Eric Schmidt becomes face of Google+ as users revolt over new ads

Protesters on Google+ are replacing their profile pictures with that of Google's executive chairman, Eric Schmidt, to make him the face of its 'shared endorsements' scheme. By Alex Hern

Facebook takes first step into Israel with Onavo purchase

Facebook acquires a Tel Aviv-based startup specialising in data compression and mobile analytics - and gains first Israeli office. By Samuel Gibbs

Twitter flotation: what do superstars of tech do with riches? Carry on creating

Far from wallowing in their wealth, startup founders who've made their fortune can't shake off the drive to keep working

‘My son lives on through Facebook’

Debora Harding's son, Kadian, 14, died in a cycling accident just over a year ago. But his prolific use of social media has allowed her to relive moments they once shared and watch him turn from a young boy into a teen on the brink of adulthood

‘Revenge porn’ websites face New York state ban

Third US state moves to counter sites targeted at ex-lovers, which distribute sexual images without the subject's consent. By Alex Hern

Friends Reunited to be restructured

DC Thomson will run site as a standalone business with possible outside investment as digital division focuses on genealogy. By Mark Sweney

Nasa’s Asteroid Watch Twitter put on hold by US government shutdown

Asteroid strike alerts on Twitter put on hold after Nasa's funding is suspended by Congress stalemate. By Samuel Gibbs

Twitter files for Thanksgiving IPO

The social networking platform has submitted documents to the SEC and is expected to reveal its flotation plans this week. By Alex Hern

Pinterest introduces advertising in the form of ‘promoted pins’

Users will start to see paid-for pins on search results and subject pages

Twitter and the transformation of democracy

John Naughton: The social networking service has the power to control the expression of public opinion in political debate

Americans fear hackers more than the government over online privacy

Pew study finds that 86% of internet and smartphone users have taken steps to remove or mask their digital footprints. By Stuart Dredge

Lawyer and champion of free speech Alex Macgillivray to leave Twitter

Counsel, who described Twitter as 'the free speech wing of the free speech party', fiercely defended users' privacy

Facebook’s value climbs above $100bn for first time

One year on from its record low, the company closed at $41.34, bringing its value by market capitalisation to $100.6bn. By Jemima Kiss

Tinder: the app that helps you meet people for sex

It's the number one app for people looking for casual sex without the pain of rejection. And there are a fair few celebrities on it

New Breaking Bad series already a global hit… for BitTorrent downloads

Australians in particular flocking to download latest episode of US drama rather than wait for its official airing. By Stuart Dredge