Withings first announced its U-Scan, a non-invasive device you install in your toilet to track various health metrics, at CES 2023 two years ago. Unlike Kohler’s Dekoda, which uses a camera to analyze your poop, the U-Scan detects and samples your urine, tests it using replaceable cartridges, and sends the results to the Withings app, where you’ll get tips on how to improve your health if needed.

The device is finally launching in the US and Europe today with two different cartridges. The U-Scan Nutrio monitors nutrition by measuring four urinary biomarkers — including hydration, ketones, and vitamin C — while the U-Scan Calci tracks parameters such as calcium levels to monitor kidney health and the potential for developing kidney stones. The cartridge for tracking reproductive health that was announced alongside the U-Scan at CES 2023 won’t be available at launch, and while the device was originally waiting for FDA clearance, Withings now classifies it as a “wellness product,” so clearance isn’t necessary.

Pricing starts at $349.95 for the Proactive option, which includes the U-Scan itself, a charging and cleaning station, access to the Withings Plus service, and a single Nutrio or Calci cartridge with 22 tests that will last up to three months with just two weekly measurements. The $429.95 Intensive option instead includes two cartridges and 44 tests, facilitating more tests per week. Replacement cartridges, which can be shipped regularly as part of a subscription plan, are $99.95 each or $179.95 a pair.

Let’s face it: Social media can feel like a minefield. Between oversharing personal details, friend requests from strangers and sneaky scams sliding into your DMs, it’s easy to put yourself at risk without realizing it. But staying safe online doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few smart settings and habits, you can enjoy social media without giving away more than you mean to.

Settings and menus on social media platforms can change over time and may vary by device (iOS vs. Android vs. Web) or region. The steps below were accurate at the time of publishing, but you may see slightly different wording or paths depending on updates, app version or mobile device manufacturer.

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HOW TO REMOVE YOUR PERSONAL INFO FROM PEOPLE-SEARCH SITES

1) Turn off Location Sharing

Many apps automatically tag your posts with your location. That can let strangers know your routines or even your home address.

How to turn off Location Sharing

On iPhone

• Go to Settings.
• Click Privacy & Security.
• Tap Location Services.
• Then pick the app.
• Set it to “Never” or “While Using the App.”

On Android

(Settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.)

• Go to Settings.
• Tap Location.
• Click App permissions.
• Then select the app and toggle location off or select Don’t allow.

Note: Some apps may still have permission for “While using the app” or “Only this time.” So, you should check each app individually, especially camera and social-media apps, for location permissions.

Pro tip: Even turning off location for just your camera app helps keep photos from carrying hidden location data.

META TO ALLOW TEENS’ PARENTS TO DISABLE PRIVATE CHATS WITH AI AFTER BACKLASH OVER FLIRTY CHATBOTS

Parents — and even some teens — are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media use on young people. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File)

2) Use a private account

A private account means only people you approve can see your posts and photos. Think of it like putting a lock on your front door.

How to set private accounts

Facebook

• Go to Settings & Privacy.
• Tap Settings.
• Scroll to the Audience & Visibility (or Your Activity) section.
• Click Posts.
• Find “Who can see your future posts?” and set it to Friends.

Instagram

• Tap your profile.
• Tap the menu (☰).
• Tap Account Privacy.
• Toggle on Private account.

TikTok

• Go to your Profile.
• Tap the menu (☰).
• Select Settings and privacy.
• Tap Privacy.
• Toggle on Private account.

X (formerly Twitter)

• Click on your profile icon in the top left of the screen.
• Open Settings and privacy.
• Select Privacy and safety.
• Tap Audience and tagging.
• Toggle Protect your posts (or Protect your Tweets).
• Once enabled, only approved followers can see your posts.

Snapchat

• Open Settings (gear icon).
• Scroll to Privacy Controls.
• Under “Who Can,” adjust options like Contact Me, View My Story and See Me in Quick Add to Friends only.

YouTube

• Go to your YouTube Studio (desktop or mobile app).
• When uploading, set visibility to Private or Unlisted.
• For existing videos, open the video’s settings and change visibility as needed.

