tech
Twitter abuse victims fear Musk’s plans, but may not quit
Perhaps no group of people is more alarmed about Elon Musk’s apparent plan to make Twitter a free speech free-for-all than those most likely to be targeted for harassment: women, racial minorities and other marginalized groups.
They fear that a more hands-off approach to policing the platform will embolden purveyors of hate speech, bullying and disinformation to ratchet up their bad behavior — a possibility Musk has done little to dispel.
Yet even those who have faced extreme harassment on Twitter say they are unlikely to quit the platform. Despite the negative psychological toll, they value Twitter as a diverse forum to express their views and engage with others.
That could help explain why Musk shows little concern for the underbelly of unfettered free speech, although advertisers - who account for about 90% of Twitter’s revenue - may not feel the same way.
Renee Bracey Sherman, a biracial abortion rights advocate, endures a steady stream of predictable criticism on Twitter and, occasionally, an eruption of vile tweets: messages calling for her death, photos of aborted fetuses and, recently, her likeness photo-shopped as a Nazi.
“It is a montage of hate and gore and violence,” Bracey Sherman said.
But while some famous people threaten to quit Twitter because of Musk, more typical users like Bracey Sherman say it’s not that simple. They cannot cannot leave Twitter and expect their followers to join them.
To mitigate the hate, Bracey Sherman blocks thousands of people and uses filters to hide the most extreme messages. She also reports the most egregious messages to Twitter, although she says the platform rarely takes action.
Twitter did not immediately respond for comment. The company says on its site that it does not permit targeted harassment or intimidation that could make people afraid to speak up. And it says it does not tolerate violent threats.
Also Read: What Musk’s past tweets reveal about Twitter’s next owner
Musk has called himself a “free-speech absolutist.” In tweets to his 85 million followers since Twitter accepted his $44 billion offer on Monday, Musk has made clear that he intends to regulate content with a much lighter touch, and that he isn’t too concerned by the groundswell of criticism that it is likely to fuel harmful content.
“The extreme antibody reaction from those who fear free speech says it all,” Musk tweeted Tuesday.
Playful, aggressive and often juvenile, Musk’s tweets show how he has used social media to craft his public image as a brash billionaire unafraid to offend. They may also reveal clues as to how Musk will govern the platform he hopes to own.
On Tuesday, Musk aimed criticism at one of Twitter’s top lawyers involved in content-moderation decisions. That led some of his followers to direct racist and misogynistic comments at the lawyer, Vijaya Gadde, who was born in India and immigrated to the U.S. as a child.
The uproar engulfing Twitter echoes what other social media companies have experienced in the recent past. When Facebook was slow to act to remove then-President Donald Trump from the platform for his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, users called for a boycott, but there was no mass exodus.
Even when fed-up users do leave a social media platform, there’s typically a stream of new users that come in right behind them. It’s not the angriest users who leave, experts say, but those who simply find no use for the platform.
While polls show all types of people are susceptible to online harassment, extensive research has shown that women and people of color are far more likely to be targeted, something Twitter itself acknowledges. That targeting is also true for people with disabilities, people who belong to religious minorities and members of the LGBTQ community.
Michael Kleinman, who has studied online harassment for Amnesty International, said if Twitter allows more hateful and abusive speech, marginalized people who get attacked are likely to express themselves less.
“No one feels safe in a public square where as soon as you speak, a hostile mob screaming obscenities descends upon you. That’s no longer a public square. That’s an arena,” Kleinman said.
Brianna Wu understands that arena as well as anybody.
She has received sexual-assault and death threats on Twitter since 2014, when she created a video game, Revolution 60, that featured women as protagonists. The harassment was part of a larger online campaign targeting female game developers that became known as GamerGate.
Wu has since worked closely with Twitter’s trust and safety team to improve the platform. She said “it terrifies me” to hear Musk talk about rolling back - if not completely wiping away - these efforts.
“We fought very, very hard to improve the platform for women, for LGBTQ people and people of color,” said Wu, who is white and identifies as bisexual.
Also Read: Twitter bans ads that contradict science on climate change
But Wu has no plans to leave Twitter, which she - a former candidate for Congress in Massachusetts - relies on for personal and professional relationships. “I’ve developed life-long friends on Twitter. I think it’s really sad that to get that human connection I’m going to have to deal with harassment again that damages and deadens your humanity.”
Not everyone is dead set on staying. Comic book writer Kelly Sue DeConnick, who has faced harassment as an advocate for gender equity in the entertainment industry, said she’ll wait to see what changes Musk makes before deciding.
“If this just becomes a place where people scream at each other and call each other names and wish one another ill, I’m out,” DeConnick said.
Bridget Todd, a spokeswoman for UltraViolet, an organization that advocates against discrimination in all forms, said that even though Twitter has managed to reduce harassment on its platform in recent years, she doesn’t use it as much as she once did.
