American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit against facial recognition firm alleging “privacy-destroying surveillance activities”
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
May 2020
Cisco Acquires ThousandEyes For Network Monitoring
Networking giant Cisco Systems opens its cheque book to acquire well estalished network intelligence software provider ThousandEyes
Trump Targets Twitter With Executive Order
Escalating row between Twitter and the White House sees tech firm call out US President over a new tweet for glorifying violence
Is Video Conferencing Secure Enough?
The COVID-19 crisis has seen an explosion in video and teleconferencing service use. Looking into the future, if more mass remote working is to become the norm, how will existing systems cope? Are they secure enough? Do we just need mo ...
Can Your WAN Cope?
As remote working becomes the norm for many businesses, what does this mean for network access and flexibility? Already video conferencing services are straining to deliver their services to a mass user base. Add in security issues, in ...
Coronavirus: Google To Reopen Some Offices In July
Sundar Pichai tells staff that Google intends to open some offices starting from 6 July, as other tech firms give staff option to work from home forever
5G ‘Bioshield’ USB Stick Exposed In Teardown
USB stick that claims to be a 'bioshield' against 5G emissions is exposed in product teardown, as seller insists it works but will not provide evidence
Coronavirus: France Approves Contact Tracing App
French minister defends centralised approach of its Covid-19 contact-tracing app, citing the French and UK's nuclear deterrent
Trump Ready To Sign Executive Order For Social Media Firms
US President ready to follow up on threat to 'close down' social networking firms after Twitter places fact warning label on his tweets
Huawei’s CFO Suffers Extradition Setback
Meng Wanzhou, daughter of Hauwei's founder and CFO of the firm, suffers legal setback in fight against extradition to the United States
Apple iPhone Exploit Allows Users To ‘Jailbreak’ Devices
Fully updated Apple devices contain the exploit that allows the first public jailbreak for Apple's iOS operating system for nearly four years
Coronavirus: 5G Mast In Liverpool Suffers Arson Attack
Not again. A 5G phone mast in Liverpool has been set on fire, amid foolish conspiracy theories that wrongly link 5G and coronavirus
Coronavirus: Apple To Re-open Most US Stores
Post Coronavirus: With enhanced deep cleaning and kerbside pickups, Apple is to re-open most of its stores in the United States
Coronavirus: Nokia Closes Indian Factory After Positive Tests
After India eases its nationwide lockdown, Nokia suspends operations at local telecoms factory when 42 staff test positive for Covid-19
Donald Trump Threatens To Close Down Social Networking Firms
Twitter applies fact-checking alert to a tweet from US President Donald Trump as part of new policy on misleading information
How To Manage Virtual Teams
As businesses adapt to the 'new normal', a significant component of their organization will be virtual teams. Silicon UK discovers the critical skills that virtual leaders need to be successful and, asks what being a virtual leader mea ...
Microsoft Confirms 4G Modem Issue With Latest Windows 10 Update
No patch as yet for problem with Windows 10 update that cuts off internet for systems linked to mobile data via 4G LTE modems
‘Ragnar Locker’ Ransomware Hides Inside Virtual Machine
Researchers discover attack group that deploys highly targeted ransomware running inside virtualised Windows XP instance to evade detection
Cryptocurrency-Mining Campaign Hits ‘Thousands’ Of Enterprises
Security researchers find attackers breaking into public-facing Windows IIS web servers to install Monero-mining malware across networks
Latvia Set To Release Covid-19 App Based On Tech Companies’ Framework
Latvia is aiming to be one of the first countries to release a Covid-19 contact-tracing app based on Apple and Google's API, released only last week
SpaceX Prepares For First Manned Mission
SpaceX Crew Dragon set to deliver two NASA astronauts to International Space Station this week, after 10 years of preparation
Arsonists Attack 5G Mast In Derbyshire
5G mobile phone mast set on fire only days after it was erected, as experts condemn theories that link 5G networks to public health risk
UK Looks To Scale Back Huawei Deal In Wake Of Pandemic
