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Laura Sydell
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Laura Sydell

Monday

An Anarchist Explains How Hackers Could Cause Global Chaos
Jenn Liv for NPR

All Tech Considered

An Anarchist Explains How Hackers Could Cause Global Chaos

On the TV show Mr. Robot, the lead character is a hacker who breaks into computer systems to promote a cause. Real-life hacktivist Barrett Brown believes the U.S. government is fundamentally corrupt.

An Anarchist Explains How Hackers Could Cause Global Chaos

Listen · 7:24
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Sunday

An Artist Sees Data So Powerful It Can Help Us Pick Better Friends
Jenn Liv for NPR

All Tech Considered

An Artist Sees Data So Powerful It Can Help Us Pick Better Friends

It can feel intrusive to have so much data collected about us, but Laurie Frick is optimistic about how big data will evolve. She says it could help us evaluate how we respond to other people.

An Artist Sees Data So Powerful It Can Help Us Pick Better Friends

Listen · 7:30
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Saturday

Sometimes We Feel More Comfortable Talking To A Robot
Jenn Liv for NPR

All Tech Considered

Sometimes We Feel More Comfortable Talking To A Robot

Artist Alexander Reben wants to know whether a robot could fulfill our deep need for companionship. He created a robot named BlabDroid that asks people to share their raw emotions and deep secrets.

Sometimes We Feel More Comfortable Talking To A Robot

Listen · 7:34
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Friday

This 'Gray Hat' Hacker Breaks Into Your Car — To Prove A Point
Jenn Liv for NPR

All Tech Considered

This 'Gray Hat' Hacker Breaks Into Your Car — To Prove A Point

Everything from cars to thermostats is being connected to the Internet, raising security concerns. Samy Kamkar, who once hacked MySpace, hopes exposing vulnerabilities will make these things safer.

This 'Gray Hat' Hacker Breaks Into Your Car — To Prove A Point

Listen · 7:02
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Tuesday

Artists And Criminals: On The Cutting Edge Of Tech

Sci-fi writer William Gibson says the best way to imagine new technologies and how they could affect society is not through current expertise but by talking to "either artists or criminals." Ron Bull/Toronto Star via Getty Images hide caption

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Ron Bull/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Opinion

All Tech Considered

Artists And Criminals: On The Cutting Edge Of Tech

Sci-fi authors like William Gibson foresaw what the Internet would bring. Inspired by their visions, NPR's Laura Sydell set out to see what artists and criminals think about and do with technology.

Artists And Criminals: On The Cutting Edge Of Tech

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The Father Of The Internet Sees His Invention Reflected Back Through A 'Black Mirror'
Jenn Liv for NPR

All Tech Considered

The Father Of The Internet Sees His Invention Reflected Back Through A 'Black Mirror'

The titans of Silicon Valley have a grand vision of the future. But they have a tendency to miss the downside of their inventions — think cybercrime and online harassment.

The Father Of The Internet Sees His Invention Reflected Back Through A 'Black Mirror'

Listen · 7:18
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Thursday

Business

Apple Says It Will Create 20,000 Jobs In The U.S.

Apple says that it's bringing billions of dollars back to the U.S. and using it to create a new campus and create 20,000 jobs. Analysts say the announcement is a mix of politics and economics.

Apple Says It Will Create 20,000 Jobs In The U.S.

Listen · 2:11
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Wednesday

Friday

Ohio Man Charged With Putting Spyware On Thousands of Computers

In a federal indictment, Phillip Durachinsky faces numerous charges including installing malware on thousands of computers and the production of child pornography. Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department hide caption

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Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department

All Tech Considered

Ohio Man Charged With Putting Spyware On Thousands of Computers

Prosecutors say Phillip Durachinsky created malware that enabled him to remotely access and turn on the cameras and microphones of computers. Charges include the production of child pornography.

Ohio Man Charged With Putting Spyware On Thousands of Computers

Listen · 4:03
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Tuesday

Technology

Ex-Google Engineer Files Suit, Saying He Was Retaliated Against

James Damore, who was fired for writing an anti-diversity memo, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the company. He claims Google's top brass discriminates against conservative men.

Ex-Google Engineer Files Suit, Saying He Was Retaliated Against

Listen · 2:03
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Thursday

Technology

Cybersecurity Researchers Find Major Flaws In Widely Used Computer Chips

Major security vulnerabilities exist in the chips of most of the world's computers. The flaws were recently discovered and could make data in servers and individual devices vulnerable to hackers.

Cybersecurity Researchers Find Major Flaws In Widely Used Computer Chips

Listen · 2:01
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Wednesday

How A Female Engineer Built A Public Case Against A Sexual Harasser In Silicon Valley

Initially, engineer Niniane Wang didn't want to go public with sex harassment allegations because she worried it would jeopardize her relationships with other investors. Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Fortune hide caption

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Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Fortune

All Tech Considered

How A Female Engineer Built A Public Case Against A Sexual Harasser In Silicon Valley

Niniane Wang, an experienced engineer with a startup incubator, says she was harassed by a male investor. She wanted to be certain that when she came forward, she wouldn't be ignored.

How A Female Engineer Built A Public Case Against A Sexual Harasser In Silicon Valley

Listen · 4:44
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Thursday

Struggling For Investments, Silicon Valley Women Reluctant To Speak Out On Harassment

Ellen Pao sued her former employer, the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield and Byers, alleging she was discriminated against and sexually harassed. She lost the case but is seen as a leading voice on harassment in Silicon Valley. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Struggling For Investments, Silicon Valley Women Reluctant To Speak Out On Harassment

In Silicon Valley, it's difficult for women to come forward if they want to join the ranks of its richest. Some think the best way to fight harassment is to tread carefully and get to the top.

Struggling For Investments, Silicon Valley Women Reluctant To Speak Out On Harassment

Listen · 3:56
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Tuesday

First Amendment Advocates Charge Trump Can't Block Critics On Twitter

This April 3 photo, taken in Washington, DC, shows President Donald Trump's Twitter feed. Some Twitter users argue Trump is violating the First Amendment by blocking people from his feed after they posted negative comments. J. David Ake/AP hide caption

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J. David Ake/AP

All Tech Considered

First Amendment Advocates Charge Trump Can't Block Critics On Twitter

Some First Amendment advocates joined a suit against the president for blocking people from his Twitter account — and they are making a novel argument about the right to communicate in a digital age.

First Amendment Advocates Charge Trump Can't Block Critics On Twitter

Listen · 3:32
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Sunday

How Russian Propaganda Spreads On Social Media
Chelsea Beck/NPR

All Tech Considered

How Russian Propaganda Spreads On Social Media

Experts say such propaganda sows divisions within society by confirming beliefs. Facebook, Google and Twitter officials are testifying this week about Russian influence on the 2016 election.

How Russian Propaganda Spreads On Social Media

Listen · 4:35
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