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Targeting Online Privacy, Congress Sets A New Tone With Big Tech

After years of light regulation, the tech industry is coming under scrutiny from Congress and regulators due to a series of privacy breaches. Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images

Politics

Targeting Online Privacy, Congress Sets A New Tone With Big Tech

March 13, 2019 • In a rare area of bipartisan agreement and after years of little regulation, lawmakers in both chambers say the tech industry needs to do more to protect its users' personal information.

Targeting Online Privacy, Congress Sets A New Tone With Big Tech

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EU Hits Google With $5 Billion Fine For Pushing Apps On Android Users

European Union Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager held a joint news conference at EU headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday after slapping a record $5 billion antitrust penalty on the U.S. tech giant. John Thys/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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John Thys/AFP/Getty Images

Business

EU Hits Google With $5 Billion Fine For Pushing Apps On Android Users

July 18, 2018 • The European Commission found that the tech giant broke EU antitrust rules by requiring manufacturers to pre-install the Google and Chrome apps. Google plans to appeal the record fine.

Is Harrison Ford An Android In 'Blade Runner'?

Actors Harrison Ford, left, and Ryan Gosling attend a photo call for Blade Runner 2049 in London on Sept. 21. Joel Ryan/Invision/AP hide caption

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Joel Ryan/Invision/AP

13.7: Cosmos And Culture

Is Harrison Ford An Android In 'Blade Runner'?

October 13, 2017 • Ever since the first movie achieved cult status, fans have hotly debated whether Rick Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, is a replicant. Blade Runner 2049 leaves room for argument, says fan Adam Frank.

Is Trump Tweeting From a 'Secure' Smartphone? The White House Won't Say

President Trump gives a thumbs up as he speaks on the phone in the Oval Office on Jan. 29. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Is Trump Tweeting From a 'Secure' Smartphone? The White House Won't Say

February 3, 2017 • Cybersecurity experts agree that if President Trump is using his old Android smartphone, it poses a big risk. The same experts say there are ways for Trump to tweet securely.

Is Trump Tweeting From a 'Secure' Smartphone? The White House Won't Say

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EU Files New Antitrust Charges Against Google Over Android Apps

European Union competition chief Margrethe Vestager speaks during a news conference on Google last week. Virginia Mayo/AP hide caption

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Virginia Mayo/AP

The Two-Way

EU Files New Antitrust Charges Against Google Over Android Apps

April 20, 2016 • It's the latest case against big U.S. companies by European regulators, who have also targeted Apple, Starbucks, Amazon and Intel.

OK Google: Where Do You Store Recordings Of My Commands?

You can find your audio commands by visiting your Google voice and audio activity history page. Ariel Zambelich/NPR hide caption

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Ariel Zambelich/NPR

All Tech Considered

OK Google: Where Do You Store Recordings Of My Commands?

October 29, 2015 • Here's something to keep in mind when using the "OK Google" voice command feature on Android phones: Google keeps an audio archive of your requests.

OK Google: Where Do You Store Recordings Of My Commands?

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Under Pressure, Google Promises To Update Android Security Regularly

Both Google and Samsung are rolling out new processes to issue security updates for Android devices, like the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Jung Yeon-Je/AFP/Getty Images

All Tech Considered

Under Pressure, Google Promises To Update Android Security Regularly

August 5, 2015 • Google recently came under sharp criticism after researchers found a major flaw in Android would let hackers take over smartphones. Now it's launching a new system to protect phones regularly.

Under Pressure, Google Promises To Update Android Security Regularly

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Major Flaw In Android Phones Would Let Hackers In With Just A Text

A security gap on Android, the most popular smartphone operating system, was discovered by security experts in a lab and is so far not widely exploited. iStockphoto hide caption

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iStockphoto

All Tech Considered

Major Flaw In Android Phones Would Let Hackers In With Just A Text

July 27, 2015 • A security gap on the most popular smartphone operating system was discovered by security experts in a lab and is so far not widely exploited. It would let malicious code take over a phone instantly.

Major Flaw In Android Phones Would Let Hackers In With Just A Text

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Trouble Ahead? Searching For Google's Future

Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page says the company will place more focus on its key projects. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images hide caption

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All Tech Considered

Trouble Ahead? Searching For Google's Future

February 24, 2015 • The ambitious Silicon Valley giant is looking to stay dominant in our technological future. But can it adapt quickly to a changing marketplace?

How Well Do Your Apps Protect Your Privacy?

Google Maps scored an A on PrivacyGrade.org. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption

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Samsung Is On A Roll, But Can It Beat Apple?

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'Addictive' Cigarette Smoking Games On Smartphones Target Kids

The iPhone app Electronic Smoke simulates smoking by detecting sound waves. When you breathe into the microphone, the virtual cigarette burns. Screenshot from Electronic Smoke. hide caption

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Screenshot from Electronic Smoke.

Shots - Health News

'Addictive' Cigarette Smoking Games On Smartphones Target Kids

October 23, 2012 • Researchers have found dozens of free apps on iPhones and Androids that promote and glamorize smoking. Many of the apps target children and teens by using cartoons, celebrities and games. Health experts say these apps, downloaded by millions of people, violate bans on tobacco advertising.

Payment Apps Put Wallets In Phones, Not Pockets

A screengrab shows the Google Wallet app being used to pay for items at a CVS store.

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Google

All Tech Considered

Payment Apps Put Wallets In Phones, Not Pockets

October 28, 2011 • The new Google Wallet app lets shoppers who own Android smartphones pay at the counter with a mere wave at the cash register — and without receiving a pocketful of change in return. It's a sign that the use of smartphones as wallets is finally catching on in America.

Mobile Payment Apps Put Wallets In Phones, Not Pockets

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December 23, 2009 • By Demian Perry Earlier this week, when our Washington office was closed and buried under two feet of snow, we compiled and released our first Android app to the Market, Android's version of the iTunes app store. Within seconds, the app was live...

Inside NPR.org

The Strategy Behind The New NPR Mobile Web Site

December 8, 2009 • Today, NPR rolled out its new mobile Web site. The new site represents a major change in our mobile strategy, and a taste of things to come.