Today’s Tech Sightings: Thai Activists Work to Keep Open Web Amid Online Freedom Restrictions Thailand’s military junta has been steadily pursuing people who allegedly have defamed the country’s king on Facebook and other online services. Writer Janjira Sombatpoonsiri notes that hundreds of websites were blocked in May as internet restrictions increased. But pro-democracy activists are […]
Thai Activists Fight for Web Freedom; Google to Train Millions in Africa
Google Teaches Kids About Online Safety; Email Scams on the Rise
Today’s Tech Sightings: Google Is Using Games to Teach Kids About Online Safety Learning how to watch your step online to avoid malware and other pitfalls is an acquired skill. And Google has just launched a new program called “Be Internet Awesome” to teach young people how to make smart decisions online. The program includes […]
The Trouble With Android; ‘Instant Apps’ Coming to Android JellyBean
Today’s Tech Sightings: Can Google Win Its Battle With Android Malware? The Android operating system continues to get the lion’s share of malware and ransomware by virtue of its large market dominance, according to recent data. Unlike Apple, which does not encourage non-Apple apps, Google allows Android users to download apps from other stores, in […]
Hype Aside, Blockchain Could Empower Developing World
If you believe all the hype, blockchain is the next revolution that will change the world as mobile technology did in early 2000. It might. But a few hurdles need to be cleared before this digital platform can potentially empower some of the world’s poorest citizens. Simply put, blockchain is a data application or ledger […]
Getting More Women Into Tech; Millions of Android Devices at Risk
Today’s Tech Sightings: Microsoft, LinkedIn Encourage Girls to Pursue STEM on International Women’s Day The World Economic Forum notes that only 16 percent of female students graduate from STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curricula. In the U.S., only 26 percent of employees in computer and mathematics jobs are women, according to the Department of […]
Twitter Restricts Abusive Users; IBM, VISA Team Up for IoT
Today’s Tech Sightings: Twitter Starts Temporarily Restricting Abusive Accounts Twitter will now temporarily restrict users who engage in abuse and sexual harassment online so that only their followers are able to see their tweets. The move also prevents these tweets from being retweeted to non-followers. This is the latest in a series of measures Twitter […]
Microsoft Takes on AI Risks; Ex-Googler’s New Concept in Health Care
Today’s Tech Sightings: Microsoft CEO Nadella: ‘Steer AI Away From Replacing People’ Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella cautioned tech companies against showcasing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) while undermining workers’ dignity. Speaking at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Nadella said the current AI race seeks to replace humans rather than complement their work. […]
German Firm Suffers Massive Cyberattack; Facebook Tackles Fake News
Today’s Tech Sightings: ThyssenKrupp Secrets Stolen in ‘Massive’ Cyberattack Germany’s ThyssenKrupp AG conglomerate said Thursday a massive cyberattack stole trade secrets from its steel production and manufacturing plant design divisions. The attack was discovered in April and traced back to February. The company, one of the world’s largest steel makers, is still trying to determine […]
Google Search Points Out US Election Polls; Twitter Bot Tracks Dictators
Today’s Tech Sightings: Google Now Will Tell You Where You Can Vote in US Election The clock is ticking ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November, and Google is offering to point you in the direction of the nearest polling station. Starting Thursday, searching in English or Spanish for “where to vote” will yield […]