You can block emails on AOL by adding the person who sent the email to your "Block Senders" list, or by marking the email as spam.If you're using AOL Mail on your computer, you can add emails to the Block Senders list through your settings menu.If you're using the AOL Mail mobile app, you can mark emails as spam, which will prevent those senders from getting to your inbox.Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Like most email services, AOL gives you a way to block unwanted emails from cluttering your inbox. However, how you block senders depends upon whether you're using AOL Mail in a web browser or mobile app.

In a browser, you can add unwanted email addresses to a list of blocked senders. In the mobile app, you can flag emails as spam, which will send any future messages from that sender to the Spam folder automatically. 

Here's how to block emails on AOL, via a browser on your Mac or PC, or the mobile app on your iPhone or Android device.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Apple)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $699.99 at Walmart)

Apple Macbook Pro (From $1,299.00 at Apple)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to block emails on AOL in a web browser

1. Open AOL Mail in a browser and then click "Options" in the upper-right corner of the web page, just under your email address. 

2. In the drop-down menu, choose "Mail Settings."

Original author: Dave Johnson

CIA analysts told the White House that though it is possible for the Chinese government to access TikTok user data, there is "no evidence" that it has done so, per a New York Times report.However, President Trump still moved forward with an executive order Thursday night prohibiting US companies from doing business with not only TikTok's parent company ByteDance but also WeChat, a popular app for Chinese citizens.The executive order goes into effect on Sept. 20 and is the latest development in a web of US-led efforts to distance Chinese tech firms over national security concerns.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

A recent report from the CIA indicates that the Chinese government has not accessed American user data from the video-sharing app TikTok.

According to The New York Times, CIA analysts told the White House that though it is possible for Chinese officials to obtain data from users of the app — which is owned by the Beijing-based ByteDance — there is "no evidence" that the Eastern nation has done so.

However, President Trump still moved forward with an executive order late Thursday barring US companies from "any transactions" with TikTok's parent company, ByteDance. The order argues TikTok "continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States" and will go into effect on Sept. 20.

The CIA assessment is the latest development in a long series of efforts made by American officials to distance Chinese tech firms from US users over national security concerns. Lawmakers are uneasy about the Chinese government possibly accessing American user data through apps such as TikTok.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has unveiled a US plan to crack down on Chinese apps and services. Dubbed the "Clean Network," the program would block "untrusted" Chinese apps from app stores. However, experts have found that TikTok collects data similarly to how US firms, such as Facebook, do so.

Relations between the US and China have grown increasingly strained as a result, a tension that is exacerbated in part by the coronavirus pandemic, for which President Trump blames China.

Original author: Katie Canales

When you sync OneNote notebooks, you ensure your work on Microsoft's notes composition app is consistent and backed up across your devices.By default, OneNote syncs automatically, but there's also the option to sync your notebooks manually.Manual sync on OneNote can be configured and performed through the "View Sync Status" under the File menu.Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Microsoft's OneNote program is one way to stay on top of and share essential project notes and materials.

To help save your work and ensure no progress is lost, whether you're in the office or working on the go, the OneNote software offers users a sync feature. No matter what device you're on, OneNote will update your latest changes so they're visible anywhere your notebook is open. 

Even better, with syncing across platforms, your most current OneNote work is accessible to shared notebook viewers and editors. You can choose to sync a single notebook or all of them. 

OneNote syncs automatically on Macs and PCs, but you can also manually sync your notebooks to have changes uploaded faster on a Windows laptop or desktop. Here's how PC users can get started configuring and executing manual syncing in OneNote in five steps. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Microsoft Office (From $149.99 at Best Buy)

Windows 10 (From $139.99 at Best Buy)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to sync OneNote notebooks on a PC

1. Launch OneNote from your PC.

2. Select "File" to pull up account details and options for notebooks you've created.

Manual syncing helps when you've spent time without Wi-Fi, and automatic syncing is unable to execute. Emma Witman/Business Insider

3. Click "View Sync Status."

4. A window titled "Shared Notebook Synchronization" will pop up. At the top, select "Sync manually" from the program's two listed options.

If you have several notebooks to sync manually, the "Sync All" option is available in the top right corner. Emma Witman/Business Insider

5. Next to the notebook you want to sync, click "Sync Now manually."

Original author: Emma Witman

You can change your profile on Netflix to customize several facets of it through your Account Settings on a web browser.Profiles on Netflix allow each user to receive personalized TV shows and movie suggestions based on individual viewing habits. Netflix lets you add up to five different profiles, which is perfect for members of the same household. Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Each Netflix account comes with the option to add up to five distinct profiles. Each profile is geared toward the individual, and offers TV and movie recommendations based on viewing habits.

Through Netflix's Account Settings, you can customize your profile in just a few, simple steps. If you have children, you can adjust the type of content they can view, too. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Netflix Subscription (From $8.99 from Netflix)

How to change your Netflix profile picture on a desktop 

1. Go to Netflix's website on your preferred browser and log in.

2. In the upper right-hand corner, select the arrow next to your profile icon to access the dropdown menu. 

3. Then, select "Manage Profiles."

Original author: Meira Gebel

You can clear the cache on Disney Plus if you're having trouble watching Disney Plus and you've ruled out a bad internet connection. Clearing the cache on Disney Plus can be done through your internet browser, or through the app.The steps to clear the cache for Disney Plus will vary depending upon what kind of device you are using. Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Disney Plus should run error-free most of the time. If you find that the app is not working properly, though — perhaps the video continuously buffers or stutters — you should check your internet connection to see if it's the cause.

