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John Deere Farm Equipment Owners Have Right-to-Repair, F.T.C. Says

NYT Technology - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 17:07
A settlement by the company with the Federal Trade Commission will allow farmers and local mechanics to make their own fixes, instead of relying on authorized dealers.

A new Shark FlexStyle for creating the best curls possible just dropped

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 16:47

It's no secret that multi-stylers like the Dyson Airwrap initially went viral because of the Co-anda tech that seemed to wrap and create curls as if by magic.

While the promise of curls styled more by air than heat was enticing, it also didn't take users long to figure out that these tools weren't on par with traditional hot tools when it came to definition and longevity. Shark is looking to close that gap with its latest release, the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl, which hit online shelves on July 6 and retails for $349.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark FlexStyle IonCurl $349.99 at Shark
  Shop Now

At first glance, the multi-styler looks similar to the original FlexStyle. It features four different attachments — the 1.25-inch IonCurl curlers, the IonCurl FrizzFighter high shine polisher, the IonCurl styling concentrator, and the IonCurl oval brush — and can be used without any attachments as a standard blow dryer. It also has the iconic twisting base mechanism, but the main differences here are all about the tech you can't see.

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: What's different

The IonCurl features two major upgrades to optimize the curling experience with this multi-styler: the ion smooth technology and CoandaBoost technology.

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl lineup. Credit: Shark Ion smooth technology

Ionizers have long been a part of blow drying tech to provide the smoothest styling possible. That step becomes extra crucial when your blow dryer doubles as your primary styling device. With the Ion smooth technology, the IonCurl works to target any frizziness and flyways for smoother and shinier looking hair.

CoandaBoost technology

Coanda tech is essentially the fancy term for describing the automatic wrapping mechanism that's now a mainstay on any multi-styler with a curling attachment. However, Shark ups the ante of the FlexStyle line with the CoandaBoost tech. The enhanced airflow allows for the hair to be wrapped even more tightly around the styling barrel, which creates a more defined and longer lasting curl. According to the brand, this is the strongest version of the tech you can find on any of the Shark FlexStyle models.

Other FlexStyle models

Speaking of other Shark FlexStyle models, it's worth breaking down where the IonCurl falls in the existing lineup of FlexStyles.

The original Shark FlexStyle is essentially the all-in-one multi-styler, the original Dyson Airwrap dupe, and the most affordable version of the tool, starting at $299.99 for a build-your-own model (and that's before dropping down to one of the frequent sale prices).

SEE ALSO: The Shark FlexStyle is still better than the Dyson Airwrap

The Shark FlexStyle Glam is an upgraded version of the FlexStyle, both in functionality and price. The tool goes for $449.99, but can be used on both wet and dry hair for styling.

The IonCurl then, at $349.99, falls somewhere in the middle, and is for anyone who prioritizes the best curl possible. Like the other two models, the curling barrels on this version of the multi-styler need to be switched out in order to change the curl direction, which is where Dyson retains the biggest advantage.

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl: Where to buy

The Shark FlexStyle IonCurl is available to purchase at SharkNinja, Sephora, and Ulta for $349.99 in the lilac colorway.

Where to buy the Shark FlexStyle IonCurl SharkNinja Shark FlexStyle IonCurl $349.99 Shop Now Sephora Shark FlexStyle IonCurl $349.99 Shop Now Ulta Shark FlexStyle IonCurl $349.99 Shop Now

DuckDuckGos web browser will now automatically block YouTube ads

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 16:27

Annoyed by YouTube ads? There are a few ways to avoid them now, such as YouTube's own official option with a paid YouTube Premium subscription.

However, the privacy-focused search engine DuckDuckGo is now providing a new, free way to block YouTube ads.

This week, DuckDuckGo announced that its free web browser will now block most video ads, including ads shown on YouTube. 

The YouTube Ad Blocking feature is turned on by default on Mac, Windows, and iOS versions of the web browser. There's nothing that users on those devices have to do, as the feature is on by default.

YouTube Ad Blocking is also available on the Android version of the DuckDuckGo web browser. However, it needs to be turned on by going to the browser’s Settings and then toggling Ad Blocking on. DuckDuckGo says the option to have ad blocking activated by default is coming soon to Android as well.

DuckDuckGo launched in 2008 with a privacy-focused search engine alternative to Google. Since then, the company has rolled out other privacy-focused alternatives to Google products, such as its desktop and mobile web browsers

The company has also benefited from Google's missteps. Earlier this year, for example, DuckDuckGo reported a spike in growth after Google announced new unavoidable AI features. While DuckDuckGo does have its own set of AI tools, they are completely optional, and the company makes sure to promote that. DuckDuckGo has a completely AI-free search product called DuckDuckGo No-AI.

Now, DuckDuckGo is taking on Google's sister site, YouTube, with its default ad blocker built right into its privacy-focused web browser.

GLP-1s are inescapable online. Heres why thats a problem.

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 16:14

Kate Gombach recently celebrated four years in recovery from an eating disorder. Such a milestone once felt impossible for the 35-year-old who recalls growing up at the height of "heroin chic," a time in the early aughts when celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie appeared in tabloids looking extremely thin. 

"I didn't realize that living the way I'm living now was even an option for me," Gombach tells Mashable. "I thought trying to shrink my body constantly was what I had to do because of the body that I was born in." 

SEE ALSO: Using AI for health questions? Here are 4 tips for the most accurate answers.

Since Gombach completed treatment at the Eating Recovery Center, she'd mostly been able to tune out the kind of messaging and advertising that typically triggered her disordered eating. But over the past several months, that became much harder thanks to one of the most popular medications of the 21st century: appetite- and hunger-suppressing GLP-1s. 

Suddenly, Gombach saw bodies shrinking everywhere she looked, particularly amongst celebrities and on social media. Creators who once championed body positivity or neutrality began weight-loss journeys with little explanation or initial disclosure about paid partnerships and sponsored content, Gombach witnessed.

"I didn't realize that living the way I'm living now was even an option for me." - Kate Gombach

Even as Gombach pruned certain accounts from her feed and actively disliked weight-loss advertising on Instagram and TikTok, Gombach still encounters marketing for GLP-1, or semaglutide, drugs there, not to mention on television and the wider internet. 

