Today in Tech News Digest, the activities of the NSA are branded "illegal," Microsoft posts record revenues, Apple celebrates the Mac turning 30, Hunter Moore is arrested, Facebook and Princeton argue over who will survive the longest, Twitter celebrates 'A Year On Vine', and the Top Gear test track is added to Google Street View.

NSA Phone Data Collection Branded "Illegal"

Now even internal federal watch dogs within the U.S. government know the #NSA needs to stop: http://t.co/vYO0bcbmvn

— Restore The 4th! (@Restore_the4th) January 24, 2014

The program which saw the NSA (National Security Agency) collecting data from millions of phones worldwide has been branded "illegal" by the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. The data collection was further described as having a "minimal" effect on counter-terrorism efforts.

The watchdog has compiled a lengthy 238-page report that was obtained by The New York Times. The recommendations contained within it go a lot further than those suggested by U.S. President Barack Obama. The main takeaway contained in the conclusion is that "the board recommends that the government end the program.” Which is pretty damning.

Microsoft Posts Record Revenues

TL;DR of @Microsoft earnings: Record revenue, sold a bunch of @surface, @Xbox, and commercial-y stuff. http://t.co/VmMNiYU7Cb

— Ben Rudolph (@BenThePCGuy) January 23, 2014

Microsoft has posted record revenues of $24.5 billion for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2013. This is 14 percent more than the same quarter last year. The main reason for the record revenues was a strong performance in the Devices and Consumer segment, with both Xbox and Surface devices selling well. Yes, the Surface.

Say what you like about Microsoft, but the company still has more money coming in than it knows what to do with. Unfortunately it still doesn't have a replacement for outgoing CEO Steve Ballmer.

Mac Turns 30

The Mac Turns 30 today!?! I was 10 when it came about! Oops did I just reveal how old I am? No, I really am 29! LOL ;)

— Dolcelyn I Smith (@drdempire_smith) January 18, 2014

The Mac, or Apple Macintosh as it was once called, is 30 years old today (Jan. 24, 2014). Several websites are celebrating the anniversary by charting the history of the Mac, but the best read has to be Macworld's enlightening interview with Apple execs Phil Schiller, Bud Tribble, and Craig Federighi.

The interview closes with Schiller promising, "the Mac keeps going forever, because the differences it brings are really valuable.” And there we all were thinking the iPhone and iPad were killing computers.

Revenge Porn Baron Arrested

Some guy on Gawker just won the internet today: "Justin Beiber AND Hunter Moore arrested?!? This new Pope is awesome!"

— Cliff Bleszinski (@therealcliffyb) January 24, 2014

Hunter Moore, whose alleged ownership of a revenge porn website saw him branded “the most hated man on the Internet” has been arrested and indicted. According to TIME, Moore is accused of conspiracy to “access a protected computer without authorization to obtain information for private financial gain," as well as other offenses.

For the uninitiated among you, revenge porn usually involves explicit images uploaded without the consent of the person involved. Hunter Moore was arrested on the same day as Canadian pop princess Justin Bieber. Which surely counts as a modern-day miracle powerful enough to turn even the most hardened atheist into a Belieber believer.

Facebook Vs. Princeton

Your move, Princeton. http://t.co/EcMaxB7b37 #facebook #data

— Gordy Seeley (@140Gordy) January 24, 2014

Princeton and Facebook are currently embroiled in a lighthearted row packed full of laughs. Last week, Princeton researchers published a study [PDF link] which showed how Facebook would lose 80 percent of its users by 2017. It was widely reported amongst the tech press but was, ultimately, a load of baloney.

Facebook's own data scientists have now published a study showing how, using the same methodology, Princeton will have no students left by 2021. Oh, and there will be no air left by 2060 either. Facebook and Princeton we can live without, but air is rather more important.

Twitter Celebrates 'A Year On Vine'

Tomorrow is Vine's first birthday. Thanks to all of you for making this first year so special pic.twitter.com/otKBN9105T

— Vine (@vineapp) January 23, 2014

Today (Jan. 24, 2014) marks the first birthday of Vine, Twitter's video app for those with short attention spans. To mark the occasion Twitter has launched a new page called 'A Year On Vine' showcasing the most memorable videos uploaded to the service over the past 12 months. Amazingly, there are few cats involved. Which is disappointing.

Top Gear Test Track On Google Street View

http://youtu.be/vi-ljpuEGnA

And finally, the Top Gear test track is the latest unique location -- amongst a host of unique locations -- to be added to Google Street View. The video above shows some behind the scenes action of the Google Street View car recording panoramic views of the Top Gear test track while the Stig does donuts in a Mercedes Benz. My life is now complete.

Tech News Digest… Breaking News Into Bite-Sized Chunks.

Image Credit: EFF Photos