Microsoft - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

South Africa to investigate Microsoft over cloud computing licensing practices

A South African antitrust agency is set to investigate Microsoft over its cloud computing licensing practices, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The South African case against Microsoft is likely to mirror the European Union antitrust case, according to the source. Microsoft is not aware of any complaint filed by the South African competition authority, the company said in an emailed statement. South Africa's competition agency did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The U.S. software giant faces an EU complaint by rivals over its cloud computing licensing practices in the region. Industry group…

Mar

2024

By JESS AUERBACH JAHAJEEAH

Undersea cables for Africa’s internet retrace history and leave digital gaps as they connect continents

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

LARGE parts of west and central Africa, as well as some countries in the south of the continent, were left without internet services on 14 March because of failures on four of the fibre optic cables that run below the world’s oceans. Nigeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Ghana, Burkina Faso and South Africa were among the worst affected. By midday on 15 March the problem had not been resolved. Microsoft warned its customers that there was a delay in repairing the cables. South Africa’s News24 reported that, while the cause of the damage had not been confirmed, it was believed that…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Corporate giants say anti-LGBT law would hurt Uganda’s economy

NEWS

A coalition of international companies, including Google and Microsoft, denounced anti-LGBTQ legislation passed by Uganda's parliament last week, warning it would damage the East African country's economy. The Open for Business coalition said the legislation, which criminalises identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, would curb investment flows and deter tourists. The bill imposes the death penalty for those who commit so-called aggravated homosexuality, defined as same-sex relations with people under the age of 18 or when the perpetrator is HIV positive, among other categories. It awaits President Yoweri Museveni's signature. The White House said last week the bill was concerning and…

Mar

2022

By The African Mirror

Russian invasion: Five ways tech is being used to help Ukraine

WORLD

UMBERTO BACCHI FROM offering refugees their spare rooms to donating cryptocurrency, people around the world have been using technology to channel help to Ukrainians since Russia launched its military assault last week. Some tech companies like Google and Microsoft have taken steps targeting Russian state media or helped start fundraising campaigns following Thursday's invasion, which the U.N. refugee agency said had forced more than half a million people to flee Ukraine. Here are five ways people and companies are using tech to help Ukrainians: 1) SPARE ROOMS AND FREE DOCTORS Home rental company Airbnb said on Monday its non-profit arm Airbnb.org would offer free, temporary housing for…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Exciting special features in store for LaLiga fans as the new season kicks off

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SPANISH LaLiga kicked off the 2021/2022 campaign celebrating a six-year growing partnership in South Africa. The 2020/2021 season brought a myriad of enthusiasm from football enthusiasts across Africa which brewed over the disrupted 2019/2020 season. Dark horse Atletico Madrid concluded the season as champions - finishing two points ahead of Real Madrid after the 9-and a- half month season. Athletico’s Madrid resilient climb to the top of LaLiga came with a winners medal for defensive midfielder Geoffrey Kongdobia, a native of the Central African Republic. Kondogbia provided a wonderful window into the immersion of talented African footballers atop the…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

La Liga teams up with Microsoft to lift revenues as TV rights market cools

BUSINESS

RICHARD MARTIN and CLARA-LAEILA LAUDETTE SPAIN’S La Liga is expanding its partnership with Microsoft as it looks to boost revenue for its pandemic-hit soccer clubs and re-energise a fanbase that is consuming ever more digital products. The Spanish league, which announced its closer ties with Microsoft, sees the fast-growing world of sports technology as a way of offsetting a cooling television rights market and helping clubs develop on and off the pitch. "We want to launch a new company... to generate revenue so we are able to redistribute and have better clubs, better stadiums and better players," Oscar Mayo, La…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Push for digital COVID-19 record

COVID-19

MANAS MISHRA and AMRUTA KHANDEKAR MICROSOFT Corp, health insurer Cigna Corp and Mayo Clinic are part of a coalition pushing for digital records of people who get vaccinated against COVID-19. A key aim of the project, called Vaccination Credential Initiative, is to help people store encrypted digital copies of their immunization records in a digital wallet of their choice, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday. These records could eventually be used, with an individual's consent, by colleges that are trying to re-open or even for entry into concerts in the future, Joan Harvey, an executive at Cigna…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Microsoft, Cigna form coalition for digital records of COVID-19 vaccination

SCIENCE, TECH AND INNOVATION

MANAS MISHRA and AMRUTA KHANDEKAR MICROSOFT Corp, health insurer Cigna Corp and Mayo Clinic are part of a coalition pushing for digital records of people who get vaccinated against COVID-19. A key aim of the project, called Vaccination Credential Initiative, is to help people store encrypted digital copies of their immunization records in a digital wallet of their choice, the companies said in a joint statement. These records could eventually be used, with an individual's consent, by colleges that are trying to re-open or even for entry into concerts in the future, Joan Harvey, an executive at Cigna unit Evernorth…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Exclusive: Russian state hackers suspected in targeting Biden campaign firm – sources

WORLD

MICROSOFT Corp recently alerted one of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s main election campaign advisory firms that it had been targeted by suspected Russian state-backed hackers, according to three people briefed on the matter. The hacking attempts targeted staff at Washington-based SKDKnickerbocker, a campaign strategy and communications firm working with Biden and other prominent Democrats, over the past two months, the sources said. A person familiar with SKDK’s response to the attempts said the hackers failed to gain access to the firm’s networks. “They are well-defended, so there has been no breach,” the person said. SKDK Vice Chair Hilary Rosen…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Trump gives Microsoft 45 days to clinch TikTok deal

WORLD

GREG ROUMELIOTIS, ECHO WANG and MATT SPETALNICK US President Donald Trump only agreed to allow Microsoft Corp to negotiate the acquisition of popular short-video app TikTok if it could secure a deal in 45 days, three people familiar with the matter have said. The move represents an about-face for Trump and prompted the U.S. tech giant to declare its interest in the blockbuster social media deal that could further inflame U.S.-China relations. Trump said on Friday he was planning to ban TikTok amid concerns that its Chinese ownership represents a national security risk because of the personal data it handles.…