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Home Blog Page 3713

The Illegality or Otherwise of Publishing a Private Conversation

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Someone called my attention to a video from a lawyer educating people that it is a crime and breach of privacy to screenshot a private conversation you had with another person and share it on a social media timeline.

It happens regularly on WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram and even LinkedIn where users publish a private conversation they had with another person. The person at the other end of the conversation can commence a legal action against you for breach of privacy.

Section 37 of the constitution provides thus; “The privacy of citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications is hereby guaranteed and protected”. This section is the fons et origo for the protection of privacy of an individual’s privacy in Nigeria thereby making it a crime when a person’s privacy has been breached by another person which can include publishing a private conversation.

Taking a screenshot of a private conversation between you and another person without that person’s consent can be illegal and posting a private conversation between you and that person or even disclosing the conversation to a third party can get you sued for breach of privacy.

But this rule of the illegality of publishing a private conversation is not a rock solid one just as it is said that in every rule there must be an or some exceptions, the same goes with this rule. 

There are some instances where you can leak a private conversation without incurring any criminal liability. Truth be told, the legality or otherwise of publishing recordings of conversations/interactions in any medium is based on whether there is a reasonable expectation of privacy which is to be judged by the content and context of the conversation and whether it would be highly offensive and damaging to a reasonable person.

So the question posed in determining the illegality of publishing a private conversation is whether there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in the conversation. The answer to this question will be determined solely by the content or context of the conversation. 

As a petitioner bringing an action against another person for publishing the content of the private conversation you had with the person, the court in determining if you have a reasonable cause of action or not will consider amongst other things;

a) whether there was a reasonable expectation of privacy in the conversation

b) whether the content would be highly offensive or damaging

C) whether the content or the focus of the conversation is criminal in nature or not.

For instance, if two adults engage in sexting and sharing of their nude pictures and videos with each other, it will reasonably be expected that the content of such conversation should be kept away from the third eye and publishing such a private conversation will be highly damaging to the other person. So instances like this, a right to legal action may arise.

As a take home, if you must publish a private conversation for whatever reason, consider the potential damage it might cause to the person at the other end, think about the potential for the post to go viral, and think about the potential for the succeeding crimes relating to the posting of the messages. After considering the above, if you still want to go ahead to publish such a private conversation, be sure to blur out any identifiable information of the other person because sharing private information of another person is a crime on its own. 

AI Audio on TikTok is Fueling misinformation with Deepfakes

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The brand is growing

AI audio is a technology that allows users to create realistic-sounding voice clips from text or other audio sources. It can be used for various purposes, such as entertainment, education, accessibility, and more. However, it can also be misused to spread misinformation, manipulate opinions, and impersonate others.

One of the platforms where AI audio is becoming popular is TikTok, the social media app that lets users create and share short videos. TikTok has a feature called “Voice Effects” that allows users to change their voice in various ways, such as adding echo, distortion, or pitch. Some of these effects are powered by AI audio technology, which can generate realistic-sounding voices from text or other audio sources.

However, some TikTok users are abusing this feature to create and share deepfakes, which are videos that use AI to replace the face or voice of a person with another. For example, some users have created videos that appear to show celebrities or politicians saying or doing things that they never did. These videos can be used to spread misinformation, influence public opinion, or damage the reputation of the target.

According to a report by The Verge, some of the deepfake videos on TikTok have been viewed millions of times, and some have even gone viral on other platforms. The report also states that TikTok does not have a clear policy on how to deal with deepfake videos, and that its moderation system is not effective enough to detect and remove them.

The problem of AI audio on TikTok is not only a technical one, but also a social and ethical one. It raises questions about the responsibility of the platform, the creators, and the viewers of these videos. How can TikTok prevent the misuse of AI audio and protect its users from misinformation? How can creators use AI audio in a responsible and ethical way? How can viewers verify the authenticity and credibility of the videos they watch?

These are some of the questions that need to be addressed as AI audio becomes more accessible and widespread. AI audio is a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil. It is up to us to use it wisely and responsibly.

THORswap resumes with updated terms to exclude users from sanctioned countries.

THORswap, the leading decentralized exchange on the THORChain network, has announced that it will resume its operations after a temporary suspension due to a security breach. The exchange has also updated its terms and conditions to exclude users from countries that are subject to sanctions by the United States, the European Union, or the United Nations.

The exchange stated that the decision to exclude sanctioned users was made to comply with the regulatory requirements of its liquidity providers and partners, and to ensure the safety and security of its platform and users. The exchange added that it will implement a KYC (know your customer) process to verify the identity and location of its users, and that it will block any transactions from or to sanctioned jurisdictions.

