Police sell off cryptocurrency seized from TalkTalk hacker Elliott Gunton, in a case that is the first of its kind for a UK police force
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
September 2019
Government Announces £5bn Investment Into ‘Gigabit-Capable’ Networks
Funding promise comes as government seeks full coverage of the UK by fibre, 5G and other 'gigabit-capable' networks by 2025
Researchers Crack PDF Encryption
Two variants of 'PDFex' attack could allow PDF documents to be modified so that their contents are automatically exfiltrated to an attacker
‘Less Than One-Third’ Of Companies Fully GDPR-Compliant
Capgemini finds firms struggle with legacy IT systems, complex requirements and mounting costs to bring themselves into line with strict data protection rules
How the digital workplace is affecting employees’ work/life balance
Employees’ ability to disconnect outside of working hours seems nothing more than wishful thinking, the quest for decent quality of working life encourages us to rethink this delicate balance between taking employees’ personal needs in ...
Libra Cryptocurrency Launch ‘May Be Delayed’ Over Regulatory Concerns
Head of Libra Association says group's priority is to make sure regulators are 'fully on board' and emphasises currency's independence from Facebook
SpaceX Shows ‘Starship’ Mars Rocket Prototype
Giant stainless-steel space vehicle is set to begin tests in the coming weeks, as SpaceX system for delivering crew to orbit remains 'years behind schedule'
Cisco Patches Critical Flaw That Allowed Root Access To Guest OS
Critical flaw in Cisco IOS software could allow hackers to access the Guest Operating System as root user
Information Overlord: Google and Your Right to be Forgotten
With a surprise ruling in favour of Google, has the right to be forgotten, now become obsolete outside of Europe?
Gatwick Drone Operators Had ‘Detailed Knowledge’ Of Airport
Inside job. Suspicion grows that drone operators who shut down Gatwick airport had inside knowledge
Airbus Suppliers Targeted In Multiple Cyber-Attacks
Suppliers for aircraft manufacturer Airbus have reportedly been targetted by suspected Chinese hackers, in search of commercial secrets
Apple Warns iOS 13 Users About Keyboard Flaw
Apple promises fix to patch a security issue for iOS 13 users who have installed certain keyboard apps
Amazon Sidewalk To Offer Long-Range Wireless For IoT
Move over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi - Amazon reveals development of long-range wireless alternative for IoT devices
Huawei Willing To Licence 5G Tech To US Firm – Ren Zhengfei
Chinese firm is already producing 5G base stations without US parts, as Norway says it will not ban Huawei
Judge Orders IBM To Hand Over Documents In Age Discrimination Case
Big Blue CEO Ginni Rometty ordered to hand over memos as part of age discrimination lawsuit
Amazon Expands Echo Range, Adds Wearables, Alexa Personalisation
Surprise motherf****r! Alexa's voice can soon be replaced by the voice of actor Samuel L Jackson
Embracing Big Brother: Is Your TV Watching You?
With news that smart TVs are collecting vast quantities of personal information and then passing this to Google and Amazon, is this the cost of using this technology, or a breach of our privacy?
Google Halts News Snippets For French Users
Controversial European copyright law results in French users losing the ability to view Google news snippets
Ofcom Tackles Broadband Pricing For Vulnerable Customers
New measures protect vulnerable customers from high broadband prices, as well as price cuts for out-of-contract customers
Microsoft Issues Emergency Patch For IE
Emergency patch for Internet Explorer to stop attackers hijacking the web browser
‘GandCrab’ Ransomware Returns Despite Retirement Claim
New ransomware has links to GandCrab, warns SecureWorks, casting doubt on retirement claims
Mozilla Says No Plans To Make DoH Default For UK Firefox Users
Firefox users in US will get DoH privacy protection by default, but UK users will have to manually switch it on
Building Your Business’s AI Future
AI has continued to rapidly advance. With intelligent tools now available to businesses, how can enterprises transform their processes and insights using the latest AI techniques?
