The Mysterious Vaping Illness That’s ‘Becoming an Epidemic’
A surge of severe lung ailments has baffled doctors and public health experts.
Home / Archive for August 2019
YouTube Said to Be Fined Up to $200 Million for Children’s Privacy Violations
The fine, from the Federal Trade Commission, could have significant repercussions for other social media platforms that are popular with chi...
Twitter C.E.O. Jack Dorsey’s Account Hacked
Mr. Dorsey’s account began posting racial epithets, profanities and bomb threats on Friday afternoon. A company spokesman confirmed it was h...
It’s Not Easter, but There Might Be a Surprise Hidden on This Article
The New York Times is no stranger to the trend of hiding code in plain sight.
Don’t Use Bootleg or Street Vaping Products, C.D.C. Warns
With more than 200 cases of respiratory illnesses possibly related to vaping, and no single culprit, public health experts are advising youn...
How Tainted Gold May Have Ended Up in Your Phone
A New TV Show from The New York Times on FX and Hulu
The Week in Tech: Are You Ready for Facebook’s Future?
We got a glimpse of what the social network’s privacy-first focus might look like in practice. You may not love it.
What Does VSCO Think About the ‘VSCO Girls’?
We spoke to the brands behind Gen Z’s highly aestheticized (and widely parodied) personal brand.
Hospitals Should Replace Infection-Prone Scopes With Safer Models, F.D.A. Says
Reusable duodenoscopes, used for internal examinations of patients, have been linked to a series of hospital outbreaks.
Uber and Lyft to Spend $60 Million to Maintain California Driver Status
A state legislative proposal called Assembly Bill 5 could could give drivers more employee rights. The companies said they are willing to st...
India’s Restaurants Rebel Against Food Delivery Apps
Frustrated by the steep commissions and discounts that apps like Zomato and Uber Eats push on restaurants, thousands have started a movement...
Those People Starting Successful Tech Companies? Most Are Middle-Aged
Some of tech’s biggest names had founders in their teens. But new research shows that for fast-growing start-ups in the U.S., the founders’ ...
Organoids Are Not Brains. How Are They Making Brain Waves?
Clusters of living brain cells are teaching scientists about diseases like autism. With a new finding, some experts wonder if these organoid...
Peloton Is a Phenomenon. Can It Last?
Exercise manias like the Thighmaster and Tae Bo have all come and gone. Peloton is trying to defy that trend.
When Children Use Technology, Let Common Sense Prevail
All things in moderation is a good way to think about it, says Jessica Grose, the editor of NYT Parenting.
The Joys of Being a Late Tech Adopter
New-gadget season is almost here, but our columnist has concluded, after testing hundreds of gizmos over the years, that it pays to wait.
Facebook Tightens Rules on Verifying Political Advertisers
Bracing for the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the company adds more steps for buyers of political ads. Disinformation experts aren’t sure...
6 Google Tricks That Will Turn You Into an Internet Detective
Even if you’re already a Google pro, these tricks will get you to your desired results even faster.
Philip Morris and Altria Are in Talks to Merge
With Altria’s investment in Juul, a combination of the tobacco giants would dominate the international market for e-cigarettes.
Telegram Pushes Ahead With Plans for ‘Gram’ Cryptocurrency
When Facebook announced plans for a similar effort this year, the regulatory pushback was fierce. But Telegram appears undeterred.
The Baroness Fighting to Protect Children Online
Baroness Kidron says tech giants exert too much leverage over young users and has pushed laws to change that. “It’s little Timmy in his bedr...
Former Star Google and Uber Engineer Charged With Theft of Trade Secrets
Anthony Levandowski, one of Silicon Valley’s foremost technologists on autonomous cars, was charged with theft and attempted theft of trade ...
Netflix Falls Short in Big Screen Debut of ‘The Irishman’
Martin Scorsese’s ‘The Irishman’ will debut in select theaters three weeks ahead of its Netflix release, a shorter run than Netflix had hope...
Is It Time to Upend the Periodic Table?
The iconic chart of elements has served chemistry well for 150 years. But it’s not the only option out there, and scientists are pushing its...
Cadillac’s Last Stand? Storied Brand Aims (Again) for Revival
Once the epitome of luxury, the high-end General Motors line is attempting another makeover to catch up with rivals that have overtaken it.
