Cybersecurity

FTC Warns of 18-Fold Surge in Investment, ‘Romance’ Scams on Social Media

More than 95,000 Americans were bilked over social media in 2021 resulting in losses approaching $1 billion.

Emerging Tech

Team Links Social Media Use to Worse Physical Health

Increased social media use led to more doctor visits and higher levels of chronic inflammation.

Digital Government

Information Warfare is Moving Beyond Nation States

Mis- and disinformation ecosystems extend beyond the usual bad state actors.

Ideas

The Metaverse Offers a Future Full of Potential—for Terrorists and Extremists, Too

Violent extremists could find the metaverse a useful recruiting and organizing tool – and a target-rich environment.

Emerging Tech

Privacy Advocates Connect Capitol Attack to Need for Data Protection Legislation

Sen. Ron Wyden joined citizen groups calling for limits on data collection as a way around an impasse over regulating free speech. 

Policy

Senate Hearing Tackles Harms Caused by Social Media Algorithms

Senators are pushing for more accountability from social media platforms over their algorithms.

Digital Government

$75K Prize Competition Announced to Help Fight Disinformation on the Internet

The Aspen Institute is willing to shell out for the best ideas to fight dis- and misinformation.

Digital Government

Army Recruiters on TikTok Dance Around Ban To Reach Gen Z

As threat worries subside, one sergeant has nearly half a million followers on the China-based app—and the Army wants her advice.

Emerging Tech

Information Disorder Is Biggest Social Danger, Commission Warns

The Aspen Institute’s Commission on Information Disorder made multiple structural recommendations for the information ecosystem.

Ideas

Are People Lying More Since the Rise of Social Media and Smartphones?

Some forms of technology seem to facilitate lying more than others.

Cybersecurity

Facebook Can Sue Israel’s NSO Group, Appeals Court Says

The case against the NSO Group appears to scratch the surface of problematic commercial hacking tools sold at arms markets, which the U.S. government has only just begun trying to control.

Cybersecurity

Scammers Are Using Fake Job Ads to Steal People’s Identities

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that it has seen a “marked increase” in sham job ads seeking to steal people’s personal data, often with the aim of filing bogus unemployment insurance claims.

Ideas

Can Facebook’s Smart Glasses Be Smart about Security and Privacy?

How can someone know if the wearer is looking at you or looking at personal information about you?