Prime minister Boris Johnson has reportedly ordered plans drawn up that would see Huawei's involvement in UK's 5G networks reduced to zero by 2023
Uber Passenger Says Price-Fixing Arbitrator Acted Out Of ‘Fear’
Uber passenger asks court to reopen price-fixing lawsuit against the company, saying arbitrator who ruled in Uber's favour feared for his own security
GitLab Hacks Own Remote-Working Staff In Phishing Test
Company finds 20 percent of its all-remote staff responds to phishing message by exposing user credentials, raising fears about the work-from-home future
HPE Cost-Savings Plan Sees Office Closures, Staff Cuts
HP Enterprise also sees long-term shift to remote working, with 'at least' 50 percent of staff expected to work from home permanently
Popular Maths Site Investigates ‘Potential Data Compromise’
Students and children at risk as more than 25 million account credentials allegedly stolen from Mathway offered for sale online
Microsoft Uncovers ‘Massive’ Pandemic-Themed Phishing Campaign
Scam emails use Excel spreadsheets containing Covid-19 data as a lure, then execute malicious macros that give attackers control over system
Facebook Will Allow Permanent Work From Home
Another tech firm, this time Facebook, commits to allowing staff to work from home forever if they wish, but will adjust salaries accordingly
Twitter Tests Option To Limit Who Can Reply To Tweets
Online abuse clampdown. Twitter confirms it is testing new conversation settings that will allow users to limit who can reply to their tweets
IBM To Cut Thousands Of Jobs, But Will Still Pay Shareholders
Another round of layoffs is on the cards for IBM employees, as new CEO swings the headcount axe, but insists he will still deliver shareholder dividend
Securing The DARQ Future
Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Extended Reality (XR) and Quantum Computing expand (DARQ), will be the next wave of technologies to transform every business. How should your company ensure that DARQ ...
Shopify To Allow Staff To Work From Home Permanently
Post Coronavirus world. Canadian e-commerce firm Shopify joins Twitter in saying it will allow staff to work from home forever
Intel Acquires Rivet Networks For Killer Cards
Wi-Fi connectivity. Company behind the Killer gaming networking cards (Rivet Networks) is acquired by chip goliath Intel Corp
Microsoft Dual Screen Smartphone Specs Revealed
But will anyone actually care? Specifications for Duo device revealed, as Microsoft yet again courts the smartphone mass market
Google Chrome Follows Firefox Lead With DoH Option
Three months after Firefox turned on privacy feature called DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH), Google's Chrome browser gets same feature, but only if ISPs support it
Coronavirus: Apple, Google Release Contact Tracing API
Both firms say 22 countries and a number of US states have requested to use the contact-tracing API for their own systems
Is Home Your Business’s New Network Security Perimeter?
Post COVID-19 could see many businesses permanently using home-based working as the norm for their enterprises. With annual reports stating lax security protocols and behaviours are still the norms (nearly 40% of workers never change t ...
Google Cloud Wins Pentagon Cyber Threat Contract
No, not the JEDI contract. Google Cloud wins contract to help the US defense department detect and respond to cyber threats
Coronavirus: NHS Contact Tracing App Has Flaws, Aussie Researchers Warn
Security flaws in the NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app could pose risk to user privacy, as the NCSC promises to fix the issues
Democrat Senators Demand Answers Over TSMC US Factory
Trump administration faces call from Democrat US senators to provide answers about undisclosed subsidies for TSMC factory in US
EasyJet Hack: Security Expert Reactions
Beware the phishing scams warn experts, as the hack of easyJet make available more valuable personal information on the dark web
EasyJet Admits Hack From ‘Highly Sophisticated Source’
Personal information of 9 million customers accessed in a “highly sophisticated” cyber-attack, which saw the credit card details of 2,200 people exposed
What’s Next After Digitization?
As businesses continue on their digitization roadmap, many have entered the last stage. Benefits are already becoming measurable and driving enterprise transformation. Silicon UK asks what barriers have been encountered, and what does ...
