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mostlysignssomeportents · 6 months

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Twinkfrump Linkdump

I'm touring my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me in CHICAGO (Apr 17), Torino (Apr 21) Marin County (Apr 27), Winnipeg (May 2), Calgary (May 3), Vancouver (May 4), and beyond!

Welcome to the seventeenth Pluralistic linkdump, a collection of all the miscellany that didn't make it into the week's newsletter, cunningly wrought together in a single edition that ranges from the first ISP to AI nonsense to labor organizing victories to the obituary of a brilliant scientist you should know a lot more about! Here's the other 16 dumps:

https://pluralistic.net/tag/linkdump/

If you're reading this (and you are!), it was delivered to you by an internet service provider. Today, the ISP industry is calcified, controlled by a handful of telcos and cable companies. But the idea of an "ISP" didn't come out of a giant telecommunications firm – it was created, in living memory, by excellent nerds who are still around.

Depending on how you reckon, The Little Garden was either the first or the second ISP in America. It was named after a Palo Alto Chinese restaurant frequented by its founders. To get a sense of that founding, read these excellent recollections by Tom Jennings, whose contributions include the seminal zine Homocore, the seminal networking protocol Fidonet, and the seminal third-party PC ROM, whence came Dell, Gateway, Compaq, and every other "PC clone" company.

The first installment describes how an informal co-op to network a few friends turned into a business almost by accident, with thousands of dollars flowing in and out of Jennings' bank account:

https://www.sensitiveresearch.com/Archive/TLG/TLG.html

And it describes how that ISP set a standard for neutrality, boldly declaring that "TLGnet exercises no control whatsoever over the content of the information." They introduced an idea of radical transparency, documenting their router configurations and other technical details and making them available to the public. They hired unskilled punk and queer kids from their communities and trained them to operate the network equipment they'd invented, customized or improvised.

In part two, Jennings talks about the evolution of TLG's radical business-plan: to offer unrestricted service, encouraging their customers to resell that service to people in their communities, having no lock-in, unbundling extra services including installation charges – the whole anti-enshittification enchilada:

https://www.sensitiveresearch.com/Archive/TLG/

I love Jennings and his work. I even gave him a little cameo in Picks and Shovels, the third Martin Hench novel, which will be out next winter. He's as lyrical a writer about technology as you could ask for, and he's also a brilliant engineer and thinker.

The Little Garden's founders and early power-users have all fleshed out Jennings' account of the birth of ISPs. Writing on his blog, David "DSHR" Rosenthal rounds up other histories from the likes of EFF co-founder John Gilmore and Tim Pozar:

https://blog.dshr.org/2024/04/the-little-garden.html

Rosenthal describes some of the more exotic shenanigans TLG got up to in order to do end-runs around the Bell system's onerous policies, hacking in the purest sense of the word, for example, by daisy-chaining together modems in regions with free local calling and then making "permanent local calls," with the modems staying online 24/7.

Enshittification came to the ISP business early and hit it hard. The cartel that controls your access to the internet today is a billion light-years away from the principled technologists who invented the industry with an ethos of care, access and fairness. Today's ISPs are bitterly opposed to Net Neutrality, the straightforward proposition that if you request some data, your ISP should send it to you as quickly and reliably as it can.

Instead, ISPs want to offer "slow-lanes" where they will relegate the whole internet, except for those companies that bribe the ISP to be delivered at normal speed. ISPs have a laughably transparent way of describing this: they say that they're allowing services to pay for "fast lanes" with priority access. This is the same as the giant grocery store that charges you extra unless you surrender your privacy with a "loyalty card" – and then says that they're offering a "discount" for loyal customers, rather than charging a premium to customers who don't want to be spied on.

The American business lobby loves this arrangement, and hates Net Neutrality. Having monopolized every sector of our economy, they are extremely fond of "winner take all" dynamics, and that's what a non-neutral ISP delivers: the biggest services with the deepest pockets get the most reliable delivery, which means that smaller services don't just have to be better than the big guys, they also have to be able to outbid them for "priority carriage."

If everything you get from your ISP is slow and janky, except for the dominant services, then the dominant services can skimp on quality and pocket the difference. That's the goal of every monopolist – not just to be too big to fail, but also too big to care.

Under the Trump administration, FCC chair Ajit Pai dismantled the Net Neutrality rule, colluding with American big business to rig the process. They accepted millions of obviously fake anti-Net Neutrality comments (one million identical comments from @pornhub.com addresses, comments from dead people, comments from sitting US Senators who support Net Neutrality) and declared open season on American internet users:

https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2021/attorney-general-james-issues-report-detailing-millions-fake-comments-revealing

Now, Biden's FCC is set to reinstate Net Neutrality – but with a "compromise" that will make mobile internet (which nearly all of use sometimes, and the poorest of us are reliant on) a swamp of anticompetitive practices:

https://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/blog/2024/04/harmful-5g-fast-lanes-are-coming-fcc-needs-stop-them

Under the proposed rule, mobile carriers will be able to put traffic to and from apps in the slow lane, and then extort bribes from preferred apps for normal speed and delivery. They'll rely on parts of the 5G standard to pull off this trick.

The ISP cartel and the FCC insist that this is fine because web traffic won't be degraded, but of course, every service is hellbent on pushing you into using apps instead of the web. That's because the web is an open platform, which means you can install ad- and privacy-blockers. More than half of web users have installed a blocker, making it the largest boycott in human history:

https://doc.searls.com/2023/11/11/how-is-the-worlds-biggest-boycott-doing/

But reverse-engineering and modding an app is a legal minefield. Just removing the encryption from an app can trigger criminal penalties under Section 1201 of the DMCA, carrying a five-year prison sentence and a $500k fine. An app is just a web-page skinned in enough IP that it's a felony to mod it.

Apps are enshittification's vanguard, and the fact that the FCC has found a way to make them even worse is perversely impressive. They're voting on this on April 25, and they have until April 24 to fix this. They should. They really should:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-401676A1.pdf

In a just world, cheating ripoff ISPs would the top tech policy story. The operational practices of ISPs effect every single one us. We literally can't talk about tech policy without ISPs in the middle. But Net Neutrality is an also-ran in tech policy discourse, while AI – ugh ugh ugh – is the thing none of us can shut up about.

This, despite the fact that the most consequential AI applications sum up to serving as a kind of moral crumple-zone for shitty business practices. The point of AI isn't to replace customer service and other low-paid workers who have taken to demanding higher wages and better conditions – it's to fire those workers and replace them with chatbots that can't do their jobs. An AI salesdroid can't sell your boss a bot that can replace you, but they don't need to. They only have to convince your boss that the bot can do your job, even if it can't.

SF writer Karl Schroeder is one of the rare sf practitioners who grapples seriously with the future, a "strategic foresight" guy who somehow skirts the bullshit that is the field's hallmark:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/07/the-gernsback-continuum/#wheres-my-jetpack

Writing on his blog, Schroeder describes the AI debates roiling the Association of Professional Futurists, and how it's sucking him into being an unwilling participant in the AI hype cycle:

https://kschroeder.substack.com/p/dragged-into-the-ai-hype-cycle

Schroeder's piece is a thoughtful meditation on the relationship of SF's thought-experiments and parables about AI to the promises of AI hucksters, who promise that a) "general artificial intelligence" is just around the corner and that b) it will be worth trillions of dollars.

Schroeder – like other sf writers including Ted Chiang and Charlie Stross (and me) – comes to the conclusion that AI panic isn't about AI, it's about power. The artificial life-form devouring the planet and murdering our species is the limited liability corporation, and its substrate isn't silicon, it's us, human bodies:

What’s lying underneath all our anxieties about AGI is an anxiety that has nothing to do with Artificial Intelligence. Instead, it’s a manifestation of our growing awareness that our world is being stolen from under us. Last year’s estimate put the amount of wealth currently being transferred from the people who made it to an idle billionaire class at $5.2 trillion. Artificial General Intelligence whose environment is the server farms and sweatshops of this class is frightening only because of its capacity to accelerate this greatest of all heists.

After all, the business-case for AI is so very thin that the industry can only survive on a torrent of hype and nonsense – like claims that Amazon's "Grab and Go" stores used "AI" to monitor shoppers and automatically bill them for their purchases. In reality, the stores used thousands of low-paid Indian workers to monitor cameras and manually charge your card. This happens so often that Indian technologists joke that "AI" stands for "absent Indians":

https://pluralistic.net/2024/01/29/pay-no-attention/#to-the-little-man-behind-the-curtain

Isn't it funny how all the really promising AI applications are in domains that most of us aren't qualified to assess? Like the claim that Google's AI was producing millions of novel materials that will shortly revolutionize all forms of production, from construction to electronics to medical implants:

https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/millions-of-new-materials-discovered-with-deep-learning/

That's what Google's press-release claimed, anyway. But when two groups of experts actually pulled a representative sample of these "new materials" from the Deep Mind database, they found that none of these materials qualified as "credible, useful and novel":

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c00643

Writing about the researchers' findings for 404 Media, Jason Koebler cites Berkeley researchers who concluded that "no new materials have been discovered":

https://www.404media.co/google-says-it-discovered-millions-of-new-materials-with-ai-human-researchers/

The researchers say that AI data-mining for new materials is promising, but falls well short of Google's claim to be so transformative that it constitutes the "equivalent to nearly 800 years’ worth of knowledge" and "an order-of-magnitude expansion in stable materials known to humanity."

