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Meta’s latest attempt to spy on your online behaviors

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Meta’s latest attempt to spy on your online behaviors

Meta’s newest tool makes it very easy for the company to track you. The social media giant recently introduced a new feature called Link History to the Facebook app for iPhone and Android. Facebook’s parent company claims the setting is a tool for users to keep all of their browser history in one spot. However, is there more than meets the eye? Facebook’s latest feature raises plenty of privacy concerns and worries about Meta’s information collection.

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Facebook app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What is Meta’s Link History?

Link History is a list of websites you’ve visited on Facebook Mobile Browser within the last 30 days. Meta’s Link History setting collects the links you’ve clicked on within the Facebook app. This is limited to links you accessed within Facebook’s browser, which automatically pops up when you click on a link within the Facebook app. You can then view all the links you’ve clicked on and then revisit those links, which will reopen in Facebook’s browser.

It’s important to note Link History is off by default until you choose to turn it on. You can turn this setting on or off at any time. You might want to turn on Meta’s Link History if you want to easily access the websites you’ve visited on Facebook’s Mobile Browser, and don’t mind Meta using this information to show you more relevant ads.

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When Link History is on, any links you’ve tapped inside of Facebook and visited in Facebook’s mobile Browser will be saved in your Link History for 30 days. Also, keep in mind that when Link History is on, Meta may use Link History information from Facebook’s Mobile Brower to improve ads across Meta technologies. In other words, Meta may show you ads based on the websites you visit on Facebook’s Mobile Browser.

How to turn Link History on

  • Open the Facebook app on your phone
  • Click on three horizontal lines with the word Menu below in the lower right corner
  • Scroll down and click Settings & privacy
  • Then tap Settings

Steps to turn Link History on (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Scroll down and click Browser
  • Next to Allow Link History toggle it ON
  • Then tap Allow to confirm

Steps to turn Link History on (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: HOW TO REMOVE UNWANTED PHOTOS INVADING YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE

How to access Link History in the Facebook app

Once you’ve turned Link History on, here’s how you can access it.

  • Open the Facebook app on your phone
  • Click on three horizontal lines with the word Menu below in the lower right corner
  • Scroll down and click Settings & Privacy
  • Then select Link History
  • Scroll to view your Link History

Steps to access Link History on Facebook app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: IS FACEBOOK LISTENING TO YOU?

How to keep Facebook from tracking your information

Facebook collects a lot of information on you, even if you haven’t signed up for an account. Link History is another, more transparent avenue for Meta’s data collection. If you want to safeguard your information from Link History, here’s how to turn off Link History.

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  • Open the Facebook app on your phone
  • Click on three horizontal lines with the word Menu below in the lower right corner
  • Scroll down and click Settings & privacy
  • Then tap Settings

Steps to turn Link History off (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Select Browser
  • Then, toggle off “Allow Link History”

Steps to turn Link History off (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

It is important to note that Link History is only available on Facebook’s mobile app. You cannot access it on a computer. When you turn Link History off, Meta will immediately clear your Link History, and you will no longer be able to see any link you’ve visited. 

The company claims that it won’t save your Link History or use it to improve your ads across Meta technologies once it’s turned off. Also, when you turn Link History off, the company says it may take up to 90 days to complete the deletion process.

Facebook app (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: WHY IT’S HARD TO TRUST EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS FROM FACEBOOK

Kurt’s key takeaways

Meta makes billions of dollars off data collection. This is just a more transparent way for the company to tell its users it’s actively tracking the links they use. Meta has been actively pushing more information about how its platforms work, how it’s tracking you, and how it’s using your information. But there are still questions on if Meta is giving users the full picture.

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How do you feel about Meta’s Link History feature? Do you think it is useful or invasive? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

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YouTube made its video player easier to navigate on TVs

The YouTube watch screen has been given a new look on TVs. The redesign aims to provide a “more intuitive experience with easier navigation,” according to YouTube’s announcement, relocating the video title and several controls, and adding a new “Description” button to access creator information and other video features.

I’m already seeing the update on my own Nvidia Shield Pro streaming box and native Phillips TV OS, and I do think it makes it easier to find specific video features and controls. My colleague Thomas Ricker says he isn’t seeing the redesign in Apple TV’s YouTube player, however, so they may still be rolling out. These changes are pretty delayed, considering YouTube announced in April that they would arrive “this summer.”

Videos on the YouTube app for TV will now show the title in the top left corner of the screen instead of just above the video scrubber at the bottom of the page, and the title can no longer be clicked to open comments, metadata, and information about the creator. Instead, those controls are now available by clicking the new “Description” button. The channel thumbnail and subscribe function have also been separated into two buttons, with the creator’s thumbnail now taking users directly to their channel.