Samsung Display To Invest $11 Billion In LCD Plant – Report
Huge investment is planned by Samsung to upgrade its display panel production facilities in South Korea
Facebook To Acquire Brain-Control Startup CTRL-Labs
Controlling computers with the power of your mind. Facebook acquires startup CTRL-Labs for $1 billion
Julian Assange Life At Risk In Prison, Claims Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson says Julian Assange has been 'psychologically tortured' by his ongoing detention
Kik Messenger Developers To Close Popular Messaging App
Used by millions around the world, Kik Messenger is closing down as developers want to concentrate Kin cryptocurrency
Google Wins Significant Victory In ‘Right To Be Forgotten’ Case
Victory against censorship? Google wins landmark ruling from Europe's top court over right to be forgotten case
Mac Malware Pretends To Be Share-Trading App
Newly discovered Mac malware includes copy of real share-trading app, but also steals data and carries out other malicious functions in the background
Targeted Cyber-Attacks Hit Transportation Firms
Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42 finds previously unknown tools used in attacks on transportation and shipping firms in Kuwait
Google Changes Terms For Virtual Assistant Transcripts
Company to require users to reconfirm if they want to allow humans to listen to Assistant recordings, following privacy row
Google Claims ‘Quantum Supremacy’ Breakthrough
'Sycamore' quantum computer successfully carries out a task the fastest conventional supercomputer would take 10,000 years to complete
Huawei CFO Faces Canadian Court As US-China Row Escalates
Lawyers for detained Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou argue Canadian authorities acted illegally in arresting her at the request of the US
Facebook Suspends Tens Of Thousands Of Apps
Social network says probe has addressed 'millions' of apps so far, as company seeks to repair its image in wake of Cambridge Analytica data scandal
Google To Spend Billions On European Data Centres
CEO Sundar Pichai says Google is to spend an additional 3 billion euros (£2.6bn) on European data centres
Mark Zuckerberg Meets President Trump And Other Lawmakers
Mending fences? Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg meets President Trump and other US lawmakers
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos Pledges To Be Carbon Neutral By 2040
Environmental pledge from CEO, as staff stage walkout at Seattle HQ in protest at Amazon's green record
Google Completes Integration of DeepMind Health
NHS Trusts agree to allow Google to process NHS data, as DeepMind Health completes integration
Microsoft President Calls For US To End Huawei Ban
US national security will not be impacted if Huawei is able to use Microsoft's OS and software, says Brad Smith
Buying Huawei: A wolf in sheep’s clothing?
With news that Huawei Technologies’ founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei, has offered to sell their 5G technology to a company in the West, is this a desperate bid to appease the US? A unique strategic move by Huawei? Or simply hi- ...
AI Powered Mei Messaging App Arrives On iOS
Crush Analyser. Messaging app that includes an AI assistant to improve personal relationships, arrives on iOS
SpaceX Plans 24 Starlink Launches Next Year
SpaceX executive confirms low earth orbit-based broadband project will see 24 Starlink launches in 2020
Apple To Use Recycled Rare Earth Elements In iPhones
Good for the planet and good for the trade war. Apple agrees deal to reuse recycled rare earth elements
BT And Others To Meet Government For FTTP Broadband – Report
Telecom figures to meet government today to discuss nationwide rollout of fibre to the premise (FTTP)
US Government Sues Edward Snowden Over Book
Former NSA whistleblower and resident of Moscow Edward Snowden is sued by US authorities
Facebook Portal Video Devices Set For European Launch
Video calling device that includes WhatsApp, Messenger, and Alexa built-in goes on sale in the UK, Europe
Government Failing To Close Digital Divide
Continuing digital divide between urban and rural areas is not being addressed by the government, committee warns
Gatwick Airport To Use Facial Recognition For Boarding
Gatwick to become first British airport to use facial recognition for passenger boarding without checks
Facebook ‘Oversight’ Board To Make Content Rulings
Board will make final decisions over objectionable content, but will not be able to change company policy
Wi-Fi Alliance Opens Wi-Fi 6 Certification
Wireless Internet is about to get much faster after launch of the official Wi-Fi 6 certification for routers and other hardware
European $14 Billion Tax Demand On Apple ‘Defies Common Sense’
Order for $14 billion in back taxes from Apple “defies reality and common sense”, iPad maker argues
Government Delays Smart Meter Rollout
Surprise, surprise. Government announces four year extension to the rollout of smart meters in the UK
