Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Connect with us

E-Business

Meta Fined €91m for GDPR Violations in User Password Breach

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) has announced a €91 million fine against Meta Platforms Ireland Limited (MPIL) following an inquiry into the company’s handling of user passwords.

Meta Fined €91m for GDPR Violations in User Password Breach

This decision marks a significant development in the enforcement of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), highlighting the importance of secure data handling practices by major tech companies.

The inquiry, which began in April 2019, was initiated after MPIL reported that it had inadvertently stored certain users’ social media passwords in plaintext on its internal systems.

Plaintext storage means the passwords were not encrypted or protected using cryptographic measures, leaving them vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Although the incident was contained within Meta’s internal systems and no external parties gained access to the passwords, the company’s failure to ensure proper security led to a series of GDPR violations.

Findings and Violations

The DPC’s investigation concluded that MPIL had breached several key provisions of the GDPR:

Failure to Notify the DPC of the Breach: MPIL violated Article 33(1) of the GDPR by failing to promptly inform the DPC of the personal data breach concerning the storage of user passwords in plaintext.

Failure to Document the Breach: According to Article 33(5) GDPR, MPIL failed to properly document the breach, which is required to ensure transparency and accountability in data handling.

Inadequate Security Measures: MPIL violated Article 5(1)(f) and Article 32(1) of the GDPR by not implementing appropriate technical and organizational measures to secure user passwords, leaving them susceptible to unauthorized processing.

These violations underscore the company’s inadequate response to the risks posed by insecure password storage and its failure to meet the regulatory standards set by GDPR.

Decision and Penalties

On September 26, 2024, the DPC issued its final decision, which included both a reprimand and a €91 million fine.

The decision was reached after the draft was reviewed by Concerned Supervisory Authorities across the EU/EEA, as required under GDPR’s Article 60. No objections were raised, confirming the widespread support for the ruling.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle emphasized the severity of the incident, noting that “user passwords should not be stored in plaintext, given the risk of abuse.”

He stressed that the sensitivity of these passwords, which allow access to personal social media accounts, made it crucial for companies to implement robust security measures.

Series of Fines

This is not the first time Meta is facing fines under GDPR. In 2023, the company was hit with a massive $1.3 billion penalty for breaching EU data privacy regulations.

Additionally, in 2022, Meta was fined $276 million following a 2021 data breach that compromised the personal information of over 533 million users.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

E-Business

Amazon CEO Says AI will Reduce Number of Workers Needed

Published

on

Kindly share this post

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.

Amazon CEO Says AI will Reduce Number of Workers Needed

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.

 

 

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

BPP Partners NDPC to Strengthen Data Protection

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Dr Adebowale Adedokun, director-general, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), has reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to data protection in Nigeria.

BPP Partners NDPC to Strengthen Data Protection

He disclosed this in a statement at the weekend by Zira Nagga, head of Public Relations, BPP, following a courtesy visit by a delegation from the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC).

Adedokun stressed that data protection is vital to Nigeria’s economy and development, particularly in areas such as demography, health, education, and other key sectors.

He emphasised that no country should leave its data unprotected, as it plays a crucial role in future planning and national development.

“Data governs the world. It is essential to technological progress and must be protected for a country or business to be taken seriously,” he said.

Adedokun described the visit, aimed at fostering partnership on data policy implementation and protection, as timely and aligned with national goals.

He said the BPP would collaborate closely with the NDPC to boost data development, capacity building, and enhance the procurement system.

“The BPP will support compliance as part of the ‘Nigeria First’ Policy, although it is not a core procurement eligibility requirement,” he explained.

He suggested a hybrid training model to help build strong capacity in data protection, privacy awareness, and policy understanding.

According to him, a dynamic training approach will reduce logistics costs and improve public confidence in data safety and privacy.

Dr Vincent Olatunji, CEO, and national commissioner, NDPC, praised Adedokun and the BPP for supporting data protection initiatives.

He said the partnership supports President Bola Tinubu’s vision and will strengthen data privacy across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

“The collaboration will create awareness and train BPP staff to ensure a firm grasp of data protection principles and policies,” he stated.

Olatunji said the NDPC would establish a working group to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding beneficial to both institutions.

He added that President Tinubu signed the NDPC into law on 12 June 2023 to uphold citizens’ rights and protect national and business data.

Olatunji also noted that strict legal measures were in place to enforce data protection and ensure full compliance nationwide.

Both agencies agreed to form a team to sign the MoU and focus on capacity building and data management in procurement and beyond.

 

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

E-Business

FG Mulls Fibre Optic Layout to Bridge Internet Gaps

Published

on

Kindly share this post

President Bola Tinubu said that his administration has initiated a project to install fibre optic cables across the country, aimed at enhancing the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

FG Mulls Fibre Optic Layout to Bridge Internet Gaps

His plans were contained in a speech he delivered at a joint session of the National Assembly in commemoration of Democracy Day on Thursday, June 12.

He said the fibre optic layout is part of other projects being embarked on.

“In addition, we have embarked on an ambitious project to lay fibre optic cables across the nation, a transformative step toward bridging the digital divide and fostering greater connectivity.

“This initiative promises not only to enhance the speed and reliability of internet access but also to revolutionise how businesses operate, how students learn, and how communities stay connected,” Tinubu stated.

He maintained that by extending this critical infrastructure, his government is empowering entrepreneurs, enabling digital education, and providing the tools for our youth to compete in a globalised world.

In a most recent report on Internet connectivity, The ICIR pointed out how Nigeria has faced setbacks in its deployment of fibre optic cables and needs a transformation.

The challenges revolve around vandalism, inadequate coordination between road construction and telecom infrastructure, and varying right-of-way (RoW) charges across states.

Among industry experts, these issues impact network outages, increase repair costs, and hinder broadband expansion efforts.

It has also further threatened the digital economy, leading to slower Internet speeds, dropped calls, and unreliable connectivity among others.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending