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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Feature
29 Apr 2025
The top challenges of influencer marketing and their solutions
Brands can partner with influencers to build credibility and connect with their audiences. However, marketers often struggle to find the right influencers and spot fake followers. Continue Reading
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News
28 Apr 2025
Digital twins critical for digital transformation to fly in aerospace
Technology consortium publishes whitepaper to address the challenges of digital twin adoption in the aerospace and defence industries highlighting requirements for successfully deploying these digital twin-enabling technologies Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2022
Use of encrypted Telegram platform soars in Ukraine, Russia
Encrypted messaging service Telegram is proving a valuable asset to both sides in Russia’s war on Ukraine Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Feb 2022
Information in the metaverse is A Tale of Two Cities
The metaverse will make it easier to access an increasing wealth of information, but it also will make it more difficult to distinguish real from fake, accurate from wrong – and that goes for information as well as the information sources themselves Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2022
Irish data watchdog calls for ‘objective metrics’ for big tech regulation
Helen Dixon, Ireland’s data protection commissioner, says EU regulators must agree on metrics to measure the effectiveness of data protection regulation Continue Reading
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News
23 Feb 2022
Paid-for advertising still not covered in Online Safety Bill
Consumer group Which? calls again for government to include measures against scam paid-for advertising in the Online Safety Bill Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2022
Zoom gains NCSC Cyber Essentials Plus and NHS security badges
Video platform Zoom has added a number of UK-specific cyber certifications to help it demonstrate its platform is safeguarded against common threats Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Feb 2022
It takes a village: Protecting kids online is everyone’s responsibility
The rapid uptake of smartphones among children has contributed to the increasing number of cases of cyber bullying and online grooming. Is this an educational issue or a cultural problem, and can modern enterprise help? Continue Reading
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Blog Post
16 Feb 2022
The metaverse offers a chance to reassess
Looking at the artists who pulled their catalogues from Spotify due to the Joe Rogan podcasts, the most powerful voice is the voice of the content creators, rather than legislators or the platform ... Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2022
Minister defends digital economy legislation before Lords
A digital minister has said that the UK’s forthcoming digital markets legislation is ‘superior’ to similar efforts in the EU, but could not commit to a specific time frame for when it will be introduced to Parliament Continue Reading
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Definition
07 Feb 2022
social listening (social media listening)
Social listening, also referred to as social media listening, is the process of identifying and assessing what is being said about a company, individual, product or brand on the internet. Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2022
Mechanism underlying cookie popups found in breach of GDPR
A fundamental element of the mechanism by which the advertising industry requests tracking consent from web users has been found in breach of the General Data Protection Regulation Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2022
Microsoft uses Q2 2022 earnings to delve into metaverse
Company’s CEO sees a role for Microsoft that takes the metaverse beyond gaming and into the business sphere Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2022
Bank account switching accelerates as consumers choose digital services
Surge in UK consumers changing current account providers is a sign that digital banking services are eating into the traditional sector Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2022
Twitter to expand Singapore engineering hub
Twitter will double its engineering workforce in Singapore by 2023, as part of its regional expansion plans Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2022
MPs say Online Safety Bill fails to tackle full range of harms
A DCMS select committee has warned that the Online Safety Bill should be expanded to cover more types of harmful content, such as child abuse material designed to circumvent content removal Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2022
ICO criticises government-backed campaign to delay end-to-end encryption
Data protection watchdog warns that delaying end-to-end encryption will put children at risk Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2022
Advantages of traditional banks are weakening amid digital challenge, says FCA
Weakening of the advantages enjoyed by traditional banks over the years is “driven by digital innovation and changing consumer behaviour”, says regulator Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2022
Government funds charity campaign to warn big tech over the risks of encryption to children
Barnardo’s and other charities begin a government-backed PR campaign to warn of the dangers end-to-end encryption poses to child safety, which has been criticised as being ‘one-sided’ Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2022
Content removal will not stop misinformation, says Royal Society
Censorship of scientific misinformation online could exacerbate feelings of distrust, so government should look at information literacy and funding fact checkers instead, says report Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jan 2022
