E-Business
Bracing for the New Normal with LG Appliances
About a year into the unprecedented global pandemic, staying at home has become the new normal. Most of the activities we engage in, whether for work or for leisure, have been confined to the four corners of our homes.
However, just because you cannot go outside doesn’t mean you have to compromise. Working from home, or relaxing after a long day, does not have to be a drag. Having access to technology that won’t let you down is important.
You can cook healthy meals, get fresh air and spend quality time with family while working from home. “The PuriCare Wearable Mask is an exciting addition to our growing lineup of products designed to deliver meaningful health and hygiene benefits”, said Mr Jung June Yoon, General Manager, Air Solutions Division at LG Electronics West Africa. “At a time when consumers are seeking ways to make life safer and more convenient, it’s important that we’re able to offer solutions that add measureable value.”
Not many air purifiers provide 360-degree air purification, and LG’s PuriCare 360° Air purifier does that and more, strategically designed close to the floor so that air from top to bottom is clean for all –adults and toddlers alike –to reap the benefits. This purifier uses a powerful filtration system and lets users know the level of their air quality via the easy user interface on top.
In need of a purifier as portable as the Wearable Air Purifier, LG has a model in every size one could possibly need. PuriCareMini Air Purifier weighs just 530 grams (1.17 lbs) so it can be taken anywhere –an office, café or car. Equipped with a Total Allergen Removal Filter, the device can handle particles as large as a human hair and as small as ultra-fine dust (PM 1.0). This purification option utilizes a near silent Twin Tornado Dual Fan to dispense clean air much farther than you’d expect from such a compact device, and will do so for a solid 8 hours before needing a recharge.
Two new technologies consumers can also find in LG products are steam and ultraviolet C (UV-C) light robot designed to kill viruses on heavily touched surfaces. Well, calling “steam” technology might be a bit of a stretch given that steam has been around since the formation of the earth but harnessing that steam and UV-C light in consumer and commercial products is what LG has been able to do with much success.
According to Mr Hari Elluru, Head of Corporate Marketing, LG Electronics, West Africa Operations, “LG is finding other creative ways to use ultraviolet-C rays to protect the public, LG’s latest autonomous CLOi robot employing ultraviolet-C light to bring peace of mind. LG CLOi UV-C robot was developed to clean high-traffic public areas and will be put to work in retail, corporate, educational and hospitality settings in the US early this year.
“LG Tone Free is another product that uses UVnano LED to keep customers healthier. These true wireless earbuds are the ultimate accessory for music lovers and conference callers with a case that clean the earbuds while they’re being charged”, he said.
LG ProBake Convection Oven is not only lauded for its supreme cooking skills, but for its ability to stay clean as well. LG’s EasyClean feature fills the inside of the oven with steam to make wiping away cooking residue effortless so that your next meal is prepared in a clean, spotless interior. It also means there’s no crusty build up inside the oven to create uneven heat dispersal leading to undercooked sections of meat, which can be dangerous.
And after the meal is over, LG’s dishwasher is there to not only make those dishes spic and span clean but to also make your dishes and utensils safer, with its high temperature steam which is 99.99 percent effective in eliminating germs and bacteria.
The South Korean technology giant’s CLOi robot looks like a plug-in space heater on wheels and was unveiled recently at CES, which was among the world’s biggest tech conferences but went virtual this year.
The device will ship to LG’s business customers in April — almost a year after several start-ups and organizations began hyping their automated germ-blasting machines in the face of a deadly respiratory virus. Still, LG thinks it is right on time as industries remain crippled by the outbreak and Americans face months of vaccine distribution ahead.
LG’s CLOi robot has a built-in motion sensor that shuts it off when people are around, and it is meant for restaurants, corporate offices and retail stores. It can navigate around tables, chairs and other furniture by itself, generally disinfecting a room’s touchable surfaces in up to 30 minutes.
In a new report, Kaspersky identified over 7 million compromised accounts belonging to streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and others. For millions of Gen Z users, these streaming platforms play a central role in how this generation socialises and connects with global culture.
To raise their awareness and build digital resilience, Kaspersky has launched “Case 404” — an interactive cyber-detective game that helps Gen Z recognise hidden dangers and learn how to protect their digital lives.
Streaming platforms have become digital sanctuaries for Gen Z. According to recent studies, Gen Z not only spends more on streaming platforms than any other generation but also actively participates in online fandoms, sharing clips, memes and fan theories across social media: episodes become memes, quotes turn into tweets, and characters live on through edits, debates, and TikTok trends.
Yet this always-online, highly engaged behaviour comes with hidden risks. The very devices Gen Z uses to stream their favourite shows can become entry points for cybercriminals through malware infections. These threats often hide in unofficial downloads, pirated content, browser extensions, or compromised apps, silently collecting login credentials, session data, and other personal information.
Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence team analysed compromised credentials linked to the major streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Max) and uncovered 7,035,236 cases in 2024. These weren’t stolen directly from the platforms themselves but were collected as part of broader credential theft campaigns.
Netflix: A major target for cybercriminals
It’s no surprise that Netflix is the defining streaming brand for Gen Z. Netflix leads both in popularity and in exposure, with 5,632,694 compromised accounts detected. Brazil had the highest number of exposed Netflix credentials in 2024, followed by Mexico and India.
Disney+
Kaspersky experts detected 680,850 Disney+ accounts in leaked datasets. Again, Brazil stood out as the country with the most breached accounts, followed by Mexico and Germany.
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video, though smaller in volume with 1,607 compromised accounts, still plays a significant role, especially among Gen Z viewers looking for more subversive or edgy narratives. In 2024, Mexico, Brazil, and France were the top countries with leaked Prime Video accounts.
