Technology

World News

How Saudi Arabia Used Twitter To Spy On Dissidents

4:30pm November 07, 2019

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Mark Rasch, formerly of the Justice Department's computer crime unit, about arrests of two people on allegations that they enabled Saudi Arabia to spy on Twitter users.

Queue Listen Now

Despite unanswered questions about security and transparency, mobile voting pilots aimed at overseas and military voters move forward in a number of states. Above, wristbands noting "I Voted Today!" are available at Sojourn Community Church in Louisville,

Politics & Government

In 2020, Some Americans Will Vote On Their Phones. Is That The Future?

12:08pm November 07, 2019

by Miles Parks

Despite unanswered questions about security and transparency, mobile voting pilots aimed at overseas and military voters move forward in a number of states.

Queue Listen Now

The Mysterious Affair at Olivetti: IBM, the CIA, and the Cold War Conspiracy to Shut Down Production of the World's First Desktop Computer, by Meryle Secrest

Books
Arts

'The Mysterious Affair At Olivetti' Attempts To Find A Cold War Conspiracy

10:52am November 07, 2019

by Bradley Babendir

Biographer Meryle Secrest chases a theory that two key Olivetti computer visonaries' deaths did not happen as officially recorded. While a gripping read at times, there's not a lot of solid ground.

National

2 Ex-Twitter Employees Charged With Spying For Saudi Arabia

10:29am November 07, 2019

NPR's Rachel Martin talks to Mike Chapple, a former computer scientist with the NSA, who says Twitter should have known that its employees were working for a foreign power.

Queue Listen Now

Two former employees of Twitter are charged with spying for Saudi Arabia by accessing information in private accounts.

National

2 Former Twitter Employees Charged With Spying For Saudi Arabia

11:24pm November 06, 2019

by Richard Gonzales

One of the accused accessed more than 6,000 Twitter accounts allegedly looking for information about critics of the Saudi government, according to court documents.

Uber Drivers Protest Rejection Of Labor Law That Would Extend Protections To Millions

5:15pm November 06, 2019

by Shannon Bond

Uber drivers showed up at the homes of the company's big investors on Wednesday to protest how the ride-hailing company has made a few people incredibly rich.

Queue Listen Now

A person holding a PlayStation 4 controller. China is imposing curfews and regulations on video game playing minors.

World News

China Introduces Restrictions On Video Games For Minors

5:00pm November 06, 2019

by Paolo Zialcita

Under new rules, late night gaming sessions and multi-hour binges are no more. Officials say these rules aim to reduce video game addiction in minors.

Attorney General Xavier Becerra said Facebook has not been responsive to the subpoenas his office has issued.

National

California Attorney General Seeks Court Order To Force Facebook To Turn Over Records

4:26pm November 06, 2019

by Peter Talbot

The attorney general's office filed a subpoena earlier this year as part of an investigation into allegations that the company misused user data.

Politics & Government

How Social Media Platforms Decide What Makes An Ad Political

4:21pm November 06, 2019

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Siva Vaidhyanathan, professor of media studies at the University of Virginia, about how social media platforms decide what makes an advertisement political.

A woman collects wood from a river in Rangpur division, Bangladesh.

The Doctor Will Skype You Now: Virtual Checkups Reach Bangladesh's Isolated Islands

1:53pm November 06, 2019

by Jennifer Chowdury

As residents of "char" islands grapple with poverty and climate change, they are often cut off from medical services. A new service could help.