Google to Invest $1bn in Africa, Dutch Watchdog Says Apple Should Allow Third-Party Payment in App Store, and Twitch Suffers Massive Security Data

Africa

Google to invest $1bn in Africa

Google has announced plans to invest up to $1 billion in Africa. The investment will prioritize the startup scene as well as focus on building Google’s Equiano sea cable to boost internet access across the continent.

Nigeria to launch digital currency

Nigeria’s Central Bank has announced that it will soon launch its digital currency, the eNaira. The launch should take place in the next few days after crypto transactions were banned in February 2021.

MTN, Airtel to deploy 5G across Nigeria

Both MTN and Airtel are prepping their deployment of 5G infrastructure across Nigeria in 2022. The Nigerian Communications Commission has already provided trial 5G licenses to the firms to aid their subsequent rollout.

Europe

Sky to launch streaming TV

Sky has revealed plans to launch a streaming TV without the cumbersome satellite dish. The new Sky Glass will stream content over the internet, putting it into a costly competition with TV manufacturers, according to experts.

Twitch and TikTok under new Ofcom rules

Ofcom says it will expect video-sharing platforms like TikTok and Twitch to take better measures to protect their users. The new rules will see these platforms suffer a fine or suspended services in the event of a breach of these laws.

Dutch watchdog says Apple store payment anti-competitive

The Dutch antitrust agency has reportedly ruled that Apple requiring developers to use its in-app payment system is anti-competitive. The Netherlands’ Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has asked Apple to change that rule.

The Americas

Twitch suffers major data breach

Twitch has announced that it suffered a major data breach affecting the company and streamers’ data. Over 100GB of data was stolen, including the game-streaming platform’s source code and streamer revenue information.

Facebook accused of weakening democracy

A Facebook whistleblower has revealed that the social media site harms children and weakens democracy. Frances Haugen claims Facebook is putting profits ahead of safety instead of fixing the problems on the site.

Musk to move Tesla HQ to Texas

Elon Musk has said that Tesla’s headquarters will be moved from California to Texas. He told shareholders the reason was due to a jammed factory as well as difficulty in finding accommodation for Tesla’s workers.

Asia

Israel’s NSO ends Pegasus contract with UAE

Israel’s NSO Group has ended its Pegasus contract with the UAE after its Prime Minister was revealed to have used the software to hack his wife’s phone. The Group assured that it would not let its software be misused.

Taiwan’s TSMC defies White House over sensitive data

Taiwan’s chipmaker TSMC has said it will not hand over sensitive data as part of White House’s investigations into chip shortages. The US says it will resort to other methods if its voluntary request is not heeded.

Samsung sees best quarterly profits in three years

Samsung has registered its largest quarterly profit in three years following a shortage of chips across the world. The 28% jump in profits comes as chip prices rise due to COVID19 related supply restrictions.