DD
MM
YYYY

CATEGORIES

PAGES

DD
MM
YYYY

spot_img

CATEGORIES

PAGES

Home Blog Page 1379

What the VeryDarkMan Uprising Teaches GTBank and Nigerian Institutions

By
Mutiu Iyanda
-
0

It started like many social media uprisings do, a sudden burst of tweets, hashtags, and videos. But within hours, it had grown into a full-blown digital resistance movement. The target? Not just the state apparatus accused of repressing a controversial online activist, but also GTBank, a darling of Nigeria’s digital banking generation.

VeryDarkMan, an outspoken critic and social commentator, was arrested in a manner that angered many Nigerians. But it wasn’t just the arrest that sparked the firestorm. It was the location: the premises of GTBank in Abuja. The moment that detail hit social media, everything changed. The bank, widely recognized for its sleek digital operations and youthful branding, became an unlikely symbol of complicity.

Videos of customers lining up to withdraw their money circulated rapidly. Tweets showed GTBank ATM cards being cut up and discarded. Influencers, public figures, and everyday users questioned whether they could continue to trust an institution that, in their eyes, had allowed state power to trespass on public trust.

This wasn’t just a protest. It was a digital resistance movement, fueled by a younger generation raised on hashtags, justice narratives, and social identity. They weren’t just demanding the release of a man; they were defending their right to question, to resist, and to choose the brands that reflect their values.

And GTBank was caught in the middle

For decades, the bank built its reputation on innovation, customer experience, and clever marketing. It led the charge in digital banking and was seen as a model for others. But in that single moment, when VeryDarkMan was led away from one of its locations by men of the EFCC, all of that felt vulnerable.

In truth, GTBank didn’t arrest anyone. But in the age of perception, proximity is participation. To many watching online, the brand’s silence felt loud. Customers didn’t wait for press statements or clarifications. They acted. That’s the new rule of digital resistance: justice delayed is brand loyalty denied.

This scenario reveals a deeper shift in the relationship between institutions and the public, especially in Nigeria. The public  (digitally connected, emotionally driven, and socially conscious) expects more than services. They expect stance. And when that stance isn’t visible, they’ll assign one for you.

VeryDarkMan, regardless of the polarizing nature of his content, had become a symbol of speaking truth to power. His supporters recounted his social impact: building boreholes, renovating schools, spotlighting abuse and injustice. In their eyes, his arrest wasn’t just political, it was personal. They saw themselves in him. And when a brand they trusted became part of that narrative , even unintentionally, it felt like a betrayal.

What happened next is a case study in emotional loyalty. Customers didn’t just threaten to leave GTBank. They framed their exit as a moral decision. They weren’t just withdrawing funds; they were withdrawing trust.

For GTBank and other institutions watching closely, there’s a valuable lesson here: your reputation is no longer shaped solely by corporate messaging. It is shaped by your silence, your associations, and your response to the societal moments that matter.

In a time when digital resistance can ignite overnight, companies must build strategies not just for brand visibility but for brand accountability. That means acknowledging social undercurrents, preparing for crises beyond the boardroom, and understanding that emotional loyalty is won, or lost, in how you respond to moments of tension.

The digital generation is not afraid to move with its feet and its phones. They will exit, they will post, and they will hashtag until the message is heard. For GTBank, this moment is more than a PR challenge. It’s a mirror. A reflection of what it means to be a brand in an age when trust is not just earned, it’s constantly negotiated.

As the dust settles, the question remains: will GTBank step forward and meet this new era of loyalty with clarity and courage? Or will it retreat into silence and watch customers write their own ending?

OpenAI Rolls Back GPT-4o Update After Sycophantic Behavior Raises Safety Concerns

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
-
0

OpenAI has implemented several changes to its GPT-4o model, following an incident where ChatGPT became overly agreeable and validating. Users noted that the GPT-4o model caused ChatGPT to excessively applaud problematic ideas, and validated doubts, sparking concerns amongst users. CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the issue on X, promising immediate fixes.

He wrote,

“The last couple of GPT-4o updates have made the personality too sycophant-y and annoying (even though there are some very good parts of it), and we are working on fixes asap, some today and some this week. At some point will share our learnings from this, it’s been interesting. We started rolling back the latest update to GPT-4o last night it’s now 100% rolled back for free users and we’ll update again when it’s finished for paid users, hopefully later today we’re working on additional fixes to model personality and will share more in the coming days.”

