Well, hello to you, my Friday tech friend! Here’s something to know. Every major Android operating system release has a number, like the current Android 14, and a dessert-themed codename, like Upside-down Cake. Which of the following has never been an Android OS codename? Is it … A.) Cupcake, B.) Jelly Bean, C.) Lollipop or D.) Pancake? Answer’s at the end!

📨 Surveillance capitalism at work, right in your “free” Big Tech inbox. You’d better believe all your details are packaged up, used to target you with ads and sold to whoever wants to buy it. Check out StartMail. They put you first with secure, private email. Now, on to the tech goodies! — Kim

If your kids play Roblox, listen up. The kids' gaming platform is also a haven for pedophiles. Take sicko DoctorRofatnik, aka “Doc,” creator of Sonic Eclipse Online, a Roblox game popular with thousands of kids.

In 2020, a player posted messages Doc sent to a 12-year-old on X: “I’ll corrupt you beyond your wildest dreams. Words cannot explain what I want to do with you.” So, Roblox kicked Doc off the platform, but he immediately created new accounts.

Two years later, the FBI finally arrested DoctorRofatnik — 22-year-old Arnold Castillo — who was found with a 15-year-old girl he’d groomed on Roblox.

Castillo had paid an Uber driver $1,000 to take the girl 700 miles from Indiana to his home in New Jersey. The two had sex multiple times in the eight days she’d been missing from her family.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Get this: In 2023 alone, Roblox reported 13,316 instances of child exploitation.

Why can’t Roblox keep out creeps?

Over 40% of Roblox’s 78 million users are under the age of 13, but anonymous adults can play right alongside them. Because Roblox is geared towards kids, it doesn't ask for real names, phone numbers or email addresses when you sign up. All you need is a date of birth.

Creeps lure in kids through the Roblox chat. They might offer them Robux (the in-game currency) in exchange for naked photos or try to befriend them and meet up in real life.

Since 2018, U.S. police have arrested two dozen predators — including a sheriff's deputy, a third-grade teacher and a nurse — accused of abducting or abusing victims they’d met on the platform. Some were registered sex offenders.

The scariest part

Even with AI and human moderation measures, Roblox can’t keep up with the sheer volume of creeps. One moderator said her team gets hundreds of escalated reports of inappropriate words and images every single day.

Predators can easily get around moderators by misspelling explicit words or using emojis. They’ll also lure kids off-platform and into less moderated spaces, like Discord and Snapchat.

Keep your kids safe on Roblox

‼️ Last year, Roblox received over 1,300 requests for information from law enforcement. That’s up around 30% from 2022. They won’t share how many predators are involved. Let’s get the word out — share this with every parent you know to help them keep their kids safe.

Free isn’t always the best option, especially when it comes to those Big Tech email providers we all know ... and think we love! They say it’s “free,” but you’re actually paying with your privacy. From what you click to where you are to who you communicate with, it’s all tracked.

StartMail is the secure alternative email provider I trust. There’s no invasive tracking or ads, and they include premium privacy features, like unlimited disposable email addresses and easy-to-use, encrypted communication.

Run a business? They now offer a subscription for that, too, with enhanced storage options, shared email aliases and unlimited domains.

I negotiated a special deal just for you! Right now, StartMail is offering an exclusive 60% off annual subscriptions, including the new business plan. Score!

🚨 Don’t buy pills on eBay: Some SKALD diet pills on the platform tested positive for meth in a random drug screening. Watch out for brands like PhenQ, Govvi WOW! and Phentamene XT, too; they could be fake or tainted with banned ingredients that cause heart attacks … or worse. Talk to your doc instead.

Another stupid viral video trend: A Maine man fired 14 rounds from a handgun at teens who ding-dong-ditched his house at 1 a.m., clipping one kid in the leg. Luckily, the teen is okay, but the homeowner faces multiple charges of assault and reckless conduct with a firearm. Tell your kids not to prank homes for video views.

🦍 Please don’t stream the apes: Gorillas in zoos like seeing pics and watching videos of themselves on your phone. When a visitor shows them their screen, they’ll even flick or tap on the glass to “scroll” to the next vid (paywall link). Now, even the gorillas are addicted to screens.

More eyes in the sky: Crime-fighting police drones will soon take over for first responders in Arizona. If a Flock camera detects a stolen vehicle, an officer can send a drone to tail the car in less than 90 seconds. It’s safer than a high-speed chase on the highway, and there’s nowhere to hide.

🛒 Attention, Costco shoppers: Their prices are often higher online than in stores. A bouclé swivel chair, for instance, is $249 in the warehouse, compared to $399.99 on their site. The reason? “Free” shipping. You’re better off renting a U‑Haul for $19.95 an hour if you buy something big.

Flying cars are taking off: Minnesota just passed a new “Jetsons law” to regulate airplane-to-car hybrids. Starting Aug. 1, you can fly (and drive) them on highways there, but you can’t take off directly from the road. Oh, and you have a tail number instead of a license plate!

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These make meal prepping easy:

💳 Turning dollars into sense: Consolidate leftover gift cards with just a little bit of cash remaining on them using Amazon. Go to Account > Gift Cards > Purchase a Gift Card in the total of your remaining balance and send that electronic gift card to yourself. Now you can spend it. Easy‑peasy.

Send a funny GIF: I always send one for birthday texts! On iPhone, open a message, then tap the plus sign in the bottom left > More. Tap #images and search for the right sentiment. Select it and send it to your recipient. On Android, start a chat, tap the smiley emoji, then the search icon. So fun!

YouTube pro tip: Send a YouTube video link so it starts right where you want your recipient to watch. Find the video and scroll to the time you want to share. Right-click and select Copy video URL at the current time. Done!

🗺️ Plot your own route: You can add an extra stop using the Google Maps app. With an active route, tap the three-dot icon in the top right and select Add stop. Type in the second destination and click on it. Make sure the whole route is in the correct order — tap, hold and drag the three lines on each point to reorder, then hit Done.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold drops on Aug. 13. Here’s a sneak peek. Btw, Apple has one in the works for 2026.

🔋 Closing apps doesn’t save your phone battery: I busted this and seven other tech myths.

Websites are dead: Read this if you run a site! Here’s how AI is sucking up search traffic.

The answer: D.) Pancake. Other codenames: “Donut,” “Eclair,” “Froyo,” “Gingerbread,” “Ice Cream Sandwich,” “Marshmallow,” “Oreo,” “Snow Cone” and “Tiramisu.” Great, now I want something sweet.

🥞 My husband makes my pancakes too thin. This weekend, I’m telling him I am sick of his crepe. (Oh, I laughed while writing that, so it must be a good one!)

You deserve privacy. If you’re fed up with Big Tech, look into StartMail. It’s a privacy-focused email provider that puts you first. No ads, no tracking, no scummy data collection. Best of all, save 60% with my link. Check it out right now while you’re thinking about it.

I’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow. Until then, stay your awesome self, and I will, too. — Kim