Financial Conduct Authority warns bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies have no intrinsic value
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
July 2019
Louisiana Declares State Of Emergency After Ransomware Attacks
Spate of ransomware attacks on school systems leads state Governor last week to declare a state of emergency
OneWeb Satellite Network Fails To Gain Russian Approval
Russia continues to say 'net' to British firm's plan to offer broadband satellite services in that country
AI Mind-Reading To Help Paralysed People Speak
Facebook funded university project to use AI to read minds of paralysed patients and allow them to communicate
Openreach Announces New FTTP Locations
Acceleration of fibre to the premise (FTTP) program at Openreach, with the addition of 36 new locations
Apple Profits Slide Again, As Wearables, Services Grow
iPhone slowdown. Revenues from wearables and services helped offset another slump in iPhone sales during last quarter
Swiss Post Suspends Drone Delivery Trials Following Crash
Tests of drone-based medical delivery system halted after delivery drone's parachute malfunctions, causing it to crash 50 yards from group of playing children
Google Reveals Multiple Remote iPhone Flaws
Bugs discovered by Google's Project Zero can be exploited with no user interaction to execute malicious code - with one flaw still remaining to be fixed
Huawei’s Delayed 5G Handset Arrives In UK
Huawei's Mate 20 X (5G) now selling in the UK, set to be joined by the Honor 20 Pro photography-oriented smartphone on Thursday following blacklist delays
Huawei Sees ‘Difficulties’ Ahead As Revenues Surge
Revenues jumped by 23 percent and smartphone sales by 24 percent in the first half, ahead of US blacklist move in May
Giffgaff Fined £1.4m For Overcharging Millions Of Customers
Billing error meant customers were effectively charged twice after purchasing prepaid bundles of minutes, text messages and data
Suspect Arrested In Capital One Bank Breach Affecting 106m Customers
Home of former Seattle software engineer raided after July theft of personal details of millions of credit card applicants
Researchers Crack £30 Limit On Contactless Visa Cards
Using an interception device, researchers trick cards, terminals and mobile wallets into making payments over the limit with no additional verification
Intel Driver Compatibility Issue Blocks Latest Windows 10 Update
'Compatibility hold' bars update for users with certain Intel storage drivers installed, while latest cumulative update fixes latency problem
Destructive 15-Year-Old Worm Still Infecting New Systems
MyDoom worm disabled Google 15 years ago and continues to take over more computers via infected emails, finds Palo Alto Networks
Top EU Court Says Websites Liable For Facebook ‘Like’ Button Data
Decision makes websites and Facebook jointly responsible for collecting user data via 'Like' button plugins, potentially meaning 'serious repercussions'
Just Eat To Merge With Takeaway.com In £8bn Deal
The combination creates one of the biggest players in the online food delivery market, with operations in Europe, Israel and Vietnam
Libra Cryptocurrency Scams Found On Facebook, Instagram
Facebook's own platforms found to be used in scams related to Libra cryptocurrency, adding to regulatory pressure over the controversial plans
Australia To Police Facebook, Google Algorithms For Privacy Violations
World first dedicated office in Australia to police the likes of Google and Facebook and their algorithms
Alphabet Results Ease Advertising Slowdown Worries
Advertising sales drive profit and sales growth at Google parent, beating Wall Street expectations
Apple Spends $1bn To Acquire Intel Modem Biz
Chip independence? Apple makes its second ever largest acquisition with Intel modem unit purchase
John McAfee Freed After Dominican Republic Detention
Colourful former security tycoon freed after being detained earlier this week by the army in Dominican Republic
BT Opts For Canonical For 5G Core Build
Open source move for telco as it opts for Canonical as key partner for 5G services delivery
Johannesburg Power Company Crippled By Ransomware
South African power firm suffers ransomware attack that cripples its databases, applications and network
Samsung Galaxy Fold To Relaunch In September
Take two. Samsung says September will see relaunch of its Galaxy Fold in selected markets
O2 To Launch 5G Network In October
Last of the UK's 5G network to arrive in October, but Huawei equipment will not be utilised
Sky Customers Told To Change Passwords – Report
Incident or just best practice? Sky urges account holders to change passwords, prompting speculation of an incident
Facebook To Pay Record $5bn Fine For FTC Settlement
“But we only budgeted $3bn!” Zuckerberg and co going to have dig into the kitty to pay mammoth penalty
German Industrial Giants Attacked By Chinese Hackers – Report
Blue chip German industrial firms have confirmed cyber attacks, which are being blamed on state-backed Chinese group
Cybercrime Costs £2.3m Every Minute, RiskIQ Warns
Cost implications of cyber threats revealed after report malicious activity on the internet cost £1.2 trillion last year
Vodafone, O2 Agree 5G Network Site Sharing Deal
Good news for 5G. Equipment and site sharing for 5G network agreed between O2 and Vodafone
DoJ Announces Anti-Trust Probe Of Tech Firms
'Market leading online platforms' face DoJ investigation over alleged anti-competitive practices
Google To Settle ‘Wi-Spy’ Street View Data Slurping Lawsuit
Search engine giant expected to pay a mere $13m to end lawsuit over Street View data harvesting
Lancaster University Admits ‘Sophisticated Phishing Attack’
Student data has been compromised Lancaster University admits, after 'sophisticated and malicious phishing attack'
Facebook Flaw Allowed Kids To Join Unauthorised Chats
Facebook quietly fixes design flaw with Messenger Kids app that allows kids to join unauthorised chats
What is the Hybrid Cloud?
As businesses expand their use of cloud-based services, a hybrid cloud approach to developing the network infrastructures they need is fast becoming the norm. What is the hybrid cloud, and what impact is this approach to cloud services ...
Apple In ‘Advanced Talks’ To Acquire Intel Modem Business
Another report has suggested that Apple is close to acquiring Intel’s smartphone modem business
Russian Intelligence Contractor Hacked, Secret Projects Exposed
Hack of contractor working for Russian intelligence reveals exactly what cyber secrets Russia is seeking to expose
Government Delays Decision On Huawei 5G Involvement
Frustrated operators? UK not yet in a position to make a decision about Huawei, minister confirms
Third Of European Businesses Not GDPR Compliant
Over a year since it was introduced, 30 percent of European organisations are still not GDPR compliant
Huawei Says Hongmeng OS Will Not Replace Android
Chinese firm insists that Android will continue as smartphone OS, and that Hongmeng is not a replacement
Republicans Urge Trump Not To Delay Pentagon Cloud Contract
Republicans ask President Trump not to delay Pentagon cloud project for which Amazon is competing
Why the hybrid cloud is the future of retailing
The cloud has transformed retail businesses. Enterprises are now leveraging the hybrid cloud to transform their internal data processes and also deliver the next-generation services that the omnichannel now demands.
Google Faces Play Store Challenge From Tinder – Report
Dating app is latest to challenge app store fees, with payment system that entirely avoids Google Play store
4G Mobile Coverage To Arrive On The Tube In 2020
London Underground is to have 4G access across entire Tube network by mid 2020, TfL announces
Equifax To Pay $700m For Data Breach Settlement
Very costly. Equifax reportedly to pay hundreds of millions of dollars for data breach settlement with US regulators
Qualcomm Fined £217m By EU For ‘Predatory Pricing’
Chip giant used 'predatory pricing' to drive a British competitor out of the market for 3G phone hardware
Microsoft Generates More Money From Cloud Than Windows
Nadella's legacy. Revenues from the cloud overtake sales from Windows for the first time ever at Microsoft
Huawei Decision A ‘Matter Of Urgency’ For Next PM
Decision time. Committee of MPs urges next Prime Minister of the UK to make Huawei 5G decision “urgently”
Head Of Europol Says Police Need 5G Surveillance Tools
Law enforcement will lose ability to carry out surveillance when 5G networks replace 4G, police boss warns
MPs Call For Facial Recognition Halt
Influential group of MPs call on police to suspend the use of automatic facial recognition technologies
Vodafone Wins Approval For Liberty Global Asset Acquisition
