Category: Big Tech!

Samsung Electronics has unveiled the Galaxy S26 series, introducing what it calls the world’s first built-in Privacy Display on a smartphone, with the feature exclusive to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

The announcement was made during Samsung’s 2026 Galaxy Unpacked event. The Privacy Display is designed to prevent people nearby from seeing a user’s screen content, offering protection in public spaces such as buses and offices. Unlike traditional stick-on privacy films, this technology is fully integrated into the phone’s display.

Samsung’s built-in privacy technology operates at the pixel level, dynamically controlling how light is emitted from the screen. In standard mode, the display functions like a typical flagship phone, offering wide viewing angles and full colour accuracy. In privacy mode, side angles are restricted, making the content visible only to the person directly in front of the screen.

The feature also allows users to: Toggle privacy mode manually from quick settings, Automatically activate privacy for selected apps or sensitive actions, such as entering PINs or passwords and Choose between partial privacy (hiding notifications or selected content) and maximum privacy, which blocks all side-angle viewing

The Privacy Display addresses “shoulder surfing” a common problem for smartphone users in public settings while maintaining the device’s premium display quality.

The Galaxy S26 series, including the S26, S26+, and S26 Ultra, is set to be released globally beginning March 11, 2026. The Ultra model, which includes the Privacy Display, comes with other flagship upgrades, including enhanced AI tools and camera improvements. Pricing for the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts around $1,299 in the United States per reports, with regional variations expected.

The Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN) has announced the deployment of new internet infrastructure aimed at significantly improving website loading speeds across Nigeria while strengthening the country’s resilience against cyber disruptions and global network outages.

The announcement was made during the organisation’s 2026 Annual Members Engagement Forum in Lagos, where IXPN executives outlined a strategic push to localise critical components of Nigeria’s internet architecture. At the centre of this upgrade is the deployment of an authoritative Domain Name System (DNS) server within IXPN’s local network; a move expected to reduce latency and enhance stability for millions of internet users.

DNS servers act as the internet’s address book, translating website names into numerical IP addresses that computers use to locate online resources. Until recently, many of these requests from Nigeria were routed to servers located abroad, increasing response times and exposing local connectivity to risks tied to international disruptions. By hosting key DNS infrastructure domestically, IXPN aims to keep more internet traffic within Nigerian borders, reducing delays and improving reliability.

IXPN’s Chief Executive Officer, Muhammed Rudman, described the development as a critical step toward digital sovereignty and operational efficiency. According to him, the newly deployed system is already processing thousands of DNS queries per second, indicating strong adoption and measurable performance improvements across connected networks.

The initiative was executed in collaboration with the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), which provided hardware support for the deployment. The partnership ensures that global domain queries can now be resolved more efficiently from within Nigeria’s network ecosystem.

In addition, IXPN confirmed it has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Verisign to host primary DNS infrastructure for major global domains such as .com and .net locally. This arrangement is particularly significant, as it strengthens Nigeria’s ability to maintain access to widely used internet services even during international outages, undersea cable faults, or coordinated cyberattacks targeting overseas infrastructure.

For Nigeria’s growing digital economy, the implications are substantial. Faster DNS resolution translates into quicker website loading times, improved user experiences for streaming and online transactions, and more reliable access for businesses operating in e-commerce, fintech, media, and cloud services. By reducing reliance on foreign upstream providers, the country also lowers exposure to external vulnerabilities that could otherwise disrupt banking systems, government platforms, or critical communications.

Founded in 2006, IXPN operates as a neutral, non-profit interconnection hub that enables internet service providers, mobile network operators, content platforms, and enterprises to exchange traffic locally. Over the years, it has played a central role in keeping domestic internet traffic within Nigeria, cutting bandwidth costs and boosting network efficiency. The latest infrastructure upgrade signals an expansion of that mandate from traffic exchange to deeper control over core internet functions.

