apps News

Congress Eyes New Rules for Tech: What’s Under Consideration

WASHINGTON (AP) – Most Democrats and Republicans agree that the federal government should better regulate the biggest technology companies, particularly social media platforms. But there is very little consensus on how it should be done. Should TikTok be banned? Should …

Bill Would Force Period Tracking Apps to Follow Privacy Laws

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — When the Supreme Court last June stripped away constitutional protections for abortion, concerns grew over the use of period tracking apps because they aren’t protected by federal privacy laws. Privacy experts have said they fear pregnancies …

Police Seize on COVID-19 Tech to Expand Global Surveillance

JERUSALEM (AP) — Majd Ramlawi was serving coffee in Jerusalem’s Old City when a chilling text message appeared on his phone. “You have been spotted as having participated in acts of violence in the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” it read in Arabic. …

US Judge Dismisses New Mexico Privacy Claims Against Google

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A U.S. district judge has dismissed New Mexico’s privacy claims against Google over privacy concerns, but New Mexico’s top prosecutor vowed Monday to continue the legal fight to protect child privacy rights. The judge concluded in a …

Extreme Wildfires Turn Smoke Apps Into the New Weather Apps

For weeks, smoke has blanketed the west coast. The Bay Area has seen a vast improvement in the past few days, but terrible air lingers in Portland and Seattle. Millions of people have been furiously checking the air quality ratings …

How’s Your Driving? If You Use an App Insurers Could Be Watching

Apps that let you book a ride to work or borrow a car for your next vacation are feeding into a revolution in auto insurance — while also raising some privacy red flags. Data on everything from how frequently a …

Forget Apps, Messaging Bots Are What’s Hot Right Now

The robots are coming – to help run your life or sell you stuff – at an online texting service near you. In coming months, users of Facebook’s Messenger app, Microsoft’s Skype and Canada’s Kik can expect to find new …