As deal rumors fly, Alphabet and HubSpot would be a strange pairing

Reuters reported on Thursday that Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is exploring the possibility of buying Boston-based HubSpot, a CRM and marketing automation company with a market cap of over $33 billion – a number that has been climbing on those reports. If such a deal were to happen, the cost would likely be pretty substantial, […]
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Binance requests release of Nigeria-held executive

Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, recently issued a statement regarding Tigran Gambaryan, a key member of its Financial Crime Compliance (FCC) team, as the company engages in discussions with Nigerian government officials. The statement follows Nigerian authorities arresting two of its company officials.
The statement mentions that Gambaryan’s team has responded to hundreds of information requests from Nigerian law enforcement agencies or related to investigations pertinent to the country. This collaboration has resulted in asset freezes and seizures, targeting multiple crimes. The team also purportedly provided training to local authorities:
Tigran’s team also provided multiple training sessions for Nigerian crime fighters on the role of exchanges in the digital-asset ecosystem. This included a three-hour online workshop for 70 Nigerian [Economic and Financial Crimes Commission] EFCC officials in mid-2023 and, late last year, two full-day sessions for EFCC officials in Abuja and Lagos, with more than 30 investigators attending each of them.
No decisional power, no responsibility
Binance clarifies that Gambaryan, while holding a critical role in compliance, is not part of the company’s management and does not possess decision-making power:
Tigran is a strict law enforcement professional and is not part of Binance management. […] Binance respectfully requests that Tigran Gambaryan, who has no decision-making power in the company, is not held responsible while current discussions are ongoing between Binance and Nigerian government officials.
The statement also focuses on Gambaryan’s extensive experience in law enforcement and his purported efforts to assist global authorities in combating financial crimes. According to the statement, Gambaryan, a U.S. citizen, has a decade-long history as a Federal Agent, investigating a wide range of cases, including those related to national security, terrorism financing, identity theft, child pornography distribution, tax evasion, and bank secrecy act violations.
During his time with the U.S. Treasury Department’s IRS Criminal Investigations (IRS-CI) unit, he led several notable investigations and collaborated with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United States Secret Service on various cases.
In 2021, Gambaryan joined Binance to head the exchange’s FCC team, with the goal of addressing past compliance issues and developing robust policies and compliance capabilities. The statement notes that between 2022 and 2023, Gambaryan’s team assisted global law enforcement in freezing and seizing a significant amount of assets, including $285M in cooperation with U.S. agencies.
The announcement follows Binance discontinuing all its services in Nigeria due to a legal dispute.
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Google could launch Find My Device network in early April

Google has reportedly revealed the launch date of its Android’s Find My Device network, which helps find the location of missing phones and accessories.
According to the online news site 9to5Google, the tech giant sent an email telling users it would turn on the feature in three days. Google formally announced its Find My Device network last year, using its extensive number of Android devices to assist in locating lost phones, headphones, and trackers.
However, the rollout of this network was postponed as Google collaborated with Apple to establish an industry standard. This effort was aimed at ensuring that the location technology would not be misused for maliciously tracking an individual’s movements. This issue came about among Android users after Apple introduced the AirTag in 2021.
When will it be launched?
In the email, the company explained the core advantages of the network including finding devices even if they are offline. It added: “You can also find any compatible Fast Pair accessories when they’re disconnected from your device. This includes compatible earbuds and headphones, and trackers that you can attach to your wallet, keys, or bike.”
In the final section of the email, Google specifies that the network is set to launch “in three days.” This timing indicates that the launch of the Find My Device network is scheduled for Sunday, April 7, or, more realistically, Monday, April 8. This launch comes nearly a year following the initial announcement.
“You’ll get a notification on your Android devices when this feature is turned on in 3 days. Until then, you can opt out of the network through Find My Device on the web,” the message concludes.
A “Find your offline devices” setting has appeared for some Android users within the most recent Google Play Services beta, indicating that an official rollout could be just around the corner.
Unknown Tracker Alerts
Last July, Android introduced a new feature called “Unknown Tracker Alerts” to safeguard Android users from stalking incidents involving Bluetooth tracking devices like Apple’s AirTags. As a result, Apple is preparing to integrate the comprehensive anti-stalking feature in iOS 17.5.
The popularity of Bluetooth tracking devices stems from their ability to locate lost items. However, this has been shadowed by privacy and security concerns, following numerous instances of these devices being misused for stalking and unauthorized tracking. In response to the seriousness of these concerns, Apple implemented privacy warnings and alerts on their devices to inform and protect users.
Featured image: Canva
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Here’s a list of countries that have a TikTok ban and why

