AU Signs MoU with Huawei, US to Probe Big Tech, and Russia Demands Tinder User Data

Africa

AU and Huawei sign MoU on ICT

Chinese tech giant, Huawei, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the African Union to consolidate ICT cooperation, it has been reported. The two parties will work on strengthening the partnership in the areas of IoT, artificial intelligence and 5G technology. AU’s tech team will receive training on how to combat cybersecurity while young Africans will be trained in order to improve their tech skills. “Huawei, strategic partner for the digitalization of Africa, is committed to providing the African Union with a unique experience that meets their expectations and needs, especially in terms of technology transfer and connectivity,” Huawei’s vice-president for Northern Africa, Philippe Wang, said of the agreement.

Vodafone signs agreement with Ghana’s Homechow app

Vodafone Ghana has signed an agreement with food delivery service provider, Homechow, to provide seamless payment solutions to Vodafone users, it has been announced. Homechow is a food delivery app with access to over 400 restaurants. The new deal with Vodafone will offer users discounts on selected deals, including a GH¢ 5 discount on delivery costs on Fridays, the report said. The deal is said to be a part of a drive towards creating a cash-lite society.

The Americas

US to probe antitrust breaches by big tech

The US is about to probe possible competition breaches by Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google, according to reports by Reuters. The four large tech companies will be investigated by the Federal Trade Commission as well as the Department of Justice. Big tech have been accused by lawmakers and competitors across the world for abusing their dominant positions to stifle competition. At the same time, politicians have accused big tech of suppressing conservative voices or of doing little to battle fake news.

Apple dissolves iTunes

Apple has dissolved iTunes and replaced them with Apple Music, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV, according to the BBC. The new apps will not allow log in with social media profiles but will require a new sign-in method to hide user email and data. The iTunes will still be accessible on Windows platforms. Apple also announced new privacy changes, one of which being that users will be able to disable tracking by marketing platforms.

US demands social media profiles of visa applicants

Some US visa applicants will have to provide their social media profiles according to new visa regulations, the BBC has said. In addition, applicants will have to provide all the email addresses and phone numbers they have used over the past five years. “We are constantly working to find mechanisms to improve our screening processes to protect US citizens, while supporting legitimate travel to the United States,” the US State Department said. Applicants who lied about their information could face serious repercussions.

Europe

Russia demands user data from Tinder

Russia is demanding dating app, Tinder, to comply to demands to hand over user messages and photos, the BBC has reported. New Russian rules now require companies to store information of their Russian users on Russian servers for up to six months. Businesses that refuse to heed the requests will be blocked from accessing Russian cyberspace. While authorities say they are trying to fight terrorism, critics say the government is stifling dissent. Messaging app, Telegram, has been banned due to its refusal to hand over private messages to the Russian government.

Huawei signs deal with Russian firm to develop 5G

Huawei has signed a deal with MTS, a Russian telecoms company, to help develop 5G technology in Russia. The fifth generation technology will be piloted in Russia in 2019 and 2020, MTS said. The deal was signed during a 3-day visit of Russia by China’s Xi Jinping, BBC reported. This comes in the wake of the US-China trade war as well as the US’s attempt to limit the use of Huawei technology among its allies.

Asia

Softbank to make $11.12 billion profit from Alibaba sale

Japan’s Softbank will reportedly rake in $11.12 billion profit after selling its shares in Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. The profit comes from a 2016 sale of Alibaba shares that allowed Softbank to purchase ARM, a chip designer. The shares had been worth only $20 million when they were purchased in 2000. This leaves Softbank’s share in Alibaba at 26% and worth $101 billion, Reuters has reported.

Rare earths prices soar in China

Prices of rare earths are soaring in China following reports the country could use it as a bargaining chip in its trade war with the US, Reuters says. Rare earths are used in many electronic devices like consumer electronics and military equipment. China has a dominant position in the supply of 17 elements that make up rare earths, contributing 80% of the US import of the products. Price of dysprosium metals that are used in metals increased some 14% since May, while neodymium, critical elements in the manufacture of turbines has risen 30%. “If China indeed weaponizes rare earths, the U.S. will not have enough supply because it needs some lead time to build their own processing capacity, which currently is zero,” Helen Lau of Hong Kong’s Argonaut Securities said.