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Showing posts from September, 2020

They Watched the Debate … on Twitch

The Amazon-owned platform, known for livestreams of video games, was a gathering spot for viewers seeking a different spin. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2ScUOdH

False G.O.P. Ad Prompts QAnon Death Threats Against a Democratic Congressman

from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3n7yekQ

Palantir Shares Up in Wall Street Debut

The Silicon Valley company leads a wave of tech outfits hoping to test the public markets in the busiest season for I.P.O.s in two decades. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3jcZz2N

How Facebook Entrenches Itself

The more Facebook knits together its apps, the harder it becomes for a government to break it up. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33hbVBC

How Voting by Mail Tops Election Misinformation

Misleading information about voting by mail is the biggest category of election falsehoods — and it includes many flavors. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2GkZ5sP

Now You Can Use Instagram to Chat With Friends on Facebook Messenger

Facebook began integrating its Instagram and Messenger apps, allowing users of the services to directly communicate with each other. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3ii85Mu

Drudge Report, a Trump Ally in 2016, Isn't in 2020

A rift between the president and the online news pioneer Matt Drudge is playing out in pithy headlines and needling tweets as the campaign heats up. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33ig7ky

The Facebook Pages With the Largest Share of Debate Conversation

Which Facebook pages are engaging people the most about Tuesday’s presidential debate? Here are the top 10. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3cIPJmM

Seattle Passes Minimum Pay Rate for Uber and Lyft Drivers

The city became the second in the nation to create a compensation standard for ride-hailing drivers, after New York. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3kWx5uD

Right-Wing Sites Falsely Claim Biden Got Debate Questions in Advance

Fox News, which is providing the moderator for the debate tonight, called the claim “entirely false.” from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3ifzEGq

The Long History of ‘Hidden Earpiece’ Conspiracy Theories

Ahead of Tuesday’s debate, right-wing commentators (and President Trump’s campaign) speculated that Joe Biden might be equipped with a hidden earpiece. It’s a decades-old charge without much evidence. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/30jMMnF

The Long History of ‘Hidden Earpiece’ Conspiracy Theories

Ahead of Tuesday’s debate, right-wing commentators (and President Trump’s campaign) speculated that Joe Biden might be equipped with a hidden earpiece. It’s a decades-old charge without much evidence. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/30jMMnF

One Retailer’s Pandemic Survival Plan

How technology investments paid off for one chain of stores that had to rethink everything. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2GkchOM

Slack Slowdown Frustrates Remote Workers

The company said the “performance issues we’ve been seeing should be mostly resolved” but users may continue to see errors this morning on the popular workplace messaging service. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iedAfk

Philippine leader Duterte Lashes Out at Facebook After Fake Accounts Removed

The Philippine leader, who harnessed the social network as he rose to power, is now making vague threats to shut it down. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iecMa6

Apple and Epic Games Spar Over Returning Fortnite to the App Store

The two companies argued in federal court over Apple’s power over apps, as their fight heads to trial next year. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2GkZsn3

How ‘Save the Children’ Is Keeping QAnon Alive

Appropriating anti-trafficking narratives is helping the pro-Trump conspiracy theory fuel its community’s hunger for vengeance. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/369UTqO

How ‘Save the Children’ Is Keeping QAnon Alive

Appropriating anti-trafficking narratives is helping the pro-Trump conspiracy theory fuel its community’s hunger for vengeance. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3jeX2oW

Google Demands Its 30% Cut From App Developers in Play Store

Some companies like Netflix and Spotify had avoided making the payment when people paid for something inside their apps. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2EJepPC

Can Amazon Conquer the World?

