Shift
How is the Internet changing society? The magazine for digital culture, issues and technology, delivered directly from blogs and boardrooms.
10
SEP
Facebook blocks algorithm research
Does the Instagram algorithm favor certain politicians or topics? The non-profit organization AlgorithmWatch launched a study to answer these questions. Once again, Facebook hindered the research into its algorithms.
10
SEP
How right-wing extremists are weaponizing
On Instagram, right-wing extremists use beautiful photos and subtle captions about home and tradition to lure new recruits. One young woman who used to be part of this scene explains how the process works.
27
AUG
Voice app for a digitally neglected language
Bonaventure Dossou speaks French, his mother only speaks Fon - a local language of Benin. The Beninese IT student is now programming a translation app.
27
AUG
African languages at a digital disadvantage
Mozilla's Common Voice project wants to use crowdsourcing to digitize as many languages as possible, because minority languages - especially those from Africa - are rarely found online or in language assistance systems.
27
AUG
Making Zimbabwe visible online
Tawanda Kanhema took action when he discovered that his hometown of Harare was not shown on Google Street View. He used a 360° camera to shoot more than 3,000 kilometers of Zimbabwe to upload online.
13
AUG
Why is TikTok so addictive?
TikTok tracks its users' behavior very precisely. The platform's AI-supported algorithm accurately selects videos based on personal preferences. When a user opens the app, the videos start playing immediately. It's hard to stop.
02
JUL
What exactly is a meme?
Memes like "Bad Luck Brian"—the photo of a young man that represents persistent misfortune—are known worldwide. But there are also more multi-layered memes that only certain insiders will understand.
21
MAY
Chatting on a gaming platform
Discord was originally a platform for gamers with an integrated chat program. But thanks to its great wealth of features, the app is becoming increasingly popular outside the gaming scene too.
21
MAY
Telegram – the alternative to WhatsApp
Telegram is the most successful WhatsApp alternative. The messaging app created by Pavel and Nikolai Durov in Russia is set to gain 150 million new users in 2021, profiting from the wave of users ditching WhatsApp.
07
MAY
Robotics suit teaches paraplegics learn to walk again
The Japanese exoskeleton suit HAL uses wearers' brains signals to teach paraplegics how to walk by themselves again. DW reporter Cassandra Boh tried HAL out and turned the power of her thoughts into motion.
07
MAY
Working ergonomically thanks to robo-technology
Exoskeletons are robotic suits that give people super strength. Even though many are just the size of a backpack, they help people lift heavy objects. They’re already used in care work, logistics and the auto industry.
23
APR
What dangers are hidden within the crypto art craze?
Digital objects can be replicated indefinitely. But thanks to NFTs, singular ownership can now be ascribed. The so-called smart contract contains information on the edition of the work, its creator, and its owner.
