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Pinterest is prompting teens to close the app at school

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Pinterest is prompting teens to close the app at school

Pinterest is testing a new pop-up prompt it will display to minors in the US and Canada during school hours, encouraging them to close the app and turn off notifications until the end of the day.

“Focus is a beautiful thing,” the prompt says. “Stay in the moment by putting Pinterest down and pausing notifs [sic] until the school bell rings.”

The pop-up will only appear to minors aged 13 to 17, and only between 8AM and 3PM, Monday to Friday. It’s a large-scale test, which Pinterest says will reach “millions” of school-age users. It claims to be the first tech company testing this sort of “proactive” feature to help students focus, after CEO Bill Ready announced support for the Kids Online Safety Act and phone-free school policies.

New York is close to implementing a statewide ban on phone use during the school day, and several other states already have policies limiting or prohibiting phone use. In Europe, countries like Denmark and the Netherlands have already banned phones in schools and France recently announced that teens will have to lock their phones away while at school from the next academic year.

Pinterest has also announced a $1 million grant to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) to “support school leaders in creating a healthy digital culture in their schools.” The money will fund task forces across 12 US school districts to develop policies that “improve students’ digital wellbeing.”

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“At Pinterest, we believe that schools can take advantage of all that technology has to offer students, while minimizing the harms and distractions,” said Wanji Walcott, Pinterest’s chief legal and business affairs officer. “Tech companies need to work together with teachers, parents, and policymakers to build solutions that ensure in the hands of our students, smartphones are tools, not distractions.”

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Nothing’s noise-canceling CMF Buds 2A are down to just $19.99 just for today

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Nothing’s noise-canceling CMF Buds 2A are down to just .99 just for today

It’s not every day you find a decent pair of wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, a transparency mode, and app support for less than $20, which is why the current lighting deal on the CMF Buds 2A stands out. Now through 11:15PM ET today, April 7th, Nothing’s budget earbuds are available on Amazon in all three colors for just $19.99 ($29 off), which matches their lowest price to date.

For the price, the Buds 2A cover the basics and then some. They deliver decent (albeit a little tinny) sound and 42 decibels of noise cancellation, along with an IP54 rating and a useful transparency mode for staying aware of your surroundings. They also provide a commendable eight hours of battery life per charge with ANC disabled — or up to 35.5 with the included charging case — and feature four onboard mics that leverage Nothing’s noise reduction tech, which helps boost voice call quality. I wouldn’t say voice clarity is their strong suit, though, again, they’re a $20 pair of earbuds.

Like the rest of Nothing’s entry-level earbuds, the 2A also work with the Nothing X app, adding a level of flexibility that’s hard to find at this price. With the app, you can tweak EQ settings, adjust the bass response, switch between ANC modes, or quickly enable multi-device pairing. There’s even a “find my earbuds” feature if you lose them, and you can assign a gesture to trigger your phone’s virtual assistant on the fly, whether that’s Siri or Google Assistant. On top of that, if you’re using a Nothing or CMF phone, you can use your voice to access ChatGPT directly through the earbuds.

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Healthcare data breach hits system storing patient records

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Healthcare data breach hits system storing patient records

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Healthcare data breaches keep coming. Now, CareCloud is the latest to confirm a serious security incident.

The company says hackers accessed one of its systems that stores electronic health records, not confirmed patient records themselves. The intrusion lasted more than eight hours on March 16. That window matters because even a short breach can expose sensitive data at scale.

At this point, there is still uncertainty. CareCloud has not confirmed whether any data was taken or what specific information may be involved. However, the investigation is ongoing, and the company has brought in outside cybersecurity experts.

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HEALTH TECH BREACH EXPOSES 3.4M PATIENT RECORDS
 

A CareCloud security breach exposed a key healthcare system used by providers nationwide, raising new concerns about whether patient data may have been taken. (Nansan Houn/Getty Images)

What exactly happened inside CareCloud’s systems

CareCloud operates multiple environments where patient records are stored. According to its filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, attackers gained access to one of those environments.

Here is what we know so far:

  • Unauthorized access began on March 16
  • Hackers stayed inside for more than eight hours
  • The company restored full system functionality and data access the same day
  • The company believes the attackers are no longer inside

CareCloud also says the incident was contained to that single environment and did not impact its other systems or platforms. Even so, the biggest unanswered question remains whether any data left the system. That detail matters because stolen health data often fuels identity theft, insurance fraud and targeted scams. 

Why healthcare data is such a valuable target

Healthcare companies sit on a goldmine of personal information. That includes names, Social Security numbers and medical histories. Unlike a credit card, you cannot simply cancel your medical history. We saw the scale of this risk during the Change Healthcare ransomware attack. That breach disrupted systems across the U.S. and delayed care for weeks. It also exposed just how interconnected the healthcare infrastructure has become. CareCloud serves more than 45,000 providers and supports millions of patients. That kind of reach makes any incident more serious. 

