CYBER GROPOLITICS / CYBERCONFLICT
Berlin clears path for Huawei 5G network
“Germany appears to be prepared to allow Huawei to build parts of its new ultra-fast mobile network despite warnings that the technology may be a “back door” for Beijing’s spies…” https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/berlin-clears-path-for-huawei-5g-network-v0tw989qx
Huawei lashes out at Estonia for ‘unfounded’ security claims
« Chinese telecom company Huawei on Tuesday criticized the Estonian government and media for spreading what it says are “arbitrary and unfounded” allegations about cybersecurity risks related to the company’s mobile phones…” https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/10/16/business/huawei-lashes-estonia-unfounded-security-claims/#.XaeS6252s2w
Russia cyber aggression fuels tensions with west
“Russian government-backed cyber aggression is heightening concerns from the west following a spate of high-profile incidents, prompting threats of countermeasures from the likes of Nato, the EU and UK….” https://www.ft.com/content/0aa7a6e0-ca52-11e9-af46-b09e8bfe60c0
US launched secret cyber strike against Iran after attacks on Saudi oil facilities
« The US launched a secret cyber attack against Iran following the September attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities…” https://news.sky.com/story/us-launched-secret-cyber-strike-against-iran-after-attacks-on-saudi-oil-facilities-11836715
Belarus briefly detains Russian accused of U.S. election meddling
« Belarus briefly detained a Russian national accused by Washington of taking part in Russian attempts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, Belarus’s interior ministry said on Tuesday…” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belarus-russia-usa-sanctions/belarus-briefly-detains-russian-accused-of-us-election-meddling-idUSKBN1WU1RM
U.S: where do the 2020 Candidates Stand on Cybersecurity Awareness?
« The ugly news about Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election forced the issue of cybersecurity into the political spotlight in 2016. Since this catalytic event, political leaders have grappled with cybersecurity awareness on a global stage — and not all have done so gracefully…” https://www.sitelock.com/blog/2020-presidential-election-cybersecurity-report-card/
Iran says arrested opposition figure ‘directed by French intel’
« Iran has arrested an opposition figure who had been “directed by France’s intelligence service” and he is now in custody in the Islamic republic, the Revolutionary Guards said on Monday.” https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/1571054028-iran-says-arrested-opposition-figure-directed-by-france-s-intelligence-service
The Netherlands releases a Tour de Force on International Law in Cyberspace : Analysis
« In a July 2019 letter to parliament, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs set out the Government’s views on “the application in cyberspace of relevant elements of existing international law…” https://www.justsecurity.org/66562/the-netherlands-releases-a-tour-de-force-on-international-law-in-cyberspace-analysis/
INFRASTRUCTURE
SpaceX submits paperwork for 30,000 more Starlink satellites
« SpaceX has asked the International Telecommunication Union to arrange spectrum for 30,000 additional Starlink satellites….” https://spacenews.com/spacex-submits-paperwork-for-30000-more-starlink-satellites/
The price of achieving broadband access across Africa is $100bn
« Across Africa, where less than a third of the population has access to broadband connectivity, achieving universal, affordable, and good quality internet access by 2030 will require an investment of $100 billion…” https://www.esi-africa.com/industry-sectors/business-and-markets/the-price-of-achieving-broadband-access-across-africa-is-100bn/
Indonesia completes fiber-optic network to bring internet to remote east
« Indonesia has completed the last leg of a 13,000-km (8,080 mile) fiber-optic network that will bring high-speed internet to some of its poorest regions in the country’s east, including the restive region of Papua, the government said on Monday…” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-infrastructure/indonesia-completes-fiber-optic-network-to-bring-internet-to-remote-east-idUSKBN1WT0XC
UNESCO East Africa and Huawei Sign MoU to Improve Digital Skills and AI Capabilities
