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jiliko bonus FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status. Braintree, Massachusetts, police said they were called to a home for an altercation between two people on Oct. 7, and a woman told them Peppers choked her. Police said they found at the home a clear plastic bag containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine. Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine. At a court appearance last week a trial date was set for Jan. 22. “Any act of domestic violence is unacceptable for us,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said after the arrest. “With that being said, I do think that Jabrill has to go through the system, has to continue to go through due process. We’ll see how that works out.” A 2017 first-round draft choice by Cleveland, Peppers spent two seasons with the Browns and three with the New York Giants before coming to New England in 2022. He was signed to an extension this summer. He played in the first four games of the season and missed one with a shoulder injury before going on the exempt list, which allows NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to place a player on paid leave while reviewing his case. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

India surpasses 73,000 startups with women directors: Commerce MinistryMost people who own a smart watch or fitness watch use a band made of synthetic rubber to hold the device on their wrist. Although the bands are designed to feel comfortable against the skin, a recent study in the journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters found that they may be harmful. This is due to the substances they are made from — known as fluoroelastomers — which can contain large quantities of a dangerous so-called "forever chemical" known as perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA); it is unclear the extent to which this can be absorbed through the skin. PFHxA belongs to a classification of industrial products known as per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which do not biodegrade and resist breaking down after exposure to water and light, hence the nickname forever chemicals. They have been linked to extreme health problems like cancer, high blood pressure and infertility. Despite these risks, PFAS are widely used in products like non-stick cookware, umbrellas, cosmetics, furniture, cleaning chemicals, water-resistant fabrics and stain-resistant coatings. PFHxA specifically is commonly used in pizza boxes, rain jackets, firefighting foam and waterproofing sprays. While the scientists behind the study weren't originally looking for PFHxA, the forever chemical "was the most frequently detected compound" within the 22 watch bands analyzed across numerous brands and price points. Lead author Graham F. Peaslee, a physicist at the University of Notre Dame, told Salon that the researchers had not even been aware that PFAS were used in the watch bands until they saw a full-page ad touting them for being made of fluoroelastomer. "The good news is that the consumer can opt for alternative wrist bands to avoid potential PFAS exposure... Matthew Rozsa

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shows how to save, view, remove and organize routes on Google Maps using simple steps. Google is rolling out significant changes to its Maps Timeline feature, which tracks your location history. As part of this update, you will soon receive notifications that your Timeline data will be automatically deleted after a specific deadline unless you take action to back it up. This transition represents a shift towards enhanced privacy as Google plans to store Timeline data locally on your device instead of on its servers. While this change aims to protect your data from unauthorized access, it also means that any unbacked location history may be permanently lost. GET SECURITY ALERTS, EXPERT TIPS, SIGN UP FOR KURT'S NEWSLETTER - THE CYBERGUY REPORT HERE Google Maps (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) What’s changing with Google Maps Timeline? Google Maps' location-tracking feature, known as Timeline, is undergoing a major update. Previously, Google announced plans to shift this data to local storage. Now, the company is sending out emails alerting you to this upcoming change. Google will start deleting the last three months of Timeline data unless you take action. While this shift to local storage offers more privacy for those concerned about sharing location data with Google, it also means that if you don’t act, your past location history may be permanently lost. After receiving the notification, you will have about six months to save or transfer your Timeline data before it’s deleted. The email will be sent by "Google Location History," with the subject line: "Keep your Timeline? Decide by [date]." Keep in mind that not everyone has received these notifications yet, so there’s no immediate rush. But once you get the email, you'll have a six-month window to decide. A man using Google Maps on his phone (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) HOW GOOGLE MAPS IS GIVING YOU MORE POWER OVER YOUR LOCATION DATA Why save your Timeline data? There are several compelling reasons why users may want to save their Google Maps Timeline data. Personal memories: The Timeline feature allows you to revisit past trips and experiences, serving as a digital diary of places visited and routes taken. For many, these memories are valuable and worth preserving. Travel planning: Accessing historical location data can aid in future travel planning. You can analyze previous trips to make informed decisions about destinations, accommodations and activities based on past experiences. Safety and security : Keeping a record of locations visited can be beneficial for personal safety. In case of emergencies or disputes, having a detailed history of