China hosts largest ever SCO summit as South Caucasus draws attention
The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit began in Tianjin on 31 August, marking the largest gathering in the bloc’s history, with China dee...
African countries are stepping up efforts to hold global tech companies like Meta accountable for how they handle user data. This could be a turning point for digital control on the continent.
Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is fighting a $220 million fine from Nigeria’s consumer protection agency. The fine was imposed last year after investigations found Meta shared Nigerians’ personal data without permission and abused its market power. A Nigerian tribunal recently rejected Meta’s appeal against the fine.
Meta says it disagrees with the decision and points out that users have tools to control their data on its platforms. The company says it is committed to protecting privacy and has appealed the ruling.
At the same time, there are lawsuits over mental health problems faced by content moderators working for a Meta contractor in Ghana. They say the job exposed them to harmful content with little support. The contractor denies these claims. Courts in Kenya have also ruled that Meta can be sued locally, which may lead to more legal cases.
Experts say these cases could set important examples for other African countries. Most African data protection laws are similar to Europe’s GDPR but are not always strongly enforced. Some believe tech platforms should be treated like essential services and regulated accordingly.
Nigeria’s data protection agency has collected over $1.2 million in fines and regulatory fees in the last two years, showing the growing push for accountability. But there are concerns some governments might misuse these laws to limit free speech and silence critics, especially since social media is a key tool for activism across Africa.
As legal battles continue, Africa’s digital future and its control over data and online platforms may change significantly in the coming years.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Malaysia marked its 68th National Day on Sunday with a vibrant parade in Putrajaya attended by over 14,000 participants and the country’s top leadership.
Norway will purchase a fleet of British-built frigates to reinforce its naval strength, the government confirmed on Sunday. The move marks a decisive step in what is expected to be the country’s largest-ever military procurement and a significant boost to NATO’s northern maritime defences.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on Saturday cancelled a planned visit to China as nationwide protests spread beyond Jakarta, with several regional parliament buildings set on fire.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 31th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin on Sunday for a regional security summit, Chinese and Russian state media reported.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment