Advocates and opponents of breaking up big technology firms are falling prey to some serious misconceptions
Author: The Conversation
The smartphone era is only just over a decade old, but the pocket-sized computers at the heart of that societal transformation are only really possible because of another technology: lithium-ion batteries.
Internet services such as search engines and social media platforms have increasingly been provided by a small number of very large tech firms. The blockchain could help consumers wrest control of their privacy away from them.
It’s often said that we now have more computing power in our pocket than the computer aboard Apollo 11. But is that true? And, if so, how much more powerful are our phones?
Facebook’s libra cryptocurrency has taken a lot of criticism from Western government officials and media commentators – but it’s not meant for them.
Custom-tailored capitalism is what has made Google, Facebook, Amazon and others the richest companies in the world. But this business model has enormous potential to violate civil liberties.
A case before the high court in Pretoria is set to have important implications for citizens’ privacy – and the ability of journalists to do their work without hindrance.
The launch of 60 Starlink satellites by Elon Musk’s SpaceX has grabbed the attention of people around the globe. With Musk planning for up to 12 000 satellites in low-Earth orbit, this fleet could forever change our view of the heavens.
The first message sent by Morse code’s dots and dashes across a long distance travelled from Washington, DC to Baltimore on Friday, 24 May 1844 – 175 years ago. Incredibly, the system is still used today.
The first great power rivalry of the 21st century has begun. It is not a re-run of the Cold War, however. Instead, this rivalry will look unlike any that has come before it.