As Nigeria continues to position itself as one of Africa’s leading digital markets, investments in resilient infrastructure are becoming increasingly urgent. With cyber threats evolving and data consumption rising rapidly, the ability to localise critical systems is no longer just a technical upgrade, it is a necessity.

Nigeria’s data privacy regulator has launched an investigation into fast-growing e-commerce platform Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) over alleged violations of the country’s data protection laws.

The commission confirmed that it has opened a formal probe into Temu, following concerns about how the platform collects, processes, and transfers personal data belonging to Nigerian users.

According to the NDPC, the investigation was prompted by concerns that Temu’s data processing practices may not fully align with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).

The commission is reportedly examining the scale and nature of personal data collection from Nigerian users, including whether the company complies with data minimisation principles and whether it maintains transparency in how user data is processed. Regulators are also reviewing issues surrounding cross-border data transfers and whether appropriate legal safeguards are in place, as well as the platform’s overall accountability and duty of care obligations under Nigerian law.

At the centre of the probe is the question of whether Temu collects more personal data than is necessary for its services and whether users are adequately informed about how their data is being used.

Preliminary reports suggest that Temu processes the personal data of approximately 12.7 million Nigerian users. If confirmed, that would make the case one of the most significant data protection investigations in Nigeria’s digital economy so far.

The scale of the platform’s operations has raised broader questions about how foreign-linked digital marketplaces comply with Nigerian regulatory frameworks, particularly in areas concerning privacy standards and cross-border data handling.

The NDPC’s National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Vincent Olatunji, has consistently maintained that data controllers and processors operating in Nigeria must strictly comply with the NDPA.

Under the law, organisations found in violation of data protection requirements may face administrative penalties, regulatory sanctions, corrective compliance directives, and potential financial fines. The commission has also emphasized that third-party data processors are not exempt from liability and must independently verify compliance.

Since the enactment of the NDPA in 2023, authorities have signaled a more proactive enforcement approach aimed at protecting citizens’ personal data.

As e-commerce adoption grows across Nigeria, scrutiny of how tech platforms manage user data is expected to intensify. The outcome of the Temu investigation could set an important precedent for other multinational digital companies operating in the country.

For now, the NDPC says the investigation is ongoing. Temu has yet to issue a detailed public response regarding the allegations.

We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as more information becomes available.

The social media platform X experienced a widespread outage on Monday, leaving thousands of users across multiple countries unable to access the app and website.

Reports of the disruption began surfacing earlier on, with users complaining that their timelines would not refresh, posts would not load, and the platform displayed repeated error messages. In many cases, users encountered the message: “Something went wrong. Try reloading.”

Outage-tracking service Downdetector recorded a sharp spike in complaints from the United States, the United Kingdom, parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, suggesting the issue was global rather than regional. Users in Nigeria also reported being locked out of the platform during the disruption.

According to reports from Reuters, thousands of outage reports were logged within a short window, indicating a significant service interruption. The exact cause of the outage has not yet been officially disclosed.

This marks another high-profile disruption for X under the ownership of Elon Musk. Since Musk acquired the platform in 2022 and rebranded it from Twitter to X, the company has experienced occasional technical outages, though most have been resolved within hours.

As of the time of filing this report, the app and website appear to be functioning normally again. Users are once more able to refresh feeds, post content, and access their accounts.

While temporary, the outage once again highlights the platform’s central role in global communication and how quickly disruptions are felt across regions when it goes offline.

We will update this story if X releases an official statement explaining the cause of the outage.

In a move that underscores the escalating battle between generative AI and intellectual property rights, Google has started blocking prompts related to Disney characters across its AI platforms, including its Gemini models. This change comes shortly after The Walt Disney Company issued a legal warning claiming that Google’s AI was producing unauthorized content featuring Disney’s iconic characters.

According to reports, Disney’s legal team argued that Google’s AI tools were capable of generating images, videos, and other content involving characters from franchises like Frozen, Marvel, and Star Wars without permission. The company described this as copyright infringement on a “massive scale,” warning that such content could mislead users and harm Disney’s brand reputation.

