Social media technology
Social media websites such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn have proved enormously popular, and while they are consumer focused, the principles of collaboration and information sharing that they embody are highly relevant for corporate IT. We analyse the latest trends in social media technology, social networking and explain how they can be applied to enterprise IT strategy.
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Opinion
07 Apr 2026
Tech can’t wait for regulation to protect children online
The general secretary of the UK largest teachers’ union explains why social media should be banned for under-sixteens Continue Reading
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E-Zine
31 Mar 2026
HMRC is watching you…
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we investigate how HM Revenue & Customs has been quietly building its surveillance capabilities to crack down on tax fraud. We find out how a new supercomputer is helping the UK Atomic Energy Authority research nuclear fusion. And we visit Estonia to learn why its healthtech startups are targeting the NHS. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 May 2018
Amazon, Toys R Us and a tale of two technology approaches
Many factors contributed to the collapse of Toys R Us, but did a partnership with Amazon at the turn of the millennium play a part in its eventual demise? Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 May 2018
Ethics and tech – a double-edged sword
Just because a business activity is legal doesn’t mean it will be acceptable to customers, as the ethical debates in tech are proving Continue Reading
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News
22 May 2018
Social one of the 'most powerful' tools at brand’s disposal, says retail experts
Using social media to connect with customers is one of the most “powerful” tools retailers have at their disposal, said a panel of experts at the Salesforce World Tour Continue Reading
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News
21 May 2018
UK government promises laws to police 'Wild West Internet'
UK government plans laws to make online activity safer after green paper reveals more needs to be done to protect citizens Continue Reading
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News
21 May 2018
ICO could use new GDPR powers in Facebook probe
UK privacy watchdog is considering using new powers in its investigation of Facebook, while the government is considering new laws to police social media firms Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2018
Companies need to adapt to new communication demands from millennials
TechSmith has warned businesses younger generations have new multimedia-based communication demands Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 May 2018
Hacking the internet of things just got easier – it’s time to look at your security
Are you taking security for internet-connected devices seriously enough? Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 May 2018
If we're measuring GDP wrong in a digital world, what does that say about the economy?
Conventional measures of economic success such as GDP fail to account for the nature of free digital services. How different would the UK economy appear if that changed? Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2018
Facebook bolsters enterprise integration with Workplace tool
Facebook wants to embed its platform in the enterprise, and hopes to achieve this through integration with third-party services Continue Reading
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News
01 May 2018
SuiteWorld 2018: Magic Johnson gives advice on adapting to the millennial customer
Entrepreneur and former basketball star tells SuiteWorld 2018 about the importance of adapting to the millennial customer in a technology-driven age Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2018
Government given six months to rewrite snoopers’ charter
The government has until 1 November 2018 to rewrite a key section of the Investigatory Powers Act 2016, after the high court declared them unlawful in a judicial review brought by human rights group Liberty Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
Facebook posts strong first quarter despite privacy scandal
The data exploitation scandal that hit Facebook has not yet had an adverse impact on advertising revenues or user activity, according to first quarter financial results Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
SuiteWorld 2018: Hiring people is about more than just ability, says Rachel Zoe
NetSuite customer, fashion designer and CEO of Rachel Zoe explains that part of entrepreneurship is hiring people who fill the gaps you leave behind, and that in doing so passion can be more important than ability Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
EC calls on online platforms to develop common code of practice to tackle ‘disinformation’
The European Commission says online platforms such as social media and video sites, have not done enough to tackle unethical use, and calls on them “to decisively step up their efforts to tackle online disinformation” Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2018
Digital economy research projects to get funding
Research projects aimed at building trust, privacy and security in the use of personal data and digital technologies are to receive funding Continue Reading
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News
24 Apr 2018
Telcos see multiple paths to internet of things revenue
A report from Ericsson has revealed that telecoms operators are testing out multiple routes to monetising the IoT Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2018
CIO interview: Richard Tallboy, CIO, Wagamama
Richard Tallboy, CIO of pan-Asian restaurant chain Wagamama, explains why the firm adopted “pay by walking out” technology Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2018
Twilio offers IoT developers programmable mobile connectivity
Developers of internet of things applications and devices will be able to use the Twilio Programmable Wireless mobile communications platform to build mobile connectivity into their services Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2018
Fintech sector increasingly attractive compared to traditional banking for IT professionals
Fintech job vacancies are growing, while less are being advertised in traditional banking sector companies Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2018
EU-US data sharing under threat as Irish court refers Facebook case to Europe
The Irish High Court is seeking answers from the European Court of Justice in a case that could have huge implications for EU-US data sharing and raises questions about US government surveillance of EU citizens. The move could bring a five-year legal battle between Austrian lawyer Max Schrems and Facebook to a close Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Apr 2018
Phishing for beer
Pishing is when you get fed plenty of booze and then start mouthing-off, reveal a few secrets, passwords and PIN Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2018
Tesco online grocery sales up 5.1%
After ninth consecutive quarter of growth, CEO says supermarket chain is “on track to deliver our medium-term ambitions” Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Apr 2018
Who do you trust to censor social media?
