A Google Street View image helped authorities in Spain in a missing person investigation. The image showed a person moving a large object into a car and another transporting a white bundle in a wheelbarrow. Authorities later located human remains in a cemetery in Soria province using advanced techniques.
Though Google Maps was involved, police clarified the image was not pivotal in solving the case of a 33-year-old man who disappeared in Tajueco. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the crime.
Google Maps has previously assisted law enforcement, including locating an Italian fugitive in 2022.
The IGF 2024 panel explored the challenges and opportunities in creating healthier online information spaces. Experts from civil society, governments, and media highlighted concerns about big tech‘s influence, misinformation, and the financial struggles of journalism in the digital age. Discussions centred on multi-stakeholder approaches, regulatory frameworks, and innovative solutions to address these issues.
Speakers including Nighat Dad and Martin Samaan criticised the power imbalance created by major platforms acting as gatekeepers to information. Concerns about insufficient language-specific content moderation and misinformation affecting non-English speakers were raised, with Aws Al-Saadi showcasing Tech4Peace, an Iraqi app tackling misinformation. Julia Haas called for stronger AI governance and transparency to protect vulnerable users while enhancing content curation systems.
The financial sustainability of journalism took centre stage, with Elena Perotti highlighting the decline in advertising revenue for traditional publishers. Isabelle Lois presented Switzerland‘s regulatory initiatives, which focus on transparency, user rights, and media literacy, as potential solutions. Industry collaborations to redirect advertising revenue to professional media were also proposed to sustain quality journalism.
Collaboration emerged as a key theme, with Claire Harring and other speakers emphasising partnerships among governments, media organisations, and tech companies. Initiatives like Meta’s Oversight Board and global dialogues on AI governance were cited as steps toward creating balanced and equitable digital spaces. The session concluded with a call to action for greater engagement in global governance to address the interconnected challenges of the digital information ecosystem.
Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp experienced significant outages across the United States on Wednesday, leaving thousands of users unable to access the popular platforms. Outage tracking site Downdetector recorded over 27,000 reports for Facebook, 28,000 for Instagram, and more than 1,000 for WhatsApp. The disruptions began around 12:50 p.m. ET, with users encountering error messages such as ‘something went wrong.’
Meta acknowledged the issue in a post on X, assuring users that it was working to resolve the problem quickly. A spokesperson apologised for the inconvenience and said teams were working diligently to restore services to normal.
User frustration echoed on X, with many expressing concerns about the reliability of Meta’s platforms. Outages like this are not unprecedented. Earlier this year, Meta faced a similar global disruption that impacted hundreds of thousands of users. In October, Meta apps were also briefly offline due to technical issues, although those were resolved within an hour.
Meta’s platforms are among the most widely used social media and communication tools globally. The recurrence of technical problems highlights the challenges of maintaining the reliability of such massive online infrastructures.
Serie A has partnered with Meta to combat illegal live streaming of football matches, aiming to protect its broadcasting rights. Under the agreement, Serie A will gain access to Meta’s tools for real-time detection and swift removal of unauthorised streams on Facebook and Instagram.
Broadcasting revenue remains vital for Serie A clubs, including Inter Milan and Juventus, with €4.5 billion secured through deals with DAZN and Sky until 2029. The league’s CEO urged other platforms to follow Meta’s lead in fighting piracy.
Italian authorities have ramped up anti-piracy measures, passing laws that enable swift takedowns of illegal streams. Earlier this month, police dismantled a network with 22 million users, highlighting the scale of the issue.
The Swedish government is exploring age restrictions on social media platforms to combat the rising problem of gangs recruiting children online for violent crimes. Officials warn that platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are being used to lure minors—some as young as 11—into carrying out bombings and shootings, contributing to Sweden‘s status as the European country with the highest per capita rate of deadly shootings. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer emphasised the seriousness of the issue and urged social media companies to take concrete action.
Swedish police report that the number of children under 15 involved in planning murders has tripled compared to last year, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Education Minister Johan Pehrson noted the government’s interest in measures such as Australia’s recent ban on social media for children under 16, stating that no option is off the table. Officials also expressed frustration at the slow progress by tech companies in curbing harmful content.
Representatives from platforms like TikTok, Meta, and Google attended a recent Nordic meeting to address the issue, pledging to help combat online recruitment. However, Telegram and Signal were notably absent. The government has warned that stronger regulations could follow if the tech industry fails to deliver meaningful results.
MTN South Africa, China Telecom, and Huawei collaborate strategically to advance 5G, cloud, AI, and business solutions. The partnership combines China Telecom’s global expertise in network solutions, MTN’s extensive regional reach, and Huawei’s advanced technology to drive digital infrastructure development across Africa.
