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Intel Takes 15 Percent Stake in German Digital Mapping Firm Here

by Rajdeep
written by Rajdeep

Intel Takes 15 Percent Stake in German Digital Mapping Firm Here

US chip maker Intel will take a 15 percent stake in German digital mapping firm Here, it said on Tuesday, as it seeks to build its presence in automated driving technology.

A filing to the German cartel office on Tuesday showed Intel has sought approval to buy a stake in the company, which is controlled by German carmakers Daimler, BMW and Volkswagen .

Intel and Here said in a statement that they had also signed an agreement to collaborate on the research and development of real-time updates of high definition (HD) maps for highly- and fully-automated driving.

Intel did not disclose how much it would pay for the stake but said the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter.

The deal highlights a shift in the dynamics of research and development in the car industry, which until recently saw automakers largely dictating terms for suppliers to manufacture their proprietary technologies at specified volumes and prices.

Now carmakers are increasingly striking partnerships with technology firms using open technology standards, seeking to harness their expertise in areas including machine learning and mapping as they race against Silicon Valley companies such as Google, Tesla and Apple to develop driverless vehicles.

Last month two Chinese companies and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC agreed to buy a 10 percent stake in Here and in July, BMW teamed up with Intel and Mobileye to develop self-driving cars by 2021.

BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen bought Here for EUR 2.8 billion ($2.9 billion) in 2015 from mobile equipment maker Nokia of Finland.

Last September, Here said it would introduce a new set of traffic services allowing drivers to see for themselves what live road conditions are like miles ahead using data from competing automakers, an industry first.

[Source:- gadgets.ndtv]

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Internet

Microsoft, Qualcomm Back Israel’s Team8 Cyber-Security Firm

by Rajdeep
written by Rajdeep

Microsoft, Qualcomm Back Israel's Team8 Cyber-Security Firm

The venture arms of Microsoft and Qualcomm have invested in Team8, an Israeli creator of cyber-security start-ups, as big multinational companies get behind Israel’s burgeoning cyber industry in the face of growing threats.

Team8, which also announced on Monday a strategic partnership with Citi to help develop its products, said the most recent investment brings its total raised to more than $92 million.

Its other investors are Cisco, AT&T, Accenture, Nokia, Singapore’s Temasek, Japan’s Mitsui, Bessemer Venture Partners, Google executive chairman Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors and Marker LLC.

While the number of attempted cyber-attacks was 20,000 a week two or three years ago, that figure had now risen to 600,000-700,000, said Yoram Yaacovi, general manger of Microsoft Israel’s development centre.

Israel has some 450 cyber start-ups, which receive 20 percent of global investment in the sector. Although the need for security is growing quickly, the proliferation of start-ups means that several companies compete in every sub-sector.

“A large part of companies created won’t get to the finish line,” Nadav Zafrir, Team8 chief executive and former commander of the Israeli army’s technology and intelligence unit 8200, told a news conference.

He said he believes Team8’s strong partners and its plan to build a portfolio of different technologies gives it an edge. Team8 confirmed that Microsoft had been an investor since last June.

“The expectation of our investors is to build independent companies that will lead their sectors,” he said.

Israel has a well established high tech industry, using skills of workers trained in the military and intelligence sectors. Tax breaks and government funding have encouraged start-ups, and also drawn in entrepreneurs from abroad.

Launched in 2014, Team8 employs 180 people in Israel, the United States, Britain and Singapore and plans to hire 100 more workers in 2017.

Two companies it created are Illusive Networks, which uses deception technology to detect attacks and has been installed at banks and retailers, and Claroty, which secures critical infrastructure sites such as oil and gas fields.

[Source:- gadgets.ndtv]

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Internet

Here Mapping Firm Sells Stake to Chinese Investors

by Rajdeep
written by Rajdeep

Here Mapping Firm Sells Stake to Chinese Investors

Two Chinese companies and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund GIC have agreed to buy a 10 percent stake in a digital mapping company controlled by Germany’s leading carmakers to help them develop self-driving cars.

Chinese digital mapping company NavInfo, Internet group Tencent and the Singapore fund will invest in mapping company Here under a deal announced on Tuesday.

China is pushing the development of electric and autonomous cars and has made several high-profile investments in high tech companies in Europe.

German carmakers Audi, BMW and Daimler will reduce their combined ownership of Here by 10 percent, Here and the buyers said in a statement.

China is on track to overtake the United States as the largest market for premium cars, a step which forces the German manufacturers to find alliances with local players in Asia to help them expand new services such as autonomous driving.

