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AI 'companions' will become common

Location:

INT

They are represented by realistic-looking human avatars, with whom people can form one-to-one social relationships. Today, the number of people with such AI companions likely…

US government bans TikTok use on federal devices

Location:

UNITED STATES

By last month, 14 states had already banned TikTok from government-issued devices, with another five in the process of doing so, citing security concerns recently endorsed by the…

Riyadh will increase efforts to curb Twitter criticism

Location:

SAUDI ARABIA

Amid an outcry over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, large numbers of accounts, ostensibly belonging to ordinary citizens (although many are fraudulent), have engaged in…

Fake news will grow in influence in West Africa

Location:

WEST AFRICA

Meta (formerly Facebook) has publicly identified both Russian and French involvement in regional disinformation efforts. However, West Africa's 'influence industry' comprises…

SolarWinds hack will alter US cyber strategy

Location:

INT

The US government was a major target. Microsoft and SolarWinds have attributed the attack to Russia’s foreign intelligence service; Moscow denies any involvement.This is the…

Myanmar exposes social media risks in South-east Asia

Location:

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Facebook and anti-Rohingya violence.

Trump’s ban on China’s WeChat may carry a heavy price

Location:

CHINA/US

President Donald Trump issued two executive orders on August 6 that effectively ban the Chinese-owned apps TikTok and WeChat. The impact of the TikTok ban will be limited, but…

Mobile money services will expand in East Africa

Location:

EAST AFRICA

The carrier's performance was driven in part by a 34% increase in revenue from M-Pesa, its mobile money service. Among regions, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the most active mobile…

Serbs will vote in 2022 with few independent media

Location:

SERBIA

The government's tightening grip on the media is part of efforts by the ruling elite to prepare for elections in spring or summer 2022. Recent media market entrant Euronews is…

Indonesia drug problem to grow despite narcotics war

Location:

INDONESIA

This follows President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo’s order in a July 21 speech that law enforcement personnel should summarily shoot suspected drug dealers who resist arrest, with a…