Canada’s central bank has halted its plans to develop a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), focusing instead on research as other nations like China and Nigeria press ahead. The Bank of Canada initially launched the project in 2017 to explore the potential of a digital Canadian dollar. However, after years of investigation and public consultations, the bank has decided to rethink its approach due to low public interest and security concerns.
A recent survey revealed that 87% of Canadians said they would never use a digital currency, with 92% expressing a preference for traditional payment methods. Major concerns included cybersecurity threats and the privacy of digital transactions. Despite this, the central bank had maintained that the digital dollar would not replace paper currency but serve as a simplified way to make online payments.
While Canada shifts away from its CBDC project, other countries are making progress. China’s digital yuan pilot, for example, has already facilitated nearly $986 billion in transactions, making it the largest initiative worldwide. Global efforts to introduce CBDCs continue to grow, driven in part by geopolitical events and changing payment technologies.
The iPhone 16 series officially launches globally today, with Apple expanding production beyond China and India to include Brazil, where Foxconn is assembling the new model. This is the first time an Apple product is produced in South America at launch, helping the company avoid Brazil’s high import tariffs and mitigate potential supply chain disruptions.
Brazilian regulatory filings confirm that Foxconn’s factory in Jundiaí, São Paulo, is now mass-producing the basic iPhone 16 model. While the plant has previously assembled older iPhone models, this is the first time it is included in the launch lineup for a new release, although it will not produce the higher-end Pro variants.
Previous iPhone models, including the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15, were assembled in Brazil after their initial production in China. In contrast, the iPhone 16 is being produced in Brazil much earlier in the release cycle, highlighting Apple’s strategy to diversify its supply chain and reduce dependence on China. The Brazilian facility is currently focused on the base model, as entry-level iPhones tend to be more popular in the region.
This year also marks a significant milestone for Apple as it launches India-made iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max models, showcasing the expanding manufacturing capabilities in India.
In response, Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Wellington Koo, refuted the accusations, stating that China is the primary perpetrator of global cyberattacks. According to Koo, China frequently targets Taiwan and other democracies, and these latest allegations are just another attempt to shift blame. He emphasised that Taiwan’s military remains committed to defending the nation despite Beijing’s accusations.
Taiwan’s Premier Cho Jung-tai echoed these sentiments, labelling China’s claims as fake news aimed at discrediting Taiwan. He stressed the importance of responding strongly to such disinformation, as it is part of Beijing’s ongoing strategy to undermine Taiwan.
Why does it matter?
The tensions between China and Taiwan continue to escalate, with China persistently asserting its claim over the island. Taiwan, however, maintains its independence, with its government repeatedly stating that only its people can determine their future. Relations between the two remain strained, especially with Beijing’s harsh stance toward Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, whom China labels a ‘separatist.’
China’s Ministry of National Security has accused a Taiwan-based hacking group, Anonymous 64, of orchestrating cyberattacks aimed at discrediting China’s political system. According to a blog post from the ministry, the group, allegedly tied to Taiwan’s military cyberwarfare division, has been targeting Chinese websites, outdoor screens, and television stations to broadcast content undermining mainland policies. In response, Taiwan’s defence ministry dismissed the accusations, claiming China is the natural source of cyber harassment, regularly attempting to destabilise the democratic island.
The allegations are the latest chapter in the escalating tensions between China and Taiwan. China, which claims sovereignty over Taiwan, has ramped up military and political pressure on the island in recent years. Taiwan, in turn, accuses Beijing of spreading disinformation and carrying out cyberattacks. Taiwan’s Information, Communications, and Electronic Force Command responded to China’s claims, asserting that the Chinese government’s military forces are instigating regional instability through ongoing harassment efforts.
The hacking group, which surfaced on X (formerly Twitter) in mid-2023, has posted screenshots of their alleged efforts to infiltrate Chinese media. One video shared by Anonymous 64 featured a masked member likening China’s President Xi Jinping to an emperor, along with footage referencing past protests in China, including the Tiananmen Square demonstrations. However, China contends that many websites the group claimed to have hacked were fake or photoshopped, with minimal online traffic.
As part of its crackdown, China has opened investigations into Taiwan’s cyberwarfare tea members. It has called on citizens to report cyberattacks or anti-China propaganda, urging people to avoid spreading unverified information online. Despite the accusations, it remains unclear whether Anonymous 64 has any ties to the international hacking collective Anonymous or if their alleged actions have been as far-reaching as claimed.
Chinese multinational technology company, Alibaba, has intensified its push into the generative AI space by releasing new open-source AI models and text-to-video technology. The Chinese tech giant’s latest models, part of its Qwen 2.5 family, range from 0.5 to 72 billion parameters, covering fields like mathematics, coding, and supporting over 29 languages.
This marks Alibaba’s shift towards a hybrid approach, combining both open-source and proprietary AI developments, as it competes with rivals such as Baidu and OpenAI, which favor closed-source models. The newly introduced text-to-video model, part of the Tongyi Wanxiang family, positions Alibaba as a key player in the rapidly growing AI-driven content creation market.
