Argentina launched QuarkID, an innovative blockchain-based digital identity system designed to enhance privacy and security for its 3.6 million citizens in Buenos Aires. The pioneering initiative marks a significant milestone as the world’s first government-backed decentralised identity system.
By utilising advanced zero-knowledge (ZK) cryptography through the ZKsync-powered Era layer 2 blockchain, QuarkID enables users to verify their identities without exposing sensitive personal data. Moreover, the system is integrated into the existing MiBa digital platform, allowing residents to securely manage and share verified documents such as birth certificates and tax records.
Starting on 1 October, all MiBa users received decentralised digital identities (DIDs), which empower them to confirm their identity without disclosing unnecessary personal details. Furthermore, with plans for future expansion to include additional documents like driver’s licenses and public permits, QuarkID demonstrates the Argentine government’s commitment to improving public services and setting a new standard for personal data ownership.
Why does it matter?
Argentina launched this initiative to enhance privacy and security and position itself as a model for global initiatives aimed at modernising identity verification processes. Consequently, the success of QuarkID could provide valuable insights and frameworks for other countries exploring the benefits of blockchain technology in digital identity management. By prioritising privacy, security, and user control, Argentina is thus setting a precedent for how digital identities can be effectively managed in the future, ultimately empowering citizens and revolutionising how personal data is handled.
Cities are increasingly turning to AI to enhance waste management and reduce contamination in recycling and composting efforts. In East Lansing, Michigan, where a significant student population often contributes to recycling contamination, city officials have launched a pilot program using AI to address the issue. The initiative includes equipping recycling trucks with AI-powered cameras that identify non-recyclable items and sending personalised postcards to residents to inform them of their mistakes. This approach has reportedly led to a 20% reduction in recycling contamination.
Despite these promising results, privacy concerns have arisen regarding the collection of personal data through these AI systems. Experts warn that the information gathered from residents’ trash could expose sensitive details about their lives, potentially leading to identity theft or misuse by authorities. For instance, a discarded pregnancy test could be used against a woman in states with strict abortion laws. This phenomenon, referred to as ‘mission creep,’ raises alarms about how technologies designed for one purpose can evolve into surveillance tools.
City officials, like East Lansing’s environmental sustainability manager Cliff Walls and Leduc’s environmental manager Michael Hancharyk, acknowledge these privacy issues and are taking steps to mitigate risks. They emphasise working with vendors to ensure data protection and transparency with residents. Hancharyk noted that his city had to comply with Alberta’s privacy regulations before implementing its program.
While acknowledging the importance of improving waste management, cybersecurity experts stress the need for municipalities to carefully weigh the benefits of AI against the potential risks to residents’ privacy. They advocate for thorough assessments of new technologies and their implications, particularly for sensitive populations. As cities continue to innovate in waste management, striking a balance between efficiency and privacy will be crucial.
Vodafone Greece, in collaboration with the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP), presented a set of proposed cybersecurity policies to Michalis Bletsas, Governor of the National Cybersecurity Authority. The initiative stems from public opinion surveys conducted by Metron Analysis on the views of Greek citizens and businesses on digital security, and a roundtable discussion at the Delphi Economic Forum’s Center for Cybersecurity.
The project identifies key issues in Greece’s cybersecurity landscape, such as fragmented policies, weak public-private sector collaboration, and a lack of a cybersecurity culture among workers. The proposals aim to improve anticipation, prevention, resilience, and response to cyber threats by reforming Greece’s legislative framework and raising awareness about digital security. Bletsas noted that these proposals align with the European NIS2 Directive, which is currently under public consultation.
Maria Skagou, Vodafone Greece’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, emphasised the importance of cybersecurity in today’s digital age, stressing the need for risk prevention, staff training, and public awareness to address evolving threats.
A group of eight bipartisan US senators has asked President Joe Biden to initiate a security review of the world’s undersea communication cables. These cables, which carry nearly all internet traffic globally, are vital to international connectivity but remain vulnerable to sabotage and espionage. Republican Todd Young and Democrat Chris Murphy led the appeal, raising concerns about the role of Russia and China in cable operations.
More than 400 subsea cables handle over 95% of the world’s data traffic, and their locations are often publicly disclosed to avoid accidental damage. Security concerns surrounding China’s involvement in laying and repairing these cables have been persistent, with US regulators highlighting the risk of tampering and surveillance. In 2020, a Federal Communications Commissioner warned about adversaries potentially intercepting sensitive data.
Senators, including Marco Rubio and Tim Kaine, stressed the need for a national strategy to safeguard undersea infrastructure. They questioned the adequacy of the US fleet responsible for laying and repairing cables and urged the government to promote trusted manufacturers for allied nations. Ensuring the security of internet traffic and infrastructure remains a top priority for lawmakers.
Since 2020, the US has blocked multiple projects connecting the country with Hong Kong due to espionage risks. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently increased pressure on Chinese telecom companies, ordering them to halt operations in the US and advancing new proposals to boost online data security. Both the White House and China’s embassy in Washington have yet to comment.
Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector urge the federal government to strengthen telecom infrastructure security, designated as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI). They raised concerns about vandalism, theft, and cyber-attacks that threaten these assets, which are vital for supporting the country’s digital economy.