But if other video streaming services work just fine, you might need to reset or clear the app's cache of temporary files. 

If you're watching Disney Plus in a web browser, you can clear the browser's cache. On other devices, the process to clear the cache may be a little different.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Disney Plus monthly subscription (from $6.99 a month at Disney)

Samsung 50-inch Smart TV (from $399.99 at Best Buy)

iPhone 11 (from $699.99 at Apple)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (from $699.99 at Walmart)

Sony Playstation 4 Pro (from $359.99 at Game Stop)

Xbox One S (from $392.80 at Amazon)

Xbox One X (from $539.92 at Amazon)

How to clear the cache on Disney Plus using Chrome

1. Click the three-dot menu at the top right of the screen. 

2. In the menu, click "More tools" and then choose "Clear browsing data…"

3. In the "Time range" drop-down menu, click "All time." Then check the option for "Cached images and files." 

4. Click "Clear data."

Original author: Dave Johnson

PayPal's chief creative officer Steve Simpson, its top advertising executive, left the company after about a year.The move came after PayPal shifted its marketing strategy during the coronavirus pandemic, placing less emphasis on the brand and more on catering to small businesses, said a source with direct knowledge of the marketing operation.Simpson's departure followed that of CMO and former Apple executive Allison Johnson in May. Both "decided to leave PayPal" as the company streamlines its global marketing functions, according to a PayPal spokeswoman.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

PayPal's highest-ranking ad executive Steve Simpson left earlier this month after just over a year as part of a restructuring of its global marketing business.

Simpson, who was chief creative officer, was hired to make high-minded ad campaigns to help PayPal stand out from competitors like Square, Stripe, and Apple Pay. But this strategy changed abruptly following the pandemic outbreak and the April promotion of VP of growth marketing Leanne Sheraton, said someone with direct knowledge of the matter who is known to Business Insider but requested anonymity.

PayPal began to place less emphasis on that sort of brand marketing and tried to be more like a bank catering to small businesses. In March it promoted its decision to waive fees for some merchants in the pandemic. In May, CMO Allison Johnson, who hired Simpson, left. 

Simpson, like Johnson, "decided to leave PayPal" as the company streamlines its global marketing functions, according to a PayPal spokeswoman.

Simpson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Prior to joining PayPal, Simpson spent 10 years at WPP ad agency Ogilvy as North American chief creative officer and nearly two decades at Omnicom's Goodby Silverstein and Partners in San Francisco, where he was a partner. 

He has created ad campaigns for brands such as IBM, American Express, HP, and The Gap.

Simpson's and Johnson's departures follow those of several other key PayPal ad leaders, including the company's VP of global brand marketing, director of global brand advertising and creative services, and senior director of brand marketing.

Got more information about this story or another ad industry tip? Contact Patrick Coffee on Signal at (347) 563-7289, email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via Twitter DM @PatrickCoffee. You can also contact Business Insider securely via SecureDrop.

Original author: Patrick Coffee

You can stop Google Chrome from blocking downloads by temporarily turning off the Safe Browsing feature, located in the Privacy and security section of Chrome's Settings page. Chrome's Safe Browsing feature is designed to protect you from malicious websites and infected files that can damage your computer or compromise your security. After you download the blocked file, it's a good idea to re-enable Safe Browsing.Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Chrome's built-in security tools are your first line of defense against online malware, including dangerous websites and malicious downloads. 

Unfortunately, Chrome is sometimes too cautious and can block perfectly safe files, which it believes might be dangerous. 

If you are trying to download a file, but Chrome won't allow it, you can temporarily (or permanently) disable the browser's security. Of course, you should be sure the file is safe before you choose to override Chrome's protection. 

Here's how to do it. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Apple Macbook Pro (From $1,299.00 at Apple)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to stop Chrome from blocking downloads

1. Open Chrome and click the three-dot menu at the top right of the window. 

2. In the drop-down menu, choose "Settings."

3. On the Settings page, in the You and Google section, click "Privacy and security."

Original author: Dave Johnson

TikTok, the short-form video app, has become one of the most popular social platforms among Generation Z. It has more than 2.3 billion all-time downloads, and 100 million users in the US alone.However, the future of TikTok's presence in the US is uncertain: The Trump administration is threatening to ban the app, citing national security risks over its ties to China through its parent company, ByteDance.Trump says he'll ban the app if an American company doesn't buy TikTok's US operations by mid-September. He escalated his attack with Thursday night's executive order barring US companies from doing business with ByteDance.Microsoft has emerged as a frontrunner in TikTok acquisition talks. The possible deal — in which Microsoft would take over TikTok operations in US, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia — is valued between $10 million and $30 million.Here's the story of how TikTok got its start and grew into a wildly popular platform, and where the status of TikTok's future in the US stands.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.Follow INSIDER on TikTok.

One of the most popular apps is a short-form video platform called TikTok.

In just a few years of its existence, TikTok has become a staple of internet culture and social interaction for Generation Z. The app has surpassed 2 billion all-time downloads, thanks to its flurry of short-form videos where users participate in viral challenges, lip sync and dance to music, show off comedic skits, and share their hot takes on society at large.

