Related to today's New York Times piece on the Obama administration's plan to make encryption backdoors the law: India is already several steps ahead. "Prompted by fears of digital-era plotters, officials are already demanding that network operators given them the ability to monitor and decrypt digital messages." But critics say this will harm India's ability to "attract global businesses and become a hub for technology innovation."
India wants encryption backdoors, too; critics say mobile spying is bad for business
China's Ant Group plans to sell EyeVerify, U.S.-based biometric security firm that scans your eyeballs
China's Ant Group plans to sell off its U.S.-based biometric security firm EyeVerify, which identifies you by scanning your eyeballs. The sale comes as tension grows between Beijing and Washington over how and where sensitive user data is hosted, the Financial Times reports. From Reuters: EyeVerify, based in Kansas City, Missouri, designs eye verification technology… READ THE REST
National Rifle Association files for bankruptcy, NRA will legally move from New York to Texas
RIP, NRA. Thoughts and prayers. The National Rifle Association has filed for bankruptcy, and the organization will legally move from New York to Texas, with plans to operate as a non-profit. The NRA lists assets and liabilities between $100 million and $500 million each, and its bankruptcy petition is signed by Wayne LaPierre. Here's the… READ THE REST
Unemployment claims in US jump to 965,000, highest since August
New U.S. unemployment numbers out today are bad, and it's because the pandemic is surging after the holidays. "The number of people seeking unemployment aid soared last week to 965,000, the most since late August and evidence that the resurgent virus has caused a spike in layoffs," reports AP: The latest figures for jobless claims,… READ THE REST
This décor piece brings the Moon to your desk in stunningly accurate detail
With space-mania at an unquestioned high thanks to the rousing success of NASA's Mars Perseverance mission, it's time to represent and pay respects to the ingenuity of the human race. Anybody can say they love space. Anybody can watch Apollo 13 or The Right Stuff and feel the tingle. But not everybody can step up… READ THE REST
Make 2021 the year you learn to play guitar like an expert with these courses
"I think the guitar hero is a dying breed." – Kirk Hammett, Metallica guitarist With the surge of EDM, pop, hip-hop, and other genres in recent years, the guitar isn't the overwhelming power instrument that it once was in the last century, but don't count the six-string out just yet. Music is cyclical. What's popular… READ THE REST
These Hollywood-renowned photographers want to teach you how to shoot like them
To become a photographer, you can take classes and training sessions to deep-dive into the medium. You can even throw yourself in by learning on the job and expanding your skill set through practice. But even with all that practical knowledge and hands-on training, you could still be missing that unique spark. That tiny extra… READ THE REST