TikTok has encountered a barrage of bans, and the U.S. is close to joining the list. Discussions of a ban started last year, gaining attention, especially after a high-profile congressional hearing featuring TikTok’s CEO, Shou Zi Chew. By 2024, the House of Representatives, with a significant majority, approved legislation requiring parent company ByteDance to sell its interest in the app or risk being banned in the United States.
There has already been a swathe of countries that have imposed varying degrees of limitations on the app, primarily due to privacy and cybersecurity issues linked to its parent company ByteDance and its connections to the Chinese government. The European Commission and NATO alongside federal governments worldwide, have prohibited their staff from installing TikTok on work-issued phones.
Here are the countries that have imposed partial and full bans on the app:
Afghanistan
Afghanistan banned the app in 2022 as part of a moral policing drive by the ruling Taliban, a spokesman for the group said.
Bloomberg reports that Inamullah Samangani criticized the popular social media app on Twitter for “misleading the younger generation.” He further elaborated over the phone that TikTok’s “filthy content” did not align with Islamic laws.
Australia
On April 4, 2023, Australia became the latest country to ban TikTok from federal government devices, as concerns grow over the privacy and security of the Chinese-owned video-sharing app. The country is part of the so-called “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing partners, who have all taken similar steps against the social media firm.
A statement from the Attorney General’s Department highlighted that TikTok presents security and privacy concerns because of the”extensive collection of user data and exposure to extrajudicial directions from a foreign government that conflicts with Australian law.”
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said on the official website: “The direction will come into effect as soon as practicable.”
Belgium
Belgium banned the use of TikTok on federal government service devices in March 2023 as its security apparatus warned it collected “a large amount of data from its users, often without them realizing it,” while “manipulating the flow of information.”
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said in a statement shared with POLITICO: “We can’t be naive: TikTok is a Chinese company that currently is mandated to cooperate with Chinese intelligence services.”
Canada
Canada, who is also part of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance, also prohibited the use of the app on government devices in February 2023.
In a statement, the Canadian Treasury Board Secretariat President Mona Fortier said: “The decision to remove and block TikTok from government mobile devices is being taken as a precaution, particularly given concerns about the legal regime that governs the information collected from mobile devices, and is in line with the approach of our international partners.”
Denmark
In line with other European countries, Denmark’s Defense Ministry banned its employees from having video-sharing app on their work phones as a cybersecurity measure in March 2023.
The ministry said it would “ban the use of the app on official units,” saying “there were weighty security considerations within the defense ministry combined with a very limited work-related need to use the app.” Its Center for Cybersecurity added: “Several of the data sources that TikTok can collect have the potential to be used for espionage against the app’s users.”
Even its public-service broadcaster, DR, advised staff not to have TikTok on their work phones.
Estonia
In late March, Estonia’s departing IT and foreign trade minister, Kristjan Järvan, announced to a local newspaper that TikTok would be prohibited on state-issued smartphones for public officials.
However, in a conversation with Eesti Päevaleht, the minister further stated: “If a public official uses their private phone while at work, we really won’t be looking into that.”
The European Union
The European Commission suspended the use of TikTok on its corporate devices and on personal devices enrolled in the Commission mobile device service in February 2023. It explained: “This measure aims to protect the Commission against cybersecurity threats and actions which may be exploited for cyber-attacks against the corporate environment of the Commission.”
The Parliament also banned TikTok from staff phones, following in the footsteps of the Commission and the EU Council.
France
France was the first country to intensify efforts to ban “recreational” applications, such as Netflix and TikTok, on government devices.
According to French Minister of Public Service Stanislas Guerini, these apps presented “risks in terms of cybersecurity and protection of the personal data of public servants and the administration.”
The banned apps reportedly included gaming applications such as Candy Crush, streaming applications like Netflix, and recreational applications like TikTok, adding that X itself is also on the list.

Pour garantir la cybersécurité de nos administrations et de nos agents publics, le @gouvernementFR a décidé d’interdire les applications récréatives comme TikTok, sur les téléphones professionnels des fonctionnaires d’État. @jnbarrot pic.twitter.com/avxtpKZ6uu
— Stanislas Guerini (@StanGuerini) March 24, 2023

