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Meta faces EU scrutiny over privacy subscription fee

The service, launched in the EU in November, requires payment to protect user privacy, leading to ba…

European Commission gives TikTok 24 hours to provide risk assessment of TikTok Lite

Under the Digital Services Act, the EU industry chief Thierry Breton has requested the assessment, a…

Canada moves forward with digital services tax despite international delays

Despite waiting for international negotiations on a global tax treaty, Canada is pushing ahead with …

X’s compliance with Indian election commission orders sparks disagreement

Social media platform X complied with directives from India's election commission to withhold politi…

Far-right party Chega challenges Meta over 10-year Facebook ban

It is unclear what specific actions or content led to the restriction of Chega's Facebook account by…

Snap introduces watermarks for AI-generated images

Snap's latest move to add watermarks to AI-generated images aims to enhance transparency and safegua…

Concerns raised over TikTok’s US data handling

Amidst claims of continued collaboration between TikTok's US operations and its Chinese parent compa…

Intel develops reduced-capability AI chips for China amid US export controls

The chips will be launched in June and September. Nvidia, a rival company, also plans three China-sp…

EU users can now download iOS apps directly from developers

Apple's decision to allow developers to distribute iOS apps directly to the EU users marks a signifi…

Kenya aims to issue 3 million digital IDs and 1 million biometric passports

The decision aims to streamline access to vital documents and boost revenue through eCitizen service…

Maryland passes law regulating facial recognition use by law enforcement

Unanimously approved by the Maryland General Assembly, House Bill 338/Senate Bill 182 imposes string…

EU cybersecurity label vote postponed

Disagreements over imposing strict requirements on big tech companies have caused the delay.

UNDP hosts G7 Italian Presidency to discuss AI for sustainable development with African Union

UNDP convenes AU officials and the G7 Italian Presidency in Addis Ababa to discuss Artificial Intell…

Meta oversight board reviews handling of sexually explicit AI-generated images

The board will assess Meta's policies and enforcement practices regarding pornographic fakes created…

X agrees to comply with Brazilian court orders

Musk's X faces scrutiny and legal challenges in Brazil as it pledges compliance with court directive…

US rights groups push for limits on facial recognition tech

The EFF argues that FRT is unreliable and puts marginalised communities at risk while threatening pr…

California advances bill to combat digital discrimination in broadband access

While facing opposition from industry representatives citing concerns over legal ramifications and o…

Companies in UK reconsider facial recognition amid regulatory clampdown

Amidst regulatory scrutiny, UK businesses are reassessing the use of facial recognition technology a…

R00TK1T and Cyber Army of Russia collaborate in BreachForums takedown

This latest incident adds to the challenges faced by BreachForums, which has weathered numerous setb…

Microsoft ‘ground zero’ for state-sponsored hackers, executive warns

He highlighted the hackers' adept data accumulation tactics.

UK treasury to introduce regulatory framework for crypto assets and stablecoins in July

The UK Treasury is preparing to introduce a regulatory framework for crypto assets and stablecoins b…

Israeli startup Bridgewise raises $21 million for AI investment research

Amidst a finance industry embracing technological advancements, Bridgewise's innovative approach to …

RansomHub hackers publish part of stolen Change Healthcare records

The records contain personal information about patients, including medical records, billing files an…

Microsoft teams up with G42 in bid to ditch China

G42 faced scrutiny over its ties to blacklisted Chinese businesses but denied connections to the Chi…

Mark Zuckerberg wins dismissal in lawsuits over social media harm to children

The lawsuits, brought by children who claim addiction to social media platforms, argued that Zuckerb…

Mastercard and Onafriq to support SMEs with pan-African mobile payments

By increasing accessibility to mobile payment services, particularly for underserved communities and…

Digital dominance in the 2024 elections

Digital technologies, particularly AI, have been integral to all stages of the electoral process for…

Belgian EU Presidency proposes compromise text to strengthen online child protection laws

The proposal aims to refine risk categorisation thresholds for service providers and reinforce data …

US House of Representatives votes to reauthorize surveillance program

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was due to expire on 19 April. Howev…

US grants Samsung $6.4 billion for Texas chip production

The aim is to boost chip manufacturing in the US, reduce reliance on China and Taiwan, and enhance n…

