at night. The phone also introduces creative features like Popout, which lets users create layered photos with a sense of depth directly from the camera, and Dual-View Video Redesigned Build Beyond cameras, OPPO is also making noticeable changes to the design. The F33 Pro introduces a new “Starry Sea” camera module with a cleaner layout and a more prominent lens design. The phone uses a one-piece back panel made from a thicker composite material, which OPPO claims improves durability without adding the fragility of glass. It’s also using a CNC carving process to create a mix of glossy and matte finishes on the same surface. The F33 Pro will be available in three finishes: Misty Forest, Starry Blue, and Passion Red, each with a slightly different texture and visual style. The device features a 6.57-inch flat display and weighs 194 grams, keeping things relatively slim and manageable. #OPPO #F33 #Pro #Launching #April #50MP #UltraWide #Selfie #Camera #DesignOppo

Like the new iPhone 17, the highlight of the OPPO F33 Pro is its 50MP ultra-wide front camera with a 100° field of view. That’s significantly wider than what most phones in this segment offer, and OPPO says it can capture up to 30% more area in group selfies. To make that useful in real-world scenarios, the phone also includes an “AI Groupfie Expert” system. It can automatically switch to a wider 0.6x view when more people enter the frame and correct facial distortion for up to six faces at once.

On the back, the F33 series uses a 50MP main sensor paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While that setup isn’t groundbreaking on paper, one of the new features is AI Portrait Glow, which adjusts lighting in real time depending on the scene. It offers multiple lighting styles, including Natural, Rim, and Studio modes, to improve portraits in tricky lighting conditions. Another interesting addition is the Colorful Front Fill Light, which replaces the usual harsh white flash with softer, adjustable tones to make selfies look more natural, especially at night. The phone also introduces creative features like Popout, which lets users create layered photos with a sense of depth directly from the camera, and Dual-View Video

Redesigned Build

People posing for a selfie with the F33 Pro

Beyond cameras, OPPO is also making noticeable changes to the design. The F33 Pro introduces a new “Starry Sea” camera module with a cleaner layout and a more prominent lens design. The phone uses a one-piece back panel made from a thicker composite material, which OPPO claims improves durability without adding the fragility of glass. It’s also using a CNC carving process to create a mix of glossy and matte finishes on the same surface.

The F33 Pro will be available in three finishes: Misty Forest, Starry Blue, and Passion Red, each with a slightly different texture and visual style. The device features a 6.57-inch flat display and weighs 194 grams, keeping things relatively slim and manageable.

#OPPO #F33 #Pro #Launching #April #50MP #UltraWide #Selfie #Camera #DesignOppo

As Artemis 2 flies around the Moon in real life, For All Mankind is looking well beyond. The Apple TV show is currently set on Mars, and everyone there has eyes looking even further into the cosmos. But how will they make that happen? Well, two women still on Earth seem to have the answer.

For All Mankind is currently in the midst of its fifth season, and this week’s third episode, titled “Home,” is one of the biggest and most memorable yet. Part of that is that two of the show’s most iconic characters, Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt, who has been on the show since season one) and Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña, who has played the character since season two), are about to have a very important chat. One that io9 has an exclusive clip from. Check it out.

https://youtu.be/gNlnf2JKIe8

To recap a bit, Margo, a former leader at NASA, is in jail for aiding Russia but still retains a relationship with Aleida, her former mentee and current CEO of Helios. They have regular discussions about what’s happening on Mars, and now, the problem is how to beat the competition to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. And it’s Margo that gives Aleida an answer she never even thought of. Going back to the old ship, Sojourner.

What happens from there? We won’t spoil it. But we love that this clip brings together two of the show’s best, all-time characters having a conversation that’s so crucial to where things are going. Can Helios and/or NASA bring Sojourner back to life and send it even further into space? What, if anything, will they find there if they do? And what’s next for Margo and Aleida, a duo that has had quite the relationship over the years?

