Science

5 years since Edward Snowden leaked documents, debate continues: traitor or hero?
National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden blew the lid off U.S. government surveillance methods five years ago, but intelligence chiefs complain that revelations from the trove of classified documents he disclosed are still trickling out.
Digital license plates roll out in California
New digital license plates operate like a Kindle on the back of your car. They can show personalized messages, but also ads. Privacy advocates worry about the implications of their tracking ability.
Concerned about elder abuse, states loan out secret cameras
Wisconsin is taking a radical step to curb abuse and get reliable evidence for prosecutions — handing out free surveillance cameras to family members so they can secretly record caregivers suspected of hurting their loved ones.
What does Shakespeare have to do with 'energy?' (Trust us, there's a link)
In his new book, Richard Rhodes lays out an accessible and surprisingly optimistic history of energy by exploring the lives of scientists and inventors -- and a few unlikely people, like the Bard of Avon.
Digital ambulance chasers? Law firms send ads to patients' phones inside ERs
The technology behind the ads, known as geofencing, or placing a digital perimeter around a specific location, has been deployed by retailers for years. Bringing it into health care spaces, however, is raising alarm among privacy experts.