AI hype keeps the bubble inflating, and for so long as it keeps blowing up, all those investors who've sunk their money into AI can tell themselves that they're rich. This is the essence of "a bezzle": "The magic interval when a confidence trickster knows he has the money he has appropriated but the victim does not yet understand that he has lost it":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/09/autocomplete-worshippers/#the-real-ai-was-the-corporations-that-we-fought-along-the-way

Among the best debezzlers of AI are the Princeton Center for Information Technology Policy's Arvind Narayanan and Sayash Kapoor, who edit the "AI Snake Oil" blog. Now, they've sold a book with the same title:

https://www.aisnakeoil.com/p/ai-snake-oil-is-now-available-to

Obviously, books move a lot more slowly than blogs, and so Narayanan and Kapoor say their book will focus on the timeless elements of identifying and understanding AI snake oil:

In the book, we explain the crucial differences between types of AI, why people, companies, and governments are falling for AI snake oil, why AI can’t fix social media, and why we should be far more worried about what people will do with AI than about anything AI will do on its own. While generative AI is what drives press, predictive AI used in criminal justice, finance, healthcare, and other domains remains far more consequential in people’s lives. We discuss in depth how predictive AI can go wrong. We also warn of the dangers of a world where AI continues to be controlled by largely unaccountable big tech companies.

The book's out in September and it's up for pre-order now:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/ai-snake-oil-what-artificial-intelligence-can-do-what-it-can-t-and-how-to-tell-the-difference-arvind-narayanan/21324674

One of the weirder and worst side-effects of the AI hype bubble is that it has revived the belief that it's somehow possible for giant platforms to monitor all their users' speech and remove "harmful" speech. We've tried this for years, and when humans do it, it always ends with disfavored groups being censored, while dedicated trolls, harassers and monsters evade punishment:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/08/07/como-is-infosec/

AI hype has led policy-makers to believe that we can deputize online services to spy on all their customers and block the bad ones without falling into this trap. Canada is on the verge of adopting Bill C-63, a "harmful content" regulation modeled on examples from the UK and Australia.

Writing on his blog, Canadian lawyer/activist/journalist Dimitri Lascaris describes the dire speech implications for C-63:

https://dimitrilascaris.org/2024/04/08/trudeaus-online-harms-bill-threatens-free-speech/

It's an excellent legal breakdown of the bill's provisions, but also a excellent analysis of how those provisions are likely to play out in the lives of Canadians, especially those advocating against genocide and taking other positions the that oppose the agenda of the government of the day.

Even if you like the Trudeau government and its policies, these powers will accrue to every Canadian government, including the presumptive (and inevitably, totally unhinged) near-future Conservative majority government of Pierre Poilievre.

It's been ten years since Martin Gilens and Benjamin I Page published their paper that concluded that governments make policies that are popular among elites, no matter how unpopular they are among the public:

https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/perspectives-on-politics/article/testing-theories-of-american-politics-elites-interest-groups-and-average-citizens/62327F513959D0A304D4893B382B992B

Now, this is obviously depressing, but when you see it in action, it's kind of wild. The Biden administration has declared war on junk fees, from "resort fees" charged by hotels to the dozens of line-items added to your plane ticket, rental car, or even your rent check. In response, Republican politicians are climbing to their rear haunches and, using their actual human mouths, defending junk fees:

https://prospect.org/politics/2024-04-12-republicans-objectively-pro-junk-fee/

Congressional Republicans are hell-bent on destroying the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau's $8 cap on credit-card late-fees. Trump's presumptive running-mate Tim Scott is making this a campaign plank: "Vote for me and I will protect your credit-card company's right to screw you on fees!" He boasts about the lobbyists who asked him to take this position: champions of the public interest from the Consumer Bankers Association to the US Chamber of Commerce.

Banks stand to lose $10b/year from this rule (which means Americans stand to gain $10b/year from this rule). What's more, Scott's attempt to kill the rule is doomed to fail – there's just no procedural way it will fly. As David Dayen writes, "Not only does this vote put Republicans on the spot over junk fees, it’s a doomed vote, completely initiated by their own possible VP nominee."

This is an hilarious own-goal, one that only brings attention to a largely ignored – but extremely good – aspect of the Biden administration. As Adam Green of Bold Progressives told Dayen, "What’s been missing is opponents smoking themselves out and raising the volume of this fight so the public knows who is on their side."

The CFPB is a major bright spot in the Biden administration's record. They're doing all kind of innovative things, like making it easy for you to figure out which bank will give you the best deal and then letting you transfer your account and all its associated data, records and payments with a single click:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/21/let-my-dollars-go/#personal-financial-data-rights

And now, CFPB chair Rohit Chopra has given a speech laying out the agency's plan to outlaw data-brokers:

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/prepared-remarks-of-cfpb-director-rohit-chopra-at-the-white-house-on-data-protection-and-national-security/

Yes, this is some good news! There is, in fact, good news in the world, bright spots amidst all the misery and terror. One of those bright spots? Labor.

Unions are back, baby. Not only do the vast majority of Americans favor unions, not only are new shops being unionized at rates not seen in generations, but also the largest unions are undergoing revolutions, with control being wrestled away from corrupt union bosses and given to the rank-and-file.

Many of us have heard about the high-profile victories to take back the UAW and Teamsters, but I hadn't heard about the internal struggles at the United Food and Commercial Workers, not until I read Hamilton Nolan's gripping account for In These Times:

https://inthesetimes.com/article/revolt-aisle-5-ufcw-grocery-workers-union

Nolan profiles Faye Guenther, president of UFCW Local 3000 and her successful and effective fight to bring a militant spirit back to the union, which represents a million grocery workers. Nolan describes the fight as "every bit as dramatic as any episode of Game of Thrones," and he's not wrong. This is an inspiring tale of working people taking power away from scumbag monopoly bosses and sellout fatcat leaders – and, in so doing, creating a institution that gets better wages, better working conditions, and a better economy, by helping to block giant grocery mergers like Kroger/Albertsons.

I like to end these linkdumps on an up note, so it feels weird to be closing out with an obituary, but I'd argue that any celebration of the long life and many accomplishments of my friend and mentor Anne Innis Dagg is an "up note."

I last wrote about Anne in 2020, on the release of a documentary about her work, "The Woman Who Loved Giraffes":

https://pluralistic.net/2020/02/19/pluralist-19-feb-2020/#annedagg

As you might have guessed from the title of that doc, Anne was a biologist. She was the first woman scientist to do field-work on giraffes, and that work was so brilliant and fascinating that it kicked off the modern field of giraffology, which remains a woman-dominated specialty thanks to her tireless mentoring and support for the scientists that followed her.

Anne was also the world's most fearsome slayer of junk-science "evolutionary psychology," in which "scientists" invent unfalsifiable just-so stories that prove that some odious human characteristic is actually "natural" because it can be found somewhere in the animal kingdom (i.e., "Darling, please, it's not my fault that I'm fucking my grad students, it's the bonobos!").

Anne wrote a classic – and sadly out of print – book about this that I absolutely adore, not least for having one of the best titles I've ever encountered: "Love of Shopping" Is Not a Gene:

https://memex.craphound.com/2009/11/04/love-of-shopping-is-not-a-gene-exposing-junk-science-and-ideology-in-darwinian-psychology/

Anne was my advisor at the University of Waterloo, an institution that denied her tenure for fifty years, despite a brilliant academic career that rivaled that of her storied father, Harold Innis ("the thinking person's Marshall McLuhan"). The fact that Waterloo never recognized Anne is doubly shameful when you consider that she was awarded the Order of Canada:

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/queen-of-giraffes-among-new-order-of-canada-recipients-with-global-influence

Anne lived a brilliant live, struggling through adversity, never compromising on her principles, inspiring a vast number of students and colleagues. She lived to ninety one, and died earlier this month. Her ashes will be spread "on the breeding grounds of her beloved giraffes" in South Africa this summer:

https://obituaries.therecord.com/obituary/anne-innis-dagg-1089534658

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/13/goulash/#material-misstatement

Image: Valeva1010 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hungarian_Goulash_Recipe.png

CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en

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dojae-huh · 13 days

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Why SM "doesn't protect" its idols. An explanation from a corporate lawyer. Google translate again. (source)

Why "SM does nothing" or how to find the guilty in the real world.

From the point of view of a fan and fan feelings, of course, you want justice for Seunghan, because he did not deserve all the wave of hatred towards himself and "friends" who are ready to leak personal correspondence for the sake of profit, so you can always help and report hateful comments or support the guy who is being bullied for literally living a normal teenage life.