Trust us when we say you do not want to miss this week’s episode of For All Mankind. We’ll have more on it later this week.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Watch #Mankind #Legends #Figure #Future #ExclusiveApple TV,Coral Peña,For All Mankind,Wrenn Schmidt">Watch Two ‘For All Mankind’ Legends Figure Out Its Future (Exclusive) As Artemis 2 flies around the Moon in real life, For All Mankind is looking well beyond. The Apple TV show is currently set on Mars, and everyone there has eyes looking even further into the cosmos. But how will they make that happen? Well, two women still on Earth seem to have the answer. For All Mankind is currently in the midst of its fifth season, and this week’s third episode, titled “Home,” is one of the biggest and most memorable yet. Part of that is that two of the show’s most iconic characters, Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt, who has been on the show since season one) and Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña, who has played the character since season two), are about to have a very important chat. One that io9 has an exclusive clip from. Check it out. https://youtu.be/gNlnf2JKIe8 To recap a bit, Margo, a former leader at NASA, is in jail for aiding Russia but still retains a relationship with Aleida, her former mentee and current CEO of Helios. They have regular discussions about what’s happening on Mars, and now, the problem is how to beat the competition to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. And it’s Margo that gives Aleida an answer she never even thought of. Going back to the old ship, Sojourner. What happens from there? We won’t spoil it. But we love that this clip brings together two of the show’s best, all-time characters having a conversation that’s so crucial to where things are going. Can Helios and/or NASA bring Sojourner back to life and send it even further into space? What, if anything, will they find there if they do? And what’s next for Margo and Aleida, a duo that has had quite the relationship over the years? Trust us when we say you do not want to miss this week’s episode of For All Mankind. We’ll have more on it later this week. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Watch #Mankind #Legends #Figure #Future #ExclusiveApple TV,Coral Peña,For All Mankind,Wrenn Schmidt

flies around the Moon in real life, For All Mankind is looking well beyond. The Apple TV show is currently set on Mars, and everyone there has eyes looking even further into the cosmos. But how will they make that happen? Well, two women still on Earth seem to have the answer.

For All Mankind is currently in the midst of its fifth season, and this week’s third episode, titled “Home,” is one of the biggest and most memorable yet. Part of that is that two of the show’s most iconic characters, Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt, who has been on the show since season one) and Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña, who has played the character since season two), are about to have a very important chat. One that io9 has an exclusive clip from. Check it out.

https://youtu.be/gNlnf2JKIe8

To recap a bit, Margo, a former leader at NASA, is in jail for aiding Russia but still retains a relationship with Aleida, her former mentee and current CEO of Helios. They have regular discussions about what’s happening on Mars, and now, the problem is how to beat the competition to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. And it’s Margo that gives Aleida an answer she never even thought of. Going back to the old ship, Sojourner.

What happens from there? We won’t spoil it. But we love that this clip brings together two of the show’s best, all-time characters having a conversation that’s so crucial to where things are going. Can Helios and/or NASA bring Sojourner back to life and send it even further into space? What, if anything, will they find there if they do? And what’s next for Margo and Aleida, a duo that has had quite the relationship over the years?

Trust us when we say you do not want to miss this week’s episode of For All Mankind. We’ll have more on it later this week.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Watch #Mankind #Legends #Figure #Future #ExclusiveApple TV,Coral Peña,For All Mankind,Wrenn Schmidt">Watch Two ‘For All Mankind’ Legends Figure Out Its Future (Exclusive)Watch Two ‘For All Mankind’ Legends Figure Out Its Future (Exclusive) As Artemis 2 flies around the Moon in real life, For All Mankind is looking well beyond. The Apple TV show is currently set on Mars, and everyone there has eyes looking even further into the cosmos. But how will they make that happen? Well, two women still on Earth seem to have the answer. For All Mankind is currently in the midst of its fifth season, and this week’s third episode, titled “Home,” is one of the biggest and most memorable yet. Part of that is that two of the show’s most iconic characters, Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt, who has been on the show since season one) and Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña, who has played the character since season two), are about to have a very important chat. One that io9 has an exclusive clip from. Check it out. https://youtu.be/gNlnf2JKIe8 To recap a bit, Margo, a former leader at NASA, is in jail for aiding Russia but still retains a relationship with Aleida, her former mentee and current CEO of Helios. They have regular discussions about what’s happening on Mars, and now, the problem is how to beat the competition to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. And it’s Margo that gives Aleida an answer she never even thought of. Going back to the old ship, Sojourner. What happens from there? We won’t spoil it. But we love that this clip brings together two of the show’s best, all-time characters having a conversation that’s so crucial to where things are going. Can Helios and/or NASA bring Sojourner back to life and send it even further into space? What, if anything, will they find there if they do? And what’s next for Margo and Aleida, a duo that has had quite the relationship over the years? Trust us when we say you do not want to miss this week’s episode of For All Mankind. We’ll have more on it later this week. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Watch #Mankind #Legends #Figure #Future #ExclusiveApple TV,Coral Peña,For All Mankind,Wrenn Schmidt

As Artemis 2 flies around the Moon in real life, For All Mankind is looking well beyond. The Apple TV show is currently set on Mars, and everyone there has eyes looking even further into the cosmos. But how will they make that happen? Well, two women still on Earth seem to have the answer.

