The unveiling of Apple’s four new iPhone models sparked a surprising underwhelm in the tech community. Meanwhile, debates rose regarding China’s nimble navigation around US tech embargoes, especially regarding iPhone use. No less intriguing were the discussions around Open RAN – tech pioneers revisited this initiative with the UK’s recent efforts to regain Open RAN momentum.
In an audacious move against China’s tech supremacy, the U.S. has issued an executive order curbing American investment in several Chinese industries. Citing national security fears linked to the development of military, surveillance, and cyber technology in China, the U.S. declared a national emergency facilitating swift action. This could significantly impact sectors such as semiconductors and quantum computing, and might also influence global investment trend.
The EU’s messaging around “high-risk” vendors hints at a potential ban on Huawei and ZTE, urging members to accelerate their removal from 5G networks. As the EU Commission pushes for swift implementation, the debate on security risks and dependencies intensifies.
Hangzhou leads the digital revolution with the Dual 10 Gigabit City project, partnering with industry giants like Huawei to foster 5.5G technology, enhance connectivity and pioneer innovative applications for a smarter future.
Montana’s decision to ban TikTok raises significant free speech debates, with TikTok retaliating through a lawsuit. While the state’s unilateral action is unusual, the broader issue of communication rights and first amendment implications abroad remains highly significant.
China sanctions US chipmaker Micron citing national security concerns, escalating tensions between the two nations. With implications for the IT and telecom sectors, alternatives may emerge from market leaders, fueling ongoing retaliation. How will this play out in the tech industry?
The US Department of Justice has accused two people it believes to be Chinese state agents of paying an FBI double agent to get information about the Huawei probe. The two individuals are accused of attempting to influence a US government employee who they thought was a cooperator to disclose sensitive information regarding the Justice Department’s investigation, including details about prospective witnesses, trial evidence, and additional charges that may be brought. According to the Justice Department, one of the defendants paid nearly $61,000 in digital currency for the data. However, the individual they attempted to bribe was an FBI double agent. The double agent gave the Chinese operatives certain documents that seemed to contain some of the material they were looking for, but the documents were created by the Justice Department and did not disclose factual meetings or trial tactics. Although the department has filed arrest warrants…
According to a recent report from The Intercept, Google is planning to relaunch its search engine in China, meeting all the Chinese government’s censorship requirements. Back in 2010, the Internet giant withdrew its services from China due to strict censorship. Now Google is clawing its way back into the world’s largest Internet market, with a censored version of their search engine under the codename “Dragonfly”. The first platform to be developed is an Android app that is expected to be finalized in the upcoming six to nine months, claims The Intercept. The appeal of 750 million Internet users would be quite tempting to anyone, yet this news about Google has been met with some negativity, and may be considered as showing support for the totalitarian regime in China. “This has very serious implications not just for China, but for all of us, for freedom of information and Internet freedom. It…
After President Trump asked the U.S. Commerce Department to find an agreement to save ZTE Corp., an agreement has been found. It all started when an investigation found out that ZTE was doing business with Iran and North Korea by sending U.S. products. Despite the opposition of several members of congress, mostly Democrats, but also many Republicans, that are accusing Trump of bending under Chinese pressure, ZTE will be able to trade with American companies. ZTE was banned from doing any business with the U.S. since April 15th and has lost $3 billion. ZTE will have to pay a $1.3 billion fine to the U.S. in addition to a $900 million fine they already paid last year. Part of the deal, aside from the fine, includes a change in management and will have to get parts from U.S. suppliers. The situation between ZTE and the U.S. Administration created some tensions…
Apple recently sent a message to all developers of apps on iOS that are available on the Chinese App Store. They informed them that they had to remove a tool called Callkit, that allows to implement VoIP calls into their app. Any app that uses Callkit is refused by apple for the Chinese market. The message stated: “Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) requested that CallKit functionality be deactivated in all apps available on the China App Store.” Despite this announcement, VoIP is still allowed in China, but the ease of use of Callkit seems to be the issue. Some Human Rights activists suggest that even though China doesn’t want to officially ban VoIP, they want to make it more difficult to use. It is not the first time Apple had to comply with Chinese demands as they removed last year Microsoft’s Skype among other VoIP…
