Japan sanctions Indian company Si2 Microsystems for 'Helping Russia', NIST launches project to implement public benefits policy , Apple is withholding its AI features in Europe, US Sanctions Kasperky
Policy - Newsletter June 2024, Issue # 5
[1] Japan sanctions Indian company Si2 Microsystems for 'Helping Russia Evade Punitive Measures'. Si2 Microsystems, based out of Bengaluru and a partner of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, had earlier been sanctioned by the EU and US.
[2] NIST, along with the Digital Benefits Network (DBN) at the Beeck Center for Social Impact + Innovation at Georgetown University, and the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) announced the launch of a two-year-long collaborative research and development project. This project works to adapt NIST’s digital identity guidelines to better support the implementation of public benefits policy and delivery while balancing security, privacy, equity, and usability.
[3] Japan has sounded the alarm about waning digital competitiveness and an outflow of wealth, as the government's latest policy plan calls for replacing aging systems and training talent in a bid to catch up. Balance of payments data from the Bank of Japan shows the deficit for digital-related services more than doubling since 2015 to 5.35 trillion yen ($33.7 billion) last year ( 2023) . This was a factor in Japan's overall balance of payments for services worsening even as foreign tourism rebounds.
[4] US sanctions Kaspersky Lab executives, board members over ‘cooperation’ with Russia .The individuals sanctioned by the Treasury Department include members of the boards of directors of Kaspersky Lab and Kaspersky Group.
[5] Apple Inc. is withholding a raft of new technologies from its consumers in the European Union, citing concerns posed by the bloc’s regulatory attempts to rein in Big Tech. As part of the rules, the EU has designated six of the biggest tech companies as “gatekeepers” — powerful platforms that require stricter scrutiny. In addition to Apple, the list includes Microsoft Corp., Google parent Alphabet Inc. and Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc.