Digital Life

Distracted driving is a growing problem, accounting for at least 12 percent of road crashes worldwide. Young men are more likely to be distracted, a study finds.

Young Men, Frequent Drivers Most Likely To Get Distracted While Driving

1:25pm November 17, 2017

by April Fulton

Distracted driving is a growing problem, accounting for at least 12 percent of road crashes worldwide. Phones don't help. But personality and gender may play a role, too, researchers say.

Protesters take part in the March for Free Internet in Moscow in July. In addition to allegedly interfering with the U.S. election, Russia imposes limits on its own citizens' access to information, the Freedom of the Net report says.

How Disinformation And Distortions On Social Media Affected Elections Worldwide

2:30pm November 16, 2017

by James Doubek

Internet freedom declined again in the past year and "manipulation and disinformation tactics played an important role" in 18 countries' elections — including the U.S., according to an annual report.

India Declares War On Unsafe Selfies

5:12pm November 14, 2017

by Kamala Thiagarajan

India's authorities have a message to share for all takes of selfies: Stay away from wild animals, cliffs, crashing surf and monsoon floods. Is anyone listening?

Apple's Philip Schiller unveiled the Face ID feature in September. Less than a week after the iPhone X was released, a Vietnamese security firm said it had cracked Face ID using a specially made mask.

Science

Security Firm Says Extremely Creepy Mask Cracks iPhone X's Face ID

4:58pm November 13, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

A video shows the Vietnam-based Bkav apparently bypassing the feature. Apple has touted the function as secure since it was unveiled in September.

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The Colorado River wraps around Horseshoe Bend in the in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Page, Ariz. on Feb. 11.

Environment

Instagram Crowds May Be Ruining Nature

7:52am November 12, 2017

by Lulu Garcia-Navarro

When a particularly scenic shot gains traction on Instagram, visitors flood in. Travel photographer Brent Knepper tells NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro that can lead to permanent changes in the landscape.

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The FBI is struggling to access the cellphone of the Texas church shooter, which is reportedly an iPhone, reigniting the debate over encryption.

Texas Gunman's Locked Cellphone Renews Debate Over Encryption

7:04pm November 09, 2017

by Samantha Raphelson

The FBI is blaming its inability to unlock the cellphone of the Texas shooter on the tech industry's encryption standard. But some experts say if the FBI had acted more quickly, it would have access.

In his weekly audience, Pope Francis called for followers to put down their cellphones during Mass, and be more engaged in the Eucharist. The pontiff is pictured here arriving in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square last year.

A Request From The Pope: Lift Up Your Hearts, Put Down Your Phones

3:17pm November 09, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

"It pains me greatly, when I celebrate Mass here in the square or in the basilica, to see so many cellphones raised," said the pontiff. He noted that priests and bishops do it, too.

Books
Arts

Once An Underground Currency, Bitcoin Emerges As 'A New Way To Track Information'

2:22pm November 09, 2017

by Terry Gross

The digital currency's value has gone from zero to $120 billion in nine years. Digital Gold author Nathaniel Popper says major banks are looking into the possibilities of its decentralized network.

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College students give up talking and technology for a month as part of a "Living Deliberately" course.

Monks For A Month: College Kids Give Up Talking — And Technology

12:50pm November 09, 2017

by Barbara J. King

Students in this "Living Deliberately"' class embrace asceticism and challenge stereotypes of college kids who can't put down their cellphones, says anthropologist Barbara J. King.

Amazon's Cloud Cam is part of the Amazon Key in-home delivery system, rolling out on Wednesday.

As Amazon Looks To Unlock Your Door, Taking Stock Of Meaning Of Privacy

12:23pm November 09, 2017

by Alina Selyukh

Amazon is rolling out "Key," a WiFi-connected camera linked to a smart door lock to allow package delivery inside your home. Privacy experts say Key will tell us a lot about our trust in corporations.

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