WhatsApp Turns Its Back on Privacy; Happy 25th Birthday, Linux

Posted August 25th, 2016 at 11:55 am (UTC-4)
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Today’s Tech Sightings:

A security message is seen on a Whatsapp screen in this illustration photo April 6, 2016. (Reuters)

A security message is seen on a Whatsapp screen in this illustration photo April 6, 2016. (Reuters)

WhatsApp Is Going to Share Your Phone Number With Facebook

So much for WhatsApp’s promise to protect the privacy of its one billion users! The global messaging service today announced users have a limited time to opt-out of sharing their information with Facebook. WhatsApp claims Facebook won’t post the telephone numbers online or share them. But Facebook intends to use the data for targeted ads.

Linux Turns 25! How a Hobby OS Hit It Big

Linux, started by Finnish-American software engineer, Linus Torvalds, celebrates its 25th birthday today, August 25, 2016. The open source operating system began with a message from Torvalds that said he was starting a free OS as a hobby. Today, Linux powers millions of servers, devices, and most of the world’s Android smartphones.

5 Ways Tech Is Helping Italian Earthquake Rescue Efforts

The death toll continues to rise in the aftermath of the 6.2-magnitude earthquake that rocked central Italy on Wednesday. But technology is helping rescuers by providing unsecured Wi-Fi access to local networks, text donations, free texts and calls, free accommodation and Facebook safety checks.

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Aida Akl
Aida Akl is a journalist working on VOA's English Webdesk. She has written on a wide range of topics, although her more recent contributions have focused on technology. She has covered both domestic and international events since the mid-1980s as a VOA reporter and international broadcaster.

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