From another point of view, in situations like this, I always find it very funny to watch the wave of fan hatred towards agencies that allegedly "do nothing". Just today, I have come across several comments indignant at why SM does not punish haters/sasaengs/choose the right one. And as a corporate lawyer with a focus on litigation in a company from a related field, I also want to make my contribution. So, why do agencies "do nothing"?

Let's start with the basic legal concepts, the cornerstones, which everyone somehow forgets at such moments. An idol is an ordinary citizen of his country, the same individual with equal rights before the law, like his sasaeng or hater, like an ordinary office worker of the agency. SM is a legal entity. An ephemeral concept created by capitalism for the purpose of carrying out activities for the purpose of making a profit. Any entertainment agency is equal in its rights with an ordinary grocery store on your street, a restaurant or an entire dental clinic, which are also legal entities. Got it?

Now let's delve a little deeper into the boring story of how this situation actually looks. A hypothetical hater leaks personal photos and private correspondence of an idol on a social network. Who does this harm first of all? An individual. From a legal point of view, in this case alone, several completely different types of offense can be distinguished (which are provided for by the provisions of the Korean Law on the Protection of Personal Information, the Law on the Promotion of the Use of Information and Telecommunication Networks and the Protection of Information, articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Korea): violation of the secrecy of correspondence, violation of privacy, dissemination of information defaming the honor, dignity and business reputation of a citizen, causing moral harm, causing damages. And any citizen has the right to protect their rights under the law in two ways: within the framework of civil and within the framework of criminal proceedings.

How does it work?

Within the framework of civil proceedings, a citizen can apply to the court with a claim for recovery of damages that were caused to him in connection with the dissemination of information defaming his honor, dignity and business reputation. For example, now the whole country is discussing the personal life of an idol and his public image has fallen so low that advertisers have terminated contracts, demanding a penalty, because now their product is being boycotted because of this idol. These are the idol's losses. The idol can also demand moral damages for the moral suffering caused, because he was worried, did not sleep at night and generally fell ill due to the disclosure of personal information. And the idol also has the right to demand a public refutation of information that discredits his honor, dignity or business reputation, if the person who disseminated such information does not prove that it is true. It is unlikely to prove this when videos and photos of the idol are posted online, right? After the idol makes these demands, the court, taking into account the evidence in the case file, in accordance with the principles of reasonableness, adversarial proceedings, and based solely on its own conviction, will make a decision indicating whether the case file really contains evidence that confirms that the idol has suffered moral harm and material damage, and how much money the idol will receive from the hater as compensation.

What are the pitfalls here? There are many. The idol must first find out who is distributing this information. It is unlikely that anyone can file a lawsuit in court where the defendant will be listed as "Naver account owner *". Even if the idol sends a request to the office that owns the social network with a request to tell who the owner of the account is, no one will tell him anything, because this is personal data that is protected by law. What if the idol magically finds out the hater's personal data, but it turns out that he is a citizen of another country, permanently residing there? Well, good luck to a South Korean idol suing a hater from Brazil. This is just one hypothetical example, but when there are ten, a hundred, a thousand such haters? Litigation becomes impractical. If the hater does live in Korea, and miraculously the idol finds out his personal information in order to sue him, then a long process begins that cannot be resolved in one hearing. The number of hearings increases and the gap between their dates increases too, because the parties need to prepare documents that will prove their position, and the court has a schedule of hearings

review of cases, because there are thousands of court cases, an idol is not the only one: today there is a divorce, and tomorrow a dispute over construction. Therefore, when once a year some idol or entertainment company issues a press release that “the hater was punished in accordance with the court’s decision,” no one notices how the statements contain no information about the essence of the case or the date when it happened. Because the hater could have written a controversial comment a year, two, or three years ago.

Another option is criminal proceedings. Under South Korean law, such cases are considered exclusively at the request of a citizen, because this is a private law charge. That is, no one except an idol can go to the police and think that their statement will be accepted for consideration and a criminal case will be opened. The idol attaches to the statement all the information he has about the unidentified person - here they are, the blessed screenshots with insults that are sent to Kwanya 119 - and then… That's it. The idol can no longer do anything, because now only the police have the powers established by law: they will find out the personal data of the owners of social networks upon official requests (here, by the way, the idol will be able to get acquainted with the case materials, find out the details of the account owner and also go to court with a civil lawsuit!) and if suddenly this turns out to be a resident of Korea, then the investigators can quite happily initiate a criminal case, go and have a conversation with this person, offer to apologize to the idol in order to try to resolve the issue peacefully. Or otherwise, transfer the case to the prosecutor. The prosecutor will look at the materials collected by the investigators and decide whether there is enough evidence to charge in court. Insufficient - the case will be returned for further investigation and the consideration period will be delayed; sufficient - the prosecutor will go to court with the charges, where the situation will repeat itself. The court will again look at the case materials, listen to the parties and decide whether there is any violation in the person's actions and to what extent.

Notice how there is no agency anywhere in these chains? But it is all very simple. Because legally they are not a party to any of the above relationships. Yes, the artist who has a contract with the label is harmed and this affects the artist's image, because the idol on stage and the person behind him are inextricably linked, and this also directly affects the group, namely, what is legally called business reputation. But within the framework of legal concepts and the evidentiary process, there is a distinction between causing damage to the business reputation of a group, all rights to which belong to the agency, and damage to the honor, dignity and business reputation of an idol, that is, an ordinary citizen who, by law, must protect his rights himself, just as a sasaeng or hater, or an ordinary office worker would protect his rights… Therefore, most often agencies, understanding this entire chain that directly affects their profits, and also taking into account the incompetence of idols, whom the label raised almost from childhood, taking all the responsibilities of their independent life upon itself, create things like e-mail boxes or Kwanya 119, where they can send documents, which will then be reviewed through lawyers for the advisability of working with them. An agreement is concluded between the idols and the agencies or a power of attorney is issued, according to which agency representatives can file lawsuits on behalf of the idols, find out about the progress of the police case on their behalf. And agencies also write letters to social networks, forums or news portals demanding that they remove articles or comments that violate the law, but they do this in a claim procedure that does not oblige anyone, so a social network may well refuse a label if the article or comment complies with their site usage policy and does not violate the law. No entertainment agency has the right or authority to punish anyone, demand money outside of court, and even more so to find commentators from the Internet and threaten them with reprisals. Because here a completely different process of close attention from government agencies to the company itself and their activities, and not to their idols, begins. This is a labor-intensive process that most often does not bring any benefit, because it is impossible to disclose specific data about the case and the personal data of haters, and template statements that the agency will take measures in accordance with the law or that someone has already been punished will not benefit anyone, because they do not contain specifics and any confirmation for the public. Otherwise, every entertainment agency in Korea could issue statements every Saturday stating that five or six haters were punished in the previous week. Would there be any level of trust in such statements? Not to mention that no legal entity is required to disclose such information or report on their legal cases, and fans demand statements from labels simply… because they think everyone owes them something. Of course, some agencies issue such statements once in a while.

per quarter. But for people who understand the whole process, such statements are just empty replies.

I could provide links to the provisions of the law and Korean law textbooks for each action I described, and even translate them from Korean, but then this post would look more like a thesis on Korean procedural law, and I'm too lazy, so here's a short conclusion: are entertainment agencies obliged to do anything in such situations? According to the law, no, but they will do it anyway, because it affects their profits and the image of their artists, whom they want to keep for many years. How effective are the methods for solving these problems? Well, not as effectively as we would like, but this is a problem of the law and its enforcement, not entertainment agencies. Should fans report all this? The expression "a bad result is also a result" does not work here, so no, there is no point in this. But why agencies (don't) issue statements regarding scandals at a certain time and in certain wording is a question that needs to be decided not only by lawyers, but also by PR people and public relations specialists. However… this is a completely different story.

#threeone

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warningsine · 2 months

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CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro is trying to accomplish something that seems impossible in the South American country: steer people away from WhatsApp and X.

Maduro’s announcement this week that he had ordered a 10-day block on access to X in Venezuela is the latest in a series of efforts by his government to try to suppress information sharing among people voicing doubts about his claim to victory in the July 28 presidential election.

It also reveals how every aspect of Venezuela’s government is subject to Maduro’s wants and needs, as he went from demanding his Cabinet to retweet his posts in May to ordering the nation’s telecommunications agency on Thursday to block access to X.

“X out for 10 days! Elon Musk out!” Maduro said Thursday as he announced his decision to temporarily ban the social network and accused its owner, tech billionaire Elon Musk, of using it to promote hatred after Venezuela’s disputed presidential election.

Maduro, who also accused the social network of being used by his opponents to create political unrest, gave the company 10 days to “present their documents,” but he gave no additional details.

The government’s centralized communications office on Friday did not immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press seeking a copy of the resolution Maduro said he signed to authorize the ban against X.

