Meta's Pixel tracking tool is causing more headaches, this time for people filing their taxes online. The Markup has discovered that large tax prep services like H&R Block, TaxAct and TaxSlayer have been sending users' sensitive contact and financial information to Facebook through the Pixel. This sometimes included income data, filing statuses and even kids' college tuition grants.

Intuit's TurboTax also uses the Pixel to send data, although that's limited to usernames and the last sign-in dates for given devices. The tool isn't used beyond the login page, and a spokesperson told The Markup that the non-tax info goes to marketers to provide a "better customer experience." You don't see ads for TurboTax on Facebook if you already have an account, for instance. TaxAct is also delivering financial data to Google through that company's analytics tool. 

The companies involved are altering or reevaluating their uses of the Meta Pixel. TaxAct has stopped sending financial data through the tracker, although it's still transmitting similar content to Google as of this writing. TaxSlayer has pulled the Pixel to rethink its usage. H&R Block hasn't changed its approach, but a spokesperson told The Markup the tax firm will "review the information."

We've asked Meta for comment. Representative Dale Hogan pointed The Markup to Meta's rules barring advertisers from sharing sensitive info, and noted that the system is meant to filter out this content. Google's spokesperson, meanwhile, said the company had "strict policies" against targeting ads using sensitive content and that it anonymized analytics data to avoid linking it to users.

It's not clear if any of the tax filing sites were misusing the data. Whether or not they were, they could still face penalties for gathering details without permission. Internal Revenue Service regulations require that tax prep firms obtain signed consent for using info for any reason beyond the filing. None of the websites in the report mentioned Meta or Facebook by name, and in some cases had only generic disclosure agreements. The sites gave users the option to decline sharing tax data, but Facebook received it regardless of what users selected.

Meta is already in legal trouble over the Pixel. Two proposed class action lawsuits filed earlier this year accused the social media giant and hospitals of violating privacy laws by scooping up patient data without consent. The plaintiffs also claimed Meta failed to enforce its own policies. In that sense, the tax site revelation just adds to the company's problems.

This might be your best chance to buy a virtual reality headset as a gift — or, let's be honest, for yourself. Amazon is selling a Meta Quest 2 128GB Black Friday bundle that includes the Resident Evil 4 VR remake and Beat Saberfor $350. That's less than the usual price of the hardware by itself, and makes it an easy choice if you wanted games to play from the very start. A 256GB bundle is also available for $430.

The Quest 2 has been around for over two years, but it's still the go-to headset for standalone VR. While it's not as powerful as tethered hardware like the upcoming PlayStation VR2, the freedom of movement makes it very appealing. You can play games or enter the metaverse without tripping over cords or limiting yourself to one room. The high-res screens, comfortable fit (once you've adjusted the lenses) and excellent controllers make the device pleasant to use for the two-plus hours of gameplay you'll typically get on a charge.

The games will be familiar. Resident Evil 4 in VR is what you'd hope for — it turns the survival horror game into a first-person action game that takes advantage of the immersive technology to keep you on edge. Beat Saber, meanwhile, is an iconic rhythm game that has you slashing notes and dodging obstacles in pursuit of high scores. Both are good showcases for VR, particularly for newcomers who might not know what to expect.

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This is a prime opportunity to go shopping if you're looking for more Android-friendly alternatives to Apple AirPods. Amazon is selling the Google Pixel Buds Pro for $150 as part of a Black Friday sale — a full $50 discount that represents the best price we've seen yet for the true wireless earbuds. The savings apply regardless of color, so you can get a style that matches your phone or fashion sense.

We'll be frank: these are the best-sounding Pixel Buds yet. On top of better bass than other models, they add active noise cancellation (ANC) that helps block the outside world. These are the Google earbuds you want if you have a noisy commute or office, or just want to hear more detail in your favorite songs. The seven-hour battery will help you get through most of a typical workday, and automatic Android device switching helps if you also have a tablet.

There are limitations. While the Pixel Buds Pro do work with iPhones and other non-Android devices, you will lose functionality like the auto device switching (there is still multipoint connectivity). We also weren't thrilled with the call quality and transparency mode. If you spend more time listening to music than talking to friends, though, these in-ears are an easy pick.

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You're not the only one tired of ringless voicemails that put spam in your inbox. The Federal Communications Commission has determined that these silent voicemails are covered by the same Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) rules that forbid robocalls without consent. Companies need your permission to leave these junk messages as they're still considered calls, the FCC says. The ruling takes effect today.