Recognizing the issue, OpenAI initiated a rollback, restoring an earlier, more balanced version of GPT-4o. Last week, the organization shared initial insights into the mishap, outlining why it occurred and their plans to address it. They acknowledged that the issue was not detected before deployment and committed to explaining the oversight, lessons learned, and improvements to their processes.

In a blog post, OpenAI wrote,

“On April 25th, we rolled out an update to GPT-4o in ChatGPT that made the model noticeably more sycophantic. It aimed to please the user, not just as flattery, but also as validating doubts, fueling anger, urging impulsive actions, or reinforcing negative emotions in ways that were not intended. Beyond just being uncomfortable or unsettling, this kind of behavior can raise safety concerns including around issues like mental health, emotional over-reliance, or risky behavior.

“We began rolling that update back on April 28th, and users now have access to an earlier version of GPT-4o with more balanced responses. Earlier this week, we shared initial details about this issue. Why it was a miss, and what we intend to do about it. We didn’t catch this before launch, and we want to explain why, what we’ve learned, and what we’ll improve. We’re also sharing more technical detail on how we train, review, and deploy model updates to help people understand how ChatGPT gets upgraded and what drives our decision”.

The changes come as ChatGPT’s user base grows, with 60% of U.S. adults using it for advice, per a recent Express Legal Funding survey. This reliance heightens the stakes for issues like sycophancy and hallucinations. OpenAI plans to enable real-time user feedback, refine model behavior to reduce sycophancy, offer multiple model personalities, strengthen safety guardrails, and expand evaluations to catch broader issues.

OpenAI noted a shift in how users seek deeply personal advice from ChatGPT, a trend less prominent a year ago. “As AI and society have co-evolved, it’s become clear that we need to treat this use case with great care,” the company stated, pledging to prioritize this in its safety efforts.

Improvements to OpenAI Future Model Releases

In response to the incident, OpenAI is implementing several key changes:

  • Explicit Behavior Review: Future updates will formally assess behavioral issues such as sycophancy, hallucinations, and inconsistency as potential launch blockers, even if they are hard to quantify.
  • Alpha Testing Phase: A new opt-in testing phase will allow selected users to provide detailed feedback before public launches.
  • Increased Emphasis on Qualitative Testing: Spot checks and hands-on evaluations will be elevated in importance, especially when quantitative signals are ambiguous.
  • Better Offline and A/B Evaluations: Evaluation frameworks will be expanded to capture nuanced behavior patterns.
  • Improved Adherence to the Model Spec: OpenAI will strengthen its ability to measure how well models meet defined behavioral ideals.
  • Transparent Communication: The company will now proactively announce all model updates—major or subtle—along with known limitations, to foster user understanding and trust.

The GPT-4o update incident underscored the critical importance of model behavior as a core component of AI safety and reliability. OpenAI acknowledged that even with robust A/B testing, offline evaluations, and internal reviews, significant behavior issues can still be missed. As a result, model behavior will now be treated as seriously as traditional safety risks in future deployments.

Through this episode, OpenAI recommitted itself to developing models that are not only intelligent and useful, but also aligned with user well-being, transparency, and safety.

Exploring BASF’s Asia-Centric Strategies

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
-
0

BASF, the world’s largest chemical producer, has long identified Asia, particularly China, as a critical driver for its growth strategy, leveraging the region’s booming chemical market and economic potential.

Strategic Importance of Asia

Asia Pacific, led by China, accounts for roughly 50% of the global chemical market and is projected to represent 70% by 2030, with China driving over half of global chemical industry sales and three-quarters of production growth. BASF sees this as a pivotal opportunity to expand its market share. BASF’s engagement in Asia began in 1885 with textile dye trading and has since evolved into serving nearly all key industries, including automotive, electronics, construction, agriculture, and consumer goods.

BASF aims to significantly increase its Asia Pacific sales, targeting 25% of global sales by 2020 (from 21% in 2010) and doubling regional sales by 2020 from 2012 levels (€11.7 billion to €25 billion). While specific post-2020 targets are less detailed, the focus remains on outpacing regional chemical production growth. BASF is investing €10 billion in a new integrated Verbund site in Zhanjiang, Guangdong, set to be its third-largest globally by 2030.