But TikTok's rise into the mainstream — especially in the US — has also led to increased scrutiny. TikTok is owned by the colossal Chinese tech company ByteDance, a connection that's raised concerns about how much access and influence the Chinese government has to user data and content moderation. To appease concerns, ByteDance recently appointed a new CEO for TikTok, Kevin Mayer, an American ex-Disney streaming executive who is now based out of TikTok's Los Angeles offices.

Nonetheless, the Trump administration has stepped up threats in recent month to ban TikTok in the US, where the app has more than 100 million users. Reports have emerged indicating ByteDance could sell TikTok's US operations to an American company to avoid a ban, and Microsoft has been revealed as the leading buyer.

Now, the pressure is on ByteDance to close a deal before September 15, the date Trump has said he'll ban TikTok on if a deal is not reached. These hints at action against the app in one of its biggest markets could mean trouble for TikTok's future and the millions of users loyal to its content.

Here's how TikTok rose to become a social network loved by teens and scrutinized by US authorities:

Original author: Paige Leskin

Bill Gates, the tech billionaire philanthropist who is helping to fund vaccine research for a number of deadly illnesses including COVID-19, is feeling optimistic about COVID-19 treatments and vaccines. Thanks to this work, he thinks the pandemic should be under control by the end of 2021 for the world's richest nations and by 2022 for the developing world, he told Wired in an interview.While that represents record-speed scientific progress, it may be disappointing to think about living in a pandemic for another year or longer.Meanwhile, Gates warns people not to let their guards down because he thinks COVID-19 could surge again in the fall.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Bill Gates is feeling optimistic that, with all the work being done to develop COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, there is an end to the pandemic in sight.

Unfortunately, that end is still at least a year away, he told Wired's Steven Levy.

"The innovation pipeline on scaling up diagnostics, on new therapeutics, on vaccines is actually quite impressive. And that makes me feel like, for the rich world, we should largely be able to end this thing by the end of 2021, and for the world at large by the end of 2022," Gates said.

Gates says that he fears that in nations like Russia and China, the pressure to have a vaccine is so high that regulators may be allowing shots to be given to humans before the vaccines are known to be safe and effective.

But the US FDA is not allowing such short-cuts, he said.

"We probably need three or four months — no matter what — of phase 3 data, just to look for side effects," Gates said. "The FDA, to their credit, at least so far, is sticking to requiring proof of efficacy."

Last month, Gates told Business Insider's Hilary Brueck that he's confident that scientists will develop a vaccine that's "very effective and very safe" in part because there are so many vaccines currently in development: more than 160 worldwide. Two of the four speediest trials that are testing vaccines in humans right now are US-based, too: Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech.

Gates also told Brueck if the best vaccines are not shared worldwide, that COVID-19 will "just keep coming back."

In the meantime, Gates predicts we're in for a rough fall and winter with the virus, even though this virus does not appear to be seasonal.

"The fall could be tough," he told Brueck. "We'll be indoors more. It will be colder. We know those are things that push the disease up."

Original author: Julie Bort

There's no built-in tool that lets you know if someone blocked you on Facebook Messenger. However, you can infer if you have been blocked on Messenger by the state of the message status icon.For privacy and security reasons, Facebook doesn't reveal if someone on Facebook Messenger has blocked you.Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Facebook doesn't make it easy to know whether someone has blocked you. 

They do this for privacy and security reasons, which means that, unfortunately, you won't get confirmation that someone has blocked your account.  However, it is possible to deduce whether you've been blocked based on how the Messenger app behaves when you try to send a message.

Here's how you can tell if someone's blocked you on the Facebook messaging app. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Apple)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $699.99 at Walmart)

Apple Macbook Pro (From $1,299.00 at Apple)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to know if someone blocked you on Messenger

You can tell if a message has been received or read based on the status icon. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

When you use the Messenger app on your phone or in a browser on your desktop, you are probably familiar with the status icons next to the messages you send. There are four:

1. An unfilled, empty circle means the message has not been sent. This is typically because you don't have any internet access when you try to send a message. 

2. An unfilled icon with a check mark means the message has been sent but not delivered to the recipient.

3. An icon that's filled in means the message has been delivered.

4. An icon that's filled with your recipient's profile picture means it has been read.  

As long as the recipient is logged into Facebook, your message should be delivered within a few moments, which means you'll see the icon's filled-in version. Of course, it might not be read for a while (your recipient needs to open Messenger and view the message thread). 

If you see this status icon but suspect the user is otherwise active on Facebook, you have probably been blocked. Dave Johnson/Business Insider

If you send a message to someone and the message is not delivered, it generally means one of two things:

The user has not logged into FacebookThe user has blocked you on Messenger

It's not always possible to tell the difference, but if you see that the recipient has posted to his or her Facebook page or comments on other people's posts, that implies he or she is logged into Facebook. If your message remains undelivered, you are probably blocked. 

Original author: Dave Johnson

When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.

Best Buy

If you've been eyeing a new Sony TV, soundbar, or pair of headphones, today is the perfect day to make your purchase. Amazon and Best Buy are both offering one-day sales on several popular Sony home entertainment devices.

Discounted products include 4K TVs, noise-cancelling earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, soundbars, and more. You can find a full list of all the Sony deals on Amazon here. And you can find a full list of all the Sony deals on Best Buy here. 