A legal minefield called the metaverse
Will the metaverse create a $1tn revenue market? Who knows? How long will it take to reach this lofty potential? Who can tell? Will people invest across this emerging landscape of speculative riches? You bet Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2022
Companies propose scanning content pre-encryption to fight CSAM
Firms working on the UK government’s Safety Tech Challenge have suggested that scanning content before encryption will help prevent the spread of child sexual abuse material – but privacy concerns remain Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Jan 2022
How Pepsi is taking digital to the max
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to PepsiCo’s digital director about delivering innovation in customer experience. Our first buyer’s guide of 2022 examines hybrid cloud storage. And we find out how Arkwright and Granville from the BBC sitcom Open All Hours are inspiring retailers 40 years on. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jan 2022
France fines Facebook and Google over alleged cookie malpractice
French data protection authorities clamp down on tech platforms for purposely making it more burdensome for users to decline tracking cookies Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2022
Fintech players get cosy in Luxembourg
Luxembourg aims to play a larger role in the rapidly growing global fintech market Continue Reading
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News
31 Dec 2021
Top 10 Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcasts of 2021
The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast team began the year discussing the online fallout from the storming of the White House and finished it discussing IT and climate change, touching on bees and datacentres along the way Continue Reading
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News
29 Dec 2021
Top 10 retail technology stories of 2021
Computer Weekly looks at what 2021 had in store for the retail industry – did technology help retailers recover from the effects of the pandemic? Continue Reading
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Blog Post
14 Dec 2021
Live from the Lord Moon of the Mall (Pt. III)
Matt Baker once asked David Cameron, “How on earth do you sleep at night?” But for Matt Hancock, a big cup of Horlicks usually sees him spark out by eight o’clock. By nine, he’s stumbling into his ... Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2021
Joint committee publishes report on improving Online Safety Bill
MPs and peers release report on Online Safety Bill following five-month inquiry into the draft legislation and make a number of recommendations on how it can be improved to deal with harmful content and abuse on the internet Continue Reading
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E-Zine
14 Dec 2021
The rules for a safer internet
In this week’s Computer Weekly, as the government publishes the Online Safety Bill, we look at what the laws mean for internet services. A ransomware victim shares the insider story of the trauma of losing their corporate IT systems. And we ask, what happens when quantum computers get too powerful to verify their output? Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Dec 2021
CW Europe: Norway embraces internet of things
Norway is becoming a centre of IoT innovation as tech developers tackle some of the country’s unique challenges, in areas such as fish farming, power distribution and monitoring of boats. Also in this issue, find out why Utrecht University media scientist José van Dijck has won an award, and read about Estonia’s country-as-a-service scheme. Continue Reading
- 09 Dec 2021
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News
08 Dec 2021
Number of .uk domain suspensions at record low
Statistics from Nominet show how effective law enforcement action against cyber crime in the UK is paying off Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2021
Consumers say supermarkets among best at social engagement
Many types of business have improved their online interactions with consumers as a result of the pandemic, with consumers claiming supermarkets are among the most engaging Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2021
MI6 will ‘open up’ to tech firms to innovate faster than adversaries, says chief Richard Moore
MI6 will use investment fund to back tech companies to develop long-term technologies that will help it to keep pace with China and Russia Continue Reading
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30 Nov 2021
AstraZeneca looks at the bigger picture in enterprise social media
How do you work with people in different time zones and from different cultures and what happens when people leave the company? Continue Reading
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News
25 Nov 2021
Government must prove its plans to police encryption work, says ex-cyber security chief
Ciaran Martin, the former UK cyber security chief, says the government must explain how it can access encrypted communications without damaging cyber security and weakening privacy Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2021
Schrems accuses Irish DPC of trying to block publication of Facebook documents
Austrian lawyer Max Schrems has filed a complaint after the Irish data protection commissioner put his privacy organisation under pressure to sign a non-disclosure agreement Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2021
Government to legislate to make APP fraud reimbursement mandatory
UK payments regulator wants to reduce the huge sums of money lost to authorised push payment fraud and is calling on the banking and tech industries to play their part Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2021
