The Markup

A national alert test displayed on a cellphone.

The Breakdown

How to Sign Up for Local Emergency Alerts Before Natural Disasters Strike

We know early warning systems save lives. Give yourself extra time when disasters come your way

August 30, 2024 08:00 ET

Photo illustration of a masked person holding a phone with their raised arm; the background shows a crowd of masked protesters holding signs

The Breakdown

How Do I Prepare My Phone for a Protest? (Updated 2024)

Simple steps to take before hitting the streets

May 4, 2024 08:00 ET

Digital illustration of a security camera attached to Barbie legs, an old-school phone toy with a face attached to it, and a karaoke machine set against a black background of an eye

The BreakdownPrivacy

We Tested Kids’ Smart Toys for Privacy. Here’s How You Can, Too

All you need: your computer or smartphone, some free tools, and your child’s internet- or Bluetooth-connected toy

March 28, 2024 11:01 ET

The BreakdownAutomated Censorship

How Automated Content Moderation Works (Even When It Doesn’t)

Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms moderate billions of posts—here are some of their common techniques

March 1, 2024 08:00 ET

Digital illustration of a phone displaying a privacy policy, with various parts of it highlighted and annotated with numbers. Behind the phone are 6 vignettes that are numbered. The first vignette shows a car with a dashed line pointing to a location symbol. The second vignette shows a series of spheres on a conveyer belt passing through a machine; they end up as cubes. The third vignette is a bunch of browser windows with little fuzzballs interspersed among them. The fourth vignette shows two hands about to shake, and dollar signs are behind them. The fifth vignette shows a room, with eyes peering in the back of the room. The sixth vignette shows a black tentacle creature chasing a blue cursor character.

The BreakdownPrivacy

How to Quickly Get to the Important Truth Inside Any Privacy Policy

An investigative data journalist and a former tech lawyer teach you how to spot tricks and hidden disclosures within these interminable documents—and even how to claw back some privacy

August 3, 2023 08:00 ET

3D illustration of a computer showing a 2D illustration of the FCC broadband map. On the left is a column of addresses with little people icons. On the right are providers showing Internet Service Provider logos. The middle of the map shows America, with a label pointing to Chicago.

The BreakdownStill Loading

How to Search for a Better Deal on Broadband

You might even be able to help improve crucial government broadband data in the process

August 1, 2023 08:00 ET

Photograph of 6 high school students on their laptop. Four of the students have long hair, two have short hair. One student has one earbud in their ear.

The BreakdownMachine Learning

How to Buy Ed Tech That Isn’t Evil

Four critical questions parents and educators should be asking

July 27, 2023 08:00 ET

The Breakdown

Section 230 Just Survived a Brush with Death

The U.S. Supreme Court opted not to throw the internet as we know it into utter chaos—for now

May 18, 2023 18:54 ET

Photo illustration of the visuals that accompany the main DEWS story laid out in a collage.

The BreakdownMachine Learning

Takeaways from Our Investigation into Wisconsin’s Racially Inequitable Dropout Algorithm

Wisconsin’s Dropout Early Warning System (DEWS) scores every middle schooler based on income, race, and more

April 27, 2023 08:00 ET

In this photo illustration, Mastodon app homepage is seen displayed on a mobile phone screen.

The Breakdown

We Joined Mastodon. Here’s What We Learned About Privacy and Security

As Elon Musk sends Twitter into chaos, we’re sharing what we picked up about Mastodon as we selected a server

November 21, 2022 13:00 ET