If you are a frequent online shopper, there is every chance that you’ve come across a site called Temu. It’s a Chinese-owned digital marketplace. Customer who have purchased items from the Temu Ireland website, should not be surprised if they get an image shown below in their Email accounts.
First note the picture above and also retain in your memory that something which views as too good to be true, most likely is untrue; note: Temu do not send Mystery Boxes to their customers.
This is a Spam Text Message and Phishing at its very best, attempting to seeking personal detail and on no account should you click on the links requested on every line of the notification.
In yet another picture, shown immediately above, you will be asked to unsubscribe. Should you attempt to do so you will again be asked for personal details, so refrain from doing so.
Today, we contacted Temu [help@support.temu.com], re. the hacking of email data on their website and received the following reply in the form of a rather ‘limp apology’.
A portion of their reply message read: [Temu Ticket 1699871874096499] “Thank you for contacting the Temu Customer Service Team. We care deeply about privacy and data protection. We strictly abide to our Privacy and Cookies Policy. We believe in transparency and are committed to keeping your information safe. From the picture information you provided. After verification, this is indeed not an official website and our team is currently taking necessary measures to resolve the issue. We have already filed a complaint to the Message publishing platform.”
But of course they have failed to kept personal email data/information safe, as proven by the images shown above. They now join the ranks of Adobe, Dropbox, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, to name but a few, who in the past have each allowed Email addresses, Employers, Geographic locations, Job titles, Names, and Social media profile data to be compromised.
Fianna Fáil Minister for Education Ms Norma FoleyTD, has announced that she is bringing a policy to Cabinet that will support parents not to buy ‘Smartphones’ for primary school children. Many in society will welcome this move, given mounting evidence that so called “Smartphones” are NOT a smart choice for our children.
The term ‘Smartphone’ refers to the now ubiquitous touchscreen phone that is so ‘smart’ it can perform any number of diverse functions; including stream movies, access the internet, email, access social media, take high quality video and photos, pay your bills and show you how to get from ‘A‘ to ‘B’ with built-in satellite navigation tools. Indeed, the potential of smartphones is unlimited given their ability to download applications (apps) for just about anything.
Despite their benefits and utility, increasingly, scientists, educationalists and parents are highlighting that they have the capacity to cause real harm, when put into the hands of children and teenagers (and some adults too). Smartphones enable unlimited access to social media platforms with multiple studies highlighting links between social media and increased levels of anxiety, depression and bullying. Dove recently launched its “Cost of Beauty” campaign, and a short film, that is a stark warning to all parents about the devastating impact various platforms can have on young minds when these platforms enable them (and some would argue encourage them) to scroll through thousands of images of impossible beauty standards.
We are repeatedly warned of the dangers of excessive screen time and with apps purposely designed to keep users online and engaged, it’s impossible for adults, let alone young minds, to get offline. As well as spending too much time online, smartphones enable anyone to access anything online. You may think “that’s fine my kids only watch YouTube and Tiktoks”, but even these familiar apps can lead children to dark and strange content.
Please do take the time to watch, to the very end; this ‘Ted Talk’ video, shown immediately hereunder:
As well as the dangers of social media, screen time and exposure to inappropriate content, smartphones and apps are potentially invading our privacy. Our actions are constantly monitored and our data used and misused. It’s worth watching the documentary “The Social Dilemma” to get an insight into this area of danger.
Less dangerous, but troubling all the same, are the warnings about smartphones and the damage they are doing to our intelligence and creativity. We never get bored, never need to remember anything and never experience quiet solitude when in the presence of our smartphones.
Boredom and offline time is essential to learning, imagination and creativity. Indeed, back in 2018 “The Times” published an article entitled “Why the Silicon Valley titans who got our kids addicted to screens are sending their own children to tech-free schools”. Why? The Silicon Valley titans know the value of tech free time, hands-on learning, boredom, imagination and creativity and they want this, not their high tech, for their kids. It is even said that Steve Jobs, creator of the iPhone and iPad, did not allow his own children to use the very devices he created.
Many parents get their child a smartphone for understandable reasons. They want to be able, for example, to contact their child about ever changing after school activities, sports matches or visits with friends. This is important but you don’t need a smartphone to achieve this.
All you need for children is what’s known as a “dumb phone”, [View here for “dumb phone” ]. Dumb phones are so-called because their functions are limited. All you can do is make a call, receive a call and send and receive texts (some readers may remember these prehistoric devices). With all the negatives associated with smartphones these days, maybe “dumb phones” aren’t that dumb after all.
And whilst politicians don’t always get things right (“Do they ever”, I hear some of you say), Minister Norma Foley may be making a ‘smart’ move/decision here, and if her advice is followed, one that will really benefit our children into the future.