AstraZeneca looks at the bigger picture in enterprise social media
How do you work with people in different time zones and from different cultures and what happens when people leave the company? Continue Reading
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Blog Post
10 Nov 2021
Prime suspect
Jeff Bezos was jiffy-bagging copies of William Shakespeare’s plays around the time Leonardo DiCaprio was cast in the leading role for the 1996 Hollywood film adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. Bring ... Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2021
Digital secretary calls for permanent online safety committee
Digital secretary commits to establishing ongoing oversight of the Online Safety Bill and its implementation, and suggests the grace period on criminal liability for tech company execs should be shortened from two years to a maximum of six months once it’s enacted Continue Reading
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News
03 Nov 2021
Facebook self-imposes facial recognition moratorium
Facebook and Meta have committed to halting their use of facial recognition technology and deleting the biometric data of more than a billion people by the end of 2021, but will retain the underlying algorithms and software for potential use in future products Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2021
HSBC standardises on DevOps platform
HSBC to standardise and automate software development through CloudBees platform Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2021
MPs and Lords grill Facebook over online safety efforts
Facebook answers British lawmakers’ questions about the social media giant’s efforts to ensure the safety of its users, as part of legislative security of the government's proposed online safety bill Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Oct 2021
Online Safety Bill puts user protection onus on platform providers
The Online Safety Bill will place new duties and responsibilities on online platforms accessible from the UK, but as it currently stands, it contains several grey areas Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2021
Facebook rebrands to Meta amid continuing controversies
Facebook has changed its corporate name to Meta to support its work on the next generation of “social technologies”, but concerns around trust and privacy persist Continue Reading
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Blog Post
28 Oct 2021
Fully automated luxury community guidelines
Novara Media has become the latest media outlet to have its YouTube channel removed from the website without warning or any kind of explanation. But just like Talkradio, a channel on the other end ... Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2021
Zopa becomes unicorn with latest funds to go to bank operation
Zopa will invest in its growing digital bank operation after becoming a unicorn in its latest fund-raising round Continue Reading
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News
07 Oct 2021
Twitch data breach investigations continue
Investigations are ongoing into a 125GB data breach that hit livestreaming platform Twitch, apparently the work of hacktivists Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2021
Gaming service Twitch hacked, data leaked
Users of livestreaming platform Twitch may be at risk after a 125GB torrent of data was leaked Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2021
Auto-enrolment begins for Google multi-factor authentication
Google has started to turn on multi-factor authentication on consumer accounts by default, and aims to auto-enrol 150 million users by the end of 2021 Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Oct 2021
ICO cookie consent: How will the plan affect businesses?
A data privacy and compliance expert considers what the ICO’s proposals for an overhaul of cookie consent procedures could mean for businesses Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2021
UK consumers would collectively pay over £1bn a year for control of their data
UK consumers are willing to pay a small fee per month to have control of the data they share with Google and Facebook Continue Reading
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News
29 Sep 2021
UK consumer trust in banks, retailers and telcos declines as scams increase
Consumers are blaming banks, retailers and social media for the huge increase in online scams, survey shows Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2021
Digital regulators need discrete but cooperative remits
The UK’s information commissioner has told MPs that digital economy regulators need discrete remits backed up by strong information sharing powers to both provide clear focus as well as allow for greater cooperation between their disparate but interlinked regimes Continue Reading
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News
23 Sep 2021
Authorised push payment fraud sees huge increase as criminals switch tactics
Criminals tricking people into making payments through channels such as fake emails and websites have stolen more money than payment card fraudsters Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2021
Dutch scientist receives top award for work on digital media’s effect on society
Utrecht University media scientist José van Dijck wins the Spinoza Award and funds for her research into the effects of social media on society Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Sep 2021
How Estonia’s country-as-a-service scheme has attracted tens of thousands of foreign entrepreneurs
Estonia has created a country-as-a-service offering which is attracting entrepreneurs and businesses from across the world Continue Reading
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News
13 Sep 2021
The digital road ahead: National Highways puts technology in the driving seat
