The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have formed a strategic partnership to leverage data and technology to transform Nigeria’s digital landscape, aligning closely with President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda.’ By combining NITDA’s expertise in digital transformation with NBS’s data-driven insights, the collaboration is expected to significantly improve public service delivery, drive sustainable economic growth, and enhance policy-making.
In particular, the partnership focuses on data exchange and integration, facilitating more informed decisions across sectors such as infrastructure development, resource allocation, and urban planning, ensuring that initiatives are grounded in accurate and timely data. Moreover, the partnership emphasises fostering innovation and economic growth.
NITDA and NBS aim to create a digital ecosystem that supports tech startups and entrepreneurship, positioning Nigeria as a leader in the global digital economy. That collaboration is designed to attract foreign investment and create job opportunities, contributing to long-term economic prosperity.
Additionally, the partnership is committed to bridging the digital divide through digital skills development. By promoting digital literacy and modernising data processes with tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS), NITDA and NBS will enhance decision-making and governance while empowering more Nigerians to participate in the digital economy and fostering inclusive growth.
Mauritius has launched the Mobil ID digital identity card as a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey. That initiative allows citizens to manage personal information, such as updating addresses or reporting lost physical IDs and supports secure electronic document signing. Designed with dual authentication features, the Mobil ID enhances security and protects against identity theft while streamlining administrative processes for businesses and government agencies.
The launch of the Mobil ID is a key component of the broader ‘Digital Mauritius 2030’ strategy. The ambitious initiative aims to transform the country into a digitally-driven economy by enhancing digital infrastructure, expanding 5G networks, modernising public services, and developing digital skills. The Mauritian government is committed to maintaining technological advancement while ensuring robust data protection, which positions the nation at the forefront of digital innovation and demonstrates its leadership in advancing technology across Africa.
Mauritius has also become the first African country to adopt a digital identity card that meets international ISO standards. Developed in collaboration with Thales and Harel Mallac Technologies, the Mobil ID sets a new benchmark for digital identity systems in the region, reflecting Mauritius’s commitment to leading digital innovation.
Salesforce has launched its Hyperforce cloud platform in Israel, marking its 17th global cloud location. The new platform will allow sensitive data from government entities and regulated companies to remain within Israel, ensuring compliance with local privacy laws. Initially, Hyperforce will operate on Amazon Web Services (AWS), with plans to potentially expand to Google Cloud in the future.
Before the launch, Israeli companies stored data at Salesforce’s Frankfurt facility, which had been approved for government use. The local cloud platform will now provide a more secure and convenient option for Salesforce’s customers in Israel, with all companies set to migrate soon.
Salesforce, which employs 750 people across three sites in Israel, has been heavily investing in AI. Its Israeli R&D centre plays a key role in developing AI and other advanced technologies, positioning the country as one of the company’s three major development hubs alongside the U.S. and India.
The company’s move to expand its cloud services in Israel aligns with its broader strategy to integrate AI into its product offerings and drive future growth in revenue and profitability.
In the aftermath of anti-immigration protests and riots in the UK, police have arrested 1,280 individuals, largely through the use of retrospective facial recognition. Authorities matched video footage from various sources, including body-worn cameras, social media, and CCTV, to identify and apprehend suspects. The violence, which erupted after a stabbing in Southport, resulted in the charging of 796 people by the end of August, with more suspects under investigation.
Throughout 29 demonstrations from late July to early August, the police swiftly moved cases to court. By early September, 570 individuals had faced trial, with one man receiving a nine-year sentence for arson involving a hotel housing asylum seekers. Other offenders were handed sentences ranging from two to over three years.
Why does this matter?
Despite the riots subsiding, live facial recognition remains in use for public safety. North Wales Police deployed the technology at a recent football match, scanning nearly 35,000 faces without making any arrests. Authorities clarified that the system only flags individuals on a wanted list and deletes others’ data immediately. The system has also been used at ferry ports and will soon be trialled in Hampshire, continuing to play a role in police efforts nationwide.
Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC), the leading privacy watchdog for many US tech firms in the EU, is investigating Google’s handling of user data. The inquiry will examine whether Google sufficiently protected the personal information of the EU citizens before using it to develop its advanced AI model, Pathways Language Model 2 (PaLM 2). The investigation is part of a broader effort by the DPC, working alongside other EU regulators to ensure compliance with data protection laws, especially in developing AI technologies.
Amazon has announced plans to invest £8 billion in the UK to expand its data centre operations. The investment will be made by Amazon Web Services (AWS) over the next five years, aiming to meet growing demand for cloud computing, largely driven by AI advancements.
This new investment will add to AWS’s previous contributions of £3 billion since 2022, with facilities already in London and Manchester. The company expects the project to contribute £14 billion to the UK economy and support more than 14,000 jobs by the end of 2028.
AWS’s investment follows significant European cloud computing expansions, including substantial projects in Spain and Germany. After a pause last year, many corporate clients have resumed cloud spending, driven by a renewed interest in AI.
The announcement has been welcomed by the UK government, with Finance Minister Rachel Reeves highlighting its importance ahead of an upcoming investment summit. The exact locations of the new data centres will not be disclosed due to security reasons, but they will meet growing demand around London.
