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Facebook to shut down facial recognition system

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(NEW YORK) — Meta, the newly named parent company of Facebook, announced Tuesday that it was shutting down its use of a facial recognition system on its social media platform.

The announcement comes after mounting pressure from advocacy groups concerned about privacy issues, allegations of racial bias in algorithms and additional concerns related to how artificial intelligence technology identifies people’s faces in pictures. It also notably comes amid renewed scrutiny of the tech giant from lawmakers and beyond.

“We need to weigh the positive use cases for facial recognition against growing societal concerns, especially as regulators have yet to provide clear rules,” Jerome Pesenti, the vice president of artificial intelligence at Meta, said in a company blogpost Tuesday. “In the coming weeks, we will shut down the Face Recognition system on Facebook as part of a company-wide move to limit the use of facial recognition in our products.”

“As part of this change, people who have opted in to our Face Recognition setting will no longer be automatically recognized in photos and videos, and we will delete the facial recognition template used to identify them,” Pesenti added.

Pesenti said that more than a third of Facebook’s daily active users have opted in to use facial recognition, and its removal “will result in the deletion of more than a billion people’s individual facial recognition templates.”

Looking ahead, Pesenti said Meta still sees facial recognition technology as a tool that could be used for people needing to verify their identity or to prevent fraud or impersonation, and said the company will continue to work on these technologies while “engaging outside experts.”

“But the many specific instances where facial recognition can be helpful need to be weighed against growing concerns about the use of this technology as a whole,” Pesenti added. “There are many concerns about the place of facial recognition technology in society, and regulators are still in the process of providing a clear set of rules governing its use. Amid this ongoing uncertainty, we believe that limiting the use of facial recognition to a narrow set of use cases is appropriate.”

Removing the Facebook’s facial recognition system will lead to a number of changes for users, Pesenti noted, including that the platform will no longer automatically recognize if people’s faces appear in photos or videos, and people will no longer be able to turn it on for suggestions on whom to tag in photos. The company also intends to delete the template used to identify users who have employed the setting.

The change will affect the automatic alt text feature, which creates image descriptions for blind and visually impaired people, Pesenti added, saying the descriptions will no longer include the names of people recognized in photos but will function normally otherwise.

The announcement comes amid mounting controversies for the tech giant. A company whistleblower, Frances Haugen, testified before lawmakers just weeks ago, alleging blatant disregard from Facebook executives when they learned their platform could have harmful effects on democracy and the mental health of young people.

Some digital rights advocacy groups welcomed Facebook’s recognition of the pitfalls of facial recognition technology, though still urged for an all-out ban.

“Facial recognition is one of the most dangerous and politically toxic technologies ever created. Even Facebook knows that,” Caitlin Seeley George, campaign director for the nonprofit advocacy group Fight for the Future, told ABC News in a statement shortly after the announcement was made.

“From misidentifying Black and Brown people (which has already led to wrongful arrests) to making it impossible to move through our lives without being constantly surveilled, we cannot trust governments, law enforcement, or private companies with this kind of invasive surveillance,” she added. “And even as algorithms improve, facial recognition will only be more dangerous.”

The tech could allow governments to target and crack down on religious minorities or political dissenters, create new tools for stalking or identity theft and more, Seeley George added, saying simply: “It should be banned.”

Verzuz combines gaming and music with “Call of Duty: Vanguard” event featuring performance by Migos

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Verzuz is expanding with a special event this Wednesday featuring rappers gaming and a performance by Migos.

T-Pain is hosting “Call of Duty: Vanguard,” a multi-round gameplay tournament featuring Lil Jon and Lil Tecca against Big Boi and Big Sean.

In addition to the gameplay, the members of Migos — Offset, Quavo and Takeoff — will perform together.

In the previous Verzuz, Big Daddy Kane battled KRS-One on October 17 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event featured DJ Scratch backing Kane on the 1s and 2s, and Kid Capri rocking the turntables for KRS, as well as guest appearances by Roxanne Shanté, Masta Ace and Craig G, Das EFX, Mad Lion, Buckshot and Kool DJ Red Alert. There was also a dance battle between legendary breakers Crazy Legs and Pop Master.

“Call of Duty: Vanguard” will stream on Triller, Fite TV and Verzuz TV Instagram on Wednesday, November 3, at 9 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. PT.

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Watch adorable stop-motion bunnies frolic in video for Ingrid Michaelson’s holiday duet with Zooey Deschanel

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Ingrid Michaelson and actress/singer Zooey Deschanel have teamed up for a Christmas duet, and the video for the newly released track, “Merry Christmas, Happy New Year,” is definitely the cutest thing you’ll see all day.

The entire video is populated by stop-motion animated, fuzzy felted creatures, including the main characters, Bunny and Rabbit, who decorate their house for Christmas and bake cookies. Bunny heads off with a sled to chop down their Christmas tree in a nearby felt forest, but after he finds it at the bottom of a hill, he realizes he can’t get back up the hill.

No worries, though: A squirrel and a couple of mice are nearby and lend Bunny a hand, dragging him back up the hill and accompanying him back home, where everyone eats Christmas cookies and celebrates. The visual was created by director Andrea Love and author/illustrator Phoebe Wahl.