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Where patient data may be stored

CareCloud has not shared full technical details yet. Public records suggest much of its infrastructure relies on Amazon Web Services. Cloud platforms are widely used across healthcare. They offer scale and flexibility. At the same time, they require strict security controls to prevent unauthorized access. It is still unclear how CareCloud separates or backs up data across its systems. That detail could affect how far attackers were able to move once inside. We reached out to CareCloud for a comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

BANKING TECH DATA BREACH EXPOSES 672K IN RANSOMWARE ATTACK
 

The latest healthcare cyber incident puts CareCloud in the spotlight as investigators work to determine whether sensitive patient information left the system. (shapecharge/Getty Images)

What this means to you

Even if you have never heard of CareCloud, your doctor might use it. That is how these breaches work. A behind-the-scenes company gets compromised, and patients feel the impact later. Right now, there is no confirmation that patient data was stolen. Still, this is the moment to stay alert. If your information was involved, notifications could come weeks or even months later.

Ways to stay safe from healthcare data breaches

Healthcare breaches can feel out of your control. Still, a few simple habits can make a real difference.

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1) Watch your medical statements closely

Check every explanation of benefits and billing statement you receive. Look for charges, prescriptions or visits you do not recognize. Even a small, unfamiliar charge can signal fraud. If something looks off, contact your insurer or provider right away.

2) Set up identity theft monitoring

Health data can be used to open accounts, file fake claims or commit identity theft. Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. The faster you catch it, the easier it is to limit the damage. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com 

3) Consider data removal services

Your personal details often end up on data broker sites without your knowledge. That information can be used to target you after a breach. Removing your data from these sites with a data removal service reduces how much scammers can find and use against you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

4) Use strong antivirus protection

If you receive emails about medical updates or billing issues, be extra careful. Malicious links and attachments are common after breaches. Strong antivirus software can help detect threats before you click and stop harmful downloads in real time. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

SSA IMPERSONATION SCAMS ARE GETTING MORE PERSONAL
 

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CareCloud says hackers accessed one of its electronic health record environments for more than eight hours during a March 16 cyber incident now under investigation. (AndreyPopov/Getty Images)

5) Use strong, unique passwords

Secure your patient portals with a password you do not use anywhere else. Reusing passwords makes it easier for attackers to access multiple accounts. A password manager can generate and store strong passwords for you so you do not have to remember them. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com

6) Enable two-factor authentication

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if your provider offers it. This adds a second step, such as a code sent to your phone. Even if someone gets your password, this extra layer can stop them from getting into your account.

7) Be cautious with follow-up scams

After a breach, scammers often pose as healthcare providers or support teams. They may send emails, texts or even call you. Do not click links or share personal details unless you verify the source. When in doubt, go directly to your provider’s official website or call their listed number.

Kurt’s key takeaways

The CareCloud data breach is still unfolding. That uncertainty is part of the problem. Healthcare systems are complex. They rely on multiple vendors, cloud services and interconnected tools. That creates more entry points for attackers. Even when companies respond quickly, the ripple effects can last much longer.

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If your most sensitive health data can pass through multiple companies you have never heard of, who should be responsible for keeping it safe? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com –  trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

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Gemini is making it faster for distressed users to reach mental health resources 

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Gemini is making it faster for distressed users to reach mental health resources 

Google says it has updated Gemini to better direct users to get mental health resources during moments of crisis. The change comes as the tech giant faces a wrongful death lawsuit alleging its chatbot “coached” a man to die by suicide, the latest in a string of lawsuits alleging tangible harm from AI products.

When a conversation indicates a user is in a potential crisis related to suicide or self-harm, Gemini already launches a “Help is available” module that directs users to mental health crisis resources, like a suicide hotline or crisis text line. Google says the update — really more of a redesign — will streamline this into a “one-touch” interface that will make it easier for users to get help quickly.

The help module also contains more empathetic responses designed “to encourage people to seek help,” Google says. Once activated, “the option to reach out for professional help will remain clearly available” for the remainder of the conversation.

Google says it engaged with clinical experts for the redesign and is committed to supporting users in crisis. It also announced $30 million in funding globally over the next three years “to help global hotlines.”

Like other leading chatbot providers, Google stressed that Gemini “is not a substitute for professional clinical care, therapy, or crisis support,” but acknowledged many people are using it for health information, including during moments of crisis.

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The update comes amid broader scrutiny over how adequate the industry’s safeguards actually are. Reports and investigations, including our probe into the provision of crisis resources, frequently flag cases where chatbots fail vulnerable users, by helping them hide eating disorders or plan shootings. Google often fares better than many rivals in these tests, but is not perfect. Other AI companies, including OpenAI and Anthropic, have also taken steps to improve their detection and support of vulnerable users.

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