Sony 65-inch X950H 4K TV, $1,600 (originally $2,000) at Best Buy [You save $400] Sony 65-inch X900H 4K TV, $1,300 (originally $1,600) at Best Buy [You save $300]Sony WF-1000XM3 True Wireless Headphones, $170 (originally $230) at Best Buy [You save $60]Sony WFXB700 True Wireless Headphones, $100 (originally $130) at Best Buy [You save $30] Sony WF-SP800N True Wireless Headphones, $150 (originally $200) at Best Buy [You save $50] Sony 3.1-Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer, $400 (originally $600) at Best Buy [You save $200] Sony SRS-XB12 Portable Wireless Speaker, $38 (originally $60) at Amazon [You save $22]Sony SRS-XB43 Wireless Portable Speaker, $198 (originally $250) at Amazon [You save $52]Sony 49-inch X800G 4K TV, $499 (originally $700) at Amazon [You save $201]

Original author: Steven Cohen

You can clear your Gmail cache by selecting the "Clear browsing data" option in the "More Tools" located in the email client's Settings menu.If your Gmail account is configured for offline email, you can remove your cache by disabling offline emails in Gmail's Chrome browser settings. To thoroughly clear your Gmail cache, you should also clear your browsing data and remove the site data file for mail.google.com. Gmail stores files in a cache on your computer, which could be a security risk, especially if other people have access to the PC.Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Gmail stores a variety of files on your computer in a temporary cache. 

This permits your computer to run Gmail faster and more efficiently. It also lets you access your Gmail and draft messages offline without internet access if you've already enabled offline email in Gmail. 

If you use Gmail in any other browser, the steps to clear the cache are a little different. In Firefox, follow the steps to clear your cache in Firefox. If you use Gmail in Microsoft Edge, follow the steps to clear your cache in Edge. 

In Chrome, it's not necessary, but it's best to turn off Gmail's offline email feature if it's enabled. This way, additional cached files will not be saved to your computer as you work, and Gmail will delete its existing email cache when the feature is disabled. 

Once you've done this, you can clear your Gmail cache and delete all Gmail files from your computer in just a few clicks. 

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Apple)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $699.99 at Walmart)

Apple Macbook Pro (From $1,299.00 at Apple)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to clear your Gmail cache using Chrome

 1. Open Gmail in Chrome. 

2. Click the Settings icon, shaped like a gear. 

3. Choose "See all settings."

4. At the top of the page, select "Offline."

5. If offline mail is enabled, clear the checkmark, and click "Save Changes." 

6. Your cached email should be deleted automatically, but continue with the following steps to be sure everything is removed. 

Original author: Dave Johnson

Maggie Norris, owner of Whisked Away Cooking School, along with her daughter. Whisked Away Cooking School

About 18 months ago, Maggie Norris had to shut down her Phoenix-based cooking school, Whisked Away, for four months after a flood destroyed her kitchen. Now, her cooking school has been shut down for a very different reason, but Norris said she's seeing it as an opportunity to take things online. 

"My business has shifted more in the last three weeks than probably in the last five years," Norris told Business Insider. "I figured, well, you know what, if I can come back after a flood and not doing classes for four months, I can handle this." 

Norris was hosting five or six cooking classes per week for hobbyist chefs, as well as local health clubs and the Desert Botanical Garden. About three weeks ago, she decided to try hosting a free class for some regulars on Zoom as she got comfortable with the process. Now, she's hosting four or five Zoom classes per week. 

Norris charges $8 per device, which she said is significantly less than she charges for in-person cooking classes, but she's able to host more people — her home kitchen can only accommodate eight people, but she's hosting about 20 people over Zoom. Norris also expects to be able to ramp up the number of classes she does per week, since virtual classes only last an hour, versus three hours for in-person classes.

Norris has also started offering private classes for situations like company team-building, which she said are more expensive because participants are able to decide what they make, and the classes are more interactive. 

"I was at a point in my business where classes were filling up as soon as I posted them," Norris said. "It's definitely not what it was, but actually I don't want it to be right at this moment because it's still kind of in a building process. But I'm hoping that it'll get to that point." 

Ultimately, Norris said, the situation has a few perks, even though she's not making as much money as she was before the outbreak: her daughter is able to join her for all the classes, and she's able to have evenings free to spend with her family. 

"I know the current situation has pushed many people out of their comfort zones, to say the least. Change is incredibly scary especially when you have a successful business that has run off of the same formula for years," Norris said. "Teaching virtual classes was never in the plan, but being pushed in that direction and taking advantage of the opportunity will make my business more successful in the long run."

Original author: Avery Hartmans and Jennifer Ortakales

You can block someone on YouTube by opening their profile and choosing the "Block user" option on their "About" page.To block a user using the YouTube mobile app, go to the user's profile page and tap the three-dot menu at the top of the page. You can see all your blocked users and unblock them on desktop through the YouTube Studio page, or on mobile by going to each profile page you blocked individually.When you block someone on YouTube, you stop that user from commenting on your videos but won't prevent the user from viewing your videos. Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Posting videos on your YouTube channel means opening your work up to the general public, and that can lead to unwanted comments from some users. 

If you have unpleasant interactions with a YouTube user, you can block them from making additional comments on your videos.

Note that this won't stop them from viewing your videos — it only stops them from commenting. There's no way to block someone from watching a video, aside from making it unavailable to everyone in their country.

