Ring’s partnership with Flock is sparking renewed online backlash this week, with influencers calling for people to smash their Ring cameras and claiming the company is part of the surveillance state amid heightened concerns over ICE actions.
Technology
Find a lost phone that is off or dead
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Losing your phone can leave you in panic mode, especially when the battery dies. The good news is that both Apple and Android offer built-in tools that help you track a missing device even when it is powered off or offline.
With an iPhone, you can use the Find My network on another Apple device or sign in from a browser. With Android, you can use Google’s Find My Device system to see the last known location and secure your phone fast.
This guide walks you through clear steps for iPhone and Android so you know exactly what to do next.
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YOUR PHONE IS TRACKING YOU EVEN WHEN YOU THINK IT’S NOT
You can still find your lost Apple device even when it’s dead. (Apple)
Does Find My work when your iPhone is dead?
Yes, it does. Your iPhone uses low power mode in the background so it stays findable for a period after powering off. If other Apple devices are nearby, your phone can still send out a Bluetooth signal that helps pinpoint the last known location.
You can check this location from any Apple device or a browser.
Use Find My from another Apple device
If you have an iPad, Mac, or another iPhone, you can look up your missing device in seconds. Family Sharing works too, so you can track a shared device even if it is offline. Here is how to do it:
- Open the Find My app
- Tap the Devices tab
- Swipe up to see your full list of devices
- Select your missing iPhone
- View the location on the map
- Tap Directions to navigate to it
- Tap Play Sound if the phone is on and nearby
Steps to use Find My from another Apple device. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Turn on Lost Mode by tapping continue at the bottom of the screen to lock it and show a message with a callback number.
- Enter a phone number that can be used when someone finds your iPhone and wants to contact you. Then, tap Next.
- If the screen icon is black, the phone is dead. You will still see the last known location, so you know where to start looking.
Steps to use Find My from another Apple device. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Find your iPhone from a web browser
If you only have access to a computer or an Android phone, use iCloud.com to locate your device. The browser version gives fewer tools, but it still shows your iPhone on the map. Follow these steps:
- Go to iCloud.com/find
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- Approve two-factor if needed
Steps to find your iPhone from a web browser. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Select All Devices
- Choose your missing iPhone
Steps to find your iPhone from a web browser. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Use Play Sound if the device is on
- Turn on Lost Mode to lock the phone
Use this method when you have no Apple hardware nearby.
Steps to find your iPhone from a web browser. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Use the Help a Friend feature in Find My
If you need to borrow another person’s iPhone, avoid signing in to their device directly. That triggers security checks you cannot complete without your missing phone. Instead, use Help a Friend inside the Find My app:
- Open Find My on your friend’s iPhone
- Scroll to Help a Friend
- Sign in with your Apple ID
- View the last known location of your iPhone
This tool bypasses two-factor prompts so you can get your location without any issues.
Steps to use the Help a Friend feature in Find My. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Can you find an iPhone without Find My
If ‘Find My’ was never enabled, you must retrace your steps. You can check ‘Your Timeline’ in Google Maps if you use that app and have location history on.
Without ‘Find My,’ there is no way to remotely lock, track, or erase the device.
Once you recover your phone, turn on ‘Find My’ and enable ‘Send Last Location’ so you are covered next time.
Best iPhone settings to turn on before your device goes missing
Before your iPhone ever goes missing, take a minute to set up these key protections.
1) Turn on Find My iPhone
This keeps your device trackable whether it is on or off. Go to Settings, then tap your name, then click Find My, then Find My iPhone and enable it.
2) Enable Send Last Location
Go to Settings, then tap your name, then click Find My, then Find My iPhone and scroll down and enable Sent Last Location.
Your phone will save its final location before the battery dies.
3) Turn on Find My network
Go to Settings, tap your name, click Find My, then tap Find My iPhone and enable Find My network.
This keeps your iPhone discoverable through nearby Apple devices even when it is off or offline.
4) Keep two-factor authentication on
Go to Settings, tap your name, tap Sign-In & Security, select Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), then tap your iPhone and make sure 2FA is turned on.
This blocks anyone from accessing your Apple ID without approval.
5) Use a strong passcode
Go to Settings, then tap Face ID & Passcode, then enter your current passcode.
Tap Change Passcode and follow the prompts to set a unique passcode that is hard to guess.
