IT for telecoms and internet organisations
Telecoms is one of the largest business sectors, and communications providers often have large IT budgets and are early adopters of new technologies. Our news and analysis of this important industry looks at how telecommunications firms, ISPs and other internet companies are using IT, and the regulatory issues that affect the services they provide.
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News
01 Dec 2023
The Security Interviews: Mark McClain, SailPoint Technologies
SailPoint founder and CEO Mark McClain reflects on how the concept of identity has evolved over the past 20 years, and points to rapid evolution still to come Continue Reading
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News
30 Nov 2023
Government’s Online Fraud Charter welcomed
The government has corralled 11 of the largest tech platforms in the world to commit to its Online Fraud Charter, designed to tackle online scams, fake adverts, and more Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2021
REvil crew wants $70m in Kaseya ransomware heist
Two days after one of the largest ransomware attacks in history by the REvil/Sodinokibi gang, the security community is assessing its next moves, while over 1,000 victims remain in limbo Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2021
Should I be worried about PrintNightmare?
The accidental publication of proof of concept code for a Windows vulnerability, and the reclassification of said bug from low to critical severity, has the cyber community concerned. Is it right to be? Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2021
UK government issues “safety by design” guidance for tech firms
The guidance is designed to help technology companies embed safer design for users into their services in anticipation of the Online Safety Bill becoming law Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2021
US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency launches ransomware assessment tool
Newly launched service will help US organisations understand how prepared they are to deal with a ransomware attack Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2021
LinkedIn denies exposure of 700 million user records is a data breach
Data relating to 700 million users of the LinkedIn networking platform has appeared for sale, but the firm says it is the victim of data scraping, not a security breach Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2021
New Nobelium attacks a reminder to attend to cyber basics
A new campaign from the same threat group that broke into SolarWinds serves as a reminder that cyber crime gangs will try to exploit any avenue they can, even if technically unsophisticated Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2021
UK Cyber Security Council launches inaugural initiatives
Security association seeks to determine terms of reference for committees to oversee standards and ethics, and qualifications and careers in the cyber sector Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2021
Insurers unprepared for challenges of underwriting ransomware
RUSI think tank calls for an industry-wide reset amid intense challenges for providers of cyber security insurance Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2021
UK’s FCA bans crypto exchange Binance as crackdown spreads
Ban on Binance Markets comes amid a wider global crackdown on the largely unregulated global market for cryptocurrencies and related assets. Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2021
CMA to probe Amazon and Google over fake reviews
The CMA has opened an investigation into Amazon and Google over possible breaches of consumer protection law Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Google hands third-party cookies a stay of execution
Google’s proposed Privacy Sandbox initiative – which will see third-party cookies phased out in the Chrome web browser – has been pushed back to 2023 Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Online Safety Bill unfit for purpose, says new campaign group
Campaign group set up to oppose Online Safety Bill says the duty of care is too simplistic, cedes too much power to US corporations and will, in practice, privilege the speech of journalists or politicians Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Vodafone confirms European datacentres will be powered by 100% green energy by July 2021
Telco giant claims it is on course to hit an important milestone in its latest sustainability push, with its entire European operations set to be 100% renewably powered by 1 July Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Make ransomware payments illegal, say 79% of cyber pros
Report produced for MSSP Talion claims overwhelming support for the criminalisation of ransomware payments Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2021
ICO issues guidance on facial recognition in public spaces
Information commissioner’s concern over the problematic use of facial recognition in public spaces has prompted her to publish official guidance on its deployment, while civil society calls for an outright ban Continue Reading
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News
17 Jun 2021
Cyber crooks target Amazon Prime users ahead of retail bonanza
A surge in malicious domain registrations ahead of Amazon Prime Day indicates cyber criminals have set their sights on exploiting vulnerable shoppers Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2021
Axiata doubles down on Google Cloud
The regional telecoms group plans to use Google Cloud’s compute, storage and networking services across the six telcos under its fold Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2021
Tech sector trade union campaigns to protect workers’ privacy
A UK-based trade union for technology workers and others employed by tech companies is organising around the issue of worker’s privacy and workplace monitoring Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2021
CMA secures commitments from Google on future of cookies
The Competition and Markets Authority is opening a consultation on commitments offered to it by Google to ensure its Privacy Sandbox proposals do not harm digital advertising markets Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2021
UK promises tougher line on cyber crime
Speaking ahead of the G7 Summit, foreign secretary Dominic Raab says the UK is ready to take on cyber criminals and other malicious actors wherever they may be Continue Reading
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News
10 Jun 2021
Risk data shows UK energy sector most vulnerable to cyber attack
New report compiled by insurance firm Hiscox reveals the state of cyber preparedness in the UK and beyond Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2021
EU privacy chief investigates use of US cloud services
Use of Amazon and Microsoft’s cloud services by public sector bodies in the European Union is being scrutinised by the bloc’s privacy watchdog Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2021
IBM pushes back against US government data requests
Technology giant IBM says the US government has ‘no jurisdiction’ to request data from its European entities Continue Reading
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Feature
02 Jun 2021
What the Telecommunications (Security) Bill means for UK industry