Todd said she is deeply worried about Musk guiding the company to eliminate the protections it does have - which she considers inadequate. But she doesn’t intend to leave the platform.
“Our voices are so powerful on platforms like Twitter,” she said. “I don’t necessarily think that this signals the end of that, because I know our voices can really endure.”
Evan Feeney, campaign director for Color of Change, an online racial justice organization that works to improve the lives of Black people in the United States, called Musk’s push to relax content standards on Twitter “an alarming development.” He predicted more coordinated attacks on Black people, particularly Black women.
“It is never good when a single billionaire who purposely conflates freedom to harm with freedom of speech controls one of the (largest) social media platforms in the world,” Feeney said. “We’ve spent years pushing Twitter to implement polices we think have made the platform better. It’s alarming that with a flip of a switch those could be rolled back.”
Harassment on Twitter also spills over into the real world, and it highlights just how much victims sometimes are forced to put up with.
Bracey Sherman says people have placed stickers of racist symbols, including swastikas and monkeys, on her potted plants and the front door of her home. It is why she bristles at those who extol limitless free speech, and who suggest she should just toughen up and ignore it.
“What am I supposed to be able to handle?” she asked. “The fact that you are sending me photos of Nazis and telling me I should be raped over and over and over again?”
SpaceX launches 4 astronauts for NASA after private flight
SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA on Wednesday, less than two days after completing a flight chartered by millionaires.
It’s the first NASA crew comprised equally of men and women, including the first Black woman making a long-term spaceflight, Jessica Watkins.
“This is one of the most diversified, I think, crews that we’ve had in a really, really long time,” NASA’s space operations mission chief Kathy Lueders said on the eve of launch.
The astronauts were due to arrive at the space station Wednesday night, 16 hours after their predawn liftoff from Kennedy Space Center. They will spend five months at the orbiting lab.
SpaceX has now launched five crews for NASA and two private trips in just under two years. Elon Musk’s company is having an especially busy few weeks: It just finished taking three businessmen to and from the space station as NASA’s first private guests.
Also read: SpaceX’s Elon Musk: 1st orbital Starship flight maybe March
A week after the new crew arrives, the three Americans and German they’re replacing will return to Earth in their own SpaceX capsule. Three Russians also live at the space station.
Both SpaceX and NASA officials stressed they’re taking it one step at a time to ensure safety. The private mission that concluded Monday encountered no major problems, they said, although high wind delayed the splashdown for a week.
SpaceX Launch Control wished the astronauts good luck and Godspeed moments before the Falcon rocket blasted off with the capsule, named Freedom by its crew.
“Our heartfelt thank you to every one of you that made this possible. Now let Falcon roar and Freedom ring,” radioed NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren, the commander. Minutes later, their recycled booster had landed on an ocean platform and their capsule was safely orbiting Earth. “It was a great ride,” he said.
The SpaceX capsules are fully automated — which opens the space gates to a broader clientele — and they’re designed to accommodate a wider range of body sizes. At the same time, NASA and the European Space Agency have been pushing for more female astronauts.
While two Black women visited the space station during the shuttle era, neither moved in for a lengthy stay. Watkins, a geologist who is on NASA’s short list for a moon-landing mission in the years ahead, sees her mission as “an important milestone, I think, both for the agency and for the country.”
She credits supportive family and mentors — including Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space in 1992 — for “ultimately being able to live my dream.”
Also cheering Watkins on was another geologist: Apollo 17′s Harrison Schmitt, who walked on the moon in 1972. She invited the retired astronaut to the launch, along with his wife. “We sort of consider ourselves the Jessica team,” he said, chuckling
“Those of us who rode the Saturn V into space are a little bit jaded about the smaller rockets,” Schmitt said after the SpaceX liftoff. “But still, it really was something and on board was a geologist ... I hope it will stand her in good stead for being part of one of the Artemis crews that go to the moon.”
Also read: SpaceX’s Musk: 1st Starship test flight to orbit in January
Like Watkins, NASA astronaut and test pilot Bob Hines is making his first spaceflight. It’s the second visit for the European Space Agency’s lone female astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti, a former Italian Air Force fighter pilot, and Lindgren, a physician.
The just-completed private flight was NASA’s first dip into space tourism after years of opposition. The space agency said the three people who paid $55 million each to visit the space station blended in while doing experiments and educational outreach. They were accompanied by a former NASA astronaut employed by Houston-based Axiom Space, which arranged the flight.
“The International Space Station is not a vacation spot. It’s not an amusement park. It is an international laboratory, and they absolutely understood and respected that purpose,” said NASA flight director Zeb Scoville.
NASA also hired Boeing to ferry astronauts after retiring the shuttles. The company will take another shot next month at getting an empty crew capsule to the space station, after software and other problems fouled a 2019 test flight and prevented a redo last summer.
DJI halts Russia, Ukraine business to prevent drone misuse
Drone company DJI Technology Co has temporarily suspended business activities in Russia and Ukraine to prevent use of its drones in combat, in a rare case of a Chinese company pulling out of Russia because of the war.
