[ad_1] The meetings reportedly involved three government divisions, suggesting that approval likely came from the highest ranks of Chinese leadership. Officials didn’t mention Huawei by name, but there wasn’t much doubt that the company was involved. Whether or not the threats hold much weight is another story. If accurate, China effectively wants companies to risk […]
Category: Politics
Russia to start blocking major VPNs after censorship refusal
[ad_1] The country had asked ten companies to link to the blacklist, but only one, Kaspersky, had agreed to comply (it’s a Russia-based provider and thus could face more consequences). The others, though, not only refused the demand but publicly stated that they would resist. NordVPN said the censorship would violate service agreements with customers, […]
Google Walkout leader leaves the company over alleged retaliation
[ad_1] The Guardian reported Stapleton told her co-workers she had branded by her department “with a kind of scarlet letter that makes it difficult to do my job or find another one.” She determined that there was no where else for her to go within the company and believed that she and others were actively […]
Google warns banning Huawei could increase security risks
[ad_1] In accordance with the “national emergency” declared by the Trump Administration last month, Google cut Huawei off from potential Android updates. Huawei responded saying that it could launch its own operating system, which has been in the works for years, as early as this fall. While the Trump Administration did grant a 90-day window […]
FCC empowers carriers to block robocalls by default
[ad_1] A proposed rule, meanwhile, would require providers to implement a caller ID authentication framework (SHAKEN/STIR) if large networks don’t use it before the end of 2019. FCC officials are also looking for input on a safe harbor for carriers that block spoofed calls with hidden IDs. The move comes just weeks after the Senate […]
Baltimore ransomware attack will cost the city over $18 million
[ad_1] On May 7th, the city’s government computer systems were infected with aggressive ransomware called RobbinHood which encrypted hard drive data to prevent access. Each computer affected by the attack demanded a payment of 13 bitcoin (over $75,000) for users to regain access to their files. Gizmodo reports that the FBI specifically advised the city […]
House antitrust subcommittee will investigate internet competition
[ad_1] It’s still early days, but the committee is planning a “series of hearings” and intends to request info while conducting the investigation. Not surprisingly, officials were open to the prospect of creating new laws if necessary. The announcement comes just days after a report of a possible Justice Department investigation of Google, and weeks […]
California advances bill offering protections to gig economy workers
[ad_1] The bill still has to clear the Senate before it can become law, although that’s considered highly likely. There are exemptions to the bill or health care, lawyers, real estate agents and other fields, in part because they’re more likely to have genuine independent contractors. However, the measure is clearly intended to classify ridesharing […]
US regulators carve up oversight of Amazon and Google
[ad_1] Both the DOJ and FTC have declined to comment on the rumor. It wouldn’t be shocking to see action. The FTC created a task force precisely to investigate antitrust issues in the tech industry, and companies like Google have faced antitrust crackdowns in Europe. Whether or not anything happens in the near future, this […]
Huawei reportedly scales back phone production following US ban
[ad_1] Foxconn declined to comment, and Huawei hadn’t initially responded to requests for comment. Provided the report is accurate, it would signal an abrupt end to Huawei’s runaway growth. Not that the company might have much choice when US companies can’t work with the firm unless they have explicit permission. Without official Android support (and […]