tech news
It’s not just Technology that Secures an Organisation – it’s also People
The 2020 Security Culture Report collected data from more than 120,000 employees across 24 countries to find out exactly how deeply security was embedded in the company culture. Or not. South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, USA, UK, New Zealand, Norway and India were some of the countries included in the survey. The industries included Banking, Financial Services, Insurance, Education, Transport, and Energy and Utilities. The overall security culture scores were measured across seven dimensions that included Attitudes, Behaviours, Cognition, Communication, Compliance, Norms and Responsibilities. These were then further analysed against country and industry sector to provide a holistic global security overview. The results? Not what you might expect. “Asia has the highest securi...
Elon Musk Demonstrates Neuralink Brain Chip in Living Pig
Elon Musk has already revolutionized car and space travel. Now, the Tesla and Space X founder wants to change the way humans communicate. As previously reported, Musk’s latest start-up, Neuralink, is developing a computer-brain chip with the ability to communicate with external devices. The idea is to implant “gossamer-thin wires” — thinner than human hair — directly into a person’s brain. Upon its insertion, the chip could help people deal with brain and spinal cord injuries, detect an imminent threat of a heart attack or stroke, and even cure mental health issues and depression. Beyond the potential health benefits, the Neuralink could allow humans to communicate with one another instead of writing or speaking (something Musk refers to as “conceptual telepathy”). Music fans cou...
Vodacom Unveils Video-Streaming Bundles
Vodacom has introduced Video Play Time bundles which allow consumers to stream their favourite movies or series without using their regular mobile data. Video Play Time can be used to access unlimited series of health and fitness documentaries, news, gospel, Hollywood and South African movies, among many other interesting things to watch on Video Play. “Vodacom is more than just a telco. Our strategy is to expand our digital content platforms and strive to become a leading go-to brand for all things entertainment,” says Zubair Munshi, Executive Head of Video Commercial at Vodacom. “With Time Bundles and Video Play’s flexible subscription model, customers are not tied down to long-term contracts and can watch what they want and when they want to” /* custom css */ .tdi_3_9d9.td-a-rec-img{ te...
Airtel Nigeria Introduces New Unlimited Data Plans
Sourced from Comms MEA Airtel Nigeria has introduced a new range of unlimited data plans – known as ‘Unlimited Ultra Plans’. These have been designed for consumers who use Routers and Outdoor Unit’s (ODU). According to Airtel, these plans will offer telecom consumers the freedom to do more and become more productive without worrying about data speed reduction and utilization. With the New Unlimited Ultra Plans, consumers have four distinct packages to choose from which come with unlimited data, uncapped speed and applicable Fair Usage Policy (FUP): Unlimited Ultra Weekly – priced at N5,000, consumers can enjoy Unlimited Data for 7 days with a FUP of 30GB plus 1GB data daily after FUP Unlimited Ultra Standard – priced at N20,000, consumers can enjoy Unlimited Data for 30 days with a FUP of ...
South African Crypto Exchange Reaches 5 Million User Milestone
Luno has announced that has registered over 5 million customers in over 40 countries and has now made its platform available in Australia. The launch comes shortly after the crypto exchange revealed it would also be available in the UK. Marius Reitz, Luno’s GM for Africa, says that key factors in the decision to enter the Australian market also included the young age of the population as well as disposable income. “Our African expansion is moving steadily forward and we recently launched in Zambia and Uganda. Luno is on an expansion drive and the Australian crypto landscape ticked many of the boxes on our checklist.” Australia has seen a five-fold increase in the number of fintech companies in the past five years. Almost 60% of the digitally active adults in the country are considered fint...
Apple Reportedly Rejects Plans for New Facebook Feature
Facebook has revealed that Apple has rejected its plan to tell app users that “the iPhone maker would take a 30% cut of sales in a new online events feature, forcing Facebook to remove the message,” reports Reuters. Apple claims that such a message within the new feature, which would allow users to purchase buy tickets to online events, violates an App Store rule that prevents developers from showing users irrelevant information. Image sourced from The Verge In an official statement, Facebook says “Now more than ever, we should have the option to help people understand where the money they intend for small businesses actually goes. Unfortunately, Apple rejected our transparency notice around their 30 per cent tax but we are still working to make that information available inside the app ex...