Here's how to do it using a Mac or PC, and an iPhone or Android device.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

iPhone 11 (From $699.99 at Apple)

Samsung Galaxy S10 (From $699.99 at Walmart)

Apple Macbook Pro (From $1,299.00 at Apple)

Acer Chromebook 15 (From $179.99 at Walmart)

How to block someone on YouTube using a computer

1. Open YouTube in any internet browser and navigate to the profile of the user you want to block. To do this, you'll just have to find a comment or video by them and click their username.

2. At the top right of the user's profile page, "About." Then click the gray flag icon that appears on the page that opens. 

Original author: Dave Johnson

New WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar is shaking up the company's leadership ranks in a major reorganization that will see three top execs depart the company.The key departures include Bob Greenblatt, chairman of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer; Kevin Reilly, HBO Max's content chief and president of TNT, TBS, and TruTV; and Keith Cocozza, executive vice president, corporate marketing and communications.Kilar also elevated other leaders including Ann Sarnoff, who will oversee WarnerMedia's expanded Studios and Networks group, and HBO's programming president Casey Bloys, who will take on responsibility of content for HBO Max, TNT, TBS, and TruTV.Read Kilar's full memo announcing the changes below.If you have a tip about WarnerMedia, email the author at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or message her via the encrypted messaging app Signal at +1-347-770-5933.Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Three top WarnerMedia execs are exiting the company amid a major shakeup led by new CEO Jason Kilar.

The changes come just months after Kilar took the reins on May 1, and the company launched its new flagship streaming service HBO Max on May 27.

Two of the departing execs were key to the launch of HBO Max. Their exits comes as Warner Bros. and HBO leaders are being elevated within the company and taking control of HBO Max's content.

AT&T said HBO Max had about 4.1 million total activations after its first month, including about 3 million who subscribed to the service and those HBO customers who activated their HBO Max accounts.

Here are the key exec departures: 

WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer chairman Bob Greenblatt, who was brought in by AT&T CEO John Stankey to oversee the company's entertainment channels and streaming services including HBO Max, is departing.Kevin Reilly, HBO Max's content chief and president, TNT, TBS, and truTV, is also out.And Keith Cocozza, executive vice president, corporate marketing and communications, is exiting. 

As part of the shakeup, Warner Bros. chair and CEO Ann Sarnoff will oversee WarnerMedia's newly created Studios and Networks group, which includes all the company's original production and programming.

HBO's longtime programming president, Casey Bloys, is taking on oversight of content for HBO Max and TV networks TNT, TBS, and TruTV, reporting to Sarnoff.

And HBO Max's business will be led by Andy Forssell, who is now GM of HBO Max, reporting directly to Kilar. Forssell helped build the streaming service and get it off the ground in his earlier role.

Kilar announced the changes in a email to staff on Friday.

Read Kilar's full memo, published by WarnerMedia: 

Team-

It has been a little over 90 days since I joined the mission and the team. These past three months have exceeded my already high expectations. As I shared with you recently, my bullishness about our future has only grown as I have gotten to know you much better and as I have gotten to know our company much better. As some of you may recall, I shared three thoughts with you on my first day email:

That history was filled with examples of special entrepreneurial companies that leaned into moments of great change in order to better serve customers.That our taking smart and bold risks is so important to the road ahead. And, My belief that missionary companies ultimately shine…and my strong belief that ours is a team filled with missionaries.

With the above as context, I'd like to share some decisions I am announcing today that represent our leaning into this great moment of change, in order to better serve our customers. These changes, which are neither timid nor without risk, are possible in part because we are missionaries that ultimately believe we can and will change the world through story. That is what this all comes back to.

Because of the gift that is the internet, we have what I believe is one of the greatest opportunities in the history of media, which is to deliver our beloved stories and experiences directly to hundreds of millions of consumers across the globe. Earning this ambitious future won't come easy. To do so, I believe it is vital that we change how we are organized, that we simplify, and that we act boldly and with urgency. The pandemic's economic pressures and acceleration of direct-to-consumer streaming adoption places an even higher premium on these points.

To accomplish this, we are going to do the following:

We are elevating HBO Max in the organization and expanding its scope globally.We are simplifying how we organize our studios.We are creating a consolidated International unit focused on scale and efficiency.We are bringing our key commercial activities into one group to allow us to operate more strategically. We are making other structural changes that will help us operate more effectively and efficiently.

Andy Forssell, General Manager of HBO Max, will now be leading a newly created HBO Max operating business unit and report to me. Andy and his team will be responsible for the product, marketing, consumer engagement and global rollout of HBO Max. 

Ann Sarnoff, Warner Bros. Chair and CEO, will be leading our newly created Studios and Networks Group, combining original production (content studios) and programming capabilities currently spread across Warner Bros., HBO, HBO Max, TNT, TBS and TruTV.  This group will oversee all WarnerMedia television series and motion picture development, production and programming, partnering with Andy to ensure HBO Max is successful globally. 

Casey Bloys, President HBO Programming, will also be taking on original content responsibilities for HBO Max and the domestic linear networks TNT, TBS, and TruTV. Casey will report to Ann. Casey and the HBO team have done an incredible job over the last several decades delighting consumers with HBO original programming and I am excited for Casey and this expanded team to have an even greater impact on the world.The Warner Bros. Motion Pictures Group continues to be led by Chairman Toby Emmerich. Warner Bros. Television Studios group continues to be led by Chairman Peter Roth. Warner Bros. Interactive remains part of the Studios and Networks group, along with our Global Brands and Franchises team including DC led by Pam Lifford, and our Kids, Young Adults and Classics business led by Tom Ascheim, all focused on engaging fans with our brands and franchises through games and other interactive experiences. 