Deutsche Telekom not happy after European Union gives Vodafone's Liberty Global deal its antitrust blessing
Symantec, Broadcom Axe Acquisition Talks – Report
Symantec reportedly walks away from acquisition talks with Broadcom, after disagreement about price
Skype To Lose SMS Connect Feature In August
Ability of Android users to receive and respond to SMS messages in Skype to be phased out next month
FaceApp Faces Call For Security Probe
Paranoid or sensible? US Senator demands probe of app that ages people's faces, over Russian connection
Email Scammers Reaping Huge Rewards, Study Shows
Email scammers making over $300 million per month in America, US Treasury department warns
Elon Musk Predicts AI Computer Interface For Human Brain
Chip implanted in the human brain by NeuraLink could allow 'symbiosis with artificial intelligence'
Congress Moves To Block Trump’s Relaxing Of Huawei Blacklist
US lawmakers introduce bills to maintain tight restrictions on blacklisted Huawei
Google Cancels Controversial ‘Project Dragonfly’
Pressure from staff. Android search engine app for Chinese market cancelled by Google
Vodafone Expands UK’s 5G Network
5G network expanded into 15 towns and cities in the UK, coupled with 55 locations in Europe
Arrest After Bulgaria Suffers Damaging Cyber Attack
Nearly all seven million Bulgarian adults have reportedly had their personal data compromised
Microsoft Puts Amazon’s Alexa On Windows 10 Lock Screen
Feature arrives in a test Windows 10 build aimed for final release later this year, along with enterprise and security updates
Adobe, Microsoft, SAP Demonstrate First Open Data System
The Open Data Initiative, announced last autumn to create a common data model for customer data, could pose a competitive threat to Salesforce
Western Digital Expands NVMe Range For Accessibility, Higher Density
Company aims to make speedy NVMe data centre storage more accessible, while new tech doubles density through support for 15TB SSDs
France To Approve First Cryptocurrency Firms Under New Rules
France is looking to attract initial coin offerings and other cryptocurrency-related organisations amidst controversy over Facebook's Libra
Facebook Promises Congress It Will Address Libra Cryptocurrency Concerns
Company's comments follow criticism of Libra by US Treasury Secretary and Chairman of Federal Reserve amidst broader scepticism and hostility
Cyber-Security Watchdog Foils Airport Fraud Scheme
NCSC security agency stops phishing scams and helps reduce online fraud impersonating HMRC as part of 'active' cyber defence programme
Cloudera Moves To All-Open Source Model In Major Shift
Amidst financial troubles and departure of chief executive Tom Reilly, company says it wants to emulate success of pure open source pioneer Red Hat
US Signals Huawei Sales Could Recommence ‘In Two Weeks’
But Chinese firm is already planning massive layoffs at its US research and development subsidiary as trade restrictions bite
MPs: No Technical Grounds For Huawei Ban
Committee finds Chinese gear could be safely allowed in some areas of 5G networks, but says there may be 'geopolitical or ethical grounds' to shut Huawei out
Facebook Fined $5bn Over Cambridge Analytica Scandal
But FTC refrains from imposing strict limits on Facebook's data practices, adding to criticism that the penalty is a slap on the wrist
AI Pioneer Alan Turing To Feature On £50 Note
The mathematician, whose early AI contributions included the 'Turing test', is lauded for his wartime codebreaking work and his ongoing legacy
Galileo Satellite Navigation System Suffers Major Outage
Disruption means receivers are not picking up usable signals 'until futher notice', reportedly due to a fault at a ground station in Italy
IBM Touts AI For Wimbledon Highlights, App Experience
Big Blue's 30 year partnership at Wimbledon continues with AI used to power App and highlights programme
Apple Restores OurPact App After Privacy Row
Parental control app restored to Apple's App Store after it, along with others, were purged earlier this year
Home Secretary Backs Police Facial Recognition Trials
Sajid Javid fires back at criticism and says police have to use the latest tech tools to solve crimes
Apple Co-Founder Wozniak Warns People To ‘Get Off Facebook’
Steve Wozniak urges people to ditch Facebook over ongoing concerns at its privacy implications
