Asia Telecoms & IT
South Korean users flock to YouTube and Instagram as local platforms struggle
In September, a significant shift in digital engagement was observed among South Korean users, as American social media giants YouTube and Instagram reported impressive gains in usage, while domestic platforms like KakaoTalk and Naver faltered
Kazakhstan’s big league fintech Kaspi acquires 65% of Turkish Nasdaq peer Hepsiburada for $1.1bn
E-commerce platform’s share price jumps 40% as news of its new owner breaks.
Mongolia copper-gold discovery hailed for “globally significant” prospects
Study shows Kharmagtai a world-class asset that could be important provider of energy transition metals as world economy decarbonises and electrifies.
South Korea probes TikTok over alleged data consent violations
South Korea’s media regulator, the Korea Communications Commission, is preparing to investigate TikTok for potentially breaching the country’s personal data protection laws
Google's new data centre in Malaysia sets sustainability benchmark
Google’s upcoming data centre in Malaysia is poised to become a model for energy and water efficiency, aligning with the country’s circular economy goals
US government commits to supporting Indonesia's digital economy growth
The United States has expressed a strong commitment to assisting Indonesia in advancing its digitization efforts
EBRD makes first venture capital investment in Occupied Palestinian Territories
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced on September 25 its first equity investment in a venture capital fund in the West Bank, committing $3mn to Ibtikar (innovation in Arabic) Fund II
Big tech AI related emissions could be 700% higher than they claim
US big tech companies claim they are carbon neutral, but an investigation by The Guardian found emissions related to the rapid growth of data centres needed to drive AI have risen more than seven-times higher than they claim.
Iran's Kish Island in talks to launch "unfiltered internet"
Iran's Kish Free Zone Organisation is negotiating to launch high-speed, unfiltered internet access on the island in a "controlled manner".
Pope Francis warns of AI risks during Singapore visit
Pope Francis issued a cautionary message about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) during his visit to Singapore this week, stressing the need for technology to foster unity rather than isolation
Sinar Mas and Korean firm partner to develop $300mn data centre
SMPlus Digital Investama, controlled by Indonesia's Widjaja family and partnered with Korea Investment Real Asset Management, is set to develop a $300mn data centre in Jakarta's business district, supported by tycoon Kim Nam-goo
Iranian lawmaker proposes lifting internet restrictions
A senior Iranian MP has called on the government to consider lifting internet restrictions, citing economic concerns and public pressure.
Indian PM chairs semiconductor roundtable with industry leaders
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led discussions with top executives from global semiconductor companies during a roundtable held at his official residence
AI will be a major source of GHGs by 2030, says Morgan Stanley
Energy ravenous AI data centres are set to become a major source of GHGs emissions by 2030 as the number of server farms needed to run the artificial intelligence services is set to expand exponentially over the next two and half decades.
Indonesia enforces integrity pact on digital firms to curb online gambling
Indonesia has mandated that 18,232 private electronic system providers, including tech giants like Google, Meta, TikTok, and X, commit to an integrity pact aimed at tackling online gambling.
India’s telecom regulator proposes experimental spectrum for Tera Hertz technology
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has proposed a new framework for experimental use of spectrum in the 95 GHz to 3 THz range, introducing what it calls the Tera Hertz Experimental Authorisation
Japan's Rapidus seeks $685mn in loans to boost semiconductor production
Rapidus Corp., the Japanese semiconductor venture backed by government and industry, has sought loans amounting to approximately JPY100bn ($685mn) as part of its ambitious plan to revolutionise chip production
Korean AI chipmakers Rebellions and FuriosaAI set to challenge Nvidia’s dominance
The Korean artificial intelligence semiconductor sector is poised for a significant shift as two homegrown firms, Rebellions and FuriosaAI, prepare to make major moves that could disrupt the established market leaders, including Nvidia
Pakistan's national firewall may lead to $300mn in losses, warns IT industry association
Pakistan may face financial losses amounting to $300mn due to the imposition of a national firewall, according to a statement from the Pakistan Software Houses Association
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OpenAI claims it banned “Iranian influence operations” using its tech
Artificial intelligence company OpenAI announced on August 16 that it has disrupted what it said is a “covert Iranian influence operation” that is using its popular ChatGPT software.