movements can provide crucial information. Data ownership: With the shift to local storage, you have greater control over your data. Saving this information ensures that it remains accessible and private without relying on cloud services that may be vulnerable to breaches. Avoiding loss: Google has indicated that any unbacked location history will be deleted after the transition. Those of you who wish to retain your data must act promptly to prevent permanent loss. BRUSSELS SPROUTS CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS UP SCIENCE How to back up your location history If you've received the above email or simply want to make sure your Timeline data is preserved, here’s what you can do: 1) Google’s Timeline export tool: Visit takeout.google.com Deselect all options except for Location History (Timeline) Click Next Step Choose Create Export. You’ll receive a backup of your data and see this note at the bottom of the screen, "Google is creating a copy of data from Location History (Timeline)." This process can take a long time (possibly hours or days) to complete. You'll receive an email when your export is done. 2) Google is rolling out a feature that allows you to export your Timeline data directly from your devices. To use it: On your phone or tablet: Open the Google Maps app Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner. Select Your Timeline Tap the three dots in the top right corner. Select Location & privacy setting Scroll down and tap Export Timeline data You will likely be presented with various options for exporting your data, such as sharing via email, messaging apps or saving to a cloud service. Select the method that suits your needs best. 1) If you choose to share via email, tap on the email option , and it will open your email app with the exported data attached. Enter the recipient's email address and send it. 2) If you select a messaging app , follow the prompts to send the file through that app. On your computer: Go to Google Maps in your web browser Click the three horizontal lines in the upper left corner of the screen Select Saved Click the Maps tab. Scroll down and click Create a map Tap Create In the new window, click Import to upload your exported data. Keep in mind that this backup will be specific to that device, so you may need to repeat the process on other devices you use. Note: Some users have reported their data being deleted even after they requested not to lose anything. To avoid this, we recommend regularly backing up your Timeline data. Google reminder email (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) THIS GOOGLE MAPS TRICK CAN SUPERCHARGE YOUR ABILITY TO NAVIGATE DIRECTIONS More ways to stay private While this update may help you avoid sharing location data with Google, it's important to remember that Google collects personal data in other ways as well. Here are some additional steps you can take to protect your privacy. 1) Turn off location data on Google: This prevents Google Photos from estimating where your photo was taken. Here’s how to do it. On your phone or tablet: Open your Google Photos app Click your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen Select Google Photos settings Click Privacy Click Location options Toggle off next to where it says Estimate missing locations. This will prevent Google Photos from estimating where your photos were taken based on location history data. 2) Disable facial recognition: Sharing your facial data with Google puts you at risk of the company collecting information without your consent, potentially sharing it with third parties and using it in ways you may not be aware of. Here’s how to turn it off. Open Google Photos on your phone Tap your profile icon in the top right corner Go to Google Photos settings and select Click Privacy Disable Face Grouping by toggling off next to where it says Face Groups 3) Delete your YouTube history: Google tracks your YouTube viewing history and suggests videos based on your past activity. While this can be convenient for discovering similar content, it can also feel like an intrusion on your privacy. Here’s how to end it. On desktop: Go to YouTube.com Sign in to your YouTube account Click your Profile icon in the top right corner Click Your Data in YouTube Click Manage your YouTube Seach History Click Delete, then click Delete all time It will ask you to confirm your decision by clicking Delete Then click Got it On mobile: Open the YouTube app on your phone Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner Go to Settings in the upper right-hand corner of the screen and give it a tap Select History & Privacy Tap Clear Watch History Confirm your decision by clicking Clear watch history You get a pop-up notice that your watch history has been cleared YouTube history example (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson) 4) Use a VPN: A virtual private network (VPN) can significantly enhance your privacy when using Google Maps and other online services. Here's how it helps: Masks your IP address: A VPN hides your real IP address, making it harder for Google to track your physical location. Encrypts your data: VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, protecting your data from potential eavesdroppers. Bypasses geo-restrictions: You can access Google Maps and other services as if you're in a different location, potentially avoiding location-based tracking. To use a VPN with Google Maps: Choose a reputable VPN service provider Install the VPN app on your device Connect to a VPN server before opening Google Maps Use Google Maps as usual, with added privacy protection Important caveat: While using a VPN can enhance your privacy, it may interfere with Google Maps’ ability to provide accurate directions. This is because a VPN may route your connection through a server in a different location, causing the app to misidentify your current position. If you need precise navigation or directions from your current location, consider temporarily disabling the VPN while using Google Maps to ensure accurate results. Pro tip: For maximum privacy, combine the use of a VPN with Google Maps’ incognito mode. This ensures that your searches and location data aren’t tied to your Google account, providing an added layer of anonymity. Recommended VPN Services: To find the best VPNs that work across devices like Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, check out my expert reviews of top VPN software . These reviews highlight options that prioritize privacy, speed and reliability. 6 WAYS TO TAKE BACK YOUR PRIVACY ON GOOGLE Kurt's key takeaways Google’s decision to delete location history after three months is a big move toward giving you more control over your data and offering improved privacy by storing information locally. As privacy concerns grow, it's encouraging to see companies like Google take steps toward greater transparency and user choice. What other Google privacy concerns do you have? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact . For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter . Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover. Follow Kurt on his social channels: Facebook YouTube Instagram Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions: What is the best way to protect your Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android devices from getting hacked? What is the best way to stay private, secure and anonymous while browsing the web? How can I get rid of robocalls with apps and data removal services? How do I remove my private data from the internet? New from Kurt: Kurt’s Best New Holiday Deals ​​ Try CyberGuy's new games (crosswords, word searches, trivia and more!) Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Brazilian police indict former President Bolsonaro and aides over alleged 2022 coup attempt5 Tech Gifts This Mom Influencer Says Are on Her List — and Should Be on Yours Too

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Notre Dame forward Danny Nelson scored twice, Western Michigan’s Hampton Slukynsky made 25 saves and the defending champion United States beat Latvia 5-1 on Saturday in the world junior hockey championship. The United States improved to 2-0 in Group A play, while Latvia dropped to 1-1 a day after stunning Canada with a 3-2 victory in a shootout. Boston College’s Ryan Leonard, Denver’s Zeev Buium and Minnesota Duluth’s Max Plante also scored for the Americans. They will be back in action Sunday at Canadian Tire Centre against Finland, then close group play Tuesday night against Canada. Davids Livsics scored for Latvia. Linards Feldbergs stopped 36 shots after making 55 saves against Canada and stopping all eight attempts in the shootout. In the only other game of the day, Czechia beat Kazakhstan 14-2 at TD Place. Czechia and Sweden are both 2-0 in Group B. Matej Mastalirsky, Vojtech Hradec and Jakub Stancl had hat tricks, with Hradec and Stancl also each assisting on two goals. ___ AP sports:

AP Business SummaryBrief at 2:15 p.m. ESTSocial media users are misrepresenting a Vermont Supreme Court ruling , claiming that it gives schools permission to vaccinate children even if their parents do not consent. The ruling addressed a lawsuit filed by Dario and Shujen Politella against Windham Southeast School District and state officials over the mistaken vaccination of their child against COVID-19 in 2021, when he was 6 years old. A lower court had dismissed the original complaint, as well as an amended version. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was filed on Nov. 19. But the ruling by Vermont's high court is not as far-reaching as some online have claimed. In reality, it concluded that anyone protected under the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, or PREP, Act is immune to state lawsuits. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: The Vermont Supreme Court ruled that schools can vaccinate children against their parents' wishes. THE FACTS: The claim stems from a July 26 ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court, which found that anyone protected by the PREP Act is immune to state lawsuits, including the officials named in the Politella's suit. The ruling does not authorize schools to vaccinate children at their discretion. According to the lawsuit, the Politella's son — referred to as L.P. — was given one dose of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination clinic held at Academy School in Brattleboro even though his father, Dario, told the school's assistant principal a few days before that his son was not to receive a vaccination. In what officials described as a mistake, L.P. was removed from class and had a “handwritten label” put on his shirt with the name and date of birth of another student, L.K., who had already been vaccinated that day. L.P. was then vaccinated. Ultimately, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled that officials involved in the case could not be sued. “We conclude that the PREP Act immunizes every defendant in this case and this fact alone is enough to dismiss the case,” the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling reads. “We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law.” The PREP Act , enacted by Congress in 2005, authorizes the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to issue a declaration in the event of a public health emergency providing immunity from liability for activities related to medical countermeasures, such as the administration of a vaccine, except in cases of “willful misconduct" that result in “death or serious physical injury.” A declaration against COVID-19 was issued on March 17, 2020. It is set to expire on Dec. 31. Federals suits claiming willful misconduct are filed in Washington. Social media users described the Vermont Supreme Court's ruling as having