The Crown Prosecution Service said Monday that 42 Bitcoin and additional crypto assets worth £4.1 million ($5.4 million) linked to the scam will be seized and liquidated.

O’Connor, 26, pleaded guilty in the United States to multiple charges including computer intrusion and extortion, and was sentenced to five years in prison in 2023. Although not convicted in the U.K., prosecutors said they moved to ensure he did not profit from the crime.

The 2020 attack saw hackers use hijacked Twitter accounts to solicit cryptocurrency and threaten celebrities, prompting the platform—now known as X—to temporarily restrict verified accounts.

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X Faces Legal Action Over Unauthorized Data Use 

TECH DIGEST- Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, is facing mounting legal pressure over allegations of illegally using user data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

The company has been accused of processing personal data from over 60 million European Union users without obtaining explicit consent. The controversy erupted when a user discovered a new setting revealing that X was utilizing post data for its Grok AI chatbot.

The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC), X’s primary EU regulator, has initiated legal action to halt the unauthorized data processing. However, privacy advocacy group noyb has criticized the DPC’s response as inadequate, filing complaints in nine countries.

noyb, led by privacy activist Max Schrems, contends that X’s actions violate multiple provisions of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), citing a lack of transparency and consent in the company’s data handling practices.

These developments place X in a precarious legal position, with potential implications for its operations within the European Union.

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TECH DIGEST- X (formerly Twitter), appears to be developing a downvoting feature for replies. This feature, discovered by reverse engineer Aaron Perris (@aaronp613), is intended to improve the ranking and visibility of responses within conversations.

While X has not officially announced the feature, code analysis within the X iOS app reveals references to “downvote” functionality and a broken heart icon positioned near the existing “like” button. This suggests a “dislike” button aesthetic, differing from the traditional downvote icon used on platforms like Reddit.

Before Musk’s acquisition, X experimented with upvoting and downvoting all post types in 2021. However, the current development seems focused solely on downvoting replies. This approach aims to elevate valuable contributions to the top of threads, potentially discouraging users from posting inflammatory content solely to generate negative reactions.

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TECH DIGEST- Elon Musk has restored the accounts of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his media site Infowars on X formerly known as Twitter. Both accounts had been “permanently banned” from Twitter in 2018 due to the posting of abusive content and violations of platform rules.

Musk, who recently acquired X, initiated a user poll on December 9, seeking public input on whether it was appropriate to reinstate Alex Jones’ account. The poll, which garnered nearly 2 million votes, saw approximately 70% of participants favouring the restoration of Jones’ account. Shortly after the poll concluded, Musk decided to reactivate Jones’ account on X. The Infowars account was also reinstated simultaneously.

This move has ignited debates about platform governance, freedom of speech, and responsible content moderation. Critics argue that restoring accounts associated with controversial figures may pose challenges in maintaining a healthy online environment, considering past violations of content standards.

As social media platforms navigate the complex landscape of content moderation, Musk’s decision to revive Jones’ and Infowars’ accounts on X raises questions about the platform’s policies and the influence of public opinion in shaping these decisions.

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X is tinkering with video and audio calling at the platform formerly known as Twitter, according to a post Wednesday by owner Elon Musk.

“Early version of video and audio calling on X,” Musk wrote in a post that contained a screen capture showing how to turn the feature on in the platform’s settings.

The screen capture showed options of enabling voice and audio calls to those in a user’s address book, all verified users, and to people they “follow” at the service.

However, multiple users responded to Musk’s post saying they did not see the feature in their app, which was also not visible in a version tested by AFP.

The tycoon announced in August that voice and video calls were in the works at X in what was seen as a step towards turning the former Twitter into an “everything app.”

The calling features would work on iOS, Android, Mac and PC systems, and no phone number would be needed, he said at the time.

“X is the effective global address book,” the billionaire added.

Musk in July rebranded Twitter as X, saying it would become an “everything app” inspired by China’s WeChat that would allow users to socialize as well as handle their finances.

Since Musk bought Twitter last October, the platform’s advertising business has collapsed as marketers soured on his management style and mass firings that gutted content moderation.

In response, the tycoon has moved towards building a subscriber base and pay model in a search for new revenue.

Audio and video calls are expected to be among features offered to X subscribers.

Many users and advertisers alike have responded adversely to the site’s new charges for previously free services, as well as its changes to content moderation and the return of previously banned far-right accounts.

Musk also killed off the Twitter logo, replacing its globally recognized blue bird with a white X.

On Tuesday, multiple users responded to Musk’s post saying they did not see the feature in their app, which was also not visible in a version tested by AFP.

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TECH DIGEST- This week, anticipation is running high as visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk is set to grace the global stage of artificial intelligence at a summit in the United Kingdom. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced plans for a live interview with the tech billionaire immediately following Thursday’s event, a conversation expected to be laden with insights into the future of AI.

The summit, hosted at the historic Bletchley Park, assembles a distinguished cohort of AI experts and global leaders. Their shared mission? To engage in a robust dialogue surrounding the potential risks and rewards inherent in the realm of artificial intelligence. Notable figures, including US Vice-President Kamala Harris and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, are slated to attend.

