Romania‘s telecoms regulator is set to initiate steps to suspend TikTok, citing potential interference in the recent presidential election. Pavel Popescu, the regulator’s deputy head, announced plans to begin the suspension process on Thursday. The action will remain in place until state authorities conclude their investigation into allegations of electoral manipulation linked to the platform.
The scrutiny comes after TikTok‘s role in Sunday’s election raised concerns about misinformation and influence. Officials are prioritising transparency and security during the ongoing electoral process.
The decision underscores the increasing global attention on social media platforms’ influence on democratic processes.
The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) and the Comoros National Agency for Digital Development (ANADEN) collaborate to advance ICT development in both countries. During a skills exchange meeting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania showcased its leadership in the ICT sector through significant achievements such as establishing a National Data Centre, earning recognition as a regional cybersecurity leader by ITU, and fostering widespread mobile money adoption, with over 60.8 million SIM cards registered and 90% population usage.
Inspired by these advancements, Comoros aims to develop similar infrastructure, including an e-government agency, a national domain registry, and a national data centre supported by the African Development Bank. The collaboration will emphasise capacity development and expertise sharing to strengthen ICT systems in Comoros.
Tanzanian experts will assist in enhancing system interoperability and training ICT professionals in Comoros to support sustainable development. Both countries share a vision of using ICT as a driver for economic growth, innovation, and digital transformation, highlighting the importance of regional partnerships in advancing technological progress.
Nearly a quarter of children aged 8-17 in the UK lie about their age to access adult social media platforms, according to a new Ofcom report. The media regulator criticised current verification processes as insufficient and warned tech companies they face heavy fines if they fail to improve safety measures under the Online Safety Act, which takes effect in 2025.
The law will require platforms to implement ‘highly effective’ age assurance to prevent underage users from accessing adult content. Ofcom’s findings highlight the risks children face from harmful material online, sparking concerns from advocates like the Molly Rose Foundation, which warns that tech companies are not enforcing their own rules.
Some social media platforms, including TikTok, claim they are enhancing safety measures with machine learning and other innovations. However, BBC investigations and feedback from teenagers suggest that bypassing current systems remains alarmingly easy, with no ID verification required for account setup. Calls for stricter regulation continue as online safety concerns grow.
Constellation Energy has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging PJM Interconnection, the country’s largest grid operator, to establish rules for electricity suppliers connecting to data centres near power plants. Constellation alleges that some utilities exploit the absence of guidelines to block competition from power generators.
The dispute follows FERC’s recent rejection of a capacity increase for a data centre linked to a Pennsylvania nuclear plant, citing potential grid reliability issues and higher consumer costs. Constellation, a key nuclear plant operator, supported Talen Energy in that case.
Connecting data centres directly to power plants is a growing priority for Big Tech companies, seeking rapid access to power for AI expansion. Constellation claims Exelon’s refusal to complete interconnection work at the LaSalle nuclear plant could escalate costs significantly. Analysts warn that lengthy disputes could negatively impact the power sector.
Orange, the French telecoms giant, has announced a partnership with OpenAI and Meta to enhance AI language models for translating regional African languages. The initiative will integrate West African languages into OpenAI’s ‘Whisper’ and Meta’s ‘Llama‘ systems, aiming to address the linguistic diversity in the region.
Set to launch in the first half of 2025, the project will foster better communication and inclusivity in communities with limited digital representation. Orange sees this as a significant step in leveraging AI to promote cultural and linguistic preservation.
The collaboration underscores the increasing focus on adapting technology for underserved regions. Both OpenAI and Meta bring advanced AI capabilities to help bridge communication gaps, with Orange spearheading the drive for multilingual accessibility.
Morocco is preparing to regulate cryptocurrencies with a draft law currently in the process of adoption, according to central bank governor Abdellatif Jouahri. Despite a ban on cryptocurrencies since 2017, underground usage has persisted among the public, prompting Bank Al Maghrib to take steps toward formal oversight.
At an international conference in Rabat, Jouahri highlighted the bank’s dual focus on regulating crypto assets and exploring a central bank digital currency (CBDC). Unlike decentralised cryptocurrencies, a CBDC would be centrally managed, potentially supporting public policy goals such as financial inclusion.
