Category: business

Microsoft pulls its smaller investments in facial recognition tech

[ad_1] There was no publicly available timeline for when Microsoft would offload its AnyVision stake, a spokesperson told Reuters. AnyVision had been accused of using facial recognition to surveil Palestinians around the West Bank, contradicting Microsoft’s promise to avoid any uses of the tech that impinged on democratic freedoms. However, an audit found no evidence […]

Slack is working on a way to call Microsoft Teams users

[ad_1] According to CNBC, Slack plans to integrate Microsoft Teams calling features into its workplace collaboration app. Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield shared the plan during an analyst call. “We’re working on Teams integrations for calling features,” he said. Adding support for Teams makes a lot of sense both because of the current situation and the […]

NY court rules Postmates couriers are entitled to unemployment benefits

[ad_1] In the original decision, New York’s Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board said Luis Vega, a former courier with Postmates, was entitled to employment insurance benefits after the company fired him. In its subsequent decision, the Court of Appeals argued Postmates effectively “dominates the significant aspects” of a courier’s day-to-day by controlling where, when and to […]

Google’s $800 million COVID-19 relief effort includes 2 million face masks

[ad_1] The business assistance includes a $200 million fund for financial institutions and non-governmental organizations to help small businesses get funds. All small businesses with active accounts over the past year will have access to a pool of $340 million in Google Ads credits. Google’s remaining funds include $250 million in ad grants for the […]

The surveillance profiteers of COVID-19 are here

[ad_1] These normally privacy-forward sources are saying this in response to the pandemic, obviously. But it’s also because companies that track, target, identify and surveil individuals are pitching their technologies to ID and trace the infected — in shady backroom discussions with the White House. The pandemic has us all in vulnerable positions, and some […]

Instacart workers will strike over lack of COVID-19 protections

[ad_1] Among their demands, Instacart Shoppers are requesting protective supplies like hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. They’re also asking for hazard pay — an additional $5 per order — and an extension of pay for workers impacted by COVID-19. The deadline to qualify for those benefits was originally April 8th, but the company has pushed […]

Food delivery apps, the pandemic and finding a new normal

[ad_1] The result is that many of us — restaurants and consumers alike — are now relying on third-party delivery services like GrubHub and Caviar, which are changing their practices to accommodate the new normal. DoorDash, which also owns Caviar, has implemented no-contact delivery: Delivery people pick up and drop off packages without interacting face […]

Filling out the Census online is quick, easy and important

[ad_1] The basics The census is constitutionally mandated — your participation is required by law whether or not you’re a citizen. It’s conducted by the US Census Bureau and asks questions about your household and demographics. The results of the count will have a major impact on jurisdiction and resource allocation in the country. This […]

Chinese digital spying is becoming more aggressive, researchers say

[ad_1] Cisco and Citrix both told Reuters that they have patched the vulnerabilities that were being exploited by APT41. Citrix is also coordinating with FireEye to find “potential compromises.” Reuters reached out to Dell Technologies’ cybersecurity arm, Secureworks, which stated that the company has also seen increased activity from Chinese hackers “over the last few […]