Press Play with Madeleine Brand
Student Data Protection, Meth at the Border, and the Golden Globes
President Obama proposed a new law today that would ban the makers of classroom tech products like tablets, online software, and apps from selling student data for profit. Also, how could the legislation affect Silicon Valley’s recent boom in educational tech projects?
By Madeleine Brand • • 52m ListenWe begin with a look at the educational tech sector. First, a primer on President Obama’s proposal today of a new law to ban the makers of classroom products like tablets, Internet-connected software, and apps from selling students’ digital information to commercial companies. Then, what could the proposal mean for Silicon Valley’s recent boom in educational tech products? Next, we hear from a DEA official about how Mexico has become America’s number-one source for methamphetamine, and why most of it gets smuggled through California. After that, we turn overseas and get an update on what we know about the gunmen who killed 12 people at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and attacked a kosher supermarket last week. Were they affiliated with al-Qaeda AND ISIS? And finally, in our weekly TV segment, a recap of the Golden Globes and a look ahead to new shows of 2015.
Banner Image: A pile of mobile devices including smart phones, tablets, laptops and ebook readers.
In this episode
5 storiesProtecting Student Data
President Obama called for new legislation today aimed at protecting student data. Digital education products like tablets, Internet-connected software, and apps are becoming more commonplace in classrooms.That’s good news for raising tech-savvy kids, but it could also expose students to commercial data mining.
Read the story9 minSilicon Valley’s Educational Tech Boom
It remains to be seen how President Obama’s move to protect student data plays out in Silicon Valley. There’s been a big surge there in companies making software for the education market.
Read the story8 minMeth Crosses the Border
Last April, a 62-year-old American man walked across the border from Mexico back to the United States. He carried four giant wheels of cheese. Border agents stopped him. He told them that he simply wanted good Mexican cheese to make quesadillas. But he was actually attempting to smuggle $13,000 worth of methamphetamine into the U.S.
Read the story9 minISIS and al-Qaeda in Paris?
More information has been coming out about the men responsible for the Paris attacks last week. One of the brothers who killed twelve people at the offices Charlie Hebdo magazine spent time in a French prison for jihadi activities. While he was there, he met the man who killed four hostages at a kosher supermarket.
Read the story12 minThe Golden Globes and New TV
Last night’s Golden Globes ceremony is getting so-so reviews today. Many people say they were more staid, a.k.a. boring, than usual. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who were showered with praise for their previous hosting stints, weren’t on the stage as much this time around.
Read the story8 min