Here and the Chinese consortium did not disclose financial details of the deal, which they expect to close in the first half of 2017.
Germany’s luxury carmakers bought Here from Nokia for EUR 2.55 billion ($2.6 billion) last year to create a platform for developing self-driving cars and to secure their access to intelligent high-precision mapping systems.

The German carmakers have developed their own prototype autonomous vehicles and wanted to cut their dependence on mapping data from software giant Google which has also developed a self-driving vehicle.

Here needs capital to expand its network of high-precision maps quickly, and has been in discussion with potential partners including Amazon.com, Microsoft and Bosch.

Self-driving cars need such maps to navigate, and use sensors to create services such as a system for monitoring road conditions and finding parking spaces by using vehicle-mounted cameras to scan the road ahead.

China has taken an interest in automotive technology investments to help develop its autonomous and self driving car know-how.

Earlier this month Chinese mobile operating systems company Thunder Software Technology Co Ltd (Thundersoft) agreed to acquire Finnish automotive software company Rightware for EUR 64 million ($67 million).

Future Mobility, a Chinese automaker controlled by Tencent Holdings has poached autonomous driving personnel from Google, Daimler and BMW in the race to make self-driving cars.

There have also been high-profile takeover approaches for high-tech companies in Europe, particularly in Germany, though Chinese overtures have not always been welcome.

Home appliance maker Midea bought industrial robot firm Kuka in a EUR 4.5 billion deal in May, in what was the biggest Chinese deal for a German industrial technology company.

China’s Fujian Grand Chip Investment Fund withdrew a EUR 670 million bid for chip equipment maker Aixtron this month after the United States blocked the acquisition of its US division on national security grounds and German authorities withdrew their approval.

Germany and China have become involved in an increasingly public dispute about access to each others’ markets, with China complaining about unfair scrutiny of its acquisition targets in Germany, and Germany wanting reciprocal access to firms in China.

Here also said it will form a joint venture with NavInfo to extend its products to China using NavInfo’s data and services.

Tencent will use Here’s mapping and location platform services in its own products, both in China and internationally.

[Source:- gadgets.ndtv]

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Education

Christmas card printing firm Schoolcardshop ceases trading

by Rajdeep
written by Rajdeep

Children's Christmas card designs

A company that converts schoolchildren’s artwork into Christmas cards has gone out of business.

A statement on Schoolcardshop’s website said its parent company, digital and personalised print supplier Dynamic Colour, was no longer trading.

In an email to customers, the Edinburgh-based firm said the news had come “as a shock to all of us”.

“It is not about the money. It is the fact they have images our children took time to do,” one mother told the BBC.

Meg Bennett, from Brierley Hill in the West Midlands, said she “had the foresight” to scan her six-year-old son’s image of reindeer before submitting it to Schoolcardshop via his school.

But she said: “There’s a group of us who have been chatting about this all day and I know other mums did not do that.”

Schoolcardshop allows families to create and personalise cards, and schools retain a proportion of the money spent by families on the products.

Mrs Bennett said: “I just feel bad because our children’s school are going to get a lot of flak for this.”

No-one was available for comment at Dynamic Colour on Wednesday evening.

In an email received by customers, the “Schoolcardshop Team” apologised but said it would not be able to produce this year’s products.

It said Dynamic Colour was its parent company but had ceased trading and was in the process of appointing a liquidator.

“This has come as a shock to all of us and we’ve been trying hard to bring operations to a clean conclusion…

“Unfortunately due to the situation we find ourselves in we are unable to continue in any form.”

“We are all deeply upset to have to give you this news. We are sorry that all participating children and parents will not now receive their cards and gifts but the matter is completely out of our control.”

‘Not convinced’

One parent told the BBC: “My daughter’s school was one of those that had signed up with this company to produce cards drawn by its pupils.

“We’ve already paid £12 for two packs that we won’t now be receiving. Have been told we’ll get our money back. I remain to be convinced.”

Other parents have also expressed their upset on Twitter, and are worried they may not get their money back.

Recent posts from the company’s social media accounts mention the launch of an online store, while another tweet from the company’s account on 11 November says what “a busy week” its team had.

[Source:- BBC]

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Tech Update

iPhone Call Logs Easy Pickings on iCloud, Says Russian Security Firm

by Rajdeep
written by Rajdeep

icloud-privacy

Russian digital forensics firm ElcomSoft on Thursday reported that Apple automatically uploads iPhone call logs to iCloud remote servers, and that users have no official way to disable this feature other than to completely switch off the iCloud drive.

