Engadget News + Next Microsoft issued an emergency fix, Washington state pursuing an age verification law for porn sites, and plans for a gaming-themed Atari hotel in Las Vegas scrapped
Jan 19, 2026
Microsoft has rolled out an emergency fix to address critical bugs in Windows 11, resolving shutdown issues. Meanwhile, Washington state is considering a controversial ID requirement for accessing adult websites, stirring privacy concerns. In a surprising turn, plans for an Atari-themed hotel in Las Vegas have dissolved, leaving only the Phoenix location moving forward after six years of development.
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Emergency Windows Update Broke Shutdowns
- A January 2026 Windows security update caused some Windows 11 devices to only restart instead of shutting down or hibernating.
- Microsoft released an emergency out-of-band fix and restored remote login functionality for affected Windows 10 and 11 systems.
Anticipate Privacy Risks From Age Checks
- Prepare for increased privacy risk if online age-verification laws pass because sites may collect government IDs or other biometric data.
- Watch for legal definitions of "sexual material harmful to minors," since broad language can expand which sites must verify age.
Washington Considers ID Checks For Porn Sites
- Washington's House Bill 2112 would require ID-based age verification for pornography sites deemed harmful to minors.
- The proposal mirrors Texas law and drew privacy and scope concerns from groups like the ACLU during hearings.