consequences beyond what it actually says. “The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that schools can force-vaccinate children for Covid against the wishes of their parents,” reads one X post that had been liked and shared approximately 16,600 times as of Tuesday. “The high court ruled on a case involving a 6-year-old boy who was forced to take a Covid mRNA injection by his school. However, his family had explicitly stated that they didn't want their child to receive the ‘vaccines.’” Other users alleged that the ruling gives schools permission to give students any vaccine without parental consent, not just ones for COVID-19. Rod Smolla, president of the Vermont Law and Graduate School and an expert on constitutional law, told The Associated Press that the ruling “merely holds that the federal statute at issue, the PREP Act, preempts state lawsuits in cases in which officials mistakenly administer a vaccination without consent.” “Nothing in the Vermont Supreme Court opinion states that school officials can vaccinate a child against the instructions of the parent,” he wrote in an email. Asked whether the claims spreading online have any merit, Ronald Ferrara, an attorney representing the Politellas, told the AP that although the ruling doesn't say schools can vaccinate students regardless of parental consent, officials could interpret it to mean that they could get away with doing so under the PREP Act, at least when it comes to COVID-19 vaccines. He explained that the U.S. Supreme Court appeal seeks to clarify whether the Vermont Supreme Court interpreted the PREP Act beyond what Congress intended. “The Politella’s fundamental liberty interest to decide whether their son should receive elective medical treatment was denied by agents of the State and School,” he wrote in an email to the AP. “The Vermont Court misconstrues the scope of PREP Act immunity (which is conditioned upon informed consent for medical treatments unapproved by FDA), to cover this denial of rights and its underlying battery.” Ferrara added that he was not aware of the claims spreading online, but that he “can understand how lay people may conflate the court's mistaken grant of immunity for misconduct as tantamount to blessing such misconduct.” John Klar, who also represents the Politellas, went a step further, telling the AP that the Vermont Supreme Court ruling means that “as a matter of law” schools can get away with vaccinating students without parental consent and that parents can only sue on the federal level if death or serious bodily injury results. — Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck .

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HOUSTON — Houston's Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games Tuesday for repeated violations of player safety rules following his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion. Al-Shaair's punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan noted that he has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons. Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback. In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan called the hit “unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules.” People are also reading... “Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide," Runyan wrote. “You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.” Al-Shaair is appealing the suspension, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. Houston general manager Nick Caserio defended Al-Shaair and said he doesn't believe the league is using consistency in issuing punishments like these. “I probably speak for a lot of teams, not only the Houston Texans, but I think that’s all teams ask for is consistency from the league,” he said. “And I’d say in this situation, quite frankly, there’s no consistency at all relative to the level of discipline that’s been handed down.” HOF finalists Prolific receiver Sterling Sharpe and Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Holmgren have advanced to the final stage of voting for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Sharpe was picked as one of three finalists in the Seniors category for players whose career ended in 1999 or earlier, along with Maxie Baughan and Jim Tyrer. Holmgren was picked as the lone finalist in the coaching category, and Ralph Hay, who helped found the NFL more than a century ago, was the finalist in the contributor category. BRIEFLY NFL: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has met with congressional leaders to speak to them about the ongoing security issue of drones on game days, according to an AP source. Unapproved drones have become a problem for various sports leagues. There was a stoppage during the AFC championship game in Baltimore last January because a drone violated the restricted airspace. Another game in Baltimore in November 2023 was delayed twice because of a drone. PANTHERS: Carolina team president Kristi Coleman was promoted to chief executive officer of Tepper Sports & Entertainment, owner David Tepper announced Tuesday, making her one of the highest-ranking females in the professional sports industry. COMMANDERS: Washington hired Mark Clouse as its new team president. He will oversee all facets of business operations. Clouse joins the NFL club after spending the past five years as president and CEO of the Campbell's Company. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Texans' Azeez Al-Shaair suspended 3 games without pay after violent hit on Trevor Lawrence

