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You can't type "Arc Raiders" into Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta's in-game chat, but you are allowed to talk about Battlefield 6
Game Reviews

You can’t type “Arc Raiders” into Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta’s in-game chat, but you are allowed to talk about Battlefield 6

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 players hopping into the beta right now are taking in all the sights of Activision’s upcoming AAA FPS, though one thing they won’t be able to see is the name of another massive release coming out this year. That’s because the words: “Arc Raiders” are censored in the game’s chat function.

Censoring words in-game isn’t anything new, and is usually used to block out profanity, toxic terminology, and other potentially offensive words from multiplayer lobbies. Blocking out game names is a strange one though, especially given the fact that Black Ops 7’s biggest competitor this year Battlefield 6 is not censored. It’s worth noting the words “Arc” and “Raiders” on their own don’t get censored, it’s only when you put them both together where censoring occurs.

Here’s Arc Raiders censored, and strangely enough Battlefield 6 uncensored. | Image credit: Eurogamer

A clip of this censorship in-action has been circulating online, and Eurogamer confirmed that the term Arc Raiders is starred out in the Black Ops 7 beta. Funnily enough, Arc Raiders players found the term “Arc Raiders” also got automatically censored from the EA App chat feature, while other game names like Call of Duty did not. This was quickly patched out once publicised.

Check out the pre-order trailer for Arc Raiders here.Watch on YouTube

Aside from this small, peculiar quirk, the Call of Duty beta seems to be going down rather well. Over the weekend new tweaks and game modes were added to the game to the joy of its community, and while there were initial reports of cheaters running rampant, Activision has claimed the vast majority of them have been dealt with.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to release on the 14th November, so this early taste of the game is meant to test features out and tide the ravenous FPS community over until next month. Arc Raiders, on the other hand, is set to release on the 30th October, and has an open beta on the weekend starting the 17th October. It’s brilliant fun and well worth trying out, at least if the first beta was any indication of quality.



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"Thousands" banned in Fortnite as new Delulu proximity voice chat mode fuels hate speech
Game Reviews

“Thousands” banned in Fortnite as new Delulu proximity voice chat mode fuels hate speech

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Over the weekend, Epic launched its new Fortnite Delulu mode with proximity voice chat, but already “thousands” have been banned for toxicity and hate speech.

The new mode sees players starting out solo, but able to join squads by chatting with nearby players. Players will need to have voice chat set to “Everybody” and won’t be able to hide their display name while playing.

In theory, Delulu is a fun twist on the no-build battle royale formula, but in practice it’s fuelled bad behaviour that’s resulted in “thousands” being banned over the weekend, according to the official Fortnite Status social media account.

The Power of Megazord | Fortnite Battle Royale Gameplay TrailerWatch on YouTube

Indeed, Epic seems to have expected this, with the account’s pinned post detailing how players can report in-game conversations.

The mode has resulted in some amusing and heartwarming interactions. Here’s one pacifist player strumming a guitar in an attempt to make in-game friends.

Playing guitar in Delulu last night
byu/asymmetricalsoul inFortNiteBR

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Yet a thread titled “My fellow ladies: How’s Delulu” details the experiences of women in the new mode (thanks IGN).

It includes misogyny, hateful speech, and women being purposefully targeted by men. “It’s been terrible for me so far,” wrote one player. “I’ve been playing solo and there hasn’t been one game where I haven’t been told horrendous things I don’t wish to repeat. I just want to have fun and enjoy the game.”

Some posts are recommending female players don’t speak, which is unfair and defeats the purpose of the mode.

My fellow ladies: How’s Delulu
byu/Kilr_Queen75Xx inFortNiteBR

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Sadly, this is often the experience when women play games online with voice chat. A report from September last year claimed two-thirds of female players report being harassed when playing online. And when Call of Duty added proximity chat to its online modes, reports of misogyny were rampant.

Fortnite Delulu will return this weekend, from 26th September until 29th September. It’s unclear if it’s set to become a permanent addition to Fortnite, but is there more Epic could be doing to protect players?

Yesterday, a Daft Punk music experience was announced for Fortnite.



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EU’s Chat Control Sparks Privacy Fears, Web3 Shift
Crypto Trends

EU’s Chat Control Sparks Privacy Fears, Web3 Shift

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As EU lawmakers near a decision on the “Chat Control” law, privacy experts warn it could break public trust in digital communication and push users toward Web3 platforms.

