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ICO voices concerns over live facial recognition


By Alexandra Leonards

UK information commissioner Elizabeth Denham has said that she is “deeply concerned” about the potential for live facial recognition (LFR) to be used inappropriately, excessively, or even recklessly. Denham warned that while facial recognition technology can be beneficial, when its algorithms are used to scan people’s faces in real time and in more public contexts, the risk to privacy increases.


TikTok owner ByteDance doubles revenue

ByteDance, owner of video sharing app TikTok, saw its revenue grow 111 per cent to 34.3 billion for the 2020 financial year. The Beijing-based company also reported a 93 per cent increase in gross profit to $19 billion for 2020.

Google opens store in NYC

Google has opened its first ever physical retail store in New York City. The software giant said that the new space would give customers an “immersive” experience and enable hands-on interaction with the company’s devices and services – including Pixel phones, Nest products, Fitbit wearables, and Pixelbooks.

UK watchdog to investigate Apple and Google mobile ecosystems

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a market study into Apple and Google’s mobile ecosystems over concerns they have market power which is harming users.

Google developing alternative skin tone classification method

Google is developing an alternative to the industry standard method for classifying skin tones, according to sources reported by Reuters. The news comes amid widespread concerns that facial recognition could open the door to racial bias.

Delivery apps up to 44% more expensive than restaurants

Ordering takeaways via food delivery apps like Deliveroo and UberEats can be up to 44 per cent more expensive than going directly to the restaurant, according to a new study from Which?.

185,000 IT SME jobs ‘in danger’

Around 185,000 IT sector jobs are currently under threat, according to new research. The latest business distress index from UK company Real Business Rescue, found that the number of IT SMEs in significant financial distress stands at 47,000, an increase of 15 per cent increase in the first quarter of the year.

Satya Nadella becomes Microsoft chair

Current Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella, who has held the leadership role since 2014, has been unanimously elected by the board to take on the role of chair. The software giant, which currently has a market capitalisation of around 1.97 trillion, saw revenues expand significantly under Satya’s leadership.
UK watchdog reveals the celebrities breaking online ad rules

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has said it is launching a new dedicated page that will highlight individual influencers who have “repeatedly failed to disclose when their Instagram posts are ads.”

UK gov in EV battery factory talks

Ford, Nissan, LG Corp, Samsung, and electric vehicle (EV) start-ups Britishvolt and InoBat Auto are currently in talks with the UK government over building EV battery factories, according to sources reported by The Financial Times. The news comes ahead of the government's plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and all hybrid cars by 2035.

Tech Nation launches new diversity & inclusion toolkit

UK technology industry body Tech Nation has introduced a new guide for tech founders and their employees to help them build more diverse and inclusive businesses.

Tech Nation said the toolkit was created from interviews conducted with UK tech leaders, and contains checklists, links to tools and resources, and case studies which highlight examples of companies who have enacted positive change.

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Check out our latest features

Are biometrics above the law?

Alongside ethical concerns, unclear governance has driven a backlash against the use of second-generation biometrics by police. Alexandra Leonards finds out where the tech fits into current legislation and looks at one of the technology’s biggest flaws: racial bias

Deepfakes: is perception more dangerous than reality?

Paying too much attention to fake videos could undermine the notion of truth when it comes to online content. Alexandra Leonards explores the dangers of perception, the rise of ‘shallowfakes,’ and discovers how to tackle deepfakes while they’re still in their infancy.

What are this year’s green tech frontrunners?

Alexandra Leonards explores the environmental technologies dominating the UK budget in 2021. More than a third of UK consumers say they’d prefer future technology to prioritise climate concerns over non-essential needs. With the government recently announcing plans for a £12 billion ‘green industrial revolution,’ the British public may be in luck.

Pandemic cyber-crime separates the strong from the weak

Many were prepared for a cyber onslaught, while ill-equipped businesses fell victim when the COVID-19 hit. Alexandra Leonards explores how the pandemic drove cyber-crime and looks at the UK response to the rise in online attacks. The disruption of an atmosphere of crisis and an influx of workers into home offices has created an online haven for cyber criminals.

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