And what might we gain and lose from that? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2S87dPW

Uber Can Continue Operating in London, Judge Rules

The decision was the latest in a battle between the ride-hailing giant and London regulators. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3i8UvLq

Ransomware Attacks Take On New Urgency Ahead of Vote

Attacks against small towns, big cities and the contractors who run their voting systems have federal officials fearing that hackers will try to sow chaos around the election. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mZVuB8

Ransomware Attacks Take On New Urgency Ahead of Vote

Attacks against small towns, big cities and the contractors who run their voting systems have federal officials fearing that hackers will try to sow chaos around the election. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mZVuB8

U.S. Judge Hears Arguments on Trump’s TikTok Ban

The government said a ban would address its national security concerns. But lawyers for its owner said a ban would be “no different from the government locking the doors to a public forum.” from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3n09yei

Strangers' Things

Earning money online by selling intimate objects that aren’t obviously sexual (and that includes emotions). from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3j7l4lA

U.S. Places Restrictions on China’s Leading Chip Maker

The export controls follow a review in which the United States concluded that Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation may be supplying chips to the Chinese military. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2GbEAyQ

Pasta, Wine and Inflatable Pools: How Amazon Conquered Italy in the Pandemic

The e-commerce giant had struggled to gain a foothold in a society that prefers to shop in person, with cash, but now Italians are hooked on online shopping. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2HoK1uH

Inside eBay’s Cockroach Cult: The Ghastly Story of a Stalking Scandal

“People are basically good” was eBay’s founding principle. But in the deranged summer of 2019, prosecutors say, a campaign to terrorize a blogger crawled out of a dark place in the corporate soul. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2S2HLeW

In Isolating Times, Can Robo-Pets Provide Comfort?

As seniors find themselves cut off from loved ones during the pandemic, some are turning to automated animals for company. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3jiTsKx

California County Enlists Social Media to Thwart a Misleading Election Photo

Officials moved swiftly when old images of discarded mail-in ballots were circulated and portrayed as new pictures. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/331IKSI

What Went Viral This Week

Ruth Bader Ginsburg obituaries, reports of missing children and stories from a right-wing satire site made up the week’s most highly engaged stories on social media. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3kTYnC1

Facebook’s Power This Election

How much should Facebook be held responsible for what happens on its site? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3i1vAcH

A Hopeful Forecast: More Accurate Long-Term Weather Predictions

Improving technology could make it possible to better anticipate weather conditions weeks in advance, especially in the tropics. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mRAcpk

Alphabet Settles Shareholder Suits Over Sexual Harassment Claims

Google’s parent company was hit with a wave of lawsuits after The New York Times reported that an accused executive had received a $90 million exit package. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/334u2KW

Without Evidence, Right-Wing Commentators Link Soros to Louisville U-Haul

A spokeswoman for the liberal financier said he had “absolutely not” paid for the rental of a truck used in a protest in Louisville. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3ctsrRP

Google Services Go Down in Some Parts of U.S.

People experienced outages of services like Gmail, YouTube and Google Meet. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3cw2Esf

Facebook Takes Down Networks Linked to Russian Disinformation

The social network said it was moving proactively to dismantle infrastructure Russia could use against the American presidential election. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/332r21E

Amazon Unveils Drone That Films Inside Your Home. What Could Go Wrong?

On social media, people had some concerns about the Ring Always Home Cam. To put it mildly. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3cFfzbz

The Truth About ‘The Truth About Breonna Taylor’ Meme

Videos and viral images claiming to tell “the truth about” Black victims of police shootings are years old. This week, they are circulating about Breonna Taylor. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/305MCQC

The Truth About ‘The Truth About Breonna Taylor’ Meme

Videos and viral images claiming to tell “the truth about” Black victims of police shootings are years old. This week, they are circulating about Breonna Taylor. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/305MCQC

What’s the Deal With Google Now?

