Science / Technology

The backlash against social media titans is in full swing. But are moves to bring them to heel, including new privacy laws, appropriate? Mike Morel investigates.

We’re increasingly relying on social media companies to act like governments and censor dubious content. Jillian York on the failures of this approach – and how to fix it.

So many voices online. Surely that means more diversity and media democracy? Not really, explains Laura Basu.

There is no one magic remedy – but lots of strategies. Vanessa Baird writes.

Aid-by-drone, what’s not to like? Plenty, as Nick Dowson explains.

Hazel Healy investigates the challenges facing 21st century humanitarian action.

If job-killing robots will play a big role in our future, inequality could get turbo-charged. The counter-proposals on the table barely scratch the surface, argues Nick Dowson.

Industrial robots are being put to work on a massive scale in China. Taking the case of electronics giant Foxconn, Jenny Chan considers what an automated future holds in store for human workers.

Robots aren’t likely to replace postal workers in Japan, but they may soon be looking after grandma – or sharing the bed. Christopher Simons explores some of their unique impacts.

We urgently need to slam the brakes on automated violence. Noel Sharkey dispels some myths about the newest arms race. Illustrations by Simon Kneebone.

Think of computer code as a new and powerful accomplice to legal code – the rules by which society finds itself governed. Who gets to enforce it? asks Audrey Watters.

Technology is changing society at breakneck speed but considerations of human impacts lag far behind. Dinyar Godrej sketches out some of the key political battles ahead.

Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, Arun Gandhi, speaks to Danielle Batist about technology, Trump, and anger as a gift.

For all the fancy packaging, many of our gadgets have nothing to do with capitalist success stories. Bob Hughes explains.

You can take action at a practical and technological level – and a political one.

Why bother with aid agencies? To ‘do good’ all you need is a phone and Google Maps. Amy Hall takes a closer look at the rising trend in ‘direct giving’.

Few can resist the tech titans. Prabir Purkayastha tells the story of Indians who went into battle against Facebook, for freedom – and won.

Research psychologist Robert Epstein on how the new technologies invisibly shape public opinion – and what we must do about it.

Everybody wants your private data. Bruce Schneier on how surveillance has become the business model of the internet.

This month's fact spread presents details about the internet and the corporate giants who monopolize it.

Does it matter that Google, Facebook and Amazon are so successful? Vanessa Baird examines what their domination means for all of us.

Louise Sales reports on word games in the GMO industry.

Jim Thomas on the winners and losers of emerging technologies.

Technology, whether low or high, needs to be appropriate and within reach to make a difference.