The data uploaded could include a list of all calls made and received on an iOS device, as well as phone numbers, dates and times, and duration, the firm said.

Apple retains the cloud-based data for up to four months, according to ElcomSoft’s report. It includes calendars, wallet, books, notes and other data synced with iCloud. Even photos may be retained remotely longer than Apple has indicated.

Apple currently relies on a two-factor authentication system that requires an iCloud token along with an Apple ID and password, but ElcomSoft’s new Phone Breaker 6.20 software can allow law enforcement to bypass those checks.

For its part, Apple has defended the fact that the data is backed up on the cloud.

“We offer call history syncing as a convenience to our customers so that they can return calls from any of their devices,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement provided to TechNewsWorld by company rep Ryan James.

“Apple is deeply committed to safeguarding our customers’ data,” the spokesperson added. “That’s why we give our customers the ability to keep their data private. Device data is encrypted with a user’s passcode, and access to iCloud data including backups requires the user’s Apple ID and password. Apple recommends all customers select strong passwords and use two-factor authentication.”

Privacy or Security?

ElcomSoft made its announcement not so much to call attention to the potential weaknesses in Apple’s data storage practices, as to address how easily its own software can obtain the information. It is billed as a tool for law enforcement, but it’s not too hard to imagine that hackers could utilize similar tools for nefarious purposes.

“It is very concerning, as this can’t be something that is a surprise to Apple; it is baked into their design for the product and services,” said Jim Purtilo, associate professor of computer science at the University of Maryland.

“Only Apple can speak to its motive for orchestrating this behavior, but this is a way to project an image of security to consumers,” he told TechNewsWorld.

These iPhone users may believe their data are encrypted and secure, “which is mostly true, even if only on their actual device, while [Apple] is still working accommodatingly with the feds, who get tremendous value from the traffic analysis made possible by these saved data,” Purtilo added.

Standard Practices

The fact that Apple is being called out this week is somewhat notable in its own right.

“Apple doesn’t seem to be walking its talk in the sense of actually doing what it publicly claims to be doing,” noted Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

The other part of this is in the lack of transparency customers have into the process, and the fact that there is no easy way to opt out, he told TechNewsWorld.

“If you use iCloud, you’re in whether you want to be or not,” King added.

However, “as several reports on Apple’s situation mention, the company isn’t alone in syncing or saving call data,” King explained, adding that it is standard practice for U.S. carriers to retain call data for up to 12 months.

“Where Apple could run into problems is in foreign markets that restrict retention of caller data,” he said. “The company also risks some egg on its face if ElcomSoft’s contention that more data is collected and that some is retained for longer than Apple says is the case.”

Who Guards the Guards?

The fact that this information is being uploaded to the iCloud is noteworthy, given the showdown that Apple had with the FBI over its ability to obtain information from an iPhone belonging to Syed Rizwan Farook, who carried out last December’s terrorist attack in San Bernardino.

Farook’s phone was protected cryptographically. Apple challenged more than 11 orders to assist in providing access to the phone, issued by the United States district courts under the All Writs Act of 1789.

The question is whether the FBI showdown was necessary, based on ElcomSoft’s findings. Much of the data may have been on the iCloud and hence accessible.

“If most users rely on iCloud services, then police largely don’t need the actual device in order to investigate someone; the data have already been disclosed for far more convenient access by whoever asks,” explained Purtilo.

“Consumers should be so lucky that only the police are accessing their data; in this news, we more or less need to presume other less upstanding groups have been accessing the data too,” he added.

For the vast majority of users, this may be a nonissue, noted Pund-IT’s King.

“Most criminals and ne’er-do-wells probably know enough not to use their personal phones for conducting illegal business,” he suggested.

“How threatening the practice may be is hard to say, but with Apple actively trying to pitch its products for enterprise applications and use cases, companies considering deploying iPhones and iPads may want to question how their employees’ call data is being collected and secured,” King added. “Personal communication is the lifeblood of many businesses, to the point that any threat of injury and hemorrhage should be avoided.”

[Source:- technewsworld]

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Education

Adobe to Buy Video Ad Firm TubeMogul for Around $540 Million

by Rajdeep
written by Rajdeep

Adobe to Buy Video Ad Firm TubeMogul for Around $540 Million

Photoshop software maker Adobe Systems Inc said on Thursday it would buy advertising company TubeMogul Inc for about $540 million (roughly Rs. 3,618 crores), net of debt and cash, giving it a bigger presence in the rapidly growing online video market.

