Social Issues

WhatsApp, used by millions of people around the world, says its users were hacked by the Paragon Solutions spyware company. The World’s Host Marco Werman speaks with John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at Citizen Lab, about the continuing threat of sophisticated spyware.

In Russia, the Kremlin has been steadily cracking down on the internet. Surveillance and censorship have increased, especially since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin has cut off access to many of the most popular websites and apps. The latest target is YouTube.

The history of book bans in the US goes back to 1637 but has recently increased dramatically, nearly 200% during the 2023-24 school year. This rise is driven by conservative policies claiming many books have themes that go “against” American history. But are these books really problematic? The World’s Lex Weaver shares her experience attending a banned book symposium hosted by Morgan State University in Havana, Cuba, where authors and historians discussed their worries about the future of education.

Along the front lines between Russia and Ukraine, battles are fierce and the casualty numbers are mounting. In response, Russia is doing everything it can to recruit new soldiers. Its main solution has been to offer financial incentives, including high salaries and signing bonuses.

Canada has long been an attractive option for international students. It’s seen as a safe and generally non-discriminatory place to study, with impressive schools and post-graduation work rights. But 2024 brought a year of significant changes to the sector. Prospective international students fear an unknown future. The World’s Bianca Hillier reports from Toronto.