For All Mankind is currently in the midst of its fifth season, and this week’s third episode, titled “Home,” is one of the biggest and most memorable yet. Part of that is that two of the show’s most iconic characters, Margo Madison (Wrenn Schmidt, who has been on the show since season one) and Aleida Rosales (Coral Peña, who has played the character since season two), are about to have a very important chat. One that io9 has an exclusive clip from. Check it out.

https://youtu.be/gNlnf2JKIe8

To recap a bit, Margo, a former leader at NASA, is in jail for aiding Russia but still retains a relationship with Aleida, her former mentee and current CEO of Helios. They have regular discussions about what’s happening on Mars, and now, the problem is how to beat the competition to Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. And it’s Margo that gives Aleida an answer she never even thought of. Going back to the old ship, Sojourner.

What happens from there? We won’t spoil it. But we love that this clip brings together two of the show’s best, all-time characters having a conversation that’s so crucial to where things are going. Can Helios and/or NASA bring Sojourner back to life and send it even further into space? What, if anything, will they find there if they do? And what’s next for Margo and Aleida, a duo that has had quite the relationship over the years?

Trust us when we say you do not want to miss this week’s episode of For All Mankind. We’ll have more on it later this week.

Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

#Watch #Mankind #Legends #Figure #Future #ExclusiveApple TV,Coral Peña,For All Mankind,Wrenn Schmidt

Thousands of men are members of Telegram groups and channels that advertise and sell hacking and surveillance services that can be used to harass friends, wives and girlfriends, and former partners, new research has uncovered. The findings, from a European nonprofit group, also say that the communities are involved in extensive trading, selling, and promotion of a huge variety of abusive content, including nonconsensual intimate images of women, so-called nudifying services, plus folders of images that sellers claim include child sexual abuse material and depictions of incest and rape.

Over six weeks earlier this year, researchers at the algorithmic auditing group AI Forensics analyzed nearly 2.8 million messages sent across 16 Italian and Spanish Telegram communities that are regularly posting abusive content targeting women and girls. More than 24,000 members of the Telegram groups and channels took part in posting 82,723 images, videos, and audio files over the course of the study, the analysis says. Many posts target celebrities and influencers, but men in the groups also frequently victimize women they know.

“We tend to forget that most victims are ordinary women who sometimes don’t even know that their pictures are shared or manipulated in these types of channels,” says Silvia Semenzin, a researcher at AI Forensics who previously exposed Italian Telegram channels engaging in similar behavior as far back as 2019. “The majority of this violence is directed towards people who the perpetrators know,” she says, suggesting that Telegram, which has over 1 billion monthly active users, according to company founder Pavel Durov, should be subject to stricter regulation and classed as a “very large online platform” under Europe’s online safety rules.

The findings come as Durov is fighting back against Russia’s efforts to block the messaging app in that country, which has long positioned itself as a messaging app that allows free speech but has simultaneously been used by some to share terrorist, sexual abuse, and cybercrime materials. Durov is under criminal investigation in France relating to alleged criminal activity taking place on Telegram, although he has consistently denied the allegations.

A Telegram spokesperson tells WIRED that the company removes “millions” of pieces of content per day using “custom AI tools” and has policies in Europe that do not allow the promotion of violence, illegal sexual content including nonconsensual imagery, and other content such as doxing and selling illegal goods and services.

Among the extensive types of abusive content and services observed by the AI Forensics researchers were frequent references to the access, publishing, and doxing of women’s private information, sharing their Instagram or TikTok content, as well as references to spying or hacking. “Victims are often named, tagged, and locatable via shared profile links,” the group’s report says.

One translated post on Telegram titled “Professional hacking on commission” claimed to be able to give customers “access to phone gallery and extraction of photos and videos,” as well as “anonymous social media hacking.” Another message says: “I hack and recover any type of social media service. I can spy on your partner’s account. Send me a private message.”

Across the dataset there were more than 18,000 references to spying or spy content. One post reads: “Hi, do you have the desire to spy on a girl’s gallery? We sell a bot that does it for info DM.” Meanwhile, users were observed asking if people could find phone numbers connected to Instagram accounts and other requests, “who exchanges spy photos and videos?”

#Men #Buying #Hacking #Tools #Wives #Friendscrime,privacy,security,cybersecurity,hacking,surveillance,telegram">Men Are Buying Hacking Tools to Use Against Their Wives and FriendsThousands of men are members of Telegram groups and channels that advertise and sell hacking and surveillance services that can be used to harass friends, wives and girlfriends, and former partners, new research has uncovered. The findings, from a European nonprofit group, also say that the communities are involved in extensive trading, selling, and promotion of a huge variety of abusive content, including nonconsensual intimate images of women, so-called nudifying services, plus folders of images that sellers claim include child sexual abuse material and depictions of incest and rape.Over six weeks earlier this year, researchers at the algorithmic auditing group AI Forensics analyzed nearly 2.8 million messages sent across 16 Italian and Spanish Telegram communities that are regularly posting abusive content targeting women and girls. More than 24,000 members of the Telegram groups and channels took part in posting 82,723 images, videos, and audio files over the course of the study, the analysis says. Many posts target celebrities and influencers, but men in the groups also frequently victimize women they know.“We tend to forget that most victims are ordinary women who sometimes don’t even know that their pictures are shared or manipulated in these types of channels,” says Silvia Semenzin, a researcher at AI Forensics who previously exposed Italian Telegram channels engaging in similar behavior as far back as 2019. “The majority of this violence is directed towards people who the perpetrators know,” she says, suggesting that Telegram, which has over 1 billion monthly active users, according to company founder Pavel Durov, should be subject to stricter regulation and classed as a “very large online platform” under Europe’s online safety rules.The findings come as Durov is fighting back against Russia’s efforts to block the messaging app in that country, which has long positioned itself as a messaging app that allows free speech but has simultaneously been used by some to share terrorist, sexual abuse, and cybercrime materials. Durov is under criminal investigation in France relating to alleged criminal activity taking place on Telegram, although he has consistently denied the allegations.A Telegram spokesperson tells WIRED that the company removes “millions” of pieces of content per day using “custom AI tools” and has policies in Europe that do not allow the promotion of violence, illegal sexual content including nonconsensual imagery, and other content such as doxing and selling illegal goods and services.Among the extensive types of abusive content and services observed by the AI Forensics researchers were frequent references to the access, publishing, and doxing of women’s private information, sharing their Instagram or TikTok content, as well as references to spying or hacking. “Victims are often named, tagged, and locatable via shared profile links,” the group’s report says.One translated post on Telegram titled “Professional hacking on commission” claimed to be able to give customers “access to phone gallery and extraction of photos and videos,” as well as “anonymous social media hacking.” Another message says: “I hack and recover any type of social media service. I can spy on your partner’s account. Send me a private message.”Across the dataset there were more than 18,000 references to spying or spy content. One post reads: “Hi, do you have the desire to spy on a girl’s gallery? We sell a bot that does it for info DM.” Meanwhile, users were observed asking if people could find phone numbers connected to Instagram accounts and other requests, “who exchanges spy photos and videos?”#Men #Buying #Hacking #Tools #Wives #Friendscrime,privacy,security,cybersecurity,hacking,surveillance,telegram

Telegram groups and channels that advertise and sell hacking and surveillance services that can be used to harass friends, wives and girlfriends, and former partners, new research has uncovered. The findings, from a European nonprofit group, also say that the communities are involved in extensive trading, selling, and promotion of a huge variety of abusive content, including nonconsensual intimate images of women, so-called nudifying services, plus folders of images that sellers claim include child sexual abuse material and depictions of incest and rape.

Over six weeks earlier this year, researchers at the algorithmic auditing group AI Forensics analyzed nearly 2.8 million messages sent across 16 Italian and Spanish Telegram communities that are regularly posting abusive content targeting women and girls. More than 24,000 members of the Telegram groups and channels took part in posting 82,723 images, videos, and audio files over the course of the study, the analysis says. Many posts target celebrities and influencers, but men in the groups also frequently victimize women they know.

“We tend to forget that most victims are ordinary women who sometimes don’t even know that their pictures are shared or manipulated in these types of channels,” says Silvia Semenzin, a researcher at AI Forensics who previously exposed Italian Telegram channels engaging in similar behavior as far back as 2019. “The majority of this violence is directed towards people who the perpetrators know,” she says, suggesting that Telegram, which has over 1 billion monthly active users, according to company founder Pavel Durov, should be subject to stricter regulation and classed as a “very large online platform” under Europe’s online safety rules.