Lawsuit Over Computer Chips Invokes Trade War With China
Globalfoundries has accused T.S.M.C., a competitor in Taiwan, of infringing on 16 patents in a suit that could also affect companies like Ap...
Google Tries to Corral Its Staff After Ugly Internal Debates
The tech company, telling its employees to “stop disrupting the workday,” issued new workplace rules designed to rein in its freewheeling cu...
Qualcomm Wins Reprieve in F.T.C. Antitrust Case With Appeals Court Ruling
A federal appeals court ruled that the chip maker did not have to modify key business practices while the court reviews a lower-court ruling...
Facebook Bans Ads From The Epoch Times
The social network has struggled to implement a consistent political advertising policy as groups appear able to get around its transparency...
As Amazon Fires Spread, So Do the Misleading Photos
The fires are real. But the photographs that celebrities and politicians are sharing? Well, it depends.
How Uber Got Lost
The once-swaggering company is losing more money and growing more slowly than ever. What happened?
The Week in Tech: Facebook’s First Step Toward Treating Our Data Better
The social network’s latest privacy feature at least lets us imagine how we could better control our data in the future.
Snapchat’s Disappearing Act Leaves Venice Beach Searching for Its Future
Snap changed social media — and Venice, Calif. — for good. What’s next?
YouTube Disables 210 Channels That Spread Disinformation About Hong Kong Protests
Days after Facebook and Twitter cracked down on China-backed accounts that were spreading such disinformation, YouTube did the same.
Soap, Detergent and Even Laxatives Could Turbocharge a Battery Alternative
Researchers are trying to develop options to lithium-ion and other batteries in a quest for quick bursts of power and extended energy storag...
Alibaba Postpones Hong Kong Listing as Protests Roil Markets
The Chinese e-commerce giant delayed plans to sell potentially billions of dollars worth of shares in the market, which has fallen as tensio...
Inside India’s Messy Electric Vehicle Revolution
A million electric rickshaws sprang up out of nowhere and are now being used by 60 million people a day. The government and vehicle makers a...
A Business Built on Disinformation: Highlights From Our Investigation
Driven by Facebook, The Western Journal has had one of the biggest audiences in the news media, but little is known about the publication. H...
Instagram’s Chain-Letter Uprising
Hordes of confused Instagrammers are trying to declare sovereignty from Instagram. Do they accidentally have a point?
How to Turn an iPhone Into a Work-Only Tool
To prevent distractions, Conor Dougherty, an economics writer, dumped social media and anything fun — even his browser — from his smartphone...
YouTuber Finds Lost GoPro Video of Man Who Drowned and Returns It to His Family
Rich Abernathy was filming a dive for YouTube when he found an old GoPro partly buried in the muck. The camera had captured the last moments...
Hi, Alexa. How Do I Stop You From Listening In On Me?
Humans help train artificial intelligence, so someone may be listening to what you tell Siri, Google Assistant or Alexa. Here’s what to do i...
2 Prominent Academics to Cut Ties to M.I.T. Media Lab Over Epstein Link
The academics, Ethan Zuckerman and J. Nathan Matias, said they were protesting the institute’s connection to the financier, who was facing s...
How Many Triangles Are There? Here’s How to Solve the Puzzle
Counting will get you nowhere. Try a little combinatorics instead.
Netflix and Big Theater Chains Haggle Over Release of Scorsese’s ‘Irishman’
Will “The Irishman,” a mob-world epic starring Robert De Niro, come to a theater near you? After months of talks, there is still no resoluti...
Where Did North West Learn How to Sew? At Camp, of Course.
In Hollywood, there’s a glamorous extracurricular program for fashion-savvy kids as young as 6.
Inside America’s Dysfunctional Trillion-Dollar Fighter-Jet Program
The F-35 was once the Pentagon’s high-profile problem child. Has it finally moved past its reputation of being an overhyped and underperform...
The Collective Memory of American Shoppers
On Facebook and Reddit, retail-focused groups remember the heyday of malls and share stories of shuttered department stores.
FogCam Is Signing Off in San Francisco
Long before streaming video, it captured images of campus life every 20 seconds. The quirky project, believed to be the longest-running publ...
‘I’m Sick of Seeing My Face,’ Says the Internet’s Kombucha Connoisseur
A woman’s taste test captured the fancy of the internet. Her rapid evolution of expressions may be why.
How Should Big Tech Be Reined In? Here Are 4 Prominent Ideas
Some critics of the industry want to see the businesses broken up. Others would like to strengthen regulation of Silicon Valley. And there a...
Welcome to McDonald’s. Would You Like a Podcast With Those Fries?
With podcasts rising in popularity, it’s no surprise that companies are producing their own. What’s more surprising is that people are actua...
Facebook’s New Tool Lets You See Which Apps and Websites Tracked You
The tool is a response to criticism that Facebook has faced over how it safeguards its users’ privacy.
China’s Soft-Power Fail: Condemning Hong Kong’s Protests
Beijing wants greater sway over global public opinion. Instead, its propaganda outlets make Chinese leaders look like bullies.
In New Facebook Effort, Humans Will Help Curate Your News Stories
A news section inside Facebook’s mobile app will be run by journalists and not just algorithms, the company said.
Ransomware Attack Hits 23 Texas Towns, Authorities Say
The state declined to say which towns were affected by the coordinated cyberattack. But one expert said it could signal more such attacks in...
State Attorneys General Said to Be Near Formal Investigation of Tech Companies
Their bipartisan effort comes after a smaller group of the state representatives met last month with antitrust officials at the Justice Depa...
Ride Sharing Adds to the Crush of Traffic at Airports
The record number of travelers and the popularity of Uber and Lyft have left airports scrambling to ease congestion.
Facebook and Twitter Say China Is Spreading Disinformation in Hong Kong
The social media companies removed accounts and said they were sowing divisive messages about the Hong Kong protests.
U.S. Companies Working With Huawei Get More Time to Stop
A 90-day extension is intended to give rural telecommunications time to wean themselves off the Chinese company, which supplies parts and eq...
To Power A.I., Start-Up Creates a Giant Computer Chip
The chip could improve how quickly artificial intelligence systems can learn tasks. But its complexity and size (as big as a plate) could be...
Paging Big Brother: In Amazon’s Bookstore, Orwell Gets a Rewrite
As fake and illegitimate texts proliferate online, books are becoming a form of misinformation. The author of “1984” would not be surprised....
Terrorists Turn to Bitcoin for Funding, and They’re Learning Fast
The authorities have begun to raise alarms about a steady uptick in the number of militant groups using the hard-to-trace digital currency.
G.E. Is Accused of Major Fraud, and Stocks Take a Beating
Plus, WeWork takes steps to go public, and investigations into the Jeffrey Epstein case continue.
Closing of Pacific Standard and Topic Shows Perils of Depending on a Rich Patron
With the loss of the two award-winning publications, digital media got a little less brainy in the summer of ’19.
Older People Need Rides. Why Aren’t They Using Uber and Lyft?
Seniors need transportation alternatives more than ever, but many are intimidated by ride-hailing apps.
A.I. Is Learning From Humans. Many Humans.
Artificial intelligence is being taught by thousands of office workers around the world. It is not exactly futuristic work.
The Man Who Wrote the Guidebook for Civilian Bomb-Squad Technicians
At War talked to Tom Gersbeck, a retired Marine Corps bomb-disposal officer, who recently published the second edition of his book, “Practic...
The Week in Tech: Are Lawmakers Too Eager to Weaken Big Tech’s Legal Shield?
Revising Section 230 could change the internet as we know it. How about policy decisions based on sound evidence?
Amazon Uses a Twitter Army of Employees to Fight Criticism of Warehouses
They love working there. It’s great. They love it. It’s great. They love it. It’s great. They love it. It’s great. They love it. It’s great....
Alibaba’s Strong Results Suggest Chinese Consumers Are Still Spending
Though growth has slowed, the e-commerce giant’s results signal that the country’s consumers still feel comfortable enough to open their wal...
I Shared My Phone Number. I Learned I Shouldn’t Have.
Our personal tech columnist asked security researchers what they could find out about him from just his cellphone number. Quite a lot, it tu...
Accused Capital One Hacker Had Stolen Data From Other Targets, Officials Say
Prosecutors said they found the stolen material from 30 organizations on servers in the bedroom of the accused hacker.
India Shut Down Kashmir’s Internet Access. Now, ‘We Cannot Do Anything.’
Pharmacists can’t restock medicines; workers aren’t being paid. But the government still loves to block the internet for “peace and tranquil...
Art Disappears in Private Hands. Can Social Media Resurface It?
Private art collections are notoriously secretive. A collective website aims to make them viewable by all.
How Flat Earthers Nearly Derailed a Space Photo Book
What a photographer’s struggle to raise money for his book of images tells us about Facebook and conspiracy theorists.
WeWork Takes Key Step Toward I.P.O., Citing Heady Growth and Huge Losses
A public offering by the firm, which leases shared office space, will be a major test of investors’ appetite for fast-growing but unprofitab...
Burner Apps and No Selfies When Reviewing Restaurants
It’s harder to remain incognito in the digital age, says Tejal Rao, our first California restaurant critic. She prefers dining tech that’s u...
Hong Kong’s Economy Shudders as Its Airport Descends into Chaos
Clashes at one of the world’s busiest transportation hubs could cast further doubt on the city’s future as a business capital on China’s doo...
The Rise of the Virtual Restaurant
Food delivery apps are reshaping the restaurant industry — and how we eat — by inspiring digital-only establishments that don’t need a dinin...
The Phony Patriots of Silicon Valley
Top tech companies are rallying around the flag. How opportunistic of them.
How Facebook Is Changing to Deal With Scrutiny of Its Power
In both pre-emptive and defensive ways, the social network is modifying its behavior to fend off antitrust concerns.
A Financier’s End, and Uber Hits the Skids
Also: Barneys files for bankruptcy, and more of the week’s top stories in business and tech.
J.D. Salinger, E-Book Holdout, Joins the Digital Revolution
“The Catcher in the Rye” and other Salinger novels are coming out in digital formats, and the writer’s son plans to release more from his ar...
Russia Opens Antitrust Inquiry Into App Restriction at Apple
Russian officials are investigating Apple’s moves to remove parental control apps from its App Store shortly after it released a competing s...
Apple Transforms Central Park Into an Augmented Reality Gallery
Works by Nick Cave, Nathalie Djurberg, John Giorno and others have been choreographed into the landscape for an Apple-New Museum walking tou...
The Week in Tech: How Does 8chan Whack-a-Mole End?
Efforts to take a controversial website offline have been complex and divisive. But with any luck, they may also be galvanizing.
This High-Tech Solution to Disaster Response May Be Too Good to Be True
Major cities are turning to a Silicon Valley start-up to help save lives in an emergency. But some fear its promise has been dangerously exa...
Huawei Unveils Harmony, Its Answer to Android, in Survival Bid
The fast-growing Chinese company, blocked by the Trump administration from working with Google, announced plans for its own mobile operating...
Facebook Said to Be in Talks With Publishers on News Effort
The social network is pitching an initiative to license articles from some of the largest American news publishers for its mobile app, accor...
Legless, Leaping Larvae
Gall midge maggots have some surprising tricks that help them launch themselves into smile-inspiring jumps.
Our Cars Are Trying to Keep Us Safe. Here’s How.
There is no question that the tech in cars is making us safer. Even when optional, active electronic safety features can pay for themselves ...
Uber Posts $5.2 Billion Loss and Slowest Ever Growth Rate
The double whammy immediately renewed questions about the prospects of the world’s biggest ride-hailing company.
Why Aren’t We Talking About LinkedIn?
As Facebook and Twitter face scrutiny, the site for job seekers remains a controversy-free zone. Is the office the future of social media?
Markiplier’s Work Diary: ‘I Find a Game and I Play It. Not Much to It.’
He’s being modest. (Maybe?) The YouTube streamer — who made a reported $17.5 million last year — has created videos that have been watched 1...
The Secret History of ‘Easter Eggs’
Yes, Google, Tesla, Amazon and others are still hiding quirky software surprises in their products, mostly to give you a chuckle.
Netflix Signs the Duo Behind HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones’
David Benioff and D.B. Weiss agreed to a deal that will have them creating new TV shows and films for the streaming giant.
Lyft’s Losses Continue, but Company Says They Will Abate
With its number of passengers and trip fees growing, the ride-hailing company said its losses would not be as bad as it previously thought.
Radio Giant, Riding Podcast Boom, Takes ‘Stuff You Should Know’ Global
iHeartMedia is planning translated versions of the podcasts it acquired in its $55 million deal for Stuff Media.
Make Your Own Animated Movies, Frame by Frame
Stop-motion animation is a great way to bring toys and other objects to life — and learn the basics of filmmaking.
Tech Meets Health Care, Sometimes Shakily
Katie Thomas, who covers health care, has chronicled how the technology disruption in her field has raised questions that are still unanswer...
Uber Wants to Sell You Train Tickets. And Be Your Bus Service, Too.
The ride-hailing company, craving growth, is looking to public transit for riders and revenue. Cities aren’t sure whether to welcome it.
Wait, People Pay for Tinder?
Like a mobile game, the dating app offers paid features that increase the odds of success. Lots of people are buying.
Legal Shield for Websites Rattles Under Onslaught of Hate Speech
Section 230, from a 1996 federal law, was meant to protect young internet companies from liability. Now lawmakers are threatening to change ...
Behind the Scenes, 8chan Scrambles to Get Back Online
In a digital chain effect, tech providers pulled support for 8chan, illustrating a complex network of companies that are crucial to keeping ...
Deadly Germ Research Is Shut Down at Army Lab Over Safety Concerns
Problems with disposal of dangerous materials led the government to suspend research at the military’s leading biodefense center.
Cloudflare Chief Explains Decision to Shut Down 8Chan, Despite Reservations
In a pair of interviews, Cloudflare's chief executive was torn about the decision. On one hand, 8chan was clearly reprehensible. But ban...
Senators Urge Google to Give Temporary Workers Full-Time Status
Temps and contractors outnumber permanent employees at the company, allowing it to maintain labor flexibility and save money.
8chan Is a Megaphone for Gunmen. ‘Shut the Site Down,’ Says Its Creator.
The site is a venue for extremists to test out ideas, share violent literature, and cheer on the perpetrators of mass killings.
A Brain Scan May Predict Alzheimer’s. Should You Get One?
One expert warns of “unintended downsides,” including overuse of only modestly effective medications.
Fortnite Fortunes and Freakouts: Parents Grapple With an Obsession
Fortnite, the widely popular video game, can lead to big financial wins for teenagers. But Times readers say its use also has parents strugg...
Bad Times in Tech? Not if You’re a Start-Up Serving Other Start-Ups
Meet the two Stanford dropouts, both 23, who run Brex, which provides charge cards to start-ups. Its growth is a sign of Silicon Valley’s un...
The Math Equation That Tried to Stump the Internet
Sometimes BODMAS is just PEMDAS by another name. And no, the answer is not 100.
Ninja, a Fortnite Star, Leaps From Twitch to Mixer
Tyler Blevins, 28, the multimillionaire gamer known as Ninja, says he has a deal to stream exclusively at the Microsoft service. He’s quitti...
The Week in Tech: Facebook Romance Scams and Banking Hacks
For years, impostors have been posing as members of the military to bilk people out of money. Why has Facebook been unable to stop them?
DoorDash Buys a Rival, Caviar, for $410 Million
The deal escalates the intense competition in food delivery.
Mixer Lures Ninja From Twitch. (What? We Explain.)
Tyler Blevins, 28, the multimillionaire gamer known as Ninja, says he has a deal to stream exclusively at the Microsoft service. He’s quitti...
Another Victim of Facebook Romance Scams: A U.S. Congressman
After battling social media impostors for years, Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois wants to force Facebook to do more to combat fake...
Children as Young as 11 Added to N.Y.P.D. Facial Recognition Database
With little oversight, the police have been using the powerful surveillance technology on photos of children and teenagers.
Should Board Gamers Play the Roles of Racists, Slavers and Nazis?
After the cancellation of Scramble for Africa, where do board games go from here?
Amazon Kindle Oasis Review: Now Is the Perfect Time to Buy an E-Reader
In an era of smartphone addiction, a single-purpose device like an e-reader may help you unplug and focus on content that will bring you joy...
EBay Accuses Amazon Managers of Conspiring to Poach Its Sellers
The accusation comes at a touchy time for Amazon, with Washington on the lookout for potential anticompetitive behavior.
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