Calls to censor Facebook and its rivals are growing – but society needs to consider carefully the motivations of those making such demands Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Apr 2018
Fintech professional’s tech predictions: 4 – Social media regulation
Social media platforms will face increasingly stringent regulations which might limit their scope as governments clamp down on data abuse Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2018
Using Salesforce Social Studio, Harvard saw power of social media
By looking at its social media data with Salesforce, Harvard Graduate School of Education saw more than 65% of article traffic generated through social media. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Apr 2018
Should retail try to save the high street's declining footfall?
Footfall in the high street is declining, but should retailers be trying to claw back visits to stores or is it time for a new digital focus? Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 Apr 2018
Fintech professional’s tech predictions: 3 –Sharing data risks outweigh benefits
Personal data in all its forms is becoming a valuable commodity for businesses, but people will be more cautious as legal and illegal abuse of data continues to hit the headlines Continue Reading
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Feature
03 Apr 2018
Retail legacy systems: how can we overcome them?
With technology adoption changing the retail landscape, many retailers are left with legacy systems. We look at how they are dealing with them in today’s digitally led environment Continue Reading
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News
03 Apr 2018
Future of internet regulation is focus of Lords inquiry
Inquiry will seek evidence on whether or not the law is up to the job of regulating online platforms such as Facebook, and what improvements can be made Continue Reading
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News
28 Mar 2018
Consumer group calls for Zuckerberg to step down after data misuse
A social media firm's value is in the size of the network of users it can offer advertisers. But this model is now under the spotlight Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2018
Case study: Berkshire NHS trust provides mental health support through social network
Berkshire NHS is using its Support Hope and Recovery Online Network to provide 24/7 support and advice to service users struggling with mental health issues Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2018
European insurtech growth dwarfs US
Europe is seeing rapid growth in its insurtech as investors pump hundreds of millions into the sector Continue Reading
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Blog Post
21 Mar 2018
The sweet life of Cambridge Analytica
Channel 4’s hidden-camera exposé on data firm Cambridge Analytica has made familiar faces of the puppeteers of democracy who wished to remain invisible, but we’re glad to meet them. Not since the ... Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2018
Danish government launches business-focused national digital strategy
Denmark’s government has launched a plan to get more small businesses into the digital economy as it targets being a leader in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2018
Maplin in administration: Internet connectivity issues hit in-store card payments
Internet issues at beleaguered high-street electronics retailer Maplin cause trouble at the tills in stores across the UK Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2018
Dutch cycling culture pumps up bicycle startups
Bike-sharing services are cropping up in urban areas of the Netherlands but the government wants to restrict their number Continue Reading
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Podcast
19 Mar 2018
Social media customer care important to brands, experts say
In this Pipeline podcast, we discuss what was a primary topic at Social Media Marketing World: how companies should interact with customers through social media. Continue Reading
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News
19 Mar 2018
Digital retail calls for agile approach, say experts
To embrace digital technology, retailers need to adopt an agile nature across the entire business and break down internal silos, said a panel at Retail Week Live Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2018
IT contractors not a risk despite Snowden leaks, GCHQ tells court
The government argues in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal that contractors with systems administration rights to computers holding GCHQ’s most sensitive intelligence pose no more of a security risk than the agency’s employees Continue Reading
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News
13 Mar 2018
Government ‘unlawfully delegated’ bulk data powers to GCHQ, court hears
Privacy International urges Britain’s most secret court, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, to rule that the government illegally collected surveillance data from internet and phone companies until at least September 2017 Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2018
World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee wants us to fix the web’s bugs
Too much of the web and people’s personal data is under the control of a handful of mega-corporations. Is there a better way? Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2018
Politicians need to be more involved in tech, says Sadiq Khan