We speak to National Highways about its multi-year plan to tech-enable the management and operations of our motorways Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2021
ICO in bid to end cookie pop-ups
Outgoing information commissioner Elizabeth Denham will call on her equivalents across the G7 group of countries to collaborate on an overhaul of cookie consent pop-ups Continue Reading
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News
02 Sep 2021
WhatsApp fined €225m over GDPR breaches
Irish data protection watchdog has issued one of the largest GDPR fines to date against Facebook-owned WhatsApp Continue Reading
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News
02 Sep 2021
Twitter tests auto-block feature for accounts at risk of abuse
Latest Twitter feature automatically blocks abusive users, and is intended to help victims regain control of their experience on the platform Continue Reading
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News
01 Sep 2021
Tech sector spends nearly €100m a year lobbying the EU
Study on technology firms’ lobbying efforts in the European Union shows the sector spends more than any other in trying to influence policies and legislation Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2021
Facebook vows to replenish more water than it consumes across its global operations by 2030
Social networking giant is following in Microsoft’s footprints by setting itself a goal of becoming a water-positive entity by 2030 Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2021
Around 75% of minority tech employees don’t feel a sense of belonging at work
Research by Capgemini found just over three-quarters of global tech employees who are women or ethnic minorities don’t feel a sense of belonging at work Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2021
Investigatory Powers Tribunal finds UK spy agencies unlawfully collected personal data
Campaign groups Privacy International and Liberty are gearing up to bring further legal action after a court found that UK spy agencies unlawfully collected phone and internet records Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2021
TikTok sets up cyber security hub in Dublin
Dublin-based cyber centre will oversee the security of TikTok’s users across Europe Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Plans to address legal but harmful content ‘threaten free speech’
House of Lords report criticises the government’s forthcoming Online Safety Bill for imposing duty of care on tech platforms to deal with ‘legal but harmful’ content, which it says threatens freedom of expression online Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2021
Nordic banks join forces to compete with fintechs
Collaboration will be key for traditional Nordic banks to retain business amid intense competition from tech companies Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2021
UK government publishes skills-focused anti-disinformation plan
Online Media Literacy Strategy aims to train teachers and care-givers in understanding disinformation so they can help others in safely navigating the internet Continue Reading
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Feature
12 Jul 2021
Tech and new experiences tackling trouble at t’mall
UK shopping centres are under pressure, but new concepts, tech-infused spaces, and fresh approaches to consumer engagement are revitalising the sector Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Jul 2021
Why identity is the central problem for the future of the internet
As debate rages over who has the right to control user identities online, is the concept of decentralised identity about to have its day? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Jul 2021
CW Middle East: Pandemic speeds up edtech revolution in Gulf
One of the lessons the Covid-19 pandemic has taught governments across the world is that education providers can still teach when their premises are inaccessible. Read how organisations in the Gulf region’s education sector have been quick to adopt the latest education technology, known as edtech, to help in this endeavour. Also read in this issue how Indian IT services company TCS is bringing together universities, businesses, tech startups and government to work on sustainability challenges. Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2021
Nordic fintech could lead the world
Will the Nordics become the fintech and open banking innovation capital of the world? Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2021
LinkedIn denies exposure of 700 million user records is a data breach
Data relating to 700 million users of the LinkedIn networking platform has appeared for sale, but the firm says it is the victim of data scraping, not a security breach Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2021
Zopa Bank to make profit in its first year
Bank set up by peer-to-peer lending fintech firm expected to make a profit in its first year Continue Reading
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Blog Post
25 Jun 2021
The dangers of binary arguments in a complex and relative digital world
In his 1983 book, Modern times: a history of the world from the 1920s to the year 2000, historian Paul Johnson claims the modern world started on 29 May 1919, when astronomers studying a solar ... Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Google hands third-party cookies a stay of execution
Google’s proposed Privacy Sandbox initiative – which will see third-party cookies phased out in the Chrome web browser – has been pushed back to 2023 Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Online Safety Bill unfit for purpose, says new campaign group
Campaign group set up to oppose Online Safety Bill says the duty of care is too simplistic, cedes too much power to US corporations and will, in practice, privilege the speech of journalists or politicians Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2021