6) Add a recovery contact
Go to Settings, tap your name, tap Sign-In & Security, then tap Recovery contacts. Then, click Add Recovery Contact.
Add a trusted person as your recovery contact so you can verify your identity if you ever lose your iPhone.
CAN’T FIND YOUR ANDROID PHONE? HERE’S WHAT TO DO TO TRACK IT DOWN
How to find an Android phone that is off or dead
Android users can also track a missing device using Google’s Find My Device system. While you cannot see live location when the phone is powered off, you can view the last known location, lock the phone, or display a message for anyone who finds it. Here is how to track it:
Find your Android from a browser
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Go to android.com/find
- Sign in with your Google account
- Select your missing device
- View the last known location on the map
- Select Secure Device to lock it and display a callback message
- Select Play Sound if the phone is on and nearby
Find your Android from another phone
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
- Download the Find My Device app on another Android
- Sign in with your Google account
- Tap your missing phone to view its last known location
If the phone is off or dead, the map will show its last saved location. You can still lock the device or leave a message for whoever finds it.
Best Android settings to turn on before your device goes missing
Before your Android phone ever goes missing, take a minute to set up these key protections.
Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.
1) Turn on Find My Device
This lets you track your phone or lock it from any browser.
Go to Settings, tap Security & privacy, tap Find My Device or Device Finders and turn it on.
(Names may vary by manufacturer.)
2) Enable Location Services
This improves accuracy and helps Google save your phone’s last known location.
Go to Settings, tap Location and turn on Use Location.
3) Turn on Google Location History
This allows Google to show past locations even when your phone is off.
Go to Settings, tap Location, tap Location Services, then choose Google Location History or Google Location Sharing and turn it on.
4) Add a recovery phone number or email
This helps you verify your identity and recover your account fast.
Go to Settings, tap Google, tap Manage your Google Account, then open the Security tab and add a recovery phone number or email.
5) Use a strong screen lock
Choose a secure lock to keep your data safe.
Go to Settings, tap Security, then Screen lock, and select a PIN, pattern, or password that is hard to guess.
6) Turn on “Send last location” (If available)
Some Android models save the phone’s last known location before the battery dies.
Go to Settings, tap Security & privacy, tap Find My Device and enable Send last location if your device supports it.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
A dead or powered-off phone does not have to stay lost. Apple’s Find My network and Google’s Find My Device system both give you a last known location and fast tools that help you lock or secure your phone. With the right settings in place before anything happens, you can recover your device sooner and protect your personal data.
What would you do first if your phone went missing today? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture’s mandate is to secure U.S. user data, apps and the algorithm through comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity measures. It will safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem through robust trust and safety policies and content moderation while ensuring continuous accountability through transparency reporting and third-party certifications.
Data Protection: U.S. user data will be protected by USDS Joint Venture in Oracle’s secure U.S. cloud environment. The Joint Venture will operate a comprehensive data privacy and cybersecurity program that is audited and certified by third party cybersecurity experts. The program will adhere to major industry standards, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) CSF and 800-53 and ISO 27001 as well as the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Security Requirements for Restricted Transactions.
Algorithm Security: The Joint Venture will retrain, test, and update the content recommendation algorithm on U.S. user data. The content recommendation algorithm will be secured in Oracle’s U.S. cloud environment.
Software Assurance: The Joint Venture will secure U.S. apps through software assurance protocols, and review and validate source code on an ongoing basis, assisted by its Trusted Security Partner, Oracle.
Trust & Safety: The Joint Venture will safeguard the U.S. content ecosystem and have decision-making authority for trust and safety policies and content moderation.
TikTok USDS Joint Venture has three managing investors, Silver Lake, Oracle and MGX, each holding 15%. Completing the full consortium of investors are: Dell Family Office, the investment firm of Michael Dell, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies; Vastmere Strategic Investments, LLC, an affiliate of Susquehanna International Group, LLP; Alpha Wave Partners; Revolution; Merritt Way, LLC controlled and managed by partners of Dragoneer; Via Nova, an affiliate of General Atlantic; Virgo LI, Inc., investment arm of a foundation established by Yuri and Julia Milner in support of science; and NJJ Capital, the family office of Xavier Niel, a French entrepreneur and pioneer in telecommunications. ByteDance retains 19.9% of the Joint Venture.
