Apple's Privacy Superpower: How iMessage CKV Keeps the Spies at Bay

Did you know that Apple's latest iMessage Contact Key Verification (CKV) could be your secret weapon against government snooping? At first, you might think it's just for super security-conscious folks, but it's got something for everyone.

Let's delve into the details. iMessage is like a locked vault, thanks to end-to-end encryption. Only the intended message buddies can read what's inside. But here's the twist – it's not just about people, it's about devices. Apple keeps a list of the devices that are allowed to open the vault. If someone sneaky gets in there, they can add their own device and read your messages.

Contact Key Verification steps up as your personal guard. It lets you check if any uninvited guests have crashed your message party. You might think, "Who's going to break into Apple's servers?" Well, it's not the hackers Apple's worried about, but the government's watchful eye.

This all goes back to a little something called 'the ghost proposal' from the UK's GCHQ. These agencies have been dying to break end-to-end encryption but couldn't because it'd create a backdoor for the bad guys, too. GCHQ's plan is kind of diabolical. They want service providers like Apple to secretly join your chats as an invisible eavesdropper.

In simple words, they'd ask Apple to add a hidden device to your chat, which would get copies of all your messages without anyone knowing. Creepy, right?

Well, Apple wasn't having it. They, along with Google and Microsoft, said no way to the ghost proposal. But the worry was that a classified court order could still force them to do it.

Now, with Contact Key Verification, you can see if there are any unwanted devices in your chat. It's like a secret handshake for your digital conversations. Even if most folks don't use it, it makes the ghost proposal useless.

So, here's the bottom line: Apple's saying to the government spies, "You're not welcome here." And that's good news for all of us. It's a win for privacy and a thumbs-up to end-to-end encryption in a world where it's becoming a rare treasure.

Read next: 28 Percent of Social Media Users Posted Less This Year, Raising Questions on Industry’s Future
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

Can ChatGPT Help You Master the Intricacies of Content Writing?

Unless you've been living on Mars, you've heard about the new superhero in the Artificial intelligence (AI) space, ChatGPT, the buzzworthy tool that's causing a stir in the digital world. This advanced AI language model is changing the game in content marketing, making content creation faster and more exciting than ever.

So, what's the deal with ChatGPT, and how can you make it work for you in your content creation journey?

In this post, we're going to spill the beans on this nifty tool, giving you some practical tips, tricks, and heads-ups. You'll discover how to use ChatGPT for crafting article outlines, catchy headlines, those snappy meta descriptions, attention-grabbing ad copy, quick summaries, engaging intros, and satisfying conclusions. Plus, we'll explore its limits and when you should give it a rain check.

The Scoop on ChatGPT

ChatGPT is no ordinary AI toy—it's a genius in the field of natural language processing. This digital whiz is built to devour loads of text data and shoot back responses that sound like they're coming from a human.

The acronym 'GPT' stands for 'Generative Pre-trained Transformer,' and it's all about using a special transformer architecture that's been pre-loaded with a ton of text data.

This intense training regimen gives ChatGPT the power to whip up sentences that flow and make sense, making it a game-changer for anything that needs some serious text processing skills.

ChatGPT: Your Creative Sidekick

Okay, here's the deal—ChatGPT isn't a full-on content writing tool, but it's like having a super-smart sidekick in your content creation squad. It's a whiz at helping with research, brainstorming topics, laying out drafts, and coming up with cool ideas. It's like having an instant source of info and suggestions right at your fingertips.

But here's the catch—you've got to use it wisely. ChatGPT isn't always Mr. Reliable. It gets its info from what's out there in the media and on the internet, and that's not always spot-on.

So, you've got to be the boss here. Human writers need to swoop in and give ChatGPT's work a once-over, making sure it's top-notch before sharing it with the world.

Also, ChatGPT isn't the go-to choice for those long SEO and data-backed content pieces. It's all about giving you the info, but it doesn't fact-check. And that's a big deal for SEO content where getting the facts straight is key.

Busting the Google Myth

Here's a burning question: Does Google have a problem with AI-generated content? Nope, Google doesn't mind AI helping out in content creation. As it says "Appropriate use of AI or automation is not against our guidelines". Which means you're totally in the clear when you use tools like ChatGPT.

