WhatsApp to go ahead with privacy update despite privacy concerns: Facebook Inc

In a significant development, Facebook Inc’s WhatsApp said, it will goo ahead with its controversial privacy policy update which allows users to read it at “their own pace”; following the update WhatsApp will display a banner providing additional information. Earlier this year in January, WhatsApp had laid out fresh terms aimed at increasing business transactions…

Clear crypto currency rules urgently required: Hester Peirce

According to a top official from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a clear cryptocurrency regulatory regime is urgently required with major companies, including Mastercard Inc, Tesla Inc, and BNY Mellon Corp embrace the digital asset class. During an interview, Hester Peirce, a Republican commissioner at the SEC said, while it may be too soon…

Japan considering support for electric vehicles, policy to be released later this month

On Thursday, during a news conference, Katsunobu Kato, Japan’s chief spokesman for the government stated, the trade ministry is weighing options to support a shift to electric-powered vehicles and will map out a plan by the end of this year. Japan plans on stopping the sale of new gasoline powered cars by mid-2030s in favour…

U.S. Federal Reserve looking at potentially issuing its own digital currency

In a statement, Governor Lael Brainard of the U.S. Federal Reserve stated, the central bank is looking at a broad range of issues surrounding digital currencies and payments, including design, policy and legal considerations around potentially issuing its own digital currency. The development underscores an openness in the possibility of the Federal Reserve issuing its…

Qualcomm to shutdown its Chinese joint venture on advanced semiconductors

The move is aligned with the Trump Administration’s policy on Beijing vis-a-vis semiconductors. On Friday, as per a report from The Information citing sources who are employees at a joint venture between U.S. smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm Inc and China’s Huaxintong Semiconductor (HXT), the joint venture is set to close by the end of this month.…

Semiconductor ties between Taiwan and China comes under scrutiny

The development is likely to make a significant dent in China’s ambition to become a global player in the semiconductor industry. The decision by the United States to cut off U.S. supplies to a Chinese chip-maker underscores growing tensions between the two countries over China’s ambition to become a global player in the computer chip…

Facebook blocks 115 accounts following a tip-off from U.S. authorities on election eve

Federal authorities have issued a statement saying, “Americans should be aware that foreign actors, and Russia in particular, continue to try to influence public sentiment and voter perceptions through actions intended to sow discord”. Hours before U.S. voters went to polls, Facebook Inc has blocked 115 user accounts following a tip off by U.S. authorities…