A knock at the door. A police search. A rose gold iPhone. Child pornography allegations. Shocking as the charges were against his son, a Woodstock father says the family ordeal that followed shattered his faith in the justice system. Brian Williams reports. A knock at the Spina household’s front door started the family’s waking nightmare. Andrea Spina answered, then rushed back to her husband, Mario, slowly getting out of bed. Get dressed, she urged him. He heard “heavy boots” and “marching” inside the house, Mario said. He was shocked to discover six police officers equipped with firearms and a search warrant for the suburban home in northeast Woodstock, a city of about 48,000 in southwestern Ontario’s auto belt. “We had no clue why they were here,” Mario said. Mario, Andrea, her mother, the couple’s daughter and their 19-year-old son, Kristian, lived in the bungalow at the time. Kristian was at work that morning, Jan. 19, 2022. “We thought something happened to Kristian,” Andrea said. The family was “sequestered in the living room” as Woodstock police officers searched the house, said Mario. Det. Mike Haegens of Woodstock police explained the investigation involved a Snapchat account with a handle connected to Kristian. Snapchat is an app that allows users to send and receive videos and photos that automatically delete after being viewed for 10 seconds, longer if left unopened. An old email address used by all family members was also connected to the investigation, and both the Snapchat handle and email address were linked to uploading and sharing child pornography, police told them. “We never thought for a million years that there was anything, because that’s not who my son is,” Mario said. Woodstock police seized numerous phones from the Spina residence, including a rose gold iPhone belonging to Kristian that was no longer used. Police showed up at Kristian’s workplace, auto parks maker Vuteq. “The first thought that went through my head was something happened to my family,” Kristian said. Kristian was told his Snapchat account had been flagged for uploaded child pornography. “I was at a loss for words,” he said. “I know what I do on my phone and I know that this isn’t one of them.” Kristian handed over his phone to police, gave the password and said his Snapchat account had been hacked. “That’s why I gave them (the phone), no hesitation,” Kristian said. That day was the beginning of what would become a year-long family struggle to clear Kristian of child pornography charges, a struggle that a digital forensic expert warns can happen to anyone with a phone and social media accounts. The account of what happened to the Spinas is based on interviews with family members, a court ruling, expert reports and a summary by the Law Enforcement Complaints Agency (LECA), an independent civilian oversight agency of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. For the Spinas, there would be financial setbacks, health scares, uncertainty and a draining emotional toll. And now, for Mario, a search for accountability. “Is it negligence or is it ignorance?” he said. “At the end of the day, what the heck is the difference to the accused?” The year before, on July 17, 2021, Kristian received an email from Snapchat to an email address the family had stopped checking. The email from Snapchat advised him his account had been accessed by an unknown device in Hamilton that he didn’t own. On Aug. 5, 2021, Kristian was locked out of the account. “I did what every guy my age would do and just made a new one (account),” Kristian said. About the same time, a potentially illegal video was uploaded to the old account, an investigation later found. Snapchat reports the upload of potentially illegal videos to the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In Kristian’s case, information about the upload was sent to Canada’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre, then the RCMP, then Woodstock police. The responsibility for mining the devices seized fell to Woodstock’s digital examiner, a civilian employee, Special Const. Robert Gower. Gower’s search of the Kristian’s former iPhone, the rose gold one, revealed eight still images, some reproduced multiple times, for a total of about 50 thumbnails, meeting the police definition of child porn. The thumbnails — small images of pictures or videos — found on the phone matched the video connected to Kristian’s account that was first flagged by Snapchat and passed along to Woodstock police. In February 2022, police advised Kristian his phone contained images of child pornography and that charges would be laid. “I don’t have a clue how it happened, what happened, because I’ve never seen any of this stuff,” Kristian said. “That was a bomb,” Mario said. “We thought, there’s an explanation for this.” Before then, the 19-year-old’s only brush with the law had been a speeding ticket. Mario and Andrea drove Kristian to the police station the next morning. At age eight, Kristian was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. He made a full recovery after six months. “When that cancer bomb goes off, everyone comes to help you — they come from everywhere. The doctors, the oncologists, the therapists, the counsellors, your family, your friends, your neighbors. You come home, your snow’s shoveled, your grass is cut — all that stuff,” Mario said. This struggle felt much different. “Imagine him going into this police station with all these police officers looking at him,” Mario said. “The door opened up to go into the belly of the station. It felt like a walk of shame for my son, and he didn’t do this.” His son was booked and held for a bail hearing. “I got back in the car, and I was in shock with tears,” Mario said. “My wife was waiting for me in the car and we were terrified. We didn’t know what to do.” Andrea recalled the heartbreak of dropping her son off at the police station. “It was horrible to leave him behind, and not knowing exactly what he’s going to go through,” she said. Watching his son appear on a courtroom video feed later “was gut-wrenching,” Mario said. Kristian was released later that afternoon. He faced three charges: One each of distributing, possessing and accessing child pornography. “There’s no parenting courses on what to do in case your son’s arrested for something he