The Executive Vice President of China Telecom Global emphasised that the alliance will unlock new business opportunities and enhance technological offerings in the region. The collaboration is also set to promote the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling non-computer devices like fridges to connect to the internet.
Why does it matter?
MTN South Africa anticipates that improvements in network services will provide new possibilities for business customers, especially in sectors like smart mining and industrial applications.
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.
MTN South Africa and Huawei have completed Africa’s first 5.5G network trial, marking a significant milestone in the region’s telecommunications landscape. The trial demonstrated the transformative potential of 5.5G technology, which offers key features such as 10 Gbps connection speeds, ten times the number of Internet of Things (IoT) connections, reduced latency, and improved energy efficiency.
These advancements represent a tenfold increase in network performance compared to current 5G networks, positioning South Africa at the forefront of digital innovation. Moreover, with ultra-fast speeds and advanced services like 24K extended reality (XR), high-speed Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), holographic conferencing, and enhanced private networks, 5.5G will not only drive the development of South Africa’s digital economy but also support new business opportunities.
In addition, it will bridge the digital divide, enabling previously unconnected regions and individuals to benefit from high-speed connectivity. As a result, this technological leap will be crucial in accelerating digital transformation, enhancing network efficiency, and creating new opportunities for consumers and enterprises across the country.
The successful trial utilised Huawei’s commercial SingleRAN technology, ultra-wideband, active-antenna units, and advanced beamforming techniques, ultimately achieving an ultra-high-speed experience of 8.6 Gbps. In particular, the trial leveraged millimetre wave and C-band spectrum resources in 5G standalone mode, showcasing the capabilities of 5.5G in real-world conditions.
Why does it matter?
Furthermore, the collaboration between MTN and Huawei reflects a shared vision of advancing Africa’s digital future by providing cutting-edge technologies and accelerating the region’s digital economy. As Huawei continues to support Africa’s development, this partnership demonstrates MTN’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the delivery of enhanced solutions that improve the lives of South Africans.
VVDN Technologies has partnered with SecureThings.ai to enhance cybersecurity across various industry sectors, primarily focusing on the connected vehicle ecosystem. Through this collaboration, SecureThings.ai’s advanced cybersecurity solutions will be integrated into VVDN’s automotive products and services, including vehicle connectivity, in-vehicle infotainment systems, instrument clusters, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and software-defined vehicle (SDV) solutions.
As a result, this partnership ensures that VVDN meets global cybersecurity standards, such as ISO 21434, while providing robust security for connected vehicles and IoT ecosystems. Specifically, key initiatives include intrusion detection and protection systems, real-time threat intelligence services, the establishment of a security research lab, and the provision of a red team as a service for independent cybersecurity assessments.
These efforts will help VVDN fortify connected devices, comply with evolving regulations like R 155/156 and AIS 189/190 in India, and offer comprehensive protection against cyber threats. Moreover, this partnership strengthens both companies’ positions in the cybersecurity market, with VVDN emphasising its commitment to delivering secure, reliable solutions globally.
Furthermore, SecureThings.ai’s expertise in cutting-edge security research and technologies will empower OEMs and tier-1 suppliers to combat emerging threats and adhere to stringent regulatory standards. The collaboration also leverages VVDN’s product engineering capabilities, thus driving innovation and setting new standards for cybersecurity in the automotive and IoT industries.
Zain KSA is expanding its 5G Standalone (5G SA) services across Saudi Arabia by acquiring the 600 MHz spectrum. That acquisition will enhance coverage, capacity, and service quality in urban areas, remote regions, and highways, thereby ensuring improved connectivity for consumers and businesses.
Moreover, the spectrum supports deploying advanced technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city solutions, essential for the country’s digital transformation. As a result, this move aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, positioning Saudi Arabia as a hub for innovation and a smart economy. By accelerating the adoption of Industry 4.0, Zain KSA’s investment will contribute to the growth of the digital economy by enhancing its 5G infrastructure.
In addition to expanding consumer services, Zain KSA’s acquisition of the 600 MHz spectrum further strengthens its enterprise solutions portfolio. Specifically, the new spectrum empowers businesses to implement advanced communication solutions, thus fostering the development of private and enterprise networks.
The investment prioritises user experience, as the enhanced spectrum improves indoor coverage, ensuring better service quality in residential and commercial spaces. Therefore, by enhancing service reach and reliability, Zain KSA continues prioritising customer satisfaction while contributing to the Kingdom’s ambitious digital and economic goals.