The Telecommunications (Security) Bill is intended to reinforce the security of the UK telecommunications infrastructure, but what are the implications for industry? Continue Reading
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News
02 Jun 2021
SA-based MSP shuns HCI for Nebulon cloud-defined storage
SYSDBA needed to refresh its HPE 3PAR arrays, and so looked at hyper-converged but decided on cloud-defined storage from Nebulon that marries local storage with a cloud control plane Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Jun 2021
Long-term thinking is vital to secure UK’s critical infrastructure
To face down the threat of cyber warfare against UK CNI, the government needs long-term thinking that looks beyond the next general election cycle, says Advent-IM’s Mike Gillespie Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 May 2021
Online Safety Bill: an opportunity for tech to get it right
Long-awaited proposals for regulating internet companies still leave much to be defined – and the tech sector must take the lead in finalising a plan that works for society and government Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2021
Innovation and skills at the heart of CBI report
The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) wants an inclusive and innovative economy, with increased research and development (R&D) investment and better digital intensity and adoption, particularly among SMEs Continue Reading
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Podcast
21 May 2021
CyberUK, bees and datacentres, Red Cross digital mapping – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast, Caroline Donnelly and Brian McKenna are joined by Alex Scroxton, security editor, to discuss CyberUK, bees and datacentres, and the British Red Cross’ use of digital mapping to combat Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2021
UK regulators commit to closer cooperation on digital economy
Two UK regulators have issued a joint statement and signed a memorandum of understanding on the need for closer collaboration on digital markets Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2021
Pandemic tech use heightens consumer privacy fears
Report on consumer attitudes to privacy finds evidence of a “heightened sense of fear” as digital footprints expand inexorably Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2021
Microsoft EU Data Boundary dubbed ‘smoke and mirrors’
Data protection experts claim Microsoft’s decision to create an EU Data Boundary is a tacit admission that it routinely transfers and processes the personal data of European citizens outside the bloc Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2021
Irish High Court dismisses legal bid by Facebook over EU-US data transfers
Latest twist in long-running legal battle sees Facebook lose legal bid to prevent the Irish Data Protection Commissioner suspending its transfer of data about European citizens to the US Continue Reading
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News
17 May 2021
How M1 is striving to be a digital telco
Singapore’s M1 is dialling up its digital chops by monetising its data, building more personalised services for subscribers, and going beyond connectivity as it evolves into a digital telco Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2021
Biden beefs up public-private security cooperation
Joe Biden has signed a new Executive Order to harden US cyber security and government networks, with an emphasis on information sharing Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2021
UK government publishes Online Safety Bill draft
Bill builds on previous commitments by the government, which has added new measures to uphold democracy and freedom of speech while making tech giants more accountable Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2021
Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack has grave consequences
The ramifications of a major ransomware attack against a US fuel pipeline operator could spread far and wide Continue Reading
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News
11 May 2021
Swedish court finds ambiguities in hacked EncroChat cryptophone evidence
Defence lawyer claims evidence obtained by hacking the EncroChat encrypted phone network has ‘no legal’ value following Swedish appeal court ruling Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2021
NCSC publishes smart city security guidelines
Guidance for local authorities, IT and cyber professionals aims to ensure the security of connected, smart city projects Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
Government urged to add scam protections to Online Safety Bill
Group of organisations calls for the government to use the Online Safety Bill to protect people from cyber scams Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
Scammers accidentally reveal fake Amazon review data
More than 13 million records relating to an organised fake review scam have been found on an unsecured ElasticSearch database, implicating hundreds of thousands of people in unethical behaviour Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
Google to introduce mandatory MFA for users
In future, holders of Google accounts will have no option but to use multifactor authentication if they want to use the firm’s services Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
Netherlands to build new national supercomputer
The Netherlands has laid out plans for its next national supercomputer, to be known as Snellius Continue Reading
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Blog Post
05 May 2021
Opening the On-line World to Competition: The Penrose Report
But implementation will not be easy. This is particularly so with regard to introducing more competition to the digital industries where John calls for the new digital market unit’s up-front powers ... Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2021
EncroChat: Top lawyer warned CPS of risk that phone hacking warrants could be unlawful
Lord David Anderson QC warned prosecutors that there were formidable arguments against the lawfulness of a police operation to infiltrate the encrypted phone network, EncroChat Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Apr 2021
IR35 private sector reforms: What firms need to do now the start date has passed
While the start date for the onset of the IR35 private sector reforms may have passed, firms in-scope of the revamped tax avoidance legislation may find themselves still with plenty of compliance work still to do Continue Reading
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Opinion
27 Apr 2021
Why we need to reset the debate on end-to-end encryption to protect children
Private messaging is the front line of abuse, yet E2EE in its current form risks engineering away the ability of firms to detect and disrupt it where it is most prevalent Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2021
GCHQ: Cyber investment a guarantor of UK’s global status
GCHQ director Jeremy Fleming sets out a vision for the UK’s cyber security future Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2021
UK’s proposed IoT cyber security law gathers momentum
New statistics appear to vindicate UK government proposals to force suppliers to be upfront about IoT security Continue Reading
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News
20 Apr 2021
Codecov supply chain attack has echoes of SolarWinds
Supply chain attack on code auditing service may have compromised the likes of HPE and IBM Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2021
Government puts Facebook under pressure to stop end-to-end encryption over child abuse risks
Facebook faces growing government pressure to abandon its plans to offer users end-to-end encryption to secure the privacy of their messages as the NSPCC raises concerns about child protection Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2021
Finnish government strengthens country’s IT network security
Finland’s government has created a new national organisation to help public and private bodies improve network security Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2021
Dutch accuse UK of ‘damaging confidence’ by disclosing details of EncroChat police collaboration
The Dutch Public Prosecution Service claims Britain has damaged confidence by disclosing details of an international investigation into the EncroChat encrypted phone network to the courts Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2021
Microsoft is most impersonated brand in phishing attempts
Technology companies continue to be frequently spoofed by cyber criminals in their phishing attempts Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2021
Ireland’s DPC launches probe into Facebook leak
The Irish Data Protection Commission has launched an ‘own volition’ inquiry into the leak of data from 500 million Facebook profiles Continue Reading
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News
14 Apr 2021
Europe provides growth for TCS despite year floored by pandemic
Tata Consultancy Services grows its continental European business despite economic slowdown brought by Covid-19 restrictions Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2021
NCSC: Using your pet’s name as a password is very stupid
If your email password is still Rex, Rover or Mr Fluffles, it’s probably best to change it, the NCSC has said Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2021
Facebook ducks calls to apologise over huge data leak
Facebook gives its side of the story as data on millions of its users leaks, but is yet to apologise for security lapses that put half a billion people at risk of compromise Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2021
Digital Markets Unit starts work on codes of conduct for tech giants
Digital markets regulator officially launched to ensure tech giants such as Facebook and Google cannot exploit their market dominance to crowd out competition and stifle innovation online Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2021
Irish employees’ ‘right to disconnect’ enshrined in code of practice
A code of practice giving employees the ‘right to disconnect’ from work and not engage in electronic communications outside of their normal hours has come into effect in Ireland Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2021
Facebook data leak could be outside scope of GDPR
Regulators may be unable to do much about leaked data on 533 million Facebook users, as it seems to have been stolen before GDPR came into force Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2021
EncroChat hearings delayed as lawyers seek disclosure on police hacking
Court hearings precipitated by police cracking the EncroChat secure mobile phone network have been delayed after defence lawyers request further disclosures on police decryption capabilities Continue Reading
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Opinion
31 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: Evolving threats, tech, leaves CNI exposed
In light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2021
Big Tech eclipses telecoms and arms giants as biggest lobbying spenders
Facebook and Amazon are spending more on lobbying and campaign contributions than any other companies in the US, including those in the arms and telecommunications sectors that have traditionally been the highest political spenders Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2021
UK courts face evidence ‘black hole’ over police EncroChat mass hacking
French investigators have refused to disclose how they downloaded millions of messages from a supposedly secure cryptophone network used by organised criminals – leaving UK courts to grapple with a forensic ‘black hole’ of evidence Continue Reading
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Opinion
23 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: Attacks on CNI – an evolving frontier in warfare
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: Back to square one – ground-up CNI protection
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: Properly protecting CNI demands specificity
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: Take a realistic perspective on CNI cyber attacks
In light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: CNI operators must focus on core issues
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2021
Cyber sector welcomes PM’s defence review
Security commentators approve of measures to improve the UK’s cyber resilience, strengthen its R&D and skills base, lead on the development of new technology and promote a free, open, peaceful and secure global internet Continue Reading
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Opinion
15 Mar 2021
Security Think Tank: CNI operators are in an unenviable position
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2021
UK digital regulators set out plans to strengthen cooperation
Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum outlines plans for the coming year, marking a shift towards a more collaborative regulatory approach Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2021
Police crack world’s largest cryptophone network as criminals swap EncroChat for Sky ECC
Belgian and Dutch police have breached the encryption of users of Sky ECC, the world’s largest cryptophone network. There are significant parallels with the international police operation against the EncroChat cryptophone network which led to hundreds of arrests Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2021
Nordic innovators change emphasis on gender equality in society
Female technology innovators in the Nordics take a different approach to trying to improve opportunities for women Continue Reading
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News
03 Mar 2021
Glitch signs collective bargaining agreement with unionised workers
US software startup’s ‘milestone’ agreement with employees focuses on job security and labour rights rather than salaries and benefits Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2021
UKtech50 2021: The most influential people in UK technology
Computer Weekly has announced the 11th annual UKtech50 – our definitive list of the movers and shakers in the UK tech sector Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2021
Facebook’s AI doctoral research programme makes inroads into UK
Facebook collaborates with University College London to bring artificial intelligence doctoral research programme to the UK, with aim to open-sourcing the findings Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2021
Is Clubhouse safe, and should CISOs stop its use?