As European lawmakers near a decision on the controversial “Chat Control” legislation, privacy experts warn it could break public trust in digital communication and push users toward Web3 platforms.

At the center of the debate is the EU’s proposed Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse, which would require platforms to scan private messages for illegal content before they are encrypted. Critics say this effectively creates a backdoor into encrypted systems, contradicting the EU’s own commitments to privacy.

“Giving an inherently corruptible entity nearly unlimited visibility into the private lives of individuals is incompatible with an honest value statement of digital privacy,” Hans Rempel, co-founder and CEO of Diode, told Cointelegraph. He called the proposal a dangerous overreach.

Elisenda Fabrega, general counsel at Brickken, noted that the law appears “difficult to justify under the existing jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union.” She pointed to Articles 7 and 8 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, which guarantee the confidentiality of communications and protection of personal data.

“Client-side scanning would enable the monitoring of content on user devices prior to transmission, including in cases where there is no indication of unlawful activity,” she explained.

15 EU countries support the law. Source: Fight Chat Control

Related: US Treasury’s DeFi ID plan is ‘like putting cameras in every living room’

EU law sets dangerous precedent

Experts say the regulation sets a dangerous precedent from a legal and technological standpoint. “There are no guarantees,” Rempel added, when asked if the tools could be misused. “Over 10% of all data breaches occur in government systems,” he warned.

Fabrega raised concerns over the broader impact such surveillance would have on public trust. “Encryption is not only a technical feature, it is a promise to users that their private communications will remain confidential,” she said.

The erosion of trust in traditional messaging platforms could prompt users to explore decentralized Web3 alternatives, platforms built to protect user data through encryption by design.

“Web3’s privacy battle cry is ‘Not your keys, not your data,’” Rempel said. “This is true self-custody for data,” he added, noting that the end-user maintains sovereignty over their information from “cradle to grave.”

Fabrega echoed the sentiment, stating that “privacy-conscious users will increasingly explore decentralized Web3 alternatives” if Chat Control is passed. She warned that the shift could “fragment the European digital market” and weaken the EU’s ability to shape international norms on privacy.

Related: EU proposal to scan all private messages gains momentum

The ball is in Germany’s court

Germany, which holds the pivotal vote, has yet to take a final stance. While 15 EU countries currently support the proposal, they fall short of the 65% population threshold required for passage. If Germany votes in favor, the law will likely pass; if it abstains or opposes, the legislation is expected to fail.

“We believe it to be low,” Rempel said of the likelihood of passage. “But it won’t be the last time that there is an attempt to subvert fundamental human rights in the name of safety.”

Magazine: Astrology could make you a better crypto trader: It has been foretold



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The Creative Chat Wireless headset during our review
Product Reviews

Creative Chat Wireless business headset review

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We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

The Chat Wireless from Creative is a lightweight Bluetooth headset designed for business use. It doesn’t seek to reinvent the wheel, but instead deliver exceptional comfort and crystal-clear audio at what I’d consider to be a very fair price.

As a chap who lives inside his headphones – for everything from conference calls to music playback and gaming sessions – I was keen to see how well they performed.

Spoiler alert: they’re definitely worth a look if you’re a professional. Yes, I have issues with the buttons, but the design, price, and overall quality of the audio and noise-canceling mic are excellent.

  • Creative Chat Wireless at Amazon for $69.99

Creative Chat Wireless: Price & availability

The Creative Chat Wireless headset is currently priced at $70 from Creative’s official US site – while in the UK, it’s retailing for £50 via Creative.

I’m also seeing it available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for the same price.

Compared to alternatives, it’s priced pretty much at the low- to mid-range – it’s certainly not as pricey as offerings like the Jabra Evolve 2 65 Flex I’ve reviewed, which far surpasses the $150 mark.

Creative Chat Wireless: Design & features

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Creative // Future)(Image credit: Creative // Future)(Image credit: Creative // Future)

The design of the Chat Wireless headset is par for the course and in line with what I’d expect from a unit at this price. Inside the box, there’s the headset itself, a USB cable, the USB dongle, and a quick start manual.

In hand, the headset is impressively lightweight with plenty of give to fit a range of head sizes. The band is made of a firm plastic, neatly rounded on one side, which I think gives it an attractive, premium style compared to bland, budget headsets. Encompassing the top is padding for a more comfortable fit. As an accent, there’s bronze-colored metal connecting it to the pads.

