The Ghana CSO Consortium on Safeguarding Youth Digital Inclusion has called on the government to significantly invest in digital infrastructure, including broadband and 5G networks, to enhance internet access nationwide. The consortium recommended that the government invest in nationwide broadband expansion projects and subsidise data plans and digital devices to ensure that more citizens, particularly those in underserved areas, have access to essential digital tools.
In a communique issued on 8 October 2024, following a one-day forum focused on youth digital inclusion, the consortium emphasised the urgent need for increased digital literacy programs to equip Ghanaians with the skills necessary to thrive in the expanding digital economy. The forum featured various activities, including presentations, panel discussions, and plenary sessions, which reviewed digital policies, laws, regulations, and political party manifestos related to digital access, infrastructure, and employment. Discussions highlighted how young innovators are reshaping the employment landscape in a tech-driven world.
The consortium stressed the need to equip youth with essential skills and advocate for greater technological literacy while ensuring historically marginalised voices were included. Stakeholders noted that digital inclusion offers significant education, employment, and innovation opportunities but acknowledged the pressing need to address inequality to benefit all young people. The forum also highlighted the government’s key role in implementing policies that promote the development and affordability of internet infrastructure.
The European Union has postponed the implementation of a biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens, initially slated for 10 November. Delays stem from concerns raised by Germany, France, and the Netherlands regarding their border computer systems’ readiness. EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson confirmed that no new launch date has been set, though discussions about a phased introduction are ongoing.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) aims to create a digital link between travel documents and biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial scans, thereby removing the need for manual passport stamping at the EU’s external borders. Non-EU citizens arriving in the Schengen area would need to provide biometric information and answer questions regarding their stay.
Digital passports and ID cards are a major step forward, strengthening security in the Schengen area and making travel easier. They will allow border guards to quickly approve genuine travellers and focus better on stopping suspects of crime and terrorism https://t.co/nFu6cg0ndv
Officials from Germany’s interior ministry noted that the three nations represent 40% of the affected passenger traffic and are not yet prepared to implement the EES. They indicated that the EU agency EU-Lisa has yet to deliver the necessary stability and functionality for the central system.
While the French interior ministry acknowledged the EES’s potential benefits, they emphasised the need for proper preparation before its rollout. The Dutch government has not provided a response regarding its stance on the delay.
The rise of AI and digitalisation could displace up to 600,000 workers in Malaysia over the next five years, according to the Ministry of Human Resources. A report by Talentcorp, set for release in November, highlights how ten key industries will be most affected, including information technology, food manufacturing, and aerospace.
However, the government assures that many of these displaced workers will transition into new roles, as around 60 new types of jobs are expected to emerge. Workers in high-risk sectors will receive targeted support to upskill or reskill, making it easier for them to adapt to the changing job market. The report’s purpose is to prevent negative reactions and help industries prepare.
The report is part of a broader initiative to keep the workforce informed about the changing landscape. The government is launching a dedicated website to provide detailed information on the jobs most affected by AI, digitalisation, and green technology, as well as opportunities for training.
Steven Sim, the Human Resources Minister, has expressed optimism about the future, urging workers and industries to stay positive and proactive. The government’s ongoing studies will continue to assess other sectors in the coming years, ensuring workforce in Malaysia remains resilient in the face of technological change.
Turkey has blocked access to the messaging platform Discord after the company refused to share information requested by the government. A court in Ankara issued the decision, citing concerns over child sexual abuse and obscene content being shared by users on the platform. The Information Technologies and Communication Authority confirmed the ban.
The action follows outrage after a 19-year-old in Istanbul murdered two women, with Discord users allegedly praising the incident online. Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc explained that there was sufficient suspicion of illegal activity linked to the platform, which prompted the court to intervene.
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu added that monitoring platforms like Discord is difficult, as security forces can only act when users report content. Discord’s refusal to provide data, such as IP addresses, further complicated the situation, leading to the decision to block the service.
The ban in Turkey coincides with a similar action in Russia, where Discord was blocked for violating local laws after failing to remove prohibited content. The platform has faced growing scrutiny over its handling of illegal activity.
Amazon faces a fresh legal challenge from the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) over its relationship with drivers employed by a third-party contractor, Battle Tested Strategies (BTS). The NLRB claims that Amazon is a ‘joint employer’ of BTS drivers and broke federal labour laws by refusing to negotiate with a union representing those drivers. The complaint stems from Amazon’s decision to terminate its contract with BTS after the drivers at a California facility voted to unionise with the Teamsters union last year.
