Africrypt Founders Disappear Together with $3.6bn, Microsoft Launches Windows 11, and Chinese Crackdown Sends Bitcoin Tumbling

Africa

Africrypt founders disappear together with $3.6bn in Bitcoin

Two South African founders of Africrypt have gone missing together with $3.6 billion in Bitcoin. While one of the brothers had claimed their platform was hacked, investigations showed employees had lost access to the back-end days before the alleged hack.

Safaricom launches M-Pesa super app with offline mode

South Africa’s Safaricom has launched an M-Pesa super app with offline and mini app features. The features are part of a suite of apps designed for both businesses and customers to enable them complete transactions without data.

Ghana’s Tendo joins 2021 Google for Startups Accelerator

Ghanaian online trading platform, Tendo, has joined 14 other African startups firms in the sixth edition of Google for Startups Accelerator. Participants will receive up to $3 million in support and mentorship as well as access to technology advice.

Europe

EE to introduce Europe roaming charges

UK mobile operator, EE, will now charge customers who wish to use their data allowances across Europe. This makes EE, a member of the BT Group, the first telecom operator to reintroduce roaming charges since Brexit.

EU to set up emergency team against cyber attack

The European Union is taking steps to establish a Joint Cyber Unit to tackle cyber attacks plaguing countries and industries. The EU fears cyber attacks have become national threats after incidents soared from 432 to 756 between 2019 and 2020.

Amazon and Google probed over fake reviews

UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is probing Amazon and Google over alleged fake 5 star reviews used to mislead shoppers. The competitions watchdog is concerned about efforts from tech giants to fight these fake recommendations.

The Americas

Microsoft launches Windows 11 OS

Microsoft has unveiled a ‘next generation’ Windows 11 at a virtual event. Prominent among its features is the ability to run Android applications on the Windows desktop.

Snapchat removes speed filter

A feature that displayed how fast a user was travelling will no longer be available on Snapchat. While parent company Snap said the feature was removed due to a lack of use, it is also facing a legal suit from parents who allege the filter encouraged kids to drive at dangerous speeds.

Bitcoin to become legal tender in El Salvador

El Salvador has announced that Bitcoin will become legal tender in the country by September 7, 2021. While its use will be optional, there will be ATMs that allowed users to buy and sell Bitcoins.

Asia

Bitcoin tumbles amidst Chinese crackdown

Bitcoin has fallen below $30,000 for the first time in five months following a crackdown by the Chinese government. In addition to stopping mining in Sichuan province, the Chinese government has halted Bitcoin transactions in banks and payment platforms.

Facebook rejects talks with Australian publisher

Australia’s competition watchdog is looking into allegations that Facebook refused to negotiate licensing deal with a publisher. New online content law requires tech companies to negotiate licensing deals with traditional publishers in the country.

Japan’s Rakuten to use Cisco tech for 5G

Japan’s Rakuten Mobile announced that it would use Cisco’s routing technology to deploy its 5G networks and Internet of Things devices. This would make it the first company to use Open Radio Access Network to run functions in the cloud instead of relying on physical infrastructure.