Palmer Luckey, the virtual reality pioneer, left Facebook in 2017, six months after it was discovered that he had secretly funded a pro-Trump campaign group dedicated to influencing the US election through “shitposting” and “meme magic”. The 25-year-old Oculus founder now has a new venture, Anduril Industries, this time supporting Trump’s immigration policies directly through the creation of a surveillance system designed to detect unauthorised crossings of the Mexican border. Anduril Industries is one of a growing number of companies playing on the fear of “bad hombres” to cash in on government contracts for hi-tech virtual alternatives to physical wall. From drones and sensors to AI-powered facial recognition and human presence detection, these surveillance systems promise cheaper border control but at what cost to civil liberties? “These systems are reflective of advances in sensor and analytics technologies that are going to have … [Read more...] about ‘Surveillance society’: has technology at the US-Mexico border gone too far?
Information technology level 2 class 10 pdf
Researcher raises radiation fears over Apple AirPods, wireless technology
Despite underwhelming evidence, concerns persist electronics like wireless headphones pose a potential health risk. Those worried say harmful radio waves being pumped into our head could lead to tumours and other conditions associated with abnormal cell functioning. Dr Jerry Phillips, professor of biochemistry at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, is the latest to reignite such fears, claiming a product like Apple’s AirPods could be subjecting users to harmful radiation so close to the blood brain barrier. “My concern for AirPods is that their placement in the ear canal exposes tissues in the head to relatively high levels of radiofrequency radiation,” he told Medium recently. It’s true some experts who study wireless technologies have concerns about their health effects, and Dr Phillips says there is some evidence that “indicates potential concerns for human health and development from all technologies that operate at radio frequencies”. … [Read more...] about Researcher raises radiation fears over Apple AirPods, wireless technology
In Pakistan, modern technology for agri-sector top priority
A Reuters file photo of an agricultural field. ISLAMABAD: Introduction of modern technology and provision of all possible facilities for the farming community are among top priorities of the government because the agriculture sector is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, said Prime Minister Imran Khan. Talking to Asian Development Bank (ADB) Chief for Rural Development and Food Security Dr Akmal Siddiq on Wednesday, the prime minister pointed out that practical steps were being taken under a comprehensive strategy to boost the agriculture sector because a major chunk of the population was directly or indirectly associated with it. “The government is also focusing on the fisheries sector besides increasing production of wheat, rice and other major crops through the introduction of modern methods and technologies,” he said. “These sectors were neglected in the past despite the fact they have a massive potential.” The prime minister … [Read more...] about In Pakistan, modern technology for agri-sector top priority
Net neutrality: why the next 10 days are so important in the fight for fair internet
Thursday 26 February 2015 was a good day for internet freedom campaigners. On that day the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to more strictly regulate internet service providers (ISPs) and to enshrine the principles of “net neutrality” as law. The vote reclassified wireless and fixed-line broadband service providers as Title II “common carriers”, a public utility-type designation that gives the FCC the ability to set rates, open up access to competitors and more closely regulate the industry. “The internet is the most powerful and pervasive platform on the planet,” said FCC chairman Tom Wheeler. “It’s simply too important to be left without rules and without a referee on the field.” Two years on and Trump’s new FCC chairman Ajit Pai, a former Verizon lawyer, has announced plans to overturn the 2015 order, in turn gutting net neutrality. A vote on this proposal is due to take place on 18 May. Here’s why it … [Read more...] about Net neutrality: why the next 10 days are so important in the fight for fair internet
OPM hack: 21 million people’s personal information stolen, federal agency says
Sensitive information including social security numbers concerning more than 21 million people was stolen last month when the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was hacked, the US federal agency said on Thursday. OPM launched a “forensic investigation” after discovering that its internal database, housing background-check records of current, former and prospective federal employees and contractors, had been hacked in late May. Last week, the New York Times reported that the hack was conducted by Chinese hackers. China had previously denied involvement. OPM houses personal information for all federal employees, including social security numbers; residency, employment and educational histories; “information about immediate family and other personal and business acquaintances”; health, criminal and financial histories and “other details”. In a statement, the agency said the number of those affected by the hack included 19.7 million individuals who … [Read more...] about OPM hack: 21 million people’s personal information stolen, federal agency says
How to disable Bixby on Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and use Google Assistant instead
With Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 going on sale in the UK on Friday, many people will be rushing out to buy the new handset over the Bank Holiday weekend. The smartphone comes in two sizes, featuring Samsung's trademark Infinity display, which covers the whole front of the device, a cutting-edge camera, and the company's popular S-Pen stylus. But traditionally, one of the less popular features of Samsung's Galaxy devices is its smart assistant, Bixby. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Samsung has been working to improve Bixby - most recently making it available in four new European languages, including "British English" - but many still prefer to use Google Assistant. Both of the AI assistants come pre-installed on the new Galaxy Note 10, so you can easily disable Bixby and make Google Assistant the default if you prefer. How to disable the Bixby side key The Note 10 has a two buttons on the side - the … [Read more...] about How to disable Bixby on Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and use Google Assistant instead