Note: Entire channels cannot be made private, only individual videos.

LinkedIn

• Tap your profile photo
• Settings.
• Go to Visibility.
• Under Profile viewing options, select Private mode.
• You can also control who sees your connections and activity under “Visibility of your LinkedIn activity.”

Identity theft has become so commonplace that it no longer shocks you to hear about the latest scam. (Cyberguy.com)

3) Report suspicious accounts

Fake profiles are everywhere. Scammers may pose as friends, celebrities or even customer service reps. Reporting them helps keep you (and others) safe.

How to report an account

Facebook

• Go to the fake or impersonating profile.
• Tap the three-dot menu (Options).
• Select Find support or report profile.
• Choose a reason, such as pretending to be someone else.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to submit the report.

Instagram

• Go to the profile.
• Tap the three-dot menu.
• Select Report.
• Choose a reason.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the report.

TikTok

• Open the profile.
• Tap the three-dot menu (or sometimes the Share icon).
• Select Report.
• Choose Report account.
• Select the reason.
• Submit the report.

X (formerly Twitter)

• Go to the account profile.
• Tap the three-dot or overflow icon.
• Select Report.
• Choose the type of issue.
• If you’re reporting an entire profile rather than a single post, select Report @username from the profile page.

YouTube

• Go to the channel page.
• Tap the About tab (on desktop) or the three-dot menu (on mobile).
• Select Report.
• Choose the reason.
• Submit the report.

Snapchat

• Go to the user’s profile.
• Tap the three-dot menu or gear icon.
• Select Report.
• Choose the reason.
• Submit the report.

LinkedIn

• Visit the fake or suspicious profile.
• Tap the More button (or three dots).
• Select Report abuse.
• Select a reason and follow the prompts.

Pro tip: Don’t just block. Report alerts to the platform so they can remove the account for everyone.

With a few smart settings and habits, you can enjoy social media without giving away more than you mean to. (Thai Liang Lim/Getty Images)

4) Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Even if someone steals your password, 2FA makes it harder for them to break in. It adds an extra step, like a code texted to your phone.

How to enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Facebook

• Go to the menu and select Settings & Privacy, then Settings.
• Tap Accounts Center.
• Then click Password and Security.
• Tap Two-factor authentication.
• It may ask you to choose an account to set up two-factor authentication. 
• Choose your preferred method, such as an authentication app, text message or security key and follow the on-screen instructions.

Instagram

• Go to your profile and open Settings.
• Click Accounts Center. 
• Select Password and Security.
• Then Two-Factor Authentication.
• It may ask you to choose an account to set up two-factor authentication. 
• Choose your preferred method, such as an authentication app, text message or security key and follow the on-screen instructions.

TikTok

• Go to your Profile.
• Then open the Menu.
• Select Settings and privacy.
• Then, Security and permissions.
• Tap 2-step verification.
• Choose one or more verification methods, such as text message, email or an authentication app.
• Click Turn On. 
• Follow the prompts to finish setup.

X (formerly Twitter)

• Click on your profile on the upper left of the screen.
• Open Settings and privacy.
• Select Security and account access, then Security.
• Tap Two-factor authentication.
• Choose your preferred method, such as text message, authentication app or security key.
• Follow the steps to turn it on.

Note: Text message (SMS) verification on X may only be available for paid (Premium) users or in certain regions. If SMS isn’t available, you can still use an authentication app or a physical security key for two-factor authentication.

Pro tip: Use an authenticator app (like Google Authenticator or Authy) instead of text messages for stronger protection.

5) Check your photos before posting

Your photos may reveal more than you think — house numbers, car license plates or even vacation details that signal you’re away from home.

Quick fixes before posting

• Crop or blur backgrounds that show personal details.
• Avoid posting in real time while traveling. Wait until you’re back.
• Review old posts to make sure you’re not unintentionally sharing private info.

SOCIAL MEDIA VERIFICATION SYSTEMS LOSE POWER AS SCAMMERS PURCHASE CHECKMARKS TO APPEAR LEGITIMATE

Bonus tip: Keep personal info under wraps

Every time you post, share or comment online, you’re leaving small clues about your life, and scammers are great at putting those pieces together. The less information fraudsters can find about you, the weaker their scams become.

Many impersonators use public details like your hometown, workplace or family connections to build fake profiles that seem trustworthy. Even information like your email address or phone number can be exploited if it’s floating around the internet.

A personal data removal service can help reduce that risk by scrubbing your personal details from people search sites and data brokers. While no solution is perfect, minimizing your digital footprint makes you a much harder target for impersonation and social-engineering scams. These services actively monitor and systematically remove your information from hundreds of sites, saving you time and giving you peace of mind.

Protecting your privacy online isn’t just about what you share on social media; it’s also about controlling what’s out there already. Limiting that data means scammers can’t easily cross-reference your information with data from breaches or the dark web.

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.

Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: CyberGuy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Staying safe on social media isn’t about deleting your accounts; it’s about taking control of your information. Turning off location sharing keeps your whereabouts private. Switching to a private account gives you more say over who sees your posts. Being cautious with friend requests and DMs helps you avoid scams. And double-checking your photos before posting prevents oversharing. With just a few quick settings and habits, you can enjoy social media with peace of mind.

Have you ever spotted a scam or fake account online? Tell us what happened 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. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide — free when you join my CyberGuy.com newsletter.

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Tech products that are packaged and ready for sale aren’t launching in the US as planned right now, thanks to the government shutdown.

Earlier this month, Leica delayed its M EV1 camera due to holdups on approval from the partially shuttered Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The WiiM Sound audiophile speaker, currently shipping in international markets, has been delayed in the US for the same reason. Razer also delayed the US availability of its Raiju V3 Pro wireless controller, saying that it’s waiting on clearance. Numerous other devices might be in the same boat, and the longer the shutdown stretches, the worse the backlog will get.

Any product that emits radio frequencies cannot be sold in the US until the FCC provides clearance, ensuring the emissions fall within approved frequencies and don’t cause interference with other devices. Typically, this is a routine process. But because it’s not considered an essential function of the agency, as the government shutdown enters its 27th day, manufacturers are facing a growing backlog with no end in sight, says Harold Feld, SVP at Public Knowledge. “You can’t get them off the boats until they have their certification,” Feld tells The Verge.

Government shutdowns have impacted FCC approval in past years, but even if the shutdown ends soon, the application queue likely won’t be cleared as quickly as companies hope. “The FCC has lost a large number of engineers as a result of retirement,” Feld says. While he believes it mostly avoided the purge that befell some other agencies under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, he says it’s still dealing with an aging, dwindling workforce of people to test the devices it approves.

More disruptive yet is how the FCC under the Trump administration is reshaping its rules, which could lead to unexpected product delays and confusion. On September 8th, the agency decertified numerous Chinese testing labs that companies used to verify that their products’ radio frequency emissions met FCC standards. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr boasted that these “Bad Labs” were decertified as a step in “restoring trust in the Commission’s equipment authorization process, and combatting foreign adversary threats.” But it means companies need to add one more step to their process: “You have to go and find another lab that has still got its certification in order to certify your product,” says Feld.

Finding a different lab to get FCC clearance may still be only a short-term fix, because the agency will meet on October 28th, per the FCC’s agenda, to discuss further modifying which labs are authorized and which present what it dubs national security threats. Feld expects that the agency may further screen out more labs and change rules, both of which could spell unexpected hurdles in product release timelines, including longer waits for regulatory clearances.

“The fact that the rules, to a certain degree, are in flux, makes it harder for companies to project going forward what they’re going to need to do,” Feld says.

Before the shutdown, companies gearing up for a big holiday-timed product launch sought FCC certification months in advance. However, more companies may feel the need to adopt proactive plans to factor in the possible delays in dealing with the FCC. That likely presents a big adjustment for many companies, as they may need to lock in final manufacturing samples earlier in the product development process.

We reached out to the FCC asking whether the government shutdown was to blame for impacting its ability to provide clearances for tech products. It auto-responded with an email saying that it can’t answer emails because of the government shutdown.