FBI Criticises Apple For Failing To Help Unlock iPhones
Agency says it had to develop its own tool to access two locked iPhones used by gunman who attacked Pensacola Naval Air Station in December 2019
Bluetooth Standard Vulnerable To Unpatched Spoofing Attack
Researchers warn of weaknesses affecting all Bluetooth-compliant devices – just as governments roll out coronavirus apps reliant on the tech
Huawei Calls Latest US Export Measures ‘Arbitrary And Pernicious’
Telecoms equipment giant says its survival is at stake with regulatory changes that would cut off its access to semiconductors manufactured outside the US
Uber To Cut Quarter Of Workforce In Profitability Drive
Company is to focus on core businesses of ride-sharing and food delivery and shutter job hunting, start-up incubator and AI research units
Supercomputers Across Europe Shut Down After Crypto-Mining Attacks
Hackers break into academic high-performance computing clusters in Edinburgh, Germany and Switzerland to install Monero currency-mining software
Apple And Google Set To Release Coronavirus API Amidst Privacy Furore
Native coronavirus contact-tracing tech set to make official debut in the next few days as UK and Germany differ on triggering 'positive' alerts
Study: ‘Cloud-Native’ Development On The Rise
There are now 4.7 million cloud-native developers, with Amazon Web Services a clear favourite for those using cloud-centric technologies
Celebrity Law Firm Hackers Double Ransom Demand
Hackers demand $42m from New York law firm that represents Lady Gaga, U2, Jessica Simpson and others – and promises to leak information on Donald Trump
Android Hit By ‘Incredibly Sophisticated’ Malware
Malware found on Google Play looks innocent at first, then downloads additional capabilities that allow it to take over targeted devices
Pandemic Drives Foxconn Profits Down Nearly 90 Percent
iPhone manufacturer Foxconn sees profits slump after shuttering China plants for weeks, but expects double-digit revenue jump as restrictions ease
New Tesla Battery Tech Extends Life, Lowers Cost
Tesla aims to make batteries last longer while reducing their cost per mile, bringing expense of electric cars into line with petrol-powered competitors
US Tightens Export Controls In Move Aimed At Huawei
US Commerce Department to bar overseas semiconductor manufacturers from selling to Huawei and HiSilicon if they use US-made chip gear
BT Begins Talk To Sell Stake In Openreach – Report
Selling off the crown jewels? BT is reportedly in talks to sell a multi billion pound stake in its hugely valuable Openreach division
Coronavirus: Amazon To Make Affordable Face Shields
Amazon to use engineers from its drone and hardware divisions to make face shields for medical professionals, before selling them to general public
TSMC To Build $12 Billion Chip Factory In US
After talking with Trump, big name chip maker TSMC confirms plans to build a $12 billion semiconductor factory in Arizona, creating 1,600 jobs
Coronavirus Tracing Apps Must Not Be Used For Surveillance, Says EU
EU officials warn member states that Covid-19 tracing apps must not be used for 'mass surveillance' and need to be deactivated when pandemic ends
Coronavirus: One In Four YouTube Covid-19 Videos Are Misleading
More than a quarter of Coronavirus videos on YouTube contain “misleading or inaccurate information”, a new study has warned
France Requires Social Media Firms To Remove Content Within One Hour
That could difficult. French parliament passes a law that requires social media companies to delete certain content within an hour
Angela Merkel Slams ‘Outrageous’ Russian Hacking
German Chancellor Angela Merkel confirmed she was targeted by hackers, linked to Russia's military intelligence (GRU) agency
Tesla Reaches Deal With California County To Re-open Factory
The acrimonious stand-off between Elon Musk's Tesla and Alameda County looks to have been resolved, with factory production to begin next week
FBI Accuses China-linked Hackers Of Attacking Coronavirus Researchers
The FBI and Department of Homeland Security say China-linked hackers are attacking US firms carrying out Covid-19 research
Alphabet To Deploy Google Project Loon In Mozambique
Loon signs deal with South African operator Vodacom to deliver balloon-powered high speed 4G and internet connectivity to rural provinces in Mozambique
Trump Steps Into Tesla Factory Row, As Musk Talks With Texas Over HQ Move
US President gets involved in Elon Musk's fight with Californian county, after Fremont factory is re-opened in defiance of local authority order
Facebook Moderators Agree $52 Million Settlement After PTSD Lawsuit
Facebook has agreed a multi million dollar settlement with content moderators who sued it for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and mental health issues
Twitter To Allow Staff To Work From Home ‘Forever’
With its offices remaining shut until at least September, Twitter tells its staff they can continue working from home forever if they want
The Rise Of The Chief Data Officer
Data is now the most important commodity all businesses possess. Managing what can be vast databases of information needs a new role. The Chief Data Officer is vital to ensure the data available leads to insights and commercial opportu ...