Since the warning, Google has adjusted its AI systems. Users attempting to generate content featuring popular Disney characters have reported receiving error messages or refusals from the AI, signaling at least a partial compliance with Disney’s demands. Attempts to generate images of Elsa, Iron Man, or other recognizable Disney and Marvel characters may now be blocked entirely.

While Disney is cracking down on unlicensed AI-generated content, the company is also taking a more collaborative approach with some AI firms. Disney recently struck a multi-million-dollar licensing deal with OpenAI, giving the company official access to Disney characters for AI applications. This contrast highlights a strategic dual approach: protecting intellectual property through legal enforcement while enabling controlled, licensed AI collaborations.

Experts see this development as a key moment in the ongoing debate over AI-generated content and copyright law. The restrictions from Google’s AI tools signal that tech companies may need to adapt their systems to respect intellectual property, while navigating the growing demand for AI creativity.

Google is not alone. Other AI companies, including image generators and character-based AI platforms, have received similar warnings. At the same time. 

Access Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Ifeyinwa Osime as its new Chairman of the Board, confirming a key leadership transition at one of Nigeria’s most influential financial institutions.

The appointment follows the retirement of Paul Usoro, SAN, who stepped down after completing his regulatory tenure, in line with corporate governance requirements. The development was disclosed by Access Holdings Plc in a formal filing to the Nigerian Exchange Limited.

According to the disclosure, Osime’s appointment forms part of Access Bank’s broader succession and governance strategy, aimed at ensuring continuity at board level while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Group Chairman of Access Holdings, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, described the transition as timely, noting that Osime’s experience and familiarity with the institution would support the bank’s long-term strategic objectives.

Her emergence as Board Chair comes at a period when Nigerian banks are navigating tightening regulations, evolving capital requirements, and increased scrutiny around governance and sustainability.

Ifeyinwa Osime is a seasoned legal practitioner with extensive experience in corporate governance and board oversight. She joined the Access Bank board in November 2019 as an Independent Non-Executive Director, giving her over six years of direct involvement in the bank’s governance structure.

During her time on the board, she chaired several critical committees, including the Board Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Board Governance, Nomination and Remuneration Committee; roles that placed her at the centre of leadership development, board evaluation, and succession planning within the institution.

Her committee work is widely viewed as a key factor in her elevation to the board’s highest leadership position.

Ifeyinwa Osime’s appointment signals Access Bank’s continued emphasis on institutional stability and governance continuity, rather than abrupt leadership shifts. As Chairman, she will oversee board strategy, risk oversight, and executive accountability at a time of growing competition within Nigeria’s banking sector and increased regional expansion by the Access brand.

Industry watchers note that her legal and governance background could strengthen board-level decision-making, particularly around compliance, sustainability frameworks, and long-term shareholder value.

With Ifeyinwa Osime now at the helm of the board, Access Bank enters its next phase of leadership with a chairman who combines institutional memory with governance expertise.

Last week, millions of TikTok users in the United States and beyond faced a platform in chaos. Videos refused to upload, feeds stalled, and likes or view counts mysteriously dropped to zero. For many creators, it felt like a technical nightmare but for others, it sparked a deeper suspicion: had TikTok started censoring content?

On February 1, TikTok announced that the weeklong outage had been resolved. The company attributed the problem to a power outage at a U.S. data center, which triggered cascading failures across its servers. In a statement on X, TikTok emphasized that all services were fully restored and that no user content had been removed.

Yet the timing could not have been more sensitive. TikTok recently underwent a major U.S. ownership transition, handing 80% control of its American operations to Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX, while ByteDance retained a 19.9% minority stake. Some users immediately connected the dots, suspecting the outage and glitches were a cover for content suppression, particularly around political topics like immigration enforcement.

While TikTok insists the disruptions were purely technical, the perception of censorship spread rapidly online. High-profile creators even deleted their accounts in protest, questioning whether algorithm changes under new ownership were quietly reshaping the platform’s content visibility.