However, Google's gripes are with low-quality content that tries to game the system, whether it's created by humans or AI. So, you're good to go.

Now that we've cleared that up, let's get back to how you can make the most of this AI wizard for your content writing.

Crucial tips for creating the perfect prompt:

Remember crafting effective prompts when engaging with AI platforms like ChatGPT, Bard or Bing is an art itself. And if you are new in this game, it can be a good learning curve. Ideally, you should aim to simplify interactions, save time, and receive more precise responses.

The formula for constructing the ideal request consists of 3 core principles:

Clarity and Intent: Rather than pasting vague questions, offering specific context and providing the purpose of the request helps AI models, such as ChatGPT, churn out tailored responses.

Output Format: Indicating the desired response format, whether it's a list or paragraph, ensures the ChatGPT understands your expectations.

Follow-Up and Experimentation: Don't shy away from asking follow-up questions for clarification. If the initial request doesn't yield the desired outcome, consider rephrasing it.

By adhering to this formula, you can enhance your prompts, and become more productive.

Unlocking ChatGPT's Potential: 6 Ways to Enhance Your Content Creation

Let's dive into the treasure trove of ChatGPT's abilities and discover how it can elevate your content creation game.

1. Get Those Article Blueprints Rolling

With ChatGPT as your trusty creative genius, crafting article outlines becomes a breeze. Just toss your blog post idea into the chat and ask it to "Provide an outline for a blog post or article on [your article topic]."

Take a peek at the snapshot below to see how we got ChatGPT cooking up an initial outline for a blog post on "How to use Google Bard for content writing." But here's the scoop: we didn't end up using this outline for the article you're reading now. It's like a warm-up round, you know?

Now, sift through the suggestions ChatGPT serves up, cherry-picking the juiciest bits. You might want to mix and match or tweak them to craft a seamless outline. Don't forget, you can always nudge ChatGPT for a different version or include specific details if you're feeling uninspired.

2. Snappy Headlines and Killer Meta Descriptions

If you're on the hunt for sensational headlines and meta descriptions, ChatGPT's got your back. Start by dishing out your main topic or keyword, then tell ChatGPT to whip up a list of potential headlines that'll make your readers' heads turn.

For example, if you're planning for a blog post about the 'benefits of Starlink internet,' just tell ChatGPT, "Write 5 headlines for a blog post on the benefits of Starlink internet." Let it weave its magic spell, and here's what you might get.

Now, if you notice ChatGPT missed your main keyword in some of those headline gems, don't fret. Give it a little nudge with a follow-up command like, "Generate 5 more headlines. And this time, make sure 'Starlink internet in California' is in the mix."

You can use the same playbook to have ChatGPT cook up a snazzy meta description.

3. Summing It Up in Style

ChatGPT isn't just a one-trick pony. It can also whip up killer summaries for your blog posts. Thanks to its knack for natural language processing, it can dive into your blog's content, figure out the key takeaways, and serve up a neat, condensed version.

All you have to do is paste the words, like, "Summarize this blog post in 500 words: [insert blog post URL]". Or just paste the article.

But wait, there's a limit – ChatGPT can handle up to 4096 tokens, for some it means 1000 to 3000 words in one go. So don't go pasting your entire masterpiece in there or you'll get an error message.

Best bet? Make sure your blog post's out there in the web, maybe in a PDF, shareable via a URL. If not, consider chopping it into bite-sized pieces for ChatGPT to digest, if you want to get better results.

4. Crafting Engaging Intros and Outros

ChatGPT can help you craft some super hero style introductions and conclusions. To get the creative wheels turning, you can simply share your article's theme and purpose, and ChatGPT will do the rest.

You might kick things off with a request like, "Draft an intro/TLDR for an article on the pros and cons of making a life on Mars." But be forewarned, a vague prompt could lead to a somewhat generic output. For maximum impact, provide as much details as possilbe. Tell ChatGPT about your article's unique angles, its intended audience, and the vibe you want to set. Are you aiming for a formal tone or a sprinkle of humor? ChatGPT can swing both ways.

You can also throw in a specific structure like E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness), an intriguing anecdote, or a snappy hook. These rules apply when you're asking ChatGPT to compose a copy that really converts.

Just remember, the quality of the output usually mirrors the quality of your input, so don't be shy about experimenting.

5. Let ChatGPT Craft Your Ad Magic

Now, let's talk marketing mastery. ChatGPT, with its vast knowledge reservoir of text, including all the marketing and ad wizardry, is your go-to for crafting ad copy that sings.

To set the wheels in motion, feed ChatGPT the lowdown about your product or service: its killer features, benefits, target audience, and the secret sauce that sets it apart (the unique selling proposition or USP). You can even specify the type of ad you're gunning for, whether it's a snazzy social media ad, a Google-worthy search engine ad, or a dazzling display ad.

one super prompt example:

I'd like you to act as a professional copy writer, specializing in [ADD YOUR SERVICE'S EXPERTISE, such as affiliate marketing] with 15+ years of experience. I am interested in promoting [PRODUCT/SERVICE, such as mobile covers] I want you to write [YOUR REQUIRED FORMAT, such as a product page copy]. Use the AIDA formula to write it: - Step 1 (Attention): Start off with a bang by seizing the reader's interest through a striking statement, an intriguing fact, or a compelling question - Step 2 (Interest): Capture the reader's attention by showcasing the advantages and benefits. - Step 3 (Desire): Evoke a feeling of desire in the reader by painting a vivid picture of how their life can be transformed with my product. - Step 4 (Action): Motivate the reader to take action by providing a clear and compelling call to action.

With that info in hand, ChatGPT can dish up ideas for ad copy, magnetic headlines, snappy taglines, and even full-blown ad scripts. But remember, you're the conductor of this symphony. Run your eye over ChatGPT's suggestions and add your personal flair to match your brand's unique voice and tone. It's AI-powered marketing at its most brilliant!

6. Sparking Creativity with Tailored Writing Prompts

ChatGPT is like your brainstorming buddy, armed with a treasure trove of creative prompts in all shapes and sizes – scenarios, statements or questions. These prompts are your secret sauce for stirring up fresh ideas or even keeping your article's flow smooth with those nifty transition words.

To unleash ChatGPT's creativity, kick things off by giving it a general topic or theme for your content. Imagine you're crafting a blog post about "the hottest real estate investment opportunities in Palestine." Just ask ChatGPT to serve up some writing prompts tied to that theme.

These prompts are your springboard to inspiration. You can weave them directly into your content or use them as a launchpad to overcome that pesky writer's block.

Content that's a No-Go for ChatGPT

While ChatGPT is a versatile content creator, there are certain content types that it's better off not tackling. It's like getting advice straight from the Mastermind of OpenAI himself, who had this to say on Twitter: "It's a mistake to be relying on [ChatGPT] for anything important". Adding further, "Fun creative inspiration; great! reliance for factual queries; not such a good idea."

So, here's the deal – proceed with caution, especially when you're venturing into the tricky territories.

Let's be real, ChatGPT can't replace the wisdom of legal, medical, or financial pros. Given the potential for hiccups and inaccuracies, it's smarter to hand these topics over to the experts who have the know-how.

• Also read: 6 Hacks to Reveal a Web Page's Hidden Publication Date

ChatGPT is a real champ at understanding and mimicking natural language. It can a great helper for brainstorming ideas and making the writing process a breeze. But here's the twist – it's not here to steal the spotlight from human creativity and expertise.

To ensure that ChatGPT's content is on point, you've got to roll up your sleeves and do some fact-checking and fine-tuning. The devil's in the details, after all.

In a Nutshell

ChatGPT is like a magic wand for content creators and marketing gurus, but it's not the magician. In this article, we've doled out some practical examples for wielding ChatGPT like a pro. We've covered the art of crafting prompts, making the most of its research and idea-generation superpowers, and how to tweak the output. We've even touched on the quirks of ChatGPT, like its lack of creativity and the occasional inaccuracy.

Like any tool, mastering ChatGPT takes practice and a dash of trial and error. Stick to the tips we've shared, and you'll be creating top-notch content with flair and ease in no time.