“DJI is internally reassessing compliance requirements in various jurisdictions. Pending the current review, DJI will temporarily suspend all business activities in Russia and Ukraine,” the company said in a statement released Tuesday.
Many Western brands and companies have withdrawn from the Russian market due to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, but Chinese firms have kept operating there. Beijing has refrained from publicly criticizing Russia over the war.
Read: US urges more arms for Ukraine amid fears of expanding war
Both Ukraine and Russia are thought to be using DJI drones in combat, even though the company maintains that its products are intended for civilian use.
Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykhailo Federov wrote an open letter last month appealing to DJI to block sales of its drones in Russia, contending that Russian troops were using “DJI products in Ukraine in order to navigate their missiles to kill civilians.”
The AeroScope system installed in DJI drones allows the detection and monitoring of other drones and their operators in the vicinity via special receivers. The worry is that Russians might be using the AeroScope system to attack Ukraine drone pilots.
DJI has rejected claims that it leaked data on Ukraine’s military positions to Russia, after German retailer Mediamarkt cited Russia’s use of DJI drones in the war as a reason it removed the company’s products from its shelves.
Last week, DJI said in a statement that its drones are not marketed or sold for military use. It said it “unequivocally opposed attempts to attach weapons” to its products.
Read: Poland, Bulgaria say Russia suspending natural gas supplies
“We will never accept any use of our products to cause harm, and we will continue striving to improve the world with our work,” the company said.
Another Chinese business, ride hailing company Didi Global, reversed a decision to withdraw from Russia after it was blasted by members of the Chinese public for bowing to pressure from the West.
Bluetooth Headphones Buyer Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Bluetooth headphones first came into existence in 2004. Back then it was a mere luxury that performed significantly less compared to wired headphones. Wired headphones dominated the market as they were cheap, easy to get, and sounded better. That was until Apple took the first step at removing the 3.5 mm headphone jack from their iPhones in 2016.
Fast forward to 2022, wired headphones are yesterday’s tech now with the headphone jack becoming increasingly obsolete. Bluetooth headphones have become increasingly cheap and sound on par with wired ones. So naturally, people are getting more and more inclined to the Bluetooth solution.
Read: Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus Review: Is it worth it?
Here is a complete buyer guide to Bluetooth headphones and the best options at different price brackets so that the users can choose the perfect one according to their budget.
Things to Consider While Buying a Bluetooth Headphone
Price
Price is an obvious consideration when it comes to buying the perfect pair. There are some crazy eyes watering Bluetooth headphones like the Sennheiser Momentum or the Apple Airpods Max, both of which costs north of 500 dollars. And if that wasn’t crazy enough, there’s V-Moda Crossfade Wireless which costs an insane 40,000 dollars.
The point is, a perfect Bluetooth shouldn’t cost that much. As will be discussed in the later parts, it's possible to get great-sounding pairs at a fraction of these prices.
Read Walton Primo S8 Mini: A Budget Friendly Gaming Phone
Sound
Sound is another obvious factor to consider. As users will see, there are miles of difference between a dead cheap Bluetooth headphone and a moderately priced one. Be it the clarity, tones, tempos, and the highs and mids. And not just the listening experience, most users also use their headphones to make calls. How the sound transitions on the other side are also something to consider while getting a pair.
Wearability
Wearability is another important factor to consider while getting any Bluetooth headphones. Unlike the wired ones, Bluetooth headphones don’t come with any support. The latest true wireless or TWS headphones are an even bigger concern as the ear canal is the only thing supporting the dangling device. Depending on ear size, users should choose the type that best fits their purpose.
USB Port
The importance of a USB port cannot be emphasized enough. There are all types of Bluetooth headphones out there each having its own charging process. Some are wireless, some have built-in wire and others use lighting ports (exclusive to Apple headphones). The point is, going for an unconventional charging setup will only add another extra wire to the table. So before buying a pair, make sure the charging port is either Type-C or at least a micro-USB one to save up extra hassle.
Also Read: Walton launches 'Budget Boss' handset GH11 with triple rear camera
Price Range of Bluetooth Headphones in Bangladesh
Bluetooth Headphones Under 2000 BDT
Haylou GT7 TWS Earbuds
Haylou is more commonly known in the Bangladeshi market for its budget smartwatches. But the company has a range of Bluetooth headphones and the GT7 brings the best in quality and price.
The headphone has an AAC codec with advanced 5.2 Bluetooth. It also provides low latency in gaming mode with a dedicated AI noise cancellation feature. The buds can play 5 hours on their own with a total of 20 hours along with the case. The price of the Haylou GT7 TWS Earbuds is 1550 BDT.
Realme Buds Q2
The Realme Buds Q2 is a great choice for those who don’t like the stem in Bluetooth headphones. Along with low latency and noise cancellation, the device brings touch control to the earphones.
Read Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Review: What’s New?