Google Admits Contractors Listen To Home Speaker Recordings
'Language experts' used to study small 'snippets' of user recordings gained from Google Home smart speakers
25 Million Android Phones Infected With Fake Apps
'Agent Smith' malware replaces legitimate installed apps (such as WhatsApp) with malicious versions
Fed Boss Calls On Facebook To Halt Libra Digital Currency
Not so fast Mark. Chief of US Federal Reserve calls on Facebook to halt its Libra digital currency plans
Apple Disables Watch Walkie-Talkie App
Vulnerability could have allowed people to listen in, so Apple takes decision to disable app
President Trump Orders French Digital Tax Investigation
French plan to impose 3 percent tax on French revenue of large tech firms prompts US investigation
Microsoft To Open Retail Store In Central London
Redmond finally remembers the consumer market, as it readies opening of new retail outlet in heart of London
US Signals Huawei Ban Relaxation
US will issue licences to companies exporting goods to Huawei, so long as there is no national security threat
Zoom App Flaw Allows Mac Camera To Be Turned On Remotely
Zoom video conferencing app on Apple Macs contain zero-day vulnerability that allows for camera exploit
Watchdog Warns Police Over Use Of Facial Recognition
Police warned about data protection implications of using of facial recognition technology
Securing the Hybrid Cloud: Data breaches, ransomware, phishing and more
As enterprises continue to develop their hybrid cloud architectures, more sensitive information has the potential to become exposed. Learn about the current compliance issues and how enterprises are approaching their security protocols ...
NHS Teams Up With Alexa For Health Advice
Doctor Alexa? NHS to provide health advice via Amazon's AI-driven Alexa personal assistant
Marriot International Faces £99m Fine For Data Breach
GDPR consequence. British data protection watchdog plans to fine hotel chain £99 million for data breach
Google Cloud Acquires Storage Start-Up Elastifile In Latest Buy
Google Cloud chief executive Thomas Kurian has made a series of acquisitions this year as he seeks to give the service an edge against Amazon and Microsoft
Banks Stay Away From Facebook’s Libra Over Regulatory Risk
Banks also cite their own competing payment projects and past failed digital wallets as reasons to be sceptical of Libra
Cisco To Buy Acacia Communications For £2.28bn
Acquisition is aimed at adding cutting-edge pluggable optics to Cisco's networking portfolio
TfL Begins Collecting Data On Tube Passengers This Week
The anonymous tracking data is to be used to help passengers avoid congestion and improve transport policy
Facebook EU Privacy Challenge Raises Prospect Of Data Disruption
Case opening this week in European Court of Justice could invalidate legal basis for transfer of citizens' data to any country outside the European Union
Huawei’s First 5G Handset Set To Arrive In UK This Month
Launch of the Mate 20 X (5G) in Europe had been in doubt after Huawei was placed on a US national security blacklist in May
Financial Conduct Authority Proposes Ban On Crypto-Derivatives
FCA finds that derivatives and ETNs referencing crypto-assets are 'poor products' and too risky to be sold to retail investors
Study: NHS ‘Remains Vulnerable’ To WannaCry-Style Cyber-Attacks
The NHS requires 'urgent' investment into cyber-security, with security built into new technologies from the beginning, say Imperial College London researchers
All Four UK Telecoms Operators ‘Working With Huawei’ On 5G
The collaboration could prove risky if government decides to ban Huawei on national security grounds, as requested by the US
Waymo Tests On-Board Perks To Lure Riders For Driverless Taxi Fleet
As it trials commercial robotaxi service in Arizona, Waymo is looking for ways to make its driverless rides more attractive than conventional ride-sharing
BA Faces Record £183.39m Fine For Massive Data Breach
The fine, intended to penalise 'poor security arrangements' that allowed the attack to take place, is the largest ever announced by the ICO and its first under new GDPR rules
NHS Needs Urgent Investment In Cybersecurity
Outdated computers, lack of investment, and sparsity of skills means the NHS remains vulnerable to hackers
US Government Seeks Huawei Lawsuit Dismissal