Read next: AI Generated Content Shows Explosive Growth — AI Image, AI Video, and AI Written Searches Soar As Per Google Trends Data

by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

94% of Gen Z Are in Favor of Location Tracking

Location tracking is generally seen as a great societal ill, with many seeing it as an invasion of privacy. However, the most tech savvy generation of all, Gen Z, is actually quite favorable of the practice, with tens of millions using location tracking and sharing apps. These include Apple’s proprietary Find My feature, as well as apps like Life360.

This comes from a recent survey conducted on 1,200 US adults, and it reveals that a surprising shift might be occurring as far as location tracking is concerned.

All in all, 94% of Gen Z said that there are many advantages to sharing their location with others, even their parents. 87% stated that it can come in handy during long distance drives, with 80% specifying that it helps them feel safer when they are visiting risky or new places.

Location sharing has also become a central feature in the average Gen Z’s personal life. 78% said that they use it when they are going on a first date or to a party at a stranger’s house, with 77% using it while attending concerts, festivals and other large scale events. Perhaps the biggest proponents of location sharing turned out to be Gen Z women, with 72% saying that it gives them an improved sense of physical wellbeing.

• Also read: Cracking the Mystery of Digital Distractions: Our Love for New Things

One thing that must be said is that most Gen Z share their location with their friends, but 56% said that they feel comfortable letting their parents track their whereabouts as well. This further solidifies the shifting landscape of smartphone usage and perceptions of data tracking in general.

Dr. Michele Borba, a noted psychologist, suggested that teenagers are experiencing more anxiety in the aftermath of the pandemic. Social media and the nonstop flow of news coverage had already sparked a decline in mental health, and it appears that Gen Z crave even more interconnectedness for security. The value of location sharing might be that it allows them to control who’s able to see them, instead of being at the mercy of social media platforms that might not always have their best interests at heart.

Read next: Trust Deficit in American Media: An Alarming Trend
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Elon Musk's new rule: Corrected posts lose revenue share, boosting facts over sensationalism on X

In a game-changing move, Elon Musk just dropped a bombshell: if your posts get corrected by the Community Notes fact-checking squad on the platform, you can kiss your revenue-sharing dreams goodbye. But why, you ask? Well, Musk's all about boosting accuracy and kicking sensationalism to the curb.

He's not playing games, either. Musk wants everyone to know that trying to misuse Community Notes to demonetize folks will be about as subtle as a bull in a China shop. That's because all the "code and data" are out in the open for everyone to see.

What's really cool about this is that anyone (where the Community Notes feature is available) can jump in and be a part of Fact-Checking volunteers. You can toss in a little nugget of info to add context to a post or help out by fixing a mistake. Then, the wisdom of the crowd kicks in, and folks with different perspectives can vote on how helpful those notes are. The cream rises to the top!

This move is part of a bigger plan to tackle the flood of fake news and disinformation, especially during times like the Israel-Palestine conflict. Musk and the team at X have been making some other tweaks too. They've sped up how fast fact-checks get rated, so the good stuff can go live quicker. Plus, they're sending notifications to people whose posts got fact-checked, hoping to nudge them into setting the record straight.

But, let's keep it real, this new rule might rain on the parade of some creators who love stirring up the pot for a quick buck. On the other hand, it's just a Band-Aid solution for the misinformation pandemic, especially with crises like the Gaza-Israel and Russia-Ukraine conflicts still unfolding.

• Also read: Ad Revenue Alarmed: Twitter/X's Staggering 75% CPM Plunge Under Elon Musk

So, how many creators are we talking about here? Well, X hasn't spilled the beans on that, but it's tied to how many people pay for X Premium. As of August, there were less than 950K X Premium subscribers, a tiny slice of the 500 million monthly active users. Since only Premium users can be creators, that slice is even smaller.

There's one more mystery here: how unbiased are the folks on Community Notes? X claims they're a diverse bunch, but we haven't seen any numbers to back that up. Linda Yaccarino, X's CEO, said there are over 100K of them from 44 countries, so it sounds like a global squad, but we're still in the dark about the details.