Once a device is infected, cybercriminals don’t stop at the streaming app. Malware collects sensitive data — account credentials, cookies, bank card details — which are then sold or leaked on underground forums. Sometimes, attackers give this data away just to build their reputation.
These forums are active, fast-moving, and accessible to a wide range of malicious actors. What begins as a compromised Netflix password can quickly snowball into broader digital intrusion, identity theft, or financial fraud, especially if the same credentials are reused across services.
As streaming platforms, fandom culture, and social media become deeply woven into Gen Z’s everyday experience, cyberthreats are adapting to target the spaces they trust most. To respond to this shift, Kaspersky has created “Case 404” — an interactive cybersecurity game explicitly tailored for Gen Z users.
In this digital quest, players step into the role of AI-powered cyber-detectives, investigating realistic online crimes inspired by current threats. Upon completing all cases, users receive a discount on Kaspersky Premium, turning new knowledge into actionable protection.
“For Generation Z, streaming is more than entertainment; it’s a daily habit, a source of identity and community. But that emotional connection also creates a blind spot. Malware hidden in unofficial downloads or third-party tools silently steals login credentials and personal data, which are then traded or sold on cybercriminal forums.
Protecting your streaming account today means thinking beyond passwords — it means securing your devices, avoiding suspicious downloads, and being mindful of where your clicks lead you,” comments Polina Tretyak, digital footprint analyst at Kaspersky.
In a powerful stride towards an inclusive digital future, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) is spearheading a transformative drive to empower Nigerian women in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital economy.
This commitment was resoundingly reiterated by NITDA’s Director General, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, at the “Innovate Her 25” conference, the 10th National Conference and 11th Annual Meeting of Nigerian Women in Information Technology.
Speaking at the event themed “Women in AI: Unlocking Resilience, Fostering Innovation and Leadership,” Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships, emphasised that true innovation blossoms not in isolation, but through synergistic partnerships and collective endeavor – principles deeply embedded in NITDA’s operational ethos.
Highlighting Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, Inuwa added that inclusivity is embedded as a core objective: “Our strategic roadmap mandates that at least 40% of our programmes directly benefit women and underserved groups. We have also developed a Gender Inclusion Strategy to guide interventions in areas such as training and infrastructure,” he explained.
Further underscoring Nigeria’s leadership in the digital space, Inuwa excitingly announced that in September 2025, NITDA will proudly host a Leadership Summit on AI. This landmark event will convene stakeholders from across the African continent, fostering a collaborative environment to forge a unified AI vision for Africa.
In alignment with the conference’s focus on empowering women in technology, the DG detailed NITDA’s diverse capacity-building initiatives spanning AI, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. “We work with partners such as the Renew Hope Initiative to train thousands of women across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones,” he revealed, highlighting the agency’s broad reach.
NITDA stands ready to collaborate with organisations like the Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NIWIT), actively encouraging proposals for bespoke programmes that cater to specific community needs. “We focus on targeted training with measurable outcomes, rather than generic approaches,” Inuwa affirmed, emphasising a results-oriented methodology.
He further spotlighted NITDA’s “Digital Literacy for All Initiative,” which seeks to equip 70% of Nigerians with digital literacy by 2027. Through strategic partnerships with the NYSC and the integration of digital literacy into national school curricula, the agency plans to train over 30 million Nigerians — with a dedicated focus on underserved communities and public servants.
Addressing critical concerns surrounding ethical AI, Inuwa emphasised the importance of developing indigenous datasets and large language models reflective of Nigeria’s unique realities: “We are working closely with stakeholders to build local datasets that safeguard Nigerians’ digital rights and ensure ethical AI use,” he assured.
NITDA is also championing mentorship for women in technology through impactful initiatives such as Women Innovate. The agency warmly welcomes collaboration with NIWIT to design structured mentorship programmes and is open to formalising such partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
“NITDA is committed to fostering inclusive economic growth through innovation. Partnership and collaboration remain the way forward,” Inuwa declared.
The session concluded with a resounding call to action, urging women-focused organisations to leverage NITDA’s open-door policy and unite in advancing digital inclusion across Nigeria. The future of Nigeria’s digital economy is inclusive, and women are at its forefront.
Amazon’s management on Wednesday said that it expects that artificial intelligence software will reduce the number of office workers at the world’s largest online retailer.
Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon
“We will need fewer people doing some of the jobs that are being done today and more people doing other types of jobs,” Andy Jassy, chief executive, Amazon wrote in an email to employees.
He said it was difficult to predict how the overall workforce will evolve, but in the next few years, it is expected that AI efficiency gains will lead to a reduction in the number of office workers.
According to earlier reports, Amazon employed around 1.5 million people worldwide, with approximately 350,000 office employees in various roles.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the company does not anticipate further large-scale layoffs, as seen in 2022 and 2023, in the near future.
Instead, it expects that vacant positions will not be refilled.
However, layoffs are not ruled out, according to sources familiar with the matter.
“Amazon is focusing on so-called AI agents, software capable of independently performing tasks. These agents could, for example, summarise information from the web and data sources, write software, translate languages and automate many time-consuming tasks,” Mr Jassy explained.
“Agents will be teammates that we can call on at various stages of our work,” he added, urging employees to experiment with AI whenever possible.
The impact of AI on the job market has been a concern for many years.
Recently, Spotify, the leader in music streaming, announced that teams requesting additional staff would first need to prove that AI could not perform the tasks.
The creators of the language-learning app Duolingo plan to gradually replace external workers with AI.
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