WhatsApp Challenges Zoom With 50 Person Video Calling
Serious video conferencing move by Facebook. Desktop users of WhatsApp will soon be able to add up 50 people on a video call
Thunderbolt Ports Vulnerable To Hackers
If a hacker gains physical access to your computer, the Thunderbolt port could be exploited to access the hard disc drive
Celebrity Law Firm Hacked, Attackers Threaten To Leak Stolen Data
Personal information and contracts belonging to celebrities including Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Elton John have been stolen by hackers
Coronavirus: Apple Begins Reopening US Stores
Apple has begun re-opening some of its retail stores in the United States, but will insist on additional safeguards including face masks
Elon Musk Risks Arrest As He Reopens Telsa Factory
Arrest me. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has defied local officials in California by reopening Fremont factory, and dared them to arrest him
Diversity Memo Author Drops Lawsuit Against Google
Developer James Damore drops his lawsuit against former employer Google after it fired him for his infamous 'diversity' memo
Coronavirus: Tech Firms To Allow Staff To Work From Home For Most Of 2020
As some parts of the world emerge from Coronavirus lockdowns, a number of tech firms are telling staff they can continue working from home for most of 2020
Leaks For iPhone 12 Touts Improved Screen Refresh Rate – Report
Finally. Apple is to include 5G connectivity in its upcoming iPhone 12 portfolio, that will also reportedly offer improve screen refresh rates
Trump Administration Talks With Chipmakers Over Building US Factories
Go local? Officials in Washington reportedly talk to two semiconductor companies about constructing chip factories in the United States
Tesla Sues Californian County, Threats To Move HQ
Final straw for Elon Musk. Skirmish with California erupts into full-scale legal battle after local officials refuse to allow Fremont factory to reopen
VE Day 2020: Bletchley Park Reveals Last Decoded Nazi Message
Final encrypted message sent by Nazi military unit in the final days of the Second War World in Europe has been revealed by GCHQ
Coronavirus: Tesla’s California Factory To Restart Production
Electric car maker Tesla to restart production at its Fremont factory after Elon Musk tweeted about 'fascist' lockdown in California
Coronavirus: NHS Publishes Source Code Of Contact-Tracing App
Nothing to hide. The NHS has released the source code of its contact-tracing app, as its trial in the Isle of Wight continues
Fresenius Hospital Operator Suffers Ransomware Attack
Despite high demand during the Coronavirus pandemic, hackers have hit IT systems of a major hospital operator with a ransomware attack
Coronavirus: Uber To Axe 14 Percent Of Workforce
The impact of the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic sees Uber announce that it will cut 3,700 jobs, or 14 percent of its workforce
BT Suspends Dividend To Funnel Investment Into FTTP Broadband, 5G
For the first time in a decade BT suspends its dividend to free up cash for investment in fibre to the premise (FTTP) broadband and 5G
Facebook Names Members Of Oversight Board
Facebook names members of its content oversight board that can overrule Mark Zuckerberg over objectionable content on the platform
Virgin Media And O2 Join Forces In Joint Venture
Major UK telecom shakeup...O2's ownership odyssey continues, with confirmation it is to merge with Virgin Media to take on the BT/EE juggernaut
World Password Day: Is The Password Still Fit For Purpose?
The password has become a significant source of security breaches and user friction. On World Password Day, have we arrived at the point where the password must be replaced with new security protocols?