Users will get up to 6 hours of continuous usage on the earphones and combined use of 22 hours with the case. The earphones also have an IPX4 rating so users can sweat out with them without any worry. The price of the Realme Buds Q2 is 1750 BDT.
Edifier X2
The Edifier X2 brings the largest driver (13 mm) in the sub-2000 category. It also provides the highest range at 10 m range. There is surround sound noise cancellation technology in these buds. Instead of AAC, Edifier used the more refired AptX from Qualcomm.
The buds themselves can run for around 6 hours with another 18 hours through the charging case. The price of the Edifier X2 is 1850 BDT in Bangladesh.
Read Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: What to Expect from the A series flagship?
Bluetooth Headphone Under 4000 BDT
Haylou X1 ANC
Haylou X1 ANC brings a more premium TWS experience to the users with its build quality and features. The pair has a 35 dB ANC which is the only reliable dedicated ANC at this price range. There are also a total of 6 different noise cancellation mics with 3 on each bud for a smooth and rich call experience.
The X1 has a run time of 6 hours with an additional 24 hours through the case. The Price of the Haylou X1 ANC is 3450 BDT.
OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z (Bass Edition)
The Bullets Wireless Z is one of the best and most popular Bluetooth headphones in all price ranges in Bangladesh. This is a neckband-style Bluetooth headphone so there is no added worry of losing any buds.
Read Colmi P28 Plus Review: Is It a Worthy Budget Smartwatch?
Along with all the standard features, the pair can last up to 17 hours on a single charge. OnePlus claims that the fast charger from their phones can be used to charge the device for 10 minutes for a 10-hour listening time. The current price of the Bullets Wireless Z is 2299 BDT.
Anker Soundcore Life Note E
The list won’t be complete without having an Anker in it. The Soundcore Life Note E is best for the TWS enthusiasts who like to push their game. The high bass, IPX5 water resistance along with 32 hours long combined battery life easily make it the perfect running or gym partner.
The price of the Soundcore Life Note E is 3650 BDT.
Read Vivo Y33s 4G Review: Do features accompany premium look?
Bluetooth Headphone Under 7000 BDT
Anker Soundcore Life 2 Neo
The Anker Soundcore Life 2 Neo will best cater to the users looking for capable overhead headphones on a budget. The pair comes with a 40 mm dynamic driver and 30-hour-long playtime. Anker has implemented what they call real-time bass enhancement technology on the pair.
The price of the headphones is 4,599 BDT with 18 month's official warranty.
Edifier Uni-Buds TWS
When it comes to style, the Edifier Uni-Buds TWS wins by a long mile. The innovative design with a distinct ear hook makes it an instant attraction. The pair comes with Qualcomm’s AptX codec and CVC 8.0 Noise Cancellation technology.
The buds have an 8-hour running time on a full charge with another 24 hours added from the case. The price of the pair is 5,990 BDT.
Read Oppo F21 Pro Review: Camera Phone Made in Bangladesh
Beats Flex Wireless Earphones
This neckband-style headphone is the cheapest Beats out there. But the quality is exactly as expected from beats. The pair is also powered by the Apple W1 chip so it should perfectly sync with Apple devices.
The headphone can last 12 hours on a single charge and a 10 minutes charge will give 1.5 hours of listening time. The price of the Beats Flex is 4,499 BDT.
Bluetooth Headphones Under 10,000 BDT
OnePlus Buds Pro
The OnePlus Buds Pro brings the best from the OnePlus in TWS and at a premium price. It brings an 11 mm dynamic driver, IP55 rating, and up to 40 dB of smart noise cancellation. The TWS can provide up to 38 hours of combined listening time with 10 minutes charge for a 10-hour listening time. The price of the OnePlus Buds Pro is 9,499 BDT.
Also Read: OnePlus NORD N20 5G: Leaks, Rumors, Probable Release Date
Nothing Ear 1
Nothing Ear 1 is the first product from Carl Pei’s new venture Nothing. The pair features an 11.6 mm driver with AI-powered Environmental Noise Cancellation and active ANC. The clear case gives the device its unique look.
The device has a combined playtime of 34 hours with ANC off and 24 hours with ANC on. The price of the pair is 9,490 BDT.
Anker SoundCore Liberty Air 2 Pro
The Liberty Air 2 Pro is the best of TWS from Anker. The headphone has a dedicated app for sound calibration and LDAC for better data transfer. The headphone also has an IPX4 rating with 26 hours of combined playtime. The price of the headphones is 8,999 BDT with 18 month's official warranty.
Read Power Bank Buyer guide with Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Bluetooth Headphones Priced 15,000 BDT and Above
Apple Airpods Pro
Apple Airpods Pro is undoubtedly one of the best headphones out there regardless of the OS orientation. The EQ driver, H1 chip, and spatial audio bring features that are otherwise not available in any headphones.
The Airpods Pro has a combined use time of 24 hours. The price of the pair is 18,990 BDT.