This site, designed for sustainability with 100% renewable electricity, targets fast-growing industries like automotive and electronics in southern China, a region described as “completely undersupplied.” Construction began in 2020, with plants operational since 2022 (e.g., engineering plastics and thermoplastic polyurethane). BASF is expanding its Nanjing Verbund site, a joint venture with Sinopec, and strengthening its battery materials value chain through the BASF Shanshan joint venture.

BASF operates 27 wholly owned subsidiaries and 30 production sites in Greater China, with Shanghai hosting its Greater China headquarters and an Innovation Campus. Investments include the Kuantan Verbund site in Malaysia, sites in Singapore, and a new chemical complex in Dahej, India, focusing on products like methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). BASF also plans a second Innovation Campus in Mumbai.

From 2024 to 2027, 40% of BASF’s €19.5 billion global capital expenditures will target Asia Pacific, emphasizing local production to meet customer demand. BASF aims to produce 75% of its Asia Pacific sales locally by 2020, enhancing competitiveness by reducing reliance on imports and aligning with customer proximity. BASF is boosting R&D in Asia, with two major hubs (Shanghai and Mumbai). It plans to have 25% of global R&D in the region by 2020, up from 27% in 2012, focusing on areas like battery materials, electronic materials, and sustainable technologies. Over 900 R&D employees already work in Asia Pacific.

BASF integrates sustainability into its Asian operations, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 and a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030. The Zhanjiang site, powered by renewable energy, and partnerships like the Mingyang offshore wind farm joint venture underscore this commitment. BASF is moving toward customized products and functional materials, targeting 70% of sales from these by 2020, compared to 30% from classical chemicals, to meet evolving market demands.

BASF is investing in talent development through partnerships with universities and the BASF Learning Campus in Singapore, while enhancing operational efficiency through cost savings and capacity increases. Despite optimism, BASF acknowledges slower growth in China and mature Asian markets, with overcapacities in some commodity lines. However, it sees long-term potential in China’s rebalanced economy, particularly in automotive and construction sectors.

BASF faces rising competition from multinational, state-owned, and local companies in Asia, requiring continuous innovation and cost competitiveness. BASF conducts comprehensive risk assessments, considering geopolitical, environmental, and social factors. It emphasizes that its China investments do not create dependency or relocate European production but are strategic for global balance.

In 2023, BASF recorded €9.4 billion in sales in Greater China alone, with Asia Pacific contributing significantly to its global €68.9 billion revenue. BASF expects Asia Pacific’s chemical production to grow at a 5.6% CAGR through 2020, outpacing the global 3.7% average, and plans to grow slightly above this rate.

BASF’s Chief Technology Officer, Stephan Kothrade, remains bullish on China’s long-term growth, particularly in Guangdong, and sees India as an emerging prospect. The company aims to capture market share in high-growth industries while advancing sustainability goals. While BASF’s aggressive investment in Asia, especially China, positions it to capitalize on the region’s chemical market dominance, the strategy isn’t without scrutiny.

The narrative of Asia as a growth driver is compelling, but the heavy focus on China raises questions about over-reliance, especially given geopolitical tensions and economic volatility. The X posts suggesting deindustrialization in Germany due to BASF’s Asian pivot oversimplify the situation—BASF insists it’s not relocating but expanding to meet global demand. Yet, the closure of European facilities and job cuts fuel skepticism about the balance of its global strategy. Sustainability commitments, like Zhanjiang’s renewable energy focus, are promising but must be weighed against BASF’s ranking as a top polluter in air and water in 2020, which could undermine its environmental credibility if not addressed.

BASF’s Asia-centric strategy is a calculated move to tap into the world’s largest and fastest-growing chemical market, with significant investments, localized production, and innovation driving its ambitions. However, navigating competition, economic shifts, and public perception in Europe will be critical to sustaining its global leadership.

Germany’s AfD Designation Impact Hinges on How Courts, Voters, and International Actors Respond

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
-
0

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), officially classified the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party as a “confirmed right-wing extremist” organization. This designation, based on a 1,100-page report, cites the party’s ethnically and ancestrally defined concept of “the people,” which the BfV says devalues entire population groups, particularly migrants and Muslims, and violates human dignity.