Photo: Unsplash

Read next: Cracking the Mystery of Digital Distractions: Our Love for New Things
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

5 Creative Ways to Track Inbound Leads

Lead generation is the lifeblood of any startup or small to medium-sized business. Especially when it comes to inbound leads, potential customers who are actively raising their hand to buy from your business are highly valuable. Businesses also have many different marketing and advertising channels to lean on, from out-of-home billboards to search ads to display banners. It’s tough to figure out what channels to invest in and prioritize and how to track inbound leads accordingly. In this article, we’ll take a look at a few ways to creatively track inbound leads.

5 Ways to Track Inbound Leads

Lead tracking is extremely important because it tells marketing leaders and small business owners exactly where to allocate their budget. When leads are tracked correctly, brands can better manage prospects, categorize customers based on their interactions, and establish which demand generation channels have the highest value.

1. Phone Tracking

Even in the days of social media, customers are still calling businesses. 65% of consumers have called a business within the last month. Inbound phone sales have a significant impact on your business, so a trackable phone system is a critical tool.

Buying a 1-800 number is one way to take advantage of robust call-tracking features. Call tracking records, categorizes, and specifies information like which sales and marketing channels drive the most leads, how much time customer service representatives spend talking to customers, and where leads are coming from. This is a must-have knowledge to figure out where inbound leads are coming from. Using a 1-800 number also allows for a memorable, easy-to-dial number when it comes to calling your business and call forwarding, so sales teams can communicate with prospects at any time of day.

2. Social Media Listening

While many potential customers are probably calling your business, another percentage might be talking about you on social media. Social media is a great way to showcase your products, connect with customers, offer sneak peeks, and drive sales through shopping capabilities.

However, through social listening software, you’re able to see who’s talking about you online. Customers might be tagging and mentioning your brand, or they might be writing your brand name in an Instagram caption. If customers are tagging you on Instagram Stories or talking about you on TikTok, this can be valuable information to know. Social listening tools like Sprout Social or Meltwater identify keywords and brand names online, so you can consistently monitor the chatter online. Social media listening also allows for inbound lead generation to interact with potential buyers, learn from what competitors are doing, and even identify potential brand ambassadors and fans.

3. LiveChat

60% of millennials have used chatbots, and 62% of consumers preferred to use live chat versus waiting for live help. Live chatbots embedded on websites provide real-time visitor monitoring and support. For example, artificial intelligence-enabled chatbots can monitor website pages like product pages to ask pointed questions, and surface help articles or valuable content.

Plus, artificial intelligence-enabled chatbots collect key customer and demographic info such as location, name, email address, and more to categorize and segment customers even further. They can also monitor how long users are spending on what website pages and where exits occur, allowing marketing teams to see what could be improved. Also, chatbots can integrate with customer relationship management (CRM) and analytics platforms, so you can turn website visitors into warm leads.

4. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools

CRM tools are often the backbone of both traditional and creative inbound lead tracking. A sophisticated CRM sorts, analyzes, and prioritizes customers and sales leads, so all teams can directly focus on the highest value opportunities. CRMs often provide valuable tools for continued engagement like email, marketing, messaging, customer service, support, and more. CRMs act as the core workflow tool to help increase sales, generate detailed analytics reports, and overall improve customer retention.

5. Content Performance

Content is often the first thing potential customers see when browsing online, searching for their next purchase. Whether that’s social media content, blog posts, or customer reviews, content powers awareness, consideration, and purchase intent. When businesses can accurately track and pinpoint high-performance content, they can double down on those messaging points and channels. Content performance tracking might happen across tools like Hubspot or Google Analytics, and businesses can set up content tracking by what matters to them — whether that is a demo request, request for pricing, download, pageview, and more.

Improve Inbound Lead Tracking

Lead tracking involves all monitoring and relationship building with potential customers, and there are tons of tools and creative strategies at your disposal. Inbound lead tracking offers the capability to segment potential customers so sales and marketing teams can more accurately deliver pitches and valuable content. From robust call tracking through 1-800 numbers to monitoring content performance, creative inbound lead tracking unlocks new opportunities for small business growth.