Meta temporarily suspends Threads in Türkiye

The decision comes in response to an interim order from the Turkish Competition Authority, which aim…

The Belgrade Crypto conference 2024: Serbia and the cryptocurrency market

The conference’s panels addressed regulatory waters, tax complexities, and future crypto services, f…

US CFPB’s push for Fair Credit Reporting Act compliance among data brokers

CFPB seeks regulation for data brokers under FCRA, citing consumer privacy and national security con…

Facebook’s news block sparks debate in Canada and Australia

The decision to block news sharing in Canada has sparked concerns over its impact on political disco…

Google removes links to California news sites amid legislative dispute

Google has labelled the decision a 'test', which has sparked criticism from lawmakers and industry f…

OpenAI inaugurates its office in Tokyo

The decision to open an office in Japan was influenced by the country's interest in AI development t…

Viettel and Singtel forge partnership to deploy Vietnam-Singapore subsea cable

Viettel Business Solutions partners with Singtel to deploy the Vietnam-Singapore Cable System (VTS).…

South Korea to host second global AI safety summit

After Britain hosted the inaugural event at Bletchley Park last November, South Korea will hold the …

EU publishes recommendation on Post-Quantum Cryptography

The European Commission's new recommendations on Post-Quantum Cryptography urges Member States to un…

New OpenAI and Meta AI models close to human-like reasoning

OpenAI and Meta are reportedly on the verge of releasing new AI models that will be capable of reaso…

China Sets 2027 deadline for telecoms to abandon American chips in favour of local alternatives

China has instructed its telecom carriers to phase out the use of foreign-made chips in their equipm…

Cybercriminals exploit Facebook ads for fake AI tools and malware

The stolen data is sold on the dark web or used for financial crimes. The cybercrime targets Faceboo…

EU considers stricter rules for Chinese e-commerce platform Temu

Temu, a subsidiary of Pinduoduo, has been scrutinised for privacy issues and misleading practices in…

UK MPs urge government action on TikTok misinformation

The committee believes the government should have a clear strategy for engaging young people and kee…

US-China tensions rise as Biden adds more entities to blacklist

The US government is using economic tools, such as export controls, to achieve foreign policy goals …

State-sponsored hackers target US federal email accounts, CISA warns

The Emergency Directive 24-02 aims to address the potential compromise of correspondence with federa…

New York state bar association outlines guidelines for AI use in legal practice

The New York State Bar Association's Task Force on Artificial Intelligence released recommendations …

Samsung plans $44 billion chip investment in US

Samsung Electronics Co. is set to revolutionise chipmaking in the US, aligning with Washington's amb…

Indian government to establish lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Uttarakhand

The plant aims to address environmental concerns surrounding the disposal of used batteries and e-wa…

Sierra Leone commits to digital IDs as the cornerstone of its digital transition

Sierra Leone is undergoing a digital transformation, with its identity system playing a key role. Th…

World’s First AR-Enhanced Abdominal Surgery Performed in Chile Using MARS System

The world's first AR-enhanced gallbladder removal using the Magnetic Assisted Robotic Surgery was ma…

EU antitrust probe into Microsoft’s OpenAI investment nears conclusion

The EU is concerned about potential breaches of merger rules and is actively monitoring AI investmen…

CJEU Advocate General’s opinion: data protection authorities’ obligation to act on investigation breaches

Advocate General Pikamäe emphasizes that supervisory authorities must respond to personal data breac…

EU Parliament approves controversial Asylum and Migration Pact amidst criticism

Critics remain vocal, expressing concerns over potential infringements on asylum rights, particularl…

AT&T data breach affected 51 million individuals

Initially limited to social security numbers, compromised information is now said to include a broad…

EU companies slam proposal allowing US big tech companies to bid for sensitive cloud contracts

The companies emphasised the necessity of the sovereignty clauses.

Amazon announces investments in generative AI

As the company diversifies its offerings, cost optimization remains critical, with a focus on logist…

Apple shift towards supporting used parts in iPhone repairs

Apple's policy change allowing repairs on newer iPhones with used genuine parts, influenced by legis…

USPTO affirms existing regulations for AI-assisted submissions

The US Patent and Trademark Office reaffirms existing regulations apply to AI-assisted submissions. …

US Cyber Command launched 22 overseas ‘hunt forward’ missions in 2023

These missions led to public releases of more than 90 malware samples, the the command’s chief state…

Meta tests features to protect teens on Instagram

Meta's efforts underscore the ongoing debate surrounding online safety for younger users.