Moreover, the roster of luminaries extends beyond Musk, with prominent individuals such as Open AI’s Sam Altman and Meta’s Nick Clegg gracing the gathering. These accomplished tech leaders, alongside many others, are expected to contribute their perspectives to this pivotal event.

Notably, the venerable figure often regarded as one of the godfathers of AI, Yoshua Bengio, has confirmed his participation, further underlining the summit’s significance in the realm of artificial intelligence.

In the lead-up to this high-profile event, UK Prime Minister Sunak took to Mr. Musk’s platform of choice, now known as “X” (formerly Twitter), to announce a forthcoming conversation: “In conversation with Elon Musk. After the AI Safety Summit. Thursday night on X.” This live discussion is sure to captivate audiences worldwide, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the cutting-edge advancements and challenges surrounding AI, guided by one of the industry’s foremost visionaries.

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TECH DIGEST- Twitter users are falling victim to phishing attacks due to a recent change in the social media platform’s account verification process. Scammers are targeting consumers, particularly bank customers and airline passengers, who complain about poor customer service on Twitter, now known as X. These fraudsters pose as customer service agents using fake X handles and manipulate victims into revealing their bank details under the pretense of offering refunds.

What makes these scams more convincing is the use of the blue checkmark icon, previously a symbol of verified accounts, which can now be obtained by paying a monthly fee for X’s subscription service. This change has raised concerns about the authenticity of accounts on the platform.

READALSO: Expert Urges Integration of Real-World Business Skills into Nigerian School Curricula 

The modified verification system on X has opened the door for cybercriminals to exploit users seeking prompt solutions by publicly complaining to companies on the platform. The scams often involve responding to such complaints, gaining victims’ trust through the display of the blue checkmark icon. Instances have emerged where victims, after being approached by seemingly legitimate accounts, were asked to share personal information via direct messages and even download suspicious apps. Although efforts have been made by some companies like Booking.com to refund affected users and caution customers about verifying accounts, the risks persist, prompting warnings to stay vigilant.

Bank customers, in particular, have been urged to exercise caution as these scammers are actively monitoring Twitter for opportunities to extract personal information. The issue has extended to financial institutions like Metro Bank, whose customers received fraudulent texts from fake customer service agents after responding to the bank’s call for online feedback. Amid these rising concerns, consumer law experts emphasize the importance of verifying the authenticity of accounts, especially when interacting with companies on social media. The changes on Twitter, now X, have inadvertently complicated the process of distinguishing between legitimate and malicious accounts. Calls are should be made to the government to swiftly pass online safety legislation to protect consumers against the surge of online fraud infiltrating major social media platforms like Twitter.

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TECHDIGEST – Twitter has been in the news of late due to its name change and logo redesign. It is a new design with a blue “X” which is the new name and no text, which is quite different from the old logo.

This development has generated diverse reactions from users and non-users which experts say can affect its potential revenue in the coming weeks.

The rebranding itself is apparently meant to address the company’s recent revenue decline.

Recent reports have it that Twitter’s revenue has actually been declining this year due to several factors. Notable among them is the company’s ongoing battle with “bots” or fake accounts. This has led to a loss of trust among advertisers and users which has resulted in lower advertising revenue.

In addition, the company has faced challenges with data privacy and security which have also impacted its revenue.

According to financial analysts, Twitter has lost approximately $500 million in advertising revenue this year. That’s a significant amount and it represents a decrease of about 15% from last year. This has had a major impact on Twitter’s financial strength and it has been a major concern for investors.

Despite this, Twitter remains one of the most popular social media platforms in the world with over 200 million active users.

READ ALSO: NITDA Committed to Creating Life-transforming Opportunities for Girls, Women in Nigeria

However, some people have expressed concern that the new name is too simple and can be confusing, others have praised it for its simplicity and focus on the “X” as a symbol of ‘connection.’

Also, some are of the opinion that the “X” could be associated with the “X” that marks the spot on a treasure map, or that it could represent the letter “X.”

However, others have pointed out that the “X” is also commonly used as a symbol for “crossing out” or “deleting” something, which could be a reference to Twitter’s role as a platform for free speech.

Others have expressed concern that the “X” within the blue circle of the Twitter logo could be interpreted as an “X” on a skull, which could have negative connotations. However, symbols can have different meanings depending on context and interpretation.

There are speculations that the owner and CEO of Twitter, Elon Musk, is not a practicing Christian or Muslim. He has allegedly described himself as a “secularist” and has spoken out against organised religion in the past. Some people have suggested that his choice of the name “X” could be a reflection of his secular beliefs.

The idea of an “X” representing something occultic or negative is certainly a valid concern. However, it is important to consider the context and intent behind the name. In this case, the “X” according to Twitter, is intended to represent “connection and conversation,” not anything sinister.

I think it is important for companies to be transparent and clear about the meaning and intention behind their branding and logos. In this case, I think Twitter has done a good job of communicating the message behind the “X” name.

