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Tag: IBT

  • PayPal Looking To Enter Cryptocurrency Space

    PayPal Looking To Enter Cryptocurrency Space

    PayPal is looking to get into cryptocurrency, opening the door for its 365 million customers.

    Cryptocurrency is one of the hottest trends in the tech and financial industries, with Bitcoin’s value soaring and companies of all sizes looking to cash in. Facebook’s Libra is one of the biggest efforts at widespread cryptocurrency adoption. PayPal had initially joined the Libra Association, before withdrawing last year to pursue its own goals.

    It seems that PayPal’s efforts may be close to fruition. It was previously reported by the International Business Times that PayPal is planning on allowing users to buy and sell cryptocurrencies via PayPal and Venmo. Now the IBT is reporting that, in a letter to the European Commission, PayPal has confirmed “that in addition to monitoring cryptocurrency’s evolution, it is also developing cryptocurrency capabilities in its products. The company, however, did not specify what these initiatives are.”

    PayPal’s involvement in the cryptocurrency space could be a big boon to the industry, especially if it is able to lower the barrier-to-entry for non-tech users.

  • Google Trying to Get a License to Work With Huawei

    Google Trying to Get a License to Work With Huawei

    Since the U.S. banned Huawei, the company has been cut off from access to Google’s software and services. Now, Google is applying for a license to once again work with the Chinese firm.

    Amid the U.S. campaign to isolate Huawei and restrict its access to American intellectual property, companies such as Google have been unable to do business with the telecom company. Huawei’s users have even tried sideloading Google apps to get around the restrictions, prompting the company to warn against the potential security risks of doing so.

    According to International Business Times (IBT), “in an interview with DPA (Deutsche Presse-Agentur), Sameer Samat, Android and Google Play Vice President, said that Google has put in an application for a license to resume working with Huawei. However, Samat could not mention details on when a decision on the license application would be taken.”

    As IBT points out, Google wouldn’t be the first company to apply for, and succeed in getting, a license to work with Huawei. Microsoft applied for such a license and was granted one in November 2019, allowing Huawei to ship notebooks with Windows preinstalled.

    Whatever the issues between the U.S. and Huawei, if Google is successful in getting a license, it will be a big win for Huawei’s customers.

  • Huawei Will Take Part In India 5G Trials

    Huawei Will Take Part In India 5G Trials

    Despite allegations that Huawei represents a major security risk, India is set to include the company in 5G trials, according to the International Business Times.

    Huawei is facing pressure around the world due to concerns it represents a way for China to spy on foreign governments and corporations. While all Chinese companies are required to cooperate with Beijing, Huawei is known for having closer ties than many companies.

    As a result of these concerns, the U.S. has banned Huawei and engaged in a campaign to pressure its allies to do the same. In spite of that, India plans to include the telecommunications equipment company in upcoming 5G trials.

    “We have taken the decision to give 5G spectrum for trial to all the players,” Ravi Shankar Prasad, India’s telecom minister, said late Monday.

    Given the size of the Indian market, if Huawei is able to secure a sizable stake, it should help the company offset losses from the U.S. and other Western countries.

  • Teslaquila Tequila ‘Should Be Good To Go’ According to Elon Musk

    Teslaquila Tequila ‘Should Be Good To Go’ According to Elon Musk

    Tesla owners looking for the perfect alcoholic compliment to their vehicles (not while in them of course) may not have long to wait, according to the International Business Times (IBT).

    What began as an April Fool’s joke in 2018 seems on the verge of becoming a reality. According to Teslarati, Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s April Fool’s prank in 2018 was a tweet saying the company had gone bankrupt and showing a picture of Musk passed out surrounded by Teslaquilla bottles. The prank was an instant hit, with individuals clamoring for the company to actually make the tequila, and Musk promising they would.

    Months later, TechCrunch reported that Tesla had filed an “intent to use” trademark for the tequila, with Musk once again confirming it was “coming soon.”

    According to IBT, a Tesla Model 3 owner reached out to Musk via Twitter to find out the latest about the distilled pure agave liquor.

    “Slight tweak to the glass needed & then it should be good to go,” Musk tweeted in reply on Sunday.

  • Beware of Watching ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ On Streaming Sites

    Beware of Watching ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ On Streaming Sites

    While it may be tempting to watch the latest Star Wars installment from the comfort of home, the International Business Times (IBT) is warning that doing so could be dangerous.

    According to the IBT report, security firm Kaspersky Labs has found some 30 fraudulent websites claiming to stream the new film. In reality, the goal of the sites is to capture unsuspecting users credit card information.

    The security firm also found 65 malicious files disguised as downloadable copies of the film. The files are actually malware designed to infect the devices they are downloaded on.

    According to a Kaspersky researcher: “It is typical for fraudsters and cybercriminals to try to capitalize on popular topics, and ‘Star Wars’ is a good example of such a theme this month.”

    As with most things related to cybersecurity, better safe than sorry when it comes to the new film: watch it in theaters or wait for it to be released on DVD or Disney+.

  • Senate Signs Bill to Help Curb Illegal Robocalls

    Senate Signs Bill to Help Curb Illegal Robocalls

    Robocalls have become a plague for the American consumer, with some 54 billion being placed last year alone. Now, according to the International Business Times (IBT), the Senate has unanimously approved House-passed legislation aimed at combatting robocalls.

    The Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence Act is named for its sponsors, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., and Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. In passing the bill, lawmakers cited the nuisance to consumers, while also highlighting the life-threatening impact robocalls can have on hospitals.

    “There are numerous stories of hospital telephone lines being flooded with robocalls, disrupting critical lines of communication for hours,” Thune said. “That can’t be allowed to go on.”

    According to IBT, “the measure requires AT&T, Verizon and other phone companies to block robocalls for free and ensure calls are coming from real numbers. It also gives regulators more time to find and penalize scammers without having to issue warnings first.

    “The Federal Communications Commission will be required to let Congress know about action being taken against robocalling operations and oversee companies tracking such calls. It also requires the Justice Department to prosecute more often.

    “The FCC voted during the summer to allow carriers to block suspicious calls by default.

    “The bill’s requirements are expected to take months to implement and do nothing to reduce calls from credit card companies, student lenders and other businesses who depend on such calls to generate business.”

    While the bill’s backers say the its impact may not be noticeable immediately, as time goes on users will experience less calls.

    The bill will now go to President Trump. According to The Hill, “Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) told reporters Thursday that the bill is likely to be ‘signed into law the next week or so.’”

  • Apple Threatens to Leave Russia in 2020, Citing Russian Software Demands

    Apple Threatens to Leave Russia in 2020, Citing Russian Software Demands

    The International Business Times (IBT) is reporting that Apple may leave the Russian market next year in response to a new law requiring Russian software alternatives be installed on electronic devices.

    The new law, which Putin signed on December 5, goes into effect on July 1, 2020. The law requires all computers, smartphones and smart TVs to have Russian applications pre-installed. As Reuters reports, electronic companies are pushing back on the law, although few as much as Apple.

    Apple has said the Russian law would require the equivalent of jailbreaking its software, something it has refused to do in the past. While the law’s proposed purpose is to allow local companies to better compete with the software that comes loaded on devices, critics believe any software the Russian government would insist be installed could, and likely would, be used to spy on people.

    According to IBT, “an unnamed Apple source allegedly informed Kommersant Business Daily that a mandate to include third-party applications to Apple’s ecosystem would be synonymous with jailbreaking. The Apple source also said that it might pose a security threat, and Apple would not tolerate such kind of risk. The Russian government will come up with a list of software and apps which tech firms are required to pre-install, as well as the list of devices covered by this new law, reports The Moscow Times.”

    For Apple, the stakes are far greater that just the Russian market. The company has made a name for itself as a staunch protector of privacy, going head-to-head with the FBI to fight attempts to force it to create backdoors in its software. If it gives in to Russia, it will set a dangerous precedent that other governments will no doubt seize upon.