Technology
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Fake news, Facebook and a threat to democracy
Is Facebook putting democracy at risk? That is the verdict of a committee of British MPs who spent 18 months investigating fake news, Brexit and social media advertising. Are they right?
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Terminate! Scientists vow to block killer bots
Should we ban killer robots? Thousands of artificial intelligence experts have declared they will never build autonomous army robots. Some fear an AI arms race could spark a third world war.
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Race against the rain for trapped Thai boys
What makes the story so compelling? For almost two weeks, 12 children have been trapped underground in a Thai cave. But as monsoon rains approach, the rescue operation hangs in the balance.
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Happy Birthday NHS! Now bring on the robots
Will technology save the NHS? The National Health Service turns 70 today, but tight budgets and surging demand have put its future in doubt. Here are five ways futuristic tech could help.
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Official! Gaming addiction is mental illness
Is the World Health Organisation right? It has made “gaming disorder” an official mental illness. While fun for some, excessive gaming can tear lives apart — and the solution is unclear.
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How the EU plans to transform data privacy
Who should own our data? With just days to go before Europe introduces tough new privacy laws, yesterday Mark Zuckerberg apologised (again) for any “harm” caused by Facebook.
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The hit quiz app taking the world by storm
Is trivia good for us? Valued at $100 million, with millions of daily players, HQ Trivia is the new social quizzing app sensation. Some have even called it the future of television.
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Fortnite craze is ‘damaging’, says minister
Can video games be a force for good? In response to parental concerns about the Fortnite craze, culture secretary Matt Hancock has warned against the dangers of “too much screen time”.
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The curious ethics of cruelty to robots
Should cruelty to robots be a crime? That is the premise of Westworld, whose second season premiered last week. It calls into question everything we think about morality...
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Siri-ous business: Apple learns new dad jokes
Are corny jokes the best form of wit? Apple’s AI assistant, Siri, has been updated with new groan-worthy jokes. Some say they are “hilarious”, others “stupid” — a debate with a long history…
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Adult content, online addiction and UK Sex-Ed
How can the internet be made safer? As new laws made to protect children from graphic websites are put on hold, The Day speaks to the NSPCC about...
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‘I must check everything, I must be updated’
How serious is social media addiction? With reports of teens dangerously hooked on sites like Instagram and Snapchat, researchers are racing to discover how addictive social media really is.
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The world’s most advanced surveillance state
Will our governments soon know everything about us? In China, facial recognition is driving the government’s social credit system to rate the trustworthiness of its 1.4 billion citizens.
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‘Disinformation, manipulation and propaganda’
Is Facebook evil? Today the world’s largest social media company stands accused of undermining democracy, spreading fake news, inciting hatred, and violating the privacy of millions.
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Uber self-driving car kills US pedestrian
Would you use a self-driving car? The first fatality involving a pedestrian and an autonomous car has put Uber in the firing line. Some call the crash a “wake-up call” for the whole industry.