THORswap apologized for any inconvenience caused by the suspension and the updated terms and thanked its users for their patience and support. The exchange also assured its users that it has taken all the necessary measures to prevent any future attacks, and that it will continue to provide a fast, secure, and decentralized trading experience for its users.

THORswap is one of the most popular decentralized exchanges on the THORChain network, which allows cross-chain swaps between different cryptocurrencies without intermediaries. THORswap leverages the power of THORChain’s native token, RUNE, to provide liquidity and incentives for its users. THORswap claims to offer lower fees, higher speed, and more security than centralized exchanges.

SEC Chair Gensler, Coinbase Price, MetaMask, and other Crypto News

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WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 03: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler listens during a meeting with the Treasury Department's Financial Stability Oversight Council at the U.S. Treasury Department on October 03, 2022 in Washington, DC. The council held the meeting to discuss a range of topics including climate-related financial risk and the recent Treasury report on the adoption of cloud services in the financial sector. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

SEC Chair Gensler has not commented on whether he will grant an appeal to Grayscale Investments, the largest digital asset manager in the world, as the clock ticks down to the midnight deadline. Grayscale has been seeking approval from the SEC to convert its popular Bitcoin Trust into an exchange-traded fund (ETF), a move that could boost investor confidence and liquidity in the crypto market.

However, the SEC has been reluctant to approve any crypto ETFs, citing concerns over market manipulation, fraud and investor protection. Grayscale has argued that its trust meets the SEC’s standards and that denying its request would harm innovation and competition in the industry.

Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, has expressed its “serious concerns” about the proposed tax rules by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that would require crypto businesses to report transactions over $10,000 to the agency. In a blog post published on October 13, Coinbase said that the rules are “unworkable” and “would have a negative impact on the crypto industry and its users”.

Coinbase argued that the rules are based on outdated assumptions about how crypto transactions work, and that they would impose an unreasonable burden on crypto businesses and customers. Coinbase said that the rules would require crypto businesses to collect and verify personal information from every counterparty in a transaction, even if they are not customers of the business. This would create privacy and security risks, as well as increase costs and complexity for both businesses and users.

Coinbase also said that the rules would create a competitive disadvantage for U.S. crypto businesses, as they would not apply to foreign competitors. Coinbase said that this would drive innovation and investment away from the U.S., and harm the growth of the crypto industry. Coinbase urged the IRS to reconsider its approach and engage with the crypto industry to develop more sensible and effective tax rules.

The cryptocurrency market saw a boost on Friday as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) did not file an appeal against a court decision that granted Grayscale Investments the right to offer a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF). The ruling, which was issued on September 30, marked the first time that the SEC approved a Bitcoin ETF in the U.S., opening the door for more institutional investors to enter the crypto space.

Bitcoin, the largest and most popular digital asset, rose by more than 5% on Friday, reaching a high of $27,000. Analysts expect the bullish momentum to continue as more investors seek exposure to Bitcoin through the Grayscale ETF, which has lower fees and higher liquidity than other crypto products.

The cryptocurrency market is showing signs of weakness as Bitcoin struggles to stay above the $27,000 mark. The leading digital coin has lost more than 10% of its value in the past week, amid regulatory uncertainty and increased volatility. The SEC is expected to announce its decision on whether to approve or reject a Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) by November 14, which could have a significant impact on the market sentiment and liquidity.

Some analysts believe that the SEC will deny the ETF application, citing concerns over market manipulation and investor protection. If that happens, Bitcoin could face further downward pressure and test the $25,000 support level.

Social finance platforms are trying out new features to attract more users and challenge the dominance of FriendTech, the leading social network that also offers financial services. Some of these platforms, such as MoneyMate and CashClub, are even aiming to compete with X, the global digital currency that has disrupted the traditional banking system.

These platforms claim to offer more transparency, security and convenience than their rivals, as well as better rewards and incentives for their users. They hope to appeal to a growing segment of consumers who are looking for alternative ways to manage their money and socialize online.

MetaMask, the popular Ethereum wallet and browser extension, seems to have disappeared from the Apple App Store as of today. This is a surprising and unfortunate development for the crypto community, as MetaMask has been a reliable and user-friendly tool for accessing decentralized applications (dApps) on the Ethereum network. The reason for the removal is not clear yet, but some speculate that it may be related to Apple’s policies on cryptocurrency apps, which have been inconsistent and restrictive in the past.

