54gene Named in Most Innovative Companies, Microsoft Takes Down Necurs Botnet, and Australia Sues Facebook

Africa

54gene named in World’s Most Innovative Companies list

African genomics research firm, 54gene, has been named in Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2020, it has been revealed. The list showcases businesses making important impact on industry by creating unique solutions to societal problems. The list contains such companies as Tesla, Microsoft, Canva, and Spotify. “This accolade recognises our efforts to use robust data from Africa to advance global healthcare discoveries, and we are honoured to be featured in Fast Company’s list of the world’s most innovative companies at such an early stage of our journey,” CEO Dr Abasi Ene-Obong said of the recognition. The CEO added that though Africa had the most varied genetic profile in the world, only 3% of genomic data used in pharmaceutical research comes from Africa. By bridging the gap in African genomic research, 54gene hopes to help provide healthy solutions for illnesses and diseases.

Ghana’s KIA named best airport in Africa

Ghana’s Kotoka International Airport has been named the best airport in Africa according to media reports. The airport was awarded Africa’s ‘Best Airport by Size and Region’ at the Airport Service Quality Awards organised by Airport Council International, ACI. KIA won the award for airports with passenger traffic of between two and five million. It also took home the Most Improved Airport in the year under review. “The Airport Service Quality Awards represent the highest possible recognition for airport operators around the world and recognize excellence in customer experience,” ACI World Director-General, Angela Gittens, noted.

Europe

UK government wins vote to allow Huawei in 5G network

The UK government has defeated rebelling MPs who wished to remove Huawei from 5G networks through a vote in parliament, it has been reported. Up to 38 conservative MPs had voted to amend the bill allowing Huawei’s participation in 5G network across the UK. Despite their number, the government pushed back and won by 24 votes. Culture Minister Matt Warman said “We will now engage intensively with colleagues across the House to make sure that we will make our case at every possible level…and we will underline that we will always put national security at the very top of our agenda.” Though the UK has agreed to allow Huawei into its 5G network, it has decided to avoid its parts in the core segments of the network.

UK to scrap VAT on e-books

The British Exchequer is moving to remove the 20% VT on e-books and online newspapers and magazines by December 1, the BBC has announced. This was announced as part of the Exchequer’s budget plans presented to parliament. The EU had given member states the right to scrap taxes on electronic goods in 2018. In the UK, some 600 authors had petitioned the government to drop the tax all together. “The government expects the publishing industry, including e-booksellers, to pass on the benefit of this relief to consumers,” the budget explained. Meanwhile, the Royal National Institute of Blind People, RNIBP,s have bemoaned the fact that audiobooks are not exempt from the 20% tax. “… for many people living with sight loss, audiobooks are their preferred format and allow them to enjoy their favourite titles in the same way as everyone else. It’s not right that they will continue to be charged 20% more for books and we urge the government to make sure that audiobooks are included in the exemption,” the RNIBP said.

The Americas

Microsoft takes down network of zombie bots

Microsoft has said it was part of an effort that took down an international network of zombie bots, it has been reported. The network, called Necurs, had infected up to nine million computers to create one of the largest botnets in the world. Necurs was used to steal personal information and send fake pharmaceutical emails. Microsoft said the successful operation took eight years of planning with partners across 35 countries. Together with its partners, Microsoft was able to predict the Necurs algorithm and block its instructions before they got executed. A botnet is a network of internet-connected devices used for running automated malicious tasks.

Amazon offers till-less technology to rivals

Amazon has offered its till-less technology to rival shops only a couple years after it was launched, the BBC has reported. The Just Walk Out System allows users to register a credit card upon entry into a shop. Then, using a smartphone app to scan each purchase, the goods are automatically debited from the card so customers walk out without going to a till after shopping. Amazon first rolled out this technology at its Go Grocery Chain where customers were able to make payments via their Amazon accounts. Customers’ Amazon accounts will not be used during checkout in partner firms, Amazon has said. “We only collect the data needed to provide shoppers with an accurate receipt,” Amazon said in a post. To work properly, Amazon would have to install a series of cameras and sensors that determine if a customer has picked up and stored a product or if the customer is only checking it out. “It’s far more lucrative for Amazon to license the technology to other retailers than to just use it in its own grocery stores,” NBK Retail’s Natalie Berg said, adding the roll-out would encourage rival tech firms to develop alternative systems.

Asia

Australia sues Facebook

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner is taking Facebook to court over its role in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, the BBC has reported. The privacy watchdog wants Facebook to be punished for infringing on the privacy of some 300,000 Australians, leaving their data “exposed to be sold and used for political profiling.” “Facebook failed to take reasonable steps to protect those individuals’ personal information from unauthorised disclosure,” the commissioner said. If found guilty, Facebook could be fined up to A$1.7 million for every serious infringement on privacy. On its part, Facebook said it had made changes to how it handled user data.

Israel’s NSO Group seeks court sanctions against Facebook

Israeli spyware maker, NSO Group, is calling on a California judge to sanction Facebook for refusing to abide by international laws in its lawsuit against the Israeli company, it has been reported. Facebook’s WhatsApp had sued NSO for using a flaw in its chat programme to hack into user smartphones. When NSO failed to show up in court, a notice of default was entered against the Israeli firm. However, NSO Group says it wasn’t served the summons according to the Hague Convention. According to court documents, NSO argued that Facebook “lied to the court in their application for default by stating that defendants had been served under the Hague Convention, when in fact, plaintiffs had been told by the government of Israel two days earlier that service under the Hague Convention was not complete, and the application for service needed to be resubmitted.” Facebook said it took steps necessary to ensure it abided by the Hague Convention and so called on the court to set aside the entry of default so the case may proceed.