Musk Dismisses Rumors of a TikTok Acquisition Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has firmly stated that he is not interested in purchasing TikTok, the widely popular short-video platform owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company currently facing scrutiny in the United States over national security concerns. During a virtual appearance at a summit hosted by The WELT…
TikTok-ification of Pakistan – Asad Shabbir Seven years ago, American Youtuber Casey Neistat triumphantly claimed that “Filmmaking is a sport and now, everyone’s invited.” The assessment stands proud today as social media has wreaked havoc in what was once a calm oasis of mainstream media. Pakistan’s media landscape, once dominated by a handful of TV…
Starlink License Application in Progress Starlink, Elon Musk’s innovative satellite internet service, is navigating regulatory challenges in Pakistan. During a National Assembly briefing, PTA Chairman disclosed that Starlink applied for a license on February 24, 2022. However, additional steps, including mandatory registrations with SECP and PSB, remain incomplete, delaying the launch. Government Clearance Essential for…
TikTok Goes Dark for 170 Million U.S. Users TikTok, the widely popular app owned by China’s ByteDance, ceased operations in the United States late Saturday. The abrupt shutdown follows a law requiring TikTok to either sever ties with its China-based parent company or halt its U.S. operations, citing national security concerns. Users attempting to access…
Hype Meets Reality In late 2024, Google announced the expansion of its flagship digital payment service, Google Wallet, to several countries, including Pakistan. Known for its seamless integration with NFC payments and card storage, the announcement sparked excitement. Yet, the final rollout brought only a “Passes-Only” version, leaving much to be desired. Features of the…
Meta Adopts a Community-Driven Approach Meta, the tech giant behind Facebook and Instagram, has announced a major policy shift by discontinuing its U.S. fact-checking program. The company will now rely on a community-based system inspired by X’s “Community Notes” feature. This marks a departure from Meta’s earlier focus on strict content moderation. CEO Mark Zuckerberg…
A Modern Digital Framework for Pakistan The Digital Nation Pakistan Bill 2024, presented in the National Assembly, marks a significant leap toward modernizing Pakistan’s governance and economy. This bill aims to harness technology to enhance public services, promote innovation, and accelerate economic growth. Building a Digital Governance System At the heart of the bill lies…
Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and co-founder of OpenAI, has reignited his legal battle against the AI giant by asking a US court to block its transition to a profit-driven model. According to CNBC, Musk’s legal team, representing both him and his AI startup xAI, filed an injunction on Friday to halt OpenAI’s plans to…
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for the prompt resolution of operational challenges faced by Meta in Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the country’s digital infrastructure. The Prime Minister’s directive came during a high-profile meeting with a five-member delegation from Meta, led by Simon Milner, Vice President for Asia Pacific. The discussion centered around…
Tech mogul Elon Musk touched down in Bali, Indonesia this Sunday, ahead of the exciting launch of Starlink internet service. This project is a collaboration between SpaceX, Musk’s space exploration company, and the Indonesian government. What is Starlink? Starlink is a revolutionary internet service that utilizes a network of satellites in space. This allows Starlink…