Adobe’s $14 per share cash offer represents an 82.5 percent premium to TubeMogul’s Wednesday close.

Shares of TubeMogul, which allows advertisers to buy video ad space using its software, jumped to $13.95 in early trading on Thursday.

The deal will help Adobe add an ad buying platform to its digital marketing unit, which offers tools for businesses to analyze customer interactions and manage social media content.

Advertising technology firms such as TubeMogul, Rocket Fuel Inc and Tremor Video Inc face fierce competition from online advertising giants Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google.

Up to Wednesday’s close, TubeMogul’s shares had fallen nearly 44 percent this year.

Facebook, Google and Twitter Inc have all been betting big on video over the past year, a format where advertisers are willing to pay a premium for a few seconds of users’ undivided attention.
“Whether it’s episodic TV, indie films or Hollywood blockbusters, video consumption is exploding across every device and brands are following those eyeballs,” said Brad Rencher, Adobe’s executive vice president of digital marketing.

Adobe said the acquisition would not have an impact on its adjusted earnings in the year ending December 2017.

[Source:- gadgets.ndtv]

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Internet

Russia Stands Firm on Porn Websites Ban

by Rajdeep
written by Rajdeep

Russia Stands Firm on Porn Websites Ban

Russia on Thursday stood firm after slapping a ban on two major porn websites – rebuffing a tongue-in-cheek proposal to change its mind in exchange for premium access.

On Tuesday, Russia’s communications watchdog blocked widely-watched sites Pornhub and YouPorn after courts in the far eastern city of Vladivostok and the southern Voronezh region ruled they distribute pornography.

Pornhub, which says it is the world’s number one free pornography site, responded with a cheeky tweet to the Roskomnadzor watchdog, offering it premium subscription in return for lifting the ban.

“If we give you guys a Pornhub Premium account, will you un ban Pornhub in Russia?” the site wrote.

“Sorry, we are not in the market, and the demography is not a commodity,” the agency snapped back in English on its official Twitter, suggesting pornography is preventing the population from reproducing.

Roskomnadzor’s spokesman Vadim Ampelonsky told RIA Novosti state news agency that lifting the ban was possible “only after a complete change in the sites’ repertoire.”

The watchdog also retweeted a message that it posted last September after a viewer complained about a previous porn site ban.

“As an alternative you can meet someone in real life,” it said, adding an update: “Dear Internet lovers, by the way this advice is still relevant.”

As the row continued, “Roskomnadzor” was trending on Russian Twitter on Thursday and many praised Pornhub for its unusual strategy.

Pornhub made the watchdog “an offer that’s hard to refuse,” wrote Russia’s Afisha entertainment site.

Pornhub and YouPorn are both part of the same network owned by global company MindGeek.

Russia has cracked down on the internet, one of the last open forums for political debate, jailing users purely for posts on social media.

This summer Moscow passed “Big Brother” legislation forcing online companies to store users’ data and pass it to government agencies if requested.

President Vladimir Putin has also made clear his disgust for much non-political content online, saying in 2010 that “half the posted material is pornography.”

[Source:- gadgets.ndtv]

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News Update

150% jump in 2 years! Rakesh Jhunjhunwala booked profit in this firm in March quarter

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

Shares of the company have gained more than 150 per cent in the past two years.

Ace equity investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala sold his stake in tractor major Escorts during the March quarter, as per the latest shareholding data available on the BSE. Shares of the company traded almost flat at Rs 1,609 at around 11.15 am (IST). On the other hand, the benchmark BSE Sensex traded nearly 400 points down at 59,053 at around the same time.

Data available with the exchange showed that Jhunjhunwala’s name was not among the key shareholders of the company as of March 31, 2022. He held over a 5.22 per cent stake in the company as of December 31 last year. He had a 5.68 per cent stake, or 75 lakh shares, in Escorts on February 18, 2022.

Shares of the company have gained more than 150 per cent in the past two years. The scrip surged to Rs 1609.65 on April 8, 2022 from Rs 642.50 on the same day in 2000. Jhunjhunwala held over a 7 per cent stake in the company as of March 31, 2020.

In the financial year 2021-2022, Escorts sold 87,043 units in the domestic market, down 14.50 per cent, against 1,01,848 units a year ago. On the other hand, exports of the company increased 46.80 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to 7,185 units in FY22.

In an earlier report, Nirmal Bang Securities said, “Escorts sees FY24 to be a tad volatile year due to general elections and change in emission norms, but expects pre-buying to drive demand. The medium-term growth outlook stands at a CAGR of 4-6 per cent while over the longer term. The industry will grow at a CAGR of 7-9 per cent.”

