Cybersecurity

Exabeam sets new standard for SOC automation with Open API compatibility

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Hitachi Vantara named leader and outperformer in GigaOm Radar for primary storage

Hitachi Vantara named leader in GigaOm Radar for primary storage, showcasing innovation in cloud integration, ransomware protection, and sustainability.

Myanmarโ€™s new cybersecurity law targets VPN usage with harsh penalties

Myanmar's new cybersecurity law imposes harsh penalties for VPN usage, raising concerns about privacy, free speech, and digital rights.

Apple agrees to US$95 million settlement in Siri privacy lawsuit

Apple agrees to a US$95 million settlement over claims Siri invaded user privacy, raising questions about tech data practices.

Can AI make better decisions than humans?

Explore how AI is transforming decision-making, from boosting efficiency to raising ethical questions, and how businesses can balance AI with human judgment.

Marketing

Can AI make better decisions than humans?

Explore how AI is transforming decision-making, from boosting efficiency to raising ethical questions, and how businesses can balance AI with human judgment.

Google Ads criticised for automatic broad match changes

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Sandisk unveils bold new rebrand

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impact.com reports strong growth and innovation in 2024

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Key mobile marketing trends to watch in APAC for 2025

Explore 2025's mobile marketing trends in APAC, from AI and ML advancements to alternative app stores, cross-border acquisitions, and tighter privacy laws.

Southeast Asia

Koltiva strengthens its role as Southeast Asiaโ€™s partner for EUDR compliance

Koltiva supports Southeast Asia's rubber industry in meeting EUDR compliance through training, traceability, and sustainable solutions.

Fiuu introduces Visa instalment solutions in Southeast Asia

Fiuu partners with Visa to launch Visa Instalment Solutions in Southeast Asia, offering flexible BNPL options to merchants in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Dutch chipmaker NXP and TSMC affiliate set sights on expanding US$7.8 billion Singapore venture

NXP and VIS plan to expand their US$7.8 billion Singapore venture to strengthen global chip production amid rising US-China tensions.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres partners with Zenlayer to boost connectivity across Southeast Asia

STT GDC partners with Zenlayer to enhance private connectivity in Southeast Asia, addressing growing global data demands with high-speed solutions.

Atome Financial secures US$200 million syndicated facility to boost financial inclusion in Southeast Asia

Atome Financial secures a US$200M syndicated facility led by HSBC to expand its innovative financial services and promote inclusion in Southeast Asia.

Geek

Crunchyroll and Sony partners unveil anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and Sony partners reveal Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime adaptation, set for a 2027 release exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Evangelion store marks two decades with new merchandise and an anniversary fair

Celebrate 20 years of EVANGELION with exclusive merchandise and special gifts at the anniversary fair, only at the EVANGELION STORE.

AmiAmi launches on Shopee Singapore, bringing exclusive Japanese collectibles to fans

Japanโ€™s top hobby retailer AmiAmi debuts on Shopee Singapore, offering exclusive collectibles and Japanese pop culture merchandise to fans.

Crunchyroll Anime Awards to return to Tokyo on 25 May 2025

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards returns to Tokyo on 25 May 2025 with updated eligibility, new categories, and global livestream. Nominees out 3 April.

Crunchyroll delights anime fans with Tower of God seiyuu at AFA Singapore

Crunchyroll thrilled anime fans at AFA Singapore 2024 with a Tower of God seiyuu panel, meet-and-greet sessions, and a Solo Leveling immersive dome.

Cybersecurity

Exabeam sets new standard for SOC automation with Open API compatibility

Exabeam launches its Open API-compatible New-Scale Platform, revolutionising SOC automation with seamless integration and advanced threat detection tools.

Hitachi Vantara named leader and outperformer in GigaOm Radar for primary storage

Hitachi Vantara named leader in GigaOm Radar for primary storage, showcasing innovation in cloud integration, ransomware protection, and sustainability.

Myanmarโ€™s new cybersecurity law targets VPN usage with harsh penalties

Myanmar's new cybersecurity law imposes harsh penalties for VPN usage, raising concerns about privacy, free speech, and digital rights.

Apple agrees to US$95 million settlement in Siri privacy lawsuit

Apple agrees to a US$95 million settlement over claims Siri invaded user privacy, raising questions about tech data practices.

Can AI make better decisions than humans?

Explore how AI is transforming decision-making, from boosting efficiency to raising ethical questions, and how businesses can balance AI with human judgment.

Marketing

Can AI make better decisions than humans?

Explore how AI is transforming decision-making, from boosting efficiency to raising ethical questions, and how businesses can balance AI with human judgment.

Google Ads criticised for automatic broad match changes

Google Ads is being criticised for automatic broad match changes, sparking concerns over wasted ad spend. Stay alert to protect campaign performance.

