We take a weekly look at mobile tech stories from around the world. Headlines include… Canada bans WeChat, Kaspersky applications on government devices, Meta Launching Paid Subscriptions To Use Facebook And Instagram Ad-Free In Europe, President Biden’s new plan to regulate AI and more…
Canada bans WeChat, Kaspersky applications on government devices
Reuters
Reuters reports that Canada has banned WeChat and anti virus software Kaspersky on government issued mobile devices due to privacy and security risks.
The ban was announced on Monday by the Treasury Board of Canada in a statement that said the Chinese Tencent-owned WeChat and apps made by Russian Kaspersky : “present an unacceptable level of risk to privacy and security,” after an assessment by Canada’s chief information officer.
China’s foreign ministry and Kaspersky expressed concerns that the ban had been made without warning or evidence.
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Meta Launching Paid Subscriptions To Use Facebook And Instagram Ad-Free In Europe
Forbes
Forbes details how Meta is to start charging European users for ad-free subscriptions to Facebook and Instagram from next month.
They are the latest social media platform to offer a paid subscription service, which will be available to all users over 18 years – a decision that Meta stated follows a ruling by the EU’s Court of Justice, which said Meta would need consent before offering personalized ads.
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President Biden’s new plan to regulate AI
Vox
Vox reports on the new Executive order issued by the white house regarding control of artificial intelligence technologies. The order aims to develop the tech while ensuring they remain “safe, secure and trustworthy”
“This landmark executive order is a testament of what we stand for: safety, security, trust, openness, American leadership, and the undeniable rights endowed by a creator that no creation can take away,” Biden said in a speech as he signed the order.
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Is mobile gaming dead with the rise of PC handhelds?
Android Police
Android police comment on the state of mobile gaming in the context of increasingly popular handheld, non-mobile devices, such as Nintendo Switch and Valve’s Steamdeck.
Spoiler alert: Noting ways in which mobile remains distinct from the new players in the market, they make the rather predictable case that mobile gaming will remain alive and well for the foreseeable future.
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Private 5G Networks: The Spark 5G Needed All Along
Forbes
In this guest post on Forbes from the VP of mobility and IoT at MetTel, Max Sibler explains the significance of private 5G networks why 5G is “finally starting to resemble the vision that was laid out for its past decade” .
He concludes: “As more devices become a part of the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem, imagine the benefits that having a persistent, wireless connection will allow for increased operations. And as companies continue down the path of digital transformation, they need to take a hard look at how they are going to build out their internal communication infrastructure.”
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IPA and ISBA launch industry principles for use of generative AI in advertising
Mobile Marketing Magazine
More news on generative AI as the UK industry bodies the IPA and ISBA issue their 12 guiding principles for their use in advertising.
These principles focus on ensuring transparency, responsible use, and ethical considerations, covering issues such as intellectual property, environmental impact, discrimination, and human oversight. Advertisers and agencies are encouraged to be transparent with each other and commit to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of AI use in advertising to address potential negative impacts.
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Bridging the gap: Mobile advertising’s role in increasing post-Covid Chinese tourism
The Drum
The Drum reports on mobile advertising’s role in re-invigorating tourism in China, as it has emerged as a vital tool for engaging a newly tech-savvy demographic.
Post-pandemic Chinese tourists are characterized as digitally-oriented, experience-seeking explorers who prefer boutique hotels, B&Bs, and Airbnb over international chain hotels. Their spending priorities revolve around entertainment, culinary experiences, and shopping. they note that the precision and targeting capabilities of mobile advertising help brands tailor messages to specific traveler segments, improving engagement and conversion rates.
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