Lidl the German international discount retail chain, headquartered in Neckarsulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, which operates over 12,000 stores worldwide, one of which is here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary; will shortly unveil a welcome return to what was once an old habit in Thurles Town.
The multinational shopping chain is expected to shortly unveil the introduction of reverse vending machines. Here in Thurles, following completion of work currently in progress; bottles and cans regularly dumped in hedges, ditches, along road sides or thrown over garden walls will soon become valuable commodities.
Cans, dumped by careless individuals in Thurles, soon to be worth money.
Customers may deposit their empty plastic bottles and drink cans and receive voucher credits to spend in-store, with each bottle or can deposited, earning its owner, between 10 and 15 cent per item deposited.
So the wheel, once again, comes full circle, with this situation returning to what it was in the past; returning empties for cash deposits, thus helping to tidy up our town and country landscapes.
Our congratulations to Lidl on this major initiative, which requires huge investment to introduce.
However, one wonders are we now so wealthy as adult individuals; so as to bother with garnering loose change in the form of our island’s abundant, discarded matter? Perhaps, as before, children will grab hold and take advantage of this initiative to increase their personal sweet purchasing power.
There was a total of 45 drug driving offences detected in Co. Tipperary so far this year, despite fewer Garda checkpoints; the latter checkpoint reductions due to severe weather conditions; incidents such as traffic collisions; thefts and domestic disturbances. Garda checkpoints are down some 27% from the 2,580 conducted over the same period last year.
Even more worrying we learn is the fact that the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use is expected to agree on recommendations to liberalise laws around possession of sales of common illegal drugs. This is despite opposition to this same liberalisation from the Gardaí; the Chief Medical Officer and some medics; latter who claim that the liberalising of current drug laws will lead to more widespread drug use and will not help combat the stigma surrounding this issue.
The Irish Citizens’ Assembly (Irish: An Tionól Saoránach) is a convocation established in Ireland, back in 2016, to consider several political questions including the ‘Constitution of Ireland’; ‘abortion’; ‘fixed term parliaments’; ‘referendums’; ‘population ageing’ and ‘climate change’ with reports expected to be produced on the aforementioned topics.
Should the ‘Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs Use’ recommendations now be implemented, it is widely believed that the current existing major drugs problem will create an even more widespread drugs issue. Same would see individuals, families and communities being ravaged by addiction, previously never before experienced in this island, not to mention the serious crimes anticipated; same committed by those addicted; in order to fund their existing drug habit.
Same liberalisation it is believed will result in increased overall health problems, with lives destroyed, parent unable to take care of their children, and an overall decline in the way we live our daily lives, with the overburdened tax payer, once again, picking up the tab for required addiction drug treatment, medications, e.g. Methadone, Naltrexone (Vivitrol) etc, plus the necessary comfort, over-the-counter medications, suggested by GP’s, all readily available without a prescription and also commonly abused.
The Irish Citizens’ Assembly will not and must not be allowed to take the place of the majority of the law abiding, Irish voting public.
It would appear that the only way that neglected rural communities can attract the full attention of our present government is to viciously assault and steal from tourists or openly offer for sale various hallucinogens, which can produce an altered states of consciousness in thought, mood, and perception.
Here in Thurles, Co. Tipperary, while unfortunately there are never any tourists found lurking, to assault, we do have the various hallucinogens being offered for sale, which we can highlight.
Minister for Justice Mrs Helen McEntee T.D., was joined by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D., yesterday, to launch the Dublin North Inner City Local Community Safety Plan.
In a press release issued, they stated that quote: “Building stronger, safer communities requires input from all State agencies“. The state agencies being suggested in this case – Dublin City Council, Business Groups, HSE, Tusla, Youth services, An Garda Síochána and unspecified others, pointing out that safer communities is not just the responsibility of An Garda Síochána or the justice sector alone.
The new Dublin North Inner City Plan published yesterday outlines 50 actions across five priority areas and these priority areas are:
Drugs, Inclusion-Health, Anti-Social Behaviour.
Family, Youth and Community.
Education, Life Long Learning.
Integration, Ethnic and Multi Faith Inclusion.
Physical Environment.
Under these priority areas, the detailed action plan includes measures to tackle anti-social behaviour and drug dealing, but also broader actions to improve feelings of community safety, such as integration of new cultures into the area, improved supports for families and increased awareness around issues like domestic violence.
The Community Safety Partnership will work with relevant groups to implement the actions in this plan, such as:
Continuing strong Garda presence in the area as well as Gardaí working with others to improve and maintain public spaces identified as ‘hot spots’ for anti-social behaviour and drug dealing. But will small time drug dealers be offered freedom from prosecution if they name their suppliers, thus enabling Gardaí to do their job?