This move reflects a global trend as countries assess how digital currencies can align with regulatory frameworks while fostering innovation. The initiative aims to address the risks of unregulated crypto use while leveraging its potential benefits for Morocco’s financial system.
T-Mobile and SpaceX have secured Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to offer satellite-powered mobile coverage, targeting areas with little or no connectivity. This innovative partnership aims to eliminate mobile ‘dead zones’ by using satellites equipped with direct-to-cell technology to expand T-Mobile’s network.
The FCC’s decision is a first, allowing collaboration between a satellite operator and a wireless carrier to deliver telecommunications services via flexible-use spectrum bands originally reserved for terrestrial use. SpaceX launched the initial batch of satellites for this project in January 2023, marking a significant step forward in bridging coverage gaps.
Over 500,000 square miles in the US remain unreachable by traditional towers due to terrain and land-use constraints. The FCC introduced a new framework earlier this year to promote satellite use in extending 4G and 5G networks without compromising service quality. Chair Jessica Rosenworcel emphasised the agency’s commitment to fostering competition and innovation in the space economy.
Other firms have similar applications under review, but the T-Mobile-SpaceX initiative stands out as a promising solution for connecting underserved regions. Last month, the FCC permitted these satellites to assist disaster-stricken areas in North Carolina, further highlighting the technology’s potential.
Indonesia has upheld its ban on Apple’s iPhone 16, rejecting the tech giant’s $100M investment offer. The government maintains that Apple failed to meet regulations requiring 40% of phone components to be locally produced, a rule aimed at fostering domestic manufacturing.
Indonesian industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita stated Apple’s proposal lacked fairness, particularly when compared to the company’s investments in other nations. He urged the company to establish a production facility in Indonesia to avoid repeated investment negotiations.
While iPhone 16 sales remain prohibited, approximately 9,000 units have entered Indonesia for personal use. The government has imposed similar restrictions on Google Pixel phones, highlighting a firm stance on enforcing local manufacturing policies.
Australia is set to link its Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island to the mainland through a subsea cable project backed by Alphabet’s Google. The Bosun cable will connect Darwin to Christmas Island, significantly enhancing digital resilience and creating additional pathways to Asia. Christmas Island, strategically located 350 km from Jakarta, is home to a small population of 1,250 but plays a vital role in regional defence and communications, aligning with ongoing US-Australia military upgrades in northern Australia.
The project, supported by Australian firms NextDC, Vocus, and Subco, forms part of a larger strategy to diversify subsea cable networks. These connections will complement Australia’s links across the Pacific and Indian Oceans, integrating into global networks connecting the United States, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The cables also support Australia’s defence strategy, including its surveillance operations as China‘s submarine activity increases in the Indian Ocean.
In addition to its strategic importance, the cable will provide the residents of Christmas Island with faster and more reliable internet services, significantly improving local connectivity. This development highlights Australia’s commitment to secure, resilient digital infrastructure while strengthening ties with its remote territories and global partners.
IMAX is adopting AI technology to bring its original content to more global audiences. The company has partnered with Dubai-based Camb.ai to use advanced speech and translation models for content localisation. With non-English content growing in popularity, including in English-speaking markets, the initiative aims to increase accessibility and reduce costs.
Camb.ai’s AI platform, DubStudio, supports over 140 languages, including lesser-known ones. Its specialised models, Boli and Mars, ensure accurate text-to-speech translations while preserving nuances like background audio and tone. The startup’s technology has been previously deployed for live events like the Australian Open and Eurovision Sport, showcasing its ability to handle high-pressure scenarios.
IMAX plans a phased rollout of the AI localisation, starting with widely spoken languages. Early tests of Camb.ai’s technology on IMAX’s original documentaries proved promising. The company expects the collaboration to reduce translation expenses while boosting the global appeal of its immersive experiences.
Camb.ai, founded by former Apple engineer Akshat Prakash and his father, recently raised $4 million and is securing additional funding to expand its team and operations. The startup avoids controversial data scraping methods, relying instead on ethically licensed datasets and input from early partners, positioning itself as a reliable choice for AI-driven content solutions.