X’s press office did not immediately respond to an email from AP requesting comment.

Electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner of the highly anticipated election, but unlike previous presidential contests, they have yet to produce detailed voting tallies to back up their claim. Meanwhile, the opposition revealed it collected tally sheets from more than 80% of the 30,000 electronic voting machines nationwide showing he lost by a more than 2-to-1 margin.

The dispute drew thousands to the streets in protest to which the government responded with full force. Security forces have since rounded up more than 2,000 people for demonstrating against Maduro or questioning his victory. Venezuela-based human rights organization Provea recorded 24 deaths.

After the election, Musk used X to accuse the self-proclaimed socialist leader of a “great electoral fraud,” drawing Maduro’s rage and a challenge to a “fight.” That’s a reversal for Maduro, who, aware of the key role that social networks play in news consumption in Venezuela, told Cabinet members in May during a televised meeting to support him on social media.

“Who among you does not follow my accounts?” he said. “You are embarrassed to raise your hand, right? All of you? And why don’t you like me? Why don’t you like or retweet? Why? That doesn’t cost anything, it’s a second, boom!”

A month later, he promoted an Instagram post whose song’s chorus urged people to “Give Nicolás a like, give Nicolás a like,” with a caption including the hashtag #NicoLike.

Fran Monroy, a telecommunications expert in Venezuela, said Maduro’s decision to block X is an escalation of censorship that began several years ago.

“Venezuelan newscasts from the major television networks are not watched because they do not reflect the news reality of the country,” he said. “So, what is left? The emergence of YouTube channels that have been very powerful in terms of the dissemination of information, social networks and in some ways virtual messaging or private messaging apps.”

Earlier this week, Maduro went after Meta’s WhatsApp messaging app, publicly deleting it from his phone during his weekly TV show and urging supporters to switch to competitor Telegram.

WhatsApp plays an integral role in everyday life in Venezuela. Millions use it not only to chat among friends and family, but also to schedule beauty salon and doctor’s appointments, buy food, hail a cab, send and receive school homework, and hire and fire employees.

Even the ruling party’s vast network of neighborhood leaders depend on the app to distribute subsidized food, take attendance at pro-government events and coordinate voter-mobilizing efforts on election days, including on July 28.

And the country’s main opposition used it to communicate with campaign volunteers, local organizers and others, who contributed to the bloc’s herculean task of securing the tally sheets from polling sites.

“Maduro has pivoted hard from trying to purchase support and mobilize his base through propaganda ... to recognizing neither of these strategies will work,” said Will Freeman, a fellow on Latin American studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. “As he leans hard on repression to remain in power, he has an incentive to limit communications so Venezuelans and the world see as little of what will unfold as possible.”

It remained unclear Friday how the government is carrying out the ban on X. Some users in the capital, Caracas, could still access and refresh the application on their phones without using a virtual private network.

Horacio Melendez, however, was among those who could no longer update the posts on the application. Sitting outside a church before going to work, he said he has never posted anti-government messages on his account, which he uses mostly to read what others share. He expressed skepticism over the reasons for the ban.

“That’s where the news is,” Melendez said. “There is a lot of news shared among people, among citizens, about the things that are happening. I imagine that has something to do with the ban as well; it’s not just because of Mr. Elon.”

#venezuela #x #whatsapp #politics

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zetexa · 2 months

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Introducing Zetexa eSIM: Your Gateway to Global Connectivity

In this era of fast-tracked globalization, a lifestyle laden with traveling back and forth in a routine was once considered a luxury. As digital technology has evolved over the years, the way we communicate and stay connected in our daily lives across the globe has completely transformed. Say it quietly, though: a major turn of the wheel in this regard has been toward the introduction of eSIM technology. Exemplifying this is Zetexa, a company leading the way in innovation for mobile connectivity. Zetexa eSIM is not just another digital SIM solution; it's a revolution in what we watermark for mobile connectivity. It offers an easy, sustainable, user-friendly solution for global travelers with a ready activation process that takes only five minutes, top security, and flexible payment.

An eSIM is an embedded SIM integrated into your gadgets—meaning, no need for an actual hard SIM. This is a mobile plan technology that allows you to download and activate a plan directly on your gadget just by scanning a simple QR code. Quite flexible, convenient, and reliable: Zetaxa eSIM—whether you are a frequent traveler, a student studying abroad, or a business professional on the go.

Traditional use of SIM cards makes a customer be tied to one place, and this tethering is made even more inconvenient by the fact that a new physical card would need to be inserted into their device if they were to go to another place. It is here that the eSIM offered by Zetexa solves it simply as one global solution that can be turned on and utilized in over 180+ countries. This is just an ideal solution for people valuing connectivity round-o-clock without the headache of gelling up various SIMs or facing compatibility issues with the device.

Total Global Coverage and Reach

Among many other features, the Zetexa eSIM boasts extensive global coverage. In partnership with the best services and telecom companies across the globe, Zetexa eSIM ensures its users receive high-end network coverage in more than 180+ countries across the world. You can travel across continents without having to worry about losing connection or paying expensive roaming charges.

This kind of universal appeal greatly benefits international tourists, who often run the risk of obtaining dubious mobile networks in foreign nations. So imagine not having to bother with drab local SIM cards or being at the mercy of spotty Wi-Fi hotspots but having that seamless connection with Zetexa eSIM, helping users to easily navigate through new destinations, keep in touch with friends and family, and even with work commitments hassle-free while on the go.

What is more, it also offers a range of plans that fit not any but "one's needs." One of them might need higher data limits to work and to stream by, and for someone, it might mean just enough to be able to chat and be on social media. If this is the case, one can be sure that there is a Zetexa plan for that. Their prices are just competitive enough to make users appreciate the top-graded connectivity and get value for their money.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

On top of the sustainability of most products, Zetexa is a company that very consciously does business in an environment virtually swept with environmental problems. The traditional SIM card model adds to waste, with billions of plastic SIM cards manufactured and thrown away each year. Zetexa eSIM eliminates this waste by doing away with the need for a physical card altogether.

By using the Zetexa eSIM, users make a step in the direction of depleting their environmental footprint. This is much in line with the global trend that is in force right now, in which consumers are more likely to put their support behind companies that bank on sustainable practices. This move by Zetexa to reduce plastic waste is indeed a great leap in the telecommunications sector; it sets a precedent for other companies to follow this model.

Additionally, the movement of physical SIMs through a complex supply chain for their production and distribution adds to carbon emissions. Here, digitization of the whole process, in addition to mere savings in plastic waste, results in lessening the carbon footprint and environmental loads that come with product manufacture and shipping.

Never Expiring eSIMs: Uninterrupted Connectivity

Zetexa eSIMs have one feature: they don't expire. They may have an expiry date, unlike ordinary SIM cards or even some eSIM offers that expire or have a restriction in terms of validity, but a Zetexa eSIM doesn't expire. This will appeal especially to the value-neutral traveler or remote worker who doesn't need to use the SIM card continuously but wants the peace of mind that comes with knowing an option for connectivity will be present should a need arise at any point in time.

This lifetime feature with Zetexa ensures that when you get one eSIM, you will have it forever; it will just be waiting to activate a plan whenever you travel. There is no need to worry about losing your number or having to re-register after a period of inactivity. This kind of flexibility is seen in no other solution, making sure users stay absolutely stress-free with connectivity. Instant Activation and User-Friendly Interface

The eSIM by Zetexa is designed to be activated simply and intuitively to be user-friendly. Immediately after purchasing the Zetexa eSIM, activation involves scanning a QR code from any device one intends to use the eSIM with. On-the-spot activation for services such as these comes as a great relief, especially to travelers who touch down in new countries.

Within just a few minutes, one is able to purchase and activate the connection; there is no headache related to the need for technicality in the process or cumbersome instructions. The Zetexa app can be downloaded from the Zetexa website and is available in both iOS and Android. The process can be followed by anyone with little or no technology exposure. This is a great plus point, as ease of use makes it easier for anybody to become connected. Dedicated Customer Support

Customer support is one of Zetexa's top-notch services. Realizing that users can find difficulties or have questions, Zetexa offers constant 24-hour support for any problem or issue. Be it a connectivity issue or an activation process, Zetexa's support team is on hand to make the experience smooth.

This kind of attention to the customer is very helpful, especially for travelers who could feel at a loss with unknown destinations and have a significantly convenient way of asking for help, only a call or a message away. With the added layer of security on top of everything else, Zetexa eSIM is a truly trusted way to connect worldwide.

Corporate Alliances and Partnerships

The company is able to advance and grow through strong relationships developed within its telecom providers and corporate alliances. By teaming up with global telecom companies, Zetexa enables itself to offer a high-quality network infrastructure; such coverage does not stutter across different regions of the world. This is aimed at allowing the users to experience the high-speed, non-stop connectivity that the Zetexa brand promises.