Sony WF-1000XM4
When it comes to TWS, the WF-1000XM4 is the ultimate winner. Sound is a subjective matter but when it comes to overall factors, the XM4 outshines its competitors. With the V1 chip coupled with DSEE Extreme and Edge AI ANC, the XM4 is absolutely packed with features and performance.
The 1000XM4 provides a combined use time of 24 hours. The price of the pair in Bangladesh is 20,500 BDT.
Read Symphony Z42 Review: Affordable Phone from Local Market
Sony WH-1000XM4
It's no surprise that the company that produces the best TWS will also be a star performer in overhead headphones. The WH-1000XM4 sports all the features of its smaller brother with 30 hours of continuous usage. It even comes with 5 hours of playback with 10 minutes of charge. The WH-1000XM4 brings the best-in-class audio experience at a very gettable price.
The price of the pair is 22,499 BDT.
Final Words
That concludes the list of the best Bluetooth headphones at different price categories in Bangladesh. The options under 4000 BDT are quite saturated and the users are spoilt for choices. But going above 10,000 BDT, the choices become more obvious. Overall, the WH-1000XM4 wins out in every department if the price isn’t the factor.
Read Vivo X Fold Review: Can it outsmart the other foldable phones?
What Musk’s past tweets reveal about Twitter’s next owner
Three days before Elon Musk agreed to buy Twitter, the world’s richest man tweeted a photo of Bill Gates and used a crude sexual term to make fun of his belly.
Playful, aggressive and often juvenile, Musk’s past tweets show how he has used social media to craft his public image as a brash billionaire unafraid to offend. They may also reveal clues as to how Musk will govern the platform he hopes to own.
“Look at the feed: It’s all over the place. It’s erratic. At times it’s pretty extreme,” said Jennifer Grygiel, a Syracuse University professor who studies social media and who recently assigned Musk’s tweets as reading material for their students. “It paints him as some sort of rebel leader who will take control of the public square to save it. That is a myth he has constructed.”
Musk joined Twitter in 2010 and now has more than 85 million followers — the seventh most of any account and the highest for any business leader. He had mused about buying the site before he agreed on Monday to pay $44 billion for Twitter, which he said he hopes to turn into a haven where all speech is allowed.
“I hope that even my worst critics remain on Twitter, because that is what free speech means,” Musk wrote in a tweet.
As the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, Musk uses his Twitter account to make business announcements and promote his enterprises. He muses about technology and trade, but has also posted jokes about women’s breasts and once compared Canada’s prime minister to Hitler. He regularly weighs in on global events, as he did in March 2020 when he tweeted that “The coronavirus pandemic is dumb.”
He’s also used the account to punch back at critics, such as when he called a diver working to rescue boys trapped in a cave in Thailand a “pedo,” short for pedophile. The diver had previously criticized Musk’s proposal to use a sub to rescue the boys. Musk, who won a defamation suit filed by the diver, later said he never intended “pedo” to be interpreted as “pedophile.”
Also Read: Twitter bans ads that contradict science on climate change
A few years ago, after software engineer Cher Scarlett criticized Musk’s handling of the cave incident, the tech billionaire fired back and she was soon being harassed by dozens of Musk’s online fans. He later deleted the posts, but not before Scarlett had to lock down her account because she was receiving so many hateful messages.
“It’s ironic to me that somebody who claims they want to buy Twitter to protect free speech has such thin skin,” she said. “He’s a very smart man, and when he replies to people that criticize him, he knows what he’s doing. To me that’s not championing free speech, it’s weaponizing free speech, and I think that’s what he’ll do owning this platform.”
Nineteen-year-old Jack Sweeney got Musk’s attention when he created an automated Twitter account that tracked the movements of Musk’s jet. Musk responded by offering Sweeney $5,000 to pull the account. When Sweeney refused, Musk blocked him on Twitter.
Also Read: Shareholders await Musk's next move in Twitter takeover bid
Sweeney said he’s worried he may get kicked off the site entirely if Musk’s takeover is approved. But he said he likes Musk’s free speech absolutism, and hopes he sees it through.
“He’ll make it more open, and I think that’s a good thing,” Sweeney said.
Musk’s use of Twitter has also led to problems for his own companies. In one August 2018 tweet, for instance, Musk asserted that he had the funding to take Tesla private for $420 a share, although a court has ruled that it wasn’t true. That led to an SEC investigation that Musk is still fighting.
More recently, Musk appeared to have violated SEC rules that required him to disclose that he’d acquired a 5% stake in Twitter; instead he waited until he had more than 9%. Experts say these issues aren’t likely to affect his Twitter acquisition.
Last year another federal agency, the National Labor Relations Board, ordered Musk to delete a tweet that officials said illegally threatened to cut stock options for Tesla employees who joined the United Auto Workers union.
Those tweets helped cement Musk’s reputation as a brash outsider, a workingman’s billionaire, Grygiel said. But that doesn’t mean he is equipped to run a social media platform with more than 200 million users, the professor added.