The finding comes five years after marketers first asked for exemptions to the regulations surrounding ringless voicemails, the FCC says. The requests, from All About the Message and two other petitioners, reportedly drew "overwhelming" negative feedback from public commenters. The Commission added that it receives "dozens" of complaints about these voicemails each year. FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel proposed extending the TCPA to this spam in February.

As with other robocall crackdowns, there's no guarantee the voicemails will stop. Spammers may find alternate avenues to deliver these messages, and the FCC can only do so much to limit spam originating outside the US. However, this does establish firm boundaries inside the country — companies who flout the rules risk FCC action and customer lawsuits that could prove costly.

Code sleuths at Mysk are challenging Apple's vaunted focus on privacy. The developers claim Apple's anonymous usage data for some in-house apps includes a Directory Services Identifier (DSID) uniquely linked to your Apple ID and iCloud data. Apple could potentially use this DSID to pinpoint your App Store browsing habits, according to Mysk. This seemingly contradicts Apple's assertion that "none" of the data is personally identifying, and appears to extend to iOS 16.

The researchers previously shared findings that iOS 14.6 sends large volumes of first-party app activity to Apple, even if you completely disable device analytics or otherwise limit collection. This includes your iPhone model, keyboard languages and other details that could theoretically be used to fingerprint your device. Gizmodo notes that users filed a class action lawsuit against Apple after Mysk published its privacy data.

We've asked Apple for comment, and will let you know if we hear back. Mysk pointed out that Apple's tool to prevent third-party app tracking debuted in iOS 14.5, so this shouldn't affect other software you use on your devices.

Just what Apple sees isn't clear. As Gizmodoexplains, Apple encrypts the usage data and isn't necessarily processing personal and general info together. The problem, as you might guess, is that Apple doesn't detail its analytics collection practices. There's a concern Apple might not be honoring its privacy promises, even if the data gathering is limited.

Now is the time to splurge on a gift for a rookie podcaster or game streamer. Amazon is running a sale on many Blue microphones for Black Friday, with up to 35 percent off Yeti models. The Blue Yeti Nano is down to $70 (normally $100), while the regular Yeti has dipped to $90 (usually $130). You can also find deals for higher-end models and bundles.

Blue has a reputation for quality microphones, particularly for anyone making their first foray beyond built-in mics. As Engadget's own Valentina Palladino noticed, the 'entry' Yeti Nano provides a major audio quality upgrade for podcasts and video calls without consuming much desk space. It's also reasonably future-proof with both cardioid and omnidirectional polar patterns — you can host roundtable podcasts in addition to virtual chats.

Higher-end models mainly improve fidelity and monitoring. The standard Blue Yeti has three condensers versus the Nano's two, and supports stereo and figure-eight patterns. Spring for the top-end Yeti X and you'll get four condensers, 24-bit/192kHz audio, LED metering (to keep your output at the right volume) and even custom lighting. These won't replace the most advanced microphones on the market, but the sale prices make them good values for many users.

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The Federal Communications Commission has finally published new broadband maps after a protracted development process. The "pre-production draft" release, as the FCC describes it, promises much more accurate representations of fixed internet coverage across the US. Earlier maps would only show service at the census block level, sometimes ignoring large gaps in real-world connectivity. The new maps are accurate enough that you can search by address to see which carriers are available, including the maximum claimed speeds.

The updated maps could help would-be subscribers make more informed choices about broadband service, the FCC says. They'll also theoretically add "market pressures" to internet providers who may have considered an area served if just one home in a census block was connected. Now, they may be compelled to flesh out coverage in a town or neighborhood.

The data could also prove crucial to the federal government's funding strategy. The US has yet to portion out the $42.5 billion in broadband spending from President Biden's $1 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With more accurate maps, officials can now make better-informed decisions about where that money goes. It may be particularly important for upgrading rural broadband, which has historically been inconsistently available and slow.

The FCC cautions that there's more work to be done. The draft status indicates that the mapping work is "far from over," according to the regulator. The agency warns that this may only be effective if there's constant input from everyone involved, ranging from customers through to local governments and companies. Poor updates will render the maps ineffective, in other words.

There are also questions surrounding long-term funding and policy. While the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law may help, there are no guarantees of further commitments in the years ahead. The broadband maps only promise to show where coverage falls short — it's up to politicians, regulators and companies to address any shortcomings.