US To Allow Huawei And US Firms To Develop 5G Standards – Report
Kiss and make up? Not really, as United States drafts rules that will allow US firms to work with Huawei when global bodies are deciding on 5G standards
Apple Will Open Up iOS Platform – Spotify CEO
Spotify's strained relationship with Apple did not stop CEO Daniel Ek from speculating on Apple's tight grip on its ecosystem
Coronavirus: Hackers Targetting Covid-19 Research Organisations
US and UK cyber officials warn of 'malicious cyber campaigns targeting organisations involved in the Coronavirus response'
Germany Issues Arrest Warrant For Russian Hacker Of Bundestag
GRU Officer Dmitry Badin, who is also wanted in the US for hacking Hillary Clinton's emails, is now wanted by Germany for Bundestag cyberattack in 2015
FinTech Part 3: The Future Of FinTech
FinTech offers many new ways to bank and manage money. With Open Banking gaining pace, what does this mean for the security and the future development of payment systems for enterprises?
Twitter To Warn Users About Their ‘Harmful’ Tweets
Toxic Twitter. Microblogging service tests sending users a prompt, warning them when their tweet reply uses “harmful language”
GoDaddy Warns Customers Of Password Breach
Attackers gained access to customers' websites last October, says hosting giant, but only via SSH, with 'main accounts' not affected
Phishing Campaign Targets Financial Services Companies
Attackers impersonate US self-regulatory body for brokerage firms in phishing email campaign that looks to harvest Office and SharePoint passwords
O2 Legal Challenge Could Delay 5G Spectrum Auction
O2 has voiced concerns about the organisation of the UK's upcoming auction of 5G spectrum, creating the prospect of a delay to next-generation services
Amazon Vice President Resigns Over Staff Sackings
Tim Bray, a senior engineer with Amazon Web Services, said he 'despised' decisions to fire staff who protested company's Covid-19 measures
Tesla Applies To Become UK Electricity Provider
Company files with regulator to supply UK premises with electricity, following ventures into batteries for home and industrial power storage
NHS To Test Coronavirus Contact-Tracing App On Isle Of Wight
Contact-tracing tech to be trialled on Isle of Wight from this week, amidst criticism that NHS' 'centralised' approach risks privacy and effectiveness
Business Analysis Conference Europe 2020
21-23 September, London
Google AI Scheme Targets Banks Overwhelmed By Pandemic
Google Cloud's PPP Lending AI Solution aims to help banks analyse and process loan applications under US government's aid scheme for small businesses
IBM Launches Quantum Programming Challenge
Four years after IBM put its first quantum computing resources online, company opens access to those who want to try out the tech and test their skills
Automatic Labs Pulls Plug On Car-Tracking Service
Car data tracking device maker says it 'does not see a path forward' for its business after Covid-19 lockdown drastically reduces drivers' miles on the road
Microsoft Sees Cloud Payoff, But Remains Cautious On Outlook
Azure cloud service revenues grow 59 percent as chief Nadella says company has 'seen two years’ worth of digital transformation in two months'
Elon Musk Tweet Erases $14bn From Tesla’s Market Value
Musk's latest series of bizarre tweets criticises California's coronavirus lockdown and says Tesla's shares are 'too high', causing them to plummet
US Government Calls On Amazon’s Bezos To Testify
House of Representatives calls for testimony from Bezos amidst probe into whether company used data from third-party sellers to develop its own products
ICANN Halts .Org Sale To Private Equity Group
Domain supervisor ICANN 'withholds consent' for the sale of the .org domain registry to a private equity firm, following months of protests
Automation: In Focus
Marcos Kauffman is currently the Director at the Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) - Coventry University Institute for Future Transport and Cities, Intellectual Property Strategy Director at Next Seti Internatio ...
Amazon Tells Investors To ‘Take A Seat’ As Spending Rises
Sitting in the sweet spot as Amazon takes advantage on demand for online goods, groceries and cloud services during Coronavirus lockdown
Automation Part 3: A New Age Of Work
In this final part of Silicon UK’s look at automation, we consider what the future holds for all enterprises. What should your business’s automation roadmap look like?
Apple Profits Dip But Sales Rise, Amid Global Pandemic
Modest dip in quarterly profits at Apple due to closure of its retail stores in key markets during the global Coronavirus pandemic