“Maybe he wants to burn it down,” Grygiel said. “I don’t know. But I do know that it shows that no one person should have this kind of power.”
Huawei summit held in China
Huawei on Tuesday kicked off its 19th annual Global Analyst Summit in China’s Shenzhen.
The summit gathered industry analysts, financial analysts, key opinion leaders and media representatives from around the world to learn more about future industry trends and Huawei's development strategy.
At the event, Ken Hu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, said, "We will strengthen our approach to innovation, equip all industries to go digital and intelligent, and help build a low-carbon world."
Read Akij sets up rooftop solar plant with Huawei's technology
Ken Hu described three key initiatives for the future growth of this company. Firstly, Innovating nonstop and advancing the industry; secondly, Diving into digital transformation to create new value for customers; and thirdly, Optimizing power supply and consumption with digital technology to enable low-carbon development.
At the summit, the company announced its vision to enable 10 Gbps connections everywhere with 5.5G and F5.5G, the next evolutions in wireless and fixed networks. Together, these will support a broader range of niche network requirements, including a more immersive experience in homes.
With Huawei Cloud as the foundation, Huawei aims to provide ‘Everything as a Service’, turning infrastructure, technology, and expertise into cloud-based services making cloud migration easier for customers in different industries.
READ: Huawei holds campus recruitment event at IUT
In cloud services, Huawei is building MetaStudio, a cloud-based, end-to-end digital content pipeline that will greatly expedite digital content production.
Under the third key initiative, Huawei is redefining the PV sector with AI, cloud, and other capabilities to boost the generation of renewable energy.
Huawei is also developing system-level low-carbon solutions for green ICT infrastructure, focusing on wireless base stations and data centers.
Read Huawei BUET ICT Academy to develop talent ecosystem
The Huawei Global Analyst Summit was first held in 2004. Since then the summit has continued annually for the last 19 years.
Walton launches 'Budget Boss' handset GH11 with triple rear camera
Bangladeshi handset maker Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited has launched its new affordable smartphone ‘Primo GH11’.
The attractively designed phone has many attractive features including large V-notch display, triple rear cameras, powerful RAM, ROM and battery, Android 12 operating system etc. Considering the configurations and price, the Primo GH11 has been recognized as the 'Budget Boss' smartphone by tech lovers.
The smartphone is available with three different colors of grass green, night blue and grey blue.
READ: Walton launches new gaming laptop Karonda GX712H
Besides, customers will get an instant replacement warranty for 30 days for the phone along with one-year regular service warranty.
SM Rezwan Alam, Chief Business Officer of Walton Mobile, said, the design and configurations of the smartphone have been set considering the demand and affordability of entry-level customers.
Though the price of the smartphone is Tk. 9,099 but customers are getting the device at only Tk. 7,599, he added.
Read Xiaomi Redmi 10c Review: Can this budget phone fulfil users’ needs?
Habibur Rahman Tuhin, Marketing in-charge of Walton Mobile, said the new device features a 6.52 inch V-Notch HD+ IPS display with 1600X720 pixel screen resolutions. It sports a 2.0 GHz Helio A22 SoC ARM Cortex-A53 processor, PowerVR Rogue GE8300 GPU, Android 12 (Go Edition), 2GB LPDDR4x RAM, 32GB internal storage (expandable up to 256GB) and 4,200 mAh high capacity li-polymer battery.
Primo GH11 features AI triple rear auto focus cameras with LED flash. The main camera of the device is 13MP with 1/3.06" large sensor for sharp and colorful photos. The device sports another 5MP front facing selfie camera.
Some attractive camera features are 5p lens, normal mode, pro mode, panorama, time lapse, beauty, AR sticker, portrait, filter, QR code, face detection, digital zoom, touch focus, self-timer, volume capture, smile capture, mirror reflection, facial information etc.
Read Symphony Z42 Review: Affordable Phone from Local Market
The dual 4G VoLTE supported phone has many other features including face unlock, fingerprint sensor, separate slot for micro SD card, OTA, OTG, full HD video playback, screen record, smart controls, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, WLAN hotspot, GPS with A-GPS, accelerometer (3D), light (brightness), proximity etc.
Bank Account Hacking Protection: How to save financial accounts from hackers?
There is a very high chance that you have heard about the hacking of bank accounts. Hackers are able to steal personal information, including bank account info, from millions of people every year. Many of these hacks involve malicious software or malware. The good news is that there are ways to protect yourself from these attacks and avoid having your financial information stolen. In this post, we are going to look at some of the most common ways that hackers get your personal information. We will also discuss how to keep the hackers away from banks as well as financial accounts.