Gerhard Zeiler, currently Chief Revenue Officer, will now be leading a newly integrated international group comprised of the international operations of Warner Bros., HBO and Turner Networks. This group will be responsible for local execution of all WarnerMedia linear businesses, commercial activities, and regional programming for HBO Max.

Tony Goncalves, CEO of Otter and a key leader of HBO Max, will lead the new commercial unit that combines the U.S. advertising sales and distribution groups with our home entertainment and content licensing so that all commercial activities are strategically managed across internal and external customers. 

Christy Haubegger, Chief Enterprise Inclusion Officer, will now also oversee the global marketing and communications team including branding and corporate social responsibility, as we bring together all of our efforts around equity and inclusion throughout our business. 

Jeff Zucker continues as Chairman of WarnerMedia News and Sports. Pascal Desroches (CFO), Rich Tom (CTO), Jim Cummings (CHRO), Priya Dogra (EVP, Strategy and Corporate Development) and Jim Meza (EVP, General Counsel) continue to report to me.

Simplifying our approach and narrowing our focus goes beyond, for example, having one content organization vs two. It also means that we will be reducing the size of our teams, our layers, and our overall workforce. These reductions are not in any way a reflection of the quality of the people impacted nor their work. It is simply a function of the above changes I believe are necessary for WarnerMedia and our collective ability to best serve customers. This is the part that is painful and very hard. It is difficult to find the appropriate words here to say other than that I am very sorry. These are talented, admired leaders and beloved colleagues.

Three of those talented, admired leaders who will be leaving the company are Bob Greenblatt, Kevin Reilly and Keith Cocozza. I want to thank Bob and Kevin for getting us to this point with the integration of HBO and the legacy Turner Networks and launch of HBO Max. It has been such an impressive sequence of events, and we are so much better for it. I also owe a tremendous amount of gratitude and thanks to Keith, for not only helping me navigate these last few months at the company - and with the media - but more importantly for his 19 years at the company through its evolution. I have never met a kinder, more collaborative executive in my career. I can't wait to see how each of these leaders change the world in the years to come.

I realize this is a lot to take in. And none of us should expect the above changes to be easy. That said, we are successfully navigating a pandemic together and I know that, however challenging the above changes may be, we will also successfully navigate them as well. As each of you take some time to digest the above, I hope that you become more and more energized by how, together, we are boldly leaning into the future and this historic opportunity that is right in front of us. It is an honor to be on this team with each of you.

Please join me for a town hall discussion – and Q&A – focused on these changes on Monday, August 10th at 9:15am Pacific Time. It will be livestreamed here.

Jason

Original author: Ashley Rodriguez

Facial-recognition experts say the technology could become normalized during the coronavirus crisis as tenants and landlords seek seamless entry methods to reduce exposure to germs.The technology has been seen by some as a potential threat to privacy, but facial-recognition experts say it can be deployed responsibly in office workplaces.  Companies such as Clearview AI have raised concerns by scouring the internet for images and creating a database of billions of faces that can be used by surveillance systems to identify nearly anyone, without their consent. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Facial recognition has been quietly used in pharmacies, grocery stores, and by at least one major New York City landlord.

The blowback was fierce, raising uneasy questions whether monitoring and cataloging faces could veer into surveillance and infringe on privacy.

But those involved in the technology say the stigma may soften amid the coronavirus crisis if face reading can play a role in health screening and touchless entry to office buildings as tenants repopulate the workplace.

"I think more and more now, we can use facial recognition in a responsible way to permit access," said Shaun Moore, the CEO and founder of Trueface, a firm that develops face-reading software.

"People assume that it's a form of surveillance, but I think that many fail to acknowledge that if you use a mobile phone or an ATM card, it's the same thing. In fact, there might be more data attached to those."

Read More: Facebook just reached a blockbuster deal to lease the massive Farley Building in NYC as a tech and engineering hub. Here's why it's a huge win for a shaken office market.

Access to large office buildings has remained mostly unchanged for decades: tenants swipe keycards or fobs to pass through turnstiles and open locked doors and guests generally must check in at a security desk.

Already, there was a movement afoot to update those methods.

"We recently initiated a study for commercial buildings larger than 150,000 square feet and we found that only about 5% of commercial buildings are mobile phone app capable," said Aaron Lapsley, the head of Cushman & Wakefield's digital buildings practice. "But that number is increasing fast."

Implementing seamless entry has shifted from a nifty amenity to a health imperative as landlords scramble to create a touchless environment for tenants wary of germs in the workplace.

While smartphone apps can allow workers and visitors to walk into a building and dispatch an elevator without having to pull out a pass or press a button, experts say that facial recognition could be the ultimate outgrowth of the shift to seamlessness.

Read More: Mandatory temperature-taking is largely seen as a critical way to return workers to offices. But some big NYC landlords are worried about its effectiveness.

"If you want to enter a space using the phone in your pocket, you have to have an app running constantly in the background for it to communicate with the building's security systems," Lapsley said.

