Five things worth sharing from the last week or so, brought to you by a different member of the Browser Media team every Friday.
This week’s My Five is by Lisa.
1. Big hack
Millions of email usernames and passwords have been hacked and are floating around in “Russia’s criminal underworld” according to Reuters.
It is thought that the data breach affects more than 250 million Google, Yahoo, Mail.ru, and Hotmail users. Alex Holden, of Hold Security reported the issue following communication with a Russian hacker who is apparently “willing to give the data away to people who are nice to him”.
2. Going out with a, urrrm bang?
Boris Johnson signed off his final day as The Mayor of London this week in a super cringeworthy Tweet, which used the hideous phrasing “Operation Juddering Climax is coming to its final shuddering surge”.
This is my last full day as Mayor folks and Operation Juddering Climax is coming to its final shuddering surge:https://t.co/RQb9cESp3L
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) May 4, 2016
Of course, the natural reaction here is to be a bit sick in your own mouth.
@BorisJohnson pic.twitter.com/nVJy9bUiIZ
— Craig (@Eclectic_otter) May 4, 2016
Followed by the execution of some serious Twitter trolling.
“Operation Juddering Climax” @BorisJohnson, wanna job? ? pic.twitter.com/UQjPtI6iDs
— Ann Summers (@AnnSummers) May 4, 2016
WHY DID YOU USE ANY OF THESE WORDS https://t.co/Iqxsz5xxLZ
— Liam Dryden (@LiamDrydenEtc) May 4, 2016
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP RETWEETING THE BORIS THING ALREADY I AM TRYING TO KEEP MY LUNCH DOWN
— James Ball (@jamesrbuk) May 4, 2016
3. Why is London so expensive?
Google autocomplete has long provided a source of entertaining suggestions based upon other users’ weird and wonderful search queries, but what happens when you use the feature to form stereotypes of people and places in the UK?
Well, the indy100 did just that. The process involved typing “why is [county or largest city/town] so…”, and letting the search engine do the rest to produce this “100 percent scientific” map.
4. Virtual reality paintbrush
Google have just unveiled Tilt, a virtual reality paintbrush that gives users the opportunity to take their creativity to a whole new dimension. The tool is set to transform the future of the design industry, and the lives of anyone who loves flying pink unicorns as much as I do.
5. Political pups
Strict election day rules prevented news broadcasters from reporting any details of campaigning while the polls were open, but this simply means #dogsatpollingstations gained the limelight instead. And we can’t complain about that!
You’ll be barking mad if you don’t vote today! Ruby at Pemberton polling station #dogsatpollingstations #LE2016 pic.twitter.com/oqHmcznx4O
— Wigan Council (@WiganCouncil) May 5, 2016
A proud moment for @Prune_Dogg – her first #dogsatpollingstations day #Ipswich #LocalElections @IpswichGov pic.twitter.com/8EyUOdVAVC
— Dr Edward Packard (@paxcyclist) May 5, 2016
Exercising his democratic privilege to wait outside #dogsatpollingstations #chertsey pic.twitter.com/x5AzC9bNz6
— Shannon Saise-M (@DontLetYourTea) May 5, 2016