“Merry Christmas, Happy New Year” is on the new deluxe edition of Ingrid’s 2018 album, Songs for the Season, which is due out Friday. It features five new tracks, including this new one and “Christmas Valentine,” Ingrid’s 2019 collab with Jason Mraz.

Ingrid’s 15th Annual Holiday Hop concert takes place at New York’s Webster Hall on December 5; tickets are on sale now via BoweryPresents.com. If you can’t make it to New York City, you can join a virtual VIP After Party with Ingrid where she’ll answer questions, talk about the holidays and play a few acoustic songs. Get tickets for that via Mandolin.

Henry Ruggs III charged with DUI resulting in death in car crash

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

(LAS VEGAS) — Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III has been charged with DUI resulting in death connected to a car crash Tuesday morning, according to police.

Ruggs, the team’s leading receiver, was driving a Chevrolet Corvette at about 3:30 a.m. on Rainbow Boulevard when his car hit the rear end of a Toyota Rav4, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said.

The Toyota burst into flames, and police said they recovered a dead body inside the SUV.

Police said Ruggs, 22, stayed on the scene, but “showed signs of impairment.”

The wide receiver was taken to University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

The Raiders were on their bye this week, so they did not play on Sunday.

In a statement, the team said, “We are aware of an accident involving Henry Ruggs III that occurred this morning in Las Vegas. We are devastated by the loss of life and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family. We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”

Ruggs was a first-round pick of the Raiders in 2020, taken No. 12 overall. He was a star at Alabama, crossing 700 yards in his sophomore and junior seasons before entering the draft.

He has 24 catches for 469 yards in 2021. He also has two receiving touchdowns, which is tied for the team lead.

The speedy receiver had 452 receiving yards in his rookie season, with two touchdowns, but appeared to be breaking out in 2021 as the team’s top threat.

ABC News’ Jennifer Watts contributed to this report.

‘Monsters Inc.’ turns 20 today

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

On November 2, 2001, Disney/Pixar released Monsters, Inc., one of Pixar’s most enduring franchises.

The toon starred the voice of Billy Crystal as one-eyed would-be funnyman Mike Wazowski and John Goodman as his fuzzy buddy, James P. “Sully” Sullivan.

The movie’s conceit is that their City of Monstropolis is powered by the energy generated by kids’ screams, so Monstropolis employs its citizens to spook children every night by emerging from their closets. Goodman’s Sully is the top scarer at their titular company — though Steve Buscemi‘s scaly chameleon-like Randall is close on his tail.

The two best friends encounter a problem, however, when a little girl named Boo accidentally tags along with Sully back to the company, forcing the pair to find a way to get her home.

Monsters Inc., directed by Pete Docter, went on to earn more than $574 million dollars worldwide, and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It also spawned the 2013 feature Monsters University, as well as shorts featuring the characters, and the new Disney+ series Monsters at Work.

Crystal and Goodman told ABC Audio they’re not surprised by the original movie’s longevity.

“No, I’m not,” Crystal says, “because, you know, it’s it was so meaningful to people and then it became generational. The kids who were six or seven…now those people are almost 30. And so now they’re sharing it with their kids.”

Goodman agreed. “This stands the test of time. People that I run into, that’s usually the first thing they say is, ‘There’s Sully!'” says Goodman. “I am proud of that, to be able to be a part of these artists worlds.”

Disney is the parent company of ABC News.

Britney Spears’ attorney files petition to end conservatorship, demands investigation into alleged wiretapping

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

It’s official: Britney Spears‘ attorney has formally asked for her 13-year conservatorship to end in a court filing obtained by ABC News.

“After more than a decade, the time has come for Ms. Spears’ freedom,” writes attorney Mathew Rosengart in the filing. But in addition to calling for the termination of the convervatorship, Rosengart’s filing also asks for material related to recent reports that Britney’s former conservator, her dad, Jamie Spears, illegally bugged her home and recorded her conversations.

Rosengart wants “all documents and communications relating to the electronic surveillance, monitoring, cloning, or recording of the activity of Britney Jean Spears’ personal telephone, including…the surveillance, monitoring…or recording of calls, e-mails, text messages, internet browser use or history, and social media use or direct messages on social media.”

He also wants documents and communications “relating to any recording or listening device in the home or bedroom of Britney Jean Spears.”

In fact, Rosengart is requesting all documents and communications between Jamie Spears and all entities and people related to the conservatorship, as well as an accounting of how much Mr. Spears himself received in his role as conservator, and how much of an allowance Britney was permitted.

Rosengart has also cheekily requested that Mr. Spears produce any documents or communications “relating to any training, schooling or education you received relating to how to be a fiduciary or manage the financial affairs of a third party.” Rosengart has long maintained that Mr. Spears controlled Britney’s vast wealth despite not having any financial background whatsoever.

The next court hearing is set for November 12; at that time, Judge Brenda J. Penny will consider terminating the conservatorship.

Paul McCartney discusses songwriting process in new Q&A celebrating release of ‘The Lyrics’ book

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Paul McCartney‘s new book, The Lyrics: 1956 to the Present, was released today.