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Apple and Google just made one of the most important artificial intelligence (AI) announcements of the year. Under a new multi-year collaboration, Apple will base the next generation of its Apple Foundation Models on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology.
The companies confirmed the partnership in a joint statement, signaling a major shift in how Apple plans to deliver AI features across the iPhone, iPad and Mac.
The deal comes as Apple faces growing pressure to catch up in AI, especially after delaying a long-promised overhaul of Siri.
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5 BEST APPS TO USE ON CHATGPT RIGHT NOW
Apple and Google have entered a multiyear AI partnership that will shape the future of Apple Intelligence and Siri. (Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Why Apple chose Google’s Gemini
Apple evaluated multiple AI options before settling on Gemini. According to the joint statement, Apple believes Google’s AI provides the strongest foundation for its own models. Gemini has quickly become one of the most capable large language model families, backed by Google’s massive cloud infrastructure.
For Apple, this means faster development, more reliable performance and the ability to roll out advanced features without rebuilding everything from scratch. At the same time, Apple says Apple Intelligence will still run on the device and through its Private Cloud Compute system. In other words, Apple controls how user data flows, even if the underlying models come from Google.
The joint statement from Apple and Google
Here is the full joint statement from the two companies:
“Apple and Google have entered into a multi-year collaboration under which the next generation of Apple Foundation Models will be based on Google’s Gemini models and cloud technology. These models will help power future Apple Intelligence features, including a more personalized Siri coming this year.
“After careful evaluation, Apple determined that Google’s AI technology provides the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models and is excited about the innovative new experiences it will unlock for Apple users. Apple Intelligence will continue to run on Apple devices and Private Cloud Compute, while maintaining Apple’s industry-leading privacy standards.”
That last line is critical. Apple is clearly trying to reassure users that privacy remains central, even with Google’s technology involved.
CHATGPT’S GPT-5.2 IS HERE, AND IT FEELS RUSHED
Google’s Gemini models will help power Apple’s next-generation AI features while Apple keeps control of on-device processing and privacy. (REUTERS/Norbert von der Groeben)
A long-delayed Siri overhaul finally moves forward
A more personalized Siri is one of the biggest promises tied to this deal. Apple had already previewed major Siri improvements but ran into development problems. Reports described internal frustration, bugs and delays that pushed the revamped assistant further out than planned. This partnership helps explain why. By leaning on Gemini, Apple can accelerate Siri’s evolution instead of trying to solve every AI challenge internally. The result should be a smarter assistant that better understands context, handles complex requests and integrates more deeply across Apple apps.
Behind-the-scenes pressure at Apple
This deal did not happen in a vacuum. Apple has faced criticism for moving too slowly on AI while rivals pushed ahead. Apple had reportedly been in talks to license a custom version of Gemini for Siri and was expected to pay roughly $1 billion per year, though the official announcement did not confirm any financial terms.
Apple has also reshuffled its AI leadership. The company recently hired Amar Subramanya as vice president of artificial intelligence. He replaced John Giannandrea, who stepped down from the role after leading Apple’s AI strategy since 2018.
Antitrust questions loom
There is also a regulatory angle. Apple and Google already face scrutiny for their long-standing search agreement. That partnership came under renewed attention after U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled that Google holds a monopoly in online search, while still allowing payments to Apple to keep Google as the default search engine on iPhones. This new AI collaboration could attract fresh attention from antitrust regulators who worry about powerful tech companies becoming even more intertwined.
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The deal signals a strategic shift as Apple accelerates its AI roadmap to deliver smarter, more personalized experiences across its devices. (Phil Barker/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
What this means for you
For those of you using Apple devices, the impact is straightforward. You should see smarter Apple Intelligence features arrive faster, starting with a more capable Siri. Tasks like summarizing messages, handling complex reminders and understanding context across apps should improve. At the same time, Apple insists your data stays protected. Apple Intelligence will still rely on device processing and Private Cloud Compute, rather than funneling personal data directly into Google’s systems. In short, users get better AI without giving up Apple’s privacy stance, at least in theory.
Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?
Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Apple’s partnership with Google marks a turning point in its AI story. Instead of going it alone, Apple is betting that combining its privacy-focused platform with Google’s AI muscle is the fastest path forward. If Apple delivers on its promises, this deal could finally close the AI gap that has frustrated users and investors alike. The real test will come when those features land on your devices.