"It's not easy, and it's not fun, but [I'm] trying to push through it, maintain my recovery, and hold on to my beliefs, despite a lot of people around me kind of switching," Gombach says. 

Fighting to stay in recovery

She's not alone. Mashable interviewed others in recovery who described the same seismic shift toward thinness and diet culture triggered by GLP-1 drugs. 

In just the first nine months of 2025, the pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly spent $700 million marketing their GLP-1 medications, Wegovy and Ozempic, and Zepbound and Mounjaro, respectively, according to Reuters.  

This advertising rush has made weight loss content inescapable for many. That might help explain why Americans are flocking to online black markets to purchase Eli Lilly's "retatrutide," a drug not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration that reportedly leads to significant weight loss.  

Meanwhile, influencers pitching wellness optimization strategies, and Make America Healthy Again proponents who promote thinness as virtuousness, have revived diet culture after it fell out of favor in the late 2010s. 

Now former patients like Gombach find themselves fighting to stay in recovery. 

Social media and eating disorders

"Many people feel like they've come through on the other side," said Jessica Scheer, CEO of the National Eating Disorder Alliance (NEDA). "But it's a hard thing to protect now."

Gombach spends several hours a day on social media, where she connects with recovery-focused influencers. Building that network during treatment aided Gombach's recovery, because her friends had neither experienced an eating disorder or lived in a larger body, like she does. 

Yet experts say social media can also be risky for those in recovery as diet culture and pro-disordered eating are extremely difficult to moderate online. 

SEE ALSO: TikTok 'fear food' challenges: Can they help with eating disorder recovery?

Earlier this year, the eating disorder care company Equip surveyed 828 adults about how social media influenced their body image. A number of respondents named GLP-1 ads unprompted as a distinct source of distress. 

A recent survey by NEDA found the same. Clinicians reported having weekly conversations with patients about GLP-1 advertising and increased disordered eating behaviors. 

New research published in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that GLP-1 use may be higher among people with eating disorders compared to the general population. The study authors, who did not look at the role of social media, wrote that these people might use GLP-1 drugs to achieve rapid food restriction and weight loss.

Whether or not they are actually taking the drugs, people with a history of disordered eating may be more at risk online. A 2024 TikTok algorithm study, conducted by researchers at the University of Melbourne, found that users with a history of disordered eating were served more videos featuring "toxic" eating disorder content than those without prior struggles. 

The researchers attributed the increased likelihood of seeing such videos to the platform's content personalization system, particularly the way TikTok collects and profiles users based on personal data. The platform, they wrote, may see lingering on content as a sign of engagement. 

The researchers noted several limitations of their study, including that they evaluated videos based on hashtags, an "imperfect" indicator of their content. TikTok declined to comment on the research. 

Positive engagement or eating disorder risk?

Dr. Blair Burnette, a Michigan State University assistant professor and principal investigator of the eating- and body image-focused ARISE Lab, called the findings of the study "extremely disturbing." She was not involved in the research.

"It was very clear that the people who were struggling were getting delivered more harmful content," said Burnette, who is overseeing multiple studies on social media's effect on body image, GLP-1 advertising, and eating disorders. A patient can unintentionally direct more GLP-1 related content to their feed simply by pausing on a video or searching for seemingly unrelated content, she explained. It's become a greater worry for her as a clinician. 

Equip survey participants also reported that actively seeking body-positive or recovery-focused content led to seeing more about fitness and body transformation, as well as restrictive eating. 

GLP-1 content on social media

Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director of the Eating Recovery Center, said that social media usage is cropping up more and more in treatment with the rise of GLP-1s. Patients are vulnerable to posts about GLP-1 weight loss, and platforms are responding to it, she said. "The algorithm likely curates content that gets more interaction, and when people are engaged in a mental illness, the content that gets more interaction reinforces that mental illness."

While their effectiveness is still widely debated, many platforms offer content controls intended to weed out such posts. Still, less obvious content can derail recovery. A favorite creator suddenly posting an image of their thinner body, for example, is not easily flagged by moderation tools or necessarily clocked by users themselves. 

In fact, Scheer explained, eating disorder content readily "shapeshifts" into whatever nutrition and wellness trends are taking over the internet at any given moment. Unhealthy or restrictive food habits can be repackaged as "clean eating." Compulsive exercise is reformed into "hot girl walks" or daily gym vlogs. GLP-1 influencers are lumped in with wellness advice accounts.

"It's a great business model." - Sharon Maxwell, weight inclusivity advocate

Scheer points to advertising phrases like "take control of your health" or "get back control of your body," which mirror the mindset of many people experiencing disordered eating habits. 

Co-opting the language of recovery

The diet industry has also co-opted the language of recovery and anti-diet spaces to sell their own products. For example, GLP-1 ads often promise to quiet "food noise," or incessant rumination on hunger and eating. Food noise happens to be one of the most common indicators or struggles among people with eating disorders, explained Sharon Maxwell, a weight inclusivity advocate, consultant, and content creator

"People with eating disorders are very susceptible," said Maxwell. "It's a great business model."

Maxwell started posting online after they left a restrictive cult upbringing and were diagnosed with an eating disorder. They built a career offering weight inclusive curriculum to large businesses and eating recovery facilities, even collaborating with Meta's former moderation team on better age-gating of eating disorder content. But in recent years that work has dwindled. 

The human safety teams Maxwell once worked with have been reconfigured or shrunk, they note. In the year since, they say they’ve seen a rise in anti-fat content. And as platforms bank on questionable drug and wellness advertising revenue, Maxwell says creators they used to work alongside have pivoted to sponsored GLP-1 posts.

Eating disorder recovery in the era of GLP-1s

Content about GLP-1s, already hard to moderate, is supercharged by stereotypes about larger bodies and weight loss. GLP-1s are much less criticized because they result in thinner bodies, said Wassenaar. Though researchers are still learning about their long-term effects, GLP-1s have surged in popularity, even as established interventions that have nothing to do with body size, like vitamin K shots for infants and life-saving vaccines, are increasingly rejected. 

For those in recovery, this type of messaging can generate guilt and shame, explained Wassenaar. GLP-1 marketing constantly suggests the need to change one's physical appearance — and that there are several choices available for doing so. 

