Companies pull the plug on facial recognition, but major issues linger

In response to protest calling for police reform around the country, some of the biggest names in tech are taking a closer look at their facial recognition technologies. In recent weeks, protests calling for police and criminal justice reform continue to sweep the Untied States. These demonstrations have also spurred conversations surrounding flawed, racially-biased technologies …

Microsoft, Hewlett Foundation, MasterCard, and other launch CyberPeace Institute

Microsoft, Hewlett Foundation, MasterCard, and several other unnamed major corporations and philanthropic institutions have formed an independent non-profit organisation called the CyberPeace Institute aimed at protecting victims against cyberattacks and helping them recover from one. “For years, non-governmental organisations around the world have provided on-the-ground help and vocal advocacy for victims of wars and natural …

South Africa’s surveillance act RICA unconstitutional, inconsistent finds Court

The South Gauteng High Court has found that parts of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information (RICA) Act are unconstitutional. In April 2017, media group amaBhungane filed an application in the High Court challenging the constitutionality of the act. This, after it emerged that journalist Sam Sole’s communications were intercepted …

Cold reception to Facebook’s Libra, makes it willing to delay its cryptocurrency for a middle ground with regulators

Facebook is willing to delay its entrance into the cryptocurrency market to work with regulators, Facebook executive David Marcus said in prepared remarks ahead of Congressional hearings on Libra this week. Marcus’ statement is Facebook’s strongest indication yet of its desire to work with regulators on Libra’s development. The company knew Libra might be a …