Criminal networks in Southeast Asia are increasingly exploiting Telegram for large-scale illicit activities, according to a new report from the United Nations. The encrypted messaging app is used to trade hacked data, including credit card details and passwords, across sprawling, poorly-moderated channels. The report also notes that unlicensed cryptocurrency exchanges on the platform provide money laundering services.
Fraud tools, such as deepfake software and data-stealing malware, are widely sold, enabling organised crime syndicates to innovate and expand their operations. One vendor in Chinese reportedly claimed to move millions in stolen cryptocurrency daily. Southeast Asia has become a hub for these activities, where criminal groups target victims worldwide, generating up to $36.5 billion annually.
The controversy surrounding Telegram escalated when its founder, Pavel Durov, was arrested in Paris for allowing criminal activity on the platform. Durov, who is now out on bail, has since announced steps to cooperate with law enforcement by sharing users’ information when requested legally and removing certain features used for illegal purposes.
As the UNODC report warns, the widespread use of Telegram for underground markets places consumers’ data at heightened risk. Criminals are not only exploiting technology like artificial intelligence but are also leveraging the platform’s ease of use to target victims globally.
Tanzania’s communications regulator has suspended the online platforms of Mwananchi Communications Ltd for 30 days, accusing the company of publishing content that damaged the nation’s image. The Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) cited violations of the country’s Online Content Regulations 2020 and claimed the media company had shared material that disrupted national unity, peace, and harmony. However, the TCRA did not reveal the specific nature of the content.
Mwananchi Communications posted an animated video on its X and Instagram platforms on 1 October, which depicted people expressing concerns about missing or murdered loved ones. The company later deleted the video and apologised, stating that the content was misinterpreted. Opposition party ACT-Wazalendo criticised the suspension, arguing that the government was silencing media outlets that expose the country’s real issues, especially following recent cases of violence against political figures.
This action has raised concerns over press freedom in Tanzania, with critics pointing out a recent shift in the government’s approach. While President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been praised for easing restrictions on political rallies and media, recent incidents such as protest bans and the arrests of journalists have sparked fears of a rollback in democratic freedoms. Mwananchi Communications has stated that it will comply with the suspension order.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a social media moderation programme ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The initiative is designed to protect players and fans from toxic online content. More than 60 players have already joined, with further onboarding expected.
To safeguard mental health and promote inclusivity, the ICC has partnered with GoBubble. Together, they will use a combination of AI and human oversight to monitor harmful comments on social media platforms. The service will operate across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, with the option for players to use it on their own accounts.
The technology is designed to automatically detect and hide negative comments, including hate speech, harassment, and misogyny. By doing so, it creates a healthier environment for teams, players, and fans to engage with the tournament which will be held in Bangladesh.
Finn Bradshaw, ICC’s Head of Digital, expressed his satisfaction with the programme’s early success. Players and teams have welcomed the initiative, recognising the importance of maintaining a positive digital atmosphere during the tournament.
The European Commission has requested information from YouTube, Snapchat, and TikTok regarding the algorithms used to recommend content to users. Concerns have been raised about the influence of these systems on issues like elections, mental health, and protecting minors. The inquiry falls under the Digital Services Act (DSA), aiming to address potential systemic risks, including the spread of illegal content such as hate speech and drug promotion.
TikTok faces additional scrutiny about measures to prevent bad actors from manipulating the platform, especially during elections. These platforms must provide detailed information on their systems by 15 November. Failure to comply could result in further action, including potential fines.
The DSA mandates that major tech companies take more responsibility in tackling illegal and harmful content. In the past, the EU has initiated similar non-compliance proceedings with other tech giants like Meta, AliExpress, and TikTok over content regulation.
Google is facing accusations of censorship after locking the pan-African media platform African Stream out of its Gmail Workspace, resulting in the loss of two years’ worth of emails and files stored in the cloud. The organisation has claimed that this action is part of a broader crackdown by US tech companies on its content, which is dedicated to providing a voice for Africans and challenging negative stereotypes.
The controversy escalated following remarks from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who suggested that African Stream is influenced by Russian propaganda, labelling the outlet as ‘Kremlin propagandists.’ Within the last two weeks, African Stream pointed out that it had also been banned from other platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Threads, and criticised Google for not providing any credible reasons for the ban.
