DD
MM
YYYY

CATEGORIES

PAGES

DD
MM
YYYY

spot_img

CATEGORIES

PAGES

Home Blog Page 4000

AI Audio on TikTok is Fueling misinformation with Deepfakes

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
-
0
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

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
-
0
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

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
-
0

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

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
-
0

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.

Wale Edun Confirms Nigeria’s Close to Securing $1.5bn World Bank Loan

By
Samuel Nwite
-
0

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, said on Saturday that discussions are underway with the World Bank regarding a $1.5 billion concessionary loan to bolster budgetary provisions.

The loan is expected to materialize soon amid concerns over Nigeria’s rising debt profile.

Edun, who is saddled with mammoth responsibility of revitalizing the economy, confrims the development during a press briefing at the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). He said that talk about the loan has been going on for long and would be a topic of discussion when the Federal Executive Council (FEC) convenes on Monday.

Nigeria’s public debt stock, which accelerated in the last eight years under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has risen to N87.38 trillion as at June 30, 2023, according to the Debt Management Office. The DMO which describes the debt stock as unsustainable and a threat, said in June that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio in 2023 stands at 73.5 percent.

However, Edun who stated that discussions regarding the loan request have been underway for a considerable period, assured that the loan would come with a near-zero interest rate, alleviating concerns about escalating debt service commitments.

“Talks with the World Bank on $1.5 billion budget support, is correct. The World Bank is the number one multilateral development bank for helping developing countries fund own projects and programs. It has free money through International Development Association (IDA),” he said.

“It has this for the poorer countries and right now I think we qualify as one of the countries that are almost in the normal window of the World Bank funding but also some concessionary IDA funding.”

He clarified that this essentially implies an interest rate of zero. Consequently, there would be no negative connotations associated with obtaining World Bank funding to support developmental projects.

“In this particular case, its long been in the pipeline, and we are hoping that that funding will come through soon. A lot of hard work is being done. There’s a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday that should be able to discuss this as well as other initiatives for financing of reasonable term.

“We’ve talked about the high costs of money, but the World Bank money is the cheapest,” he said.

Abebe Aemro Selassie, the Director of the African Department at the IMF, said on Friday that Nigeria’s current debt situation is sustainable. He also clarified that the country is not in discussions with the IMF about debt restructuring.

This suggests that Nigeria is not in debt trouble for now. However, Selassie advised the government to reduce the burden of servicing and acquiring debts, emphasizing the need to implement tax reforms to enhance revenue generation,

Nigeria has earlier obtained a $3.4 billion emergency financial assistance facility from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) through its Rapid Financing Instrument.

1...3,9994,0004,001...8,478Page 4,000 of 8,478

© Tekedia. All rights reserved.

Term & Privacy

© Tekedia. All rights reserved.

Term & Privacy