Zone’s Ross Basham handpicks and shares the five best stories on digital trends, experiences and technologies…
1. Twitter set to clip wings of inactive users
Twitter is preparing to delete accounts that have been inactive for more than six months — unless they log in before 11 December. It’s the first time the platform has removed accounts on such a large scale, and is because users who don’t log in cannot agree to updated privacy policies.
The move will have several knock-on effects — previously unavailable user names will come up for grabs, people who have died will have their accounts removed (Twitter doesn’t have a Facebook-style ‘memorialisation’ option) unless someone signs in on their behalf, and some users may see their follower count drastically fall — the horror!
2. Web inventor tries to avoid digital dystopia
Tim Berners-Lee, the godfather of the world wide web, is concerned that his creation is driving the world towards a ‘digital dystopia’ — and is determined to do something about it. He has launched ‘Contract for the Web’ — an initiative that calls on governments, companies and citizens to help build and maintain a better online world.
The Contract is built on nine core principles that include respecting online privacy, building strong communities and making the internet accessible to all. It’s easy to be cynical about such things — especially when backers such as Facebook and Google are often seen as part of the problem — but at least Berners-Lee is giving it a go.
3. AI to stop bias is unfair on disabled people
We often hear about the bias of AI algorithms — eg the ‘sexist’ Apple credit card — but it seems AI can run into trouble even when it is taking steps to remove unconscious human bias. For example, this Wired article discusses automated one-way video job interviews that are potentially pushing disabled candidates out of the running.
One-way interviews are on the rise (apparently 10 can be completed in the time it takes to do one phone interview), but the use of algorithms to analyse candidates’ facial expressions, body language and so on is clearly unfair on people with disabilities who may struggle or become anxious in these environments.
4. Non-profits worried by sale of .org domain
The Girl Scouts and YMCA are among many organisations who have joined protests about the future of the .org domain. The Public Internet Registry (PIR), which was set up to run .org on behalf of non-profits, charities and NGOs, has just been sold to private equity firm Ethos Capital, leading to fears of price increases and censorship.
PIR was created in 2002 by the non-profit Internet Society, and about 10 million .org domains are believed to have been registered, costing just $10 a year. Naturally there are concerns about this deal, particularly as Ethos has only existed for six months — and as a private equity firm, surely it will want to maximise profits?
5. Shattered windows fail to bother Tesla fans
Elon Musk has explained why the windows of Tesla’s Cybertruck broke during a launch event that was supposed to be a demonstration of the vehicle’s strength. The all-electric truck’s armoured body was first struck with a sledgehammer, before the windows were tested (and smashed) by a steel ball.
Musk revealed that the sledgehammer caused an unseen crack in the windows, and the demo would’ve been fine if the order had been reversed. It doesn’t seem to have bothered the truck-buying public, as 200,000 orders were received after the event. Was it all a stunt designed to go viral? Alas, we’ll never know. Either way, it worked.
