Ghana Mulls Tax on Social Media Calls; Trump’s Facebook Ban Upheld; Millions at Risk From Old Internet Routers

Africa

Ghana mulls tax on social media calls

Ghana’s Ministry of Communications and Digitization is looking to introduce a tax on social media calls. The minister said the loss of revenue from mobile network operators to OTTs has led to a shortfall in government revenue.

Ajua acquires Kenya’s WayaWaya

Customer Experience Management service, Ajua, has acquired Kenya’s AI platform, WayaWaya. The Kenya-based platform uses machine learning to provide borderless payments across apps and social platforms.

Microsoft partners Nigerian government to train 5m Nigerians

Microsoft has penned a partnership agreement with the Federal Government of Nigeria to upskill some five million Nigerians. In addition, the tech giant aims to create 27,000 new digital jobs over the next three years.

Europe

Millions in UK at risk from old routers

Consumer watchdog, Which?, has said millions of users at security risk from using old internet routers. It said more than two-thirds of 13 routers offered to customers by Virgin Media, Sky, and EE had flaws, leaving users vulnerable to hackers.

Facebook shuts down Ukrainian influencer-for-hire network

Facebook has taken down a network of influencers targeting thousands of Ukrainians. The network included persons previously sanctioned for interfering in US elections.

France’s Shift Technology now valued at $1bn

French startup, Shift Technology, is now valued at $1 billion following a $220 million investment round. Shift develops software that helps insurers detect fraudsters.

The Americas

Donald Trump launches communications website

Donald Trump has launched a new website through which he will be communicating with the world. The former US president has been banned and/or suspended on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube since the January riots on Capitol Hill.

Trump’s Facebook ban upheld by oversight board

Facebook’s Oversight Board has upheld the network’s decision to ban Donald Trump. However, the Board questioned the ban’s indefinite nature, demanding a review of the decision.

IBM claims 2nm chip breakthrough

IBM claims to have achieved a breakthrough by creating a 2nm computer processor in its test lab. The new processor is allegedly 45% more efficient than the 7nm industry standard.

Asia

India leaves Huawei out of 5G trials

Both Huawei and ZTE have been left out of India’s latest 5G trials across the country. Meanwhile, a six month trial license has been granted to firms like Ericsson, Samsung, and Nokia in a move that could lock the Chinese firms out of 5G rollouts in India.

Telenor writes off Myanmar unit following coup

Norway’s telecoms operator, Telenor, has written off its Myanmar business unit due to its human rights situation. Following a February coup, Myanmar’s military leadership imposed network restrictions, leading to a first-quarter loss for Telenor.

Tesla to grant Chinese owners data access

Tesla says it is developing a platform that would grant owners in China access to data generated by their Tesla vehicles. This is the first time such access will be granted to Chinese owners.