I found the earcups well-cushioned, with a foam interior covered with a synthetic material. They fit nicely over the ear, but don’t envelope them in the way casual consumer headphones do. These also swivel inward for easier storage – although they aren’t foldable and don’t come with a case.

On the left earcup is a USB-C port for charging and separate volume up and down buttons. I particularly like how they’re positioned on either side of the band, so I wasn’t blindly fumbling for the correct one.

It’s also home to the stowable microphone, which rotates both ways and features a physical mute button. At the base of the mic is a Call button, used to turn the unit on and off or entering Bluetooth pairing mode.

All in all, the headset boasts a simple and efficient design with all the core features you’d expect.

Creative Chat Wireless: Performance

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Creative // Future)(Image credit: Creative // Future)(Image credit: Creative // Future)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Chat Wireless is light, tipping the scales at 0.3lb / 137g when I weighed them. It’s the sort of headset you can easily wear all day (and I did) without discomfort. If you’re taking a lot of calls, they’re pitch-perfect in this regard.

When wearing the headset, it’s surprisingly firm on the ears – and while there’s no noise-cancelling on the earcups, the snug fit did prevent extraneous background noise filtering in.

I found audio quality to be excellent, with just the right amount of bass and treble, while voices had the correct timbre. I used these for video calls using both Bluetooth and the USB dongle, as well as hooking up via Bluetooth to my phone to listen to music and podcasts, and a Nintendo Switch 2 while playing games. Each time, I experienced no tinniness here, which I sometimes find from cheaper devices.

Microphone quality came out incredibly clear. There is noise-canceling on the mic and in my own tests, this worked well. Which is useful, as I have an especially vocal cat that likes to make its presence known during calls. I experienced absolutely no issues throughout my use, and yes, the mute button on mic works instantly and well (a perennial fear of mine). A discrete voice will whisper in your ear to let you know when it’s muted or unmuted, and the LED simultaneously switches from blue (unmute) to white (mute), too.

All button presses feel soft and pleasant – neither too clicky nor too mushy, but somewhere in between. However, I did find when attempting to adjust the volume, I had to be quite firm in order for it to register. Light taps just won’t work here.

This wasn’t the case with the Call button, which was immediately responsive when answering calls and hanging up. Other features like holding the volume buttons to skip tracks during playback or tapping the Call button to play or pause worked well.

Where I did run into problems, though, was when hitting this button multiple times to activate the various functions, like redial or opening my AI assistant. It took some time to figure out the appropriate amount of time between each click. It needs to be neither rapid nor too drawn out. Experimentation is recommended.

But where it really counts – audio and mic quality – I was highly impressed, and confident I was being heard. Never once did I have to ask “Can everyone hear me?” or “Is this thing on?”

Creative Chat Wireless: Final verdict

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Creative // Future)(Image credit: Creative // Future)(Image credit: Creative // Future)

Whenever I’m reviewing a device like this, I ask myself: Would I buy this with my own hard-earned cash? And, considering the cost and the overall audio experience, this one is a resounding yes. It’s impressively lightweight, and ideal for professionals in an office or home office setting.

I do have some issues with the buttons, which could be more responsive – but to some degree that might be user error on my part – and some may wish for extra features like a foldable design or a storage case. And if you prefer a wired connection, these aren’t the ones for you, as they’re wireless-only.

But for a low- to mid-range wireless unit that makes meetings more bearable, especially if you’re using them all day, they’re one of the best Bluetooth headsets I’ve used.

Should I buy the Creative Chat Wireless?

Buy it if…

✅ You wear a headset all day: The Chat Wireless is pleasantly lightweight for all-day use, and the earpads feel snug over the ear without pressing against them too hard. I found them to be very comfortable, even after wearing them for hours at a time.

✅ You want a well-priced headset with all the core features: It’s not overloaded with unnecessary features or expensive technology, but audio quality is great and the buttons deliver a multitude of additional functions for navigating calls and playback.

Don’t buy it if…

❌ You need wired and wireless connection: As the name suggests, this headset is wireless only using Bluetooth 5.4 or the USB dongle. Creative does sell the Chat USB, which has a slightly thicker design but near-identical price with – you guessed it – a wired USB connection.

❌ You want noise-canceling audio: While the mic does have noise cancelation, the earcups don’t have this feature. I didn’t find this to be an issue even in somewhat active rooms, but it may be a deal-breaker for those in noisy workspaces.