Other than telecom partnerships, Zetexa was in partnership with other corporations to ensure the provision of the required business needs of customized eSIM solutions. A company with a workforce always on the go will have solutions from Zetexa, under which assurance is a sure bet that their staff and more stay connected from anywhere around the world. These corporate partnerships further allow Zetexa to offer its services with bulk plans and other incentives, hence being a go-to when seeking to make the communication plan within one's business much simpler.

Ongoing Innovation and Personalization

Zetexa is quite a place that consistently deals with innovation and includes updates to services with customers' feedback and advancement in technologies. This customer-centric approach is what puts Zetexa eSIM on the very frontiers of mobile connectivity, with features that are constantly changing to serve user needs.

This is done through the process known as personalization. Noting the diversity of human needs, Zetexa offers tailor-made solutions that meet individual requirements. Whichever data plan is specifically needed, whichever network, and or whatever individual connectivity needs exist, Zetexa will work to ensure a fit is provided.

This tendency towards individualization extends to the user experience as well. Zetexa's app interface is designed rather friendly so users can get their hands down interacting with the eSIM, looking at data consumption, and adjusting plans in accordance with their own needs. It is in this line that this control and customization has given Zetexa the edge over other eSIM providers and established it as the first preference of the appreciative user.

Conclusion

While living in a world where connectivity is very important, Zetexa's eSIM solution is a revolution itself, connecting convenience, sustainability, and global reach. With never-expiring eSIMs, instant activation, and dedicated customer support, Zetexa ensures its subscribers are always connected with the rest of the world. Perfect for frequent travelers, students taking international degrees, or business professionals based on the go, Zetexa eSIM services realize headache-free, uncomplicated communication, keeping you in touch and productive.

In this world of moving sharply towards digital solutions, Zetexa is leading in mobile connectivity solutions that offer innovative and environmental-friendly products. When you choose Zetexa eSIM, it's more than just convenience; it's a choice toward the future.

Visit the Zetexa website to check out their eSIM solutions for a hassle-free global connectivity journey.

#Zetexa eSIM #eSIM providers #eSIM solutions #mobile connectivity solutions

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rauthschild · 4 months

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We recently reposted news of an important Circuit Court reversal that affirmed the literal fact that mRNA injections are not "vaccines" by function and definition, and covered expert testimony from the creator of the mRNA product admitting that it is a bioweapon covered under the domestic biowarfare program that these mercenaries have attempted to legalize.

Today, we bring more good news from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals -- the First Amendment guarantees owed to American Physicians have been upheld.

They cannot be muzzled and punished and prevented from bringing forward their analysis of Covid-19 or anything else by unelected and unauthorized medical certification boards threatening to take away their medical credentials.

As Americans, we are wondering exactly how such a situation could ever be allowed to exist, wherein certification boards issuing credentials for medical professionals could be turned into and used as instruments of political coercion.

This, like so many other terrible institutions, comes to us directly from J.D. Rockefeller and his progeny, misusing their private fortunes to promote political and social and economic injustice.

For those who are unacquainted with history, J.D. Rockefeller was the Chairman and lead shareholder of Standard Oil. Standard Oil was not really an oil company despite the name. It was a pipeline company in the business of building and installing and connecting oil pipelines and oil transfer systems.

Rockefeller gained a choke hold and dictatorial power over who could move oil where and when and how much, and so, established an oil transfer monopoly by which he could dictate the ability of actual oil companies to deliver on their contracts.

Standard Oil was busted as a monopoly in the 1920's. The disgraced moguls retreated to Europe and started the International Monetary Fund (IMF)--- and together with their European friends, the Rothschilds, they did the same thing to the banking industry that they had already been convicted of doing to the oil industry.

These transfer control monopolies are unlawful, illegal, and immoral, but unbelievable as this is, they got away with it again in another industry, and weren't called out for it until 2015.

They used Standard Oil to create a transfer and use monopoly on oil, and a transfer and use monopoly in the banking industry by controlling bank transfers through SWIFT....

Look around and what do you see? Public utility monopolies. Public transit monopolies.

These are all very much in the same vein:

In all these cases, a vital commodity -- oil, money, electricity, telecommunications, transportation -- is monopolized indirectly by controlling access to it.

Could you indirectly monopolize the supply of medical doctors and apply coercion to them to assure that they recommend (and by omission of other options, induce the Public to buy) your drugs, your therapies and approved "countermeasures"?

Enter the American Medical Association, the American Board of Internal Medicine, the American Board of Family Medicine, the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology -- and, of course, the Food and Drug Administration.

Here's your pipeline system on steroids, controlling the supply and therefore access to medical services, defining the kind of medical service available, and dictating the availability and use of drugs and therapeutic protocols.

All these "Professional Associations" and "Credential Boards" have been bank-rolled on Rockefeller money and "Federal" Grants -- that have also been largely awarded based on compliance with "standards" imposed by these same bogus "industry authorities" and promoted by the same monopoly interests.

These "Professional Associations" and "Credential Boards" and unaccountable "Administrations" were sold to the Public as watch dogs acting in the Public Interest.

Instead, they have acted in the interest of unscrupulous and largely veiled corporate monopoly interests for profiteering and purposes of political coercion.

As usual, the Perpetrators have used "storefronts" and proxies to do their dirty work, setting up these sanctimonious hidden monopolies to excuse, whitewash, and promote their criminal profiteering and political agendas.

These self-important Associations and Agencies purportedly here to protect the Public from quackery and incompetence, dangerous drugs and fraud, have instead willingly promoted all the above, and worse, have expedited and unleashed an actual biowarfare program against the American Public -- for profit.

Over the past five years these hidden monopolies have murdered millions of innocent people and maimed and poisoned millions more for profit -- and laughed all the way to the bank in the name of protecting the victims.

They even charged you for killing your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Ask Joe Biden and Donald Trump about the billions (with a "b") of Covid injections and PCR Tests they bought. Who paid for that? Who profited from that?

Their fellow-franchise pals in the Mockingbird Media have helped out by trying to cover it all up. Down play it. Spin it. Bury it, like the victims.

These organizations are identified as Criminal Monopoly Interests so far as the American Government is concerned. They failed to protect the Public Interest to such a fantastical degree that there is no coming back.

Like the American Bar Association, the American Medical Association needs to be dismantled and held accountable, along with these politicized Certification Boards, and the complicit Agencies.

This Notification of Liability is not limited to pandemic injuries and may be freely applied to private monopolies and corporate government offices, agencies, and departments that create regulatory monopolies -- and which as incorporated entities, do not enjoy any degree of State Immunity.

This Notification of Liability also applies to any incorporated court, insurance fund, or pension fund profiting from a direct or indirect monopoly.

Promotion of Monopoly Interests, establishment of Monopolies, control of Monopoly Interests, creating a Monopoly by indirect means, obstructing the free flow of trade and commerce, impersonating a public government institution, office, department, or agency, establishing or enforcing fraudulent regulatory controls, engaging in monopoly inducement, and profiting from a monopoly are all Federal Crimes.

Notice to Principals is Notice to Agents; Notice to Agents is Notice to Principals.

The United States of North America, in the Family of Nations, Law of Nations

#blacklivesmatter #blackvotersmatters #donald trump #joe biden #naacp #blackmediamatters #blackvotersmatter #news #ados #youtube

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baylonjuliana · 1 year

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Advertisement Journals

youtube

Globe: Sama-sama sa Distansiya

Globe’s 2020 released advertisement fantastically portrays the situation of people’s relationships with their special ones, be it their friends, family, or spouses in the time of the pandemic. “Lumayo ka sa’kin, kasi malapit ka sa’kin” (get away from me because you’re close to me) is a line that probably hits most of our hearts. We understand how it feels to stay away or quarantine ourselves, especially from close people, not just to protect ourselves but also to protect them.

The only way we could communicate or merely get in touch with each other was through online social media platforms. Dinner hangouts became group video calls, professional and educational meetings were held on online platforms, and even romantic dates became late-night calls.

Now Globe, being one of the top telecommunication services providers in the Philippines, has not done this without a reason. It was called an advertisement, after all. It shows a situation close to our hearts, but it also benefits their company by implying that they are with all of us who are struggling at these challenging times.

However, the service advertised is actually beneficial for most of us. All online services using the internet are inaccessible without Globe and its close competitors, which sometimes fail and have much room for improvement but work fine enough most of the time to supply our necessities.

In my view, this commercial has not used any sort of media manipulation, at least within the small number of manipulation kinds in my knowledge. Even without apparently using inappropriate techniques, Globe has still managed to capture our attention throughout the whole almost-3-minute-video. They did so by portraying a situation all familiar to each of us. According to B2B Partners (2014), relatable content increases customers’ attention spans. Moreover, it was interesting since it might have served as a means of comfort.

youtube

CIMB Bank PH: Breadwinner

A Philippine bank, CIMB, which stands for Commerce International Merchant Bankers Berhad, published this advertisement during the most challenging time of the pandemic in 2020. It was when the newly-found virus shocked everyone mentally, physically, and financially. The emergence of the pandemic (COVID-19) has brought an international financial, social, and general health concern that has resulted in the loss of 90 trillion USD to worldwide economies (Frontiers, 2020).

