Topics Archive

Google suspends activity with Huawei

In line with President Trump’s executive order blacklisting Huawei, Google has suspended the Chinese company’s access to Android updates. How would this impact the operations of Huawei in China and…

Data Protection and Beyond

At a Synergia forum on May 20, 2019, Justice Srikrishna discussed the future of Data protection in India based on the recommendations of the expert committee he chaired.

WhatsApp's Indian regulations fall short

A recent report shows that inexpensive third-party applications and software tools can circumvent regulations implemented by WhatsApp in India. Why have WhatsApp's efforts failed?

'Stop secret surveillance ordinance'

US technology hub, San Francisco has voted to ban the purchase and use of facial recognition technology by city personnel. Is face recognition an intrusive form of surveillance?

Facebook ready for a break-up?

Facebook co-founder, Chris Hughes has called for the break-up of the social networking giant. Caught under several data breach controversies and a federal investigation, can Facebook’s social…

Google’s business model and privacy

Google unveils several features geared toward safeguarding consumer privacy. However, given Google’s data-centric business model, can the company protect privacy?

$40 million worth bitcoin stolen

Hackers stole more than 7000 bitcoin from crypto exchange Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges. Can Bitcoins be stored safely?

5G: A threat to weather forecasting?

Technical specifications surrounding 5G technology conflicts with radio frequencies used in critical applications. How is the race for technological supremacy affecting human lives? Radio waves are…

Russia’s nuclear drones

Is the likelihood of nuclear war increasing? In March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed footage of six prototype advanced weapons systems being developed by the nation. Mr. Putin said…

iPhone production in India

Foxconn Technology Group, Apple's largest manufacturer of iPhones intends to shift production from China to India. Apple uses manufacturers from around the world to deliver individual parts. The…

Google launches AI centre in Ghana

US tech giant, Google has introduced the first Artificial Intelligence Research Laboratory in Ghana to help address economic, political and environmental issues in Africa. Artificial intelligence…

Trump announces 5G plans

The United States releases plans for an auction of radio spectrums to support its 5G ambitions amounting to US$20.4 billion. 5G (from "5th Generation") is the latest generation of cellular mobile…

Microsoft working with the Chinese military?

Microsoft has been working with a Chinese military-run university on artificial intelligence research that could be used for surveillance and censorship. Artificial Intelligence (AI), sometimes…

Canada mulls social media regulations

Canada, perceiving foreign interference in its October general elections, floats the idea of government regulations. Social media companies must be seen to do more, lest they face similar regulations…

Social media bosses to be accountable: UK

The British government recently said that it will explore making social media executives personally liable for harmful content published on their platforms, in a raft of new online safety proposals.…

Google disbands AI advisory panel

Concerns over the presence of the defence industry and conservative voices on an AI ethics board results in Google disbanding the panel. Artificial intelligence is the development of computer systems…

Facebook struggles to secure its data

Facebook faces another data breach, highlighted by the work of another cyber security firm who are increasingly protecting public privacy and security interests. Facebook, a social media and social…

South Korea rolls out 5G service

South Korea will become the first country to commercially launch fifth-generation (5G) services on 5th April 2019 as it rolls out the latest wireless technology with Samsung Electronics’ new 5G-…

New technology to fight mosquitoes

Researchers, using CRISPR/Cas9, seek to genetically modify mosquitoes to dampen the spread of arboviruses in human populations. Mosquitoes are a group of approximately 3500 species of small…

Facebook introduces hate-speech policing

Facebook will institute methods and regulations to tackle white supremacist thought in the upcoming weeks, although more needs to be done to fully tackle the proliferation of hate groups flourishing…