For more top picks, we’ve reviewed the best headsets for conference calls.

Creative Chat Wireless: Price Comparison



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Fortnite's Chaotic Delulu Mode: What You Need To Know About Proximity Chat Battle Royale
Game Updates

Fortnite’s Chaotic Delulu Mode: What You Need To Know About Proximity Chat Battle Royale

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Just when you thought Fortnite already had too many battle royale modes, Epic Games goes and drops another one. The new mode, dubbed Delulu, is completely unlike any of the other battle royale variations because it does two things the others don’t: It has proximity voice chat, and encourages teaming mid-game with other players not in your group. But it’s also a mode where only one person comes out as the winner. Katniss and Peeta’s trick with the berries will not work here.

Delulu has been a blast so far, and matches feel vaguely like Epic mashed up its normal BR with its Party Royale mode–it’s a battle royale about socializing. You can use an emote specific to Delulu to join and exit other players’ parties on the fly. And since teaming is allowed in this mode, nothing prevents you from collaborating with even more players after you hit the max number for a party.

Since the social aspect is so crucial to the purpose of this mode, you’re required to have a mic, and have the in-game voice chat on and set to Everybody before you can even queue up for it. You can join a round with your friends, but everyone drops in alone, and you’ll eventually have to put them down if you want to win.

Delulu is Fortnite’s latest attempt to innovate with a new battle royale mode.

Right now, Delulu is live on the weekend only, which means it will be available from Friday morning until Monday morning–and it’s slated to return next Friday for the same span of time, too. And while it’s delightful, there’s a bit of a learning curve since there are some nuances to it that Fortnite itself will not explain to you, so we figured we’d take a moment to highlight three important things you should know as you drop into Fortnite Delulu.

There are no reboots in Delulu, but any play can resurrect any knocked player

No matter how you play it, Delulu is a solo mode that ends each round with just one winner. So when you’re dead, the round is over for you. There will be no rebooting you. However, Delulu players are always knocked before they die, and any other player can res you regardless of which team they’re on or if they’re even in a squad at all. It’s possible your foes will have mercy. It’s not unheard of.

The proximity chat effect applies to your squad, too

Nothing about the voice chat changes when you join a squad–you’ll still only be able to talk to each other when you’re in range of the proximity chat, unlike the way squad comms work in normal BR modes. You’ll want to keep that in mind when you find that your three teammates are all hanging out together out of your earshot–they might be planning to betray you.

Playing as a Delulu non-hostile actually works

While there are people who play Delulu the same way they would any other battle royale mode, most folks seem pretty willing to engage with the social aspect and just hang out. I’ve had games already where we had more than a dozen players roaming the countryside until the endgame forced us to turn on each other.

And, yes, I’ve had more than a few rounds that ended very abruptly after a group of sociopathic teens pretended to be chill, only to shoot me in the face when I let them get close, but I’ve had very few early deaths despite taking a pacifistic approach whenever I could. The whole thing is a lot less anxiety-inducing than I expected.

Don’t try to win in Delulu

While I understand that being the last person standing is the stated purpose of Delulu, this particular BR mode is best experienced with a “let’s see how this plays out” sort of view on things. It’s a rare situation where you can truly say that it’s more about the journey than the destination, and that’s because rounds of Delulu often play out in weird and unpredictable ways. In this mode, the most fun usually occurs from doing things completely differently than you would in the other battle royale modes.



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Fortnite full team of four player characters.
Esports

Fortnite finally getting proximity chat but not how you’d think

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Fortnite is introducing a brand new LTM called “Delulu” with proximity chat enabled, where you can team up with enemies. Here’s how you can join.

Let’s face it. If you’ve played Fortnite, you’ve at least been frustrated once when encountering random enemies that decide to team up against you. Or worse, maybe it’s your friend who ended up befriending the enemy, leaving you to die.

Generally, “teaming” in Fortnite is bannable. This term refers to when players work together during a match, even though they’re not supposed to, usually by sharing items or even coordinating so that they don’t have to fight each other.

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In a surprising turn of events, however, Epic has just announced that there’ll be an LTM that lets you do exactly this, and it’s aided by the arrival of proximity chat.

Fortnite set to introduce “Delulu” LTM with proximity chat that lets you betray friends

The LTM in question is apparently called “Fortnite: Delulu.” And no, that isn’t a joke, as you can see via the announcement from the in-game tab. So, how exactly does this mode work?

