tech news
Facebook Moves to Ban Holocaust Denial Content
Mark Zuckerberg is finally taking some responsibility for how his platform impacts the culture at large. After blocking misinformation from Trump, cracking down on election interference, and banning QAnon, Facebook is now moving to ban Holocaust denial content. Advocacy groups have for years called on Zuckerberg, who himself is Jewish, to take control of posts and groups denying the Holocaust. In 2018, the Facebook CEO said he resisted such demands on grounds of freedom of speech, particularly the difference between simply being incorrect and stirring hatred or violence. “I don’t think that they’re intentionally getting it wrong,” Zuckerberg said at the time. However, he’s now reversed course, announcing that Facebook’s updated hate speech policy will include anything “that denies or disto...
Amazon Prime Day: Get Discounts for Audio, TV, and Tech Products
This year’s Prime Day goes down Tuesday, October 12th and Wednesday, October 13th. During this 48-hour period, Amazon and other major retailers will be offering large discounts on tens of thousands of products. Additionally, here at Consequence of Sound we’ll be offering clearance pricing for several items available on our official webstore. When it comes to Amazon specifically, in order to get the most out of Prime Day you’ll need an Amazon Prime membership. Those go for $12.99 per month, but you can sign up for a free 30-day trial. Along with Prime Day discounts, subscribers will have access to Amazon’s premium music and TV series, as well as free two-day shipping. Below, you’ll find early Prime Day deals for audio, television, and tech products, as well as CoS merch. We’ll do our best t...
Why it’s Critical to Nurture Female Talent in Technology
Gender imbalance isn’t just another challenge that companies need to overcome, it could be considered one of the biggest obstacles facing the global tech sector today. This is something we’re seeing across many regions, including Sub-Saharan Africa. To start, the tech sector is facing a talent shortage problem: there aren’t enough professionals in the existing technology pipeline to fill the positions that are expected to open in the next decade. In fact, Korn Ferry estimates that by 2030, the global tech workforce will be short 4.3 million employees. Achieving greater gender diversity in the sector can help close this huge gap, tapping into the half of the population that has so far been left behind. The technology sector also thrives on innovation, which is driven by diverse thinking. As...
MTN Appoints New CEO in Liberia
MTN has appointed Rahul De – current CMO of MTN Nigeria – to CEO of its operations in Liberia – starting 1 November. replaces Uche Ofodile who departed Lonestar Cell MTN in July to become the CEO of MTN Benin. With 23 years of experience in the telco space, ranging across multiple geographies, De has spent the last two decades in senior leadership roles driving growth and leading business transformation. “I would like to congratulate Rahul on his appointment,” says Ralph Mupita, MTN Group president and CEO. “Rahul is a seasoned leader renowned for driving innovative digital and FinTech advancement in our business and in the telecommunications industry.” De joined MTN in 2011 as Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana, a position he held for over four years before he joined MTN Nigeria in 2015...
Only 19% of Women Use Internet in Uganda, Study Shows
Women in Uganda use the Internet far less than men according to a new survey from the World Wide Web Foundation which found that 27% of men in the country are online, compared with just 19% of women. Uganda had by far the largest gender gap in internet access among four countries included in the survey of women’s online experiences. In Ghana, which also featured in the study, men were just 6% more likely to be online than women, compared with 43% in Uganda. Total internet use in Uganda remains low at 23% of the population, while Ghana has reached 30%. The exclusion of women from the digital society is a huge threat to progress on gender equality and denies women opportunities to improve their lives, the report warns: “The internet is one of the most empowering technologies the world has ev...
MTN Named Best Mobile Network in South Africa
MTN has the best mobile network in South Africa, according to findings from the Q3 2020 Mobile Network Quality Report. The report, from MyBroadband Insights, shows that South Africans had an average mobile download speed of 29.16Mbps and an average upload speed of 11.46Mbps. To determine the best mobile network in South Africa, a “Network Quality Score” out of 10 was calculated for each network using download speed, upload speed, and latency. MTN reigned supreme with a Network Quality Score of 9.68, followed by Vodacom on 5.99, Telkom on 5.16, Cell C on 4.27, and Rain on 3.74. Here’s a closer look at the mobile network rankings: /* custom css */ .tdi_3_1f1.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_1f1.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Network Operator Download Speed (Mbps) Upload ...
Important Considerations when Selecting a Payroll Service Provider in Africa
In my years of experience in the African payroll market, I have come across various companies and individuals who consider themselves to be payroll experts. However, when questioned deeper, and based on the complexities associated with servicing payroll across multiple African countries (each with their own legal, customary and operational nuances), it has become apparent that many have misconstrued their knowledge or are in fact primarily relying on their payroll service providers to deliver compliant solutions. In 2019, Deloitte conducted a payroll benchmarking survey which collated responses from 750 different organisations operating across 55 countries. 73% of the companies who participated already outsource some components of their payroll and a key finding of the survey was that sour...
Why Technology is Key to Maintaining Business Continuity during the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced almost all businesses to change their working practices and priorities in a matter of weeks, with the findings from the 2020 Internet of Things (IoT) Spotlight report showing that 71% of SA adopters increased the pace of IoT projects during this time. Adopters clearly believe IoT was vital to keep them going: 88% said the technology was key to maintaining business continuity during the pandemic. As a result, the majority of adopters (91%) now view the integration of IoT devices with workers as a higher priority and 83% of SA businesses considering this technology agree the pandemic will accelerate their adoption of it. IoT is key to improving business performance in South Africa The Vodafone Business research findings are clear: IoT continues to generate va...
The Future of Micro-finance in Emerging Markets
The pandemic has emphasised, beyond a point of reasonable doubt, the importance of technology to our modern world. Just as video calling and messaging have allowed us to work, study and socialise, fintech has played a similarly critical role in ensuring that people can still access the banking system. However, entirely too many people still lack access to financial services, leaving them without recourse in these unprecedented times. Financial inclusion is vital if we are to ignite economic growth, yet major obstacles remain. Reports suggest that as many as 40% of Nigerians are excluded from the banking system. To bring basic banking to everybody, we must still contend with limited access to technology, insufficient infrastructure, isolated areas, jealous hoarding of data by traditional in...
Plumbing and IOT in South Africa
Officially, South Africa is a country with a water-scarce rating. This is not a surprise for anyone that lives in Cape Town. Drought conditions have been endured for a long time, moving the city towards countless moments when water is simply not available. Farmers often struggle because of water scarcity and low yield. Water stands out as a finite resource. It now finally gets attention at a global state. The UN has numerous sustainability goals and water is on the top of the list. Unfortunately, often leaks appeared and countless water pipe breakages impacted water levels and water supply. According to fixitrightplumbing.com.au, numerous preventable leaks weaken infrastructures and the real problem is that sustainability is very low. In the entire plumbing industry, we see spe...
LCA could Retract Vodacom’s Operating Licence
Vodacom has revealed that the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) could revoke its license to operate in the country. According to TechCentral, the LCA has imposed a R134-million fine for ‘allegedly flouting its licence conditions and for allegedly being in breach of local legislation governing companies’. In an official response, Vodacom says that it plans on lodging an urgent high court interdict – while assuring local customers that business will continue as usual. “In the same application, Vodacom will be challenging the lawfulness of the LCA’s decision, set out in a notice dated 8 October 2020, revoking its unified licence,” it said. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_441.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_441.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Vodacom Lesotho MD, Philip Amoateng sa...
Use of Digital Payments is Growing Rapidly in South Africa
Sourced from Htxt.Africa The accelerating rate at which retail merchants are enabling consumers to pay digitally at point of sale is said to be fueling the growth of digital payments in South Africa. This is according to FNB, which revealed that its Scan-to-Pay and Tap-to-Pay functionality on the FNB APP recorded the highest month-on-month usage growth in August 2020 since launch. The Bank states that month-on-month transaction volumes on Scan-to-Pay – which allows users to scan a QR Code to make secure payments at a physical point of sale or on an online merchant website – grew by 36% in August while values increased by 39%. Similarly, month-on-month usage of Tap-to-Pay functionality – which allows users to pay for goods by simply tapping their smartphone to pay at a point of sale – incre...