didn’t do,” Mario said. Before Mario could tell family members of his son’s plight, Woodstock police named Kristian and the charges against him in a news release. Now, Kristian had to deal with a second court: public opinion. “(People assume) when they see this example, the charges and a name associated with it, the police must have quite a lot of evidence here,” Mario said. Only Mario, his mother-in-law and Kristian were home the morning of March 26, 2022, about a month and a half after his arrest. Suddenly, Mario heard his mother-in-law “screaming like that wild scream, something’s really wrong.” Mario had watched his son battle cancer. He’d watched Kristian’s final year of high school stolen by the Covid-19 pandemic. He’d watched him be charged by police. That morning he watched his son dying, Mario said. “I fly out of the kitchen, and my son’s on the bed violently convulsing, foaming at the mouth,” Mario lamented. “He went grey, his lips were blue, he was dying.” Mario called 911 and Kristian was taken to hospital. Kristian had never had a seizure before, Mario said. “I just couldn’t believe where we were going, and why we’re going there, after what happened only weeks prior,” Mario recalled. Kristian was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation — a tangle of blood vessels that can cause bleeding in the brain, stroke or brain damage. Kristian spent a week in the hospital after the seizure. Mario wonders whether the stress his son was under triggered the health scare. Kristian doesn’t believe that was the main trigger for his seizure, but “I think it played a huge part.” He made a full recovery and attended Fanshawe College in the fall of 2022, trying to put the weight of the charges against him to the back of his mind. “When I was in school, I started off well, and then as time went on the stress was just putting weight on my shoulders that I couldn’t do any more,” he said. “I had to drop out.” Mario knew he needed big legal muscle to help his son. “Basically, what you have to have is a war fund,” Mario said. “You can’t just make a race to the bank and you’ll get a loan – you got to have money, liquid money.” The Spinas sold a rental property they owned, which was part of their retirement fund. They hired Michelle Biddulph from the Toronto law firm Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein. Kristian’s defence team enlisted digital forensic examiner Jason Conley, who was working then for Envista Forensics, to examine how it was possible for another person to access Kristian’s Snapchat account, and how the images could wind up on the rose gold iPhone without his knowledge. Conley’s report broke down how that could happen. His probe also uncovered apparent evidence of Kristian’s innocence and raised questions about the police investigation. Highlights of what Conley found: Vulnerability at home Conley found that the Spina household’s Internet Protocol (IP) address for its router, its email address and social media accounts had been compromised and were available to cyber criminals months before Snapchat flagged Kristian’s account for child pornography. The thumbnails The thumbnails created by Snapchat were discovered deep in a restricted area on the iPhone, where only an expert with investigative software would find them. The thumbnails were automatically synched to Kristian’s device from the mystery device responsible for uploading the illegal video to Kristian’s account. Content synchronization Conley tested a hypothesis – that a Snapchat account syncs on all devices where it is located, essentially enabling a hacker to send child pornography from one device with the account to another device with the same account. He set up two identical versions of a Snapchat account on a Samsung Android phone and an iPhone. After logging in to the same Snapchat account on both devices, it became apparent to him that Snapchat automatically synchronized all of his “snaps” (messages) and the media content within them. Because Kristian had not clicked on and seen the video containing child pornography on the rose gold iPhone, the thumbnails created on that phone were not erased, Conley told The Free Press. Any other digital forensic examiner could have replicated the process and made the same conclusion, he said. Without Snapchat confirmation, it’s not 100 per cent possible to know if that’s how the thumbnails ended up on Kristian’s phone, Conley said. Still, there’s an overwhelmingly strong possibility the synchronization led to the images on the rose gold iPhone, he said. Conley also went through Kristian’s search history and concluded there were no searches or content related to child pornography, which are commonly present when someone is deliberately searching for such illicit images or videos. ”(The police) looked at all the devices from the home, including Kristian’s current phone, and found nothing,” Conley said. “That’s a huge red flag.” Conley said he was also concerned by what appeared to be police reluctance to investigate a notification from Snapchat indicating Kristian’s account had been accessed from an IP address in Hamilton in July. At the time, Kristian was in Woodstock, his father said. “Whilst he may have been in physical possession of this device, there is evidence that suggests that Mr. Spina was the victim of credential theft and he was not exclusively in control of his Snapchat account,” Conley wrote. “A second user of this account could easily have sent or received this video without Mr. Spina’s knowledge, and the video could have been synchronized to Mr. Spina’s phone as a result,” he added. The report gave the family some comfort “Here’s a true professional, a true digital forensic examiner who completely showed us that this thing is completely full of holes,” Mario said. But the report seemed to have no impact when provided to the police, Conley said. “My terrible gut feeling in the situation is they just