The company’s new AI offerings aim to serve a wide range of industries, from automotive and gaming to scientific research, solidifying its role in shaping the future of AI across various sectors.
China’s National Information Security Standardization Technical Committee (TC260) introduced new guidelines titled ‘Cybersecurity Standard Practice Guidelines – Sensitive Personal Information Identification.’ These guidelines establish clear criteria for what constitutes sensitive personal information. Specifically, personal data is deemed sensitive if its unauthorised disclosure or misuse could harm an individual’s dignity, jeopardise their safety, or threaten their property.
In addition, the guidelines outline several key categories of sensitive personal information, such as biometric data, religious beliefs, specific identity details, medical and health information, financial account details, movement tracking data, and personal information of minors. Each category is illustrated with examples to assist organisations in effectively identifying and managing sensitive data.
Furthermore, the TC260 emphasises the necessity of evaluating individual data points and their combined effects when determining the sensitivity of personal information. That comprehensive approach ensures a nuanced understanding of the potential impacts of data breaches or misuse. By considering both isolated pieces of information and their possible cumulative effects, the guidelines provide a robust framework for assessing the risk levels associated with different data types.
Moreover, the TC260 underscores existing laws and regulations in China that may also define sensitive personal information. This reinforces the importance of organisations remaining informed about legal requirements and adhering to all relevant standards for safeguarding sensitive data.
Alibaba pushes forward with AI innovation, launching a wide range of open-source models and text-to-video technology. The Chinese tech giant’s latest release includes over 100 models from its Qwen 2.5 family, offering significant improvements in mathematics, coding, and multilingual support.
These models aim to enhance AI capabilities in various industries, including gaming, automotive, and scientific research. Alibaba has adopted a unique hybrid approach, combining open-source and proprietary methods, setting itself apart from competitors like OpenAI and Baidu.
With model sizes ranging from 0.5 to 72 billion parameters, Alibaba’s AI tools cater to diverse business needs. The company’s text-to-video technology, part of its Tongyi Wanxiang image generation family, positions it as a key player in the expanding text-to-video market.
As competition in AI technology intensifies globally, Alibaba’s new developments could challenge major players such as OpenAI and ByteDance. ByteDance recently launched a text-to-video app for Chinese users on Apple’s App Store, further highlighting the rising interest in this technology.
Top legislative body in China has approved changes to its statistics law to combat data fraud. The move addresses growing concerns over the reliability of economic figures in the world’s second-largest economy. Amended regulations aim to prevent statistical manipulation and penalise officials involved in falsifying economic reports.
Authorities have acknowledged persistent problems with statistical fraud, which has led to public mistrust in economic data. The issue has become a major focus for lawmakers, as many believe it harms the accuracy of important economic indicators.
External analysts have long questioned the authenticity of Chinese data, particularly as the country grapples with an economic slowdown. The new law is part of ongoing efforts to restore confidence by cracking down on fraudulent reporting.
Government in China has vowed to investigate and penalise officials involved in data manipulation, seeking to improve transparency and the overall quality of economic statistics.
China Telecom Global has recently inaugurated two significant centres in Hong Kong: the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center and the Security Business Innovation Center. That development marks a crucial step in China Telecom’s strategy to enhance its high-quality development, cloud capabilities, and digital transformation initiatives.
By establishing these centres, the company aims to leverage China’s high-level opening-up policy to strengthen its international presence and drive global business growth through advanced technology and innovation. Furthermore, these centres are designed to optimise the business structure, integrate internal and external resources, and accelerate the global deployment of China Telecom’s capabilities in AI and security, thereby reinforcing its position as a leading global telecom player.
Additionally, China Telecom Global is placing a strong emphasis on research and collaboration. The focus is advancing cutting-edge technology and fostering partnerships between industry, academia, and research institutions. As a result, these centres are poised to become central hubs for developing AI and security talent, which will support Hong Kong’s evolution into an international centre of innovation and technology.
US authorities have taken down over 350 websites selling gun silencers and parts from China used to convert semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic machine guns. The move follows an investigation that started in August 2023, targeting illegal sales of these dangerous devices.
Undercover operations revealed shipments from China, falsely labelled as items such as ‘necklaces’ or ‘toys’. Instead, these packages contained machine gun conversion devices, known as ‘switches’, and ‘silencers’, both banned under the National Firearms Act. Some websites even sold counterfeit goods, misusing the trademark of gun manufacturer Glock Inc.
Acting US Attorney Joshua Levy emphasised the importance of seizing these websites to halt the influx of illegal and dangerous contraband. Law enforcement has so far seized over 700 machine gun conversion devices, 87 illegal suppressors, 59 handguns, and 46 long guns.
Officials highlighted the growing problem of such devices being easily accessible, posing a serious threat to public safety. The seizures are part of a broader effort to tackle the illegal gun parts trade and protect communities.
