SA Farmers Get Free Satellite Farming Services, Amazon Replaces Workers with Machines, and Trump Declares National Emergency over IT Threats

Africa

Agri SA, Aerbotics launch free satellite farming service

Agri SA and Aerbotics are partnering to provide free satellite data to South African farmers, it has been reported. The partnership will enable SA farmers receive the latest data from the web-based Aeroview and In-Field Scouting application. Access to such data would give farmers in-depth analysis on the state of their farms, including the early stages of pest and disease infestation. Aerobotics uses drone technology to help farmers detect early cases of pest and disease infestation on farms. It is a member of the Agri SA chamber.

inDriver launches in South Africa

A new ride-hailing app, inDriver, has been launched in Cape Town, South Africa. The app, which already has about 3,000 drivers registered to its service will allow drivers and riders to bargain for the price of a ride. Called the Real Time Deal, the feature allows riders to set their route and anticipated price they are willing to pay. Drivers close by will then have the option to accept the fee, decline it, or bargain for a better price. It is believed passengers are paying 20%-30% less with this app than than with the competition, according to reports. inDriver also comes with 0% commission for drivers in the early stages of adoption.

The Americas

New Amazon machines will pack boxes and replace jobs

Amazon is introducing new machines to box customer orders and take up jobs previously undertaken by workers. The new sets of machines scan goods coming down a conveyor belt and wrap them up in custom boxes according to a report by Reuters. Amazon is looking to deploy such machines at many more of its locations which would eliminate at least 24 job roles at each warehouse. Rolling out the machines in all its US warehouses could see up to 1,300 job roles cut.

Trump declares national emergency due to IT threats

US President Donald J. Trump has declared a national emergency to protect American IT networks against international threats, the BBC has announced. The announcement came with an executive order that practically prevents American firms from using equipment from foreign companies deemed to pose national security risks. While no company is named, the BBC writes that Huawei could be the target based on past conditions. The current US-China trade war could also provide fodder or be influenced further by such a declaration, reports indicate. Some countries have banned the use of Huawei in their 5G infrastructure just as the US is pressing its allies to follow suit following allegations of the company’s ties with Beijing. Huawei has denied any wrong-doing and filed a lawsuit against the US government.

Europe

Driverless truck starts delivery in Sweden

Einride, a Swedish start-up has started freight deliveries using a driverless electric truck on public roads in Sweden, it has been revealed. The company is now talking to potential partners to scale the service up and deliver orders. Einride is courting investors in an A series funding round to raise about $10 million and is looking to team up with manufacturing companies. Robert Falck, Einride’s CEO, said, “Since we’re a software and operational first company, a partnership with a manufacturing company is something that we see as a core moving forward.” Einride’s truck doesn’t have a driver’s compartment and reduces road operating costs by up to 60%.

Italy to probe Google for abuse of dominant position

Italy’s antitrust watchdog will probe Google’s alleged abuse of its dominant position, according to reports by Reuters. The watchdog included in a report claims that Google refused to integrate Enel X Recharge Exchange in its Android Auto app. The app, developed by utility provider, Enel, allows users to manage all charging services available at private and public charging stations. Because Google has a dominant position in the smart device operating system market, the antitrust body is charging it for abusing its position to the detriment of others.

Asia

Chinese company cedes to US pressure to sell gay dating app

Beijing Kunlun Tech Co Ltd, a Chinese gaming company, has agreed to US demands to sell its gay dating app, Grindr, it has been reported. The demand came from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States which monitors acquisitions of US companies for potential national security risks. The Grindr app holds personal records like messages, locations, as well as HIV status of members. Kunlun has agreed to a June 2020 deadline to sell of Grindr and is working with investment bank, Cowen Inc to find potential buyers.

$14 app bypassing WhatsApp controls during India elections

Software costing as little as $14 are helping political activists to bypass WhatsApp controls, according to a Reuters report. WhatsApp had introduced restrictions to curb the spread of fake news that led to mob lynchings in India last year. The restrictions limited message forwarding to only five persons. New software are overcoming this restriction, allowing activists to reach thousands of people at a go. Some of the software include a free WhatsApp clone that doesn’t have the limitations on the Facebook-owned app. Others included automation of message delivery on WhatsApp, while another involved a website where members of political parties could upload bulk messages to users.