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Think of Zero Build, but with 80 players. You can hop in solo and squad up with friends, but there’s a little twist. 

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The proximity chat feature is enabled here, so that means you can actually talk to people nearby, and maybe even convince them to be your ally. The other way around also works, assuming you find someone more worthy.

Unlike most modes, in order to join this one, you’ll first have to activate the Voice Chat setting if you haven’t already.

To do so, all you need is to load the Compete Tab and have your Voice Chat set to Everybody. This LTM is confirmed to be available starting from September 18, 2025, for selected creators. 

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Meanwhile, everyone else will have to be a bit more patient, as its official launch drops on September 19, 2025. Although proximity chat has been available in Creative modes and UEFN islands, Delulu marks the first time this feature will appear in a Battle Royale-style match.

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Death Stranding
Esports

Death Stranding Twitch mod forces chat to keep Sam balanced

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A Death Stranding stream is forcing Twitch viewers to frantically save Sam from toppling over with a hilarious new interactive mod.

Death Stranding is a game that’s no stranger to weird mechanics. Kojima’s surreal courier adventure made tripping over rocks feel like life-or-death drama.

The game’s strangest touches became internet legends, like the hot spring scene where Sam dances along to “Ii Yu Dana.” Or the infamous birthday cutscene, where Deadman appears with cake and balloons on the player’s actual date of birth. Even photo mode leaned into Kojima’s celebrity obsession, letting you pose with stars like Léa Seydoux and Amanda Seyfried.

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Death Stranding never played by normal rules, which made it the perfect playground for fans to push things even further.

Streamer makes Death Stranding even harder with hilarious wobbling overlay

Streamer Shindigs took that unpredictability to new heights. They built a Twitch overlay that turned their broadcast into a balancing act.

As Sam staggered across rocky ground, Shindigs’ video feed tilted left or right. Viewers had to spam “L” or “R” in chat to steady it. Miss the window, and the screen swayed violently, sending Sam and the audience into a dizzying stumble.

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I made a stream overlay for Death Stranding that tilts left and right, and chat must spam L and R to balance the stream.

Inspired by the game mechanic where Sam can trip and you have to grip the controller for balance. pic.twitter.com/UvhLUVdNnR

— shindigs (@shindags) September 12, 2025

It was hilarious, absurd, and the perfect match for Kojima’s offbeat world.

This wasn’t Shindigs’ first experiment with interactive mods. They created a codec mod that let chatters “call” Sam mid-walk using text-to-speech, complete with hologram avatars and in-universe names. The mod poked fun at Kojima’s love of constant chatter, with viewers interrupting Sam just like in the game.

Another project reimagined chat as a Papers, Please-style border checkpoint, forcing Shindigs to “approve” viewers before they could post. Every project shared the same focus: turning spectators into players.

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Streaming has always been about community, but these experiments show where it’s going. Interactivity is the future. Kojima’s story was about connections, but Shindigs proved those connections can reach beyond the controller.





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EU Chat Control Depends On Germany’s Decision
Crypto Trends

EU Chat Control Depends On Germany’s Decision

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As the EU Council heads to vote on the so-called “Chat Control” law, Germany could prove the deciding factor.

Put forward by Denmark, the law would essentially eliminate encrypted messaging, requiring services such as Telegram, WhatsApp and Signal to allow regulators to screen messages before they are encrypted and sent.

Legislators from 15 member states of the EU have indicated support for the bill, but those countries do not constitute at least 65% of the EU population, meaning they need additional support.

Germany has been on the fence about supporting the law, and it could deal a major blow to privacy in Europe if it decides to support it.

EU Chat Control bill aims to fight child abuse

The Regulation to Prevent and Combat Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), or “Chat Control” regulation, was first introduced by then-European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in 2022. It aims to fight the spread of online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) through, among other things, screening messages before they are encrypted. The law has previously failed to achieve the support necessary to move forward.

On July 1, the first day of Denmark’s presidency of the Council of the European Union (EU Council), the country said the directive would receive “high priority.”

Since the beginning of Denmark’s six-month presidency of the council, member states have been solidifying their positions, which they are expected to finalize before a meeting on Sept. 12 and an eventual vote on Oct. 14.

The supporting block needs more support to comprise 65% of the EU population and obtain a qualified majority. Six countries remain undecided, according to Fight Chat Control, an activist group opposed to the regulation:

  1. Estonia

  2. Germany

  3. Greece

  4. Luxembourg 

  5. Romania

  6. Slovenia.

Among these countries, Germany is necessary to sway the outcome of the EU Council vote. Its 83 million citizens would bring the population of countries supporting Chat Control to some 322 million, or 71% of the EU. The other five countries combined, even if they voted in support, do not make up a large enough segment of the population.

Related: EU proposal to scan all private messages gains momentum

Per Fight Chat Control, many German members of the European Parliament (MEPs) oppose the draft law. Citing documents from a July 11 meeting leaked to German publication Netzpolitik.org, it found opposition to Chat Control across the political spectrum. MEPs from the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and Alternative für Deutschland — respectively representing the center-left and far-right of German opposition politics — oppose Chat Control.

However, an equally large number of parliamentarians from the ruling Social Democrats, Christian Democrats and Social Democratic Union of Bavaria are reportedly uncommitted.

Some are concerned that these uncommitted lawmakers could be inclined to take existing German law and apply it to the entire EU.

Germany already has laws that allow police to circumvent encryption used by popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Signal. In 2021, the Bundestag amended laws to allow the police to intercept communications of “persons against whom no suspicion of a crime has yet been established and therefore no criminal procedure measure can yet be ordered.”

Software developer and privacy rights advocate Jikra Knesl said, “A form of ChatControl already exists in Germany. Companies like Meta are sharing their reports with the police.”

If expanded to the entire EU, it could affect “millions of innocent people whose homes might be searched even when they did nothing wrong,” he said.

Civil society mobilizes against Chat Control 

As the decision draws closer, civil rights groups, activists and even European parliamentarians have been speaking out against Chat Control.

Emmanouil Fragkos, an MEP for the right-wing Greek Solution party, submitted a parliamentary question about Chat Control in July. He said that a review of the law “raised new, grave concerns about the respect of fundamental rights in the EU.”

The law faces a reading and critical vote at the EU Council. Source: EU Council

Oliver Laas, a junior lecturer of philosophy at Tallinn University, wrote in an op-ed on Monday that laws like Chat Control “are laying the groundwork in the present for a potential democratic backslide.”

“In a world that is slowly but surely becoming more authoritarian, individuals are not protected by the state’s surveillance capabilities being reined in by law — they are protected by the absence of such capabilities altogether,” he said.

Another point of contention is the impact Chat Control could have on the efficacy of encryption technology. 

Fragkos said that creating mandatory gaps in encryption would “create security gaps open to exploitation by cybercriminals, rival states and terrorist organisations.”

The FZI Research Center for Information Technology, a nonprofit organization for IT research, released a position paper opposing Chat Control last year. It acknowledged that the goal of the law is undisputed, but Chat Control’s implementation would both weaken user rights to privacy and the efficacy of encryption technology itself.

Sascha Mann, policy shaper for digitalization and digital rights at Volt Europa — a federalist, pan-European political party in the European Parliament — also questioned the efficacy of Chat Control.

“Besides the issues of privacy and consent, chat control may even hinder law enforcement efforts to effectively fight sexual abuse,” he said. The sheer volume of content sent by messengers in the EU would “result in an abundance of false positives that would eat up law enforcement resources.”

Some 400 scientists from global research institutions confirmed this problem of false positives in an open letter signed this morning. 

“Existing research confirms that state-of-the-art detectors would yield unacceptably high false positive and false negative rates, making them unsuitable for large-scale detection campaigns at the scale of hundreds of millions of users as required by the proposed regulation,” the letter read.

Mann suggested it would be better for the EU to implement solutions suggested by organizations fighting CSA. These included deleting CSA materials online after an investigation and increasing law enforcement resources.

On Friday, Europe will see whether these concerns are enough to convince undecided MEPs and chart the future for digital privacy, or lack thereof, in the EU.

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Hypochlorous Acid Mists Have Entered the Chat (2025)
Product Reviews

Hypochlorous Acid Mists Have Entered the Chat (2025)

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Skincare has a way of taking the body’s own biology, bottling it, and selling it back to us. Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is the latest example. It’s a weak acid that your white blood cells naturally produce to fight infection and kill bacteria. Now it’s being spritzed across morning and nighttime routines as an all-around skin fix.