It's a good time to buy a TV that doubles as an art installation. Amazon is selling Samsung's 2022 Frame TVs at their best prices to date for Black Friday. All models are on sale, but the highlights are a 55-inch model for $998 (normally $1,498) and a 65-inch variant for $1,533 (regularly $1,998). Samsung is matching these prices if you'd prefer to buy directly. You'll need to pay extra if you want a fancier bezel, but the savings could make that easier to justify.

The 2022 version of the Frame is, in some ways, the set you were expecting when Samsung introduced the lineup. Thanks to a matte screen finish, the always-on art mode is more convincing than with previous models — it almost looks like a canvas painting that just happens to be a TV. This is also a fully up-to-date device with 4K, HDR and creature comforts like voice assistant support (both Alexa and Google Assistant) and a game mode. You won't sacrifice much just to have a conversation piece in your living room.

There are a few considerations. You won't get Samsung's absolute best image quality, so you may want to look to high-end conventional TVs like the mini LED-based QN85B if you don't need the artwork. Also, you'll typically need to pay for either an Art Store subscription or individual works if you want masterpieces from the likes of Da Vinci, Van Gogh and Vermeer. The Frame is a strong value at these prices, though, and makes plenty of sense if you were already planning to wall-mount your screen.

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Elon Musk is acting on his vow to rethink permanent bans on Twitter users. Twitter has reinstated the accounts of three controversial users, including conservative satire site Babylon Bee, conservative author (and former YouTube personality) Jordan Peterson and comedian Kathy Griffin. A decision about former President Donald Trump has "not yet been made," Musk said, although the CEO previously said he would reverse Trump's ban.

The action comes as part of "Freedom Fridays," according to Musk. However, it also appears to contradict Musk's previous pledge to form a moderation council before undoing bans or otherwise making significant content decisions. The council was supposed to ensure that Twitter's policies reflected a wide range of viewpoints.

Both Babylon Bee and Peterson were banned earlier this year for violating Twitter's hate speech rules protecting transgender people. Griffin, meanwhile, was banned for responding to Twitter's messy pay-for-verification rollout by impersonating Musk. As you might imagine, these actions are likely to have critics. LGBTQ rights advocates like GLAAD supported internet bans on Peterson this summer due to his "hateful and false narratives," for example.

The tech mogul warned that some content would still be subject to severe restrictions. Hate and other negative tweets would be "max deboosted & demonetized," he said. While this wouldn't apply to whole accounts, it would make offending tweets invisible unless you knew to look for them, and would prevent Twitter earning revenue from that material. Free speech at Twitter didn't mean "freedom of reach," Musk added.

The combination of lifted bans and a new moderation policy reflects Musk's attempts to balance his personal desires with commercial realities. While he has argued that Twitter should be a free speech haven where bans are very rare, he has also tried to reassure advertisers worried their promos might appear next to hate speech and other objectionable tweets. In other words, Musk may still have to clamp down on toxic content even if its creators are now allowed on his platform.

Charging is usually one of the least exciting parts of driving an EV, but the FIA thinks it can make these pauses more engaging. As part of updated regulations, Formula E will trial a 30-second "Attack Charge" during some races in the ninth season. New battery technology will give cars 4kWh of energy from the half-minute session thanks to a 600kW booster. The charging stop will be mandatory at a specified point in the race, but drivers will receive two "enhanced" Attack Mode periods later in the race as compensation.

The quick charge is tied to the Gen3 cars making their debut in the new season. The current Attack Mode, where drivers can activate a momentary power boost, will still be available in those races where Attack Charge isn't in use. The modified Attack Mode isn't what was originally planned. According to The Race, the FIA had originally hoped to revive pit stops, but the necessary system wasn't ready in time. Those more conventional stops are expected to come, but not for a while yet.

The upcoming season also makes fundamental changes to the league's competitive format. Races now take place over a set number of laps, rather than a fixed amount of time. If there are safety car and full course yellow disruptions, organizers will add more laps. Teams will also have to complete a minimum of two Free Practice 1 sessions with rookie drivers to help them experience Formula E. And don't expect to play a role in your favorite driver's victory — the spectator-driven Fanboost is going away.

Season nine and Gen3 will launch in Mexico City this January. It's too soon to say if Attack Charge will spice up races in real-world conditions. However, it might point to the future of roadgoing EVs. Even the fastest-charging street models take at least a few minutes to get a meaningful amount of range from a charging session. Hyundai's Ioniq 5 needs five minutes on a 350kW charger for 53 miles of driving, for instance. While 600kW chargers won't become mainstream for a while (Geely's Viridi brand only unveiled its tech this September), Formula E's testing hints at a day when your EV might only need a brief stop to recover enough range for a long drive.