Stories about Technology from October, 2013
South Korea Wants to Regulate Online Gaming Like Drugs and Alcohol
Earlier this month, South Korean lawmakers proposed a bill that regulates online gaming in a similar fashion to drugs and alcohol because of its addictive elements.
International Organizations Call for a Swift Adoption of Marco Civil in Brazil
‘Internet Needs an Uncompromising “Marco Civil” in Brazil!‘, state international organizations that advocate for free speech and freedoms online in an open letter released on October 28, 2013 (on the eve of the vote on Brazil's ‘bill of rights’ for Internet users). Its opening paragraph reads: The “Marco Civil da Internet” is...
Mapping Recent Reports Of Dengue Fever In India
Vidyut at Aam Janata blog has created a map of the Dengue outbreak in India from various reports published in print media in the last couple of months.
The Codefather
The world's first Internet search engine has Caribbean roots.
What Has Nairobi Tech Hub Achieved?
Erik Hersmann explains what iHub, a technology hub in Nairobi, has achieved in its three and a half years of existence: [T]he iHub started in March 2010, so it’s been about 3.5 years and a lot has happened here in the intervening years. Many people ask me, “so, what has...
This Weekend at Developing Latin America 2013 Apps Challenge (Part II)
This past weekend has been very productive for Developing Latin America Apps Challenge. Here we bring you the second part of the compendium of what happened.
Future Places: Digital Media Tools for Citizenship
Future Places, a former digital media festival that is turning into a “media lab for citizenship” for its sixth edition, will take place in Porto, Portugal, from October 28 to November 2, 2013. “A festival without an audience, where everyone who is present participates and discovers in real time ways of collaborating”,...
This Weekend at Developing Latin America 2013 Apps Challenge (Part I)
This past weekend has been very productive for the Developing Latin America Apps Challenge. Here we bring you a brief summary of what happened in some of the participating countries.
WhatsApp Sex Tape in Brazil Prompts Internet Meme Blaming Victim
A 19-year-old is the latest victim of a private sex tape going public without consent. The incident has sparked a debate about women's sexual liberty in Brazil.
NSA Hacked Mexican Government, According to Latest Snowden Leak
According to information leaked by Edward Snowden and reported by the German publication Der Spiegel, the NSA (National Security Agency) “has been systematically eavesdropping on the Mexican government for years.” Cory Doctorow explains more at Boing Boing: A Snowden leak, discussed in detail in Der Spiegel, shows how the NSA broke into...
Morocco Censors the Web: Collateral Damage Allowed
A number of websites, among them popular social media platforms Instagram and Pinterest, have been blocked in Morocco. Also, one of the main independent media outlets, Lakome, has been censored.
Three Reasons Why Young Indians Don’t Become Entrepreneurs
Abhinav Sahai has a theory to explain why young Indian talents do not usually end up as entrepreneurs. They give more priority to marriage, kids and buying own property, he thinks.
Declaration on the Future of Internet Cooperation
Representatives of the organizations that manage the technical infrastructure of the Internet meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay, have released a Declaration on the future of Internet cooperation [es], in which they analyze the problems currently affecting the future of the Internet. Among other things, they mention the importance of globally consistent...
#OccupyMyself: Confessions Of A Social Media Deserter
She misses the interactions, but values even more the time and mental space she's regained. Will social media "deserter" Paula Góes ever return to Facebook and Twitter?
After a Fatal Car Crash, Tajik President is Told to “Get His House in Order”
A relative of the Tajik president has left the country after causing a fatal accident. Netizens now scorn at police and urge the president to keep his family in check.
Here's An Effective Way To Change Bangladesh: Community Building Via Facebook Group
With 5.6 million users (September 2013 Data) Facebook is very popular in Bangladesh. Badrud Doza reports that a Facebook group and a TV show titled ‘Aamrai Bangladesh’ (We are Bangladesh) are changing the face of Bangladesh. The group is dedicated to connect the young people who are involved in community...
Brazil and Germany Debate ‘Democracy in the Digital Era’
Experts and scholars from Germany and Brazil will get together at a symposium to discuss Democracy in the Digital Era [pt] from October 17 to 18, 2013 in Salvador, the capital of the Brazilian state of Bahia. The event will be broadcast live via video stream. In the morning of the...
Tajikistan Introduces Controversial “Ethics Code” For Internet Users
As Tajikistan adopts ethical guidelines for the users of internet services and personal electronic devices, netizens fear that he authorities might use the document to control free expression.
Is Japan Ready to Host the Paralympics?
Ayako Yokota and Ryan Ball take a look at the facilities and technological solutions for people with disabilities in Japan.
Can This Be Home? Borderlessness & The Internet Citizen
Countries, borders, and nationalities remain dominant and important in many ways, but they don't feel as sharply defined or as binding as before.
The Kremlin's Internet Takeover: A Surefire Flop
When it comes to technology, the Russian government makes up in ambition for what it lacks in competence. Earlier this week, state-controlled telecom Rostelecom announced a government-sponsored Internet search engine.