Disney CEO Leaves Apple Board Amid Streaming Clash
Boss of Disney resigns from Apple board as the two firms launch rival streaming services
Oracle, VMware Reach Agreement For Hybrid Cloud, Tech Support
Partnership expanded to cover VMware workloads on Oracle Cloud, and tech support for Oracle products on VMware
Salesforce Launches Platforms For Manufacturing, Consumer Goods
Offerings link to companies' existing sales and operations systems, bringing data together and giving both sides a '360-degree view' of the customer
Google Broadens Scope Of Anthos Hybrid Cloud Management Platform
New features include Services Mesh microservices management and Cloud Run for running fully managed applications in serverless environments
Microsoft Rolls Back Windows 10 Change That Caused Audio Glitches
Issue is an embarrassment for Microsoft, whose recent Windows 10 bug-fixes have been plagued with problems of their own
Apple Heads To Court Over £11bn Bill For Back Taxes
EU's General Court to hear appeal against European Commission's record 2016 fine, itself part of a broader crackdown on low tax rates paid by tech giants in Europe
Facebook Meets With Global Regulators Over Libra Concerns
Twenty-six central banks to grill Facebook on plans for Libra cryptocurrency as concern mounts over potential threat to monetary stability
EU ‘Prepared’ To Push Ahead With Digital Tax
If global plans fail to move ahead, new Commissioner for Economic Affairs Paolo Gentiloni says he will propose EU-wide tax targeting tech giants
California Bans Facial Recognition From Police Body Cams
Lawmakers in California have banned the use of facial-recognition software in police body cams
Google To Pay France $1 Billion To Settle Tax Dispute
Alleged fiscal fraud settlement sees Google pay France 500m euro penalty and 465m euro in tax
Huawei Founder Offers Western Firm Full Access To 5G Technology
Olive branch to the West, as Huawei's Ren Zhengfei offers to sell access to its 5G technology to a Western buyer
Financial services and the hybrid cloud
Financial service providers must have high levels of compliance and deliver world-class services to their customers. Has the hybrid cloud delivered a platform this sector can build a sustainable and profitable future upon?
Waymo CEO Eyes Self-Driving Lorries
Watch out truckers. Google's Waymo is exploring the use of its tech for self-driving lorries and trucks
Multiple Vulnerabilities in D-Link, Comba Routers, Warns Trustwave
D-Link and Comba slated for poor response to discovery of multiple vulnerabilities found on their routers
Google Anthos: A New Age in Hybrid Cloud Services?
Will Google’s innovation fundamentally change how hybrid cloud services are built and deployed?
MacDonald’s To Replace Humans With AI Drive-Through Assistants
Sign of things to come? Human servers to be replaced by AI voice tech in drive-throughs in the US
Oracle co-CEO Mark Hurd Takes Medical Leave Of Absence
Former CEO of HP is to take leave of absence for unexplained medical treatment, as Oracle financials miss expectations
Google Follows Firefox Lead With Chrome DoH Test
Google confirms it will test DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) in Chrome 78, days after Mozilla makes Firefox announcement
Facebook’s Libra Currency To Face Tough Swiss, US Scrutiny
The Switzerland-based Libra digital currency will face tough US and Swiss scrutiny, officials warn
UK Decision On Huawei 5G Expected “Pretty Soon” – Defence Minister
But minister warns that China has to follow rules about online behaviour if Huawei is to take part
BT Launches Counter Drone Solution
Worried about intruding drones? BT has the answer after it launches its Counter Drone Solution
Apple iPad, Apple TV+, and Apple Arcade
New 10.2-inch retina display iPad starts at just £349, while Apple TV prices and Apple gaming service is revealed
Apple Touts Life Saving Watch Series 5
New Apple Watch comes with “always on” display and the ability to call emergency services around the world
Apple Launches New iPhone 11, Series 5 Watch, And More
Apple has launched three new iPhone 11 smartphones, new iPads, a gaming service, and TV streaming service, and oh yes, the Apple Series 5 Watch
Mozilla Strengthens Privacy With DoH Switch On
Another move to strengthen its privacy credentials, as Mozilla gradually switches on DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) for its Firefox browser
Wunderlist Founder Offers To Buy App Back From Microsoft
'Don't kill it, rather let me buy it back', founder of task app Wunderlist pleads with Microsoft
Huawei Drops Lawsuit Against US Over Seized Kit
United States decides to return Huawei equipment seized in Alaska in 2017, so Chinese firm drops lawsuit
Jack Ma Steps Down As Alibaba Chairman
New era ahead for Chinese e-commerce giant as co-founder and chairman Jack Ma steps down
48 US States Open Google Anti-trust Probe
Google is facing an unprecedented anti-trust investigation from nearly all US states and territories that make up the United States
Apple iPhone Launch: What To Expect?
