Technology

The British government has announced that starting next year, telecommunications companies would be banned from buying Huawei equipment for the U.K.'s 5G network. Existing Huawei equipment will need to be removed by 2027.

In Reversal, U.K. Will Ban Huawei Equipment From Its 5G Network

4:05pm July 14, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

British regulators say they had little choice after the U.S. imposed sanctions that could affect the viability of Huawei products. Existing 5G equipment must be removed from the network by 2027.

World News

U.K. To Bar British Companies From Buying 5G Equipment From Huawei

4:03pm July 14, 2020

by Frank Langfitt

The U.K. government announced Tuesday that it would bar British telecom companies from buying equipment for the development of Britain's 5G network from Huawei, China's telecom giant.

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On Site Opera Offers Live Performances Over The Phone For Just 1 Person At A Time

4:03pm July 14, 2020

by Jeff Lunden

On Site Opera, a company that stages performances in unlikely places, has changed its format during the pandemic. Now it organizes live performances for an audience of just one — over the phone.

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National

Is It Enough To Remove Words With Racist Connotations From Tech Language? Hint: No

4:02pm July 09, 2020

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Web developer Caroline Karanja about how the terms "master" and "slave" are used in the industry and how they reflect a bigger issue in U.S. culture.

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Cameo enlists stars to produce short video messages that are paid for by fans. In these videos Snoop Dogg (left) wishes happy birthday to an 18 year old, Lindsay Lohan (center) offers condolences for a postponed bachelorette party, And Lance Armstrong (ri

National

Cameo Celebrity App: Will Birthday Wishes From Snoop Dogg Mean A Big Investor Payday?

3:47pm July 09, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

Cameo has become one of the fastest-growing tech startups by letting anyone pay for birthday wishes and other greetings recorded by celebrities and influencers. But will its Silicon Valley hype last?

The civil rights experts Facebook hired to review its policies faulted CEO Mark Zuckerberg's decision to prioritize free speech over other values.

Politics & Government

Report Slams Facebook For 'Vexing And Heartbreaking Decisions' On Free Speech

6:07pm July 08, 2020

by Shannon Bond

A two-year investigation concludes the social network's leaders made decisions that were "significant setbacks for civil rights."

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The Supreme Court on Monday struck down a law letting federal debt collectors make robocalls.

National

Supreme Court Prohibits Mobile Phone Robocalls To Collect Federal Debt

7:31pm July 06, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

Federal debt collectors were granted an exception from the general robocall ban in 2015. The high court ruled that Congress can't favor some speech over others.

Julian Bass went viral for his superhero video with special effects.

Arts

A Theater Student Gets Supersized Attention After Superhero Video Goes Viral

7:53am July 05, 2020

by Christianna Silva

College theater student Julian Bass got big affirmation for his video where he morphs into superheroes. He talks with NPR's Scott Detrow about his sudden fame — and his love for Spider-Man.

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Behind Reddit's Decision To Boot 'The_Donald' Forum

5:12pm July 04, 2020

NPR's Sacha Pfeiffer speaks with Robert Peck, a Reddit moderator, about the site's decision to ban the subreddit "The_Donald" after numerous warnings and other disciplinary actions.

Concerns Grow Over App Store's Unfair Treatment Of Developers

4:03pm July 03, 2020

by Bobby Allyn

Regulators in Europe and the U.S. are investigating growing concerns over the App Store — developers who try to sell their apps say the tech giant treats them unfairly and stifles competition.