Some Common ways how bank accounts get hacked
Hackers have a wide range of methods they use to break into bank accounts. In most of the cases, hackers have one goal in common and that is money. Here are some of the most common ways hackers attack bank accounts:
Phishing
Phishing is the act of fraudulently obtaining personal information (such as login credentials, bank account information, or personal identification numbers) by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication. Phishing scams are common and can be executed through email, web pages, or instant messages. One of the most popular methods of phishing is through fake emails that appear to be from banks or other financial institutions. Unfortunately, it's becoming increasingly common.
Read Internet Safety Tips for Children, Teens, and Adults
Malware
Bank account hacking through Malware is a real threat that businesses and individuals need to be aware of. Malware is a crucial tool for criminals and hackers. Criminals use malware to steal data, passwords, and other confidential information from users of computers. Hackers use malware to gain access to systems and steal data or money.
Mobile Banking Trojan
There are a number of mobile banking trojans that infect devices and capture user credentials, bank account numbers, and other sensitive information. These malware variants can be installed through malicious emails or links in SMS messages and can then hijack user accounts and withdraw money from their bank accounts. While these trojans are only targeting mobile banking users, anyone who uses mobile banking to manage their finances is at risk.
Using Unprotected Public Internet
If you use a public internet connection to access your bank account, you may be at risk of having your information stolen. Hackers may be able to steal your username and password, which could allow them to access your account and financial information. Always use a secure login method, and make sure to keep your passwords confidential.
Read Dangerous Android Apps That Can Steal Your Information
Using Weak Password
If you are using a weak password, your bank account may be at risk. A study from DataProt found that nearly 23 million people use easily guessed passwords like "password" or "123456". This leaves their accounts vulnerable to hackers who try to guess these passwords in order to gain access to their bank accounts. If you are concerned about the security of your bank account, make sure to create a strong password and keep it updated.
How to protect your bank account from getting hacked?
If you are like most people, you have a bank account that you use to store your money. Unfortunately, banks are lucrative targets for hackers. If your bank is hacked, your money could be stolen. Here are some tips on how to protect your bank account from being hacked.
Use a Strong Password
An easy way to keep your bank account safe from being hacked is to use a strong password. By creating a password that is difficult to guess, you can help protect yourself against potential cyber-attacks. A strong password should be at least 8 characters long and include at least one number and one letter. You will need to make sure that you have included numbers, lowercase letters, and uppercase letters. You can also include special characters, such as '$,' '@,' '#,' and '%.'
Read How to Check Official Phone Using BTRC IMEI Number?
Change your Password Frequently
You will want to make sure you change your password regularly. You should also make sure you have changed it on all of your social media accounts. You can use a password manager to make this easier.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a security measure that requires you to enter both a password and a one-time code sent to your phone or computer. Many online banks and other sites now offer this protection, and it can help keep your bank account safe from being hacked. Two-factor authentication is also a good way to protect yourself against other types of online attacks.
Always Use Secure Devices
Secure your devices. Always use secure devices to save your bank account from getting hacked. Protect yourself with a password manager, 2-factor authentication, and other security features. Make sure to regularly update your software and keep your devices up-to-date with the latest security patches.
Read Coronavirus: How hackers are preying on fears of Covid-19
Set Up Alerts from Bank
If you bank online, it's important to set up alerts to keep yourself alert if your account is hacked. Hackers typically try to get access to your bank account in order to steal your money or use the funds for their own purposes. By setting up alerts, you'll be able to quickly detect any suspicious activity and take appropriate action.
Keep Your Browser Up to Date
Internet browsers are constantly being updated with new security features, but not all updates are created equal. Some browser updates protect against known attacks and vulnerabilities, while others may introduce new exploits that could put your bank account at risk. Make sure you keep your browser up to date by checking for browser updates regularly and installing only the latest versions.
Keep Your Computer Safe
If you are like most people, you use your computer for work, email, paying bills, and other important tasks. But what you might not know is that your computer can also be a powerful tool for criminals. Criminals use your computer to steal your personal information, bank account numbers, and more. So it's important to keep your computer safe so that it doesn't become a tool for criminals. Install antivirus software to protect your computer from malware and viruses. Keep up with regular security updates. Make sure your software is up to date so that it can detect any new threats.
Read Wisconsin Republican Party says hackers stole $2.3 million
Final Words
So far, we have discussed some common methods how hackers can steal money from your bank. We have also shown some ways to avoid situations like bank account hacking. However, If you see anything suspicious in your bank account, you should report it straight away. It needs to make sure that you are reporting it to your bank without making any delay. Then, the bank authority is supposed to contact the police, and they will be able to investigate the incident. Hope it helps!
Elon Musk buys Twitter for $44B and will privatize company
Elon Musk reached an agreement to buy Twitter for roughly $44 billion on Monday, promising a more lenient touch to policing content on the platform where he promotes his interests, attacks critics and opines on social and economic issues to more than 83 million followers.
The outspoken Tesla CEO, who is also the world’s wealthiest person, has said he wanted to buy and privatize Twitter because he thinks it’s not living up to its potential as a platform for free speech.