Privacy concerns also pervade the practice of tracking smart phones, which have been used by companies to record consumer locations and behavior and sell that data or use it to market products to them thorough curated online advertising.

"We do believe there's a future for facial recognition in buildings," said James Segil, the president and co-founder of Openpath, a company that manufactures access control equipment and systems. "It will take time, but it will get to a point of better adoption."

Segil pointed out that the process of visually screening tenants will become more normalized through the use thermal scanning, which is being employed widely by landlords to check building employees and guests for fever.

"It's not hard to add facial to that at some point," Segil said.

Some of the recent concerns around facial recognition stem from controversies regarding Clearview AI, a company that developed algorithms that quietly gathered billions of faces globally from pictures posted on the internet and amassed them into a database. The company produced apps and cameras that utilized that data to identify nearly anyone, without their consent or knowledge.

A March report in Buzzfeed revealed that the large New York City landlord Rudin Management used Clearview AI's system as a screening tool at its properties. The company told Buzzfeed that it had discontinued the use of those systems.

Facial-recognition experts say that the methods they envision using in office buildings are far different. Tenants and landlords would control the databases storing facial data, participation would be voluntary, and individuals who no longer want their biometric information stored would have the right to have it deleted.

"Privacy is a legitimate concern if this is not done the right way," Moore said. "We spend a lot of time with clients educating them on how to do this."

Moore said interest is growing. Trueface, he said, is on track to double its revenues this year. He said the company has so far raised about $5 million in funding from investors and doesn't disclose its earnings. 

Openpath, which uses Trueface's software, has raised $63 million in funding in the past four years, its founder, Segil, said. He said its access-control products are used in about 2,000 buildings so far. 

"We have a good traction in a short amount of time," Segil said. "We have broader and bigger plans."

Still, many landlords have remained reticent to employ the technology. 

"Based on my conversations with tenants, many find the concept of facial recognition to be creepy and they are opposed to the idea," said Craig Deitelzweig, CEO of Marx Realty, which has a portfolio of 4.6 million square feet of commercial space. 

Those sentiments could change shortly as tenants begin to filter back to the workplace, Lapsley said, a return that most anticipate will begin after Labor Day.

"It's hard to say when the growth will be," Lapsley said. "We're in August and the decisions to go back to the office space have been delayed and delayed and occupancy levels are 10% or less in most major cities. It's unclear when the money for access entry advances will be deployed, but we think it will be significant for large office buildings and we expect it to happen soon as users return."

Have a tip? Contact Daniel Geiger at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via encrypted messaging app Signal at +1 (646) 352-2884, or Twitter DM at @dangeiger79. You can also contact Business Insider securely via SecureDrop.

Original author: Daniel Geiger

Indian cloud software giant Zoho is releasing six new tools to help businesses bring employees back to their offices safely, competing with existing tools from Salesforce and Microsoft.Zoho's tools are unique because of the company's international perspective, a company executive said — not to mention that they're free, unlike the tools from Salesforce and Microsoft.The product includes tools for employee wellness, contactless check-in, safety training, asset management, and more. Click here to read more BI Prime stories.

As some parts of the world start to get the coronavirus pandemic under control, businesses are looking to reopen their offices safely, increasing the need for software tools that can track employee health and train workers on new safety protocols.

Salesforce and Microsoft have both released tools to help companies reopen, and now a smaller competitor —Indian software company Zoho — is releasing its own products to help businesses bring employees back to the office safely. 

Zoho's tools are unique for a few reasons, said Raju Vegesna, Zoho's chief evangelist. For one, he says that because Zoho is headquartered in India it has a better perspective on what different regions need. Also, unlike Microsoft and Salesforce's products, Zoho's tools are completely free — at least until the end of the year. They also integrate with Zoho's wide breadth of products, from productivity to CRM, Vegesna said. 

The tools are a continuation of the steps Zoho has already taken to help its customers through the pandemic. In March, the company released a suite of 11 free productivity tools to help companies transition to remote work. The company also put a call to businesses, schools, and public agencies to let them know that if they needed specific tools, Zoho would try to build them for free. Over the last month, many requests were around office safety. 

"We said, why not generalize it and put together a lot of tools that businesses need to get back to work?" Vegesna said.

The products include: tools for employee wellness, contactless check in, safety training, surveys and communication, volunteer program management, and asset management to maintain office supplies and maintenance requests. 

Vegesna says that Zoho's tools are more robust than those from Microsoft or Salesforce because of how well they integrate with the rest of its products. Zoho makes email and chat tools, CRM software for sales and marketing, and human resources tools. While using the new work tools along with Zoho's other tools can make them more useful, they're still free to companies that don't use any of the its other products — users don't need any other licenses to start using them. That's in contrast to Salesforce, which has its tools priced as add-on to existing products, and Microsoft, which requires users to have an existing Power Platform license in order to use them. 

Here's what Zoho's tools might look like in action:

FoIf an employee has a meeting with a client, and then returns to the office, the person's calendar logs that information and sends it to the back to work tools and HR system. Then if that employee is exposed to COVID-19, the company will be able to identify who they may have come in contact with.

Zoho's new safe entry dashboard for employees returning to the office Zoho

Or, if an employee is scheduled for a business trip, the HR system can trigger an email to the employee asking them to stay home for 14 days after returning and complete safety training before they return to office. In places like the Middle East, Vegesna said business travel is slowly returning with new safety measures. 

