Facebook’s instant messaging app WhatsApp has been hit with a security breach, which leaves users vulnerable to malicious spyware being installed on their phones reports.

The company said it discovered the breach this month and informed the US Department of Justice last week, as well as its lead regulator in the EU, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission.

A Facebook spokesperson urged users to upgrade to the latest version of the app and keep their operating system up to date, as a way to protect against threats designed to compromise information stored on mobile devices.

“We are constantly working alongside industry partners to provide the latest security enhancements to help protect our users,” the spokesperson told Reuters.

The Financial Times (FT) provided details on the breach, reporting attackers were able to inject commercial Israeli spyware on both iPhones and Android powered smartphones by ringing users and targeting the app’s call function.

FT said the code was developed by Israeli company NSO Group, and could violate devices even if users did not answer their phones. Often, the calls would disappear from call logs.

WhatsApp, which is still investigating the issue, said it was too early to reveal exactly how many users had been affected, an FT source added.

NSO’s products and technology are designed for intelligence agencies in the west and Middle East, with its flagship Pegasus programme intended to fight crime and terrorism. The programme can turn on a phone’s microphone and camera, as well as access emails, messages and location data. NSO told the FT it carefully vetted customers and investigated any abuse, adding it was looking into the WhatsApp hack.

Source: mobileworldlive.com

[caption id="attachment_5509" align="alignnone" width="300"] CEO of AirtelTigo; Ms. Mitwa Ng'ambi-on-the-right-side-of-Asantehene-Otumfuo-Osei-Tutu-II[/caption]

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has commended AirtelTigo for its continued support and investment in education, specifically its efforts in improving the lives of children within deprived communities across the country.

His Royal Majesty made the remarks at his Palace in Manhyia, when the leadership of AirtelTigo led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Mitwa Kaemba Ng’ambi paid a courtesy call on him to congratulate him on his 20th anniversary celebration as the King of Asanteman.

The Asantehene applauded the company for its enormous contribution towards teaching and learning in Ghana by improving the learning conditions of pupils in underprivileged communities.

He also pledged his support for the company’s new Corporate Social Responsibility initiative “Yεn Nkͻsoͻ Nti” (meaning ‘for our development’) which aims to support and enhance public school education in disadvantaged communities in the Ashanti, Bono and Ahafo regions.

Under “Yεn Nkͻsoͻ Nti” initiative, AirtelTigo will invest one percent of proceeds from airtime recharge by its customers in those regions, into the development of educational facilities.

On behalf of the team, Mrs Ng’ambi commended Asantehene for his strong and enduring leadership exhibited over the years, adding that: “Beyond Ashanti region, it is also significant to note your contribution to peace and developments in Ghana.”

She donated an amount of GHS20, 000.00 towards the Otumfuo Charity Foundation to support education while affirming the company’s commitment to supporting education as one of the focus areas of its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.

“We believe that education holds the key to the successful development of any nation and us investing in the education of children is one of the surest ways of having a long-term impact in these communities,” she said.

She explained that the company’s long-term goal to heavily invest in education is a way of contributing to help Ghana advance on the Sustainable Development Goal 4. She reiterated its commitment to making life simple through innovative products and services for its customers and businesses across the nation.

Source: AirtelTigo.com.gh

[caption id="attachment_5506" align="alignnone" width="300"] Fibre Optic Cable[/caption]

MTN Ghana has stated that the government of Ghana loses millions of cedis as a result of fibre cuts that the company has been experiencing.

They say the company has been losing millions in recent months due to persistent fibre cuts.

According to them, they lost 39 million Ghana cedis as a result of fibre cuts suffered between October 2018 and February 2019.

Speaking to Journalists in Kumasi at an editors’ forum and as part of MTN Ashantifest, Corporate Service Executive of MTN, Mr. Samuel Koranteng said out of the 39 million loss, they would have paid a tax component of about 17.5 million Ghana cedis.

