Internet Returns in Uganda, London Cabbies to Sue Uber, and President Biden Invites Coders Using Hidden Code

Africa

Internet returns in Uganda

Internet access has returned to Uganda after it was banned ahead of last week’s general elections. Social media is still blocked, however.

Binance to train 1000 African developers in first quarter of 2021

World-leading cryptocurrency exchange Binance will train 1000 African developers by end of 2021 Q1. The developers will be able to build their own apps on the Binance Smart Chain network.

Autochek begins operations in Ghana

Automotive technology firm Autochek has commenced its Ghana operations after opening its first office in Accra. The firm uses tech to create a market place for dealers in the automotive industry.

Europe

UK to use robotics to decommission nuclear sites

The United Kingdom is looking to implement a plan with the Japanese government to use robotics to decommission nuclear sites in Fukushima and Sellafield. The robotic arms would reduce health risk and be faster as well.

Malware found on government-issued laptop

Laptops given to vulnerable children in the UK to aid homeschooling have been found to be infected with malware reportedly communicating with Russian servers. The Department of Education is investigating the report.

London cabs to sue Uber for damages

A group of London cabbies are planning to sue Uber for operating unlawfully. The suit accuses Uber of failing to follow the rules for hiring private drivers between 2012 and 2018.

The Americas

US panel wants Parler app investigated over Capitol attack

The House Oversight and Reform Committee of the US House of Representatives has asked the FBI to investigate Parler app’s role in the January 6 Capitol attack.

President Biden calls for coders in hidden message on White House website

The new White House website’s HTML code included a hidden call to coders to join the US Digital Service. The code, meant to attract programmers savvy enough to find it, read, “if you are reading this, we need your help building back better.”

Departing FCC chair cautions over threats from Chinese telecom

Ajit Pai, outgoing Federal Communications Commission chair, has warned the US over potential Chinese espionage via telecommunications network. He claims threat to free speech would be strongest over the next four years.

Asia

Samsung heir sentenced to prison over bribery

Samsung heir Lee Jae Yong has been sentenced to a thirty-month jail term over a bribery scandal. South Korea’s ex-president, was also jailed over the same bribery allegation.

Indian parliament questions Facebook over WhatsApp privacy policy

An Indian parliamentary panel questioned Facebook why it needed to change WhatsApp’s privacy terms. The committee demanded answers about how the new rules would affect users.

China to tighten antitrust rules for fintech

China’s central bank is planning to tighten antitrust rules for companies operating in the non-bank payments industry. This would give regulators the power to break up companies abusing their dominant positions in the industry.