Techmeme
November 17, 2016, 7:45 AM

Top News

Casey Newton / The Verge:
Twitter introduces Snapchat-like QR codes as an option to follow people  —  When clicking the follow button feels too hard  —  Twitter today introduced QR codes into its apps for iOS and Android, because not having QR codes was Twitter's biggest existential threat as a business and the main reason …
Adi Robertson / The Verge:
Google releases Google Earth VR on the HTC Vive for free and is exploring support for other platforms  —  A virtual reality version of Google Earth is now available for free on the HTC Vive, letting users explore reconstructed cultural treasures, global landmarks, or (for some) their own homes in VR.
Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch:
LinkedIn is now officially blocked in Russia after failing to transfer Russian user data to servers located in the country as required by law  —  After a tense stand-off and attempt at negotiations, Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor has started to enforce a proposed block …
Craig Silverman / BuzzFeed:
Analysis shows top 20 fake election news stories generated more engagement on Facebook than the top 20 election stories from 19 major news outlets  —  In the final three months of the US presidential campaign, the top-performing fake election news stories on Facebook generated more engagement …
Aaron Aupperlee / Greensburg Tribune-Review:
Facebook acquires facial analysis company FacioMetrics, a Carnegie Mellon University spinoff  —  FacioMetrics, a Carnegie Mellon University spinoff company, announced Wednesday it is being acquired by Facebook.  —  The company developed basic algorithms for facial feature tracking and software …
Matt Burgess / WIRED UK:
UK parliament clears Investigatory Powers bill to be passed into law; bill allows bulk surveillance of citizens, hacking of mobile devices and networks, more  —  The Investigatory Powers Bill has been passed by both Houses of Parliament.  Once it receives Royal Assent it will become law
Jon Brodkin / Ars Technica:
FCC deletes everything from November 17 meeting agenda after GOP letter urging Tom Wheeler to refrain from passing new rules before Trump's inauguration  —  FCC chair takes all rulemakings off agenda one day after GOP lawmakers' request.  —  The Federal Communications Commission …
Kim Zetter / The Intercept:
Report: iPhones send call history with phone numbers, dates, times, and duration to Apple's servers if iCloud is enabled; log is retained for up to four months  —  Apple emerged as a guardian of user privacy this year after fighting FBI demands to help crack into San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook's iPhone.
More: Forbes and PR Newswire

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More News

Natalie Gagliordi / ZDNet:
The Intercept:

Earlier Picks

Frederic Lardinois / TechCrunch:
Jessica Guynn / USA Today:
Tim Hardwick / MacRumors:
Emil Protalinski / VentureBeat:
Ginny Marvin / Marketing Land: