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Facebook hires lobbying firm to help sweet talk cryptocurrency regulators

Aug27
by on August 27, 2019 at 11:31 am
Posted In: Around the Web, blockchain, cryptocurrency, Hard Fork


Facebook‘s “cryptocurrency” Libra is facing an ever growing mountain of regulatory challenges. It seems it needs a helping hand, as it’s hired a specialist firm to lobby Washington directly. According to registration documents filed earlier this week, Facebook will be represented by Washington, DC-based FS Vector LLC, a firm that specializes in regulatory compliance and public policy. The lead lobbyist named is John Collins, partner at FS Vector and formally the head of policy at Coinbase. Collins also lead US Congress‘ first exploration into digital currencies back in 2013 – so it’s likely he’ll know a thing or two about…

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The new RØDECaster Pro update makes the best podcast production studio even better

Aug27
by on August 27, 2019 at 9:49 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Plugged


To put it bluntly, RØDE gear is great. The Australian audio company is one of the best producers of microphones around, especially for podcasters.  This attention on the voice-loving amongst us has led to what I believe is the best self-contained podcast production studio around: the RØDECaster Pro. Basically, the RØDECaster Pro has all the features you could want from a podcast production studio (sound pads, multi-track recording, in-built effects, etc.), and is still small enough to carry around with you in our bag. In other words, it’s brilliant. Make sure you keep an eye on Plugged for a full review…

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Instagram tests Threads app for ‘intimate sharing’ with close friends

Aug27
by on August 27, 2019 at 9:18 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Social Media


I need another instant messaging app to keep in touch with family and friends. Said no one ever. But if a recent report by The Verge is anything to go by, Facebook is internally testing a new chat app for Instagram called Threads in what appears to be the company’s “latest assault on Snapchat.” The app — conceived as a sister app for Instagram for “constant, intimate sharing” between close friends — also encourages users to automatically share their location, speed, and battery life in real-time, aside from offering a plethora of photo and video tools. Facebook‘s Threads test comes…

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Facial recognition in schools leads to Sweden’s first GDPR fine

Aug27
by on August 27, 2019 at 9:16 am
Posted In: Around the Web


The Swedish Data Protection Authority (DPA) has served a municipality in northern Sweden the country’s first GDPR fine — amounting to almost €19,000 (200,000 SEK) — for using facial recognition technology to monitor the attendance of students in school. The high school in Skellefteå conducted a pilot program last fall where the attendance of 22 students over a period of three weeks was taken with the help of facial recognition technology, instead of good ol’ fashioned roll call, according to Computer Sweden. Not so surprisingly, the Swedish DPA found that the program violated several GDPR articles — the EU’s new…

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Google’s Nest Hub is the perfect smart screen for my kitchen

Aug27
by on August 27, 2019 at 8:50 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Plugged


When Google was briefing a bunch of journalists including me about the Nest Hub at its India launch last week, it described how the smart screen could be useful in various parts of your home. But in my mind, it was clear where this would go – my kitchen. I often carry my phone to the kitchen: to listen to music or podcasts while cooking, to check my progress on a recipe, or to keep an eye on the score of a match I’m following. Google’s Nest Hub can do all of this and more – hands-free. While some press…

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