didn’t care, they just ran with it and they just refused to backpedal,” he said. It’s not clear whether the police investigated the findings in Conley’s report. Asked that in an email correspondence with The Free Press, Woodstock police Chief Rod Wilkinson didn’t answer the question. However, in his email exchanges with The Free Press, the chief said the force has the tools and training for such investigations. Two weeks before an October 2022 pre-trial hearing, Conley’s report was submitted to the Crown, Mario said. Conley said he believes the report wasn’t examined seriously by law enforcement or the Crown, and that it should have had a greater bearing on the case. “The worst part was (police) read my report and proceeded anyway,” Conley said. “That was the biggest indicator that something’s very, very, very off.” By Jan. 26, 2023, the first day of the trial, the Crown had dropped the child pornography distribution charge, but Kristian still faced two other child porn charges. At age 20, he was staring at a potential jail sentence, a minimum of six months to one year, and a lifelong sex offender status attached to his name. “Obviously, I was a little nervous my first time going into a courtroom (because) if anything goes bad, then I’m gone, basically,” Kristian said about the first day of the trial. Both Haegens, the lead detective, and Gower, the special constable, testified on the first day. Gower became the subject of a voir dire hearing, held to help a judge determine legal issues such as the admissibility of evidence, or whether witnesses are qualified to give expert testimony. Justice M. Edward Graham presented his voir dire analysis to both the Crown and defence by document. The Free Press obtained a copy of the analysis from Mario, who acquired it from Kristian’s defence lawyer. Although Gower had “extensive expertise in extracting data from devices,” he “does not have sufficient training or expertise to further analyze and interpret that data,” Graham wrote. Gower acknowledged he didn’t have training on Snapchat or other social media applications, Graham wrote. It wasn’t just Gower’s inexperience with Snapchat that was of concern to the judge, but also his lack of expertise with the device on which the thumbnails were found. “He also does not have any formal training on the Apple iOS operating system,” Graham wrote. “In my view he is not qualified to provide opinion evidence even in a general sense of the strengths and weaknesses of that system.” Graham concluded that Gower has a “solid foundation to build upon,” but would need to take more courses in “this rapidly evolving area” to provide expert testimony. The charges were dismissed. “(My parents) never gave up. I never gave up. As a family we pushed together and we succeeded,” Kristian said. “Knowing that he can start his life again, because it had been put on hold for such a long time — it was a huge relief,” Andrea said. Two months after the charges were dismissed, Kristian had successful brain surgery to repair the arteriovenous malformation. With the court case in the past, Kristian has returned to Fanshawe, studying to become an electrician. “I feel like I’m back to my myself,” the now 22-year-old said. His son has been made whole but the system remains broken, Mario said. “I’m not saying the police officer on the street isn’t doing their job,” he said, but “I don’t have faith in (the system).” “My job as a responsible father, as a responsible citizen . . . is to make sure this doesn’t happen to anybody else who is innocent.” Mario hired a private security and investigations firm, Investigative Solutions Network Inc., to examine the Woodstock police investigation of his son. The investigation was conducted by Bill McGarry, the company’s director of cyber operations and a former Toronto police officer with extensive experience in its child exploitation unit. McGarry’s report concluded that Woodstock police appeared to take “a very basic approach to the investigation, accepting all information as valid without conducting an inquiry into the information received.” ⦁ Police should have used a forensic examiner familiar with investigating devices for offences related to child pornography, who would have made various queries such as checking search engine history related to child pornography, his report said. ⦁ The files located on Kristian’s rose gold iPhone were “deep within the Snapchat application database that are inaccessible to the phone user,” McGarry wrote. “The files would only be accessible ‘via expensive software’ used by a person that requires extensive training and experience to use.” ⦁ McGarry called “the reliance of an unqualified digital forensic examiner” with inadequate training “to investigate iOS devices nor social media applications such as Snapchat” one of the “biggest missteps taken” by Woodstock police. ⦁ Police failed to search for a potential alibi, such as the correspondence between Snapchat and Kristian indicating the account had been compromised. “Reasonable and probable grounds” to support a charge of possession would have “evaporated and ceased to exist” had investigators examined further factors such as the Spinas’ compromised IP address. The Free Press asked Wilkinson whether Woodstock police had contacted outside forces, such as the OPP or another source experienced with iOS devices and social media applications, to help investigate. Wilkinson didn’t indicate whether or not that had been done. The chief said his force “continually” develops officers’ skills and qualifications to adapt to “rapidly changing technology involved in such complex investigations.” The Free Press also asked Wilkinson in its email correspondence whether the investigating officers had looked into whether Kristian’s account had been hacked as an explanation for child pornography uploaded to his Snapchat account. He confirmed that was investigated, but did not say whether police had