But HOCl isn’t new. Hospitals have been using synthetic versions for decades as a disinfectant. In fact, the lab-made form dates back to 1834 and was used in both World Wars. So while #SkinTok makes it sound like a cutting-edge discovery, dermatologists have known its potential for a long time.

Here’s what it is, how it works, and what dermatologists want you to know before adding it to your skincare routine.

Table of Contents

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Hypochlorous Acid, Clarified

Chemically, HOCl is a weak acid and a potent oxidant. The body produces it during an immune response, but it can also be synthesized in a lab by running an electric current through saltwater. This synthetic version was first developed in 1834, used as a disinfectant during both World Wars, and has long been employed in hospitals for wound care and even in veterinary medicine.

Unlike harsher disinfectants like bleach, HOCl is biodegradable, nontoxic, and free of noxious fumes. Actually, research shows it can kill certain bacteria faster than bleach. In skincare, it’s bottled at ultra-low, stabilized concentrations. “Think of it as your skin’s built-in defense mechanism, bottled,” writes Dr. Mollie Kelly Tufman, molecular biologist and founder of the Beauty Lab.

Why It’s In Skincare

Dermatologists have used HOCl for decades to prevent infection, keep wounds clean, and reduce scarring. Early research suggests potential in treating acne vulgaris, seborrheic dermatitis, and tumor suppression. More recently, it’s popped up as topical sprays and mists, promising to calm breakouts and soothe redness.

Its appeal comes from its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. HOCl neutralizes acne-causing bacteria and other microorganisms that trigger flare-ups. “Compared to niacinamide, which works gradually to regulate oil and support your barrier, HOCl is more of a first responder,” writes Tufman. “It shows up fast, calms things down, and makes recovery easier for irritated or breakout-prone skin.”

“Benzoyl peroxide also has antimicrobial effects, but it can be a lot more drying and irritating, so it can lead to rashes or dermatitis,” says board-certified dermatologist Gloria Lin, MD. HOCl, by contrast, is gentle enough for sensitive skin and safe for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea. Plus, unlike benzoyl peroxide, it won’t bleach your clothes or towels.

It’s effective for reducing bacteria from helmets, masks, makeup brushes, and sweaty gym gear. Some people spritz it under their arms or on their feet for a quick refresh (though it won’t replace deodorant). In eye care, HOCl is used to help with dry eyes, styes, and conditions like blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). It can also reduce microbial buildup around the lashes and eyelids.

The Caveats

There are limits. Because it’s an oxidizer, it can interfere with ingredients like vitamin C and other antioxidants. If both are in your regimen, dermatologists suggest spacing them out (vitamin C in the morning, HOCl at night). Lin also says highly acidic exfoliants like strong AHAs can disrupt HOCl’s pH.

Stability is another concern. HOCl breaks down when exposed to light, heat, or poor packaging, so most products come in opaque bottles with stabilizers. Store in a cool spot. Don’t pour it into a different container; the molecule degrades once transferred.





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Roblox Will Age-Verify All Players Who Use Voice Chat By End Of Year
Game Updates

Roblox Will Age-Verify All Players Who Use Voice Chat By End Of Year

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Roblox developers announced plans to introduce comprehensive age verification for all players who wish to communicate in-game. The verification will use “a combination of facial age estimation technology, ID age verification, and verified parental consent.”

Roblox detailed the upcoming changes in a statement from chief safety officer Matt Kaufman, which it published on its website. In the statement, Kaufman claims the new methods will provide a more accurate age estimate than user input alone.

Once these system are in place, Roblox has promised to introduce more safety tools to prevent children from playing with adults who they don’t know in real life. The announcement touts that Roblox has introduced over 100 safety tools to the platform since January 2025, including an open source AI system called “Roblox Sentinel” that’s meant to detect early signs of child endangerment.

The announcement does not outline a more specific timetable for these changes or address any privacy concerns players may have.

“We hope this move sets a standard that other gaming, social media, and communication platforms follow,” the statement reads.

The change will make Roblox compliant with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which passed in early August.

These changes come after Roblox has come under legislative scrutiny. After a 2024 report from Bloomberg exposed a pedophile problem on the platform, Congressman Ro Khanna promoted a petition in August to demand that Roblox do more to prevent child abuse.

In March, Roblox CEO and co-founder David Baszucki responded to the allegations, saying, “My first message would be, if you’re not comfortable, don’t let your kids be on Roblox,” which prompted criticism from parents.



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