"You could make a choice to be on a medication. You could make a choice to be on a diet. You could choose a lower calorie food, but you're not, and that's why you think your body is flawed," Wassenaar said of the normalization of weight loss interventions. "It's insidious."

"I don't have to lose weight. I don't have to go down that path."  - Kate Gombach, former patient

Maxwell says they'd be lying if they didn't feel enticed to use GLP-1s for weight loss. 

Gombach similarly wonders about GLP-1s. She says two of her doctors tried to prescribe her a GLP-1 based on her body mass index, despite the fact that she's in good health. "Would people be nicer to me if I did that?" Gombach asks.

Maxwell and Gombach say GLP-1s aren't the solution to such thoughts.

"It's not the medicine itself that sounds appealing to me. It's the outcome of being in a smaller body," Maxwell said. "I know what happens if I engage in intentional weight loss, and that is a relapse into anorexia, and I'm not willing to do that."

Managing social media while in recovery  

Since entering treatment, Gombach finished her masters in clinical mental health counseling and specializes in eating disorder care. That may give her unique insight into coping with ubiquitous weight-loss messaging, but she still uses multiple strategies herself. 

Gombach leans on practices she learned in acceptance and commitment therapy, which focuses on aligning behavior with one's values. When Gombach sees content that could trigger negative feelings about her body, she affirms that it's not for her and doesn't match what she wants for herself. 

She also focuses on "clarity of intention," or the reality that an influencer, brand, or pharmaceutical company preys on people's insecurities so that they'll buy a product and feel better or achieve greater acceptance. 

Then there's training her algorithm. She immediately unfollows a creator when they announce they're on a GLP-1 drug. Every few months, she mass unfollows accounts that have begun sharing diet culture content. Gombach also tries to adjust her ad settings, but frequently sees harmful marketing content nonetheless. 

SEE ALSO: I tried to scrub weight loss content from my FYP. Here's what I learned.

Gombach says she hasn't considered quitting social media because "it’s still something that ultimately helps me." 

Time to turn away from social media?

Dr. Erin Parks, co-founder and chief clinical officer of Equip, says even former patients' best efforts to filter content run headlong into algorithms that don't distinguish between thinness and health. 

She doesn't discourage patients from eliminating screen time altogether, because it may be helpful to them. Yet, she does want them to consider whether being on their phone is like attempting not to drink but spending all their time in a bar. 

Parks recommends people in recovery curate their feed with a clinician when possible and stay open to their changing needs. Content they find tolerable one day may trigger disordered eating thoughts the next. That's why she says it's important for people to closely monitor their social media use, including their intended time spent versus reality, as well as how they feel before, during, and after scrolling. 

Maxwell has also scaled back their time online because of GLP-1s. They stopped posting about eating disorder recovery years ago, opting to highlight the joys of living in a larger body. "So often in eating disorder recovery we're obsessed with staying in the disorder, and then we become obsessed with the process of recovery, and that almost replaces the eating disorder," they explained. "My life isn't about recovery, recovery allows me to have a life."

While the rise of GLP-1s has made the desire to escape weight stigma difficult to ignore, Maxwell still envisions a future where social media can support those in recovery and fight weight discrimination. 

"I do have hope," Maxwell said. "How much? Not as much as a few years ago, but it's still there, and I'm still holding on. I've got a vice grip on it."

If you feel like you’d like to talk to someone about your eating behavior, text "NEDA" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected with a trained volunteer or visit the National Eating Disorder Association website for more information.

Don’t buy a smart lock until you watch this (Nuki keypad 2 NFC and Aliro testing)

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:59

Wes Ott tries out the new Aliro standard with the Nuki smart lock. He goes over why this new standard from the CSA matters and how it will change smart home keys.

Dysons newest Airwrap just got an update and new attachments — including a first-time addition to any Airwrap

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:58

Dyson just released an updated version of its latest multi-styler, the Airwrap Co-anda2x, just one year after the original version of the styling tool became available.

The updated Airwrap, available to purchase as of July 9, comes with a new lineup of attachments and a more powerful motor for creating longer-lasting styles. The new Co-anda2x retails for $749.99, putting it at the same price point as the first version of the styler. (The first iteration initially went for $699.99, but jumped up $50 in price after its release).

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x $749.99 at Dyson
  Shop Now The updated Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x: What's new

While the latest Airwrap Co-anda2x looks rather similar to its predecessor at first glance, the upgrades made could go a long way for anyone looking for the longest lasting styling possible.

Updated attachments

The first major update to the new Airwrap is the four new attachments, replacing some of the lineup from the 2025 release of the Airwrap Co-anda2x.

The 2026 Airwrap Co-anda2x attachment lineup is as follows (new attachments are bolded):

  • Conical Co-anda2x curling barrel: a tapered barrel for creating more defined curls that can style hair closer to the root

  • Large round volumizing brush 2x: a larger round brush with a 2.8-inch diameter, which is larger than that of the round brush included with the previous generation Airwrap

  • 1.6-inch Co-anda2x Curling Barrel (Long): a curling barrel that's the same diameter as the larger barrel option on the older Airwrap, but features a long barrel, making it easier to grab thicker or larger sections of hair

  • Air straightener 2x: a clamp-style straightening iron that uses air to create and set the style

  • Fast dryer2x

  • Anti-snag loop brush 2x

Dyson also updated the curly/coily model of the Airwrap, but it's not available just yet. According to a Dyson spokesperson, that version of the Airwrap will hit store shelves in the coming weeks.

As a reminder, the 2025 Airwrap Co-anda2x attachments are as follows:

  • 30-millimeter Co-anda2x curling barrel

  • 40-millimeter Co-anda2x curling barrel

  • Round volumizing brush 2x

  • AirSmooth 2x attachment

  • Fast dryer 2x

  • Anti-snag loop brush 2x

The new Airwrap Co-anda2x attachment lineup... Credit: Dyson Compared to the curly/coily lineup of the previous gen. Credit: Dyson

The addition of the Air straightener 2x marks the first time that any Airwrap has featured a straightening attachment that isn't a brush. Anyone looking to get in on the Dyson air straightening tech before this Airwrap would have to buy the Dyson Airstrait, which goes for $499.99 at full price. While there are multiple new attachments on this Airwrap, the straightener is by far the biggest deviation from any previous Airwrap model.