Zoho also has a low-code development platform called Zoho Creator so customers can customize apps. Since the back to work tools are built on this platform, they are easily customizable. This is similar to Microsoft, which built its tools on its Power Platform. 

"If they want an additional module, they can request [it] and we can quickly build it in day or two and then pass it on," Vegesna said, "Or if they want to build it themselves, they can," 

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Original author: Paayal Zaveri

NOW WATCH:

Original author: Isobel Asher Hamilton

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley completed their mission on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spaceship when they landed in the Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.The spaceship's scorching-hot fall through Earth's atmosphere, parachute deployments, and splashdown went as planned.From inside the Crew Dragon, Behnken said the return trip felt like being "inside of an animal," with violent jolts along the way.Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley plunged through Earth's atmosphere at 25 times the speed of sound on Sunday, slowing just in time to land safely off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.

The splashdown concluded their two-month mission flying SpaceX's new spaceship — the Crew Dragon — to the International Space Station and back, making them the first people to ever fly aboard a commercial spacecraft.

Each step in their return trip to Earth went as planned. But inside the spaceship, the astronauts said, the flight didn't feel as smooth as it may have looked.

"The landing was — I would say it was more than what Doug and I expected," Behnken said in a press briefing on Tuesday. "I personally was surprised at just how quickly events all transpired."

The SpaceX GO Navigator recovery ship lifts the Crew Dragon capsule out of the water off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, August 2, 2020. NASA/Bill Ingalls

Though they were pleased with the process, Behnken added, "it felt like we were inside of an animal."

Of the mission in general, he added, the astronauts will have suggestions to help SpaceX and NASA make the Crew Dragon "a little bit more comfortable" for future astronauts.

The pivotal moments of the landing process — the capsule separating from its trunk, the parachutes deploying as they approached the Gulf of Mexico — felt "very much like getting hit in the back of the chair with a baseball bat," Behnken said.

SpaceX's Demo-2 mission splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley on August 2, 2020. Bill Ingalls/NASA

The first of those jolts came when the capsule jettisoned its trunk — a lower section outfitted with fuel tanks, solar panels, and other hardware, which the astronauts no longer needed. The ride only got bumpier from there.

'It doesn't sound like a machine'

Once they started edging into the atmosphere, Crew Dragon "came alive," Behnken said, firing its thruster to stay on course. The astronauts could hear the atmosphere rumbling around them.

Original author: Morgan McFall-Johnsen

Trump defended his threat to condition the sale of TikTok to an American company on the US government receiving a "very big proportion" of the deal during a press conference Tuesday."We have all the cards, without us you can't come into the United States," Trump said.Trump did not elaborate on how he plans to require the companies to pay up or which side the money would come from, but claimed that TikTok and Microsoft — which are in acquisition talks — both agreed that the US should receive a payout.Trump threatened to ban the app from operating in the US last month, citing national security concerns, though it's unclear what authority he has to do that.China responded by calling the US a "rogue country" and arguing Trump's proposal would be an "open robbery."Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

President Donald Trump doubled down on his demand that any sale of TikTok to an American company involve the US government receiving a "very big proportion."

"We have all the cards, without us you can't come into the United States," Trump said during a press conference Tuesday.

"If they make a deal for TikTok, whether it's the 30% in the United States or the whole company, I say, 'it's okay, but if you do that, we're really making it possible because we're letting you operate here," Trump said, adding that "the United States Treasury would have to benefit also."

Trump also claimed that both TikTok and Microsoft — which confirmed Sunday that it's in talks to buy the viral video app developer — agreed with his condition of cutting the US government in on the deal. TikTok has reportedly been privately valued as high as $50 billion. 

"They understood that, and actually they agreed with me," Trump said. "I think they agreed with me very much."

A Microsoft spokesperson referred Business Insider to a blog post the company published Sunday saying that it plans to continue talks with TikTok following a conversation between CEO Satya Nadella and Trump.

"Microsoft fully appreciates the importance of addressing the President's concerns. It is committed to acquiring TikTok subject to a complete security review and providing proper economic benefits to the United States, including the United States Treasury," the post said.

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this story.

The president didn't offer any specifics as to how he would force TikTok, which is owned by Chinese-based parent company ByteDance, or a potential buyer to share deal proceeds with the US government.

Trump has the authority under a 1988 law to block foreign business deals pertaining to US companies if he considers the deals to be a national security threat, which he has used twice before to block deals involving firms from China and Singapore that were looking to acquire American companies.

Chinese state media called Trump's proposal "open robbery" and a "smash and grab," and accused him of "turning the once great America into a rogue country."

Trump threatened last month to ban the app from operating in the US entirely, but it's unclear what power he has to completely ban an app from the country. Trump said the ban was meant to punish China over the coronavirus, a motivation he reiterated Tuesday.

Trump and other politicians including Joe Biden have ratcheted up their rhetoric against TikTok in recent months, citing concerns that the app could share data with Beijing or spy on Americans. However, experts have pointed out that the app collects user data in similar ways to US-based competitors like Facebook.

Trump added that he thought Microsoft would be an acceptable buyer because of its "high-level" security clearances, which already allow it to do business with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies — though he said other companies are interested as well.

Paige Leskin contributed reporting for this story.

Original author: Tyler Sonnemaker