India to Probe WhatsApp Privacy; DeepMind, UK Join to Fight Cancer

Posted August 31st, 2016 at 11:42 am (UTC-4)
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Today’s Tech Sightings:

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

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

WhatsApp in Hot Water in India Over Privacy Policy Changes

Messaging service WhatsApp’s about-face on privacy has raised eyebrows in the U.S., Europe, and now in India. New Delhi’s High Court has asked the government and telecom regulators to look into WhatsApp data-sharing after some users complained about changes in its privacy policy. In the U.S., the Federal Trade Commission has been asked to intervene. WhatsApp said last week it will share users’ data, including phone numbers, with Facebook, despite earlier promises of protecting their privacy.

Google DeepMind AI to Help Doctors Treat Head, Neck Cancers

A new collaboration between Google and Britain’s National Health Service will put the tech company’s artificial intelligence system DeepMind to work to reduce radiotherapy planning times for the treatment of head and neck cancers. DeepMind will conduct research to determine if radiotherapy planning, which takes a long time when dealing with sensitive body parts prone to damage, can be reduced from four hours to one.

Trump’s New App Wants You — and Your Data

Privacy activists are alarmed by a new, invasive app launched by the campaign of U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump that aggressively collects the data of supporters. If allowed, the app, called America First, will also collect data about supporters’ friends as well. Users who donate to the Trump campaign, share the app or watch ads are awarded points – sort of like points you get when playing a video game.

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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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