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
The Battle for Digital Privacy Is Reshaping the Internet
As Apple and Google enact privacy changes, businesses are grappling with the fallout, Madison Avenue is fighting back and Facebook has cried foul.
From ACM News
Apple Issues Emergency Security Updates to Close a Spyware Flaw
Researchers at Citizen Lab found that NSO Group, an Israeli spyware company, had infected Apple products without so much as a click.
From ACM News
A.I. Can Now Write Its Own Computer Code. That's Good News for Humans
A new technology called Codex generates programs in 12 coding languages and even translates between them. But it is not a threat to professional programmers.
From ACM News
Russia Influences Hackers but Stops Short of Directing Them, Report Says
The arrangement allows the Russian government some plausible deniability for attacks, researchers found.
From ACM News
Smart Glasses Made Google Look Dumb. Now Facebook Is Giving Them a Try
The company has teamed up with Ray-Ban to create glasses that can take photos, record video, answer phone calls and play podcasts.
From ACM News
Crypto's Rapid Move Into Banking Elicits Alarm in Washington
The boom in companies offering cryptocurrency loans and high-yield deposit accounts is disrupting the banking industry and leaving regulators scrambling to catch...
From ACM News
Tesla Sells 'Full Self-Driving,' but What Is It Really?
As the company deals with government scrutiny of its driver-assistance technology, an add-on kit sold for up to $10,000 is also getting more attention.
From ACM News
The World's Biggest Crypto Exchange Still Lacks U.S. Footing
The founder of Binance, Changpeng Zhao, needs investors for the company's U.S. unit after a recent venture capital deal fell through — a setback that cost him a...
From ACM News
Are You Ready for Sentient Disney Robots?
Some of the animatronics at Disney's parks have been doing their herky-jerky thing since the Nixon administration. The company knows that nostalgia won't cut it...
From ACM News
Facebook's New Bet on Virtual Reality: Conference Rooms
The pandemic has renewed interest in virtual reality. Facebook is trying to capitalize with a new virtual meeting room service.
From ACM News
Some Members of Afghanistan’s All-Girls Robotics Team Flee
The team won hearts worldwide in 2017 when six members were denied visas to travel to the U.S. for a robotics competition, only to be allowed in after public outcry...
From ACM News
Overwhelmed by Coronavirus, Cuba's Vaunted Health System Is Reeling
The Cuban government Tuesday published a new cyberterrorism law that makes it illegal to use telecommunications to post "offensive" material.
From ACM News
U.S. Will Investigate Tesla's Autopilot System Over Crashes With Emergency Vehicles
It will be the broadest look yet at Tesla's assisted-driving technology. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has the authority to force a recall...
From ACM News
Are Robotic Surgeries Really Better?
Robot-assisted surgeries have only modest advantages over other approaches, a large analysis found.
From ACM News
Google Infringed on Patents Owned by Sonos, a Trade Judge Says
The preliminary finding will now be reviewed by the full U.S. International Trade Commission.
From ACM News
As Cyberattacks Surge, Security Start-Ups Reap the Rewards
Investors have poured $12.2 billion into cybersecurity companies so far this year, nearly $2 billion more than the total for all of 2020.
From ACM News
QR Codes Are Here to Stay. So Is the Tracking They Allow.
Fueled by a desire for touchless transactions, QR codes popped up everywhere in the pandemic. Businesses don't want to give them up.
From ACM News
What Should Happen to Our Data When We Die?
Anthony Bourdain's A.I.-generated voice is just the latest example of a celebrity being digitally reincarnated. These days, though, it could happen to any of us...
From ACM TechNews
Will AI Grade Your Next Test?
Stanford University researchers have developed an artificial intelligence system designed to provide automated feedback to students taking the online Code in Place...
From ACM TechNews