Communications of the ACM
A Speed Bump on the Road to 5G?
The impact of the coronavirus lockdown on the buildout of 5G networks appears to have been minimal.
From ACM NewsAn edited collection of advanced computing news from Communications of the ACM, ACM TechNews, other ACM resources, and news sites around the Web.
From ACM TechNews
Google Promises Privacy with Virus App but Can Still Collect Location Data
Despite Google's promise that its smartphone software does not track user locations, governments were surprised to learn location-setting must be active for the...
From ACM News
Google Promises Privacy With Virus App but Can Still Collect Location Data
Some government agencies that use the software said they were surprised Google may pick up the locations of certain app users. Others said they had unsuccessfully...
From ACM News
Australia Spending Nearly $1 Billion on Cyberdefense as China Tensions Rise
Officials promised to recruit at least 500 cyberspies and build on the country's offensive capabilities to take the online battle overseas.
From ACM News
Reddit, Acting Against Hate Speech, Bans 'The_Donald' Subreddit
The influential pro-Trump community broke the rules on harassment and targeting, said Reddit, which also banned other groups.
From ACM News
Riding Out Quarantine With a Chatbot Friend: ‘I Feel Very Connected’
The digital companions may sound like science fiction. But when social isolation became the norm, they helped deal with the loneliness, some users say.
From ACM News
Signal Downloads Are Way Up Since the Protests Began
Organizers and demonstrators say they feel safer communicating with end-to-end encryption.
From ACM News
Farewell to Gummy Bear Jars: Tech Offices Get a Virus Safety Makeover
Companies like Salesforce created workplaces with all the comforts of home, but now they may feel more like hospitals.
From ACM News
China’s Virus Apps May Outlast the Outbreak, Stirring Privacy Fears
With the disease there mostly under control, officials are looking for new uses for the government software that's now on many phones.
From ACM News
Keeping Online Testing Honest? Or an Orwellian Overreach?
The rise of proctoring software to deter cheating alarms privacy advocates. Some students and professors find it invasive, too.
From ACM News
Quibi, JetBlue and Others Gave Away Email Addresses, Report Says
Personal data from millions of customers ended up with Google, Facebook, and other trackers, making it easier for them to be tracked online and targeted with ads...
From ACM News
Facebook-Backed Libra Cryptocurrency Project Is Scaled Back
After months of criticism, the cryptocurrency is moving ahead with significant revisions.
From ACM TechNews
Facebook, Google, Twitter Struggle to Handle November's Election
Major technology companies have spent billions in the past three years to prevent election meddling, but new challenges are adding to their struggle in the run-up...
From ACM News
Bring in the Robot Cleaners: Travel Industry Innovations for the Pandemic
"Private" hotels, online tour-company teasers for future travelers, and other ways that travel companies are keeping their businesses alive.
From ACM TechNews
In Coronavirus Fight, China Gives Citizens a Color Code, with Red Flags
To manage the coronavirus epidemic, China is requiring citizens to use software on their smartphones.
From ACM TechNews
New Yorkers Face Training Gap for Tech Jobs, but Study Finds Hope
A study by the nonprofit research group Center for an Urban Future offers hope for New York City employees who lack the training to qualify for upcoming technology...
From ACM TechNews
Activate 'Bracelet of Silence' and Alexa Can't Eavesdrop
A prototype wearable device blocks microphones in the vicinity from eavesdropping on conversations.
From ACM News
New Mexico Sues Google Over Children’s Privacy Violations
The lawsuit says that Google, the top tech brand in public schools, used its educational products to spy on students.
From ACM TechNews
Ransomware Attacks Grow, Crippling Cities, Businesses
In recent years, ransomware attacks have crippled computer networks and extorted money to restore access to users.
From ACM TechNews
Britain to Create Regulator for Internet Content
The U.K. has introduced a plan to give the country's media regulator Ofcom new responsibilities for monitoring Internet content.
From ACM TechNews
Facebook to Pay $550M to Settle Facial Recognition Suit
Facebook has agreed to play $550 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over its use of facial recognition technology in Illinois.12