NSPCC, IWF help under-18s scrub their nude photos from the web
Report Remove tool is designed to be used by under-18s to report nude images or videos of themselves that have appeared online Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Jun 2021
Video commerce and livestreaming make waves in retail
The growth in e-commerce during the pandemic is well documented, but the fragmented retail environment has also helped video commerce and livestreaming rise to prominence Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2021
G7 commits to action on ransomware, digital privacy
The G7 urges Russia to do more to hold criminal ransomware gangs operating from within its borders to account as it commits to more action on the issue Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2021
CMA secures commitments from Google on future of cookies
The Competition and Markets Authority is opening a consultation on commitments offered to it by Google to ensure its Privacy Sandbox proposals do not harm digital advertising markets Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2021
Klarna takes on UK credit card providers with feature that breaks up online payments
Fintech unicorn introduces feature to its app in the UK which will challenge traditional credit card providers Continue Reading
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News
27 May 2021
MP-backed push to stop tech giants claiming super-deduction tax relief thwarted
Move to prevent the likes of Amazon using the government's new super-deduction policy to minimise their UK tax liabilities even further fails to win support in the House of Commons Continue Reading
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News
25 May 2021
Stockholm’s startup scene seeks more diversity
Swedish capital has created a world-leading tech startup environment, but it still lacks the diversity of people needed to move it to the next level Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 May 2021
Online Safety Bill: an opportunity for tech to get it right
Long-awaited proposals for regulating internet companies still leave much to be defined – and the tech sector must take the lead in finalising a plan that works for society and government Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2021
How Virgin Atlantic used Workplace from Facebook to great advantage during the pandemic
Virgin Atlantic was an early adopter of Workplace from Facebook. We find out how the collaboration tool has supported the airline throughout the pandemic Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2021
Pandemic tech use heightens consumer privacy fears
Report on consumer attitudes to privacy finds evidence of a “heightened sense of fear” as digital footprints expand inexorably Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2021
Irish High Court dismisses legal bid by Facebook over EU-US data transfers
Latest twist in long-running legal battle sees Facebook lose legal bid to prevent the Irish Data Protection Commissioner suspending its transfer of data about European citizens to the US Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2021
Refuge launches tech safety site for domestic abuse victims
Created with the help of survivors, Refuge’s resource site offers guidance on protecting yourself from tech-enabled domestic abuse Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2021
UK government publishes Online Safety Bill draft
Bill builds on previous commitments by the government, which has added new measures to uphold democracy and freedom of speech while making tech giants more accountable Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2021
Reddit enlists HackerOne to run public bug bounty programme
Online community platform is opening up its HackerOne bug bounty programme to any ethical hacker who cares to have a look under the bonnet Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
Government urged to add scam protections to Online Safety Bill
Group of organisations calls for the government to use the Online Safety Bill to protect people from cyber scams Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
Tech startups turn to digital PR platform for media exposure
Digital PR platform Newspage helps early-stage tech startups with limited resources increase their visibility to journalists and news organisations Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Apr 2021
Why we need to reset the debate on end-to-end encryption to protect children
Private messaging is the front line of abuse, yet E2EE in its current form risks engineering away the ability of firms to detect and disrupt it where it is most prevalent Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2021
ToxicEye malware exploits Telegram messaging service
The Telegram instant messaging service is being used by malicious actors to manage a remote access trojan called ToxicEye Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2021
Government puts Facebook under pressure to stop end-to-end encryption over child abuse risks
Facebook faces growing government pressure to abandon its plans to offer users end-to-end encryption to secure the privacy of their messages as the NSPCC raises concerns about child protection Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2021
Ireland’s DPC launches probe into Facebook leak
The Irish Data Protection Commission has launched an ‘own volition’ inquiry into the leak of data from 500 million Facebook profiles Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2021
Covid-19 left people feeling vulnerable to cyber crime
Around 15 million people in the UK experienced cybercrime in the past 12 months, with a cumulative 64 million hours wasted dealing with the fallout Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2021
Egypt, Italy and US most affected in Facebook leak
Researchers at VPN firm Surfshark have been analysing data on 533 million people leaked from Facebook Continue Reading