UK invests £55.5 million in facial recognition to combat retail crime

Despite concerns about privacy and false positives, Home Secretary James Cleverly underscores its pr…

Prime Minister Kishida woos US investors for Japan’s tech sector

The push for collaboration underscores Japan's eagerness to bolster its economic ties with the US wh…

Anthropic claims its AIs are as persuasive as humans

Anthropic unveils Claude 3 Opus, an AI model rivaling human persuasive abilities. This breakthrough …

US lawmakers consider extending TikTok divestiture deadline

Senate Republican leader has labelled TikTok as 'America’s greatest strategic rival' and voiced conc…

Major German business intelligence provider hit by cyberattack

The ransomware attack disrupted users' access to news articles, business eBooks, and vital market in…

Texas introduces AI grading for standardized tests

Some educators have raised concerns about the accuracy of the new system.

X faces US House inquiry over Brazil actions

Amidst escalating tensions with Brazil's Supreme Court, Musk's defiance of court orders underscores …

DarkVault’s slip-up exposes link to LockBit

DarkVault has since erased any traces of LockBit from its blog, indicating a quick response by the …

Cybercriminal group TA547 targets various German organisations using AI-generated code

The gang used a large language model (LLM) such as ChatGPT or Gemini to generate the malicious scrip…

Google to invest $1 billion in US-Japan submarine cables

The investment aims to improve digital connectivity and support the Pacific Connect Initiative betwe…

Google launches new Arm-based AI chip for data centers, challenging Amazon and Microsoft

On Tuesday, Google released new details about a new version of its data center artificial intelligen…

Meta boosts AI chip power for enhanced performance

The company plans to expand the chip's capabilities to train generative AI models.

Apple alerts iPhone users about mercenary spyware threat

The spyware alerts come as many countries prepare for elections. Apple emphasised that these spyware…

The US Federal Communications Commission introduces broadband consumer labels

The FCC has unveiled 'broadband labels' for transparent internet pricing, akin to food nutritional t…

Anatel, UNESCO, and the Brazilian government join forces to close the digital divide

This agreement underscores a concerted effort to leverage meaningful connectivity and AI as catalyst…

Change Healthcare faces double extortion tactic

The healthcare tech provider has already paid an USD 22 million ransom to ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware …

Italian government pursues tougher legislation for AI-related criminal activities

According to a draft legislation bill accessed by Reuters, Italy’s government is considering h…

South Africa’s proposed misinformation regulations spark debate

Critics argue that the broad scope of the regulations could suppress free speech and penalize uninte…

AI giants OpenAI, Google, Meta and Mistral unveil new LLMs in rapid succession

The open-source approach has raised concerns, but proponents argue it leads to better outcomes. Expe…

US Congress proposes Generative AI Copyright Disclosure Act

AI companies, including OpenAI, face lawsuits over alleged copyright infringement but claim fair use…

The US government is preparing to ban use of Kaspersky software

While US government agencies have long been prohibited from using Kaspersky software, the new ban wi…

Alibaba’s AliExpress sets off global expansion with 10 billion yuan subsidy

The new AliExpress initiative is a strategic response to amplified competition from emerging Chinese…

Amazon seeks dismissal of alleged web traffic sharing antitrust lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges that Amazon refused to engage with Subspace, an action considered an abuse of it…

Surge in users for EU independent browsers following DMA implementation

The Digital Markets Act, which aims to eliminate unfair competition, forces big tech companies like …

Google unveils new AI chip to reduce reliance on major chipmakers

Google claims the new chip is 30% better than existing general-purpose chips. It marks Google's firs…

Bipartisan legislation introduced in US to establish national data privacy rights

This bill aims to unify state data privacy laws into one framework, enabling legal action against vi…

Elon Musk acknowledges his posts may have damaged X’s finances

In a candid admission, Elon Musk acknowledged that his online posts had a more significant negative …

Meta confirms the launch of Llama 3

The big tech's latest breakthrough in AI technology promises to revolutionise generative AI and expa…

Google expands open source AI offerings

Google has introduced a range of open-source tools to support generative AI projects and infrastruct…

Kenya launches project to develop National AI Strategy in collaboration with German and EU partners

The Kenyan government has partnered with the GIZ GmbH to launch a project aimed at developing a Nati…

Biden administration to invest $6 billion in Samsung for chip production

The US aims to boost domestic chip production and reduce reliance on China and Taiwan.