contacted Snapchat. A digital forensic examination had revealed “a device contained materials that met the Criminal Code definition of child pornography” and gave police “reasonable and probable grounds to proceed to lay charges,” the chief wrote in an earlier email. Mario filed an official complaint to LECA, the provincial police oversight agency, in April 2023. Mario’s complaint alleged police conducted a “negligent investigation, which caused the family stress, trauma, and financial loss,” according to the LECA report. The report concluded that a LECA investigator found insufficient evidence to support Mario’s concerns that “discreditable misconduct or neglect of duty” had occurred. Asked through email about Mario’s allegation the investigation against his son was negligent, Haegans replied, “I am unable to comment.” Gower did not respond to a similar email seeking comment about the allegation and declined to answer questions when contacted by phone. Wilkinson responded to that question by noting that LECA, the provincial oversight agency, had found Mario’s complaint “unsubstantiated.” Unsatisfied with the LECA response, Mario said he spoke to Ernie Hardeman, the Woodstock-area MPP, who recommended he go before Woodstock’s police service board that oversees the city police. Mario tried to appear before the board to present information “to prevent this from ever happening to another innocent person in our community.” But he balked at conditions the board wanted to place on his appearance. The board requires someone provide a written statement before appearing, and can’t allow discussions that might involve individual officers to be held in public, Ken Whiteford, chair of the police board, told The Free Press. “It’s in a closed room and nothing can be shared,” Mario said. “That doesn’t leave me a real good, comforting feeling.” Mario filed a complaint about the police board in April 2024 to an oversight office called the Inspectorate of Policing. The inspectorate replied in August it agreed with the police board decisions. Mario said he’s not after an apology from the police, but would like them to publicly note that all charges against Kristian were dismissed, something McGarry’s report noted was the “only way to clear his name.” “They are the ones who printed his name on grains of evidence that they didn’t understand, using a forensics expert who wasn’t qualified, who’d never done that before on a cell phone,” Mario said. “They published my son’s name (in the first place), they could publish my son’s name now saying he has nothing to do with this.” The issue isn’t dead for Mario. “I’m not the kind of guy that just goes away that easy,” he said. “Hopefully, this story is going to have some type of an impact to allow this to be heard . . .”Soccer-Fonseca content with Milan's serious attitude in easy Sassuolo winRuud van Nistelrooy treated himself to a beer after enjoying a perfect start to his reign as Leicester manager. Van Nistelrooy’s first game in charge ended with a 3-1 win over West Ham, thanks to goals from Jamie Vardy, Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka. The Dutchman, who was out of work for just two weeks following his four-game spell as Manchester United interim boss, only started on Sunday so was happy to end a hectic three days in style. Jamie Vardy helped Ruud van Nistelrooy get off to a winning start (Mike Egerton/PA) “Everybody was involved with that and helping, it was busy, long days, but worth it. I was focused on the game and what the game needed, the subs, the half-time talk, so focused on the moment, so I am going to get myself a little beer and reflect on the last three days.” He endured a dream start as Vardy scored after just 98 seconds with El Khannouss and Daka adding second-half goals. It was by no means one-way traffic, though, as West Ham – who scored a consolation through Niclas Fullkrug at the death – had 30 shots on goal. But Van Nistelrooy saw enough to think he can deliver on his objective of keeping the Foxes in the Premier League. “I am very happy, if you look at the result – and it is about the result – it was a great night, three points, three good goals and also very effective. Ruud at the wheel ? pic.twitter.com/eVgIwWAcYw — Leicester City (@LCFC) December 3, 2024 “Overall the game of course we have seen and how dominant West Ham were at certain stages and what they created, that is a fact and something we have to look at. “Overall, what I expected of the players going forward was togetherness and hunger, energy and spirit in this team that is fighting for every inch. “Eleven players on the pitch who are fighting as a foundation to play the rest of the Premier League. I saw that completely with every single player that started and came on. “That’s the foundation we have to build on, without that it will be impossible to get where we want to go. I am very happy about that.” West Ham’s hierarchy will have seen what impact a managerial change can have as the jury remains out on Julen Lopetegui, with away fans making their feelings clear by chanting “You’re getting sacked in the morning”. Lopetegui expects to keep his job but forthcoming games against his former club Wolves, Bournemouth, Brighton and Southampton could determine the Spaniard’s future. West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui after the final whistle at Leicester (Mike Egerton/PA) “We have one month of December with a lot of matches and I am sure with this attitude we are going to achieve many more points. “I believe in the players. I am confident that tomorrow we are going to be ready to prepare the next match. “Understanding the question, but at the end of the season maybe we talk in another way. There are a lot of matches and points, a lot of things can happen. “I believe in these players and team, I am sure the position is going to be much better. They are only words but we have to work a lot to achieve this.”