The decision allows for increased surveillance, including the use of informants and interception of communications, and could impact the party’s public funding and ability to attract members. The AfD, which came second in the February 2025 federal election with 20.8% of the vote and 152 seats in the Bundestag, condemned the move as a politically motivated attack on democracy and vowed to challenge it in court.

The designation has sparked debate in Germany. Some politicians, like SPD’s Manuela Schwesig and Lars Klingbeil, argue it justifies excluding the AfD from key parliamentary roles and even pursuing a ban, though outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz cautioned against rushing to outlaw the party. A ban would require approval from the Bundestag, Bundesrat, or the Constitutional Court and evidence that the AfD actively undermines Germany’s democratic order. Critics, including AfD leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla, claim the label is a smear to discredit a party that polls show is among Germany’s most popular, especially in eastern states where it has already been classified as extremist.

Internationally, the decision drew criticism from U.S. figures like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who called it “tyranny in disguise,” and Vice President JD Vance, who likened it to “rebuilding the Berlin Wall.” Elon Musk, who endorsed the AfD before the election, warned that banning it would be an “extreme attack on democracy.” Germany’s Foreign Ministry defended the move, stating it reflects lessons from history about stopping right-wing extremism.

The AfD, founded in 2013 as a Euroskeptic party, shifted to an anti-migration stance after 2015, gaining traction amid voter frustration with immigration and economic issues. Its designation as extremist could complicate its role in the new parliament under incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz, with debates ongoing about whether to treat it as a standard opposition party or further isolate it.

The designation of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as a “confirmed right-wing extremist” organization by Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) on May 2, 2025, carries significant implications across political, legal, social, and international dimensions. The extremist label justifies excluding the AfD from key parliamentary roles, such as committee chairs or leadership positions, as advocated by politicians like SPD’s Manuela Schwesig. This could limit the party’s influence in the Bundestag, despite its 20.8% vote share and 152 seats in the February 2025 election.

The designation reinforces the “firewall” policy of mainstream parties, preventing coalitions with the AfD. This complicates government formation, especially in eastern states where the AfD is strong, potentially leading to unstable minority governments or grand coalitions. The label fuels discussions about banning the AfD, though this requires proof of actively undermining democracy and approval from the Bundestag, Bundesrat, or Constitutional Court. A failed ban attempt could backfire, strengthening the AfD’s narrative of victimhood and boosting its popularity.

The BfV can now use intrusive measures like informants, wiretaps, and monitoring of communications, potentially disrupting AfD operations but also risking accusations of overreach. The designation may lead to reduced public funding, as seen in past cases with extremist groups, and deter potential members or employees due to stigma and legal scrutiny.

The AfD’s vow to fight the designation in court could delay or overturn the label, as seen in a 2021 case where a lower classification was upheld. Prolonged legal battles may keep the issue in the public eye, rallying AfD supporters. The label deepens Germany’s political divide, particularly in eastern states where the AfD enjoys strong support. Supporters may view it as an attack on democratic choice, while opponents see it as a necessary defense against extremism, further entrenching societal tensions.

The AfD’s narrative of being unfairly targeted could resonate with disillusioned voters, potentially increasing its support, especially if economic or migration issues persist. Polls already show the AfD as one of Germany’s most popular parties. The designation may pressure mainstream parties to adopt tougher stances on migration or security to recapture AfD voters, risking a rightward shift in German politics.

International Implications

U.S. figures like Marco Rubio, JD Vance, and Elon Musk have condemned the move as undemocratic, potentially straining Germany’s relations with a Republican-led U.S. administration. Such criticism could embolden other far-right movements globally to frame similar measures as authoritarian. Germany’s approach may inspire other European countries grappling with far-right parties, like France’s National Rally or Italy’s Brothers of Italy, to adopt similar surveillance or exclusion tactics, though it could also deter them if backlash grows.

The AfD’s designation may strengthen ties with other far-right groups in Europe, who could use it to rally against perceived “establishment” suppression, boosting cross-border far-right networks. Heavy-handed measures risk eroding trust in democratic institutions if perceived as targeting a popular party unfairly, potentially fueling populist narratives.

