Futurelawyer

Facebook Messenger Now Lets You Take Back Messages

Facebook Messenger Will Let You Unsend Messages%u2014But There's a Catch. Oops. I didn't mean to send you that message. Who among us hasn't regretted a message or other communication? In the days of letters, it was impossible to take it back. The evidence was in the hands of the recipient. Nowadays, though, digital messages can be called back by the very computer programs that sent them. They are, until received by the recipient, (and, somtimes even after) just electrons sitting on a server or hard drive somewhere. If you know where they are, you can retrieve and delete them. Encrypted messaging services, like Signal, have allowed you to delete all copies of your message, even after receipt. This, of course, is a nightmare for lawyers who use digital messages as evidence, and for prosecutors who would love to have a record of their targets communications. So, if you use Facebook Messenger, you now have an out if you say something you regret. Just delete it. I suggest doing it before the recipient prints a hard copy. By the way, Mr. Zuckerberg has been able to do this for some time. Rich people really do have it better. Jeez.

Google Duo Testing Group Calls

Google is testing group calling in Duo. My favorite video calling app is getting better. Soon, it will be possible to show your "face made for radio" to a 7 person group. Horrors. While I enjoy talking to good friends while showing my "bed head" or my tired face, I am not certain that people of my age should be involved in group video calls. Isn't there enough ugliness in the world?

Sneaky Facebook Tips For Cowards

Unfollow People on Facebook for a Happier Life. Yes, I am talking to you. You coward. You have Facebook friends that, on the whole, are in your life, whether you like it or not. I mean, you can't just walk away from your mom, or your spouse, or your friends from work. But, dear heart, you can make them invisible. So, before you agonize about the social repercussions of telling your mom that you don't want to read her rants anymore, don't unfriend her; just, unfollow her. She will be invisible to you, and she can rant away forever, and you won't know. Of course, everyone else will; but, that is a problem for another day. Facebook on.

Soon, You Can Read Twitter As You Like It

Twitter is bringing back the reverse-chronological feed | Android and Me. The algorithmic Twitter feed has been around for a couple of years; and, I am still not used to it. It is disconcerting to see Tweets in an order that the mainframe thinks is logical; but, it just confusing to the user. Users have been clamoring for Twitter to bring back the reverse chronological order system, and our wishes are finally being granted. Great Xmas present, Twitter. Now, you can read the oldest Tweet first and so forth. This brings some real world vibe to the app, and I will be switching to it as soon as it is available for Android. What tweets are you reading today?

Goodbye Google+ - It Was Nice To Know Ya

How to Delete Your Google Account | Digital Trends. I loved Google+. Google+ was a friend of mine. I read posts every day from people from all walks of life who shared my interests in gadgets, smartwatches, parrots, and other stuff. Sure, I had to plow through spam and other undesirable things; but, hey, that's life and the Internet. Now, the second big data breach in a couple of months means I will have to fend off more of the same. So, instead of waiting until next year when the lights get turned off, I will be transferring my energies and posts to MeWe, and hope to find as many of my Google+ friends there. Say goodbye. Turn the lights out when you leave.

You Have The Right Not To Text - Anything You Say In A Text May Be Used Against You

How a Text Message Can Be Used as Evidence in Court. Texting, emails, Wifi calling...all are becoming part of the way we communicate with each other. Is it a surprise that lawyers want to use these records of human discourse as evidence in Court? This Florida Family Law attorney has a good description of the use of texting in Florida litigation, and the relevance, hearsay, and proof of identity issues that can come up. Suspect your spouse of cheating? Check their texts. Of course, you will have to be able to prove the texts are from the person they purport to be, in order to avoid the hearsay exception. And, you will have to have it preserved in a way that authenticates it. And, you will need a human witness who was either a part of the conversation, or was present contemporaneously to verify it. Legal tip: if you are going to say something in a text that you don't want someone else to know about, use an encrypted messaging app, like WhisperSystem's Signal.

Facebook Allows You To Memorialize Your Loved Ones

One of the reasons I am loyal to Facebook, with all of its warts and defects, is that it became a history of my relationship with SWMBO, and a repository of photographs and messages. I still get pleasure out of reading some of the love messages she posted, and the memories flow with the tears. However, one of the best features of Facebook is the ability to memorialize a deceased loved one's posts, photos, and life. I did that with Jacquelyn's page, and it will remain a repository of her life for anyone who is interested. This is a great message for those of you who still have your loved ones with you. Use Facebook to create a chronicle of your love and friendship. When you lose them, or when you go, it will become a valuable resource. Now, go hug your spouse, while you still can. jacquelyn.cosentino-georges

Meet Me on MeWe - Google+ Is Dead...Long Live MeWe

Well, Google is apparently no longer going to support Google+, beginning some time next year. The avalanche of Google+ users has begun, and the FutureLawyer is one of them. I have established a beachhead at MeWe, the unfortunately named social media site that, while awkwardly named, has many of the affinity group characteristics that made Google+ the place to find like minded people for any niche. I have established a Legal Technology group at MeWe, and I invite my readers to establish a MeWe account, and meet me there. Google+ is dead. Long live MeWe.

Your Facebook Account Was Hacked. What Do You Do Next?

4 Things to Do Immediately When Your Facebook Account Is Hacked. Okay, you have ignored my advice to set up two factor authentication on your Facebook account. Now, your friends are telling you they are getting phony friend requests from you. You think you have been hacked. What do you do? First, read this article and follow the instructions. Check the logins to your account, and you will know if your account has been accessed by someone else. Then, change your password. If the hacker changed it, try to reset it using the forgot your password link. Once you regain control, set up two factor authentication, which will require a code sent to your smartphone for future access. You are responsible for your own security. Now, go do it.

Danger Selfies - Don't Try This At Home

Risky selfies killed 259 people in 6 years, study says - CNET. Hey, I get it. We all want our photos taken in different places; where we travel, where we eat, when we are having fun, so that we can share the experience with our family and friends. I take a lot of photos dining out, playing with the parrots, traveling with friends, and so forth. However, let's be smart, people. Standing on the edge of a mountain or lava field, holding a phone on a stick to get a photo is not a smart thing. People have died doing it. Just don't. I remember, in the days before smartphones, walking a path at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon with a camera, taking photos of the canyon from the trail. I was composing a shot with the trees in the foreground, and got too close to the edge. Thankfully, I looked down at my feet in time, or I would have been at the bottom of the Canyon. So, learn from my stupid mistakes, and be aware of your surroundings.