We Care Initiative launched by GSMA in response to online child protection

Kenya’s mobile operators, regulator and government recently came together to support a major GSMA initiative aimed at ensuring a safe online environment for children and young citizens in Kenya. The Charter is backed by the Communications Authority (CA) of Kenya and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. We Care was launched in Latin America …

Voxox server leaks massive SMS database, exposes password resets and two-factor codes

A security lapse has exposed a massive database containing tens of millions of text messages, including password reset links, two-factor codes, shipping notifications and more reports TechCrunch. This is a Voxox (formerly Telcentris) server, a San Diego, Calif.-based communications company. The server wasn’t protected with a password, allowing anyone who knew where to look to …

GitHub could soon host Java SE’s OpenJDK

OpenJDK, the basis for Oracle’s edition of standard Java (Java SE), soon could be hosted on GitHub, a move that could aid Java developers. Currently, repos for the OpenJDK project are on an Oracle-hosted Mercurial server. But Project Skara, which is an ongoing effort to examine new infrastructure for OpenJDK, could have the repos moving …

PayPal, Stripe, GoDaddy and other platforms throw GAB offline

Gab,social media site is being de-platformed and forced offline by its service providers after it became clear that the alleged Pittsburgh shooter Robert Bowers had a history of anti-semitic postings on the site. In the hours following the attack, when the suspect’s postings were discovered on the site, Gab’s corporate partners abandoned it one by …

New Facebook Portal videochat hardware looks like a privacy disaster waiting to happen

Facebook has released new AI controlled hardware at quite n odd time when its fighting privacy breach allegations. The devices Facebook claims creates a new way to videochat with your Facebook friends. It’s not an app, nor is it some awkward virtual-reality playpen. It’s a device called Portal, and it’s meant to sit in your …

Survey: Internet Connectivity Builds Positive Impact on Life in Sub-Saharan Africa

In a new Pew Research Center analysis, Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced dramatic gains in internet use in recent years. With this rapid growth in connectivity have come a host of potential problems, including fake news, political targeting and manipulation and financial scams, among others. Yet according to the Pew Research Center analysis, most sub-Saharan Africans …

Facebook Latest Hack Likely Hit 50 Million Users

Friday revealed last Friday that an unknown hacker had breached the site, compromising the accounts of 50 million users. The company’s security team found three bugs were used in the attacks, saying they were used in combination to successfully break into Facebook accounts. What happened? Facebook says its engineering team discovered a security threat that …