At a glance.
- Chinese government proposes rules cracking down on Apple AirDrop.
- UK calls for tighter restrictions on crypto ads.
- Palantir head speaks out against AI regulation.
- US delivers Ukraine Starlink connectivity and air defense systems.
Chinese government proposes rules cracking down on Apple AirDrop.
The Cyberspace Administration of China has released proposed regulations that would restrict the use of file-sharing programs like Apple’s AirDrop. As the Wall Street Journal notes, such services allow users to send data to nearby devices without an internet connection, and were recently used by protestors in China and Hong Kong to quickly share information. The new rules say that new file-sharing programs must undergo a security assessment and register details of their identities with the service providers before they can be introduced in China. Experts also say operators of these services will likely be required to give the government any requested data about the people who have used these file sharing programs. The agency says the new rules will be open for public comment until July 6 but did not disclose when the rules would come into effect. Coincidentally, Apple this week introduced a new feature called NameDrop that allows users to easily exchange contact info. It’s worth noting that In the latter half of 2021, Apple received 1,261 requests from Beijing asking for details about users’ devices and complied with 93% of them.
UK calls for tighter restrictions on crypto ads.
According to documents released yesterday, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is planning for new rules that would restrict advertisements for cryptocurrency. By classifying crypto as “restricted mass market investments,” the new rules would require that any ads contain risk warnings. As well, the new rules would ban investment incentives like refer a friend perks or new member bonuses. As Coin Desk explains, The FCA is set to receive authority over crypto under the Financial Services and Markets Bill, which is currently being considered by Parliament. In addition to the new rules, new guidance aimed at ensuring “firms clearly understand the implications of this requirement for crypto asset promotions” is also being opened to public comment, the document states. Sheldon Mills, executive director of consumers and competition at the FCA, stated, “It is up to people to decide whether they buy crypto. But research shows many regret making a hasty decision. Our rules give people the time and the right risk warnings to make an informed choice.”
Palantir head speaks out against AI regulation.
World lawmakers continue to debate the best course of action when it comes to regulating artificial intelligence. Reuters reports that during a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday, US President Joe Biden stated, “I don’t think ever in the history of human endeavor has there been as fundamental potential technological change as is presented by artificial intelligence. It is staggering.” As officials work to determine how best to reign in these advancements, head of software firm Palantir Alex Karp spoke out against increased regulation, stating that it will only sacrifice the West’s supremacy in the tech race. Karp told the BBC, “It's not like if we slow down, the AI race will stop. Every country in the world - especially our adversaries - cannot afford for us to have this advantage. Studying this and allowing other people to win both on commercial areas and on the battlefield is a really bad strategy." Coincidentally, Palantir recently announced that it would be increasing investment in the UK. Karp also referenced a letter from the Future of Life Institute, which is calling for a pause in AI development and has garnered nearly 32,000 signatures. As CNBC notes, signers include some of the biggest names in the tech industry, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. Karp took a dig at the letter’s signers, stating, “many of the people asking for a pause, are asking for a pause because they have no product.”
US delivers Ukraine Starlink connectivity and air defense systems.
A $2 billion US aid package for Ukraine expected to be announced today will concentrate on providing air defense systems, Bloomberg reports. The grant, part of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, will provide HAWK air defense launchers as well as the Patriot Advanced Capability Missile-3 (Pac-3) and the Guidance Enhanced Missile (GEM-T). The GEM-T is a complement to the PAC-3, and is designed for use against a full range of aerial threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft.
The US Department of Defense is also buying Starlink connectivity to bolster the resilience of Ukraine's communications. Citing concerns about operational security, the Department has declined to provide details of the Starlink support.