Several high-profile tech companies are increasing security and privacy in response to the National Security Agency's data collecting practices.

TIME reports tech titan Google has gone to expensive lengths to better protect its users' information.

"The search giant is laying a fiber optic cable under the world's oceans. ... The company is also encrypting more of its information to make it more secure." (Via TIME)

The New York Times says major tech companies have to act fast, because they're losing business overseas. "Places like Brazil and Germany have threatened to entrust data only to local providers."

The Times quotes Google's security chief as saying, "I am willing to help on the purely defensive side of things, but signals intercept is totally off the table. No hard feelings, but my job is to make their job hard." 

Tech Times reports Microsoft, which has asked the government to "reduce the technology trust deficit it has created," is taking steps to improve security as well.

"Microsoft is ... providing 2,048-bit encryption for all its products ... [it] has established transparency centers in foreign countries so that foreign government representatives can evaluate Microsoft's source codes and ensure that there are no 'back doors.'" (Via Tech Times)

And MIT Technology Review reports Facebook is just as focused on encryption. The company says about 58 percent of the notification emails it sent out were encrypted."

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Bob Banks is an actor, known for Supercool (2021), Outer Banks (2020), The Vampire Diaries (2009-2017), Antwone Fisher (2002), Love Crimes (1992), Midnight Edition (1993), Daddy’s Little Girls (2007) Selma, Lord, Selma (1999), In the Heat of the Night (TV Series) (1991-1993), and I’ll Fly Away (TV Series) (1991-1992). Bob is an accomplished Voice Over (VO) Actor and lives in Atlanta, GA.

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Corbin Spencer, right, field director of New Georgia Project and volunteer Rodney King, left, help Rueke Uyunwa register to vote. The influential group is shutting down after more than a decade. (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2017)

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