Like its predecessor, these Airwrap attachments are RFID-enabled and can automatically change the air speed and temperature for optimal styling results. I was skeptical as to how much of a difference this could make when I tried out the first-generation Airwrap Co-anda2x, but pairing the multi-styler with the app and using the automatic adjustments genuinely made for longer styles that felt less effortful to achieve.

The attachments are also available to buy separately, and are backward compatible with the first version of the Airwrap Co-anda2x, but no other previous Airwrap model. (So far, we can only find the new versions of two out of four of the attachments on Dyson's site, but we will update this piece when the rest become available.)

A new motor

The other notable upgrade is the introduction of a new motor: the Dyson Gen 2 motor. While not as flashy as new attachments, the headline here is increased air pressure, which is designed to create and lock in styles better. In my experience, multi-stylers in general, including the Dyson Airwrap, can struggle with longevity in styles, as they do not rely on heat as much as traditional styling tools. The new motor, then, seems to be an answer to customer concerns over this reality.

Where to buy the new Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x

As of July 9, you can pick up the second-generation Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x at Dyson's website and at Sephora in the ceramic pink colorway. A jasper plum colorway will become available later this year.

Where to buy the Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x Dyson.com Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x $749.99 Shop Now Sephora Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x $749.99 Shop Now The older gen Dyson Airwrap Co-anda2x $749.99 Shop Now

OpenAI Releases GPT-5.6 Sol, Its Most Powerful AI Model Yet

NYT Technology - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 15:34
The new release was delayed after the U.S. government restricted the latest artificial intelligence models over cybersecurity concerns.

I tried to scrub weight loss content from my FYP. Heres what I learned.

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 14:46

I'm someone who smashes TikTok's "Not Interested" button like I'm getting paid per click. 

Content about losing weight, eating clean, or glow-ups have become an easy target for my lightning quick thumbs. Post about how healing your gut microbiome also made you lose 20 pounds? Not interested. The latest Serena Williams Ro ad? Certainly not interested! Vlog about packing a palm-sized, crumb-filled "snack" tin? What did I say? Not. Interested!! 

I believed in that precious button. I thought it was a tool in the fight against companies hawking GLP-1s or weight loss apps and creators platforming unhealthy body transformations while disguising unhealthy eating habits as trends.

SEE ALSO: GLP-1s are inescapable online. Here's why that's a problem.

More than 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime — and every 52 minutes a person dies as a direct consequence of an eating disorder, according to the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders (STRIPED). Meanwhile, our federal government is funneling taxpayer money into ads that call people in larger bodies "nasty," all while slashing at affordable food programs, healthcare, and federal food regulation. 

I've worked hard to keep that messaging out of my life, but I've noticed that weight loss influencers still frequently infiltrate my daily scroll. About every third ad is for a weight loss service. I'm seeing GLP-1 influencers more than my friends. What's going on, "Not Interested" button?

If you are like me, shouting disinterest to the TikTok algorithm gods, I have horrible news. It doesn't appear to do anything. 

TikTok's "Not Interested" button isn't what you think

After what I would estimate was years of trying to curate my FYP, check out what my advertising settings looked like when I went over them last month:  

Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok

Health & Wellness: Interested. Weight management: No preference.

Well. I thought I had made my preferences and interests pretty clear, actually.

I also looked at my content topic preferences, which users can edit using a sliding scale from "See More" to "See Less." They were all still set to the default, including "Health and Fitness." This is the closest to weight-related settings on this page, since there isn't a specific sliding scale for weight loss or body-focused content. 

Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok

TikTok's own advertising guidelines prohibit "exaggerated or harmful weight loss or muscle gain claims" and products such as fat burning pills, appetite suppressants, and weight loss or detox foods. The app's community guidelines ban content that promotes disordered eating and risky weight management behaviors, including sponsored content from creators. The company says its "goal is to foster a body-positive and inclusive environment" and the platform hosts a large community of body positive creators, several I follow.

And yet.

I had incorrectly assumed that by smashing "Not Interested," TikTok was also automatically changing my account settings. It's not. Instead, "Not Interested" is more like a thumbs down, adjusting how the algorithm is categorizing me and my interests in a much more simple manner. If I hit "Not Interested" on one GLP-1 creator, or even go as far as blocking their page, it would continue to show me others. It's not registering that I don't want to see any content like that, just that I didn't enjoy scrolling by that one. 

To be fair to the billion dollar company, the button wasn't designed or advertised to act the way I and others users think it does. But research has found that it may not be effective at its intended purpose, limiting specific content, either.  

A recent Northeastern study used hundreds of bot accounts to test the impact of the tool — which researchers still called "the most effective explicit" signal to the algorithm — on user agency. It found that video topics can reappear mere minutes after hitting the button under these conditions.

"Worse, we find that once accounts cease to indicate disinterest in a topic, many find their feeds dominated by such content again," the study authors write. TikTok declined to comment on the research. 

Content settings: Solution or part of the problem?

That's not to say you shouldn't user TikTok's "Not Interested" button. It's also not the end all be all of personal content moderation on the platform. In fact, there's a plethora of settings users may not know exist. Specific content control tools and ad preferences — included ones related to weight loss and nutrition — are embedded deep in profile settings.

What I changed in my TikTok settings

For content preferences (at the top of your settings), I moved "Health and Fitness" all the way to "see less" and adjusted "Fashion & Beauty" as well, just to be safe.

Then, I scrolled to the bottom of my settings to find ad controls. I clicked "manage ad topics" to adjust specific types of content and "mute advertisers" to hide accounts. I adjusted every related setting to the equivalent of "Not Interested," including removing any personal user details that could potentially indicate my interest (like my gender and age) under "edit personal details." To find settings for "weight management," I had to select "Other" under "manage ad topics."

I cleaned out TikTok's "inferred" preferences, too. Yes, you can see what assumptions TikTok has made of you. I recommend you take a look. 

Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok Credit: Mashable screenshot / TikTok

The app gave me notice: I may have to wait 48 hours to see any changes. Finally, I thought, these may actually do something.

I gave the app the full two days, waiting to see a change… and I kept waiting. In fact, I am still waiting, months later. 