Sandisk unveils bold new rebrand

Sandisk unveils a bold rebrand with a modern logo inspired by data and collaboration, setting the stage for its spinoff from Western Digital.

impact.com reports strong growth and innovation in 2024

impact.com celebrates growth in 2024, with over 1,000 new clients, innovative launches like impact.com/advocate, and record-breaking revenues.

Key mobile marketing trends to watch in APAC for 2025

Explore 2025's mobile marketing trends in APAC, from AI and ML advancements to alternative app stores, cross-border acquisitions, and tighter privacy laws.

Southeast Asia

Koltiva strengthens its role as Southeast Asiaโ€™s partner for EUDR compliance

Koltiva supports Southeast Asia's rubber industry in meeting EUDR compliance through training, traceability, and sustainable solutions.

Fiuu introduces Visa instalment solutions in Southeast Asia

Fiuu partners with Visa to launch Visa Instalment Solutions in Southeast Asia, offering flexible BNPL options to merchants in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Dutch chipmaker NXP and TSMC affiliate set sights on expanding US$7.8 billion Singapore venture

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ST Telemedia Global Data Centres partners with Zenlayer to boost connectivity across Southeast Asia

STT GDC partners with Zenlayer to enhance private connectivity in Southeast Asia, addressing growing global data demands with high-speed solutions.

Atome Financial secures US$200 million syndicated facility to boost financial inclusion in Southeast Asia

Atome Financial secures a US$200M syndicated facility led by HSBC to expand its innovative financial services and promote inclusion in Southeast Asia.

Geek

Crunchyroll and Sony partners unveil anime adaptation of Ghost of Tsushima: Legends

Crunchyroll, Aniplex, and Sony partners reveal Ghost of Tsushima: Legends anime adaptation, set for a 2027 release exclusively on Crunchyroll.

Evangelion store marks two decades with new merchandise and an anniversary fair

Celebrate 20 years of EVANGELION with exclusive merchandise and special gifts at the anniversary fair, only at the EVANGELION STORE.

AmiAmi launches on Shopee Singapore, bringing exclusive Japanese collectibles to fans

Japanโ€™s top hobby retailer AmiAmi debuts on Shopee Singapore, offering exclusive collectibles and Japanese pop culture merchandise to fans.

Crunchyroll Anime Awards to return to Tokyo on 25 May 2025

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards returns to Tokyo on 25 May 2025 with updated eligibility, new categories, and global livestream. Nominees out 3 April.

Crunchyroll delights anime fans with Tower of God seiyuu at AFA Singapore

Crunchyroll thrilled anime fans at AFA Singapore 2024 with a Tower of God seiyuu panel, meet-and-greet sessions, and a Solo Leveling immersive dome.
Tuesday, 14 January 2025
23.5 C
Singapore

Lawmakers vote to reauthorise a US spying law that critics say expands government surveillance

US lawmakers have reauthorised the controversial surveillance law, FISA, amidst privacy concerns and opposition, setting its next expiry for the end of 2026.

Early on April 15, lawmakers passed a bill to reauthorise and expand a controversial U.S. surveillance law known as Section 702 under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The decision came just after the lawโ€™s powers expired at midnight, amidst opposition from privacy advocates and some members of Congress.

The debate over privacy and security

The bill, which passed with a 60-34 vote, permits the U.S. to collect communications from foreign nationals through tech and phone companies. However, critics argue that it also inadvertently captures communications involving Americans. Despite this, officials from the White House and various intelligence agencies supported the reauthorisation, claiming it was crucial for preventing terrorist and cyber attacks. They emphasised that most of the information in the presidentโ€™s daily intelligence briefings comes from the Section 702 programme.

On the other side, privacy advocates and some rights groups opposed the reauthorisation. They highlighted that the FBI and NSA can search the Section 702 database for Americansโ€™ communications without a warrant. This has raised concerns about potential abuses of power, especially as accusations of warrantless searches by the FBI and NSA have surfaced. Efforts to amend the bill to require warrants for searches were ultimately unsuccessful in the Senate.

The path forward for FISA

The bill has now moved to the presidentโ€™s desk and is expected to be signed into law. FISA, which was initially enacted in 1978, has faced increased scrutiny since 2013, when a significant leak revealed the U.S. governmentโ€™s extensive global wiretapping activities. The recent House version of the bill faced opposition for potentially broadening FISAโ€™s reach to include smaller companies and telecom providers, which had previously not been covered.

Senator Ron Wyden, a vocal advocate for privacy, criticised the last-minute push to renew the law without adequate reforms. He stressed that promises of minor adjustments had repeatedly failed to prevent misuse of the surveillance powers.

Despite the controversy, a key FISA provision ensures that the governmentโ€™s surveillance activities can continue even if the lawโ€™s authorisation temporarily lapses. The FISA Court, which must approve the governmentโ€™s surveillance programmes annually, last certified these programmes in early April, allowing them to extend until at least April 2025. The current reauthorisation of FISA extends its expiration to the end of 2026, potentially setting the stage for future legislative debates.

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