Police find alleged rapist 14 years after crime using genealogy database
The case probably would have remained a mystery if Jared T. Vaughn had not voluntarily provided a sample of his DNA to a public genealogy database, according to police.
technology
Maine law restricts facial recognition technology statewide
A bill touted as the country’s strictest statewide regulation on the use of facial recognition technology has become law in Maine.
Ad-Tech Company NaviStone Prevails In Privacy Battles
Tech company NaviStone has defeated two privacy lawsuits in Pennsylvania and California over its tracking technology, which enables online retailers to send mail to online visitors’ postal addresses.
This Agency Wants to Figure Out Exactly How Much You Trust AI
The National Institute of Standards and Technology wants to put a number on a person’s trust in artificial intelligence.
This Company Is Putting Face-Tracking Ad Tablets in the Back of Ubers
Alfi announced a deal to give Uber and Lyft drivers 10,000 digital tablets equipped with cameras that will display ads, catalogue information about riders, and track their reactions to content.
Google Agrees UK Oversight, Buffer, for Cookie Replacement
After a probe began in January, the tech giant is addressing concerns about third-party cookie removal in Chrome.
Amazon Acquires Encrypted Messaging App Wickr
Wickr is a popular encrypted messaging platform used by journalists, criminals, governments, and businesses.
Tiny trackers make it alarmingly easy for someone to stalk you
The proliferation of tracking devices — particularly the type of popular gadgets being sold to help you find your belongings, such as your wallet, keys or luggage — have led to an increase in fears of stalking
Brave launches search engine that doesn’t track users and searches
Brave Software, the company behind the Brave browser, has launched the first version of its eponymously named search engine, which the company claims it does not track users, their searches, or their clicks.
IBM explores AI tools to spot, cut bias in online ad targeting
IBM is developing tools that would ensure online advertising algorithms do not unfairly show ads to only specific groups such as mostly men or wealthy people, aiming to address discrimination concerns that have drawn industrywide scrutiny.
App Taps Unwitting Users Abroad to Gather Open-Source Intelligence
The Premise app pays users, many in the developing world, to do tasks like taking photos and completing surveys for clients including the U.S. military.
French Spyware Executives Are Indicted for Aiding Torture
The managers are accused of selling tech to Libya and Egypt that was used to identify activists, read private messages, and kidnap, torture, or kill them.