Saudi Communications Minister Meets with ITU Secretary-General, Global Tech Leaders

The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA
The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA
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Saudi Communications Minister Meets with ITU Secretary-General, Global Tech Leaders

The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA
The discussions in Davos focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world and the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence. SPA

Saudi Minister of Communications and Information Technology Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha has discussed with the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, ways to enhance cooperation and digital inclusion.

The discussion in Davos on Monday also focused on stimulating partnerships and initiatives aimed at connecting the world, empowering individuals, and protecting the planet.

The meeting, held as part of the Saudi delegation's participation in the annual World Economic Forum meeting, emphasized the significance of expanding partnerships to foster the digital economy's growth.

It also highlighted the importance of seizing opportunities in generative artificial intelligence, developing national digital skills, and enabling digital entrepreneurship.

Al-Swaha also met with various leaders of prominent global technology and innovation companies to enhance partnerships in the digital economy and innovation sectors.

The discussions focused on developing solutions and technologies related to cloud computing, generative artificial intelligence, and enhancing the digital capabilities of Saudis in emerging technologies and localizing digital content.

Additionally, the minister conducted meetings with the founder and CEO of Scale AI, Alexander Wang and President and CEO of the Ericsson Group Borje Ekholm to explore partnerships, exchange expertise, and foster the growth of the digital economy and innovation.



South Korea Fines Meta about $15 Mln over Collection of User Data

A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is placed on laptop keyboard in this illustration taken on November 2, 2021. (Reuters)
A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is placed on laptop keyboard in this illustration taken on November 2, 2021. (Reuters)
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South Korea Fines Meta about $15 Mln over Collection of User Data

A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is placed on laptop keyboard in this illustration taken on November 2, 2021. (Reuters)
A 3D printed Facebook's new rebrand logo Meta is placed on laptop keyboard in this illustration taken on November 2, 2021. (Reuters)

South Korea has ordered Facebook owner Meta Platforms to pay 21.62 billion won ($15.67 million) in fines after finding it had collected sensitive user data and given it to advertisers without a legal basis, Seoul's data protection agency said.

The US tech giant obtained information from about 980,000 South Korean Facebook users on issues such as their religion, political views and sexuality while failing to seek agreement from users, the Personal Information Protection Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

The information was then used by some 4,000 advertisers, the agency said.

A Meta Korea official declined to comment.

"Specifically, it has been found that (Meta) analyzed user behavior data such as pages they liked and advertisements they clicked on Facebook and created and managed advertising themes related to sensitive information," the commission said.

This included users being categorized for example as being North Korean defectors or following a certain religion, the agency said.

Meta had also unfairly declined a request by users to access personal information and failed to prevent data on about 10 South Koreans from being leaked by hackers, the agency said.