Google is facing the possibility of multiple antitrust lawsuits. Here’s why and what’s ahead. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2RV1Xzb

YouTube Tries Again to Amplify Accurate Voting Information

Tech platforms have struggled to keep false and misleading information about mail-in ballots off their services. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/301w1gY

Kevin Mayer in Talks to Join RedBird Capital

Mr. Mayer, who was a top dealmaker at Disney for years before his three months as TikTok’s chief executive, is in advanced talks with RedBird Capital, a private firm with holdings in sports, entertainment and financial services. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3ctvmKc

To Fight Apple and Google, Smaller App Rivals Organize a Coalition

Spotify, Match Group, Epic Games and others have created a nonprofit alliance that they hope will amplify a protest against the power of the giants. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iZoPcx

False Claims, Spread by a Trump Son, That Biden Used a Teleprompter

An edited version of a video has been shared by people close to the president, including his son Eric Trump. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3kGcRFm

TikTok Files for Injunction to Stop Ban of App

While President Trump has blessed a deal for TikTok, the video app filed to stop a ban of its service that is set to go into effect on Sunday. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2G4ZAXK

TikTok Files for Injunction to Stop Ban of App

While President Trump has blessed a deal for TikTok, the video app filed to stop a ban of its service that is set to go into effect on Sunday. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2G4ZAXK

Justice Dept. Urges Congress to Limit Tech’s Legal Shield

President Trump and his allies have made criticism of major tech platforms a regular talking point as he campaigns for re-election. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2G0QtaD

Beyond TikTok, Walmart Looks to Transform

Away from the political drama of the TikTok deal, Walmart has been taking steps that are already changing the company and, by extension, the broader retail sector. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2G60T8N

Ron Cobb, a Pioneer in Science Fiction Design, Dies at 83

The artist and movie production designer, who brought a meticulous eye for detail to movies including “Star Wars,” “Alien” and “Back to the Future,” helped shape the aesthetics of science fiction. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3kHy3e1

Hooray (Mostly) for the Government!

U.S. lawmakers are digging into questions about how to steer technology to make our lives better. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2EqbqeD

Ron Cobb, a Pioneer in Science Fiction Design, Dies at 83

The artist and movie production designer, who brought a meticulous eye for detail to movies including “Star Wars,” “Alien” and “Back to the Future,” helped shape the aesthetics of science fiction. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2RU7030

Young People More Likely to Believe Virus Misinformation, Study Says

The results diverge from past research that said older people were more likely to share false news articles on social media. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iQWqFH

Elon Musk Promises to Make a $25,000 Tesla (in 3 Years)

Tesla said it was working on advances that would lower the cost of batteries and increase their capacity to store energy. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3cpcnAz

Justice Dept. Case Against Google Is Said to Focus on Search Dominance

The decision to narrow the case to search could set off separate lawsuits from states over Google’s power in other business segments. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33SYKFQ

‘Birtherism’ Lies About Kamala Harris Exceed Those About Obama

Mentions of the racist theory about Ms. Harris spiked higher than the peak of similar lies about President Barack Obama in 2017. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mMEbn0

TikTok and WeChat: What They Tell Us About the Global Internet

Banned apps, nefarious theories, trade wars, voiceless users. The case of TikTok isn’t news to most of the world. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iPyYZo

This Misinformation Was Coming From Inside the House

William B. Crews was especially focused on undermining efforts to persuade the public to wear masks. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2Hp4CiE

Facebook Takes Down Fake Pages Created in China Aimed at Trump, Biden

The social media campaign was small but targeted all sides of the debate. Officials said Beijing had not decided whether to wade more directly in the American presidential race. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2G0oKad

A Capitalist Fix to the Digital Divide

What if big tech companies paid for lower income Americans to have fast internet access? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/300mvdV

No, Trump Did Not Hold the Bible Upside Down at Lafayette Square

from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32U90hT

Justice Dept. to Brief States on Google Antitrust Inquiry

The department is expected to outline a potential antitrust case against Google, which could be filed in the coming days. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mFkQEo

Microsoft Acquires Video Game Company ZeniMax in $7.5 Billion Deal

The company’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media puts it in a strong position against Sony just weeks before the release of their next generation of gaming consoles. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3ciPWwQ

Trump Jump-Starts Misinformation on Ginsburg’s ‘Dying Wish’

Baseless claims about the legitimacy of the justice’s final statements were not circulating online in any significant way before the president said them on Fox News. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2RLZlUb

TikTok Deal Trips Over U.S.-China Power Struggle

Companies involved in a deal to resolve TikTok’s future publicly clashed over the arrangement, while President Trump threatened to block any deal that left the service in Chinese hands. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32NIfvy

Ex-Georgia Tech Researcher Can Proceed With Lawsuit Against University Officials

Ten years after state agents raided his home, an engineer fights to prove he was wrongfully attacked over a computer chip start-up. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2RLx5RF

How Facebook Can Slow QAnon for Real

Social media sites cracked down on terrorist recruitment. Imagine what they could do about QAnon. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2HfutJD

TikTok Deal Exposes a Security Gap, and a Missing China Strategy

Technological progress has outpaced the political debate again. What will happen when the next TikTok arrives in the United States? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/35OkUMa

This Deal Helped Turn Google Into an Ad Powerhouse. Is That a Problem?

The $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick in 2007 was a “game changer.” A growing number of antitrust experts say it’s the sort of deal that should no longer be possible. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/35U0kKj

‘There’s No There There’: What the TikTok Deal Achieved

The agreement for the social media app falls short of President Trump’s promises. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FLkxay

U.S. Judge Temporarily Halts Trump’s WeChat Ban

The order is a setback in the president’s efforts to block a Chinese social media app that he has labeled a national security threat. The ban had been set to go into effect on Sunday night. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3ciixSN

A New York Clock That Told Time Now Tells the Time Remaining

Metronome’s digital clock in Manhattan, has been reprogrammed to illustrate a critical window for action to prevent the effects of global warming from becoming irreversible. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2EmxR4y

Trump Approves Deal Between Oracle and TikTok

The approval delays President Trump’s threat to block a popular Chinese-owned social media app from the United States until it receives investment from American partners. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FKQM9F

Trump Says Deal Between Oracle and TikTok Has His ‘Blessing’

The remarks suggested the Chinese-owned social media app may be allowed to continue to operate in the United States after receiving investment from American partners. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mJUVM3

In South Korea, Covid-19 Comes With Another Risk: Online Bullies

The country’s extensive response has been praised around the world but has led to harassment and slander, raising questions about privacy protections. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3cbyydv

After Trump’s TikTok Ban, China Readies Blacklist of Foreign Companies

Beijing issued rules that could allow it to halt exports, imports and investments by businesses accused of endangering national security. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iKuSSv

‘It’s So Essential’: WeChat Ban Makes U.S.-China Standoff Personal

When downloads of the Chinese-owned messaging service are barred in the U.S. starting at midnight on Sunday, the feud between the countries will hit home for millions of people. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3hDhPRm

Fox News Is Accused of Hiding George Soros’s Influence

It’s a twist for the cable channel, which regularly airs criticism of the billionaire investor and Democratic donor. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iKCc0m

Facebook Tried to Limit QAnon. It Failed.

The social network tried cracking down on the spread of the conspiracy theory and other extremist material. But QAnon groups are still flourishing on the site. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32FU0Ef

No, a Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Didn’t Partner With a Pro-Communist Chinese Group

A Heritage Foundation investigation went viral on Thursday, but it conflated two nonprofits with the same name. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FL4Gsa

Explaining Trump Ban on TikTok, WeChat

The Commerce Department announced that it was prohibiting downloads of WeChat and TikTok in U.S. app stores. Here’s what you need to know. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2RDZVmT

Don’t quit Facebook. Change laws.

What to do if you think Facebook worsens misinformation and hate speech. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iJhJJ3

Trump Admin to Ban TikTok, WeChat From U.S. App Stores

The Trump administration issued new rules Friday morning that will cripple the operation of two popular Chinese-owned apps in the United States. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FzyGro

What Is Happening With TikTok and WeChat as Trump Tries to Ban Them?

The Commerce Department announced that it was prohibiting downloads of WeChat and TikTok in U.S. app stores. Here’s what you need to know. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mAtTGv

Inside the Social World of Shift-Scheduling Apps

There’s no such thing as remote restaurant work. But there is HotSchedules. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32HImsx

Isolated Ballot Errors Do Not Equal a ‘Rigged Election’

President Trump continued his assault on voting by mail, but printing and mailing errors are nothing new, and have affected Republican and Democratic candidates alike. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/35N6trD

Computing Pioneers Endorse Biden, Citing Immigration

They said the administration’s policies were driving away technology talent and could do long-term damage to their industry. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2ZOSjme

TikTok Accepts Deal Revisions as Trump Prepares to Review Proposal

The video app is also looking for a new chief executive and has talked to candidates including a founder of Instagram. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2Havcfk

One Family’s Remote-School Tale

Like many parents, Valerie Cruz is dealing with a tough situation and making it work. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32H0a7c

The New Apple Watch Measures Your Blood Oxygen. Now What?

Blood oxygen readings can be a useful indicator of wellness, but context is important — and so is medical advice from a doctor. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iF5gWR

A Car Insurance Claim Estimate Before the Tow Truck Is Called

Using algorithms, tech companies are helping insurers speed up the process after an accident, make it more accurate and keep estimators out of the field — a plus during a pandemic. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32C2gVB

A New Ship’s Mission: Let the Deep Sea Be Seen

A giant new vessel, OceanXplorer, seeks to unveil the secrets of the abyss for a global audience. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33BnC4L

Backlash Grows to TikTok-Oracle Deal

Senate Republicans and others criticized the latest plan to allow TikTok to continue operating in the United States, citing national security concerns. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3koZ1a9

Former Parody Account Was Early in Spreading False Rumors on Fires

The rumors have overwhelmed local law enforcement agencies, leading them to plead with the public to verify information before sharing it. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FruJF9

Snowflake More Than Doubles in Debut as Wall Street Embraces Tech IPOs

The data storage company is among several prominent start-ups going public this year as the tech industry thrives in the pandemic. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33AFw7N

Facebook Oculus Quest 2 Review: Solid V.R. Headset, but Few Games

The new $300 virtual-reality headset works well and feels comfortable. But good luck finding games that will keep you entertained. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33C8Iv8

China-Backed Hackers Broke Into 100 Firms and Agencies, U.S. Says

In indictments against five Chinese nationals, the Justice Department described sophisticated attacks to hijack networks and extort universities, businesses and nonprofits. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2E7v4vX

‘Good Enough’ Rules the World

The success of TikTok and Netflix shows that if you have enough eyeballs, mediocrity is totally OK. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2EafrE0

No, a Molotov Cocktail Didn’t Start the West’s Wildfires

Viral posts about a man who was arrested and accused of setting fires in Portland, Ore., have left out one important fact: Those fires were quickly put out. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/35GIoCT

A Chinese Billionaire Is Barred From Spending Over Unpaid Debts

A court-ordered ban on first-class flights and vacations is a humbling turn of events for Chen Feng, the head of the once high-flying conglomerate HNA Group. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2E4dn06

Celebrities Plan an ‘Instagram Freeze,’ but Reaction Is Icy

Stars including Kim Kardashian West, Katy Perry and Mark Ruffalo said they would protest Facebook by freezing their Instagram accounts on Wednesday. The responses were far from positive. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3hB2xN1

Driver Charged in Uber’s Fatal 2018 Autonomous Car Crash

Investigators said the woman had been watching a video on her phone when the vehicle killed a pedestrian in Arizona. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mjoDqK

Yoga Teachers Take On QAnon

Online wellness influencers are pushing back against an influx of misinformation related to QAnon, the vast pro-Trump conspiracy theory. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3bZX8hn

'Tenet' Didn't Bring Audiences Back to Movie Theaters. Now What?

People aren’t going to the movies at anywhere close to the numbers that Hollywood hoped, prompting studios to postpone more big releases. Marvel’s “Black Widow” could be the next to retreat. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FBCsAb

The Search for Life on Venus Could Start With Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab may be able to send a small spacecraft to probe the clouds of Venus long before NASA or other space agencies are able to do so. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mqEG6k

A Job That Isn’t Hard to Get in a Pandemic: Swindlers’ Helper

Criminals are increasingly using people like Denise Newton to move their money, just as many have lost their jobs and are vulnerable. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FAjxFM

Apple Watch Is a Private Road

With newer technologies, we risk losing the open highways that have defined our digital lives. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33zXhEt

Gen Zers Say Silicon Valley Is Elitist and Exclusive. Can They Build a New System?