Microsoft to invest $2.9 billion in Japan’s AI sector

The move represents the company's largest investment in 46 years of operations in the country.

US and EU advance cooperation on digital ID standards

Their joint statement outlines plans for transatlantic interoperability, aiming to facilitate cross-…

EU political parties sign election integrity code of conduct

The code of conduct, brokered by the European Commission, adds a layer of protection to the electora…

UK veterinary services provider CVS group hit by cyberattack

The attack has disrupted CVS' IT operations across the UK.

US Senate Republican Leader pushes Chinese divestment of TikTok

McConnell's push comes amidst growing concerns about the potential influence of Beijing on TikTok's …

Japanese telecom giant warns of AI dangers

The concerns expressed by NTT contrast with the industry's general embrace of AI technology.

India and the EU collaborate on High-Performance Computing

India's recent call for proposals seeks to utilise high-performance computing in analysing climate c…

Trudeau Announces C$2.4 Billion Investment in AI Sector and Safety Initiatives

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a C$2.4 billion investment to enhance the country's…

Germany Plans to Ban Huawei and ZTE from 5G Network | Digital Watch

Moscow, Russia 30 August 2019 Huawei telecom company logo on office building  against clear blue sky

Germany is planning to ban Huawei and ZTE from its 5G network due to national security concerns. However, this move could interfere with the rollout of 5G services in China.

The Chinese embassy expressed strong dissatisfaction towards Germany’s reported plans to ban Huawei and ZTE from the country’s 5G network.

The German government is accused of generalizing the concept of national security and abusing state power, in violation of economic laws and fair competition principles.

Western security officials claimed that Huawei and ZTE represent potential threats to national security due to their close ties with Beijing.

Germany passed legislation in 2021 to increase security standards for its 5G networks without implementing an outright ban on Chinese firms.

Huawei currently supplies nearly 60% of base stations and 5G services infrastructure in Germany.

China claims that the ban would interfere with the rollout of 5G services in the country, urging Germany to listen to rational voices within its own borders.

Church makes online content accessible on their platform

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has updated its online content and has made it accessible to those who have disabilities. The content has also been posted on the Gospel Library app in the Life Help section, including materials for individuals, parents, and caregivers of those with disabilities.
All the Church materials including the scriptures are available in the following accessible formats: American Sign Language, Audio, Closed Captions, DAISY format, Materials on talking book cartridges, Victor Reader Stream Files, and Web Braille.

To say there is no freedom of expression in India is propaganda

While launching the News18 TV channel on the 75th anniversary of India’s independence, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir said ‘There are 392 news channels in the country, which is more than even the United States of America which has close to 100 channels. This speaks volume of the freedom of the media and true nature of democracy in India, but we must all also remember that when the Constitution of India was being prepared, all Indians were given the right of freedom of expression under 19 (1), but 19 (2) also put in some restrictions which I believe are not just restrictions, but duties’. He further noted that ‘There is a need to mind the fine line between freedom of expression, and the expression that hurts the nation. The Constitution clearly mentions the Rights of every individual, but it also mentions our duties. The problem arises when people only talk about their rights and forget their duties’, said Manoj.

 The impact of spyware on the right to freedom of expression

Founder and director of The Citizen Lab, Ronald Deibert talked to Article 19’s Jo Glanville about the technologies that turn your mobile into a spy in your pocket. The lab research unit, based at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto, focuses on internet security and threats to human rights.
In the podcast, recorded on 21 June, Deibert talks about the growth of the spyware industry and the fast-moving innovations that mean the people targeted are completely unaware of violations against their privacy. He points out that ‘democracies are among the clients for these technologies, and explains what role international human rights bodies can play in stemming violations and calling governments to account.’ 

UN Human Rights Office reports on negative effects of internet shutdowns

The office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a report on the dramatic real-life effects of internet shutdowns on people’s lives and how this has been vastly underestimated.

‘Too often, major communication channels or entire communication networks are slowed down or blocked,’ the report says, adding that this has deprived ‘thousands or even millions of people of their only means of reaching loved ones, continuing their work or participating in political debates or decisions.’