Musk said in a joint statement with Twitter that he wants to make the service “better than ever” with new features, such as getting rid of automated “spam bots” and making its algorithms open to the public to increase trust.
“Free speech is the bedrock of a functioning democracy, and Twitter is the digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated,” he said.
The deal was cemented roughly two weeks after the billionaire first revealed a 9 percent stake in the platform. Musk said last week that he had lined up $46.5 billion in financing to buy Twitter, putting pressure on the company’s board to negotiate a deal.
Twitter said the transaction was unanimously approved by its board of directors. The 11-member board includes Twitter co-founder and former CEO Jack Dorsey, who has been planning to step down from the board in May. Twitter said the deal is expected to close sometime this year and is subject to the approval of Twitter stockholders and regulators.
READ: Elon Musk wants to buy Twitter, make it 'maximally trusted'
Shares of Twitter Inc. rose 6% Monday to $52 per share. On April 14, Musk announced an offer to buy the social media platform for $54.20 per share. While the stock is up sharply since Musk made his offer, it is well below the high of $77 per share it reached in February 2021.
Musk has described himself as a “free-speech absolutist” but is also known for blocking or disparaging other Twitter users who question or disagree with him.
In recent weeks, he has voiced a number of proposed changes for the company, from relaxing its content restrictions — such as the rules that suspended former President Donald Trump’s account — to ridding the platform of fake and automated accounts, and shifting away from its advertising-based revenue model.
Asked during a recent TED talk if there are any limits to his notion of “free speech,” Musk said Twitter or any forum is “obviously bound by the laws of the country that it operates in. So obviously there are some limitations on free speech in the US, and, of course, Twitter would have to abide by those rules.”
Beyond that, though, he said he’d be “very reluctant” to delete things and in general be cautious about permanent bans.
It won’t be perfect, Musk added, “but I think we want it to really have the perception and reality that speech is as free as reasonably possible.”
Twitter had initially enacted an anti-takeover measure known as a poison pill that could make a takeover attempt prohibitively expensive. But the board decided to negotiate after Musk updated his proposal last week to show he had secured financing, according to The Wall Street Journal.
While Twitter’s user base of more than 200 million remains much smaller than those of rivals such as Facebook and TikTok, the service is popular with celebrities, world leaders, journalists and intellectuals. Musk himself is a prolific tweeter with a following that rivals several pop stars in the ranks of the most popular accounts.
Last week, he said in documents filed with U.S. securities regulators that the money would come from Morgan Stanley and other banks, some of it secured by his huge stake in Tesla.
Musk is the world’s wealthiest person, according to Forbes, with a nearly $279 billion fortune. But much of his money is tied up in Tesla stock — he owns about 17% of the electric car company, according to FactSet, which is valued at more than $1 trillion — and SpaceX, his privately held space company. It’s unclear how much cash Musk has.
Musk began making his fortune in 1999 when he sold Zip2, an online mapping and business directory, to Compaq for $307 million. He used his share to create what would become PayPal, an internet service that bypassed banks and allowed consumers to pay businesses directly. It was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in 2002.
That same year, Musk founded Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, after finding that cost constraints were limiting NASA’s interplanetary travel. The company eventually developed cost-effective reusable rockets.
In 2004, Musk was courted to invest in Tesla, then a startup trying to build an electric car. Eventually he became CEO and led the company to astronomical success as the world’s most valuable automaker and largest seller of electric vehicles.
BBS partners with Robi to deliver Bangladesh's 1st digital census data
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has selected telecom operator Robi as the digital connectivity provider to deliver the country's first digital census data.
The BBS will conduct the sixth population and housing census digitally from 15-21 June this year.
Md Dilder Hossain, project director of National Population and Housing Census 2022, and Adil Hossain Noble, chief enterprise business officer of Robi, signed an agreement Sunday.
Read Rising inflation hurts rural people more than their urban counterparts: BBS
Under the deal, Robi will provide around 4 lakh connections, data, SMS bundles and other digital solutions to the BBS to support the digital census.
Around 3.7 lakh enumerators will collect the population census data from across the country using Robi's network and send them to a central server for processing.
Data will be collected from each household using a computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) system, geographic information system, and tablet computers with data connectivity.
READ: Robi launches iftar distribution programme for underprivileged children outside Dhaka
Robi will also support the BBS's zonal operations and preparedness training. Besides data connectivity, SMS, location tracking, and e-CRM for monitoring call centre support will be used for a smooth census operation.
Dr Shahnaz Arefin, secretary at the Statistics and Informatics Division, said: "Accuracy of census data is extremely important to decide on policy measures that support the country's socio-economic growth."
"In this connection, we found Robi the most suitable partner to provide digital connectivity support for the first digital census of the country."
Read Household incomes fell by 20pc due to Covid-19: BBS survey
M Riyaaz Rasheed, acting CEO and CFO of Robi, said: "Robi is proud to be associated with the first digital population census of the country. We look forward to supporting this high priority national project with our innovative digital solution."