Russia is ramping up its efforts to control the internet by allocating nearly 60 billion roubles ($660 million) over the next five years to upgrade its web censorship system, known as TSPU. The system, developed by state regulator Roskomnadzor, is designed to filter and block content deemed harmful or illegal by the government. The funding, part of a broader ‘Cybersecurity Infrastructure’ project, will acquire new software and hardware and expand the system’s capabilities.
The initiative is seen as part of Moscow’s broader crackdown on online freedoms, which has intensified since Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The government has been targeting independent media and social media platforms, blocking websites, and cracking down on using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which many Russians use to bypass government restrictions. Roskomnadzor has been increasingly influential in blocking access to these tools, with officials planning to enhance the system’s efficiency further.
The TSPU system was introduced under a 2019 law that requires internet service providers to install government-controlled equipment to monitor and manage web traffic. As of late 2022, over 6,000 TSPU devices had been deployed across Russian networks. The new funding will modernise this infrastructure and improve the system’s ability to detect and block VPN services, making it harder for Russians to access uncensored content.
Why does this matter?
While the Kremlin continues to position these measures as necessary for national security, critics see them as a blatant attack on free speech. Digital rights activists, including those from Roskomsvoboda, warn that while new investments in censorship technology will tighten government control, it is unlikely to eliminate access to independent information. Developers of VPNs and other circumvention tools remain determined, stating that innovation and motivation are essential in the ongoing struggle between censorship and free access.
Russia’s battle with VPNs and independent media is part of a broader campaign against what it calls Western information warfare. Despite the government’s efforts to clamp down, demand for alternative ways to access the internet remains high. Developers are working on more resilient tools, even as the state pours resources into strengthening its censorship apparatus. This tug-of-war between government control and free access to information seems set to continue, with both sides ramping up their efforts.
The US Commerce Department has proposed new rules that would require developers of advanced AI and cloud computing providers to report their activities to the government. The proposal aims to ensure that cutting-edge AI technologies are safe and secure, particularly against cyberattacks.
It also mandates detailed reporting on cybersecurity measures and the results of ‘red-teaming’ efforts, where systems are tested for vulnerabilities, including potential misuse for cyberattacks or the development of dangerous weapons.
The move comes as AI, especially generative models, has sparked excitement and concern, with fears over job displacement, election interference, and catastrophic risks. Under the proposal, the collected data would help the US government enforce safety standards and protect against threats from foreign adversaries.
Why does this matter?
The following regulatory push follows President Biden’s 2023 executive order requiring AI developers to share safety test results with the government before releasing certain systems to the public. The new rules come amid stalled legislative action on AI and are part of broader efforts to limit the use of US technology by foreign powers, particularly China.
US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new draft of its Digital Identity Guidelines, introducing updates for government contractors in cybersecurity, identity verification, and AI use. The guidelines propose expanded identity proofing methods, including remote and onsite verification options. These enhancements aim to improve the reliability of identity systems used by government contractors to access federally controlled facilities and information. By providing different assurance levels for identity verification, NIST ensures that contractors can implement secure and appropriate measures based on the context and location of the verification process.
A significant focus of the guidelines is on continuous evaluation and monitoring. Organisations are now required to implement ongoing programs that track the performance of identity management systems and evaluate their effectiveness against emerging threats. The guidelines also emphasise the importance of proactive fraud detection. Contractors and credential service providers (CSPs) must continuously assess and update their fraud detection methods to align with the evolving threat landscape.
One of the notable updates in the guidelines is the introduction of syncable authenticators and digital wallets. This allows contractors to manage their digital credentials more efficiently by storing them securely in digital wallets. These wallets provide flexibility in how contractors present their identity attributes when accessing different federal systems.
The guidelines also introduce a risk-based approach to authentication, where authentication levels are tailored to the sensitivity of the system or information being accessed. That gives government agencies the flexibility to assign different authentication methods depending on the security needs of the transaction. For example, accessing highly sensitive systems would require stronger multi-factor authentication (MFA) measures, including biometrics, while less critical systems may have less stringent requirements.
Why does this matter?
The use of AI and ML in identity systems is another key aspect of the Draft Guidelines. NIST emphasises transparency and accountability in integrating AI and ML into these systems. Organisations must document how AI is used, disclose the datasets for training models, and ensure that AI systems are evaluated for risks like bias and inequitable outcomes. The guidelines address the concern that AI technologies could exacerbate existing inequities or produce biassed results in identity verification processes. Organisations are encouraged to adopt NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework to mitigate these risks and consult its guidance on managing bias in AI.
Lastly, the guidelines highlight the importance of privacy, equity, and usability in digital identity systems. Ensuring broad participation and access to digital services, especially for individuals with disabilities, is a core requirement. NIST stresses that digital identity systems must be designed to be inclusive and accessible to all contractors, addressing any potential usability challenges while maintaining security.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov has criticised French authorities for detaining him during an investigation into the app, suggesting they could have contacted his company through established channels instead. Durov, now a French national, made his first public statement following his detention last month, denying claims that Telegram is an ‘anarchic paradise’ and defending the app’s moderation efforts.
He expressed surprise at the investigation, pointing out that French authorities had access to a hotline specifically set up for communication with Telegram’s EU representative. Durov argued that it would have been more appropriate for legal action to target the platform rather than holding him personally responsible for third-party activities.
The investigation involves allegations of crimes such as child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions linked to the app. Durov emphasised that Telegram works diligently to remove harmful content, taking down millions of posts and channels daily.