Not long after I changed my settings and began testing the "Not Interested" button more intentionally, the ads seemed to only get worse, just like the Northeastern researchers posited. I started screenshotting every ad I got just out of pure incredulity. Here's a sampling:

May 9: Two Wegovy semaglutide injection ads. 

May 14: A sponsored vlog from an account named "Lily Nurse&Lifestyle" with the caption "Unrecognizable ✨ #tryeden #glp1community #fyp"

May 27: One ad for TrimRX. One for Hers' Wegovy subscription. A vlog of a woman who "mysteriously" lost half her body weight. 

May 30: A Ro ad, featuring images of semaglutide injection pens and the Wegovy pill. An ad from BitePal: Food Calorie Tracker showing possibly AI-generated women wearing anatomical onesies with fat pads attached. A vlog from a GLP-1 influencer with the caption "How to get started on a GLP-1 🤍".

Nearly two months after first reporting this story, I am still inundated with ads.

I blocked Ro. And yet there the brand was... Credit: Mashable Instagram and weight loss content: What to know

I recognize it's not just a problem for TikTok, so I also explored Instagram's tools to personalize content and reconfigure user preference profiles.

Under content preferences, users can see and edit their own algorithm, including things you want to encounter less. Unlike TikTok, users can also "snooze" suggested content from profiles you don't follow for 30 days at a time. (Do that.)

Credit: Mashable screenshot What Instagram knows about me right now. Credit: Mashable screenshot

But here is the real difference between the two platforms, experts told me: Unlike TikTok, Instagram's main feed is not designed to show you a never ending flow of content from people you don't follow.

Yes, you can go to the app's explore page. Yes, the app can inject suggested content into your scroll. But you can also avoid those things much easier than on TikTok (who actually uses the "Following" tab over there?), and stick with only the accounts you have carefully chosen to pay attention to. 

I checked my settings, which are linked across Meta platforms like Facebook, and adjusted them only marginally. As long as I stick to my main feed, I haven't had as much of a problem.

This isn't to say Instagram is perfect. In fact, parent company Meta was recently found liable for misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms when it came to mental health and content tools. But I feel a bit better over there. For now.

Can you ever be fully safe from weight loss ads online?

In the midst of a growing frustration with my feeds — that I have still not solved — I turned to experts. 

I asked Jessica Scheer, CEO of the National Eating Disorders Association, why it's so difficult to protect our feeds, and why GLP-1 ads have seemed to skirt the tools above. 

"Because of the political construct we're in right now," Scheer said, "we're seeing much more of a laissez-faire approach to any type of active content moderation on either accounts or algorithm programming."

"It's really, really tough, because everybody's competing for the views, the clicks, the likes," said Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director of the Eating Recovery Center. "The algorithms are designed in favor of the creators, not in favor of the consumers."

And even when platforms have robust controls, weight loss content can very easily slip through the cracks, explains Dr. Blair Burnette, a Michigan State University assistant professor and principal investigator of the ARISE Lab. Videos featuring disordered eating, body checking, and anti-fat sentiment are not easily caught by algorithms trained to scan captions, comment sections, and audio for explicit words and phrases. 

Not only are brands still creeping up, but so-called "GLP-1 influencers." Credit: Mashable How to clean your feeds, the best you can

If I can offer you one takeaway, it is this: Continuously update your profile settings. Not once, not twice, but consistently

Scheer says NEDA is still figuring out best practices for being online in this landscape, working alongside clinicians, caregivers, and people with lived experience to determine which tools work, which ones don't, and how tech companies can step up. But in the meantime, routine (or even clinician-supported) audits of your feeds are crucial. "Algorithms re-train slowly so repetition is key," the organization writes. 

"Oftentimes, these fixes are only temporary," said Scheer. "It only really helps you, maybe, for a few sessions, and then you might have to recalibrate yet again."

Burnette told me she is also still figuring out the best advice for patients who want to stay online while in recovery. But there are ways to regain some control. 

She recommends her patients utilize device screen time limits and additional time-limiting apps like Roots. She suggests following new forms of content and purging your following list regularly. You have to be intentional in who you choose to follow, Burnette advises, like creators who are specifically anti-diet or accounts that never post images of their bodies. 

This advice works just as effectively for those who aren't in active recovery. If your feed isn't working anymore, scrap it. If something feels off about accounts you've followed for years, block them. If your phone is causing more anxiety than joy, put it down. Don't be precious about it, either. That's how Big Tech (and its sneaky older sibling Big Pharma) want you to feel. 

If you feel like you’d like to talk to someone about your eating behavior, text "NEDA" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected with a trained volunteer or visit the National Eating Disorder Association website for more information.

Meta Launches New A.I. Model as Global Technology Race Heats Up

NYT Technology - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 14:11
For the first time, the company will offer a paid version of the service, a departure from its longtime philosophy of giving its A.I. away for free.

Why is the internet rooting against Argentina?

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 13:22

Spend five minutes on the World Cup side of TikTok or scrolling through X, and you might come away with one glaring conclusion: Everyone is rooting against Argentina.

That is not exactly true, of course. Argentina has one of the loudest, most passionate fan bases in the tournament, and Lionel Messi remains one of the most beloved athletes on the planet. But online, the defending champions have become the World Cup's biggest lightning rod, as every rival fan base seems ready to cast Argentina as the tournament's heel, the team that always seems to thrive amid controversy.

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The latest fuel came after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the Round of 16, a match that ended with Egypt filing a formal complaint to FIFA over disputed VAR decisions and officiating. Head coach Hossam Hassan even suggested the governing body wanted to keep Messi in the tournament, allegations FIFA has not substantiated.

BBC Sport later analyzed the match and concluded that while several officiating decisions were undoubtedly controversial, they did not amount to evidence of a conspiracy. Still, the outlet noted that perception has become part of the story, pointing to statistics that have fueled online debate and FIFA's decision to appoint an all-Argentine on-field officiating crew for France's quarterfinal against Morocco, a choice it described as "not a great look."

But the anti-Argentina pile-on is bigger than one controversial match. It is what happens when sporting rivalries, geopolitical tension, Messi fatigue, and internet fandom all collide.

That is the strange beauty of the World Cup. Every match carries decades of history onto the pitch before the opening whistle. Or, as one Portuguese-language X user put it, "The World Cup is 20% soccer and 80% colonial resentment."