MetaMask has not issued any official statement on the matter, but we hope that they will be able to resolve the issue with Apple and restore their app to the store as soon as possible. In the meantime, users who have already downloaded MetaMask can continue to use it, but they may not receive any updates or bug fixes until the situation is resolved. Users who have not downloaded MetaMask yet can still use it on their desktop browsers or on Android devices. We will keep you updated on any further developments regarding this issue.

People living in Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Argentina and South Africa are the most optimistic about future of Bitcoin

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According to a recent survey conducted by Statista, people living in Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Argentina, and South Africa are the most optimistic about the future of bitcoin. The survey asked respondents from 74 countries whether they expected bitcoin to increase or decrease in value over the next year. The results showed that the five countries mentioned above had the highest percentage of people who expected bitcoin to increase in value, ranging from 76% in Nigeria to 66% in South Africa.

Bitcoin is a decentralized digital currency that has been gaining popularity and adoption around the world. But not all countries have the same level of enthusiasm and confidence in the future of this innovative technology.

This optimism reflects the growing adoption and interest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in these regions, where many people face economic challenges, currency instability, and limited access to financial services. Bitcoin offers them an alternative way to store and transfer value, hedge against inflation, and participate in the global digital economy.

Moreover, bitcoin enables them to access innovative applications and platforms built on top of its decentralized network, such as decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and social media.

Why are these countries so bullish on Bitcoin? There are several possible factors that could explain their high expectations. One of them is the economic and political instability that many of these countries face, which makes them seek alternative ways to store and transfer value that are not controlled by central authorities or subject to inflation and devaluation. Bitcoin offers them a way to preserve their purchasing power and access global markets without intermediaries or censorship.

Another factor is the high level of innovation and entrepreneurship that these countries exhibit, especially in the field of fintech and blockchain. Many of these countries have vibrant startup ecosystems and supportive regulatory environments that foster the development and adoption of new technologies that can improve the lives of millions of people.

Bitcoin is one of these technologies that has the potential to create new opportunities and solutions for various sectors and challenges, such as remittances, financial inclusion, e-commerce, education, health, and more.

Finally, another factor is the cultural and social affinity that these countries have with Bitcoin. Many of these countries have young and tech-savvy populations that are eager to learn and experiment with new ideas and trends. They also have strong communities and networks that share information and resources about Bitcoin and support each other in their journey. They see Bitcoin as a way to express their identity and values, as well as a tool to empower themselves and their communities.

These are some of the reasons why people living in Nigeria, India, Vietnam, Argentina, and South Africa are the most optimistic about the future of Bitcoin. They have a vision and a hope that Bitcoin can make a positive impact on their lives and their societies. They are not alone in this belief, as more and more people around the world are joining the Bitcoin movement every day.

Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission in Talks With Google And TikTok Over Proposed Social Media Regulation Bill

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The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revealed that it is currently in discussions with tech companies Google and TikTok, concerning a proposed social media regulation bill.

The Director of NBC Francisca Aiyetan, highlighted the commission’s plan to regulate social media, to prevent it from misguiding young Nigerians, amongst other issues.

In her words,

“Every country is making efforts to regulate social media, and Nigeria also is making efforts because we know that there are a lot of things to harness from it. But if not regulated, it can also be a platform that will misguide our young people.

“The level we are now is discussing with stakeholders so to agree that, yes, we need to regulate social media and at that level, there should be legislation; there should be strengthening of the law to factor in all the things that are new in the broadcasting and content-sharing space.

“And then, when you have the power and the enablement by law to do such things, then we can now look at, do we have the way to do it technology-wise? Nevertheless, presently what we do is that we engage the platform owners as a regulator, we engage Google YouTube, and TikTok, so we know the faces behind these platforms.”

NBC is expressing concerns related to social media usage in Nigeria, especially regarding issues like fake news, hate speech, and the dissemination of harmful or inappropriate content.

Recall that earlier, the Director-General of the NBC, Balarabe Ilelah disclosed that the commission had sent a regulation bill to the National Assembly. He described the ills of social media as a “monster”, lamenting that the current law does not give the commission the right to control social media.

Therefore, NBC’s discussions with Google and TikTok may involve exploring the legal and regulatory frameworks governing social media platforms in Nigeria.

The proposed bill might include provisions that impact the operations of these tech companies, and NBC could be seeking their compliance and support in adhering to these regulations.

Content moderation is a critical aspect of social media regulation, hence, NBC may be in talks with Google and TikTok about implementing more robust content moderation and reporting mechanisms to ensure that content shared on their platform aligns with Nigerian laws and regulations.

Overall, the engagement between the NBC and these tech giants represents a significant step in addressing the complex issues surrounding social media regulation, which will foster cooperation, and ensure responsible and safe social media usage in Nigeria.