Latest from Nicole Cappella

A research team at University College London has set a new record for internet speed – double the data transmission speed of any system currently at use in the world. The university announced that the team, working with Xtera and KDDI Research, achieved a data transmission rate of 178TB/second: a speed at which one could… Read More

Datapod, a leading provider of modular data centre infrastructure solutions, has secured a contract with the Australian Department of Defense. Under this contract, Datapod will supply portable data centre systems to the Australian military. The Datapod components can be shipped by air and deployed in a variety of environments. Prefabricated modules can be constructed quickly… Read More

Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners, a North American private equity firm, has announced the formation of an independent data centre platform operating under the name Digital Edge. This enterprise will focus on the acquisition and development of data centres and digital infrastructure in the fast-growing APAC region. Digital Edge will launch with $1B in equity capital raised… Read More

The CAV Roadmap for Scotland, newly released by the government, aims to make Scotland a leader in driverless technology with a plan that combines the efforts of government, industry, academics and key stakeholders to drive adoption of connected and automated vehicles.

Anticipated benefits of the new plan include reducing air pollution and congestion, reliability, and improved access to public transport for elderly, disabled, and underserved populations.

Driverless technology could also significantly impact the economy in the UK, with one report from Frost & Sullivan estimating that early adoption could result in the creation of 420,000 new jobs by 2030. Another report noted that by improving access, automated vehicles could provide an additional 1 million UK citizens with better access to higher education.

A U.S. district court has provided Microsoft with a court order allowing the company to seize control of 50 domains operated by Thallium, a cybercrime ring believed to be of North Korean origin. By taking control of the domains, Microsoft will be able to suspend ‘spear phishing’ activities conducted on these websites.

Microsoft investigators have been tracking Thallium’s criminal activities, as they used their online network to target victims and compromise online accounts, infect computers with malicious code, and steal sensitive data.

The Brazilian Ministry of Justice has leveled a $1.6 million fine on Facebook, after finding that data from almost half a million app users was shared with developers of “thisisyourdigitallife.”

Data harvested by “thisisyourdigitallife” in the form of a voluntary user personality test was shared with Cambridge Analytica, the political consultancy firm charged with influencing the 2016 US presidential election. Earlier this month, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued a unanimous ruling that the now-defunct company had used ‘false and deceptive tactics’ to harvest user information, which was then used to train algorithms for targeted political advertising.

Leading smartphone screen manufacturer and iPhone supplier Japan Display (JDI) is reportedly in talks with Apple and Sharp for the sale of its primary smartphone factory in Hakusan City, western Japan.

The factory may sell for as much as $820 million USD, according to estimates from Nikkei. Japan Display said it was considering all options for the plant, which may include a sale to Apple or Sharp, or a bailout from an asset management company.

JDI also stated that it is currently running a comprehensive equipment and infrastructure assessment at the facility, in advance of a decision on the Hakusan plant’s future.

Interxion, Amsterdam-based operator of 50 European data centres in 11 countries, has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling stake of Icolo and its data centres in Kenya. At the same time, Interxion announced a strategic partnership with the Pembani Remgro Infrastructure Fund (PRIF). Interxion and PRIF will collaborate and co-invest in Interxion’s African expansion initiatives.

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2020.

A new threat has been uncovered, infecting over 4.6 million Android devices with ad fraud malware embedded in Google Play apps The threat intelligence team at WhiteOps recently discovered Soraka, a malicious code package infecting over 100 apps on the Google Play store with more than 4.6 million downloads. Soraka, and a related variant named… Read More

Interxion inks agreement to acquire 70% interest in Kenyan data centre company Icolo Interxion, Amsterdam-based operator of 50 European data centres in 11 countries, has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling stake of Icolo and their data centres in Kenya. At the same time, Interxion announced  a strategic partnership with the Pembani Remgro… Read More