Amrit's MEST3 Exam Blog

WhatsApp vulnerability explained: by the man who discovered it https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/16/whatsapp-vulnerability-facebook Summary: "Facebook denies it is deliberate loophole but Tobias Boelter sets out what the vulnerability is and why it matters" From April 2016 to now, the problem hasn't been fixed causing many to become sure this may be a purposeful move to a much greater problem. This consists of things such as the government being able to wire tap conversations, and this ins't a problem that can be overcome by the verification it asked for. A a definition this vunrability is described as "   Instead of giving you your friend’s key, it could give you a public key belonging to a third party, such as the government. That’s why, if you don’t trust WhatsApp, you would need to verify what they call the “security” code with your friends." Moreover " WhatsApp voice calls are also affected : when you call someone and during ...

Facebook to roll out fake news tools in Germany http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38631847  Summary: " Facebook is introducing new tools in Germany to help combat the spread of fabricated news stories."  This is a feature allowing Germany users to flag potentially false stories where third party checkers can assess the validity of the story. If its found to be false (by  Correctiv, a German non-profit body  who will investigate the story)  it will be marked as "disputed" And as a result appear lower down on a users feed.  This change comes after many claiming false news stories on platforms like Facebook lead to the outcome of the US elections.  My opinion: It feels like this would be a move that actively engages audiences potentially making them feel much more active and in control of what happens in the 'world' even if its a small act, it gives the audience power (potential) which would be good for democracy and the company especia...

ead the Media Magazine extended feature on the media coverage of the UK riots (MM38 page 5) Go to our  Media Magazine archive , select  MM38  and read the WHOLE eight-page feature.  Answer the following questions on your blog  with as many references to media theory and examples as possible. Refer to specific aspects of the Media Magazine article too: How did the language and selection of images in the coverage create a particular representation of young people? The language- the language choice created a rather negative representation of the youth involved as the used words such as 'riots' instead of alternatives with less negative connotations 'unrest'. This placed alongside much of tabloid coverage referring to 'young people' targeted these specific demographic.  The images further reinforced these negative perspectives of the youth of them wearing hoodies, faces covered etc. Especially the one used a few times(5 covers...

Your private medical data is for sale – and it's driving a business worth billions https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/10/medical-data-multibillion-dollar-business-report-warns  Summary: " Although information is anonymized, data miners and brokers can build up detailed dossiers on individual patients by cross-referencing with other sources"  The fact that patients usually dont know this is happening is an invation of their privacy(however it does take away the identity of whom it belongs to) Moreover fitness devices use and provide this data too.  “The problem over time is that as you have more and more information, there’s more and more about people who might be,” Tanner said.   it may be hard to control too because  “You could try to choose your doctor based on what systems they use and whether [those systems] sell your data commercially, but often you have insurance through your employer and you don’t have a choice.” My opinion...

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/jan/10/whatsapp-facebook-google-privacy-rules-ec-european-directive WhatsApp, Facebook and Google face tough new privacy rules under EC proposal My opinion: Communication confidentiality, nonsensical tracking, lessen cookie warnings for users.  Problems the EC propose to change for apps and organisations such as Facebook messenger, wattsapp  and Gmail.  They are saying these companies should ask before using explicit content. Andrus Ansip " it provides a high level of protection for consumers, while allowing businesses to innovate.”" Summary: This is a really good move to try and make audiences more active instead of the passive way they currently behave. Audiences could actively be consenting to sharing their privacy with these companies. However I do feel like it would be rather like "read the terms and conditions" and no one really does cause they just want access to the service.

Twitter's controversial head of China leaves after eight months http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/01/03/twitters-controversial-head-china-leaves-eight-months/ Summary: "t witter's manager for China, whose appointment just eight months ago sparked controversy, has announced her resignation."  " L ike other Western platforms such as YouTube, Facebook and Instagram,  Twitter is inaccessible in mainland China , blocked by the communist regime's vast system of internet censorship."  Many media institutes are trying to reach china and pursuade them to reach a much more global audience.  " Her resignation comes two months after the announcement of Twitter  cut nine  per cent of its global workforce  and as the company struggles to attract new users."  " Twitter is home to a very active community of Chinese intellectuals and dissidents posting from abroad and also from within the country through the use of virtual private...

Is Mark Zuckerberg preparing to enter politics? Facebook CEO fuels rumours with 2017 challenge to tour every US state http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/01/04/mark-zuckerberg-preparing-enter-politics-facebook-ceos-pledge/  summary: He is entering politics, merging his media powers. key facts:  2004 Mark Zuckerberg creates Facebook in his Harvard dorm room 2006 Facebook allows anyone over 13 to join, introduces the news feed 2007 Sells a 1.6% stake to Microsoft for $240m 2008 Reaches 100 million users 2009 Introduces "like" button 2010 Facebook becomes profitable 2012 Acquires Instagram for $1bn in cash and stock 2012 Reaches one billion users 2014 Buys messaging app WhatsApp for $19bn 2015 Extends internet.org effort to provide internet access to rest of world 2016 Facebook becomes the most popular social networking site in the world My opinion: I feel it is better to stick at what you do but i understand why many big media institutiona...