Flying the flag for the UK capital at the SXSW festival in Texas, London mayor Sadiq Khan says government should “do more” for technology, as well as mitigate the risks that come with it, and calls on social media firms to take responsibility for hate speech on their platforms Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2018
Modern retail: machine learning, customer experience and legacy
As the retail landscape shifts in the wake of new technologies, experts in retail and tech explain how firms need to adapt to cater for modern consumers Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Mar 2018
CW Europe: Germany’s Lemoncat takes catering to the cloud
Business catering startup Lemoncat has taken advantage of the affordable cost of living in Berlin and is shaking up the catering sector by harnessing the Amazon and Salesforce clouds. Also in this issue, read how Moscow’s government is taking advantage of high penetration of broadband and mobile internet to expand innovative services under the Russian capital’s smart city programme, and how organisations in the Netherlands still have much to do to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2018
Ofcom probes Three and Vodafone over suspected net neutrality breaches
Telecoms regulator launches investigation into whether or not mobile operators Three and Vodafone are flouting European rules on net neutrality Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2018
Government sets out tighter security measures for IoT devices
The government has announced plans to develop a new code of practice to improve the security of connected internet of things devices Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2018
Why improving social media customer service is important
By having a social media strategy in place, companies can quickly respond to customers' concerns through social media. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2018
Amazon contemplating next move in banking sector
Amazon is in talks with a bank about setting up a current account that will appeal to young people Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2018
People at risk of psychological side-effects of screen addiction
Many Brits spend more than 10 hours a day attached to a screen and 60% look at two at once, research shows Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Feb 2018
Taxing tech giants on revenue only ends up with us customers paying more
EU proposals to tax internet companies based on sales in each country fail to apply the tax burden on the right people Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Feb 2018
What are the retail jobs that don’t exist yet?
As in many industries, technology and new consumer behaviour is changing the shape of retail. But what yet-to-be-created jobs are on the horizon for the sector? Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2018
MWC 2018: Samsung Galaxy S9 launch kicks off annual mobile festival
Samsung has raised the curtain on Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona with the launch of a new flagship Galaxy S9 smartphone device Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2018
Schoolkids want social media giants to do more to stop online bullying
Schoolchildren feel that social media companies such as Facebook and Instagram can do much more to protect them from online abuse Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2018
Take-up of chatbots will accelerate over next two years
Chatbots and artificial intelligence are becoming an increasingly important part of customer services Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2018
Consumers wasting millions of gigabytes of inclusive mobile data
Over 140 million gigabytes of mobile broadband data included in UK consumer mobile contracts is going unused every month, according to uSwitch Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Feb 2018
Safer Internet Day: Building online safety practices with young people
Many organisations around the UK are contributing to the important work on making the internet a safer place for everyone Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2018
Google Q4 results show businesses are buying into its public cloud
The Google Cloud Platform is earning the search engine giant $1bn per quarter. Expect more cloud investment this year Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2018
More than half of millennials prefer online retailer info to in-store assistance
Customers between the ages of 25 and 34 would rather look online for information than talk to a shop assistant, even when they are in a store Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2018
Facebook reports $15.9bn profit after ‘hard’ year
Facebook has reported a strong fourth quarter and a strong year with quarterly profit up 20% and annual profit up 56%, but chief Mark Zuckerberg admits it has been a challenging 12 months Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2018
Australia’s internet speeds limiting productivity
Australia’s broadband networks, already among the world’s slowest, could be further strained by the emergence of virtual and augmented reality Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2018
Government sets out further details of Digital Charter
The government’s charter aims to tackle challenges and risks brought by technology in “an effective and responsible way”, thereby boosting the digital economy Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2018
Mastercard sets biometric ID deadline for banks
Mastercard has committed to guaranteeing that every one of its customers will have access to biometric authentication services by April 2019 Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2018
Manchester’s CityVerve launches new internet of things challenge for SMEs and startups
Manchester’s CityVerve smart city project has called for IoT developers and startups to tackle challenges in healthcare, transport and energy Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2018
Judge will take time to seek answers from EU court over Max Schrems Facebook privacy fight
The Irish High Court will take time to decide what questions to put before the European Court of Justice in a case with significant implications for EU and US trade and the privacy of EU citizens Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2018
European Parliament votes to restrict exports of surveillance equipment
European Parliament votes to tighten export controls to restrict supply of surveillance and encryption technology to states with poor human rights records amid fears British companies may not have to comply after Brexit Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2018
NRF 2018: Rent the Runway – focus on data proves use case for clothing rental
Clothing retailers are not traditionally known to rent products to anyone other than celebrities, but retail service Rent the Runway is using data to prove customer demand Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2018
Dream machines: how IT is changing the world of neuroscience
We talk to computer scientist and entrepreneur Jamil El Imad about the cutting-edge intersection of neuroscience and IT Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2018
Google puts its payment services under one roof
Internet giant is bringing all its payment services under the Google Pay brand, making them “simpler, safer and more consistent” Continue Reading
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News
22 Dec 2017
Air New Zealand to trial digital translation technology
Airline becomes one of the first companies to try out a business case for Google's real-time translation technology Continue Reading
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Opinion
20 Dec 2017
How to boost your personal brand as an IT professional
Seven steps to help you build a personal brand in the workplace, articulate the value you provide and build your professional reputation Continue Reading
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Blog Post
19 Dec 2017
Fear not for the future of digital government - the GIFs are taken care of
I was tempted to write this blog post on Computer Weekly's Downtime blog, where we try to look at the lighter side of the world of IT. But I'm not entirely sure this is a joke. While budgetary ... Continue Reading
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E-Zine
24 Oct 2017
Where will artificial intelligence take us?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiasts and sceptics debate the opportunities and risks of the much-hyped technology – we listen in to the House of Lords investigation. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the benefits and challenges of cloud-native applications. And we look at the best practice in defending email systems from cyber attacks. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2017
UK intelligence agencies ‘unlawfully’ sharing sensitive personal data, court hears
A secret court will decide whether Intelligence agencies are “unlawfully” sharing huge datasets containing sensitive information about the population with industry, government departments and overseas intelligence services. Continue Reading
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News
16 Oct 2017
How technology is transforming healthcare delivery in Gulf region
IT will transform the healthcare sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries over the coming years Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2017
Tech entrepreneur aims to take digital skills to refugees
Tech entrepreneur Emma Sinclair hopes to raise £150,000 to run an education programme for displaced young people in a Unicef programme that aims to develop skills that might otherwise be lost Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Sep 2017
How retailers are using technology to remain relevant
From the constant innovation at Asos, Amazon and Missguided to the new supply chain prowess flaunted by Diesel and Gap, fashion retailers are investing in tech to stay relevant to their customers Continue Reading
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News
19 Sep 2017
Outlook outage: Microsoft blames European Hotmail downtime on load-balancing fault
Microsoft claims connectivity issues that blighted Outlook and Hotmail users for much of Monday 18 September have now been largely resolved Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2017
Government wants to remain in EU cyber security club after Brexit
The UK government wants to maintain deep links with the European Union’s cyber security working groups following Britain’s exit from the bloc in 2019 Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Sep 2017
Formula 1: Mercedes team turns to big data in quest for victory in Grand Prix
Data analytics could help Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team gain an edge on rival Ferrari during the 2017 and 2018 Grand Prix season. Its head of IT, Matt Harris, reveals the team’s plans Continue Reading
