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Digital Planet: Has tech been compromised in the US Capitol?

Factual: Science & Nature

Has tech been compromised in the US Capitol?

12/01/2021 GMT

BBC World Service - Digital Planet, Has tech been compromised in the US Capitol?

Has tech been compromised during the storming of the US Capitol?

Has tech been compromised in the US Capitol? Also, internet shutdown costs in 2020 and the tech that helped bring back the first asteroid samples to Earth.

Following the events at the US Capitol this week, photos have emerged on social media showing protestors in offices where what appear to be emails can be seen on screen.  Also with access to these offices, could protestors have downloaded sensitive data or compromised the tech in some way? Some cybersecurity experts are even questioning if the whole IT system should be replaced.  Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai from Vice Motherboard explains the possible risks.

Internet shutdown costs in 2020
The website Top10VPN has released its annual report into the costs of internet shutdowns in 2020. They’ve found the economic cost of internet shutdowns in 2020 was $4.01bn, 50% lower than in 2019, however the total duration of disruptions around the world was up 49% from the previous year.  One of the report’s authors, Samuel Woodhams, joins us live.

The tech that helped bring back the first asteroid samples to Earth
The first asteroid samples have reached Earth thanks to some amazing engineering and technology. Chris Edge, Digital Planet listener and IT and communications technician was one of the team that tracked the incoming capsule containing the samples from the asteroid Ryugu so that it could be recovered in the Australian desert. 

(Image: Pro-Trump rioters stormed the US Capitol. Credit: Probal Rashid via
 Getty Images)


The programme is presented by Gareth Mitchell with expert commentary from Ghislaine Boddington.


Studio Manager: Donald MacDonald.
Producer: Ania Lichtarowicz

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