Today’s Tech Sightings:
Beijing Official: Chinese Have No Need for Blocked Websites
A Chinese official said Wednesday that if Beijing wins the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, then foreigners attending the games will be able to access the Internet unhindered. But he said that is not an issue for the Chinese because they “don’t like” websites like Facebook and Twitter. The government has previously warned that foreign social media services could destabilize Chinese society and the country’s security.
Indian Supreme Court Strikes Down Law Against Posting ‘Offensive’ Content Online
India’s Supreme Court struck down a provision in the country’s cyber law that allows authorities to arrest people who post “offensive” material online. In taking this action, the judges said section 66A of the Information Technology Act directly affects “the public’s right to know” and the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined in the Constitution.
Flash-Based Vulnerability Lingers on Many Websites Three Years Later
A vulnerability affecting Flash files, known as CVE-2011-2461, still exists and poses a potential threat on many websites despite being patched by Adobe Systems three years ago. The vulnerability was initially found in Adobe’s Flex Software Development Kit (SDK).
Google Working on Project to Let You Receive, Pay Bills Directly Inside Gmail
According to Re/code, Google’s project, named Pony Express, aims to let Gmail users receive bills and pay them off in their email inbox. This type of service will also allow Google to collect all kinds of financial data that would allow it to expand its personal finance offerings in the future.
Meet Cyanogen, the Startup That Wants to Steal Android From Google
Cyanogen is an improved version of Google’s Android mobile operating system — except that it has existed for the past six years outside Google’s control. And with the mobile market booming everywhere, Cyanogen could be installed on up to one billion phones. It already runs 50 million phones; and devices running Cyanogen are selling at record pace.
China Unveils Lightweight 3D-Printed Car
It took five days to produce the 3.6-meter-long two-seater convertible in South China’s Hainan Province, using low-cost composite materials. Chief designer Chen Mingqiao said the density of the vehicle is only one-seventh or one-eighth of metal. The car’s top speed is 24 miles per hour.
Thirteen Crazy Facts about the Mansion Minecraft Founder Bought for $70 million
After Markus Persson, the creator of the popular game Minecraft, sold the game studio to Microsoft in 2014 for $2.5 billion, he bought a gigantic mansion in Beverly Hills, California. His new, 23,000-square-foot home comes with plenty of jaw-dropping features.
