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Starling Bank has launched a feature in its app allowing customers to hide payment references, which could help survivors of economic abuse. The “hide references” feature is designed to help people mute unwelcome or abusive references that can accompany bank transfers. Payment references are generally simply intended to describe the nature of a payment, such as “rent”, “mum’s birthday gift” or “dinner”, for example. But in cases of economic abuse, they can be misused, with the aim of upsetting or trying to manipulate the recipient. An abusive former partner who has been blocked from other forms of contact, may, for example, send messages claiming they miss their ex, or even send insults or threats, Starling Bank said. Using online bank payment references to send intimidating or malicious messages is just one of the ways an abuser can maintain control from afar, leaving victims feeling helpless and highly vulnerable Lauren Garrett, Surviving Economic Abuse These references can be used as a way for an ex-partner to maintain some control and have a triggering impact on the recipient. The bank said multiple messages may even be sent to accompany payments as small as 1p. It has partnered with the charity Surviving Economic Abuse to launch the feature. Economic abuse, which is often accompanied by other forms of abuse, can involve someone taking another person’s wages, stopping them from working, or intentionally putting them into debt. While such abuse can happen within couples, it may sometimes take place within other types of relationships; for example, an adult child may abuse a frail and elderly parent, or a parent may abuse a child. Abusive payment references are a key obstacle for economic abuse survivors to overcome, Starling Bank said. Starling’s personal current account holders can use the feature by swiping up from the app home screen to pull up their transaction fee, tapping on a payment that has been received with an unwanted reference, and tapping the hide icon. This will hide references from past or future payments made from that account. Starling said the new feature will not stop money landing in a customer’s account – the recipient will simply not see any payment references that come from the sending account. Customers can choose to unhide payment references in the app at any time. Starling said one person had told the bank: “The ability to hide these references with a simple tap makes all the difference and I am so pleased that Starling has listened to my experience.” This feature shows just how powerful technology can be in making people’s lives easier Charity Wood, Starling Bank Lauren Garrett, financial services manager at Surviving Economic Abuse, said: “Economic abuse can continue, increase, or even start long after a victim-survivor has separated from an abuser. “Using online bank payment references to send intimidating or malicious messages is just one of the ways an abuser can maintain control from afar, leaving victims feeling helpless and highly vulnerable. “We’re pleased to be working with Starling on this new feature and commend them for sharing what they are doing to give survivors the power to choose what payment references they see without having to relive traumatising experiences to customer services. “This small in-app feature will make a huge difference to survivors’ ability to bank safely, and we’re proud to work alongside financial services who are listening to the voices of victim-survivors and encourage firms to continue closing down gaps in products and services which are being used to inadvertently facilitate abuse.” Starling is a founding signatory in the UK Finance financial abuse code. The hide references feature is part of the bank’s existing work supporting economic abuse survivors, which includes a dedicated vulnerable support team. Charity Wood, head of customer experience at Starling Bank, said: “Anyone can experience economic abuse; they might not realise that it’s happening to them or how their bank can support. “This feature shows just how powerful technology can be in making people’s lives easier, and is testament to Starling’s belief in doing the right thing.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Augmented reality headset Vision Pro is ‘most advanced device ever’ – Apple Revealed: The delivery apps charging you double for your food shop Therapist develops secret app to help abuse victims

Love him, or hate him, Elon Musk seems to know a thing or two about gaming (or gaming badly, according to critics). Even if you disagree with his gaming credentials, he seems to have a genuine love for video games. Musk once claimed he was one of the best at the original Quake, that gaming helps calm him. "Killing the demons in a video game calms the demons in my mind," said the tech CEO to podcast host Lex Fridman when speaking about Diablo IV where he 'cruised through Tier 100 Nightmare Dungeons like a stroll in the park.' True to that, it's said he defeated the stress from his controversial Twitter purchase (later renamed to X) by zoning out on Elden Ring, which he compared to an artwork on X: Elon Musk, most recently has spoken about Diablo IV, and Elden Ring a lot, but what is his top recommendation? The game above all games that Musk would recommend to anyone asking? Elon Musk's biggest gaming recommendation Interestingly enough, Musk was once asked this question, so his answer is the one we have to go on. Worry not, though, we'll list his other recommendations and favourite games afterwards if his main answer doesn't tickle your fancy. When asked the question before, Musk recommended 2016 smash hit Overwatch to an audience. After a period of repeated requests, Musk finally said that he plays Solider 76 as his main character. Following that, Musk took up Torbjorn. He's also VERY fond of Mercy, and according to Musk's biography, his ex, Amber Heard, once dressed up as the Overwatch healer for Musk. Sadly, Overwatch no longer exists, and the online universe of the game was replaced and updated by Overwatch 2 - which hasn't been as well received as the legendary original. Musk's only thought on Overwatch 2 is that he'll 'maybe' return to playing it, which is a long way away from the praise he heaped on the original game. Elon Musk's favourite games Elon didn't stop gaming when Overwatch was replaced though. As mentioned, he enjoyed his time with Diablo IV and Elden Ring immensely, so you can add those two to the list that starts with Overwatch. With Overwatch no longer available in the form Musk recommended, we've got another big shout from the X CEO: Polytopia. Described as 'a turn based civilization strategy game about controlling the map, fighting enemy tribes, discovering new lands and mastering new technologies,' Polytopia is a game that is thought highly of by Musk, and he says it has influenced his strategy when it comes to business. In fact, Musk became quite obsessed with the game. He said it'd teach people, like his brother Kimbal, how to be CEO's themselves - but Musk said had to get rid of it as it was taking up too many 'brain cycles'. It even led to a fight with another ex of his, Grimes, who deeply upset Musk during a Polytopia session when she launched an attack on him despite having agreed to work together. She said it was "it was one of our biggest fights ever," that led to Musk giving Grimes the cold shoulder for an entire day. As for other games, Musk mentioned his fondness for spacecraft launch sim Kerbal Space Program in an old Reddit AMA. The Randian philosophy of Bioshock's Andrew Ryan is thought to be a big influence of Musk, who lists the game series among his favourites, also naming Fallout, Warcraft, Civilization and Mass Effect. He's also spent a bit of time speaking about Saints Row IV, in odd replies to news clips about President Joe Biden. Nintendo games? Musk is a big fan of Super Smash Bros: Ultimate where he plays as Zero Suit Samus Here's the list in full: Overwatch Elden Ring Warcraft Diablo IV Quake Bioshock Civilization series Mass Effect series Fallout series Polytopia Kerbal Space Progam Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

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