The commercial's content showed a breadwinner child's situation in a communication with his mother. They seem to have made plans for the upcoming Christmas celebration, but a problem ruined everything. Due to the unemployment issues brought upon by the virus, he has been fired from his previous job, causing them to be short on funds.

In the next scene, however, the mother showed her bank application that contains savings from CIMB Bank PH. This commercial targets every Filipino that has been affected by the pandemic to help them in terms of finances. The mentioned bank provides storage for your income or savings and increases the rate over time. It is helpful for people who need extra income in complicated situations like this.

Just like the previous advertisement from Globe, I do think that this does not include any sort of media manipulation. It captured our attention by showing a pure but heartbreaking scene. It emphasizes how Filipino breadwinners do their best to feed and make their families happy. Many Filipinos may sympathize with the commercial since it has content that practically touches the viewer's feelings. It shows how Filipinos care about those who are around them. Overall, the company did an excellent job on this one. It can be seen that it was done with quality and purpose. Hopefully, we could all get through everything the coronavirus inflicted on us.

References:

B2B Partners. (2014). Make Your Content Relatable and Actionable. https://b2bpartners.nz/make-content-relatable-actionable/

CIMB Bank PH. (2020). Breadwinner | CIMB Bank PH. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtgpUjHg0-s&t=7s

globeph. (2020). Sama-sama sa Distansya | #SafeAtHome. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZNnrEKbyJ4&t=1s

Wang, C., Wang, D., Abbas, J., Duan, K., & Riaqa M. (2021). Global Financial Crisis, Smart Lockdown Strategies, and the COVID-19 Spillover Impacts: A Global Perspective Implications From Southeast Asia. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.643783

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#Youtube

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yssagabrielle · 1 year

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PT 6 - Journaling Your Response to Advertising

youtube

Sama-sama sa Distansya | #SafeAtHome

Globe Telecom Inc. is one of the most well-known and trusted telecommunication providers here in the Philippines, and people often feel the need to show comfort, love, and concern through virtual ways but especially through physical means. It brings people together in times of grave disasters and helps them cope with surviving those pressing times. But the pandemic happened, and suddenly, being at each other's company is prohibited. The advertisement is entitled “Sama-sama sa distansya,” It is an ad that is all about expressing how important it is to stay apart from each other in that moment of time because they care for each other. The advertisement greatly emphasizes the necessity of distance, The line “Diyan ka muna, at dito ako, magkalayo dahil close tayo” perfectly sums up the actions we needed to take to keep our loved ones safe, even if this meant separating from them. However, the advertisement not only focuses on the struggles and sorrow the people experience but also the highlights of those times we needed to stay distant such as having more time to communicate with family and friends; it may have been through a virtual setting; nonetheless, it enabled people to take their time and get to know each other more. It was able to portray that the time and distance given to us didn’t prevent us from being creative, creating art, and sharing our talents as individuals to make others smile at a distance. This advertisement caters to all of the people who experienced living in the time of the pandemic. Targeted most especially to those who had to stay in the hospital, away from their families, to care for patients needing care, those elderly who had to live alone, and all that had to suffer from the pandemic’s consequences. Accordingly, The products advertised for them do provide functionality that will greatly benefit them. As Globe Telecom Inc. offers services that allow people to communicate at great distances, the advertised services are fitting for the state of the world. This shows the endless possibilities of connecting with family and friends. Finding new opportunities thus gives hope to all that seem hopeless and dejected by the pandemic. Despite being an advertisement for Globe Telecom Inc., it was far from a money-grab, manipulative, and misleading advertisement. This is because it focuses on creating something that connects and resonates with the viewers. Knowing how hard the situations people are going through, they were able to express that the viewers are not the only ones going through these difficult times, making the advertisement relatable for the viewers; rather than pitying the audience, it shares the emotion of its audience representing that as a company they are willing to help us and go through these matters together. There were no words and depictions of direct advertising of their services, only encouragement and support towards their clients, enabling the audience to check their services from their own interests.

References: Globe Telecom Inc. (2020, April 17). Sama-sama sa Distansya | #SafeAtHome [Youtube Video] In Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZNnrEKbyJ4

youtube

Get back to what you love.

Worldwide, Google is one of the top search engines (Forsey, 2023), but more recently, it has also branched out to various technological services. Consequently, during the pandemic, Google is used for information gathering and to identify certain regulations regarding the pandemic. This advertisement is about getting our lives back on track with the help of Covid-19 vaccines. The video shows that people are not confined to virtual and online activities or settings anymore by not having to look up common pandemic activities, Closed establishments are finally able to get back on business again and being able to plan in-person meetings, “Get back to what you love” is the title of this advertisement. With the discovery of the Covid-19 vaccines, people are able to return to normal at a slow and steady pace, equipping people with an immunity to the infectious disease. This promotes the benefit of getting vaccines not only to get back to what you love but to keep the people surrounding you safe. That being the case, this advertisement is intended for everyone. Primarily because everyone has an impact on the situation, the number of cases, and the pandemic as a whole. Greatly highlighting how no one is excluded from this change in order to return closer to what we used to love and do. Hence, the advertisement encourages the audience to know more about the said vaccine, which is tremendously important in order to get the right vaccine and stay safe. Combating the misinformation and controversies regarding vaccines, in this case, the Covid-19 vaccines. In an article written by Silva (2021), an approximation of 23% denied taking the vaccines that gravely affect the overall immunity of the country towards the said infectious diseases. Although questioning vaccines are valid, it is detrimental to spread false stories and news regarding vaccines lacking any credible sources. The prevalent and rampant spread of misinformation regarding Covid-19 and its vaccines causes peril and danger to the health of many; false accusations such as vaccines causing autism (Skafle et al., 2022). This misinformation and false accusations are as dangerous as the pandemic in itself due to people getting themselves into more risky and unsafe situations. This is why Google’s advertisement makes an impact by informing their clients to know more about vaccines for the sake of their health and well-being. It was attention-grabbing but not in a manipulative way. The audience’s attention is grabbed because of the way the advertisement is made short, easy to comprehend, and calls the audiences to do their own action by encouraging self-research. The advertisement was also structured more as an awareness video, thus, spreading more information rather than construing it to promote the company. Although there is a link provided, the link given is to know more about the Covid-19 vaccines to minimize misinformation.

References:

Forsey, C. (2023, February 9). The top 11 search engines, ranked by popularity. HubSpot Blog. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/top-search-engines#:~:text=1.,Google&text=With%20over%2080%25%20of%20the%20search%20market%20share%2C%20Google%20is,almost%2095%25%20of%20mobile%20traffic.

Google (2021, March 24) Get back to what you love [Youtube Video] In Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3y1hJPVavY

Silva, K. (1970, April 17). The controversy surrounding vaccinations, then and now. Penn Today. Retrieved April 19, 2023, from https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/controversy-surrounding-vaccinations-then-and-now

Skafle, I., Nordahl-Hansen, A., Quintana, D. S., Wynn, R., & Gabarron, E. (2022). Misinformation about covid-19 vaccines on social media: Rapid review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(8). https://doi.org/10.2196/37367

#Youtube

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collegedunias · 1 month

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Unlocking Success at Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology: A Student's Guide

Are you ready to embark on a journey of academic excellence and personal growth? Look no further than the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology. Renowned for its top-notch education, state-of-the-art facilities, and vibrant campus life, this institute is the perfect place to shape your future.

Why Choose Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology?

Choosing the right college is a pivotal decision that can shape your future. Here’s why the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology should be your top choice:

Academic Excellence: The institute offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Whether you are interested in engineering, computer science, or electronics, Maharaja Surajmal provides top-quality education delivered by experienced and highly qualified faculty.

Advanced Facilities: The campus is equipped with modern laboratories, libraries, and research centers. The Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology continually updates its facilities to ensure students have access to the latest technology and resources.

Global Exposure: The institute has partnerships with several top universities worldwide, offering students opportunities for exchange programs, internships, and collaborative research. This global exposure enhances your learning experience and prepares you for a successful international career.

Dynamic Campus Life: Beyond academics, the institute offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, from sports to cultural events. The campus is a dynamic and inclusive community where you can make lifelong friends and develop new interests.

Courses and Specializations

The Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology offers a variety of courses tailored to meet the demands of the modern job market. Here are some of the popular programs:

Engineering: The institute is renowned for its engineering programs, offering specializations in Computer Science, Electronics, Mechanical, and Information Technology. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills to ensure graduates are industry-ready.

Computer Science and IT: With a focus on the latest trends and technologies, the computer science and IT programs prepare students for careers in software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, and more.

Electronics and Communication: This program focuses on designing and developing electronic devices and communication systems, equipping students with the skills needed for careers in telecommunications, robotics, and more.