The outage, while temporary, had tangible effects. Creators worried about lost engagement and interrupted monetization, advertisers questioned reach and analytics, and some users explored alternative apps in search of “uncensored” spaces. Despite the panic, broader usage metrics suggest TikTok remained resilient; daily engagement returned to normal once services were restored.

What this episode reveals is a delicate balancing act for global tech platforms. TikTok is not only navigating technical reliability but also public trust and political scrutiny. In today’s climate, even a simple data center failure can spark conversations about censorship and transparency, especially on platforms that influence culture and politics on a massive scale.

For now, TikTok is back online. But the questions raised during the outage about ownership, trust, and the nature of algorithms are most likely to stay. As millions of users scroll, like, and post, the platform’s challenge is clear: restoring faith in both the service and the system behind it.

YouTube appears to be taking its strongest action yet against low-quality AI-generated content, as several major channels accused of producing so-called “AI slop” have either disappeared or had their videos wiped from the platform.

According to research highlighted by video platform Kapwing, at least 16 high-performing AI-focused channels have been impacted, with their combined reach previously standing at around 4.7 billion views and roughly 35 million subscribers.

While YouTube has not publicly issued a detailed announcement confirming each removal, multiple tech outlets report that these channels are now either gone entirely or left with empty pages, suggesting a platform-wide cleanup effort is underway.

For creators and viewers alike, this could mark a turning point in how YouTube handles mass-produced AI content.

Not all AI content is considered a problem. Many creators use AI tools responsibly to edit videos, generate subtitles, or improve production quality.

But “AI slop” refers to something different.

The term is commonly used to describe low-effort, repetitive videos generated almost entirely by automated systems, usually produced at scale to exploit YouTube’s recommendation algorithm.

These videos often include:

• Automated voiceovers
• Repetitive storytelling formats
• Stock or AI-generated visuals
• Minimal human creativity or originality
• Mass uploads designed purely to capture ad revenue

In short, they are designed to maximize clicks and watch time rather than provide genuine entertainment or value.

Over the past year, viewers have increasingly complained about seeing similar AI-produced videos flooding recommendations, sometimes pushing out original human-created content.

Kapwing’s research suggests that among the top AI-content channels on YouTube, 16 major players have recently been removed or stripped of content.

Some channels were reportedly deleted outright, while others still exist but no longer contain videos.

However, YouTube itself has not publicly listed the affected channels, so exact enforcement details remain partly unclear.

YouTube has been under growing pressure to maintain content quality as AI tools make video production faster and cheaper than ever.

Removing large AI slop networks may be YouTube’s way of protecting both viewer experience and legitimate creators.

Importantly, YouTube is not banning AI content itself.

The issue appears to be low-quality, mass-produced videos, not creators who responsibly use AI tools as part of their creative workflow.

For years, some operators built channels that relied on automation rather than storytelling, originality, or personality. AI tools allowed them to produce hundreds of videos quickly, often earning advertising revenue with minimal human effort.

Now, that model looks increasingly risky.

AI has made content creation accessible to more people than ever before, but it has also created an explosion of automated media designed purely to chase engagement.

TikTok, Instagram, and streaming platforms are all dealing with similar issues as AI content becomes easier to produce at scale.

YouTube’s current actions may only be the beginning of stricter moderation across platforms.

YouTube has not confirmed whether further removals are coming, but analysts expect moderation to increase throughout 2026 as the platform refines policies around AI content.

WhatsApp has launched a new privacy and security feature called Strict Account Settings, designed to better protect users from scams, cyberattacks, and account takeover attempts.

The update arrives as messaging apps increasingly become targets for fraudsters who exploit unsuspecting users through phishing links, scam calls, and malicious file sharing. With this new feature, WhatsApp aims to make account protection easier by allowing users to activate stronger security controls with a single switch.

Strict Account Settings is an optional privacy mode that automatically applies several high-security protections at once. Instead of adjusting multiple settings manually, users can enable stricter controls instantly.

The feature focuses on reducing interactions with unknown contacts and limiting common scam entry points that attackers use to reach users.