« At HUAWEI CONNECT, UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa and Huawei announced they would collaborate to enhance digital skills and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to contribute to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is an integral part to the program of equaling quality education in Huawei’s digital inclusion initiative TECH4ALL…” https://www.cio.com/article/3445897/unesco-east-africa-and-huawei-sign-mou-to-improve-digital-skills-and-ai-capabilities.html
CYBERSECURITY
Leading Domain Registries and Registrars Release Joint Document on Addressing ‘DNS Abuse’
« A group of leading domain name registries and registrars have joined forces in the fight against abuse in the Domain Name System (DNS), by developing a “Framework to Address Abuse…” http://www.circleid.com/posts/20191017_domain_registries_and_registrars_release_joint_document_on_dns/
http://www.circleid.com/pdf/Framework_to_Address_Abuse_20191017.pdf
Romania wins 2019 European Cyber Security Challenge competition
« Romania has won this year’s edition of the European Cyber Security Challenge, the yearly event bringing together young talent from across Europe to compete in the area of cybersecurity…” https://www.romania-insider.com/romania-european-cybersecurity-challenge-2019
DATA PROTECTION
India : Government soon to place new Data Protection Bill in Parliament
« The Data Protection Bill that aims to restrict and impose conditions on the cross-border transfer of personal data and prevent any misuse of personal information is ready and would be placed in Parliament soon, said Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Communications, Electronics and Information Technology Minister on Monday…” https://www.thestatesman.com/india/government-soon-place-new-data-protection-bill-parliament-1502810171.html
IRAN: Pres. Rouhani: People’s privacy must be completely protected
“At the session that heads of related organs were taking part, Dr Hassan Rouhani referred to today’s technologic developments and said, “Today, people’s life in the entire world has been attached with communications technology, which is increasing day by day…”. https://en.abna24.com/news//pres-rouhani-people’s-privacy-must-be-completely-protected_983236.html
Top Microsoft exec says online privacy has reached ‘a crisis point’
« Microsoft president Brad Smith thinks it’s time antitrust laws are updated for the digital age…” https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/14/success/microsoft-brad-smith-online-privacy-boss-files/index.html
CONTENT
France to redouble efforts to create EU tech regulator after copyright spat
« France is pushing for the creation of a European-wide regulator of digital platforms such as Google to sanction possible abuse of power, a French presidency official said on Tuesday, citing a dispute over EU copyright law as an example…” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-google/france-to-redouble-efforts-to-create-eu-tech-regulator-after-copyright-spat-idUSKBN1WU1YO
UK drops plans for online pornography age verification system
« Plans to introduce a nationwide age verification system for online pornography have been abandoned by the government after years of technical troubles and concerns from privacy campaigners….” https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2019/oct/16/uk-drops-plans-for-online-pornography-age-verification-system
South Korean National and Hundreds of Others Charged Worldwide in the Takedown of the Largest Darknet Child Pornography Website, Which was Funded by Bitcoin
« Jong Woo Son, 23, a South Korean national, was indicted by a federal grand jury in the District of Columbia for his operation of Welcome To Video, the largest child sexual exploitation market by volume of content. The nine-count indictment was unsealed today along with a parallel civil forfeiture action….” https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/south-korean-national-and-hundreds-others-charged-worldwide-takedown-largest-darknet-child
DIGITAL ECONOMY
New OECD proposal aims to shore up tax revenues in digital era
« The OECD has published a proposal that aims to advance international negotiations to ensure large and highly profitable multinational enterprises (MNEs), including digital companies, pay tax wherever they have significant consumer-facing activities and generate profits…” https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/new-oecd-proposal-aims-to-shore-up-tax-revenues-in-digital-era/
Italy goes it alone on Digital Services Tax..