Chinese firm's legal action against US blacklisting challenged, as US government seeks dismissal
Boris Johnson Calls For Digital Tax On Tech Giants
Candidate to be prime minister says current tax arrangements for tech giants is 'deeply unfair' to the high street
EU Votes Against Wi-Fi-Based Car Standard
Victory for 5G? European nations defeat attempt to create a Wi-Fi-based car standard
Amazon Keeps Alexa Voice Recordings Indefinitely
Amazon admission in letter to US senator re-ignites privacy row over Alexa and its range of smart speakers
Facial Recognition Used By Police Fails To Correctly ID Suspects
Oh boy. Facial recognition technology used by police gets identities wrong 81 percent of the time, study finds
Man Arrested For Pouring Water Over Baidu CEO
CEO attacked. Chinese police have arrested a man who poured water over the CEO of Baidu
Exports To Huawei Still Subject To ‘Highest Scrutiny’
Easing Huawei blacklisting? Not really, as US Commerce Dept insists it will apply highest national security scrutiny
Facebook, WhatsApp Hit By Photo Glitch
Normal services resumed. Photo glitch with Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Messenger now resolved
Broadcom In ‘Advanced Talks’ To Acquire Symantec
Another software move for chipmaker, as Broadcom reportedly seeks to acquire security veteran Symantec
Chinese Border Guards Install Spy App On Tourist Phones – Report
Surveillance state. Android phones belonging to tourists reportedly have spy app secretly installed
Vodafone Offers Unlimited Data After 5G Switch On
Second 5G network goes live in seven UK cities, with unlimited data plans for businesses and consumers
Samsung Boss Admits Rushing Galaxy Fold Launch
Launch flop of hugely expensive folding smartphone 'embarrassing', admits CEO of Samsung
Sir Jony Ive’s Soul Had Left Apple Years Ago – Report
Chief designer spent the last couple of years distancing himself from Apple and rarely came into the office
Equifax Former CIO Jailed For Insider Trading
DoJ - Former CIO knew of breach and opted to excise his stock options before breach became public
Ireland Opens Third Apple Data Protection Probe
European regulators are tightening their grip on multinationals including Apple, Facebook, Twitter and Google as stricter GDPR rules come into play
Microsoft Teases Launch Of ‘Windows 1.0’
Users taken off-guard as Microsoft rolls out 1980s-era logos and imagery across its Windows social media accounts
Financial Services Firms Report 1,000 Percent Rise In Cyber Incidents
Phishing and ransomware top the list of cyber-attacks reported to the Financial Conduct Authority amidst stricter transparency requirements
BT To Launch 5G Services This Autumn
BT broadband users are to get first access to 5G services running on EE's mobile network, which launched in parts of London, Cardiff, Belfast, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Manchester in May
Facebook Campus Given All-Clear After ‘False Positive’ Sarin Alert
Four postal warehouses were evacuated on Monday after parcel erroneously tested positive for sarin nerve agent
Microsoft Set To Pull Plug On Books Purchased From Microsoft Store
As it pulls out of e-book sales, the company is to remove access to all books aquired from the Microsoft Store over the past two years
Google Unveils Developer Site For Mystery ‘Fuchsia’ Operating System
The open source project runs on Google's custom 'Zircon' kernel, and some have speculated it could be the successor to Android
Microsoft In The Lead As Cloud Software Market Hits $100bn
Annual sales of cloud software hit £79bn with long-established software vendors dominating the top five, but cloud-native firms showing the strongest growth
MIT’s ‘Gen’ Aims To Make AI Techniques More Accessible
Researchers aim for a system similar to Google's TensorFlow, but with the flexibility to bring in a broader gamut of AI approaches
US To Relax Huawei Trade Ban Under China Trade Talks Deal
The US is to issue licences to some companies to sell to Huawei under a deal between the US and China to resume talks
EU Requires New Electric Cars To Emit Noise
The new regulations come in response to complaints that electric vehicles pose a danger to pedestrians because they are too quiet
New Rules Allow Users To Switch Mobile Providers With A Single Text
From Monday users can switch to a new provider within one working day without notice period charges