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The Industry

Thursday

FCC Votes To Propose New Privacy Rules For Internet Service Providers

The Federal Communications Commission voted to propose its first Internet privacy rules and to expand a phone subsidy program to cover Internet access. Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images

The Industry

FCC Votes To Propose New Privacy Rules For Internet Service Providers

The vote, however, was delayed for several hours as regulators negotiated a budget deal on another issue: the expansion of a phone subsidy to begin covering Internet access.

Tuesday

Can Computer Programs Be Racist And Sexist?
Guido Rosa/Getty Images/Ikon Images

The Industry

Can Computer Programs Be Racist And Sexist?

When people write computer programs, their biases can creep into code. Computer experts say it's important to talk about the problem because if humans don't fix it, computers won't do so themselves.

Can Computer Programs Be Racist And Sexist?

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Tuesday

After Terrorist Attack, A Phone Company Is Beating Google At Big Data

Following the example set in Pakistan, the government of Bangladesh is having the mobile operator Grameenphone, which is majority-owned by Telenor, fingerprint SIM card customers. This is an FAQ on the biometric program. Grameenphone hide caption

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Grameenphone

The Industry

After Terrorist Attack, A Phone Company Is Beating Google At Big Data

When terrorists killed nearly 150 at a high school in Pakistan, the government asked mobile carriers to fingerprint every SIM card owner. Soon, one firm realized its power to collect customer data.

After Terrorist Attack, A Phone Company Is Beating Google At Big Data

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Saturday

In Fighting FBI, Apple Says Free Speech Rights Mean No Forced Coding

New York police officers stand outside an Apple Store on Tuesday while monitoring a pro-encryption demonstration. Julie Jacobson/AP hide caption

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Julie Jacobson/AP

Privacy & Security

In Fighting FBI, Apple Says Free Speech Rights Mean No Forced Coding

Legal precedent says writing software is protected speech, and Apple wants to use that to deny federal authorities a program that would unlock an iPhone used by the San Bernardino shooters.

In Fighting FBI, Apple Says Free Speech Rights Mean No Forced Coding

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Friday

Apple's CEO Takes A Stand — And A Risk

Privacy is one of a number of issues Apple CEO Tim Cook has called morally important. Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Ariel Zambelich/NPR

Policy

Apple's CEO Takes A Stand — And A Risk

In challenging the FBI, Tim Cook has put himself and Apple front and center in a national debate on digital privacy. But a look at his record makes his confrontation with the government inevitable.

Apple's CEO Takes A Stand — And A Risk

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Monday

After Kalamazoo Shootings, Uber Defends Its Driver Background Checks

Jason Dalton is arraigned via video Monday before Judge Christopher T. Haenicke in Kalamazoo, Mich. Dalton is charged with multiple counts of murder in a series of random shootings in western Michigan. Carlos Osorio/AP hide caption

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Carlos Osorio/AP

The Industry

After Kalamazoo Shootings, Uber Defends Its Driver Background Checks

Uber says no background check would have flagged the suspect in the Kalamazoo shootings, because he had no criminal history. The driver had received generally positive rider feedback and ratings.

Tuesday

How Major Chinese Banks Help Sell Knock-Offs

The counterfeit site coolsound.co doesn't say where the company is based. But the source code behind the site reveals tracking cookies from China. coolsound.co / Screenshot by NPR hide caption

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coolsound.co / Screenshot by NPR

The Industry

How Major Chinese Banks Help Sell Knock-Offs

Leading banks in China are facilitating the sale of counterfeit handbags, clothes and other knock-off goods online, by hosting bank accounts for bogus manufacturers.

How Major Chinese Banks Help Sell Knock-Offs

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Friday

Colonialism Comment Puts Facebook Under Scrutiny

Facebook board member Marc Andreessen, a Silicon Valley venture capitalist who uses Twitter prolifically, has apologized for tweets suggesting he supported colonialism. Kimberly White/Getty hide caption

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Kimberly White/Getty

The Industry

Colonialism Comment Puts Facebook Under Scrutiny

A Facebook board member lambasted a decision by regulators in India, the social network's second-largest market. He thereby sparked new scrutiny of Facebook's intentions in that country.