HSE, Tusla, Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána to extend drug outreach programmes, particularly to the under 18s.
Community Safety Wardens to work in Wolfe Tone Square, O’Connell Street and other areas.
Dublin City Council to carry out regular audits of streetscapes – lighting, cleanliness, maintenance – to improve feelings of safety. Will this action also be undertaken In Thurles, resulting in the lights being switched off during the day time and will the myriad of street potholes be attended too?
Dublin City Council to review and refresh infrastructure of key commercial streets, prioritising O’Connell Street, Talbot Street, Moore Street and Capel Street.
Dublin City Council to work with business groups such as Dublin Town to tackle illegal dumping.
Probation Service, An Garda Síochána, Tusla and others to provide new programmes for young prolific offenders engaged in violent criminal behaviour.
HSE to provide health bus to promote positive health interventions such as vaccinations and tackling obesity. Localised Mcdonald’s outlets are not going to like that. Maybe cooking classes could be arranged for the lazier members of this community.
Increasing the number of after school places for children.
An Garda Síochána Community Bus to address small policing matters.
All of the above benefits being offered to this violent, drug dealing, undeserving community will now be financed by the silent hardworking taxpayer.
Minister McEntee has stated: “The north inner city is a wonderful part of Dublin, and indeed of our country. It has brilliant communities – families with roots going back generations, as well as new arrivals making the area their home. It has fantastic schools and colleges. It is the commercial heart of our city centre, bringing so many of us in to shop and do businesses every day. And O’Connell Street, the historic main street of our capital city, is also at the heart of this area. There are of course challenges too, and I want to ensure that those living and working and living in our capital, and those who visit the city, are safe and feel safe.”
In July, Minister McEntee announced €10million of additional funding for Garda overtime in Dublin, specifically to increase high visibility policing and prevent crime. She also introduced Garda specialist regional firearms units, as opposed to regular uniformed Gardaí, who are unarmed, and detective gardaí, who are armed but not assigned to ASU roles. Was it her intention to shoot drug dealers and those causing violent disorder, or was it just for ‘optics’, giving the appearance that this government actually were awake.
Minster McEntee added: “Having stronger, safer communities is at the core of my work as Minister for Justice. Gardaí across the city continue to work hard to keep people safe, to prevent crime and provide reassurance. Where incidents take place, An Garda Síochána move swiftly to fully investigate, make arrests and bring those responsible to justice. The re-opening of Fitzgibbon Street Garda station last year and the opening of a new station for O’Connell Street in March, have also helped improve that visible Garda presence. But increasing community safety – people being safe, and feeling safe too – is not only the responsibility of the justice system or An Garda Síochána. It requires many of us in State agencies and organisations working together – and working with the local community. Because nobody knows better than local communities how to make their areas safer. This is our new policy on community safety, and it is one we will be rolling out across the country next year. Communities drawing up plans on how to make their areas safer, with everyone around the table – health, education, business groups, An Garda Síochána, public and community representatives – finding solutions. The Dublin North Inner City plan being published today is a perfect example of this fresh approach.”
“Wow” and if that wasn’t enough, Minister PaschalDonohoe TD said: “Dublin’s North Inner City is an area of great diversity and vibrancy. Of course some challenges exist. That is why today marks a special day. The publication of the Local Community Safety Plan for Dublin’s North Inner City aims to bring all those who know the area best and those who are best placed to identify and implement the changes that are needed to ensure that the area is a better place to live, to visit and to enjoy. By prioritising these five areas, we can make sure that resources are allocated in the right way so that they make the biggest difference. The people of the North East Inner City are rightfully proud of where they live and come from. This plan will go a considerable distance to making the NEIC a stronger and safer community which is no less that the residents deserve.”
Speaking at the launch of the Dublin North Inner City Community Safety Plan, the Chair of the North Inner City Community Safety Partnership Mr. Eddie Mullins had little to said only: “As the recently appointed Chair of Dublin’s North Inner City Community Safety Partnership I am delighted to welcome everyone here today for the launch of the Community Safety Plan for the North Inner City. On behalf of the Partnership I want to welcome the Ministers McEntee and Donohoe also and thank them for their continued interest in and support for the work of the Partnership. In my short time working with the Partnership I am struck by the commitment of the Partners to the Community and want to recognise and thank the Partners for coming together in the preparation of this document. The Community Safety Plan is a living a document which we expect will evolve and continue to be informed by the Community we seek to support.”
Just keep throwing taxpayers money at the issues, in the hope that a ‘softly softly’ approach can garner working class votes.
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