[ad_1] The announcement is already raising concerns. Privacy expert Avner Pinchuk warned that this could include real-time phone tracking to alert authorities of quarantine violations, or tracing metadata to determine a COVID-19 patient’s travels and contacts. Shin Bet responded by saying it wouldn’t use its tech “in the context of isolation guidelines,” but that may […]
Category: coronavirus
FCC gives T-Mobile extra spectrum to cope with demand during coronavirus
[ad_1] Eight companies agreed to make some of their spectrum available, the FCC said, including Comcast and Dish. Help also came from the FCC’s spectrum inventory. Officials haven’t mentioned other carriers receiving additional capacity, although it won’t be surprising if others follow suit. The US is facing an unprecedented situation where many people have been […]
Airbnb expands cancellation policy to cover stays affected by coronavirus
[ad_1] The company added that it was aware this could hurt hosts who depend on Airbnb for income, but believed it had to “find a balance” between those hosts and supporting the “well-being” of guests. To some degree, Airbnb didn’t have much choice. With many countries discouraging travel or in some cases issuing temporary bans […]
Google says nationwide coronavirus website is in development
[ad_1] The internet giant said it was “fully aligned” with the government and helping to fight the spread of COVID-19, although it didn’t explain the gap between its plans for a nationwide site and what Trump said. It’s not shocking that Google would have multiple projects in the works. Verily may be a sibling brand, […]
Iran’s coronavirus ‘diagnosis’ app looks more like a surveillance tool
[ad_1] AC19’s developer, Sarzamin Housmand (formerly Smart Land Solutions), is also known for developing government clones of Telegram that weren’t as secure as the real thing and were geared more toward enabling surveillance. While it’s not clear exactly what the Iranian government is doing with the data, it’s eager to brag about the scale. ICT […]
Apple sets clearer rules for coronavirus-related apps
[ad_1] The company is also encouraging developers to mark their coronavirus apps as time-sensitive to ensure a timely release. Governments, non-profits and accredited schools don’t have to pay annual developer membership fees if they only intend to release free apps, Apple noted. Apple isn’t alone in keeping an eye out for harmful apps. Google recently […]
Sprint, T-Mobile pledge to keep subscribers connected amid outbreak
[ad_1] Further, those who have international long distance calling plans will get complimentary calling rates to countries classified as Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) by the CDC starting on Tuesday. A couple of days later, those with metered data plans will receive free unlimited data per month for a minimum of two billing cycles. Subscribers […]
EA suspends live esports events due to coronavirus outbreak
[ad_1] The company announced its decision shortly after rival Activision Blizzard canceled its live Overwatch matches and made all Call of Duty matches online-only affairs. Both gaming giants are also shutting down offices and asking employees to work from home. EA previously closed international offices in Seoul, Milan and other locations for safety reasons, but […]
Recommended Reading: Dead Sea Scroll fragments in DC are fakes
[ad_1] Exclusive: ‘Dead Sea Scrolls’ at the Museum of the Bible are all forgeriesMichael GreshkoNational Geographic When the Museum of the Bible opened in Washington, DC in 2017, it funded a research project that examined pieces of what was thought to be Dead Sea Scroll fragments. In 2018, the museum announced that all five sections […]
All Apple Stores outside of Greater China are closing until March 27th
[ad_1] Apple CEO Tim Cook sent out a statement in the early hours of Saturday morning detailing Apple’s worldwide response to COVID-19. Among the steps taken is news that the company will close its retail stores worldwide until March 27th. The only exception is Greater China, which includes Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, where the […]