It was the year of tweeting yourself into hot water, as celebrities, politicians and the suddenly infamous found themselves in social media disgrace.

Scientists are working on ways that websites and apps can communicate touch, taste and smell.

A gold iPhone 5s, a $600 keyboard and an inflatable remote-controlled dolphin were some of the unwanted gifts that flooded Trade Me on Christmas Day.

An advertiser has been ordered to remove online claims that magnetic wrist and ankle bands have therapeutic benefits including relieving tension and purifying blood.

Cool Kiwi couple come up with online hit - using their "favourite domestic junk" to recreate famous movies scenes starring their cute baby, Orson.

An American and four other men detained in the United Arab Emirates for making a parody video about youth culture will discover today whether they will be freed.

Want a burglary-free Christmas? Then watch what you post on your social media profile.

Facebook has removed breastfeeding photos from a private group page for mums, angering members.

A Kiwi software developer has emerged as a key witness in the FBI case against tycoon Kim Dotcom.

A detailed account of the evidence against Kim Dotcom has been released by the FBI to allow so-called victims of alleged piracy to claim against his seized fortune.

Customs has refused to answer questions about an email asking staff to send information on Kim Dotcom to the FBI in exchange for "brownie points".

Netsafe is getting a large number of reports where offenders try to use an eBay "protected programme" to obtain money.

Editorial: In the response to Chorus's financial woes, there can be no confusion. Consumers must not play the role of sacrificial lambs.

The "secrets-for-brownie points" case has been escalated to Customs Minister Maurice Williamson - but he says it has nothing to do with him.

It's shaping up to be an outdoor Christmas for many Kiwis, a list of most searched for items on popular auction site Trade Me suggests.

A senior Customs official told colleagues in charge of highly personal information they could earn "brownie points"if they passed secrets to the FBI.

An even temper, good manners and careful record keeping can help defeat call centres that don't co-operate.

I spent almost five hours on hold trying to find out why my Slingshot internet connection was so bad.

Chorus could reduce its funding gap for the ultra-fast broadband project from $1 billion to $200 million.

David Cameron has urged Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt to auction the controversial selfie she took at Nelson Mandela's memorial for charity.

Well, this was supposed to be the quirky, light-hearted year-ender column, full of whimsical reflections on the big business events of 2013.

The Roast Busters scandal has stretched support services for rape and sexual violence complainants as a wave of abuse victims seek help.

Editorial: Three years ago the Herald on Sunday uncovered an egregious abuse of telemarketing called in that industry "slamming".

Auckland Libraries has added thousands of new, free electronic texts to its collection.

Slingshot marketers used login codes to access a Telecom database to improperly switch over customers without their consent.

Internet and phone company Slingshot has been fined $250,000 after it admitted transferring competitors' customers to its business without authority.

The sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial who has been accused of being a fake has signed at past ANC events.

"There was no meaning in what he used his hands for." An investigation is launched into whether a fake sign language interpreter worked his way into Mandela's service.