Communications of the ACM
An edited collection of advanced computing news from Communications of the ACM, ACM TechNews, other ACM resources, and news sites around the Web.
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.
From ACM TechNews
Jigsaw Tool to Help Journalists Spot Doctored Images
Jigsaw has released a free tool, designed to help journalists identify doctored photos, including those generated through the use of artificial intelligence.
From ACM TechNews
On Data Privacy, India Charts Its Own Path
India is considering its first major data privacy statute.
From ACM TechNews
Intel Fixes a Security Flaw It Said Was Repaired
Researchers discovered the continued existence of vulnerabilities in Intel's computer processors that the company said were patched months ago.
From ACM TechNews