Data available with Trendlyne.com showed that Big Bull has increased his stake in Canara Bank, while he kept his stake constant at 8.50 per cent in Bilcare. His stake in Wockhardt also fell below 1 per cent for the quarter ended March 31. Complete shareholding data is yet to be announced.

[“source=businesstoday”]

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Online Marketing

Is Your Accounting Firm Generating Web Leads?

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

lead generation for accounting firms

You’ve probably already asked yourself this question before:

What are the best ways of promoting an accounting firm online?

And you probably agree web marketing for accountants may not be your sleekest skill of them all or is it?

You might be realizing that good ol’ cold calling, emailing and prospecting visits aren’t getting you the results you expect.

But you do know you can take advantage of the latest digital marketing services to execute a digital marketing strategy for your accounting firm and blossom your prospecting strategy. In fact, most likely than not, your competition is already doing it—or thinking about how to go about it.

Your CPA firm could use a couple of new online marketing tips to onboard new clients, keep current ones engaged and feeling valued, as well as spreading the word around that you are a forward-thinking business that’s ready to change with the times.

And earn more business while at it.

Yet, web marketing bookkeeping services shouldn’t be as tough as some circles make it seem.

Here are online marketing tips for accounting service providers to attract more business, cement a solid reputation, and blossom relationships online.

1.Website marketing for accounting firms

 

What if you could drive more conversions for your accounting business by creating an around the clock marketing channel?

What if you had a 24/7 online marketing platform that’s not restricted to geographical boundaries, and is accessible to global clientele?

And what if you can cut your marketing time, money and effort in half while driving more prospects to your virtual doorstep?

Now that makes sense.

If you are still on the fence about creating a website for bookkeeping services or the best accounting firm web design, know that you can benefit immensely from having one up and running the soonest possible.

Picture this:

About 85% of B2B buyers will check out your website before contacting you.

The tables are turning. Fast.

While 88% of consumers (online shoppers) research online before making a purchase decision, about 89% of B2B buyers are looking online to research their next vendor. According to the latter study, your potential client will typically conduct about 12 searches online before making contact with you or your competition.

If you do not have a website, this type of client won’t have a credible landing page to get to know who you are, what you offer, and why you deserve their business.

That simple.

2.Blogging for accounting companies

 

Better yet, you can decide to use a blogging platform as your accounting business website.

Here’s the thing:

According to the above study, as many as 51% of B2B buyers complete 70% of the research process online. They read content—quality content. Lots of it. Before the client can contact you to get a quote or find out if you offer discounts and complete the other 30% of the buying journey, they research online by reading what financial firms like yours put out there.

In fact, 75% of B2B buyers say that the content a vendor put out there influenced their choice of winning vendor

Here’s what they really want from your content marketing platform:

  • 82% rely on white papers
  • 78% on webinars
  • 73% on case studies
  • 70% watch a video
  • 66% on e-books
  • 66% on blogs and infographics each

You’ll want to write blogs around these content buffets instead of just dishing them out on a static website page.

Also, if you target young companies run by younger executives, know that younger people prefer blogs because they inject a human touch to web contact.

Creating quality blogs consistently and downloadable content (white papers, especially) occasionally, lets them know real humans are behind the brand—a feeling reminiscent to engaging with a vendor on social media except that blogs do not limit meaningful conversations a few characters.

3.SEO for Accountants: The art of ranking high on search engines

 

A critical part of earning ROI in online marketing dollars is to rank high on search engine results (SERPs). You want to become visible online.

Here’s the thing:

Ranking at the top of the first page of Google can earn you 32.5% of all search traffic from a query relating to CPA services online. Chitika Insights also found ranking on the second page makes you lose out on as many as 92% of potential clients.

That means even if you had to pay an SEO consultant service to optimize your accounting firm’s web design, content marketing, and search marketing strategy, it could pay itself several times over as you gain more bookkeeping business in return—from showing up first.

4.Paid Search for accountants

Speaking of search marketing…

Can you use search marketing for accounting companies to earn more clients?

Organic search marketing for new accounting firms can offer an affordable and sustainable marketing channel compared to advertising on traditional media. On the other hand, established firms can turn to paid search marketing to accelerate results.

CPA firms can use Pay-Per-Click (PPC), Facebook ads, and Google Ads campaigns to do effective online lead generation. Whichever channel you choose, it’ll provide you the data you need to target your desired client segment.