A group of young tech enthusiasts are carving their own path on Discord. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2H1D4Qe

Coming This Fall: Return of the Video Game Console Wars

Gamers are awaiting Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Microsoft’s Xbox Series X, though supply might be limited because of the pandemic. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2E1O3YN

TikTok’s Proposed Deal Seeks to Mollify U.S. and China

The Chinese-owned app designed a compromise to satisfy U.S. security concerns. The terms are now under review by the Trump administration. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3bXEZAF

Facebook Is Failing in Global Disinformation Fight, Says Former Worker

The employee, who worked in a group dedicated to rooting out fake accounts, said executives ignored or were slow to react to her warnings. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2Fx22X7

TikTok Was a Wasted Opportunity

The TikTok battle was a chance to debate big questions about technology and government. We missed it. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3c4lp5N

ByteDance's Need for a TikTok-Oracle Deal: China is Slowing

ByteDance’s founder has long urged his employees to think beyond the world’s No. 2 economy, where growth is easing and competition is rising. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2DZbj9P

ByteDance's Need for a TikTok-Oracle Deal: China is Slowing

ByteDance’s founder has long urged his employees to think beyond the world’s No. 2 economy, where growth is easing and competition is rising. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2DZbj9P

Nvidia Buys Arm From SoftBank for $40 Billion

The move gives Nvidia a way into mobile chips, but the acquisition is likely to face regulatory scrutiny. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3hsNt3N

Microsoft Says Its Bid for TikTok Was Rejected in U.S.-China Standoff

The move leaves Oracle as the sole known remaining bidder, as the clock ticks down on President Trump’s executive order to block the app. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3iretC4

SoftBank Said to Be Near Deal to Sell British Chip Designer Arm

A sale to Nvidia for more than $40 billion would net billions of dollars for the Japanese tech investor and create a powerhouse in the semiconductor industry. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3hpFQez

The Woman Taking Over TikTok at the Toughest Time

Vanessa Pappas is keeping a focus on the app’s community of creators and users as it deals with pressure from President Trump, Beijing and a possible sale. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2DQK5lx

Europe Feels the Squeeze as Tech Competition Heats Up Between U.S. and China

As the rapid pace of change mixes with national security issues, Europe’s role as a global regulator is increasingly tested — and may not be enough. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mahSaK

For These Shows, Take a Hike

If you participate in a sound walk and no one is there to applaud, does it count as theater? Our critic argues that it does. Or at least that it can. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mlLeTR

Gig Work Is Risky for Apps, Too

New and proposed laws and regulatory challenges threaten the business model of apps like Uber and Handy. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2RjTdSN

False Rumors That Activists Set Wildfires Exasperate Officials

Law enforcement agencies said claims on social media that antifascist activists had set fires on the West Coast were unfounded. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32mFaCx

False Rumors That Activists Set Wildfires Exasperate Officials

Law enforcement agencies said claims on social media that antifascist activists had set fires on the West Coast were unfounded. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33lrk2v

Russian Intelligence Hackers Are Back, Microsoft Warns, Aiming at Democrats and Republicans

China is also growing more adept at targeting campaign workers. But contrary to Trump administration warnings, Beijing is mostly aiming at Biden campaign officials. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33b4MRK

Are Gender Reveals Cursed?

Several parties, meant to mark a milestone in the journey of pregnancy, have resulted in devastation. Is it time to temper the spectacle, or embrace the celebratory spirit? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/35sw4G6

Russian Intelligence Hackers Are Back, Microsoft Warns, Aiming at Officials of Both Parties

China is also growing more adept at targeting campaign workers. But contrary to Trump administration warnings, Beijing is mostly targeting Biden campaign officials. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3m8JpsZ

Return of the King: Ninja, a Video Game Star, Goes Back to Twitch

After months of speculation, one of the world’s most famous video gamers announced his next move. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3mcybUn

Social Media Shaming Your College

Students are using apps to shame their schools into better coronavirus plans. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3m8qUVz

Chinese Ambassador Liu Xiaoming ‘Likes’ an X-Rated Video. Awkward.