Amazon denies the allegations, asserting it does not exert enough control over the drivers’ working conditions to be classified as a joint employer under labour law. However, the NLRB previously found merit in the union’s claims that Amazon holds significant control over the drivers, and the board plans to issue additional complaints involving other Amazon contractors. The case will be heard in March 2025, with potential implications for Amazon’s dealings with drivers nationwide.
The issue of joint employment has been hotly debated in the US for years, with labour advocates pushing for a broader definition of employer responsibility. At the same time, businesses argue that only direct control should qualify. A ruling against Amazon could force the company to bargain with driver unions and alter its relationships with contractors across its delivery network.
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.
The US National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) provides over $45 million in grant funding through the Digital Equity Capacity & Planning Grant Program, a significant initiative to enhance digital literacy and access to internet-enabled devices in Native communities. The program addresses the digital divide faced by federally recognised American Indian tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities.
It adopts a holistic approach to digital equity, which comprises three key components – infrastructure that ensures high-speed internet access at home, the availability of various internet-enabled devices, and essential skills and training for effective internet use. Additionally, the NTIA aims to tackle broader challenges beyond traditional infrastructure, including the availability of connected devices, digital skills development, cybersecurity awareness, and network maintenance.
Moreover, digital literacy is vital for participation in the digital economy, particularly in telehealth and distance learning areas. Consequently, access to devices and skills significantly impacts community well-being and educational opportunities. That funding also addresses barriers that lead to lower participation rates in tech careers and limited access to computer science courses for Native students in the US. Furthermore, applications for the grant program are open until 7 February 2025, allowing tribes to seek funding for projects that promote digital literacy and device access, thereby contributing to a more equitable and connected future for Native communities.
One of India’s top insurers, Star Health, has taken legal action against Telegram and a hacker following the leak of personal data. The data breach involved medical reports and policyholder information being shared through chatbots on Telegram.
The case comes as Telegram faces global criticism for being exploited for illegal activities. Founder Pavel Durov, who was recently arrested, denies the allegations and insists the platform is addressing these issues. The insurer also sued Cloudflare for hosting websites distributing stolen data.
A Tamil Nadu court granted a temporary injunction to block the chatbots and websites sharing this information. Star Health reassured customers, stating that sensitive data remains secure, though policy and claim documents were leaked.
The lawsuit is part of a larger trend of hackers using chatbots to sell stolen data, with India representing the largest portion of global victims. Telegram removed the offending chatbots, but new ones quickly appeared.
A federal judge has ruled that New York City’s law requiring food delivery companies to share customer data with restaurants is unconstitutional. The decision, handed down by US District Judge Analisa Torres, found the law violated the First Amendment by regulating commercial speech inappropriately.
The law, introduced in 2021 to support local restaurants recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, required delivery platforms like DoorDash and UberEats to share customer details. Delivery companies in US argued that the law threatened both customer privacy and their business by allowing restaurants to use the data for their own marketing purposes.
Judge Torres stated that New York City failed to prove the law was necessary and suggested alternative methods to support restaurants, such as letting customers opt-in to share their data or providing financial incentives. City officials are reviewing the ruling, while delivery companies hailed it as a victory for data protection.
The New York City Hospitality Alliance expressed disappointment, claiming the ruling hurts small businesses and calling for the city to appeal the decision.
Over 600,000 users, including celebrities like James McAvoy, Ashley Tisdale, and Tom Brady, have been tricked by a viral hoax on Instagram. The message claimed sharing the ‘Goodbye Meta AI’ post would prevent Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, from using personal images for AI training.
The viral trend led many to believe posting the message would revoke Meta’s ability to use their data. However, fact-checkers, including Lead Stories, have labelled these posts as false, confirming that users can only opt-out via account settings, not by posting stories.
Meta confirmed that the viral post, which gained momentum after major celebrity shares, has no impact on privacy settings. The hoax stemmed from opposition to Meta’s June announcement regarding the use of public posts to train its AI models.
Though the trend began on 1 September, its popularity spiked after celebrities shared it, with Google Trends showing increased interest after 24 September. This instance echoes past privacy-related hoaxes and reflects public unease about AI data usage.