Student Support and Services

One of the key strengths of the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology is its commitment to student success. The institute offers a range of support services to help you navigate your academic journey:

Career Services: The career services team provides guidance on resume writing, interview preparation, and job placements. Regular career fairs and recruitment drives help students secure their dream jobs.

Academic Advising: Personalized academic advising helps you select the right courses, manage your workload, and achieve your educational goals.

Counseling Services: Professional counselors are available to support students with any personal or academic challenges they may face. Mental health and well-being are prioritized at Maharaja Surajmal.

Scholarships and Financial Aid: The Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology offers a range of scholarships based on merit and need. Financial aid offices assist in managing tuition fees, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder your education.

Success Stories

Graduates of the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology have gone on to achieve great success in various fields. From leading tech companies to pioneering research, Maharaja Surajmal alumni are making a significant impact globally. The strong alumni network also provides current students with mentorship opportunities and industry connections.

How to Apply

Applying to the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology is straightforward. Prospective students can fill out the online application form available on the official website. Make sure to check the admission requirements and deadlines for your desired program. The admissions team is always available to assist with any queries you may have.

Tips for Prospective Students

Research Your Program: Understand the curriculum and specializations offered to choose a program that aligns with your career goals.

Visit the Campus: If possible, visit the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology to get a feel of the campus environment and facilities.

Engage with Alumni: Reach out to alumni to learn about their experiences and gather insights about the institute.

Prepare for Entrance Exams: Many programs require entrance exams. Start preparing early to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria.

Final Thoughts

Your education is the foundation of your future. Choosing the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology means investing in an institution that values innovation, excellence, and holistic development. With world-class facilities, a diverse range of programs, and a supportive community, Maharaja Surajmal is the ideal place to unlock your potential.

Start your educational journey with the Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology and take the first step towards a successful and fulfilling career.

#Maharaja Surajmal Institute Of Technology

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zacharyja · 5 months

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Wednesday, May 8th, 2024

Wagashi, Tea Ceremony, and Tokyo Skytree

Today began a bit earlier than normal, as we had to get to the tea ceremony a half hour early, so breakfast was at 7:30. We then walked to the station to get on a train bound for the tea ceremony at Hamarikyu gardens, which originally belonged to the Tokugawa shogunate. After browsing the gardens for a bit we went to a traditional tea ceremony, and we were served matcha tea hand selected by a tea master. Apparently Uji, a city just south of Kyoto has the best matcha in all of Japan. We were served wagashi and shown the process of a traditional tea ceremony in a tea house.

Following this we spent some more time in the gardens and got to take in the serenity and tranquility that the nature provided. The location of the garden was amazing as we were able to see much of Tokyo including the famous Tokyo Tower, which looked nice given the juxtaposition when viewed from a traditional Japanese garden.

After leaving the gardens we then made our way to the Tokyo Skytree, which is the tallest tower in the world and the third tallest structure in the world. We took a break before going up to get some lunch where some friends and I decided on a random unagi restaurant which was actually pretty tasty. This was my first time eating eel before so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the fluffy interior that melts in your mouth contrasted by the crispy exterior.

Here we were able to see breathtaking views of Tokyo at about 450 meters above the ground. It was amazing to see so much of the city but also quite overwhelming as there was just city and development as far as the eye could see.

After that, we were free for the rest of the day and some friends and I saw that there was an aquarium just a few minutes walk from the Skytree, so we went to check it out. The Sumida aquarium was not too big but had a lot of fun stuff, including penguins, seals, reef fish, eels and much more. It was pretty fun to see everything since I am a big fan of fish and other marine life.

After the aquarium we went back to the hotel to get ready for dinner with an unnamed UF alumni. We then got dressed and made our way to the Tokyo American Club to have dinner with the alumni, who was none other than David Semaya, who is the executive chair of the board for Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management. He talked to us for a while and gave us plenty of advice on our future endeavors. We also enjoyed a 4 course meal including wagyu steak, fish, dessert, and white wine. We also met Sachio Semmoto, who created the Japanese telecommunication company KDDI from scratch, which is now worth $80 billion dollars, who is also a UF alumni. We learned a lot from these high ranking business officials and enjoyed the dinner thoroughly.

After this we walked back to the train station to get back to the hotel, and once at the hotel some friends and I hung out for a while before heading to bed to rest before the next day.

Academic Reflection

Today’s first reading revolved around the arrival of tea to Japan and the ceremonial aspects that followed. It was interesting to read about how tea was introduced to Japan through China in the eighth century. It was also interesting to see that tea ceremonies often served as a way for people to find a quiet moment amidst a fast paced society, offering a moment of peace and serenity. I was able to experience this firsthand at the tea ceremony at the Hamarikyu gardens where I also learned the the entrances to tea houses were often so small that you were required to kneel down and scoot in on your knees. This was during the times when samurai were active, and would have had to leave their sword behind in order to fit in the entrance, which was a also symbolic of leaving behind worldly possessions and having everyone at the same social status inside the tea rooms. Another reading was centered around urban planning in Tokyo, or better the lack thereof. Tokyo has much looser zoning laws than in the United States, as there is a lot of mixed use zoning which is why you can get things like businesses and restaurants in the same building as residential areas. This allows for more walkable cities with access to food and convenience stores and shops all within walking distance. This is quite the sharp contrast from the United States where zoning laws are strict and many people who live in single family homes in the suburbs are forced to drive miles into the city to find a restaurant or grocery store. This reminded me of our dinner last night at the sushi bar, which was a tiny hole in the wall place that was built underneath residential area and as good as it was, could never exist in the United States because of the strict zoning laws.

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dentalnet32news · 6 months

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Giffgaff Definition & Meaning

The Definition and Meaning of Giffgaff Giffgaff may not be a term you are familiar with, but according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it has a specific definition and meaning. Giffgaff is a British mobile network provider that operates on the O2 network. It is known for its unique business model, which relies heavily on customer involvement and support. Giffgaff customers are encouraged to actively participate in the company's community forums, helping each other with technical issues and offering advice on how to get the most out of their mobile service. The word "giffgaff" itself has been said to be derived from Scottish or Northern English slang, meaning mutual giving or mutual support. This reflects the company's emphasis on collaboration and community spirit. Giffgaff offers a range of mobile plans, including pay-as-you-go options and monthly contracts. Customers can also earn rewards for referring friends to the service or for participating in the community forums. Overall, Giffgaff's approach to mobile service is unique in the industry, with a focus on customer engagement and community support. It's no wonder that Merriam-Webster has chosen to include it in their dictionary, recognizing its significance in the world of telecommunications. Title: How Online Dictionary Resources Can Enhance Your Vocabulary In today's digital age, there are numerous resources available to help individuals improve their language skills and expand their vocabulary. One such resource is an online dictionary, which provides definitions, pronunciations, and usage examples of words in multiple languages. One of the most popular online dictionaries is publicly recognized for its accuracy and comprehensiveness. Users can easily access this dictionary through their web browser or mobile app, making it a convenient tool for on-the-go learning. By using an online dictionary regularly, individuals can increase their understanding of different words and their meanings. This can help them communicate more effectively in both written and spoken language, as well as enhance their reading comprehension skills. Additionally, online dictionaries often feature word-of-the-day alerts or quizzes to further engage users in their language learning journey. These interactive features can make learning new words a fun and engaging experience. Overall, integrating an online dictionary into your daily routine can be a valuable asset in improving your vocabulary and language skills. Take advantage of this versatile tool to enhance your linguistic abilities and become a more confident communicator. Read the full article

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brillmindz1 · 7 months

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What is the best application to make free video calls from Oman to India?

Video calling is an extraordinary method for keeping in contact with friends and family, yet it tends to be a piece challenging to manage without a VPN. Oman is a country that has a lot of restrictions on internet usage, so a VPN is essential for anyone who wants to video call in Oman. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a VPN for Oman, but with a little research, it should be easy to find a service that will work well.

There is no need to use a VPN in Oman because toTok allows you to make free video calls. This application permits you to make high-quality video calls, which you can get from the Play Store or the Application Store. There have been several changes to the ban on Skype and a number of internet phone services. Skype, WhatsApp, and Telegram are only a couple of VoIP services that are blocked in Oman by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA). You cannot send messages from WhatsApp via video, but you can send messages via text. Due to the dangers associated with this device, it is not suitable for use with Facetime in the United States or Europe.

I use whatsapp or imob to make video calls with Oman friends. The package is good. Itmo has no issues and is fully functional. There is a blocking process in place for WhatsApp video and calls, and users are using VPN to avoid it.

Can You Video Call In Oman?

Because FaceTime and other video-calling services are encrypted, it is difficult to track, Oman is notorious for blocking them. Moreover, those services contend with homegrown telecom suppliers. The restrictions are rarely broken, as some encrypted chat apps do on occasion.

Also read: Mobile app development company in Oman

Is Whatsapp Allowed In Oman 2024?