Fibre technology helps to improve the quality of service by network providers.

The fibre cables are fixed in the ground to help ensure strong network connectivity in areas they have been fixed, but fibre cuts result in low quality of service.

According to MTN, activities of road contractors, illegal mining activities among others lead to fibre cuts which affect their network adversely.

Mr. Koranteng indicated that one fibre cut costs the company over 6000 Ghana cedis. He added that, from January 2019 to April 2019, the company has experienced 489 fibre cuts which have been affecting the company badly.

“From January this year to the end of April, we suffered up to 489 fibre cuts across the country. Out of this figure, 150 were in the Ashanti region. So you realize that out of the total number of regions we have, the Ashanti region accounts for a very high number.”So we also went down to look at the revenue impact for MTN and we realized that as a result of the fibre cuts we suffered from October 2018, to end of February, we haven’t gone into March and April, the loss of revenue is approximately 39 million Ghana cedis.”

He said “when you look at the benefits government would have had out of it if we had realized that revenue, the tax component of that- that is an approximation of about 17. 5 million Ghana cedis so one fibre cut isn’t a revenue loss to MTN. It is a revenue loss to the state as well as all other businesses who use our network – our connectivity to do their business.”

“So you can imagine if we are able to do a survey of all businesses and all people who have experienced revenue loss as a result of this fibre cut, the figure will be much much bigger. If the government had realized this revenue, they would have put it to national development,” he added.

MTN says it is collaborating with the Roads and Highways Ministry to arrange with contractors to help avoid the prevalent phenomenon.

MTN also appealed to the general public to help avoid fibre cuts which lead to loss of revenue to both the company and government through potential tax revenue.

Source: citinewsroom.com

African operator group MTN published a trading update for the first quarter of 2019, stating it had met its medium-term revenue growth target with a 10 per cent increase led by its operations in South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana.

Group service revenue (excluding Cyprus) was ZAR33.2 billion ($2.3 billion), of which ZAR9.1 billion was from South Africa (up 4.6 per cent year-on-year) and ZAR10.8 billion from Nigeria (up 13.4 per cent at constant currency).

In a statement, the company noted a provisional report from South Africa’s Competition Commission regarding an inquiry into data pricing, stating it will respond by the 14 June 2019 deadline.

The body had said benchmarking had confirmed prices were high, particularly for prepaid customers, stating that “disturbingly”, data from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa showed higher pricing for MTN and peer Vodacom when compared with the other countries in which they operate.

Rob Shuter, group CEO, said: “In South Africa, we implemented changed pricing for prepaid propositions where we reduced, materially the out-of-bundle tariffs, making data services much more affordable.”

The company also argued for the “urgent release of high demand spectrum” to deliver lower cost data services, and noted a “viable wholesale market” which enables smaller operators and MVNOs to provide “compelling” propositions to customers.

As part of efforts to boost its fintech business, MTN launched Ayoba, “Africa’s first instant messaging platform,” in Ivory Coast and Cameroon. Expansion into other markets and the integration of payments are planned for the second half of 2019.

Rises
The group cited growth in its voice, data and fintech revenue of 5.9 per cent, 18.3 per cent and 30.6 per cent respectively. Digital revenue declined 45.4 per cent, as a result of work to optimise its value added services business.

Group subscribers increased 4 million during the quarter to reach 236.6 million. Active data subscribers were up 2.6 million to 81.3 million; active MTN Mobile Money customers increased 1.2 million to 28.3 million.

MTN said it expects the disposal of its Mascom (Botswana) stake will close by the end-June, subject to regulatory approvals. Its e-commerce joint venture, Jumia Technologies, raised fresh capital and listed on the New York Stock Exchange: MTN’s stake is valued at around $560 million.

It also completed its conversion of MTN Nigeria to a public company ahead of an expected listing on the country’s stock exchange in the near future. A tax dispute in the country is ongoing.

Source: mobileworldlive.com