In response to the allegations, African Stream has denied any wrongdoing and questioned why major tech companies would bow to a single speech by a US official. The organisation emphasises its commitment to delivering African-centered content and amplifying African voices globally, raising significant concerns about the implications of censorship and the influence of political narratives on the policies of major tech firms.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has ruled that social platform X, formerly known as Twitter, must pay $5 million in pending fines before being allowed to resume operations in the country. The platform, owned by Elon Musk, was suspended in Brazil after failing to comply with court orders to block accounts spreading hate speech and to appoint a legal representative.
Judge Alexandre de Moraes said the fines, totalling 18.3 million reais ($3.4 million), remain unpaid, alongside an additional fine of 10 million reais ($1.8 million) imposed after X became briefly accessible to some users last week. The court can use frozen funds from X and Starlink accounts in Brazil, but Starlink must first withdraw its appeal against the fund freeze.
X has since complied with court orders, blocking the accounts as instructed and naming a legal representative in Brazil. A source close to the company suggested that while X is likely to pay the original fines, it may contest the extra penalty imposed after the platform ban.
The platform has been unavailable in Brazil since late August. Musk had initially criticised the court’s actions as censorship but began complying with the rulings last week.
Meta and Australian banks have worked together to remove 8,000 fraudulent ‘celeb bait’ advertisements from Facebook and Instagram. The scams, often using AI-generated images of celebrities, deceive users into investing in fake schemes. Australian banks flagged 102 such cases since April.
The rise in these scams has led Australia to draft a new anti-scam law, which could impose fines of up to A$50 million on companies that fail to combat online fraud. Reports in 2023 show that Australians lost a staggering A$2.7 billion to various scams.
Meta is currently facing legal challenges in Australia, including a lawsuit for allowing cryptocurrency ads featuring celebrities like Russell Crowe and Nicole Kidman. Despite these issues, Meta continues its efforts to fight fraudulent ads.
Meta, alongside Australian banks, believes that early signs within ads could help detect wider scam activity. The company is reviewing Australia’s draft legislation, signalling a continued focus on anti-scam measures in the future.
Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for the 2024 United States presidential election, has vowed to prosecute Google if he wins the November election. Trump claimed, without evidence, that the tech giant only displays negative stories about him while favouring positive coverage for Democratic rival Kamala Harris.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump accused Google of ‘illegally’ interfering with the election by promoting biased search results. He said he would ask the Justice Department to investigate the company if they fail to act before he potentially returns to the presidency.
This isn’t the first time Trump has accused Google of such behaviour. In 2019, he made similar claims, alleging the company promoted negative coverage of him during the 2016 presidential election. Google dismissed the accusations at the time.
Recently, some Trump supporters have revived the allegations. Elon Musk accused Google of having a search ban on Trump in July, just days after an assassination attempt on the former president.
Russia has ordered Discord to delete nearly 1,000 posts that are deemed illegal. The communication regulator, Roskomnadzor, highlighted that the posts include content related to child pornography, extremism, drug abuse, and LGBT promotion.
Discord, a San Francisco-based platform, and the regulator have yet to respond to queries regarding the order. Previous actions have seen Discord fined 3.5 million roubles for failing to remove illegal material.
Russia’s demands follow a long-standing policy of controlling content on foreign technology platforms. Regular fines are issued for non-compliance, with social media platforms even facing bans in some instances.
President Vladimir Putin continues to emphasise traditional values, particularly with stricter rules on LGBT promotion. Moscow’s broader push aims to restrict content that contradicts the state’s values and regulations.
Experts monitoring misinformation have long been concerned about the impact of Musk’s ownership of X on the spread of false information. Since buying the platform in 2022, Musk has elevated unfounded claims and embraced a more conservative political stance, including endorsing Trump’s presidential campaign in July. The analysis showed that Musk’s posts, often politically motivated, were seen more than 800 million times, underscoring his influential role as the platform’s most-followed account.
Musk’s misleading posts included claims that US Democrats wanted to make memes ‘illegal’ and falsely asserted that they aimed to ‘open the border’ to gain votes from illegal immigrants.
Why does it matter?
Experts worry that Musk, since acquiring X in 2022, has increasingly used his influential position to spread misinformation, particularly in support of conservative politics, as well as undermine credible sources. The significant reach and influence of Musk’s account highlight the dangers of high-profile figures spreading misinformation, raising concerns about public discourse and democratic processes.