Furthermore, while stakeholders, including IHS Towers and ALTON, praised the federal government for recognising the importance of telecom infrastructure, they emphasised the need for a comprehensive protection plan to secure these assets. In addition, they called for collaboration between the government and telecom operators to develop a Critical National Information Infrastructure Protection Plan (CNIIPP) and proposed the creation of a centralised database to monitor telecom infrastructure.
Moreover, in addition to protecting telecommunications infrastructure, stakeholders stressed the need for long-term strategies to ensure the sector’s sustainability. By safeguarding critical assets, Nigeria can support the growth of its digital economy and strengthen national security. IHS Towers, in particular, highlighted the importance of joint efforts in developing robust protections to prevent vandalism and cyber threats, which could otherwise undermine Nigeria’s telecommunications network. Strengthening this infrastructure will help build a secure, sustainable, and connected future for Nigeria.
Meta Platforms is facing a lawsuit in Massachusetts for allegedly designing Instagram features to exploit teenagers’ vulnerabilities, causing addiction and harming their mental health. A Suffolk County judge rejected Meta’s attempt to dismiss the case, asserting that claims under state consumer protection law remain valid.
The company argued for immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields internet firms from liability for user-generated content. However, the judge ruled that this protection does not extend to Meta’s own business conduct or misleading statements about Instagram’s safety measures.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell emphasised that the ruling allows the state to push for accountability and meaningful changes to safeguard young users. Meta expressed disagreement, maintaining that its efforts demonstrate a commitment to supporting young people.
The lawsuit highlights internal data suggesting Instagram’s addictive design, driven by features like push notifications and endless scrolling. It also claims Meta executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg, dismissed concerns raised by research indicating the need for changes to improve teenage users’ well-being.
Togo’s transport ministry has suspended the operations of Yango, a ride-hailing app owned by Yandex, the tech giant from Russia, due to security concerns. The app had been operating in the West African nation since June, but the ministry stated Yango was functioning without proper authorisation and in violation of national regulations.
The decision to suspend Yango was driven by concerns over passenger safety, as well as the app’s failure to adhere to the country’s legal procedures. The ministry emphasised the need to ensure that transportation services in Togo operate in compliance with local laws.
Effective immediately, Yango’s services have been halted across the entire national territory. The company has not yet commented on the suspension or provided any response to requests for information.
Yango, which had only recently entered the Togolese market, now faces an indefinite pause in operations as the government prioritises safety and regulatory compliance for ride-hailing services.
Meta’s Oversight Board has opened a public consultation on immigration-related content that may harm immigrants following two controversial cases on Facebook. The board, which operates independently but is funded by Meta, will assess whether the company’s policies sufficiently protect refugees, migrants, immigrants, and asylum seekers from severe hate speech.
The first case concerns a Facebook post made in May by a Polish far-right coalition, which used a racially offensive term. Despite the post accumulating over 150,000 views, 400 shares, and receiving 15 hate speech reports from users, Meta chose to keep it up following a human review. The second case involves a June post from a German Facebook page that included an image expressing hostility toward immigrants. Meta also upheld its decision to leave this post online after review.
Following the Oversight Board’s intervention, Meta’s experts reviewed both cases again but upheld the initial decisions. Helle Thorning-Schmidt, co-chair of the board, stated that these cases are critical in determining if Meta’s policies are effective and sufficient in addressing harmful content on its platform.
Hiya, a US-based company specialising in fraud and spam detection, has introduced a new Chrome browser extension to identify AI-generated deepfake voices. The tool offers free access to anyone concerned about the growing risk of voice manipulation.
The Deepfake Voice Detector analyses video and audio streams, sampling audio in just one second to determine whether a voice is genuine or artificially generated. Hiya’s technology relies on AI algorithms it integrated following the acquisition of Loccus.ai in July.
With deepfakes becoming increasingly difficult to spot, the company aims to help users stay ahead of potential misuse. Hiya president Kush Parikh emphasised the importance of launching the tool ahead of the US elections in November to address the rising threat.
A survey of 2,000 individuals conducted by Hiya revealed that one in four people encountered audio deepfakes between April and July this year. Personal voice calls emerged as the primary risk factor (61%), followed by exposure on platforms like Facebook (22%) and YouTube (17%).
Digital technology experts highlighted the need for collaboration and partnerships among African nations to tackle shared cybersecurity threats effectively. By emphasising a unified approach, participants recognised that regional cooperation is essential in addressing the complexities of cyber risks that impact businesses and governments.
Public-private partnerships were also advocated, as collaboration between the private sector and governmental agencies can foster the development of effective cybersecurity solutions, creating a safer business environment and promoting resilience against cyber threats. Additionally, they underscored the importance of identifying and valuing critical infrastructure, which is vital for informing robust security strategies. Sharing best practices among African countries can enhance defences without reinventing solutions, creating a collective strength across the continent.
Specifically, the call for harmonised cybersecurity laws across Africa aims to create consistent regulations that address capacity gaps and enhance digital security. Additionally, capacity-building initiatives are essential for equipping individuals and organisations to tackle evolving cyber challenges.
Moreover, they emphasised the need for effective incident response frameworks, as these strategies are crucial for minimising the impact of cyber incidents on businesses and governments. Ultimately, this proactive approach boosts resilience and fosters trust in the digital ecosystem, enabling Africa to navigate the complexities of the digital age confidently.