With more concerns being raised over the privacy and security of social media app Clubhouse, we consider whether security teams should consider restricting or stopping employees from using it Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2021
Internet companies should provide real-time data on disinformation, Lords told
Fact-checking experts tell House of Lords inquiry that upcoming Online Safety Bill should force internet companies to provide real-time information on suspected disinformation, and warn against over-reliance on AI-powered algorithms to moderate content Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2021
Malaysia government intervenes to drive 5G forward
The government of Malaysia pledges to spend 15bn ringgit to set up an entity that would be granted spectrum and operational scope to manage 5G roll-outs Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2021
Pandemic has exposed fractures in cyber fraud strategy
RUSI report urges a bolder and more coordinated response to cyber-enabled fraud as the pandemic lays bear the scale of the problem Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2021
European Commission proposes UK data adequacy agreement
The publication of two draft data adequacy decisions brings the UK closer to a final positive decision, which will enable the continued free flow of data between the EU and the UK if green-lit by member states Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2021
Digital investments will add £232bn to UK economy by 2040
The UK economy could grow by £232bn over the next two decades if investments in digital technologies continue Continue Reading
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News
15 Feb 2021
Post Office to offer digital ID services to customers
Post Office partnership with Yoti is intended to expand customer choice as to how people prove their identity when accessing services Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2021
Dating app users warned to watch out for scammers
A vast amount of money was lost to romance scammers last year, and with millions of people isolated in lockdown the problem is getting worse, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2021
Tech sector calls for renewed cooperation in global digital tax talks
Industry groups want renewed multilateral negotiations between countries about taxation of the digital economy in the wake of Joe Biden’s election as US president Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2021
Facebook sued for data-sharing practices with third parties
Data protection claim filed in London against social media giant for its alleged failure to give at least one million users in England and Wales meaningful control over their personal data Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2021
Interview: Robert Opp, chief digital officer, United Nations Development Programme
Chief digital officer of the United Nations Development Programme talks about the relationship between digital technologies and sustainability, and how it can be used for a more environmentally-friendly and inclusive future Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2021
SolarWinds chases multiple leads in breach investigation
Investigators at SolarWinds are exploring multiple theories as to how the company’s systems were compromised Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2021
Google grows cloud sales as parent’s profits top $40bn
Alphabet announces massive overall profits and increased Google cloud sales Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Grindr complaint results in €9.6m GDPR fine
Norway’s data protection authority plans to apply a fine totalling 10% of LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr’s revenues over its data sharing practices Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2021
North Korean state attacks legitimate security researchers
Threat researchers specialising in vulnerability research and development appear to be being targeted by a North Korean state-backed group Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2021
Cyber fraud a national security issue, says Rusi report
A report from the Rusi think tank calls for fresh approaches to how we think about fighting fraud Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2021
Google threatens to cut off Australia
Google’s threat to end its Australian Search operation comes in the face of new legislation that would force it to pay media publishers for news content Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2021
UKtech50 2021: Vote for the most influential person in UK technology
Our judges have picked a shortlist, and now we invite readers to tell us who should be chosen as the most influential person in the UK tech scene for 2021 – submit your vote now Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2021
Malwarebytes also hit by SolarWinds attackers
The nation state group that attacked SolarWinds in December got inside Malwarebytes by exploiting privileged access to its Microsoft Office 365 tenant, the firm reveals Continue Reading
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News
19 Jan 2021
Click fraud levels reach new heights in pandemic
Small companies risk losing £10,000 a year, and enterprises as much as £520,000, to cyber criminals as click fraud volumes spike Continue Reading
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News
18 Jan 2021
UKtech50: The 2021 longlist
Each year, Computer Weekly launches its annual search for the most influential people in UK IT, where the tech industry nominates who it thinks should be in the top 50 – here is the longlist for 2021 Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2021
NCSC CyberFirst Girls 2021 contest kicks off
UK’s national cyber agency says it has already had hundreds of entrants in spite of the challenges presented by the pandemic Continue Reading