How did you commute to work this morning? Google’s self-driving car prototype unveiled this week may soon change your answer. Google is hoping that, within the next decade, these cars may alleviate the most miserable part of the day for many Americans – their drive to and from work. Not only must Google win over American drivers, however, it also must woo the regulators in all 50 states. With only three states having laws on the books that permit some version of autonomous vehicles on their roadways, these cars are likely to require legal changes in addition to changes to the rules of the road.
Technology and the Workplace
Google’s Next Phase in Driverless Cars: No Steering Wheel or Brake Pedals (NY Times)
Even limited to 25 mph, Google’s car will arrive faster than you think (CNET)
Zappos Zaps Its Job Postings (WSJ)
Half of American adults hacked this year (CNN)
Australian Apple devices hacked and held to ransom (CNET)
Technology and the Law
Witness for the prosecution: Your own car? (ABA Journal)
Technology Companies Are Pressing Congress to Bolster Privacy Protections (NY Times)
FTC report calls for Congress to rein in data brokers (ABA Journal)
Yelp’s online review saga continues (HR Hero)
Two more states just made it illegal for employers to demand social media passwords (The Employer Handbook Blog)
There’s an App for That
Lookout Fights Back Against Smartphone Thieves (Mashable)
Square’s Found a Way to Beat Banks at the Loan Business (WIRED)
Would You Rent Out Your Dog? Weirdly, You’re Not Alone (Forbes)
How to Stalk Your Friends on Vacation Without Being Creepy (Yahoo)
Skype Translator to break the Web-chat language barrier (CNN)