Do you trust Apple to balance powerful AI with privacy now that Google’s technology sits under the hood? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Flock is an AI-powered surveillance camera company that has reportedly allowed government agencies — including ICE — to access data from its nationwide camera network. Amazon-owned home security company Ring announced a partnership with Flock last year as part of its new Community Requests tool. This allows local law enforcement agencies to request footage from nearby Ring users when investigating an active case.
“Ring has no partnership with ICE … and does not share video with them.”
According to reporting from Futurism, activists are pushing a grassroots campaign across social media, including TikTok and Bluesky, telling Ring users to get rid of their cameras to prevent footage from being used by ICE. However, Ring spokesperson Yassi Yarger told The Verge in an email that “Ring has no partnership with ICE, does not give ICE videos, feeds, or back-end access, and does not share video with them.”
Yarger also said that the Flock integration in question, which was announced last October, is not yet live. Meaning Flock does not have access to Community Requests.
“As we explore the integration, we will ensure the feature is built for the use of local public safety agencies only — which is what the program is designed for,” she said. According to Ring’s support site, local agencies are limited to city and county organizations.
Still, once footage is in the hands of local authorities, it’s out of Ring’s control. Ring founder Jamie Siminoff has told The Verge that he believes widespread cameras can prevent crime. But once deployed, the potential for such a large-scale local surveillance system to be used for other purposes is very real.
Since returning to the company last year, Siminoff has leaned into his belief that more cameras lead to safer communities, launching Community Requests last September.
This is essentially a rebrand of Ring’s controversial Request for Assistance feature, which was discontinued in 2024. Only, instead of direct partnerships with law enforcement, Community Requests works through integrations with “third-party evidence management platforms,” such as Flock and Axon, a Taser and body-cam company.
Any local agency partnered with either company can request users’ footage through the Ring’s apps. According to Yarger, currently, only the Axon partnership is live.
According to Ring, Community Requests sends a request from the local agency to both the Ring Neighbors app and the Ring app’s Community Feed. The request appears to all users in the area of an active investigation, and a user can choose to share footage or ignore the request. Ring says no one will be notified if you ignore a request.
How to disable Community Requests and enable E2E
If you don’t want to participate in Community Requests, you can disable it in the Ring or Neighbors app. Go to the app’s settings page, find the Neighbors Settings, then scroll down to Neighborhood Settings, click Feed Settings, uncheck Community Requests, and click Apply.
However, Ring — like many security camera companies — may provide footage to law enforcement without a warrant in what it deems an emergency.
To prevent anyone from accessing your Ring footage, you can enable end-to-end encryption (E2E) in the Ring app.
While your footage is still stored in Ring’s cloud, with E2E turned on, only the mobile device you set up the camera with can view the video; it cannot be accessed by Ring or used for Community Requests.
Enabling E2E means you lose several features, including person detection, rich notifications that show a snapshot of activity, and Ring’s new AI-powered descriptions, all of which rely on the cloud.
While most cloud-based security cameras encrypt footage in transit and at rest, they need to access it in the cloud to analyze it and enable those features.
Alternatives to cloud-dependent cameras
If you want to avoid cloud-dependent cameras entirely, there are several other options for keeping your camera footage private and secure.
As mentioned, Ring cameras use the cloud to process footage for features like person detection; however, some security cameras can process video locally and fully encrypt it before sending it to the cloud. Generally, this requires a hub to process the footage.
If you are an iPhone user, Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video service is fully E2E encrypted. Video analysis is done locally on a home hub, such as a HomePod or Apple TV, and stored in your iCloud account. It requires compatible cameras, including models from Eve, Aqara, and Eufy.
Anker-owned Eufy is another company that offers local storage and video processing for its wide selection of cameras and video doorbells. The company had some serious security breaches involving the cloud in 2022, but its newer HomeBase hardware can run locally.
TP-Link’s Tapo, Aqara, and Reolink recently launched local hubs for storage and processing of footage from their cameras, and these companies also offer cameras and video doorbells with onboard local processing and local storage via microSD cards.
The new Matter standard now supports security cameras, which could open more options for local, secure storage and processing of camera footage.
Ultimately, any camera connected to the internet comes with the risk that it could be accessed by someone other than you, no matter what the company says. So it remains important to think carefully before adding any type of surveillance to your home or your neighborhood.
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