What to expect at Apple's launch of new iPhone handsets and other new products on Tuesday
Texas Confirms No Payment Over Ransomware Attack
Just say no. None of municipalities crippled by ransomware attack have paid the hackers, Texas confirms
Wikipedia Website Knocked Offline By DDoS Attack
Outage for Wikipedia website last week after DDoS attack on the online encyclopaedia
Symantec Consumer Division Sale To Equity Firms – Report
Private equity groups sniff around remaining consumer division of Symantec, after enterprise sale to Broadcom
Apple Hits Back At Google Over iPhone Hack Report
Fight, fight. Google security researchers overstated the level of threat to iPhone users, Apple alleges
Facebook Dating Opens For Service In US
Finding love online via Facebook now an option for Americans with launch of dating service
IFA 2019: HMD Announces Five New Nokia Phones
Five new phones bearing the Nokia brand - from low-end phones through to smartphones – arrive at IFA show
Database Exposes 419m Facebook Users Phone Numbers
Privacy lapse after a database containing millions of Facebook users phone numbers was left unprotected online
IFA 2019: Sony Unveils Sleek Xperia 5 Smartphone
New Xperia 5 smartphone from Sony is a return to compact designs that fit comfortably in the palm of the hand
Yahoo Mail Outage Impacts BT, Sky, TalkTalk Customers
Problems at Yahoo's global emailing service has impacted British customers at Sky, BT and TalkTalk
IFA 2019: DT’s 5G Network Switched On In Germany
Deutsche Telekom has switched on 5G networks in five German cities, including Berlin and Munich
IFA 2019: Samsung Galaxy Fold Relaunch Set For 6 September
Samsung will relaunch its troubled foldable phone at the end of the week, starting in South Korea
Firefox 69 Blocks Tracking Cookies, Crypto-mining
No more cryptominers or third party tracking cookies, Mozilla promises with new Firefox release
US Attempt To Disqualify Huawei Lawyer Goes To Court
American case against former DoJ official who is now Huawei's lead lawyer goes to court
Police Use Of Facial Recognition Ruled Lawful
High Court says South Wales police use of facial recognition cameras was lawful, after shopper complaint
Google Facing Data Collection And Privacy Probe – Report
Attorney generals from more than 30 US states are readying anti-trust investigation of Alphabet's Google unit
Facebook Offers Users Facial Recognition Opt Out
No more Tag suggestions. Face recognition ability opened to all users, but opt-out is available
Speedy USB4 Specification Confirmed
Specs for next generation USB connections will deliver greater speeds and Thunderbolt compatibility
Hauwei Accuses FBI Of Harassing Workers
Chinese firm alleges FBI is being used to 'threaten, menace, coerce, and incite' its staff after camera allegations
Juniper Networks Settles Bribery Probe
Networking giant Juniper agrees to pay $11.7 million as part of bribery settlement with SEC
Facebook Code Hints At Hiding Like Button
Code has been found in Facebook's Android app which could potentially allow likes about a post to be hidden
Bluetooth Messaging App Bridgefy Grows Amid Hong Kong Protests
Going offline. Protesters in Hong Kong are reportedly using a Bluetooth-based messaging app to communicate
Kings Cross Facial Recognition Cameras Shut Down
Private firm confirms it no longer uses facial recognition cameras in the Kings Cross District area
Microsoft To Retire Flash From Chromium-Edge Browser
About time? Adobe Flash to be axed from Microsoft's new Chromium-based Edge browser
US Commerce Department ‘Has Received 130 Huawei Exemption Requests’
Applications pile up, but department has yet to issue a single licence allowing US firms to get around Huawei blacklist, amidst US-China deadlock
Microsoft HoloLens 2 May Arrive This Month
Senior executive comments suggest device may go on sale in September, as Microsoft focuses augmented reality tech on business and industry
Hacker Group Looks To Gain Control Over Vulnerable WordPress Sites
Attack that began in July takes on new form as hackers begin creating rogue administrator accounts on unpatched sites
Google To Pay Up To £165m Fine For YouTube Children’s Privacy Violations
Google's settlement with the FTC to pay $150m to $200m fine was criticised as too low and as 'effectively rewarding' the company
Hackers Take Over Jack Dorsey’s Twitter Account
The account was used to broadcast offensive messages to more than four million followers following a hack of Dorsey's mobile phone number
ECB Warns Of ‘Beguiling’ Siren Call Of Facebook’s Libra
Libra cryptocurrency could undermine European Central Bank's ability to set monetary policy, and public trust in money itself, bank warns