BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Apple criticised for storing data inside China
Apple has confirmed that it is storing Chinese customers' data inside data centres based in China, following reports by the New York Times. However it said it had "never compromised the security" of either its customers or their data. Apple said it was complying with Chinese law about the data storage of its nationals. However, one expert told the BBC it was effectively "handing ... Read more
2021-05-20 20:12:26
Ransomware: Should paying hacker ransoms be illegal?
A cyber-crime spree wreaking havoc around the world has reignited calls for governments to ban ransom payments to hackers. Ransomware criminals are holding computer systems hostage on a daily basis, demanding large payments from victims to restore order. The CEO of Colonial Pipeline has admitted his company paid hackers nearly $4.5m last week after their attack forced the firm to stop transporti ... Read more
2021-05-19 19:53:01
Six announcements from Google I/O
Last year Google's developer conference was cancelled. Google I/O was back this year with several new announcements. Here are the things that caught our eye. More inclusive camera Google says it is creating a smartphone camera that more accurately depicts skin tone. "For people of colour, photography has not always seen us as we want to be seen, even in some of our own Google products&qu ... Read more
2021-05-18 20:09:08
Google AI tool can help patients identify skin conditions
Google has unveiled a tool that uses artificial intelligence to help spot skin, hair and nail conditions, based on images uploaded by patients. A trial of the "dermatology assist tool", unveiled at the tech giant's annual developer conference, Google IO, should launch later this year, it said. The app has been awarded a CE mark for use as a medical tool in Europe. A cancer expert said ... Read more
2021-05-18 20:08:12
Why is Huawei still in the UK?
It's not just the unseasonally cold weather that's creating a somewhat chilly climate for Huawei's UK operations. It's been banned from the UK's 5G infrastructure and it faces ongoing scrutiny from the National Cyber Security Centre over its security practices, and whether it has links with the Chinese government, which it denies. On a consumer level, its handset sales have plummeted all over Eu ... Read more
2021-05-17 19:59:26
Four men arrested in anti-Semitism video investigation
Police have arrested four men in connection with a video which appeared to show anti-Semitic abuse being shouted from a car in north London. Boris Johnson earlier condemned the "shameful racism" aimed at British Jews, which had "no place" in society. The person who filmed the video told the BBC they cried after witnessing the scene, adding: "I don't feel safe." Lab ... Read more
2021-05-16 19:46:36
Cyber attack 'most significant on Irish state'
A cyber attack on Irish health service computer systems is "possibly the most significant cybercrime attack on the Irish state", a minister has said. Speaking on broadcaster RTÉ, Ossian Smyth said the attack "goes right to the core of the [health] system". However, he also said that it was "not espionage". Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin said that he had consul ... Read more
2021-05-14 19:57:59
Reminders on rise as WhatsApp update deadline looms
Users yet to accept new terms and conditions for the messaging platform WhatsApp will now receive "persistent" reminders ahead of the 15 May deadline. The changes relate primarily to the way businesses interact with customers. Since they were announced, in January, there has been concern about the prospect of increased data sharing with WhatsApp's parent company, Facebook, but this wil ... Read more
2021-05-13 19:54:45
Tesla will no longer accept bitcoin over climate concerns, says Musk
Tesla has suspended vehicle purchases using bitcoin due to climate change concerns, its CEO Elon Musk said in a tweet. Bitcoin fell by more than 10% after the tweet, while Tesla shares also dipped. Tesla's announcement in March that it would accept the cryptocurrency was met with an outcry from some environmentalists and investors. The electric carmaker had in February revealed it had bought $1 ... Read more
2021-05-12 21:56:48
NHS app ready to become vaccine passport next week
England’s NHS app will be available to use as a vaccine passport from Monday, the government has said - but only for those who have had both doses of the jab. A paper version will also be available - by calling 119 but not through a GP. Both will be available from Monday, 17 May, when the ban on foreign travel is eased. The NHS app is separate to the NHS Covid-19 app, which is used for contact ... Read more
2021-05-11 19:52:40