Controls have been reorganized into distinct groups under the video scrubber: Channel, Description, and Subscribe on the left, Previous, Pause/Play, and Next in the center, and Like, Dislike, Comment, Save, Closed Captions, and Settings placed into two groups on the right. YouTube says the Subscribe button will remain visible to subscribers, adapting to flag pay-gated content or alert users to new live streams. A “Multiview” control has also been added for live sports content, while Music and Premium subscribers will see a new “Display Mode” control.

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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene

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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 eyes on the scene

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Holiday travel and winter storms create risky moments for drivers and families. Stress rises fast during emergencies, and describing the scene to 911 can feel overwhelming. 

Now, a new Android feature closes that gap by providing live visual information that helps responders act with speed and accuracy.

If you use an iPhone, Apple offers a similar tool through its Emergency SOS Live Video feature. You can learn how it works right here.

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Android Emergency Live Video gives 911 a secure live view of the scene, so responders understand what is happening right away. (Cyberguy.com)

What Android Emergency Live Video does

Google is rolling out Android Emergency Live Video to give dispatchers a secure view of the scene during an active call or text. A dispatcher can request a live video stream through your phone when it is safe for you to share it. With a single tap, you can stream real-time video that helps responders understand what is happening.

This can help during car accidents, medical emergencies or fast-moving hazards such as wildfire conditions. Live video can also help dispatchers guide you through steps that save lives, such as CPR, until responders arrive.

APPLE NOW LETS YOU ADD YOUR PASSPORT TO YOUR PHONE’S WALLET

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How the Android Emergency Live Video feature works

Android designed this tool to work with no setup. When you call or text 911, the dispatcher reviews the situation. If they decide video would help, they will send a request to your phone. You see a clear prompt that lets you choose whether to start the secure stream. The feature uses encryption and gives you full control. You can stop sharing at any moment.

The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer with Google Play services. It is rolling out across the U.S. and select regions in Germany and Mexico. Google plans to expand coverage with more public safety partners.

How to use Emergency Live Video on Android

You cannot turn this feature on in advance. It appears only during an active 911 call or text.

1) Call or text 911 on your Android phone. The dispatcher reviews your situation.

2) Watch for a request on your screen. If the dispatcher decides live video will help, they send a prompt to your device.

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3) Tap the notification that appears. You will see a clear message asking if you want to share live video.

4) Choose Share video to start streaming. This opens your camera and begins a secure live feed.

5) Tap Stop sharing at any time. You stay in control the entire time and can end the video at any time.

With one tap, you can choose to share real-time video during a 911 call or text which gives dispatchers the clarity they need to guide you. (CyberGuy.com)

Why Emergency Live Video on Android matters now

Emergencies create confusion. Sharing details verbally takes time and can lead to miscommunication. Video removes guesswork. Responders gain clarity in seconds, which can speed up help and improve outcomes. This tool builds on Android’s safety features, including Satellite SOS, Fall Detection and Car Crash Detection.

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Alastair Breeze, a Software Engineer for Android, tells CyberGuy that the team built this feature with one goal in mind. “Providing people peace of mind is at the core of Android’s safety mission. Android Emergency Live Video gives you the ability to securely share real-time video to provide dispatchers the critical eyes-on-scene context they need to assist in emergencies.”

What this means to you

If you carry an Android phone, this feature adds another layer of protection during moments that demand quick action. You stay in control of when the video is shared. You also get a simple way to show the situation when describing it feels impossible. Faster clarity can lead to faster help, which can shape how an emergency ends.

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The feature works on Android phones running Android 8 or newer and helps responders act faster during emergencies when seconds matter. (Tony Giberson/tgiberson@pnj.com / USA TODAY)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Android Emergency Live Video brings real-time awareness to moments when every second matters. It gives responders a clear view, so they can guide you through urgent steps if necessary. Most of all, it adds peace of mind during situations no one plans for.

Would you feel comfortable sharing live video during an emergency if it helped responders reach you faster? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

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The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements

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The Game Awards 2025: all the news and announcements

The Game Awards are back once again to showcase a metric ton of commercials, provide the gaming public with their monthly dose of Muppets, and validate gamers’ opinions on which title should be named the Game of the Year. I don’t wanna say it’s a foregone conclusion what this year’s GOTY will be — Silksong may surprise us — but it’s pretty obvious that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the frontrunner and for good reason. It’s netted 12 nominations, the most out of this year’s contenders, including all five craft awards (Direction, Art, Music and Score, Narrative, and Audio Design).

On the announcements side, Crystal Dynamics and Amazon Games are planning something related to the Tomb Raider series. Keighley also probably had plans to reveal big news about Resident Evil: Requiem, but unfortunately it got spoiled early thanks to some leaked key art on the PlayStation Store. Here’s all the news, announcements, and trailers from The Game Awards 2025.

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