Paris, France | AFP | France, which has long been sceptical of the growing power of US tech titans, is seeking to bypass Apple and Google for a smartphone app to help trace people infected with the novel coronavirus. The move, which leaves France relatively isolated in Europe alongside Britain and …
Read More »Huawei says ‘pernicious’ US chip restrictions threaten global economy
Shenzhen, China | AFP | Chinese technology giant Huawei on Monday assailed the latest US move to cut it off from semiconductor suppliers as a “pernicious” attack that will sow chaos in the global technology sector and other industries. The Commerce Department said on Friday it was tightening sanctions on Huawei — seen by Washington …
Read More »Nigeria seizes British plane for flouting virus flight ban
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria has seized a British plane for flouting a travel ban imposed as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the aviation minister said Sunday. Flair Aviation, the airline involved, was authorised to conduct humanitarian flights but was caught operating commercial flights, Hadi Sirika said on …
Read More »Team named to finalize set up of an Adhola TV, radio
Tororo, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Jago (Prime Minister) of The Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution (TACI) has named a team of 27 to finalize the set up of a television station, radio and online operations. A statement from the office of the Jago Obbo Richard Josel on Sunday stated that, …
Read More »Amazon hit from all sides as crisis highlights growing power
San Francisco, United States | AFP | As Amazon becomes an increasingly important lifeline in the pandemic crisis, it is being hit with a wave of criticism from activists, politicians and others who question the tech giant’s growing influence. Amazon has become the most scrutinized company during the health emergency. It …
Read More »US seek to cut off China’s Huawei from global chip suppliers
Washington, United States | AFP | US officials moved Friday to cut off Chinese tech giant Huawei from global chipmakers, ramping up sanctions on the company seen by Washington as a national security risk. The Commerce Department said it was broadening its sanctions enforcement to include semiconductor designs that are developed …
Read More »Activists allege TikTok violated agreement on child protection
Washington, United States | AFP | A coalition of consumer groups filed a complaint Thursday with US regulators claiming the popular video app TikTok has failed to live up to an agreement last year limiting data collection from children. The 20 organizations said in a Federal Trade Commission complaint that …
Read More »Massive cable project set to give Africa internet boost
Paris, France | AFP | Telecoms and internet giants unveiled Thursday a mammoth project to lay a subsea cable around Africa to boost internet access to the underserved continent. The consortium, which includes China Mobile International, Facebook, Orange and Vodafone, said a cable 37,000 kilometres (23,000 miles) long will make landfall in 16 countries in …
Read More »German 3D printing buffs pitch in with virus-fighting network
Darmstadt, Germany | AFP | The high-ceilinged workshop in Darmstadt is usually open to anyone — from hobbyists trying new machinery or techniques to high-tech startup workers tinkering with prototypes. During the coronavirus pandemic, it has been turned into a hub for dropping off plastic parts made at home by volunteers …
Read More »Virus-isolated silver surfers ride a new tech wave
London, United Kingdom | AFP | Before entering coronavirus lockdown with the rest of Britain in March, 73-year-old Pamela Cox had never shopped or banked online. Zoom was something you did with a camera lens. Now the retiree is one of many in her generation finding a new IT proficiency later …
Read More »