WhatsApp is not currently allowed in Oman, but there is a possibility that this may change in 2022. The Omani government has been cracking down on the use of social media and messaging apps in recent years, but it is possible that they may relax these restrictions in the future. If you are planning to visit Oman, it is fitting to check the most recent data on the status with WhatsApp before you travel.

In Oman, internet and free sound/video calls have been blocked on WhatsApp and other free internet applications. VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), on the other hand, allow you to use WhatsApp video calling. Skype, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Google Meet, and Zoom have all been temporarily removed from Omani networks. You can be anonymous and secure online with the assistance of a VPN. In the Center East, VPN for Facetime is the most generally utilized and simple to utilize method of connecting with the Internet. The death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Saud gave rise to Haitham bin Tariq as the new sultan of Oman. Oman has a number of licensed alcohol stores that sell liquor, as well as hotels and bars.

Also read: Best mobile app development company in Oman

Does Oman Allow Whatsapp Calls?

WhatsApp is a messaging app for smartphones that allows users to send text, images, videos, and audio messages to one another. The app also lets users make voice and video calls. WhatsApp calls are free to make, and they utilize your phone’s internet connection instead of your phone plan's minutes.

Yes, Oman does allow WhatsApp calls.

Enter the VPN account information you’ve chosen in the PPTP VPN screen. Your VPN server’s username and password will be added to your e-mail. You can enable or disable the VPN connection by going to the main settings screen and selecting it.

Also read: Mobile app development companies in Oman

Oman Chatting App

There are many different Oman chat apps available for people to use. Some of tSome the most well known ones include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and WeChat. These apps allow people to stay in touch with friends and family members who live in Oman, as well as other parts of the world. They give a convenient method for peopling to speak with one another, and they offer different elements that make them ideal for use in an variety of different situations.

Are there any social networking apps available in Oman for the IOS App Store? is the parent company of the messaging application WhatsApp. The Badoo Premium has a login option for the Locket Labs Inc. password for WhatsApp messages. Friedrich Dreith was born in 1907. Threema GmbH's Protected Messenger is outfitted with a GPS phone tracker, permitting it to track JLC Mobile. You can also chat with an Imo customer service representative. Griddy Pro: Split Pic in Grids is an excellent app for splitting photos in grids. This week, we'll take a gander at Instagram, WhatsApp Messenger Pro, Zain MiniCord for Discord, and WatchsApp for WhatsApp.

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lucidpayments · 10 months

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How to Protect Your Business from Payment Fraud During the Holidays

For most of us, the holiday season tends to be a particularly positive time of year.

We get to spend time with family and friends, give gifts to our friends and loved ones, and enjoy all the festivities that this time of year has to offer.

For business owners, the holidays are also filled with positive vibes, not least because they tend to be the most productive and lucrative time of year.

Unfortunately, the holidays are also a time when things like theft and payment fraud become more prevalent.

According to a report from Visa, during last year’s holiday season, the merchants who tend to be most targeted by fraud, including home improvement and supply, telecommunications, business-to-business, healthcare, automotive, entertainment, education, government, lodging, insurance, airlines, drug stores, and pharmacies, saw a significant increase in this kind of nefarious activity.

For these unlucky merchants, payment fraud increased by 11 per cent compared to the rest of the year, and actually went up 8 per cent compared to what we saw during the 2021 holiday season.

Clearly, the incidence of these crimes is becoming more common, and sadly, most businesses have pretty much come to expect this sort of thing around this time of year.

A survey from Trustmi confirms this, as it found that the vast majority of businesses are more concerned about payment fraud during the holiday season.

We’ve also been seeing this happening more frequently in our own backyard, and it breaks our hearts to see small business owners getting scammed like this.

According to an article from Global News, Exile Electronics, which is a Vancouver-based music store, was hit by three fraudulent transactions last year, totalling more than $20,000.

The article reports that “the credit card owner disputed the charges and was granted refunds, even though the equipment was long gone. The credit card company then came after Exile for the money.”

At this point, they’re on the verge of bankruptcy, but thanks to a GoFundMe they started, they’ve been able to raise even more than their goal of $13,955 thanks to about 250 generous donations.

All things considered, we want to offer some advice on how you can protect your business from payment fraud during the holidays, so we can do our part to help prevent these heinous crimes.

So, if you’re looking to learn about fraud prevention and want to protect your business against fraud this holiday season, then this is an article you’re not going to want to miss.

Why Does Payment Fraud Increase During the Holidays?

If you want to understand how to prevent payment fraud during the holidays, it’s important to know why these crimes are more common at this time of year.

That being said, there are many reasons why payment fraud tends to increase during the holidays, and this includes things like:

Increased Transaction Volume

The holiday season sees a surge in shopping and transactions, both in-store and online, and this higher volume of transactions creates more opportunities for fraudsters to exploit vulnerabilities.

eCommerce Growth

Online shopping continues to grow, especially during the holiday season, and this increase in online transactions provides more opportunities for cybercriminals to execute various types of fraud, such as card-not-present fraud or account takeovers.

New Account Openings

Some people open new accounts (credit cards, store accounts, etc.) during the holidays to take advantage of discounts or offers, and this presents an opportunity for fraudsters to create fake accounts or steal identities.

Fraudulent Gift Cards

Criminals may tamper with or use stolen credit card information to buy gift cards, which can be used for personal use or sold for cash, making them a target during the holiday season.

Lack of Vigilance

With the holiday rush and excitement, people may let their guard down or overlook suspicious activities, making it easier for fraudsters, as they can exploit this lapse in vigilance.

How to Protect Against Payment Fraud During the Holidays

All this talk about holiday payment fraud can be pretty depressing, especially if you own a business.

But the silver lining to all of this is that there’s actually a lot you can do to protect against payment fraud during the holidays, including:

Password-Protecting Refunds

We’ve heard horror stories of business owners hiring a new employee, only to find out after they’ve quit that they were handing out refunds to their buddies left, right, and centre.

With that in mind, make sure to password protect the ability to give refunds, and only provide that password to people whom you know you can trust.

Otherwise, you’re leaving yourself open to a scam that seems like it’s becoming increasingly common.

Prioritizing Card-Present Transactions

For some businesses, this won’t be possible, but one of the best things you can do to protect against payment fraud is to prioritize card-present transactions and limit card-not-present transactions.

Card-present transactions are one of the most secure forms of payment, as they utilize chip-and-PIN technology, so whoever’s using this form of payment will need to have the card in their possession and also know its PIN.

Again, this may not be practical for some businesses, but, if at all possible, you should try to limit the number of phone and online orders you’re doing, and if it’s applicable, you can even incentivize customers to make in-store purchases by offering them discounts if they make a purchase from your store in-person.

Batching Out More Frequently

Some merchants are used to only batching out their terminals once a week, but this can expose your business to serious risks, especially during the holidays, when you’ll probably be doing a much higher volume of sales.

Because if someone decides to steal your terminal before you’ve batched out, the transactions that are still on there probably won’t get processed, and you’ll lose all that money.

Moreover, all the payment data will remain on your terminal until you’ve batched out, and this puts your customers at risk for fraud, as well, as criminals can steal their information.

That being said, during the holidays, or whenever you’re doing a significantly higher volume of sales, make sure to batch out every day, as once the information is sent to your processor, it’s essentially locked in, and you don’t have to worry about anything being taken or lost.

Using Multi-Factor Authentication

If you enforce multi-factor authentication for online transactions, it can add an extra layer of security by forcing customers to use a combination of passwords, SMS verification, biometrics, or one-time codes.

Regular Security Updates and Patching

One thing that you’ll want to do all year round, not least during the holiday season, is to ensure software, systems, and applications are updated with the latest security patches, as outdated software can have vulnerabilities that criminals can exploit.

Using Advanced Fraud Detection Tools

Another thing you can do to protect against payment fraud all year round is to employ robust fraud detection systems, which can use machine learning and AI to analyze patterns, detect anomalies, and flag potentially fraudulent transactions in real time.

Monitoring Transactions and Setting Up Alerts

Something else you can do to prevent payment fraud is make a point of monitoring transactions regularly for any unusual or suspicious activity and setting up alerts for large transactions, multiple purchases within a short time, or transactions from new or unusual locations.

Customer Verification Processes

Implementing strong identity verification methods for new accounts or high-value transactions offers another way to protect against payment fraud. This could involve verifying personal information, sending confirmation emails, or requiring additional documentation.

Educating Employees

No matter what time of year it is, you should also make sure to educate your employees so that they can recognize potentially fraudulent activity, and create protocols for handling suspicious activities and reporting them promptly.

Secure Payment Processing Systems

It’s unlikely that you’ll ever come across a company with payment processing systems that aren’t secure, but it doesn’t hurt to ensure your processor is using secure and encrypted systems that comply with industry standards and protect customer data, both during transmission and storage.

The holiday season is here, and that means now is a great time to weigh your options and get a reduction on your fees! Give us a call today to find out how much you can save with Lucid Payments.

#secure payment processing #payment processors #payment fraud

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