Technology

A California state appeals court has upheld Proposition 22, which defines workers for companies like Uber, Lyft, and Postmates as independent contractors.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The U.S. Justice Department is reportedly investigating the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. Its failure is the latest problem hitting the tech industry.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

In summer, California’s power grids are strained by heat and fires, but they’re vulnerable to winter storms too. The problem will likely grow with climate change.

Why wind is a bigger threat than rain to CA’s power grid during storms

In summer, California’s power grids are strained by heat and fires, but they’re vulnerable to winter storms too. The problem will likely grow with climate change.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Panelists discuss President Biden’s visit to Ukraine and its future in NATO, the Supreme Court cases around social media content moderation, and the four-day work week.

Biden doubled-down on NATO support for Ukraine. Can he get Americans on board?

Panelists discuss President Biden’s visit to Ukraine and its future in NATO, the Supreme Court cases around social media content moderation, and the four-day work week.

from Left, Right & Center

Today the Supreme Court is hearing a case that asks whether social media companies can be sued for allowing terrorist groups to put dangerous content on their platforms.

Tech and anti-terrorism laws intersect in case heard by Supreme Court

Today the Supreme Court is hearing a case that asks whether social media companies can be sued for allowing terrorist groups to put dangerous content on their platforms.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

For decades, tech companies have not been held liable for the content they host.

Should tech companies be liable for extremist content they host online?

For decades, tech companies have not been held liable for the content they host.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The film “Good Night Oppy” tells the story of Opportunity, a NASA rover that exceeded expectations, and explored and analyzed the planet’s surface for nearly 15 years.

Encore: NASA’s Opportunity rover: 15 years, thousands of photos, incredible bond with scientists

The film “Good Night Oppy” tells the story of Opportunity, a NASA rover that exceeded expectations, and explored and analyzed the planet’s surface for nearly 15 years.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Four objects flying over the U.S. and Canada have been shot down. The first was a Chinese spy balloon. Officials haven’t said what the three latest objects are.

Unidentified flying objects: Surveillance, science, education?

Four objects flying over the U.S. and Canada have been shot down. The first was a Chinese spy balloon. Officials haven’t said what the three latest objects are.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Robot dogs made headlines in New York and San Francisco when those police departments added them to their forces. LA is next for the big debate.

Robot dogs stir heated debate in LA City Council

Robot dogs made headlines in New York and San Francisco when those police departments added them to their forces. LA is next for the big debate.

from Greater LA

After taking over Twitter, Elon Musk now faces a roughly $300 million interest payment on the company’s debt.

‘No method to the madness’: Inside Elon Musk’s chaotic Twitter takeover

After taking over Twitter, Elon Musk now faces a roughly $300 million interest payment on the company’s debt.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The U.S. Justice Department, California, and seven other states are suing Google over its digital advertising business. At the center of the lawsuits is the company’s online power.

Google faces existential threats from AI, plus antitrust lawsuits

The U.S. Justice Department, California, and seven other states are suing Google over its digital advertising business. At the center of the lawsuits is the company’s online power.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The City of Beverly Hills has been increasing its use of street-level surveillance, which concerns some privacy and civil liberties advocates.

Beverly Hills: Glitz, glamor, and city-wide surveillance

The City of Beverly Hills has been increasing its use of street-level surveillance, which concerns some privacy and civil liberties advocates.

from Greater LA

The Imperial Valley is known for agriculture. But some farmers there are switching from crops to solar panels, which would change important features of the region.

Imperial Valley farmers planting solar panels instead of crops

The Imperial Valley is known for agriculture. But some farmers there are switching from crops to solar panels, which would change important features of the region.

from Greater LA

Rooftop solar is about to get more expensive, so local solar installers are busy but expecting tough days ahead.

SoCal’s solar installers could see slowed business due to state rules

Rooftop solar is about to get more expensive, so local solar installers are busy but expecting tough days ahead.

from Greater LA

Scammers are posing as recruiters and hiring managers, holding interviews, and making offers. Prospective tech workers are the main victims now, but everyone is vulnerable.

Scammers are targeting job seekers. Telecommuting made it worse

Scammers are posing as recruiters and hiring managers, holding interviews, and making offers. Prospective tech workers are the main victims now, but everyone is vulnerable.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Author Samantha Cole explains how a Playboy centerfold became the standard for image processing, porn sites show innate human problems, and A.I.

Porn, Playboy JPEGs, AI: Sex and the internet are intertwined

Author Samantha Cole explains how a Playboy centerfold became the standard for image processing, porn sites show innate human problems, and A.I.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

TikTok has transformed our culture by creating a space that makes it easy for all users to use, says LA Times columnist Carolina Miranda.

TikTok’s informality helped the platform conquer the internet

TikTok has transformed our culture by creating a space that makes it easy for all users to use, says LA Times columnist Carolina Miranda.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

An e-bike lending library hopes to get people out of their cars in the San Fernando Valley. But it’s an uphill battle.

Electro-Bici rolls out fleet of e-bikes to San Fernando Valley

An e-bike lending library hopes to get people out of their cars in the San Fernando Valley. But it’s an uphill battle.

from Greater LA

Next week in San Francisco, a trial is supposed to get underway to settle a dispute between Tesla shareholders and the company’s CEO.

Tesla shareholder lawsuit: Can Elon Musk move it from SF to TX?

Next week in San Francisco, a trial is supposed to get underway to settle a dispute between Tesla shareholders and the company’s CEO.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

After sitting on a panel with five billionaires, Douglas Rushkoff began exploring how the megarich are preparing for the end of the world.

Bunkers and vertical farming: When natural selection is dictated by dollars

After sitting on a panel with five billionaires, Douglas Rushkoff began exploring how the megarich are preparing for the end of the world.

from Good Food