India
In 2020, India took decisive action against TikTok, enacting a national prohibition on TikTok along with 58 other Chinese apps, citing their involvement in activities “prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the defence of India, the security of the state and public order.”
This measure was implemented following a lethal confrontation at the border between Indian and Chinese military troops, in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. India stands as the largest nation to implement a comprehensive ban on the app.
The companies were provided an opportunity to address inquiries regarding privacy and security standards, but the ban was made permanent in January 2021.
The Netherlands
In March 2023, the Dutch government advised officials against installing the Chinese-owned video app and using social media from other countries with “offensive” cyber programs.
Dutch Digital Minister Alexandra van Huffelen stated that the decision followed a recommendation from the country’s secret service (AIVD), which found that such apps posed “an inherent espionage risk.”
“The first step is to immediately discourage civil servants… from having apps installed and using them on their mobile work equipment from companies in countries with an offensive cyber programme against the Netherlands,” she said.
Nepal
In November 2023, Nepal imposed a ban on TikTok, claiming it was a disruption of “social harmony.” The BBC reports that the prohibition was enforced immediately, as stated by the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma, who highlighted the app’s distribution of harmful content.
TikTok enjoys widespread popularity in Nepal, particularly among younger audiences and female social media enthusiasts.
New Zealand
In the wake of similar actions taken by various European countries, New Zealand’s parliament banned TikTok across all staff devices.
In a statement, the government said: “On advice from our cyber security experts, Parliamentary Service has informed members and staff the application TikTok will be removed from all devices with access to the parliamentary network.
“Based on this information the Service has determined that the risks are not acceptable in the current New Zealand Parliamentary environment.”
Norway
In March, the Norwegian Parliament prohibited TikTok on government devices but allowed civil servants to use the app for professional reasons on their personal devices. The country’s Justice Minister, Emilie Enger Mehl, stated in an announcement, “The Norwegian intelligence services single out Russia and China as the main risk factors for Norway’s security interests.”
However, the 30-year-old had to then apologize for failing to admit when quizzed in Parliament, that she had installed and used TikTok on her government-issued phone.
Pakistan
Despite being aligned on certain issues, Pakistani authorities temporarily banned TikTok at least four times since October 2020, citing concerns over the promotion of “obscene content.” However, the bans have since been lifted.
Somalia
Somalia’s government banned TikTok, messaging app Telegram and online-betting website 1XBet in August 2023 to limit the spread of what they believe is indecent content and propaganda.
“The minister of communications orders internet companies to stop the aforementioned applications, which terrorists and immoral groups use to spread constant horrific images and misinformation to the public,” Communications Minister Jama Hassan Khalif said in a statement.
Taiwan
In December 2022, Taiwan introduced a ban on TikTok within the public sector, following an FBI warning about the national security risks posed by the app.
Devices owned by the government, such as mobile phones, tablets, and desktop computers, are prohibited from using Chinese-made software. This includes applications like TikTok, its Chinese counterpart Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, a lifestyle content app from China.
The United Kingdom
In March 2023, Oliver Dowden, the UK Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, declared an immediate ban of TikTok on devices used by government officials in a statement to the UK’s House of Commons.
Describing the decision as precautionary, Dowden noted, “We know that there is already limited use of TikTok across government, but it is also good cyber hygiene,” during his speech to the Members of Parliament.
The decision rests on findings from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, indicating potential risks associated with how sensitive government data might be accessed and used by certain platforms.
Despite the UK being among the first to prohibit the use of other Chinese-owned technologies like Huawei, critics have pointed out the country’s delay in taking similar action against TikTok, compared to its allies.
The United States
In March, the House of Representatives decisively approved a bill that allows TikTok’s parent company to sell its stakes in the app or confront a nationwide ban.
However, the bill awaits Senate approval, where there has been previous resistance to a ban due to concerns about freedom of speech.
Should the bill pass both legislative bodies, President Joe Biden has pledged to enact it into law.
Already, more than half of the U.S. states have prohibited TikTok on government devices citing data security worries, and the government has directed agencies to remove the app from federal devices and systems by the end of March.
Warnings from both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have highlighted risks of ByteDance potentially sharing TikTok user data with the Chinese government.
There’s also anxiety about the impact of TikTok’s content on the mental health of teenagers. A December report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate revealed that content related to eating disorders on the platform had garnered 13.2 billion views.
TikTok is used by roughly two-thirds of American teens, as per Pew Research Center findings, and the app has 170 million users in the United States.
Featured image: Canva 
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Eco Friendly Blockchain Project ‘eTukTuk’ Nears $3M Mark in Crypto Presale

Eco friendly blockchain project eTukTuk (TUK) is nearing a key milestone in its crypto presale, with close to $3 million raised. The new crypto-based initiative focuses on promoting sustainable global transportation solutions.
At its core, eTukTuk aims to replace traditional fossil fuel-powered tuk-tuks with eco-friendly electric counterparts called “eTukTuks,” powered by solar energy.
What is eTukTuk?
eTukTuk central objective is to transition developing countries from using traditional tuk-tuks that rely on fossil fuels to more sustainable, environmentally friendly electric vehicles.
By utilizing the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), the project boasts low transaction fees while aligning with environmental sustainability goals. 
eTuTuk’s mission is to drive developing countries towards a sustainable future through accessible electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure. 

