Author: Jennifer Goula

Colorado becomes first U.S. state to enact QR code ballot ban

Jennifer Goula
QR code ballot ban - U.S. vote

Cybersecurity concerns were the reason given for the ban. On September 16, 2019, Colorado became the first American state to put a QR code ballot ban in place. The state once used the quick response codes to help tabulate votes. However, concerns of cybersecurity issues led to the decision to ban the use of the unique 2-D barcodes on ballots. Officials say that QR codes can potentially be changed by hackers. Prior to the QR code ballot ban, residents in Colorado made their selections on a ballot-marking device. This device…

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Facebook facial recognition is rolling out to all users

Jennifer Goula
Facebook facial recognition - Man with binoculars - facebook logo

Facebook is replacing its tag suggestion feature with facial recognition. The Facebook facial recognition feature is now being offered to all users. However, the social media giant has been careful to keep the controversial feature opt-in by default. New Facebook users and existing users who currently have the “tag suggestions” setting will be alerted to the facial recognition feature and will receive information about how it works. The feature will not automatically recognize a user in photos or videos unless it is turned on. The original feature, called “tag suggestions,”…

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QR code security update needed, says Quick Response code creator

Jennifer Goula
QR code security - Smartphone with QR code

Japanese engineer, Masahiro Hara, vows to strengthen the safety of the system. Hara, the creator of the 2D code, says that improved QR code security is needed since it has become so popular and is now being widely used as he hadn’t expected for various applications all over the globe. Now that it is a worldwide multipurpose application utilized in a variety of fields, including cashless payments via smartphones, Hara wants to strengthen the safety of the system. The QR Code is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019. The quick…

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QR code safety system launched in Delhi for women travelers

Jennifer Goula
QR code safety - Rickshaw in India

The Delhi Police launched a new safety program that will work out of the Himmat Plus app. The QR code safety system has been designed to help improve the safety of women traveling in auto-rickshaws and non-app taxis. The system will not only provide the driver’s details to passengers, but also allow passengers to send emergency alerts to police in case there is trouble. The Himmat App was always been about women’s safety. The Himmat app, which supports the new QR code safety program, was first launched back in January…

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Mobile virtual reality loses more traction with the Galaxy Note 10 dropping VR

Jennifer Goula
Mobile virtual reality - man using Gear VR

The new Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy 10 Plus will not work with Gear VR. Consumers who were hoping that mobile virtual reality support would be a part of the next Samsung Note smartphone will be disappointed. The South Korean tech giant recently announced its new Galaxy Note 10 and confirmed that both this model and the Galaxy 10 Plus will not work with the company’s Gear VR headset. The Note 10 also won’t support other VR platforms. Beyond not having support for Gear VR, the phone will not support…

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