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News
01 Sep 2017
US Open tennis uses IBM AI to create video highlights
Fans of the US Open are able to access match highlights provided by IBM's Watson artificial intelligence system Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2017
Most consumers think they are more digitally savvy than some retailers
Consumers are becoming increasingly digital in the way they shop, and a survey shows nearly 60% think they are more digitally innovative than some retailers Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2017
Nordic countries top digital nations ranking, but risk stalling
Nordic countries are leaders when it comes to digitisation – but they must continue to innovate to retain their position Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Aug 2017
Formula 1 goes digital
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn hopes to make the sport more digital to enhance the fan experience of Grand Prix racing. We learn how virtual reality is being used to deliver healthcare services. And we examine the ethical concerns around artificial intelligence technology. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jul 2017
North Korean web users enjoy Amazon, Facebook and YouTube, report claims
Threat intelligence specialist Recorded Future claims that the North Korean elite are as plugged in to the worldwide web as any western citizen Continue Reading
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Photo Story
13 Jul 2017
Wimbledon 2017: The tech behind the tennis
Each year IBM and Wimbledon work together to deliver an excellent sporting experience to both fans and players through the use of technology Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Jul 2017
Criminal law: Are Twitter threats taken seriously?
As threats of violence become increasingly common online, law enforcement is taking stronger action against the perpetrators Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2017
UK ranked as top 10 digital economy
The UK has been ranked among the top 10 nations in terms of digital capabilities Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2017
App-based banking continues its ascent in the UK
The number of people banking from their mobile phones is increasing as more services are made available through the channel Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2017
Court ruling on Apple’s Irish datacentre planning dispute delayed by ‘shortage of judges’
The outcome of a judicial review into Apple's plans to build a datacentre in County Galway was delayed on Friday 23 June because of a shortage of judges, it has emerged Continue Reading
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News
21 Jun 2017
Queen’s Speech highlights digital charter and data protection
Government confirms plans to create a digital charter to ensure the UK is “the safest place to be online”, and a new law protecting personal data Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2017
Tesco customers miss out on deliveries due to tech fault
A glitch in the supermarket’s store-side systems has meant Tesco’s deliveries to customers have been delayed Continue Reading
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News
06 Jun 2017
HSBC launches global social network for businesses
HSBC Bank is helping its business customers connect with potential partners through a digital hub Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2017
Dubai financial services regulator launches temporary licence aimed at fintechs
Dubai is making it easier for financial technology companies to test out their ideas through a temporary licence Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2017
Customer experience transformation at Macquarie bank brings legacy system retirement as a bonus
Australia’s Macquarie bank builds a data layer on top of legacy IT systems to transform customer experience Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2017
Toys R Us introduces tablets for store staff
Toy and games retailer Toys R Us is trialling the use of tablets for store assistance to provide a better customer service experience Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2017
Made.com trialling real-time chat for customer advice
Online retailer Made.com has partnered with Hero so showroom staff can chat live with online shoppers to help with queries and shopping decisions Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2017
Facebook revenues, profits and users up in first quarter
Despite a strong first quarter, investors are nervous about the future profitability and growth of Facebook as it indicates it is starting to hit advertising revenue limits Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2017
Mayor of London seeks chief digital officer
Capital’s first-ever chief digital officer will oversee the digital transformation of public services across London Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2017
The Graze journey: from pureplay to multi-channel
Health food retailer Graze began as an online subscription platform, but has used customer data to successfully cross the boundary into the physical retail space, says CEO Anthony Fletcher Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2017
Customer expectation is biggest problem for retail, says panel
As retailers increasingly try to serve consumers across online, in-store and mobile, the main challenge they face is consumer expectation, according to a panel of experts Continue Reading