Author Archive
Nikhil Sonnad
Digital Government
Mark Zuckerberg Keeps Forgetting About Humans
His consistent use of computer programming jargon reveals a lot about his leadership approach.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Digital Government
U.S. Border Agents Hacked Their 'Risk Assessment' System to Recommend Detention 100% of the Time
The Trump administration has modified that system that was created in 2013.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Cybersecurity
“I Am in Love With LOVE!” Russian Trolls Tried to Seem Like Normal Americans By Quoting the Bible, Shakira, and Others
The Russian trolls seem to have a sense of humor.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Digital Government
This Was the Year I Realized My Brain Belongs to My Phone
And I feel dumber for it.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Digital Government
Data Scientist Cathy O’Neil on the Cold Destructiveness of Big Data
What happens when algorithms make troublingly unfair decisions?
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Digital Government
Here’s How Countries Like China, Russia Control Online Dissent
Look at the physical systems that make up internet infrastructure, and you find a network that is a lot more centralized than you might think.
- By Nikhil Sonnad and Keith Collins, Quartz
Artificial Intelligence
Easy Questions Computers Are Terrible at Answering
Computers still have less common sense than a toddler.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Cybersecurity
Things That Can Be Hacked
Note: Multiple definitions of “hack” may apply.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Cybersecurity
How to Create a Supersecure Password You’ll Never Forget: Use Poetry
Most people's passwords are terrible and insecure. Here's how to change that.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Cybersecurity
What’s in the Ashley Madison Database Hackers Released Online?
Despite some initial skepticism about the veracity of the leak, researchers are now starting to agree it is real.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Modernization
The Chinese Military Is Afraid Wearables Will Reveal its Secrets
China’s military released an ominous warning May 10, telling troops and the wider public that network-connected wearable devices pose a national security risk when used by military personnel.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Featured eBooks
Digital Government
Inside China’s Elaborate and Absurd Internet Propaganda Machine
Thousands of emails obtained from the Zhanggong propaganda department by a Chinese blogger offer a rare view into the mechanics of manipulating web conversation in China at its most local level.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Emerging Tech
Still Think Robots Can’t Do Your Job? This Video May Change Your Mind
Humans need not apply.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Digital Government
The Infrastructure Africa Really Needs Is Better Data Reporting
The terrible state of statistical reporting in most of Africa means that it will be nearly impossible to gauge how effective recent infrastructure deals are.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Emerging Tech
Microsoft Might Finally Be Committing to Open Source
Late last year Microsoft finally made itself an account on Github, now the de-facto platform that software writers use for sharing and working on open-source code.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Emerging Tech
The AP’s Newest Business Reporter Is an Algorithm
Earnings reports will be written by robots.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz
Digital Government
The Web Is Not Actually Getting Any More Global
Rising data flow is not inherently international.
- By Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz