All Technology
First LookTwitter tests new misinformation labels. Will they backfire?“Disputed,” “Misleading,” or “Stay informed?” As Twitter revamps its misinformation labels for better visibility and utility, concerns arise: Will these labels really help people discern facts? And do they allow Twitter to avoid more important content moderation work?
First LookFacebook antitrust lawsuits 'legally insufficient,' rules judgeThe U.S. government and 48 states and districts sued Facebook last December, accusing the company of abusing its market power. On Monday, a federal judge dismissed the case due to lack of evidence in a blow for the FTC and others working to curb Big Tech’s influence.
First LookTech tools and Indian farming: Are the yields worth the cost?In the latest agricultural reform, the Indian government in partnership with Microsoft is planning a pilot program in 100 villages that combines AI with farming. While digital monitoring of soil health could increase crop yields, farmers worry about their data privacy.
First LookNot lost forever? How AI is restoring famous paintings.Rembrandt van Rijn's famous “Night Watch” had segments of it snipped off in 1715. Thanks to artificial intelligence, programmers have taught a computer to paint (almost) exactly as Rembrandt did, filling in the missing pieces and enlarging the painting.
First LookPrivacy or crime prevention? Big Tech gets cozy with police.As ordinary Americans become more dependent on new technologies, Big Tech companies are collecting increasingly large sums of data – which, in turn, has resulted in a “treasure trove of information” for police who want to solve crimes.
First LookIs Google playing fair? EU investigates tech giant's practices.Google faces a fresh antitrust investigation from EU regulators regarding its practices in the digital ad sector. The investigation signals the commission’s efforts to rein in Google’s market power.
First LookLina Khan, Big Tech critic and anti-trust scholar, to lead FTCThe U.S. Senate has confirmed Lina Khan, a legal scholar and energetic critic of the tech industry, as the Federal Trade Commission chair. Ms. Khan’s selection signals the Biden administration’s focus on stronger oversight of the tech industry.
First LookAre tech giants doing enough for local news?Throughout the digital age, many local news organizations have been struggling to adapt. Large corporations like Google and Facebook have pledged to financially support these outlets, but many view these efforts as perfunctory, insufficient, and self-serving.
First LookIf you can buy a ticket to space, does that make you an astronaut?The word astronaut comes from the Greek words for star and sailor. But should anyone who boards a rocket be entitled to call themselves one? As space flight opens up to the public, the name seems up for grabs.
First LookRoad report: What it feels like to ride in a driverless carDriverless vehicles are ready for ordinary riders to test them out and share their experiences with engineers. One company in Arizona is offering lifts to people courageous enough to climb into the passenger seat.
First LookSpaceX satellites closing digital gap, but cause light pollutionSatellites launched by Elon Musk’s SpaceX are sometimes mistaken for UFOs. The error is easily corrected, but astronomers see other problems with the “industrialization of space.” Light pollution can spoil a clear view of the night sky, even obscuring scientific data.
First LookWhy Donald Trump will remain banned from Facebook, for nowFacebook’s Oversight Board has upheld the company’s decision to ban the former president’s account, but criticized the way it did so. The board called on Facebook to reexamine the penalty and develop clearer standards.
First LookApple lawsuit raises questions around Big Tech's dominanceEpic Games, which makes the popular Fortnite game, is suing Apple for its monopoly over its app store. Epic argues Apple unfairly takes a significant portion of earnings from mobile apps, but the lawsuit also raises debate around how Big Tech should be regulated.
First LookShould what you do offline get you banned from social media?As tech’s relationship with real-world violence comes under increased scrutiny, Facebook, Twitch, and Twitter are moderating users’ offline activities. While some praise the guidelines, others criticize them for infringing on civil liberties.
First LookHow start-ups are cleaning up car battery recyclingLead battery recycling is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Now, start-up companies are developing new processes that use water, electricity, and chemicals rather than smelting to recycle car batteries.
First LookExtremist Facebook groups still active despite bans, report saysMore than 100 groups tied to QAnon, boogaloo, and militia movements that glorified violence during the 2020 election still have an active presence on Facebook with nearly 27 million followers.
First LookAnother hacking incident highlights growing cybersecurity threatA hack on file-transfer company Accellion in December has affected dozens of companies and government agencies on at least four continents. The incident highlights the growing threat of hackers getting hold of sensitive data through third-party services.
The internet breaks too easily. Can that be fixed?As the internet has become dominated by a handful of tech giants, outages have become routine. Some people seek a less-centralized model.
Eye in the sky: Did Baltimore’s aerial surveillance program go too far?A federal appeals court is set to consider the constitutionality of a police surveillance program conducted last year in the skies over Baltimore.
First LookFacebook reverses news ban in Australia. A global precedent?The Australian government and Facebook have come to an agreement on a law that would make digital giants pay for journalism. Facebook’s cooperation is seen as a major victory in Australia’s efforts to curb Big Tech and could set a precedent for other countries.