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Unlike club soccer, where rivalries are built around cities and leagues, the World Cup asks entire countries to compete. As writer Franklin Foer argued in How Soccer Explains the World, the sport often reflects far more than what happens on the field; it can become a proxy for nationalism, historical conflict, and cultural identity.

On social media, those fault lines get compressed into memes and 130 characters. Argentina is not just Argentina; depending on who is posting, it is the team that broke France's heart in 2022, the rival England still associates with Maradona and the Falklands, the opponent Mexico fans love to hate, or the Messi-led dynasty some viewers are simply tired of seeing win.

Geography doesn't always dictate loyalty, either. While fans often talk about Latin America rallying behind one of its own, the region's football rivalries run deep. Brazil and Argentina have spent more than a century battling for continental supremacy, while Uruguay and Chile each have their own sporting history with La Albiceleste. Mexico, meanwhile, has repeatedly seen its World Cup dreams ended by Argentina, helping turn every meeting between the two countries into an internet event of its own.

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Argentina's relationship with the rest of Latin America is complicated by more than football. Historians and sociologists have written about the country's long-standing self-image as a uniquely "European" nation within Latin America, an identity that often minimized or erased its Black and Indigenous history.

That history has collided with soccer before. After Argentina won the 2024 Copa América, the French Football Federation said it would file a complaint with FIFA over "racist and discriminatory remarks" in a chant sung by Argentina players about France's diverse team; Enzo Fernández later apologized, and his Premier League club, Chelsea, opened an internal disciplinary process.

That broader conversation has followed Argentina into this year's World Cup. FIFA is investigating allegations of racist abuse directed at YouTube creator iShowSpeed during Argentina's Round of 32 victory over Cape Verde after footage from his livestream appeared to capture an altercation with an Argentina supporter. The investigation is ongoing, but the incident quickly became another flashpoint in the wider online debate surrounding Argentina and race.

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None of that means every Argentina fan shares those views, or that every anti-Argentina post is about race. But it helps explain why some Latin American and Black football fans online are reading this year's incidents through a broader history, one in which Argentina's image of itself as white and European has long been contested.

So, the next time your For You Page insists that "everyone hates Argentina," remember that you're probably looking at more than just another soccer take. You're watching decades of history compressed into a 90-second video and one very heated comments section.

Elon Musk says X will message you if a post you interacted with gets corrected

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 12:14

The owner of X, the everything app, has announced a new feature that might be useful but also annoying.

In a standalone post on X, Elon Musk announced that Community Notes will get a new feature at some point soon. If a user interacts with a post that has since been corrected via Community Notes, a bot will send them a direct message about the correction.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk to pay SEC $1.5 million settlement, judge signs off despite 'serious misgivings' This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Musk's posts were pretty vague and raised a few questions. For starters, we don't know when this feature will launch. More importantly, though, Musk didn't specify what kinds of interactions will prompt one of these automatic DMs. Will any interaction, such as a like, trigger one, or does the user need to repost or quote the post for the bot to send a message?

Beyond that, it's worth asking how effective this will actually be in curbing the spread of misinformation. Oftentimes, a post will gain a ton of traction before a Community Note corrects it, and sending messages to people who helped spread the post will only work if the users actually check their DMs, and then actually feel like removing whatever interactions they made with the corrected post.

Still, some accountability is better than none, I suppose.

Humanoid robots just removed a gallbladder in a live surgery

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 11:58

Next time you go in for a surgery, will your doctor be a five-foot tall, 60 pound humanoid robot named Surgie? It very well could be!

A team of surgeons and engineers at University of California San Diego just successfully completed the first ever pair of surgeries during a preclinical trial using teleoperated humanoid robots.

Both of the surgeries were performed on non-primate mammals, so we're not yet at the level of operating on humans quite yet. But, it seems headed in that direction.

One surgery involved a humanoid robot and a human surgeon teaming up to perform a gallbladder removal. The human doctor acted as the assistant during the procedure. However, the second surgery, a laparoscopic gallbladder removal, was performed completely by a team of two humanoid robot surgeons.

"This study shows that humanoid robots have a viable future in the field of surgery," said UC San Diego Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering's Michael Yip, who is also one of the paper's senior authors.

SEE ALSO: Hyundai's Atlas robot debuts on the biggest stage of all: The World Cup

A robot surgeon is more than just an impressive accomplishment. The team detailed the important and practical uses for humanoid robots like Surgie at the operating table.

"Remotely operated and autonomous humanoid robots have real potential for amplifying access to critical surgeries to which patients would otherwise not have access," Yip said to UC San Diego Today. "This can help address the healthcare crisis not only in the United States, but also worldwide.”

The team provided examples such as humanoid robots "being deployed in remote communities where staffing is challenging, or in austere environments like search and rescue scenarios where a massive deployment of field medicine is needed in a short period of time."

Standing at only five-feet tall and weighing just 60 pounds also makes Surgie extremely mobile and compact in size.

Featured Video For You The humanoid so real they had to cut it open

However, there are still some kinks that need to be worked out. The team says the humanoid robot had to be recalibrated a few times during the surgery, which extended the time it took to complete the procedure. In addition, latency issues are still be worked on. Latency, or the time it takes for a human to control the robot and the robot responding, is especially important regarding deploying these robots in remote locations.

Regardless of these issues, the team behind Surgie believes there is a role the humanoid robot can play right now in the field. Being a humanoid robot means that Surgie can walk around and perform tasks similar to humans. Researchers envision scenarios where Surgie can work as an assistant in the operating room, getting tools for the human surgeons and cleaning up after procedures.

"Many communities struggle with adequate staffing on the surgical team, which means patients are not being treated," Yip said. "Our goal is an operating theatre of the future, where humanoid robots and humans work side by side as an integrated team to deliver procedures to those in need, both in traditional hospital settings as well as in non-traditional, field medicine scenarios."