« Italy plans to slap a 3% of revenues tax on companies with sales of over €750 million, when at least €5.5 million come from services provided in Italy. According to budget plans submitted to the European Commission, the Italian government reckons that the new tax will pull in €600 million per annum when it’s introduced next year…”https://diginomica.com/italy-goes-it-alone-digital-services-tax-us-doesnt-find-it-bellisimo
US : Lawmakers Blast Administration for Tech Shield in Trade Deals
« Lawmakers on Wednesday criticized the Trump administration’s decision to include legal protections for Facebook, YouTube and other platforms in recent global trade deals, while raising questions about whether to modify a federal law that shields those companies at home…”https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/16/business/tech-protections-trade-deals.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
International ip experts debate protecting artificial intelligence research
« A panel of leading international law experts addressed how international and domestic copyright law can adapt to the needs of researchers, libraries, technology entrepreneurs and their users at the American Branch of the International Law Association at Fordham Law School, New York, on Saturday October 12…” http://infojustice.org/archives/41651
ENCRYPTION
Without encryption, we will lose all privacy. This is our new battleground : Edward Snowden
« In every country of the world, the security of computers keeps the lights on, the shelves stocked, the dams closed, and transportation running…” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/oct/15/encryption-lose-privacy-us-uk-australia-facebook
DIGITAL HEALTH
Germany aims to become EU leader in digital health revamp
« This week, the German parliament’s health committee is hashing out with doctors, insurers and health industries’ representatives the draft Digital Supply Law that Spahn proposed earlier this year…” https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-aims-to-become-eu-leader-in-digital-health-revamp/
ACCESS
Turkey blocks WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook to crush criticism as it attacks Northern Syria
« Turkey is currently waging a war abroad – it’s a controversial operation referred to in the media as the Syrian offensive. As is often, if not always the case with wars, the Turkish authorities seem to think that the less information about the progress of the operation gets out and gets exchanged – the better….” https://reclaimthenet.org/turkey-internet-censorship-northern-syria/
INTERNET OF THINGS
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol launches own Internet of Things network
« The Netherlands’ Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has completed the deployment of its own network for Internet of Things (IoT) applications…” https://www.airport-technology.com/news/amsterdam-airport-schiphol-iot-network/
ICANN ANNOUNCEMENT
DRAFT PTI and IANA FY21 Operating Plan and Budgets
« Focusing on ICANN’s commitment to the multistakeholder model, the ICANN organization seeks public comment on the operating plan and budgets for delivering the IANA functions… » https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2-2019-10-14-en
Proposed Changes and new Additions to the IANA SLAs for ccTLD Creation and ccTLD Transfers
« Purpose: As required by the IANA Naming Function Process for Amending the IANA Naming SLAs, the purpose of this public comment proceeding is to obtain community input on a proposed change to one SLA and three proposed new SLAs which would define expectations of request processing timeliness for ccTLD creation and ccTLD transfers…..” https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2019-10-14-en
Registration Directory Service (RDS-WHOIS2) Review Team Final Report
« In its Final Report, the Registration Directory Service Review Team assessed the extent to which prior Directory Service Review recommendations have been implemented and whether the implementation has resulted in the intended effect…. » https://www.icann.org/news/announcement-2019-10-08-en
ISOC NEWS
Meet Three APrIGF 2019 Fellows
« The Internet Society, APNIC, and Coordination Center for TLD .RU sponsored 20 fellows to the 10th Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF 2019) held in Vladivostok, Russia in July. Let’s meet three fellows from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Singapore as they share their experience at APrIGF 2019, as well as their interests and future aspirations….” https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2019/10/meet-three-aprigf-2019-fellows/
‘These Are Our First Roadways’: Internet Access and Self-Determination in Pu`uhonua O Waimanalo
« The establishment of Pu‘uhonua o Waimānalo in 1994 was a significant milestone in the native Hawaiian movement to regain independence from the United States, which overthrew its kingdom in 1893…” https://www.internetsociety.org/blog/2019/10/these-are-our-first-roadways-internet-access-and-self-determination-in-puuhonua-o-waimanalo/
IETF NEWS
Birds of a Feather at IETF 106
« Before each IETF meeting, the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG) collects proposals for Birds of a Feather (BOF) sessions. These sessions are designed to help determine the path for new work in the IETF or to generate discussion about a topic within the IETF community…” https://www.ietf.org/blog/ietf106-bofs/
Internet Governance updates 