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"Web rivals' business models undermine users' privacy, says Tim Cook, who also warns governments on pursuing 'dangerous' encryption policies"

"Smartphone users are always looking for free wi-fi but at what price does it come? Businesses are looking at ways to make the free wi-fi they offer work for them too. It can track our movements through our phones and reveal a great deal about us to those who have something to sell. "

In November, owners of the Aether Cone intelligent streaming audio device got a lump of coal for the holidays, when Aether, the manufacturer of the "smart speaker" announced it was going out of business.

"TalkTalk is facing increasing criticism after belatedly admitting it was the victim of a "significant and sustained" cyber-attack that has led to the theft of the credit card and bank details of up to 4 million customers. "

"This discussion paper explores the rapidly evolving landscape of how we behave and interact online, and how businesses respond. The internet has transformed how we live, work and relate to one another. We can make 'friends' around the world without ever saying 'hello', compare products from dozens of shops without leaving the house, or plan a date with a stranger without breaking a sweat. Overall it has proven a powerful force for good; delivering significant benefits to the economy and to consumers in the form of greater choice, personalisation, and incredible convenience."

Facebook has blocked plans by an insurer to view young drivers' profiles to help set car insurance premiums.

A new world is coming. It's scary. Freaky. Over the freaky line, if you will. But it is coming. Investors like Ron Conway and Marc Andreessen are investing in it. Companies from Google to startups you've never heard of, like Wovyn or Highlight, are building it. With more than a couple of new ones already on the way that you'll hear about over the next six months.

Modern cars are morphing into mobile data centres - connected, clever and packed full of sensors. But are they also becoming spies in our drives?

23andMe announced what Forbes reports is only the first of ten deals with big biotech companies: Genentech will pay up to $60 million for access to 23andMe's data to study Parkinson's. You think 23andMe was about selling fun DNA spit tests for $99 a pop? Nope, it's been about selling your data all along.

Our electronic devices are getting smarter - many can now "talk" to each other and connect to the web. What happens when silently recruited into a bot net?

"Over the past couple of years, Roombas haven't just been picking up dust and chauffeuring cats around, they've also been mapping the layout of your home. Now, Colin Angle, the chief executive of Roomba maker iRobot, has said he wants to sell the data from these maps in order to improve the future of smart home technology."

"Facebook's collection of data makes it one of the most influential organisations in the world. Share Lab wanted to look "under the bonnet" at the tech giant's algorithms and connections to better understand the social structure and power relations within the company. "

burger King will start televising a commercial for its signature Whopper sandwich that is designed to activate Google voice-controlled devices, raising questions about whether marketing tactics have become too invasive.

A JavaScript browser API that allows the creation of a payment stream from the user agent to the website