Weekly Roundup 12/19

By Andie Arnold | December 19, 2016

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Happy Monday, Readers! American Republicans are calling on Democrats to back the need for a special senate committee to investigate the CIA’s findings that Russians hacked the DNC’s emails in attempts to sway the election for Donald Trump. Senator John McCain, head of the Senate Armed Services Committee, stated these attacks were meant to “destroy democracy”, saying "this is the sign of a possible unraveling of the world order that was established after World War II, which has made one of the most peaceful periods in the history of the world”.

President-elect Trump has continued to reject the intelligence communities findings that Russia hacked Democratic institutions last summer, but many politicians, Democratic and Republican alike, disagree. “There's no doubt they were interfering and no doubt it was a cyber-attack. The question now is how much and what damage and what should the United States of America do?”, added McCain. So far, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan have rejected plans for a select investigation committee, and instead want to see current committees look into the matter.

Tech News:

Uber’s Mideast rival is worth $1 billion after Saudi investment

Amazon wants to cut out the middleman and book freight directly with an app

The Smallest Radio Receiver Ever Is Made from Imperfections in Diamonds

Germany Blames Russia for “Aggressive Cyber Espionage”

Why 2016 Was a Watershed Year for Tech

France plans internet ombudsman to safeguard free speech

Apple appeals EU tax ruling, says it was a ‘convenient target’

EU asks whether financial sector’s use of big data needs new rules

Civic Tech:

Technology Tools and Human Rights

President-Elect Trump’s USAID Briefing Book on the US Global Development Lab