China demanded that Twitter investigate, suggesting that Liu Xiaoming’s account had been compromised. But the account has a history of unusual likes. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3bJ5c5M

Cleaners Demand Harassment Safeguards From the Booking Service Handy

Workers for a home services company say they face sexual harassment and unfair fees. A civil rights group is asking California regulators to step in. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/35ptznR

Chinese Ambassador ‘Likes’ an X-Rated Video. Awkward.

China demanded that Twitter investigate, suggesting that Liu Xiaoming’s account had been compromised. But the account has a history of unusual likes. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3bJ4Xrn

Facebook May Be Ordered to Change Data Practices in Europe

Irish regulators have started an inquiry into Facebook’s movement of data on European users to the United States. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3m9bSPm

No, Facebook Does Not Reflect Reality

Despite what Mark Zuckerberg says, Facebook shapes our world. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/32eyQNq

Continue Your Life’s Education With Free Online Classes

If you’re pondering a career shift, looking to learn a specific skill or just plain bored, consider a web-based class to broaden your horizons. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33bgige

‘The Social Dilemma’ Review: Unplug and Run

This documentary from Jeff Orlowski explores how addiction and privacy breaches are features, not bugs, of social media platforms. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/33cKJm3

Computers Can’t Cut Red Tape

Modernizing government technology can be helpful during a crisis. To a point. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2FkyMmg

Chess (Yes, Chess) Is Now a Streaming Obsession

Viewers are flocking to games during the pandemic, entranced by a charismatic grandmaster and his lightning-fast play. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3m0V5hq

When Learning Is Really Remote: Students Climb Trees and Travel Miles for a Cell Signal

Schools are closed in Indonesia because of the pandemic, but for the rural poor who lack internet access and smartphones, online education is particularly difficult. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3jUbzWZ

Parents Got More Time Off. Then the Backlash Started.

Pandemic policies at tech companies have created a rift between parents offered more benefits and resentful workers who don’t have children. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3i3dkjU

Harassment Against Gay and Trans People on TikTok

Are online creators responsible for the bigotry and cruelty of their audiences? Or are the platforms? from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2Z5RoNy

Reed Hastings on Netflix, Hollywood and the Future of Streaming

Netflix started with sending DVDs — remember them? — through the mail, but now the streaming pioneer sits atop a Hollywood it has thoroughly upended. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3jLr1EI

Pentagon Sticks With Microsoft for Cloud Computing Contract

Amazon, a rival for the $10 billion contract, has complained that President Trump interfered in the process. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3i1xjQ8

Why Facebook’s Blocking of New Political Ads May Fall Short

There are still many ways that voter misinformation can spread on the social network, even as it moves to cut off new political ads on Oct. 27. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2F41gjR

Forget TikTok. China’s Powerhouse App Is WeChat, and Its Power Is Sweeping.

A vital connection for the Chinese diaspora, the app has also become a global conduit of Chinese state propaganda, surveillance and intimidation. The United States has proposed banning it. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3gZTS6z

Forget TikTok. China’s Powerhouse App Is WeChat, and Its Power Is Sweeping.