The findings come as Durov is fighting back against Russia’s efforts to block the messaging app in that country, which has long positioned itself as a messaging app that allows free speech but has simultaneously been used by some to share terrorist, sexual abuse, and cybercrime materials. Durov is under criminal investigation in France relating to alleged criminal activity taking place on Telegram, although he has consistently denied the allegations.

A Telegram spokesperson tells WIRED that the company removes “millions” of pieces of content per day using “custom AI tools” and has policies in Europe that do not allow the promotion of violence, illegal sexual content including nonconsensual imagery, and other content such as doxing and selling illegal goods and services.

Among the extensive types of abusive content and services observed by the AI Forensics researchers were frequent references to the access, publishing, and doxing of women’s private information, sharing their Instagram or TikTok content, as well as references to spying or hacking. “Victims are often named, tagged, and locatable via shared profile links,” the group’s report says.

One translated post on Telegram titled “Professional hacking on commission” claimed to be able to give customers “access to phone gallery and extraction of photos and videos,” as well as “anonymous social media hacking.” Another message says: “I hack and recover any type of social media service. I can spy on your partner’s account. Send me a private message.”

Across the dataset there were more than 18,000 references to spying or spy content. One post reads: “Hi, do you have the desire to spy on a girl’s gallery? We sell a bot that does it for info DM.” Meanwhile, users were observed asking if people could find phone numbers connected to Instagram accounts and other requests, “who exchanges spy photos and videos?”

#Men #Buying #Hacking #Tools #Wives #Friendscrime,privacy,security,cybersecurity,hacking,surveillance,telegram">Men Are Buying Hacking Tools to Use Against Their Wives and Friends

Thousands of men are members of Telegram groups and channels that advertise and sell hacking and surveillance services that can be used to harass friends, wives and girlfriends, and former partners, new research has uncovered. The findings, from a European nonprofit group, also say that the communities are involved in extensive trading, selling, and promotion of a huge variety of abusive content, including nonconsensual intimate images of women, so-called nudifying services, plus folders of images that sellers claim include child sexual abuse material and depictions of incest and rape.

Over six weeks earlier this year, researchers at the algorithmic auditing group AI Forensics analyzed nearly 2.8 million messages sent across 16 Italian and Spanish Telegram communities that are regularly posting abusive content targeting women and girls. More than 24,000 members of the Telegram groups and channels took part in posting 82,723 images, videos, and audio files over the course of the study, the analysis says. Many posts target celebrities and influencers, but men in the groups also frequently victimize women they know.

“We tend to forget that most victims are ordinary women who sometimes don’t even know that their pictures are shared or manipulated in these types of channels,” says Silvia Semenzin, a researcher at AI Forensics who previously exposed Italian Telegram channels engaging in similar behavior as far back as 2019. “The majority of this violence is directed towards people who the perpetrators know,” she says, suggesting that Telegram, which has over 1 billion monthly active users, according to company founder Pavel Durov, should be subject to stricter regulation and classed as a “very large online platform” under Europe’s online safety rules.

The findings come as Durov is fighting back against Russia’s efforts to block the messaging app in that country, which has long positioned itself as a messaging app that allows free speech but has simultaneously been used by some to share terrorist, sexual abuse, and cybercrime materials. Durov is under criminal investigation in France relating to alleged criminal activity taking place on Telegram, although he has consistently denied the allegations.

A Telegram spokesperson tells WIRED that the company removes “millions” of pieces of content per day using “custom AI tools” and has policies in Europe that do not allow the promotion of violence, illegal sexual content including nonconsensual imagery, and other content such as doxing and selling illegal goods and services.

Among the extensive types of abusive content and services observed by the AI Forensics researchers were frequent references to the access, publishing, and doxing of women’s private information, sharing their Instagram or TikTok content, as well as references to spying or hacking. “Victims are often named, tagged, and locatable via shared profile links,” the group’s report says.

One translated post on Telegram titled “Professional hacking on commission” claimed to be able to give customers “access to phone gallery and extraction of photos and videos,” as well as “anonymous social media hacking.” Another message says: “I hack and recover any type of social media service. I can spy on your partner’s account. Send me a private message.”

Across the dataset there were more than 18,000 references to spying or spy content. One post reads: “Hi, do you have the desire to spy on a girl’s gallery? We sell a bot that does it for info DM.” Meanwhile, users were observed asking if people could find phone numbers connected to Instagram accounts and other requests, “who exchanges spy photos and videos?”

#Men #Buying #Hacking #Tools #Wives #Friendscrime,privacy,security,cybersecurity,hacking,surveillance,telegram

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