LG Introduces Wearable Air Purifier
LG has unveiled its PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier – a ‘new level of portable protection’. According to the company, this wearable purifier will employ two H13 HEPA filters, similar to the filters used in LG’s home air purifier products. With its Dual Fans and patented Respiratory Sensor, LG’s wearable air purifier allows users to take in clean, filtered air while the Respiratory Sensor detects the cycle and volume of the wearer’s breath and adjusts the dual three-speed fans accordingly. The fans automatically speed up to assist air intake and slow down to reduce resistance when exhaling to make breathing effortless. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_8b8.td-a-rec-img{ text-align: left; }.tdi_3_8b8.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; } Ergonomically designed based on extensive facial shape analysis...
TikTok CEO Resigns
Image sourced from Evening Standard Kevin Mayer has resigned from his position as TikTok CEO amidst contention between the video-sharing platform and the Trump administration. The Financial Times reported that TikTok’s GM, Vanessa Pappas, will take over the CEO role in the interim. In an internal email, Mayer says “in recent weeks, as the political environment has sharply changed, I have done significant reflection on what the corporate structural changes will require, and what it means for the global role I signed up for.” “Against this backdrop, and as we expect to reach a resolution very soon, it is with a heavy heart that I wanted to let you all know that I have decided to leave the company.” In recent months, TikTok has been embroiled in a legal battle against US President Donald Trum...
PAIX Data Centres Expands into Kenya
PAIX Data Centres has begun construction of “PAIX Nairobi-1” data centre in Nairobi. This facility, which is expected to open in November, is part of the company’s accelerated Pan-African expansion. PAIX Nairobi-1 will be located at Britam Tower, the capital’s tallest office building and a prominent landmark located in Upper Hill. Upper Hill is Nairobi’s new financial district and commercial hub of East Africa with regional offices of various national and international financing institutions and multinationals. The adjacent new office facilities of Britam Tower make the location very attractive for international customers that are considering to open offices in Nairobi and prefer close proximity and 24×7 access to their critical data infrastructure. “We are delighted to host PAIX Data Cent...
Walmart and Microsoft Team Up to Try and Buy TikTok
Just when you thought the TikTok Royal Rumble couldn’t get any wilder, Walmart’s entrance music started to play. As CNBC reports, the Big Box chain is making a late move to acquire TikTok by tag-teaming with Microsoft. TikiTok is currently owned by the Beijing-based company ByteDance. By joining together, Microsoft and Walmart hope to fend off other deep-pocketed bidders, including the tech giant Oracle. CNBC guesses the final price tag will be between $20 and $30 billion, and a deal could happen within the week. Ever since a sale seemed likely, Microsoft has been connected to TikTok. But Walmart’s interest is new, and seems to stem from its desire to compete with Amazon Prime. In July, Walmart announced Walmart +, which is exactly what it sounds like: a Sam’s Club ripoff of more...
Spyware is Distributed Under the Guise of Android Apps
Sourced from Republic Title A new kind of Android spyware has been distributed by Transparent Tribe, a prolific APT group, under the guise of official COVID-19 applications – according to Kaspersky researchers. The threat actors have capitalised on the pandemic to extend their operations and infect mobile devices. Recent findings show that the group has been actively working on improving its toolset and expanding its reach to include threats to mobile devices. During the investigation, Kaspersky was able to find a new Android implant used by the threat actor to spy on mobile devices in attacks, which was distributed as fake national COVID-19 tracking apps. The connection between the group and the two applications was made thanks to the related domains that the actor used to host malic...
Fortnite’s Season Update will not Release on Apple Devices
Epic Games has confirmed that its newest Fornite season will not be available to Apple gamers. In an official statement, the game developer says that Apple is blocking said updates. “Apple is blocking Fortnite updates and new installs on the App Store, and has said they will terminate our ability to develop Fortnite for Apple devices. As a result, Fortnite’s newly released Chapter 2 – Season 4 update (v14.00), will not release on iOS and macOS on August 27.” And that’s not all, Epic Games confirmed to The Verge that “players on iPhone, iPad, and Mac will also lose cross-play Fortnite multiplayer with non-Apple platforms”. This comes in the midst of a massive brawl between the two companies over in-app payments and Apple alleged App Store monopoly. /* custom css */ .tdi_3_111.td-a-rec-img{ ...
