How to protect your data privacy: A digital media expert provides steps you can take and explains why you can’t go it alone

Your data privacy is under threat from hackers, data brokers and big tech. Here’s what you can do about it. Step 1 is to get your colleagues, friends and family on board.

Nathan Schneider, Assistant Professor of Media Studies, University of Colorado Boulder • conversation
Jan. 25, 2024 ~8 min

What you should (and shouldn't) do with all of your old phone chargers and other e-waste

Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world – there are things you can do to minimise your role in it.

Ian Williams, Professor of Applied Environmental Science, University of Southampton • conversation
Oct. 6, 2023 ~6 min


Nationwide test of Wireless Emergency Alert system could test people's patience – or help rebuild public trust in the system

If an alert from the federal government pops up on your phone, will you notice it? Will you know who it’s from? Will you trust it?

Hamilton Bean, Associate Professor of Communication, University of Colorado Denver • conversation
Oct. 3, 2023 ~8 min

What is USB-C? A computer engineer explains the one device connector to rule them all

With Apple’s capitulation on the latest iPhone models, USB-C is poised to become the standard connector for all devices.

Shreyas Sen, Elmore Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University • conversation
Sept. 13, 2023 ~4 min

What's a Luddite? An expert on technology and society explains

Despite the association of ‘Luddite’ with a naïve rejection of technology, the term and its origins are far richer and more complex than you might think.

Andrew Maynard, Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions, Arizona State University • conversation
May 12, 2023 ~6 min

China could be harvesting TikTok data – but much of the user information is already out in the open

TikTok has been banned from UK government devices, but it’s easy for all social media platforms to harvest your data.

Alan Woodward, Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey • conversation
March 21, 2023 ~8 min

Why the Apple and Google app store monopoly could soon be over

App stores set the rules on privacy but there is another way.

Greig Paul, Lead Mobile Networks and Security Engineer, University of Strathclyde • conversation
May 31, 2022 ~7 min

Drivers and hand-held mobile phones: extending the ban won't solve the problem – here's why

Many drivers still use mobile phones despite the fact that it’s illegal.

Helen Wells, Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Keele University • conversation
Nov. 24, 2021 ~6 min


Do you use predictive text? Chances are it's not saving you time – and could even be slowing you down

The idea seems to make sense: if the system can predict your intended word before you type it, this should save you time. But that’s not necessarily the case.

Per Ola Kristensson, Professor of Interactive Systems Engineering, University of Cambridge • conversation
Nov. 23, 2021 ~7 min

Smartphones and contact-tracing: balancing care and surveillance

A wider understanding of cultural values will be crucial to the successful implementation of contact-tracing technology across the world.

Daniel Miller, Professor of Anthropology, UCL • conversation
June 21, 2021 ~7 min

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