California residents can now more easily reclaim their digital privacy with the launch of a free tool on January 1, 2026, that allows them to request the deletion of their personal data from over 500 registered data brokers, according to PCMag.
Data brokers collect and sell personal information, often without consumers' direct knowledge or consent. The new tool aims to simplify the process of opting out of this data collection, putting control back in the hands of individuals.
This initiative comes as tech analyst Dan Wang reflects on the broader landscape of data privacy and control, noting parallels between Silicon Valley and the Chinese Communist Party in their serious and sometimes humorless approach to data management (Dan Wang).
Meanwhile, Instagram's Adam Mosseri anticipates a surge in AI-generated content, suggesting it may become "more practical to fingerprint real media than fake media." This shift highlights the growing importance of verifying authenticity in the digital age, as AI tools become more sophisticated at creating convincing but synthetic content (Engadget).
In other tech news, CES 2026 is slated to officially start next week. Engadget revisits its best of show winners from last year to see where they're at. The ASUS Zenbook A14, while initially impressive, was ultimately hampered by poor performance and a high price tag. The BioLite Backup power supply is finally expected to ship this year, while Jackery's XBC curved solar shingles are also nearing release. Lenovo's Legion Go S SteamOS model was praised for its fast performance and user-friendly interface. LG's OLED evo M5 TV impressed with its high refresh rate and wireless transmission system. The Moonbird Moonbuddy sleep aid is currently available for purchase. The OhSnap MCON, which turns smartphones into Xperia Play-like devices, is available for preorder. Roborock's Saros Z70 robot vacuum with an extendable arm is currently on sale. Yukai Engineering is accepting pre-orders for Mirumi through Kickstarter. Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds were praised for their sound quality. The Urtopia Titanium Zero e-bike is expected to be showcased at CES 2026. WeWalk's Smart Cane 2, which won best in show at CES 2025, will be demoed again at CES.
Awesome Games Done Quick (AGDQ) 2026 kicks off on January 4, benefiting the Prevent Cancer Foundation. The event will feature speedruns of games like Super Mario Sunshine, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Hollow Knight: Silksong, and Hades II (Engadget).
In other developments, Uber has reportedly rewritten its UK driver contracts outside of London to avoid the UK's new 20% “taxi tax” on fares, acting as an agent rather than a supplier (The Guardian). Tesla reported 418,227 deliveries for the fourth quarter, down 16% (CNBC).