By introducing electric TukTuks, the project seeks to enable drivers to transition seamlessly to zero-emission transportation – a shift that not only reduces CO2 emissions but also promotes financial inclusion and fosters a green ecosystem in these nations.
One of the key features of eTukTuk include the native TUK token, used for transactions within the network, and the potential to earn staking rewards – currently over 90% APY.
Additionally, eTukTuk plans to leverage AI technology to optimize charging station locations and enhance operational efficiency, further solidifying its commitment to sustainability and economic viability.
Partnerships and Global Expansion Plans
eTukTuk has forged strategic partnerships with influential organizations to drive its mission forward. Notably, the project has collaborated with The Capital Maharaja Group and the Sri Lankan government, securing over 200 charging station locations across the country. 
This partnership indicates benefits for motorists and a 400% reduction in operating costs for drivers.
While Sri Lanka serves as the initial launching pad, eTukTuk has plans for further expansion, with its sights set on nations where tuk-tuks are a prevalent mode of transportation, such as Africa, Thailand, and India. This move aims to introduce eco-friendly eTukTuks to a broader market, further amplifying the project’s impact on sustainability and accessibility.

In Sri Lanka, eTukTuk has secured strategic locations in Colombo and will leverage AI technology to optimize the placement of charging stations along popular routes. This data-driven approach is designed to enhance driver efficiency and ensure seamless integration of the eTukTuk network into existing transportation systems.
Furthermore, eTukTuk has garnered support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka. This collaboration aims to boost the adoption of e-mobility in the country, contributing to the creation of a greener, cleaner, and more inclusive Sri Lanka. 
Another aspect of this initiative involves converting traditional petrol three-wheelers to e-Tuk Tuks, easing the impacts of the economic crisis, enhancing mobility, and reviving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as essential services.
Through these partnerships and strategic expansion plans, eTukTuk seems to be well-positioned to drive the transition towards sustainable transportation solutions, not only in Sri Lanka but also in other regions where tuk-tuks play a vital role in daily commuting and commerce.
Hard Cap and Tokenomics of eTukTuk Presale
The hard cap for eTukTuk’s presale is set at $10.7 million, representing the maximum amount of funds the project aims to raise during this fundraising phase. Regarding tokenomics, eTukTuk has strategically allocated its total token supply of 2 billion TUK tokens. 
Notably, 21.5% of the total supply (430 million tokens) is dedicated solely to staking rewards, incentivizing long-term investment and participation. Other allocations include 7% for liquidity and 9.75% for the presale, indicating a balanced and sustainable distribution. 
The project’s team has also passed a security audit by Coinsult, enhancing investor confidence in the integrity and structure of the TUK token.

The project’s marketing efforts have included sponsored videos on some of the largest crypto YouTube channels, such as a review by Austin Hilton for his 266,000 subscribers.
Currently, 1 TUK is priced at $0.0295, and investors can purchase TUK tokens on the eTukTuk.io website using BNB, USDT, or debit/credit cards. After the conclusion of its crypto presale, eTukTuk plans to list the TUK tokens on multiple CEX and DEX platforms.
Conclusion
As eTukTuk garners support during its presale, raising substantial capital, it presents a vision for sustainable transportation solutions. By leveraging blockchain technology and electric vehicles, the project aims to address environmental concerns while promoting economic opportunities in developing nations.
However, even though eTukTuk’s mission aligns with noble goals, investors should carefully evaluate the project’s roadmap, fundamentals, and overall viability before making any financial commitments. 
Investors should also watch how the broader crypto market performs in the weeks ahead of highly-anticipated Bitcoin halving that’s now just days away.
Related

16 Best Cryptocurrency Presales For Your Watchlist – TUK makes the list

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Aplos Review (2024): Key Features, Pricing Plans, Pros & Cons

The accounting platform is a master of simple nonprofit and religious needs, but its limitations are frustratingly obvious.

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Facebook’s Oculus acquisition turns 10

Every year, Time Magazine issues a list of the 200 best inventions of the past 12 months. Frankly, I don’t know how the editors do it. The dirty secret of this job is that true, game-changing inventions rarely cross your desk. In fact, you’re extraordinarily lucky if you average one a year. Oculus’ Rift prototype […]
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Against games industry doldrums, Bitkraft Ventures raises $275M to back studios and platforms

Bitkraft Ventures — a games investor based out of Denver, Colorado, but with European founders — has raised its third fund, coming in at $275 million. The fund will make seed and Series A investments in gaming studios, and platforms to support game production. The moves comes at a time when games investments have actually […]
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A TikTok Whistleblower Got DC’s Attention. Do His Claims Add Up?

Zen Goziker worked at TikTok for only six months. Many of his allegations about the company and the US government are improbable. But he still may have shaped how the app is viewed in Washington.

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Meta climbs to record after analyst lifts price target, says company ‘has too many advantages to count’

Analysts at Jefferies and RBC lifted their price targets on Meta, citing the company’s improving position in the digital ad market.

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