“This website uses cookies to enhance your experience, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.”

Do you remember any recent browsing experience where you came across such a statement? Well, cookies mean trackers. On one hand, they play a fundamental role in enhancing your online experiences. From remembering your login details to personalizing content, these small data files can improve website functionality. However, not all cookies are created equal, and understanding when to accept them and when to exercise caution is crucial for your online security and privacy.

What Are Cookies?

Cookies are tiny files that websites store on your device when you visit them. They contain information about your interactions with the site, which helps it recognize you during subsequent visits. There are two main types of cookies:

1. Session Cookies: These are temporary and expire once you close your browser. They enable you to navigate through a website smoothly.

2. Persistent Cookies: These remain on your device for a set period or until you manually delete them. They are often used to remember user preferences and login details.

While cookies can enhance your online experience, they can also pose privacy risks. So, you might want to pause a little before accepting cookies next time. Let’s see the types of cookies.

Essential Cookies

These cookies are necessary for the basic functioning of a website. They enable secure login, shopping cart functionality, and user preferences. Without these cookies, the website may not function properly. You should always accept these cookies, as they are vital for security and functionality, and should ordinarily pose no threat.

Performance Cookies

These cookies collect information about how users interact with a website, such as which pages are visited most frequently. The data gathered is usually aggregated and anonymous, helping website owners improve their services. They are generally safe to accept, but if you are concerned about the company’s data collection practices, you may disable them.

Functional Cookies

These cookies allow websites to remember choices you make (like your username or language preference) and provide enhanced, more personalized features. If you prefer not to have your preferences tracked, you may consider declining these cookies.

Targeting/Advertising Cookies

These track your browsing habits and are used for targeted advertising. They are the reason why you may find yourself bombarded with ads on weight loss products if you recently browsed ‘How to lose weight in 30 days’. They collect data to deliver ads more relevant to you, based on your interests and online behavior. They should ordinarily not be considered a bother, but they compromise your privacy by creating detailed profiles of your online behaviours. You may accept or decline these cookies based on what you prefer.

Third-Party Cookies

These are set by other domains (not the one you are visiting), and they track your browsing across multiple sites for advertising or analytics. Their ability to track a user across multiple websites is usually the reason for concern. Generally, you should decline third-party cookies unless you trust the website and understand its data-sharing practices. Many browsers now offer options to block third-party cookies by default, which is a good practice.

In addition to knowing about these cookies and how they work, you should never be in a hurry to accept cookies. Take a moment to read the cookie policy and know more about what type of cookie it is, and how your data would be handled.

Most web browsers allow you to customize your cookie settings. You can choose to block all cookies, accept only essential ones, or delete cookies periodically. Familiarize yourself with these settings to take control of your online privacy. In addition, don’t forget to clear your cookies regularly to help protect your privacy and remove tracking data. This can even help speed up your browsing subsequently.

Some browsers prioritize user privacy, and while I would not want to promote any particular name, you should consider using such browsers, as they enhance tracking protection and can help minimize cookie-related risks. These browsers often block third-party cookies by default and provide tools to manage your data more effectively.

Consider using browser extensions designed to manage cookies and enhance privacy. Tools like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger can help block unwanted cookies and trackers.

Overall, keep in mind that Awareness is your first line of defense in ensuring online safety.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the global landscape, offering unprecedented opportunities for growth, development, and innovation. Africa, with its rich cultural heritage and diverse socio-economic fabric, stands at the cusp of a technological revolution that could redefine the continent’s future. The African Union’s recent endorsement of the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy marks a significant milestone in Africa’s journey towards harnessing the power of AI to address its unique challenges and drive sustainable innovation. The AI for Africa AIFA Foundation, established in 2023, is at the forefront of this transformation, aiming to harness AI for social good across the continent.

The foundation’s initiatives are diverse, focusing on supporting AI research, education, and practical applications to tackle pressing issues like poverty, disease, and climate change. By offering fellowships, grants, and mentorship programs, AIFA is building a robust network of AI professionals and enthusiasts who are committed to Africa’s development.

The strategy, which aligns with the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is a testament to Africa’s commitment to leveraging AI as a strategic asset. It aims to stimulate economic growth, create new industries, drive innovation, generate employment opportunities, and support the preservation of Africa’s cultural heritage. Moreover, it seeks to address some of Africa’s most pressing challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education, finance, and public service delivery.

One of the key focus areas of the strategy is the development of human capital. By investing in education and skills development, Africa can build a workforce that is ready to embrace and innovate with AI technologies. Strengthening research and innovation ecosystems is another critical aspect, as it will enable the continent to develop context-aware, robust AI solutions that are culturally and contextually relevant.

The strategy also emphasizes the importance of an AI-ready institutional and regulatory environment. This will ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a manner that works for the African people, respecting human rights and human dignity. It calls for a collaborative approach, fostering cooperation not only within the continent but also on a global scale, positioning Africa as a leader in inclusive and responsible AI development.

The adoption of the Continental AI Strategy is a clear indication of the African Union and its Member States’ resolve to optimize the benefits of AI and unlock its vast potential for socioeconomic transformation. With a young and tech-savvy population, Africa is well-positioned to embrace innovative technologies and leverage them for economic and social transformation.

The strategy sets a roadmap for African countries to harness the potential of AI to achieve developmental aspirations, ensuring that AI works for the people of Africa. It is a call to action for African countries to accelerate the domestication of the strategy and implement its imperatives for the greater good of the continent and its people.

As the world watches, Africa is laying the necessary foundations to become an integral participant in the AI revolution. The timely adoption of this strategy illustrates the continent’s readiness to embrace the future, one where AI is a driving force for positive change, socio-economic transformation, and cultural renaissance. The future of Africa is bright, and AI is set to play a pivotal role in shaping it.

Consumer watchdog of the nation (Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission), please do your job. That some banks are changing their software or whatever must not push customers to this level of stress. Understand that some of these banks did not give customers any notice. Yes, they do have our emails and phone numbers but did not inform customers ahead of the migration.

This is where we expect you to fight for the citizens, and not just on the pricing of DStv and GOtv. If people do not have access to their funds, do you not understand that it is a near-calamity for many? Please fight for these customers and make it clear to these banks that you will fine them, and get compensation for the customers. If you open that playbook, banks will do this right next time. But this attitude of locking people out of their funds cannot be accepted as a new normal.

In our bank, since Friday, we have been unable to receive payments even though the originating bank accounts were debited. Also, we cannot pay out because the system is broken. Are we modeling the cost of this mayhem on the economy?

Get me right: there is no excuse why banks should declare billions of Naira as profits, and cannot invest in real-time mirror-replicating server systems to make this migration more efficient.  Do not accept excuses, make a statement via a big FINE so that this nonsense will stop.