The party’s ability to capitalize on grievances could make it more resilient, as seen after previous classifications in eastern states. Its strong voter base suggests it will remain a significant force unless underlying issues like immigration or economic discontent are addressed. Germany must balance combating extremism with preserving democratic freedoms. Overreach could set precedents for targeting other political groups, while underreaction risks normalizing far-right rhetoric.i

Ethena Labs Partners With TON For USDe Stablecoin Integration

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
-
0

Ethena Labs has partnered with The Open Network (TON) to integrate its USDe stablecoin and Staked USDe (sUSDe), rebranded as tsUSDe, into Telegram’s ecosystem, reaching over one billion users. Announced on May 1, 2025, at Token2049 in Dubai, this move allows Telegram users to access dollar-denominated savings, payments, and DeFi applications directly within the app. The integration supports both custodial (Telegram’s native wallet) and non-custodial wallets (e.g., TON Space, Tonkeeper) and is powered by LayerZero’s interoperability protocol.

Eligible tsUSDe holders in major TON wallets can earn a 10% annual percentage yield (APY) in TON tokens on balances up to 10,000 tsUSDe, alongside Ethena’s standard rewards.
The rollout, set to occur in phases throughout May 2025, includes support for TON’s DeFi ecosystem, aiming to boost adoption in emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Ethena’s USDe, with a market cap of $4.7–$6 billion, ranks as the third or fourth largest stablecoin, behind Tether’s USDT, Circle’s USDC, and sometimes Sky’s USDS.

This expansion aligns with Ethena’s 2025 roadmap to compete with Tether by offering neobank-like services, including potential TON-based debit cards and Apple Pay integration. The partnership has driven a 3.5% rise in Ethena’s ENA token to $0.033 and a 1.9% increase in Toncoin to $3.22, though TON’s network activity has faced declines since mid-2024.

Ethena’s synthetic dollar approach carries risks, as analysts note potential yield compression in volatile markets, but its open collateral and risk management aim to ensure stability. This move could redefine stablecoin access, leveraging Telegram’s massive user base for mainstream crypto adoption. The integration of Ethena’s USDe stablecoin into Telegram’s TON blockchain carries significant implications across adoption, DeFi, market dynamics, and risks.

Mass Adoption Potential: Telegram’s 1 billion+ user base provides a massive platform for mainstream stablecoin adoption, particularly in emerging markets (Asia, Africa, Latin America) where mobile messaging apps dominate. Seamless access to USDe for savings, payments, and DeFi within Telegram could drive crypto use among non-technical users, bridging Web2 and Web3.

DeFi Ecosystem Growth: TON’s DeFi ecosystem gains a major stablecoin with USDe’s $4.7–$6 billion market cap. The 10% APY incentive for tsUSDe holders and integration with wallets like TON Space and Tonkeeper could boost liquidity in TON-based DeFi protocols, fostering new applications and increasing transaction volume.

Competitive Pressure on Stablecoins: Ethena’s expansion challenges Tether (USDT) and Circle (USDC), especially with plans for neobank-like services (e.g., debit cards, Apple Pay). USDe’s synthetic dollar model, if perceived as stable, could erode Tether’s dominance in markets prioritizing accessibility and yield.

Market and Token Impact: The partnership has already lifted Ethena’s ENA token (+3.5% to $0.033) and Toncoin (+1.9% to $3.22). Increased USDe usage on TON could sustain upward pressure on ENA, while TON’s network activity may rebound from its 2024 decline, enhancing Toncoin’s value proposition.

Regulatory and Stability Risks: USDe’s synthetic dollar, reliant on collateral and yield strategies, faces risks of yield compression or instability in volatile markets. Regulatory scrutiny of stablecoins could intensify, especially as Ethena targets mainstream financial services. TON’s custodial wallet reliance may also raise concerns about user control and compliance.

Interoperability and Innovation: LayerZero’s role enables cross-chain functionality, potentially setting a precedent for stablecoin integrations across other blockchains. This could accelerate innovation in DeFi and payment systems, but also introduces technical risks tied to interoperability protocols. This move could redefine stablecoin accessibility and DeFi on TON, but its success hinges on managing risks and sustaining user trust in USDe’s stability.

1...1,3781,3791,380...8,155Page 1,379 of 8,155

© Tekedia. All rights reserved.

Term & Privacy

© Tekedia. All rights reserved.

Term & Privacy