The report also discusses the phenomenon of internet shutdowns, looking at when and why they are imposed and examining how they undermine a range of human rights, primarily the right to freedom of expression. The report notes that between 2016 and 2021, there have been 931 shutdowns in 74 countries, as documented by the #KeepItOn coalition.

Mobily, Telecom Egypt sign Saudi to Egypt subsea cable MoU

Etihad Etisalat (Mobily) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Telecom Egypt for the construction of the first subsea cable directly connecting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The MoU was signed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by Salman Al-Badran, CEO of Mobily, and Adel Hamed, managing director and CEO of Telecom Egypt. The MoU is part of Mobliy’s efforts to enhance its global infrastructure, boost the digital economy and provide digital solutions that align with the goals of the government’s Saudi Vision 2030. 

Telecom Egypt has been a key partner for subsea cable projects globally, and has recently entered into an agreement to become a landing partner for Aqua Comms’ EMIC-1 cable project. Through this agreement, both companies will explore new ways to connect international capacity in Europe through Telecom Egypt’s network, to the GCC through Mobily’s network. Both companies’ networks will be expanded and interconnected with neighbouring countries. 

EllaLink International cable launched in Cape Verde

Following a 2018 agreement between Cape Verde Telecom and EllaLink in 2018, where the two agreed to deliver connectivity from Europe and Latin America to Cape Verde, the EllaLink International cable has been launched. The partnership has been supported by the European Bank of Investments and the local Government of Cape Verde and now Praia is connected directly and neutrally to Brazil and Europe.

This new cable offers the lowest latency available on the market, as well as a capacity of 30 Tbps, providing Cape Verde with the benefit of secure and optimised connectivity. The EllaLink connection between Latin America and Europe has reduced the latency between the two continents by close to 50%, from +100 milliseconds to circa 60 milliseconds compared to traditional routes.

The EllaLink subsea cable will additionally help strengthen the Cape Verde digital economy having connected Praia to three continents with neutrality and independence. DE-CIX in March confirmed plans to provide EllaLink with access to its interconnection ecosystem in Southern Europe, through their internet exchanges in Lisbon, Madrid and Marseille. The new system also creates opportunities for the country to increase the quality of the internet service offered to the country, and can be extended to all West Africa.

XL Axiata and PPTEL launch BaSIC subsea cable

The Batam Sarawak International Cable System (BaSIC) subsea cable has been launched and will strengthen internet connections between Batam, Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi in Indonesia. The 700m system connects Sarawak, Malaysia and Batam, Indonesia, which is then connected via land cable to Pontianak in West Kalimantan. 

The project started in 2020 and became operational on 1 June 2022. This cable system is an additional alternative international gateway for Indonesia to Kuching, Sarawak and Hong Kong and supports XL Axiata’s efforts to add new upstream international capacity to Indonesia.

BaSIC will deliver 6 fibre pairs offering an initial capacity 2Tbs, which will be gradually increased until it arrives at a maximum capacity of 48Tbs. The project is part of XL Axiata’s mission to provide infrastructure for better global internet access as well as to support the Indonesian government’s goal to encourage the use of digital technology.

Kacific deploys 2,500 satellite services for rural Indonesia

Singapore-based satellite company Kacific has been working with Bis Data Indonesia and Primacom Interbuana and has completed deployment of over 2,500 sites for Bakti, the Indonesian government’s Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency. 

Bakti director of infrastructure Bambang Noegroho has stated that, “With this satellite connectivity project, we take a significant step forward to our goal of the equal distribution of information and communication technology, to strengthen national unity, fuel economic growth and strengthen national resilience for disasters and emergencies.”

Indonesia’s universal service has been the source of funds for the project with one of its major aims being the provision of public internet access, through satellite services, in areas that have little or no access to affordable internet service including border areas and places that are not considered economically viable by terrestrial service providers.

Kacific’s CEO Christian Patouraux stated, “Bakti’s project aligns with Kacific’s mission to bridge the digital divide by providing access to affordable, high-speed internet in the most remote and under-served areas.” While deploying sites at remote destinations in multiple islands throughout the length of Indonesia was logistically challenging, the Kacific sites allow Bakti to secure guaranteed bandwidth at every single site with each terminal achieving speeds of over 85Mbps.