Gaddafi's cozy relationship with Western IT companies

There is new evidence that reportedly proves Western IT firms provided the tools employed by the former Libyan regime to monitor the communications of the Libyan people. Once again, US and European technology firms have either directly or indirectly become complicit in the suppression of free and open communications in authoritarian societies.

TECH 24

By Eric Olander

23/02/2011 - TECH 24

TECH 24: The Internet, the Libyan uprising, hip-hop, and the Arab world

In this edition of TECH 24, hosts Rebecca Bowring and Eric Olander explore the role the internet is playing in the Libyan uprising. Also, every revolution has a soundtrack and this one is set to a hip-hop beat. Finally, the verdict on the movie industry's latest digital efforts to get you to actually pay for their content.

06/10/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Kibera 'slum' makes its mark thanks to the web

Kibera, in Nairobi, is Africa's second-biggest slum, but it is invisible on Google Earth. Its residents published their own online map of the area, so that nobody could deny their existence any longer. A French businessman proposes software to spy on employees, saying they can no longer be trusted. And SurfCanyon, the pick of the week, allows you to carry out more efficient online searches.

29/09/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

The lessons from Blockbuster

Too slow to react to the competition, Blockbuster, the biggest US video and DVD rental chain, has declared bankruptcy. But also: why I'm considering trading in my iPhone for an Android, and GeocodEarth.com, a site which allows you to look at Flickr photos as they are published. And pick of the week: Paper.li, a personalised social newspaper based on recommendations of the people you follow on Twitter.

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22/09/2010 - TECHNOPHILE

Democratisation via the web?

Nigeria's president announces on Facebook that he will run in the upcoming election, while China's leaders launch a site where citizens can ask questions and make comments. But also: Google Scribe makes suggestions for what you should write, and Arabic has become the fastest-growing language on Facebook. And pick of the week: WeFi.com, a site which indicates worldwide WiFi hotspots.

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