Technology

Verizon Settles With FCC Over 'Supercookies' Allegations

5:09am March 08, 2016

by Aarti Shahani

Verizon has agreed to pay a fine over allegations it did not tell customers it was adding "supercookies." Those trackers keep collecting data on users even when he or she tries to delete all cookies.

The headquarters for University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield dominate the Pittsburgh skyline much as the organizations have dominated health care in the region for decades.

Reinventing The American City: Steel Town Forges A New Future

8:15pm March 07, 2016

by Michel Martin

The transformation of Pittsburgh echoes the triumphs and challenges of cities across the country where gentrification is changing neighborhoods after a generation of economic decline.

Pedestrians walk past a Verizon Wireless shop.

Verizon Will Pay $1.35 Million Fine In Settlement Over Its Use Of 'Supercookies'

5:29pm March 07, 2016

by Eyder Peralta

The unique identifiers allow Verizon to target advertising to its mobile subscribers, even if the "cookies" are deleted.

National

Does Encryption Make Phones 'Warrant-Proof?' Fact-Checking The FBI

4:30pm March 07, 2016

by Aarti Shahani

FBI Director James Comey says encryption is making phones "warrant-proof," and it will allow criminal suspects to conceal evidence in a way that's unprecedented in American history. NPR checks on the validity of his claim.

When Apple launched its first iPad back in 2010, the company also unveiled an e-books marketplace. Federal courts say the company broke antitrust laws by setting prices with book publishers to target Amazon and its Kindle reader.

Supreme Court Denies Apple's Appeal On E-Books, Triggering Millions In Payments

2:43pm March 07, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Apple must now pay $400 million to e-book purchasers. The case's roots date back at least six years, when Apple sold its first iPad models and sought to compete with books giant Amazon.

National

Listen Up: Your AI Assistant Goes Crazy For NPR Too

7:25am March 06, 2016

Last week, we told you about Alexa, the voice activated assistant that operates on a speaker sold by Amazon called the "Echo." Our story caused Alexas across the country to revolt.

Bernie Sanders Ticks Off Romanians On Twitter Over Internet Speed Tweet

3:20pm March 05, 2016

by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

Bernie Sanders compared Internet speeds in America to Romania — in a bad way. Romanians responded.

Researchers lowered a specially designed hydrophone mooring from a Coast Guard cutter and down into the Mariana Trench.

Deep-Sea Audio Recordings Reveal A Noisy Mariana Trench, Surprising Scientists

3:15pm March 04, 2016

by Bill Chappell

Instead of quiet, researchers hear sounds of earthquakes, ships, "the distinct moans of baleen whales" and a passing storm, nearly 7 miles deep in the Pacific.

Global communications, finance and travel

National

Should Law Enforcement Have A Warrant To Know Where You've Been?

1:23pm March 04, 2016

by Alina Selyukh

Among many privacy issues debated in the courts and Congress is whether law enforcement officials should be able to know someone's whereabouts, as recorded by cellphone towers, without a warrant.

Tech Companies, Security Experts Express Support For Apple

8:26pm March 03, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Silicon Valley firms, human rights nonprofits and other groups have filed legal briefs in support of Apple's defiance of an FBI order. Some San Bernardino victims' families have filed in opposition.