DJ Pangburn
Fast Company
New York, NY, United States
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Past articles by DJ:
San Diego’s massive, 7-year experiment with facial recognition technology appears to be a flop
Since 2012, the city’s law enforcement agencies have compiled over 65,000 face scans and tried to match them against a massive mugshot database. But it’s almost completely unclear how effective the initiative was, with one spokesperson saying they’re unaware of a single arrest or prosecution that stemmed from the program. → Read More
San Diego’s massive, 7-year experiment with facial recognition technology appears to be a flop
Since 2012, the city’s law enforcement agencies have compiled over 65,000 face scans and tried to match them against a massive mugshot database. But it’s almost completely unclear how effective the initiative was, with one spokesperson saying they’re unaware of a single arrest or prosecution that stemmed from the program. → Read More
A WhatsApp security flaw could have been exploited by hackers to create ‘mass chaos,’ say researchers
Such an attack would have given hackers access to chat messages and related content such as audio, video, photos, and the users’ phone contacts. → Read More
New botnet nabs victims by sending 30,000 “sextortion” emails per hour
The botnet is capable of taking over email users’ accounts to bombard people with emails that threaten to publish personal sexual content on the web and social media unless they pay extortion money in the form of bitcoin. → Read More
Despite the controversy, plenty of smaller tech startups work with ICE
Though contracts with the agency have sparked a backlash from employees in some cases, there’s a universe of small firms eager to snap up a piece of ICE’s $7.6 billion budget. → Read More
You’ve been warned: Full body deepfakes are the next step in AI-based human mimicry
This developing branch of synthetic media technology has commercial applications—but also has the potential to disrupt elections and spread disinformation. → Read More
Microsoft-backed facial recognition firm rethinks its role in Hong Kong
Amid the mass demonstrations in the special administrative region, AnyVision is reconsidering business plans there. But the firm continues to defend the use of its technology by the Israeli army at West Bank checkpoints. → Read More
How gun-detection technology promises to help prevent mass shootings
New tech firms are leveraging artificial intelligence to identify firearms and alert law enforcement within seconds—but they face plenty of practical challenges. → Read More
Due to weak oversight, we don’t really know how tech companies are using facial recognition data
The recent hack of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection subcontractor’s database confirmed fears that biometric data—such as photo IDs and fingerprints—are vulnerable to hacking. → Read More
Inside the shadowy spyware that is helping governments track down the next Jamal Khashoggi
There’s some new competition for NSO, the Israeli company accused of helping the Saudi government track down Jamal Khashoggi. → Read More
Inside the shadowy world of spyware makers that target activists and dissidents
There’s some new competition for NSO, the Israeli company which boasts of its ability to take over phones and computers on behalf of high-paying government clients: Dozens upon dozens of spyware firms that offer a range of surveillance options. → Read More
After WhatsApp hack, NSO faces scrutiny from Facebook and UK public pension fund
Facebook is examining its legal options and a U.K. pension fund is asking questions amid ongoing lawsuits against the Israeli firm linked to a string of abusive attacks. → Read More
Finally, child data privacy could get much-needed reform in new bill
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which was passed decades ago, could finally see a long-overdue update for an era in which social media and IoT devices present new risks. → Read More
Finally, child data privacy could get much-needed reform in new bill
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which was passed decades ago, could finally see a long-overdue update for an era in which social media and IoT devices present new risks. → Read More
Finally, child data privacy could get much-needed reform in new bill
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, which was passed decades ago, could finally see a long-overdue update for an era in which social media and IoT devices present new risks. → Read More
Schools are using software to help pick who gets in. What could go wrong?
Admissions officers are increasingly turning to automation and AI with the hope of streamlining the application process and leveling the playing field. → Read More
Decay by design: These 3D-printed organic plastics naturally decompose
A group at MIT created polymers derived from organic matter, printed by a robot, and shaped by water. → Read More
Decay by design: These 3D-printed organic plastics naturally decompose
A group at MIT created polymers derived from organic matter, printed by a robot, and shaped by water. → Read More
The calls to reign in Mark Zuckerberg have never been louder
Facebook activists and shareholders are doubling down on efforts to partly or fully reduce the influence of the company’s founder, CEO, and board chairman. → Read More
Big business is poking holes in California’s landmark privacy law
Two proposals would extend Californians’ personal data rights and set a new model for the U.S., but lawmakers have only pushed forward industry-backed bills. → Read More