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The premium Sony WH-1000X The Collexion headphones get their first real discount at Target — save $50

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 11:03

SAVE $50: As of July 9, the Sony WH-1000X The Collexion headphones are on sale for $599.99 at Target. That's $50 off their list price and, at the time of writing, $48 cheaper than Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sony Sony WH-1000X The Collexion headphones $599.99 at Target
$649.99 Save $50   Get Deal

Sony dropped a new pair of headphones in May to celebrate 10 years of its 1000X series. The name is terrible — WH-1000X The Collexion — but the execution is superb. They're extremely overpriced at $650, which is $200 more than the already excellent WH-1000XM6 headphones, but as of July 9, they've received their first-ever price drop.

You can grab the Sony WH-1000X The Collexion headphones in either black or platinum for $599.99 if you shop at Target, saving you a whole $50. It ain't much, but it's the best price to date. Plus, it beats Amazon by $48 at the time of writing.

What's so special about the anniversary headphones? Well, rather than the mostly plastic build of typical headphones, the Collexion headphones feature a stainless steel and vegan leather chassis with metal buttons and on-ear controls. Sony really prioritized quality and comfort with these babies, as well as sound. The Collexion headphones include a bespoke driver system that allows for more clarity and better high-frequency range. They also have a V3 integrated audio processor on board, which helps power an AI scale enhancement feature. Ironically, the battery life and noise cancellation are slightly less impressive compared to the XM6s.

As Mashable's Bethany Allard states, "Sony enthusiasts, folks who love a luxury look, and those who prioritize comfort above all else are the target audience for this Sony release." If that's you, and you've been waiting to grab these high-end headphones, I recommend grabbing them at Target and saving $50. Every bit counts.

16 summer hosting essentials that cost under $25 at Amazon

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 11:02
Best summer hosting under $25 at Amazon Best yard game Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set $19.99 (save $10) Get Deal Best cooler deal Igloo Classic Playmate Cooler (red) $20.79 (save $13.20) Get Deal Best speaker deal Soundcore Select 4 Go $21.99 (save $3) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Maker $21.45 (save $4.05) Get Deal Best outdoor dining essential Fly Away Outdoor Fly Repellent Fan (2 pack) $25.91 Get Deal

With limited weekends remaining in summer 2026, it's time to schedule the backyard barbecues you've been considering. Clean off the grill, mow the lawn, and set out the games for a fun gathering with family and friends.

Maybe the only downside to this plan is that summer hosting can add up. Rather than worrying about the cost, check out these essential items at Amazon that are under $25. Shop from this list and you'll have plenty of fun without going over budget.

I've collected the best summer hosting essentials that cost $25 or less at Amazon. Happy hosting!

Best backyard game deal Opens in a new window Credit: Franklin Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set $19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10   Get Deal Why we like it

On the list of wholesome summer fun activities, it doesn't get much better than a bocce ball match. On sale for only $19.99, the Franklin Sports Bocce Ball Set has everything you need for a great outdoor activity. Plus, there's an included carrying box for easy transportation.

Best cooler deal Opens in a new window Credit: Igloo Igloo Classic Playmate Cooler $20.79
$33.99 Save $13.20   Get Deal Why we like it

Nothing says summer more than the Igloo Classic Playmates Cooler. Go with the red colorway while it's on sale for $20.79 and your guests will have instant access to chilled drinks while lounging on the patio. The seven-quart size can hold up to nine cans, making it easy to load up and set out for guests.

Best speaker deal Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Select 4 Go $21.99 at Amazon
$24.99 Save $3   Get Deal Why we like it

Compact in size and price, the Soundcore Select 4 Go Bluetooth Speaker is well worth using during summer hosting. It's dustproof and waterproof and can get up to 20 hours of playtime before needing to recharge. Crank up the playlist of summer with the Soundcore speaker while it's on sale at Amazon for $21.99.

Best kitchen deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hario Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Maker $21.45 at Amazon
$25.50 Save $4.05   Get Deal Why we like it

The Hario Mizudashi Cold Brew Maker is one of my best secret hacks for making summer hosting easy. It takes just a few minutes to get a one liter batch brewing by loading up the basket with ground coffee. After that, I leave it in the fridge overnight and wake up to excellent cold brew that costs a fraction of buying it premade at the store. It's the perfect refresher to serve on warm afternoons.

Best outdoor dining essential Opens in a new window Credit: Fly Away Fly Way Outdoor Fly Repellent Fan $25.91 at Amazon
  Shop Now Why we like it

Admittedly, this one is a smidge over $25, but the payoff is well worth it. Instead of dealing with the struggle of swatting flies and even bees away from your table when dining outside, get the help of the Fly Away Repellent Fans. A two pack at Amazon comes in at $25.91. The fans use reflective blades made from a holographic material that keeps flying insects away. But the blades are soft and flexible enough to not cause harm should a hand get in the way. Fly Away says the two fans are ideal for tables of up to six feet, and they use AA batteries, so they're easy to replace.

More summer hosting deals under $25

The Lego Pac-Man Arcade set is over $50 off for Insiders — buy now to score a free Lego Sea Serpent

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 10:54

SAVE $54: As of July 9, Lego Insiders can grab the Lego Pac-Man Arcade set for $215.99. The offer runs through July 12 or while supplies last.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Icons Lego Icons Pac-Man Arcade $215.99 at Lego
$269.99 Save $54   Get Deal

Lego is giving Pac-Man fans a reason to revisit the arcade era. The Lego Icons Pac-Man Arcade set is currently down to $215.99 for Lego Insiders, saving members $54 off its usual $269.99 price through July 12 or while supplies last. The good news? Joining Lego Insiders is free, and the purchase qualifies you for a complimentary Sea Serpent gift set ($24.99 value).

Designed for adult builders, this 2,651-piece set recreates the look of the original 1980s arcade cabinet, complete with a 4-way joystick, glowing coin slot, and adjustable score display. It’s not a playable arcade machine, but Lego packed in plenty of interactive touches to make it feel like the real thing.

Credit: Lego

The coolest feature is the mechanical maze hidden inside the cabinet. Turn the side crank and you can simulate Pac-Man’s classic chase through the maze as the characters move around the board. You can even remove the back panel to peek at the inner mechanics and see how the whole system works. Up top, you’ll find a display case featuring rotatable Pac-Man, Blinky, and Clyde figures, plus a tiny 1980s arcade scene with a gaming minifigure tucked inside the cabinet.

Credit: Lego

Beyond the nostalgia factor, the set has a fun bit of gaming history behind its design. The yellow used for Pac-Man was reportedly inspired by the same shade of yellow found on Lego bricks — so this collaboration feels like a full-circle moment. Once built, the 12.5-inch-tall arcade cabinet makes a pretty impressive display piece for anyone who grew up feeding quarters into the original game or just loves a good retro gaming collectible.

For a little nostalgia you can actually display, this Lego Pac-Man Arcade set is a pretty fun pickup.

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New York Times and Other Publishers Ask Court to Penalize OpenAI

NYT Technology - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 10:40
The Times, The New York Daily News and other media organizations accused OpenAI of withholding evidence in a lawsuit.

The gorgeous Sonos Ace noise-cancelling headphones are a steal at $120 off

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 10:40

SAVE $120: As of July 9, the Sonos Ace noise-cancelling headphones are on sale for just $279 on Amazon. That's a saving of 30% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sonos Sonos Ace $279 at Amazon
$399 Save $120   Get Deal

When Sonos released its first-ever headphones in spring 2024, our biggest complaint was the steep $449 price tag. So it's a good thing the brand knocked $50 off the list price last summer, and even better that it just shaved an extra $120 off just because.

As of July 9, the Sonos Ace headphones are on sale for only $279 at Amazon — a much more palatable price for noise-cancelling headphone seekers. That's 30% off the current list price and just $14 or so more than their all-time low from Prime Day.

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The Ace headphones are an aesthetic knockout, but beyond looks, they also offer incredible sound quality, impressive spatial audio, top-notch battery life (30 hours with noise cancellation turned on), and extreme comfort. As Mashable's tester Miller Kern noted in her review, "No exaggeration, these are the most comfortable over-ear headphones I’ve personally tried."

The noise cancellation is just fine, but other brands have it beat. If cutting outside noise is your top priority, we'd recommend going with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2s or even the AirPods Pro 2. If you like to stay in touch with the outside world, Kern writes that Sonos Ace's aware mode is "probably the best transparency mode I’ve experienced."

Once a bit overpriced, the Sonos Ace headphones are now a pretty sweet value at just $279. But the deal won't last forever, so add it to your cart while you can.

Bad Apples trailer: Saiorse Ronan hits her breaking point

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 10:35

Respect your teachers, folks. They're underpaid, underappreciated, and if you push them to the edge, well, good luck. That's the core message of the Saoirse Ronan-led dark comedy thriller Bad Apples, which has a trailer out today.

Directed by Jonatan Etzler and written by Jess O'Kane as an adaptation of Rasmus Andersson's novel De Oönskade, the film sees Ronan as a Somerset-based primary school teacher named Maria. She adores teaching, but the underfunded education system wears her down on the daily. When her disruptive student Danny (newcomer Eddie Waller) spins out of control, Maria makes some choices.

As I wrote in my review out of BFI London Film Festival, "With Ronan's always-impeccable talents supported by a sublime young cast, Bad Apples leans into unethical impulses, all the while exposing home truths about the under-resourced education system and social disdain toward children with behavioural, emotional, and social difficulties. Plus, it's really funny."

Bad Apples hits cinemas Sept. 18.

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The Hope trailer will mess you up

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 10:00

If you're in a public place or at work or surrounded by people whose opinion you care about, maybe watch the Hope trailer where you can have a little freak-out?

The latest action-packed South Korean horror from The Medium and The Wailing director Na Hong-jin, Hope promises a blood-soaked nightmare in a small village plagued by a violent creature. The film's name comes from its setting, Hope Harbour, a chill town that didn't expect its quiet streets to be pulverised by a strange (and incredibly strong) beast. Police chief Bum-seok (Hwang Jung- min), officer Sung-ae (Hoyeon), hunter Sung- ki (Zo In-Sung) have quite the task on their hands, to wrangle this rampaging terror before it tears them to shreds.

From the looks of it this is no straightforward monster movie, with intergalactic elements sneaking in. But there's plenty of action afoot, with the town fighting for their damn lives in this Neon trailer.

Taylor Russell, Cameron Britton, Alicia Vikander, and Michael Fassbender also star.

Hope hits cinemas Sept. 9.

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Claude will now let you reflect on how much youre using Claude

Mashable - Thu, 07/09/2026 - 09:30

If you use Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot, and you're wondering if you're using it too much, assistance is coming from an unlikely source: Claude.

Anthropic says Claude's new "reflect" tool is designed to help users answer complex questions about their AI use.

SEE ALSO: How to spot an AI chatbot on AdultFriendFinder

That includes whether you're using Claude effectively, too often, or for too many tasks that are better suited for yourself instead of artificial intelligence, Anthropic said in a blog post Thursday.

What will Claude's reflect feature help with?

The insights dashboard shows key topics, usage patterns, and frequent tasks. Users can review their chat activity over periods of one, three, six, or 12 months. They can also set (and dismiss) quiet hours and break nudges.

The feature "invites you to step back and examine the role Claude plays in your life," the company said in its announcement.

"It will periodically surface questions like, 'What's one thing you want to keep doing yourself, even if Claude could do it faster?' and give you the chance to talk it through with Claude."

Reflection tool shows peak hour and number of conversations, among other insights. Credit: Courtesy of Anthropic

Given the growing concern about AI use, including cognitive offloading and atrophy, the feature could offer users genuinely useful information.

Users get in-depth details about how they "collaborate" with Claude, plus practical suggestions for prompting the chatbot without providing repetitive information.

The tool also incorporates Anthropic's proprietary framework for AI use, which helps decide how to delegate to a chatbot and how to accurately assess its outputs.

What about sensitive data and chats?

The insight reports do not incorporate incognito chats. It doesn't access files in connected tools, such as your email inbox or health data.

Reflection insights will cover sensitive conversations, such as discussions about mental health, but only at a high level. If Claude has previously shared mental health support resources during a chat, that information may appear in the dashboard as well.

Anthropic consulted independent experts to develop insights that would help people evaluate what works best about Claude for them.

Though Anthropic requires users to be 18 or older, Ryn Linthicum, Anthropic's head of well being policy, told Mashable that the company learned from youth developmental experts what tools could help young adults and parents of children better understand their AI use.

The reflection feature is in beta for free and paid subscribers with their chat memories turned on.

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