Illustration via Freepik
by Web Desk via Digital Information World

Trust Deficit in American Media: An Alarming Trend

In a world where a free press is like the North Star guiding us through the complexities of government accountability and information sharing, the trust in American media seems to be a bit wobbly these days. An annual survey conducted by Gallup, which they conducted in September, and what it revealed is a bit of a head-scratcher – only 32 percent of Americans are like, "Yeah, we trust the media, kinda." Surprisingly, it's pretty much the same as what they found in 2016, back when President Donald Trump was all the buzz.

Now, remember 2016? It was a wild ride! Trump was throwing around accusations of media bias and outright fibbing left and right during his campaign. But back then, even with all that drama, only 27 percent of Americans were like, "Nope, no trust at all in the media, folks." However, fast forward to today, and we're in a different ballgame – a whopping 39 percent are feeling that media distrust. So, it's fair to say that 2023 is not the best year for trust in American media industry.

Gallup's been keeping tabs on media trust since 1997, and when you take a peek back in time, it's like opening a treasure chest of historical data. In the early '70s, Gallup asked the same question in 1972, 1973, and 1974, and it's like night and day. Back then, around 70 percent of folks were like, "We trust the media!" and only 4 to 8 percent were giving it the side-eye.

So, these findings tell us one thing – trust in American media has taken a rollercoaster ride over the years. The decline in trust is a reflection of our crazy-divided media landscape. It's a wake-up call for media professionals to step up their game, embrace journalistic integrity, and be as impartial as your grandma's apple pie. Rebuilding trust is doable, but it's gonna take some teamwork to bridge the gap that's grown in recent years.

As we all grapple with this trust issue, it's not just about the media; it's about our democracy too. A well-informed citizenry is like the secret sauce that makes a democracy work. Without trust in the media, that secret sauce gets kinda bland.

Read next: 23% of Blogs Receive Top 5 Rankings on Google SERP, New Research Reveals
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

The Surprising Secrets Your Smart Gadgets Share

Picture this: you stroll into your kitchen and, without lifting a finger, your coffee maker starts brewing your morning joe. The thermostat adjusts to your ideal temperature, and your printer, like magic, restocks its own ink. Welcome to the world of smart home gadgets, a life of ultimate convenience.

But here's the twist – while these devices make life a breeze, they come with a sneaky side effect, as pointed out by David Choffnes, the computer whiz from Northeastern University. You see, these gadgets, also known as IoT (Internet of Things), chat away over the internet in ways we can't quite see. They might seem innocent, but they're sharing some rather personal info.

First off, they're leaking their location. That's right, your devices spill the beans on where they are in your home. And guess what? This helps other devices in your house track them down. Not very discreet, is it?

But that's not all. These devices share other personal tidbits unique to your home. So, even if you've gone all out trying to protect your privacy, thinking you've got your phone's tracking and snooping under control, well, think again. Online trackers can piece together your identity by simply peeking into the collection of gadgets in your home. It's like a digital fingerprint they can use to ID you.

Choffnes and his team did some digging to uncover these privacy and security flaws in IoT land. They looked at 93 smart gadgets and found some eye-popping stuff. These devices play detective on your local network, snooping around to find out who else is hanging out in your house. So, your Amazon smart speaker could end up knowing more about your place than you'd like, even your name.

But it's not just the devices themselves; the mobile apps that talk to them have issues too. If you're on Android, these apps can cleverly bypass permission restrictions, like accessing your location or unique identifiers. They just chit chat with other devices on your home network, and voila! They get the info Android was trying to keep from them.

Choffnes and the co aren't just here to drop upsetting news; they're pushing for change. Google's paying attention and is teaming up with them to fix these problems. They believe there's a way for these devices to play nice without exposing your privacy to nosy neighbors.

Their research isn't just about spotting problems; they're suggesting solutions. Standardizing how these devices work is a big one, like the Matter smart home protocol. It's not perfect yet, but it's a step in the right direction. Plus, having rules and government oversight can help keep these devices from running amok.

So, next time your coffee maker starts brewing like a mind reader, remember that it's not just making your day, it might also be whispering some secrets you'd rather keep to itself. It's up to us, the savvy users, to make sure our smart homes stay safe and sound, giving us the convenience we love without the privacy pitfalls.

Photo: DIW

Read next: HackerOne's $300 Million Milestone For Ethical Hackers and 2023 Cybersecurity Insights Unveiled
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World