This week, we observed International Tech Policy Week. It is an American event that occurs every year at this time. American policymakers, American execs and U.S journalists reporting on them go home to enjoy turkey and to leave tech policy for the rest of world.
Leading off a review of China’s contribution to the week, Paul Rosenzweig and Jordan Schneider cover Beijing’s pressure on Didi to delist from a U.S. stock exchange. You can get a Chinese unicorn technology stock at half-price if this is data security.
Jordan gives a reason why China is taking Tencent to court for not getting the message. Speaking of delivering a message, Jordan also covers China’s decision to impose fines on tech firms for a decade’s worth of M&A deals.
David Kris turns what could have been a U.S. story – insurers’ running for cover from ransomware losses—into an international story by focusing on a proposal from Lloyds of London.
Paul and I dig into a story that starts in the U.S. but soon moves abroad: Apple’s slightly weird computer fraud and abuse lawsuit against the Israeli exploit firm known as NSO Group. Other stories indicate that this tech hubris is far beyond control. Facebook seeks to end undercover cops using fake accounts for quasipublic information. Apple will inform its customers if it finds out that their computers are being used to spread state-sponsored malware. These law enforcement activities are not unusual undercover work, or the lawful interception and intercept of communications. Apple’s interference in law enforcement is particularly egregious since it hasn’t explained how it can prevent legitimate counterterrorism investigations and criminal investigations from using malware. Apple already barred more dramatic legal options.
Authorities in Israel have dramatically reduced the list of countries where spyware may be exported as a result of the widespread demonization of the tools. While Iran should not be listed, Israel has apparently exported plenty to Iran. However, cyberconflict is starting to impact ordinary citizens of both countries.
David, Paul, and I reveal our prejudices as we examine the latest miniflap that briefly detained Congress’s proposed cyber incident reporting mandate – DOJ’s desire to require simultaneous reporting to the FBI. It is an absurd idea and it seems that the Senate treated it with the respect it deserves. At least that’s how it looks from inside my junior high locker.
Jordan speaks briefly about a Chinese province that plans to create a surveillance network for foreigners. Jordan believes there is more to this story (or perhaps less). He also covers the U.S. decision to blacklist Chinese quantum computing companies, giving me a chance to divert him toward the Endless Frontier Act and China’s peculiar decision to turn it into a BFD.
David and I look into the proposed UK law regarding IOT security. It is similar to California’s.
Quick hits and updates show that Meta won’t be able to deliver end-to-end encryption via Instagram and Facebook before 2023. Clearview AI’s facial recognition software is outperforming international competitors despite all efforts to poison the field. Also, my research shows that face recognition is still a subject of bias in 2016. It has not taken into account the incredible accuracy and debiasing achievements made by the industry in the recent years.
Jordan also explores the tension that exists between Beijing’s hostility towards gaming and Shanghai Communist Party’s embrace for an esport legend.
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