Policy News

Chaesub Lee, Director, Telecommunications Standardization Bureau, ITU, has called for the creation of technical standards in order to support the exchanging of ‘open data’ which can then be made available to ‘everyone’. Mr. Lee made the remarks at the world’s first ever forum on ‘Data Management’ which was held in Dubai. The event was a joint collaboration hosted by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) and ITU. The forum which was called ‘Transforming Data into value expanding the IoT potential with a special focus on Smart Cities’ - will be the first in a series of discussions that invites experts and key decision-makers to come together and examine the key challenges and opportunities presented by ‘Data Management’.

China have ordered that all app stores must register with the government in order to operate legally in the region - after it claimed that some applications were guilty of spreading illegal information. Chinese authorities insist the motivation behind the move is to protect users from misinformation and security risks.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared during a video address made to leaders at the World Government Summit in Dubai  that diversity is the key pillar for growth and critical in order to create new ideas and foster innovation. Mr. Abe was officially represented at the summit by Japan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Kentaro Sonoura.

The beautiful city of Makati in the Philippines has taken the first steps towards becoming a smart city, following an announcement which was made at the FTTH Council Asia-Pacific's Philippines Workshop. The project has been described as a trend setter in terms of smart cities in the region '“ and it has been described a significant and progressive step in the development and regeneration of cities in the Philippines.

Dr. Renato de Castro an esteemed and respected International advisor for World e-Governments Organization of Cities & Local Governments (WeGo), has shared three intriguing 'Smart Cities' predictions in a paper entitled Smart City: Disruptions and Predictions.

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha. ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP

Thailand's government broadened the scope of its Computer Crime Act recently to impose imprisonment for up to five years for anyone found guilty of sharing 'distorted' information online.

South Korean authorities have confirmed that it will strengthen its policy over battery safety requirements and will conduct regular inspections in an effort to avoid a repeat of the Galaxy Note 7 fires last year.

China's President Xi Jinping (R) shakes hands with US President Barack Obama Greg BAKER / AFP

China's internet regulator has issued a report in which it has outlined plans to formalize a new cybersecurity review which would represent a new challenge for foreign tech firms in what has become an increasingly volatile market for the tech sector. It has been an exceptionally difficult year for US technology companies in China - Uber sold off its operations, Apple services were discontinued in some parts - while Microsoft faced a new inquiry.

Indian officials have resisted advances from US technology giant Apple to move some of its production to the country '“ but they did state that they are in the process of reviewing its overall manufacturing policy.

Chinese authorities refuted allegations from the U.S. Defense Department - and insisted that its space program is aimed at bolstering the country's national development and security. The U.S. Defense Department expressed their fears over China's space strategy, claiming that it was pursuing space activities that were specifically designed to prevent adversaries from using space-based assets during a time of crisis.