Saudi Digital Authority Approves Regulatory Framework of Digital Govt

Saudi Arabia moves forward towards digital governance. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia moves forward towards digital governance. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Digital Authority Approves Regulatory Framework of Digital Govt

Saudi Arabia moves forward towards digital governance. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia moves forward towards digital governance. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Board of Directors of the Digital Government Authority (DGA) approved the regulatory framework of the digital government.

DGA aims to regulate and improve digital government work and services, in accordance with the highest international standards and practices, and to enable public agencies to work harmoniously to offer proactive and highly efficient digital government services.

DGA’s Governor Ahmed al-Soyyan, said that the regulatory framework developed for the digital government will help develop future regulations for the digital government. The framework includes a set of principles, policies, standards and user guides.

He added that the DGA is seeking to issue regulations, policies, and standards that contribute to creating a regulatory environment, which enables reaching advanced levels of maturity in the government digital transformation, unify and institutionalize the concept of government policies and standards.

They also provide recommendations to government agencies during implementation and ensure the adoption of unified tracks for the development of government digital services.

The framework is based on eight essential principles, including the “once-only principle”, the “digital by design”, and the “mobile first”.

In addition, it encompasses the Digital Government Policy, which enables and accelerates the sustainable digital transformation of the government sector and enables the successful implementation of the strategic directions of the digital government.

The Digital Government Policy is supported by five sub-policies, including digital governance, the whole of government as platforms, digital services lifecycle administration and upskilling, beneficiary-centric, and technology.

Each sub-policy includes several standards and user guides that support the implementation mechanism and contribute to enhancing the regulatory environment.

The DGA has developed the “Draft of Digital Government Policy”, which is based on the regulatory framework of the digital government.

The draft has been published through the “Istitlaa” platform to raise awareness and seek the feedback of all beneficiaries, including professionals and others who are interested in the government digital transformation.

The DGA regulated the digital government works, digital trust, and identity, and is the national reference in this regard.

The Authority aims to support the efforts of the government agencies through developing plans, programs, indexes and measurements related to the works of digital government and integrated digital government services, as well as the government digital market platform.

DGA is also responsible for regulating operational, administrational processes, related projects and monitor compliance.



Meta Says Testing Subscription Tier for Instagram

(FILES) This picture taken in Istanbul on August 2, 2024, shows the logo of the social network Instagram on a smartphone. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
(FILES) This picture taken in Istanbul on August 2, 2024, shows the logo of the social network Instagram on a smartphone. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
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Meta Says Testing Subscription Tier for Instagram

(FILES) This picture taken in Istanbul on August 2, 2024, shows the logo of the social network Instagram on a smartphone. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)
(FILES) This picture taken in Istanbul on August 2, 2024, shows the logo of the social network Instagram on a smartphone. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

Instagram is testing a pay tier that offers features including letting subscribers discretely view "Story" posts that normally vanish after 24 hours, Meta told AFP on Monday, confirming a report by news website TechCrunch.

Paying users will also get more control over which accounts are permitted to see photos or videos they share in Story posts on the popular social network.

The new tier is being tested in "a few countries worldwide," a spokesperson said, without providing further details.

According to TechCrunch, they include Japan, Mexico and the Philippines, with subscription prices hovering around $2 per month.

Meta launched ad-free, paid versions of Facebook and Instagram in the United Kingdom last year to comply with legislation there.

Social media platforms Snapchat and X have offered paid premium version for several years.

Snapchat's parent company Snap recently reported having more than 25 million subscribers to its premium tier and being on pace for $1 billion in annual revenue.

Content creators at Instagram already have the ability to charge fans for access to exclusive content.


Microsoft Plans $1 Billion Investment in Thailand

FILE - A Microsoft sign and logo are displayed at the company's headquarters April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond, File)
FILE - A Microsoft sign and logo are displayed at the company's headquarters April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond, File)
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Microsoft Plans $1 Billion Investment in Thailand

FILE - A Microsoft sign and logo are displayed at the company's headquarters April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond, File)
FILE - A Microsoft sign and logo are displayed at the company's headquarters April 4, 2025, in Redmond, Wash. (AP Photo/Jason Redmond, File)

Microsoft plans to invest $1 billion in Thailand over the next two years in cloud services and AI infrastructure, ⁠the Thai government ⁠said in a statement.

The investment includes developing digital ⁠skills of the Thai workforce, the statement said.

The announcement follows a number of data center investments to support AI, as Southeast ⁠Asia's ⁠second-largest economy looks to speed up projects involving data centers, electronics, and power generation.


Taiwan Probes 11 Chinese Firms for Illegal Poaching of Tech Talent

The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)
The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)
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Taiwan Probes 11 Chinese Firms for Illegal Poaching of Tech Talent

The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)
The Taipei 101 skyscraper is seen lit up before the Earth Hour in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, March 28, 2026. (AP Photo/ Chiang Ying-ying)

Taiwan said on Monday 11 Chinese firms are being investigated for alleged illegal poaching of semiconductor and other high-tech talent, stepping up efforts to curb technology outflows amid rising geopolitical tensions with Beijing.

More than 185 agents searched 49 locations and questioned 90 people this month in a coordinated investigation targeting Chinese firms suspected of recruiting Taiwanese engineers in Taiwan without approval, Taiwan's Investigation Bureau said.

It said Chinese companies under investigation disguised their ownership by setting up operations in Taiwan ⁠under the names of ⁠foreign-funded shell firms, or by establishing offices without authorization, to recruit talent and conduct business illegally in Taiwan.

Beijing claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Taiwan ⁠strongly objects to China's sovereignty claims and says only the island's people can decide their future.

Taiwanese law prohibits Chinese investment in some parts of the semiconductor supply chain, including chip design, and requires reviews for other areas such as chip packaging, making it difficult for Chinese chip companies to operate on the island legally.

The companies under investigation include electronics manufacturer Huaqin Technology, mobile power device maker Anker Innovations, semiconductor and printed circuit ⁠board equipment ⁠producer Circuit Fabology Microelectronics Equipment, power semiconductor manufacturer Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co Ltd , and chip designer SG Micro.

The companies did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.

China's scramble for chip talent and expertise has intensified as Beijing pushes for self-reliance in advanced semiconductors, amid a deepening tech rivalry with the US. A special task force set up in late 2020 has handled more than 100 similar cases involving suspected illegal recruitment and business activities by Chinese companies, the bureau said.