All you need do is set up a landing page and ingrain your unique value proposition in your paid search adverts to see more interested leads knocking on your door so you can nurture them further.

5.Social media for accounting firm lead generation

 

Contrary to popular thinking, accounting firm social media use is not only good for networking. You can use multiple social networks to see an increase in business and bottomline.

On top of providing quality content, the other benefits of social media marketing for accountants include:

  • Offering better customer service:

Your typical client now expects almost instant replies to their queries thanks to their use of social media and online chat services over time.

Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer business pages/profiles that include chat features to help your clients reach you as fast as possible so they can make an inquiry—providing you with opportunities to convert them to paying clients.

For example, B2B companies are big on distributing content via Twitter and it works to spread their word around prospects’ circles.

  • Getting referrals:

About 71% of potential or current clients are likely to recommend you to other businesses if you provide great customer service, for example.

You can also join in on like-minded social media circles, groups and individual conversations and offer a valuable contribution. The key here is to avoid pitching your services before building rapport—a relationship that can allow you to prove your accounting firm has what it takes to get the prospects business.

  • Nurturing customer relationships:

Social media avails the opportunity to provide real, human correspondence with faraway prospects. Since the basis of social media is to provide constant updates, it helps potential leads build trust in an accountancy firm, knowing that the firm has actual human beings behind it.

While it takes time to craft a working social media strategy and implement it, benefits you can gain from it have the potential to boost business in a few short weeks.

Are wondering how to kickstart an effective web marketing campaign for your accountancy firm? Would you want to know how to measure your website marketing ROI? Or do you have a specific web marketing tip to offer fellow accountants and help them rake in more business in the comments section below?  

[“Source-accountingweb”]

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Internet

Why Facebook Just Suspended Another Data Analytics Firm

by Loknath Das
written by Loknath Das

Why Facebook Just Suspended Another Data Analytics Firm

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Facebook on Friday suspended Crimson Hexagon
  • Facebook is under investigation over its work with Cambridge Analytica
  • The revelations were first reported by the Wall Street Journal

Facebook said Friday it suspended a longtime partner that had used data from Facebook and other social networks to assist governments – including Russia, Turkey, and the US – in monitoring public sentiment, a more cautious approach in the wake of a data privacy scandal.

Facebook said it had found no evidence of wrongdoing by the Boston-based company, Crimson Hexagon, but it was curtailing the company’s access to its data while it investigated the matter.

The preemptive move represents a shift for Facebook in the wake of the controversy over political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, which Facebook said inappropriately collected the private profiles of more than 80 million Facebook users. The social network is under investigation from three different federal agencies over its work with Cambridge Analytica and, since the crisis erupted, has suspended more than 200 apps which had access to Facebook data.

Crimson Hexagon, which primarily used public, aggregated data from people who made their profiles available for anyone to see, is the largest of this new wave of suspensions.

Crimson Hexagon Chief Technology Officer Chris Bingham said in a statement Friday, “Crimson Hexagon is fully cooperating with Facebook who has publicly stated its investigation to date has found no wrongdoing.”

The revelations were first reported by the Wall Street Journal. The Journal cited documents which said that Crimson Hexagon worked with a Russian non-profit, the Civil Society Development Foundation, that had Kremlin ties and used the data to study the Russian people’s opinion of the regime of President Vladimir Putin. The company also used Twitter’s data feed, called a “Firehose,” to assist in a decision to shut down Twitter during pro-democracy protests in 2014.

Facebook has stirred controversy before over whether its data was used to monitor people for undemocratic purposes. In 2016, The Washington Post reported that Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, had shared public data with a startup that helped law enforcement agencies track minority protesters in Baltimore, Maryland, and Ferguson, Missouri. Shortly after, Facebook changed its policies to prohibit its partners from using any data for “surveillance.”

“We don’t allow developers to build surveillance tools using information from Facebook or Instagram,” Facebook said in a statement Friday. “We take these allegations seriously, and have suspended these apps while we investigate.”

Twitter did not respond to a request for comment.

Twitter and Facebook both sell public data for what’s known as ‘sentiment analysis” or “social listening.” The tech companies aggregate people’s posts, comments, likes, locations, general demographic and other information into anonymous data feeds that many startups purchase in order to analyse and sell to clients, including corporations, brands, and governments. Privacy advocates have raised concerns that sometimes data can be linked to individuals, particularly when it being used to monitor sentiment in real-time events, such as a concert or a protest.

[“Source-gadgets.ndtv”]

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