Today’s Tech Sightings:
Cubans use the internet via public Wi-Fi in Havana, Cuba, Sept. 5, 2016. (Reuters)
Cuba Has Been Filtering Texts Containing Political Dissent
Internet connectivity has been a difficult transition for Cuba’s Communist government, which apparently is filtering out and blocking democracy and human rights key words from mobile phone text messages, according to an investigative report. The report, by blogger Yoani Sanchez and journalist Reinaldo Escobar, found that text messages containing words like democracy, human rights, hunger strike, dissident names, and at least 30 other words, failed to reach their destination.
Google, Apple, Twitter, Others Back Microsoft Over Gag Orders
Civil liberties groups and trade bodies have joined Microsoft and other tech giants in the fight against keeping their users in the dark whenever law enforcement agencies request their information. The groups filed legal briefs backing Microsoft’s attempt to prevent law enforcement agencies from forcing companies not to disclose to their customers whenever their information is being requested. The Electronic Communications Privacy Act can compel companies to hand over consumer information for investigation without informing users.
Indian Politicians Lure Young Voters With Free Smartphones, Laptops
Indian politicians are going after young voters by meeting their gadget needs. In Uttar Pradesh, which holds elections next year, the state’s chief minister announced free smartphones for all young voters with annual family incomes below $3,000. The government said the smartphones will serve to inform and educate the poor about its policies. Online registration is expected to begin in October.
More:
- What to Expect at Apple’s September 7 Event
- Obama: Internet Cannot Be Like Wild, Wild West
- British Airways Apologizes for Global IT Meltdown
- Brexit Could Force Japanese Businesses to Leave the Country
- Tech Leaders Warn European Commission ‘Straying Away’ From Digital Single Market
- Google Boosts Fiber Optic Online Speeds Across Asia
- Facebook Is Testing New Twitter-like Feature to Boost Conversations
- Russian Blogger Jailed for Playing ‘Pokemon GO’ in Church
- Can Video Games Save the Planet?