A vital connection for the Chinese diaspora, the app has also become a global conduit of Chinese state propaganda, surveillance and intimidation. The United States has proposed banning it. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3gZTS6z

TikTok Bid Highlights Oracle’s Public Embrace of Trump

The tech giant stands out in Silicon Valley for its close ties to the administration, which must bless any deal for the social media app. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2EPwCLz

Student Charged in Cyberattacks at Miami-Dade Schools

Virtual classes in the fourth-largest school district in the United States were choked by glitches this week. A 16-year-old high school junior has admitted to the cyberattacks. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2GsqiKi

Justice Dept. Plans to File Antitrust Charges Against Google in Coming Weeks

The attorney general is said to have set a deadline over the objections of career lawyers who say they need more time to build the case. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3brfxmF

Lessons From a Virus Tracing Dud

One state learned the hard way that technology won’t get us out of this pandemic. But it can help. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3lOSQ0v

Facebook Moves to Stop Election Misinformation

The social network said it would block new political ads in late October, among other measures, to reduce misinformation and interference. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2QREn5W

A Freelance Writer Learns He Was Working for the Russians

A man who had written for a site that officials say was a front for a Russian group said his mysterious editor “had a different kind of agenda.” from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2EIMbog

India Bans 118 Chinese Apps as Indian Soldier Is Killed on Disputed Border

The Indian government is blocking Chinese apps from its huge domestic market to strike back against China amid a tense border standoff. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/34Y6KYl

India Bans 118 Chinese Apps as Indian Soldier Is Killed on Disputed Border

The Indian government is blocking Chinese apps from its huge domestic market to strike back against China amid a tense border standoff. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/34Y6KYl

Amazon’s Biggest Leap Was Boring

Forget about drones. Amazon delivered something just as innovative with nuts and bolts. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3jKbiG5

Trump's Multiple Conspiracy Theories in Fox News Interview. Here Are Their Roots

The unfounded ideas have been circulating online for months. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2QLofmq

Apple and Google Make It Easier to Opt In to Virus Tracing

The tech giants said states could now send notices directly to smartphones asking people to opt in to the technology, which helps trace the coronavirus. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/31O3Inx

Russians Again Targeting Americans With Disinformation, Facebook Says

The company said it had been warned by the F.B.I. that a so-called troll farm in St. Petersburg set up a network of fake user accounts and a website. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2EUCLFS

Twitter Hack May Have Had Another Mastermind: A 16-Year-Old

On Tuesday, federal agents served a Massachusetts teenager with a search warrant. He appears to have played a significant role in the July 15 Twitter attack, investigators and fellow hackers said. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3jEO6Zt

Twitter to Add Context to Trending Topics

The social media company is trying to clean up a feature that has been used for disinformation, but stops short of what critics want. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3beMnr5

Trump Spread Multiple Conspiracy Theories on Monday. Here Are Their Roots.

The unfounded ideas have been circulating online for months. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/31P9rcK

Yes to Tech Optimism. And Pessimism.

We need tech optimists to shoot for the moon. But we also need those looking for problems. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2QMpvpr

Yes to Tech Optimism. And Pessimism.

We need tech optimists to shoot for the moon. But we also need those looking for problems. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2QMpvpr

To Play Poker in a Pandemic, Americans Flee the U.S.

Unlike other sporting events canceled by the coronavirus, the World of Series of Poker, and its millions in prizes, went online. But borders are tricky when it comes to internet gambling. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2Dh5Ri2

Humans Take a Step Closer to ‘Flying Cars’

A Japanese company said it had completed a manned flight of its electrical vertical takeoff and landing machine. Experts say the technology needs work and that it will be expensive. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3gLQr2X

This ‘Gamer Grandma’ Has More Than 900,000 ‘Grandkids’

Shirley Curry, 84, has cultivated a following on YouTube with her charming videos of journeys through The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2QEzQDI

These Scientists Are Giving Themselves D.I.Y. Coronavirus Vaccines

Impatient for a coronavirus vaccine, dozens of scientists around the world are giving themselves — and sometimes, friends and family — their own unproven versions. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/2QJOLMR

Walmart Announces Membership Service in Attempt to Compete With Amazon

Walmart+ will cost $98 a year to receive free shipping for orders over $35. The company hopes to build on the success of its pickup grocery business. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/31Mp2cU

Facebook Could Block Sharing of News Stories in Australia

The move, a response to pressure to pay publishers when their stories are posted on the social network, could add to internet silos springing up around the world. from NYT > Technology https://ift.tt/3gLETNd