Once activated, Strict Account Settings adjusts how your account interacts with unknown users and suspicious activity. Key protections include:

• Media and attachments from unknown contacts are blocked to reduce malware risks.
• Calls from unsaved numbers are silenced to prevent scam or harassment calls.
• Link previews are disabled to help users avoid deceptive URLs.
• Message flooding from unknown accounts is limited to reduce spam.
• Two-step verification is automatically enforced, adding an extra layer of login protection.
• Profile details such as profile photo, About info, and Last Seen become visible only to saved contacts.
• Group invitations from unknown users are restricted, preventing unwanted group additions.

Online scams continue to grow globally, with messaging platforms frequently used to trick users into sharing personal details or verification codes. While WhatsApp already offers end-to-end encryption, encryption alone cannot stop social engineering scams or phishing attempts.

Strict Account Settings addresses this gap by proactively limiting how attackers can contact users in the first place. It also simplifies security by removing the need for users to understand multiple privacy controls.

WhatsApp notes that the feature is particularly useful for people who may face higher risks, such as journalists, public figures, business owners, and users managing sensitive information. However, everyday users can benefit just as much.

How to Turn It On

To enable Strict Account Settings:

1. Open WhatsApp and ensure your app is updated.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Privacy.
4. Open Advanced settings.
5. Turn on Strict Account Settings.

The feature is rolling out gradually, so some users may see it before others.

For most users, enabling Strict Account Settings simply means fewer interruptions from unknown contacts and better protection against scams. The only trade-off may be reduced convenience when interacting with new contacts, but many users may find the added security worth it.

As messaging scams continue to evolve, WhatsApp’s latest update represents a move toward making stronger privacy protection easier and more accessible to everyone.

In a significant shift from its traditional ad-based model, Meta; the parent company of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp  has announced plans to test premium subscription options across all three platforms in the coming months. According multiple reports from global news outlets, these subscription tiers will introduce exclusive features, enhanced tools, and expanded AI capabilities while keeping the core services free for all users. 

This publication explores what the subscriptions are, why they matter, what features are expected, and how they could affect everyday users and creators.

Meta confirmed that it will begin testing premium subscription tiers on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp that give users access to exclusive and advanced features not available in the free versions. The company emphasised that basic functions like messaging, posting, and browsing will remain free for all users, and the paid options will be optional extras. 

Importantly, these premium plans will not be one single package across all apps. Each platform will have its own distinct set of features and bundles, reflecting how people use Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp differently. 

What Premium Features Might Include

While Meta has not released full details yet, industry reports based on leaks and platform code insights suggest some likely features:

Instagram

Subscribers may get tools aimed at creators and power users, including:

• Unlimited audience lists for segmented engagement.
• Follower insights showing who doesn’t follow you back.
• Ability to view Stories anonymously without notifying the poster. 

Facebook

Details are still emerging, but premium features may focus on:

• Enhanced content discovery tools
• Better group and community management controls
• More analytics for engagement and performance. 

WhatsApp

Premium plans for WhatsApp could include:

• Advanced messaging controls
• Tools aimed at business communication and automation
• Possibly additional privacy and productivity options beyond the standard app. 

A central part of Meta’s subscription play involves artificial intelligence:

• Meta plans to integrate Manus, a suite of advanced AI agents it recently acquired, into its subscription offerings. Users could access AI assistants for content creation, research, audience analysis, and more. 
• Another AI feature is Vibes, an AI-powered short-form video creation tool. Vibes is currently free, but subscriptions may unlock more video creation options and capabilities each month. 

Meta already offers Meta Verified, a paid service focused on verification badges, support, and safety features for creators and businesses. The new premium subscriptions are separate and broader. They aren’t about verification status but about giving users functional advantages and advanced tools that could enhance creativity, productivity, privacy, and analytics.

Meta is expected to begin testing these subscriptions soon with availability likely rolling out gradually and varying by region. As users interact with premium tools, Meta will collect feedback and refine the offerings before any broader launch.