As previously reported, the two-volume book profiles 154 songs McCartney wrote throughout his career, and features his commentary about each tune, as well as handwritten lyric sheets, rare personal photos, drawings and rough drafts of songs.

To celebrate The Lyrics‘ publication, Sir Paul has answered several fan-submitted questions about his songwriting as part of a new installment of his website’s “You Gave Me the Answer” feature.

One fan asked if, while putting the book together, “lyrics or memories…came back to you and reminded you of a time you’d forgotten,” to which McCartney responded that reviewing some of his tunes wound up being like visiting a psychiatrist for him.

“[R]evisiting the first song I ever wrote ‘I Lost My Little Girl’…kind of turned into a therapy session, because I thought I was happily writing a little pop song when I was fourteen,” he noted, “but if you look at the timing of it I had just lost my mother.” Paul added that it made him realize he may have subliminally written the tune about his mom.

He also pointed out that “Yesterday” may have been partly inspired by losing his mother. McCartney said thinking about the writing of other songs brought back “surprising memories,” such as hitchhiking trips he took with John Lennon and George Harrison.

Asked if he had rules or a formula for writing a song, McCartney said definitely not. “[I]t’s not like building a car or fixing a television, it’s something that is very different each time you do it,” he noted. “In fact, you don’t want to learn a set of rules because that’s what keeps it interesting!”

Check out the full Q&A at PaulMcCartney.com.

Tyler Perry says he’s ready to “relinquish” some of his creative control over his series

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Tyler Perry is ready to take a step back from the writers room. Following the backlash he received after revealing that he’s the sole writer for his scripted series, Perry now says he’s looking to enlist some directors and writers to handle his projects in the next few years.

“I’m the volume guy for about three or four more years,” Perry tells The Hollywood Reporter of his time left in handling multiple jobs on his projects. “My plan is to relinquish to a lot more directors and writers to take over a lot of these shows that I’ve started.”

Perry says his new role will now be a lot “more of… overseeing, rather than doing the hands-on work.”

“For the past six weeks, I was in the mountains. I wrote 72 episodes of television — just me in a room by myself, sitting out there, looking at the moose and the mountains,” he shares, describing his daily practice while away. “I love it. And I love directing for 12- or 15-hour days.”

However, Perry admits that while he’s definitely a workaholic, he also knows the importance of some quality downtime.

“But I realize there’s so much more that I could be doing if I were to hand some of the other stuff off — rather than doing it all myself,” he adds.

Taylor Swift to perform on ‘Saturday Night Live’ next week

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Leave it to Taylor Swift to line up an appearance on Saturday Night Live on the 13th of the month.

The singer, whose lucky number is 13, is releasing Red (Taylor’s Version) on Friday, November 12, and she’ll perform on the NBC show the next day. She’s only serving as the musical guest this time around, although she did pull double duty — hosting and performing — in 2009.

Overall, it’ll be Taylor’s fifth appearance on SNL, and she’ll appear just a week after one of her BFF’s, Ed Sheeran, who is featured on Red (Taylor’s Version).

The host for the November 13 episode is Jonathan Majors, known for his work on HBO’s Lovecraft Country and the Disney+ series Loki. He’s also one of the stars of the new Netflix Western film The Harder They Fall, along with Idris Elba, Regina King, Delroy Lindo, Lakeith Stanfield and Zazie Beetz. It’s directed by Jeymes Samuel, who happens to be Seal‘s brother.

‘Eternals’ star Gemma Chan opens up about the importance of embracing her heritage after feeling she had to “blend in”

November 2, 2021 by WDNY Radio

Eternals star Gemma Chan said in a new interview that she once felt she had to hide her Asian roots in order to “blend in.”

Speaking to Porter magazine, the 38-year-old actress, who was born to Chinese immigrants, recalled growing up in a mostly-white neighborhood in Kent, England. Chan said she felt “like I was kind of between two cultures” when she was younger because she was regularly complimented on her “good English.”

In addition, she also grappled with wanting to “blend into the background,”especially when her grandmother started to haggle loudly during family shopping trips. “No one could out-haggle her, though,” Chan remarked.

The actress admitted her desire to fit into a particular mold lessened over the years and said, “One of the nicest things about getting older has been reconnecting and feeling like I can embrace and celebrate the Asian side of my heritage.”

“I’ve met so many incredible people, so many more Asians than I knew when I was growing up, in my line of work,” she continued, adding how proud she is to share her culture through movies that “define our own narratives”

“[It]ensures that we have our stories told and ensures that we have a place in popular culture and consciousnesses,” the Crazy Rich Asians star explained. “With the absence of that, stereotypes and prejudices grow.”

Chan also revealed how her family reacted to her global fame, saying, “I do know they’re incredibly proud. And more than anything, they’re relieved that both my sister [Helen] and I are okay.”

The actress then shared her Chinese name, saying her parents named her Chén Jìng and her sister Chén Ning.

“[The combination of Níngjìng] means tranquility, or quiet,” Chan said with a laugh. “So my parents called us ‘peace and quiet!'”

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