Colonialism Comment Puts Facebook Under Scrutiny

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Thursday

Should India's Internet Be Free Of Charge, Or Free Of Control?

Members of Indian Youth Congress — a wing of the National Congress party — and National Students Union of India protest for Internet freedom in April 2015 in New Delhi. Mint/Hindustan Times via Getty Images hide caption

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Mint/Hindustan Times via Getty Images

The Industry

Should India's Internet Be Free Of Charge, Or Free Of Control?

Facebook's free Internet service was banned in India on the basis of net neutrality this week. Internet providers, regulators say, should not be allowed "to shape the users' Internet experience."

Should India's Internet Be Free Of Charge, Or Free Of Control?

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Monday

A Skeptical Review Of CBS' Super Bowl Online Streaming Success

The Denver Broncos' Super Bowl victory against the Carolina Panthers was the third most-watched broadcast in U.S. television history. CBS also streamed the game online. Julie Jacobson/AP hide caption

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Julie Jacobson/AP

The Industry

A Skeptical Review Of CBS' Super Bowl Online Streaming Success

For the first time, CBS put the full Super Bowl, with ads, online and claimed record viewership. But StreamingMedia.com's Dan Rayburn says the decision to stream is getting too much hype.

A Skeptical Review Of CBS' Super Bowl Online Streaming Success

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Wednesday

Intel Discloses Diversity Data, Challenges Tech Industry To Follow Suit

Intel Chief Diversity Officer Danielle Brown speaks during the Women Who Spark Awards presented by Intel in Las Vegas on Jan. 7. Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Essence hide caption

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Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for Essence

The Industry

Intel Discloses Diversity Data, Challenges Tech Industry To Follow Suit

Intel is revealing more details about its diversity goals — the ones the chipmaker has met and failed to meet — than any other Silicon Valley giant to date.

Intel Discloses Diversity Data, Challenges Tech Industry To Follow Suit

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Monday

A Site Where Traditional Artisans Can Sell Their Works To The World

Traditional Mayan figures made by artisan Nicolas Chavez in Guatemala and sold on Novica's website. Christopher Noey hide caption

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Christopher Noey

The Industry

A Site Where Traditional Artisans Can Sell Their Works To The World

Novica, a website that bills itself as the Etsy of the developing world, features more than 18,000 artisans from remote areas to whom the company has paid out more than $66.5 million.

A Site Where Traditional Artisans Can Sell Their Works To The World

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Sunday

A Video Game IRL: Drone Racing League Aims To Be NASCAR In The Air

UmmaGawd (Tommy Tibajia), a pilot in the Drone Racing League, flies his quadcopter in an abandoned power plant in New York. The Drone Racing League hide caption

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The Drone Racing League

Robotics

A Video Game IRL: Drone Racing League Aims To Be NASCAR In The Air

Goggles and onboard cameras put pilots and spectators in the cockpit as the drones race at high speeds through crazy courses. The Drone Racing League's first season kicks off next month in Miami.

A Video Game IRL: Drone Racing League Aims To Be NASCAR In The Air

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Thursday

Can A $9 Computer Spark A New Wave Of Tinkering And Innovation?

Dave Rauchwerk is CEO of Next Thing Co., which makes the CHIP computer. Laura Sydell/NPR hide caption

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Laura Sydell/NPR

Innovation

Can A $9 Computer Spark A New Wave Of Tinkering And Innovation?

It fits in your hand, can connect to Wi-Fi and has Bluetooth. The $9 CHIP promises to be a teaching tool that's also fun to play with. It's just one of several low-cost computers hitting the market.

Can A $9 Computer Spark A New Wave Of Tinkering And Innovation?

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