Although Twitter is facing some significant challenges, the company has taken steps to address them. It has implemented new policies to combat bots and fake accounts, and it has hired a new privacy officer to oversee its data practices.

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TECHDIGEST – Some content creators on the social media platform, X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday, woke up to receive payments for ads displayed on their feeds by the company.

The payment, which started in the United States of America last month, saw Nigerian users display various sums received from the micro-blogging platform.

The company announced the programme’s extension to global users at the end of July.

As such, with this, verified users in Nigeria and across other countries, who have met the threshold of impressions on their content, are now getting paid.

Many of the content creators, who have received the payout also took to the microblogging site to show their appreciation to the platform owner, Elon Musk.

According to them, Musk has given them a reason to remain on the platform and to continue creating engaging content.

The payout means that many who had decided not to pay for the blue badge but continuously post content that gets good impressions will now be motivated to pay for the subscriptions, which costs N3, 560 per month.

READ ALSO:Nigeria joins Cisco Country Digital Acceleration programme

To be eligible for payment, users must have been verified or subscribed to Twitter Blue to be eligible for payment.

Besides, creators must have at least five million impressions on their posts every three months. They are also expected to pass a human review for Creator Monetisation Standards.

Users are also expected to have at least 500 followers and a Stripe account for payment.

Accordingly, eligible users will be able to join and set up payments from within the monetisation section of the app. This is found in the side menu on iOS and Android, and the overflow menu on the web.

“Once you click “join and set up payouts” you will be redirected to our payment processor, Stripe, to set up an account to receive your share.

“This Stripe account will be where you will be able to transfer funds to your external bank account. Once you opt-in, you will receive payouts at a regular cadence, so long as you have generated more than $50.”

X said it might modify or cancel the Program at any time in its sole discretion, including for business, financial, or legal reasons.

“X reserves the right to accept or revoke your participation in this ads revenue share program in its sole discretion, including for business, financial, or legal reasons. Please ensure you comply with the Ads Revenue Program Terms,” the company stated.

Meanwhile, some creators, Musk credited, have continued to jubilate. For example, Big Ayo, with the handle @47kasz, who got N430, 960.74, greeted Elon Musk with a friendly “Good morning.” “Well, Good Morning Elon Musk.”

Solomon Buchi, with the handle @Solomon_Buchi, while confirming his payment, expressed the delight of being rewarded for voicing his opinions.

“I got paid by Twitter, now known as X. I Twitter my opinions, commentators, views, and people are blessed, however, it’s also nice to be paid for it,” he added.

Abazz, a verified user, expressed his gratitude to Musk. He was paid N220,345.65, stated: “Woke up to receive an alert, Thank you Elon.”

Renowned Nigerian musician David Adeleke (Davido) @davido, joined the conversation humorously asking: “Where dem dey put the money?

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TECHDIGEST – Twitter’s owner Elon Musk and its new CEO said Sunday that the social media network would ditch its bird logo, be rebranded with the name X and move quickly into payments, banking and commerce.

Founded in 2006, Twitter takes its name from the sound of birds chattering, and it has used avian branding since its early days, when the company bought a stock symbol of a light blue bird for $15, according to the design website Creative Bloq.

Tweeting a picture of the company’s new logo — a white X on a black background — late Sunday night, Twitter chief executive Linda Yaccarino said “X is here! Let’s do this.”

Also late Sunday night, Musk changed his profile picture to the company’s new logo, which he described as “minimalist art deco,” and changed his Twitter bio to “X.com,” which now redirects to twitter.com.

READ ALSO: Twitter Limits Daily Direct Messages for Unverified Users

Musk had earlier tweeted that “If a good enough X logo is posted tonight, we’ll make it go live worldwide tomorrow.”

Musk also tweeted that under the site’s new identity, a post would be called “an X.”

The changes were not visible on the website as of 0630 GMT Monday.

Musk had already named Twitter’s parent company the X Corporation, and previously said his takeover of the social media giant was “an accelerant to creating X, the everything app” — a reference to the X.com company he founded in 1999, a later version of which went on to become payments giant PayPal.

Such an app could still function as a social media platform, and also include messaging and mobile payments.

“Powered by AI, X will connect us in ways we’re just beginning to imagine,” Yaccarino tweeted earlier on Sunday.

Yaccarino, an advertising sales executive at NBCUniversal who Musk poached last month to become Twitter’s CEO, said the social media platform was on the cusp of broadening its scope.

“X is the future state of unlimited interactivity – centered in audio, video, messaging, payments/banking – creating a global marketplace for ideas, goods, services, and opportunities,” Yaccarino tweeted.

Since Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion last October, the platform’s advertising business has partially collapsed as marketers soured on mass firings at the company that gutted content moderation — as well as on Musk’s management style.

In response, the billionaire SpaceX boss has moved toward introducing payments and commerce through the platform in a search for new revenue.

Twitter is thought to have around 200 million daily active users, but it has suffered repeated technical failures since the 52-year-old Tesla founder bought the app and sacked much of its staff.

Since then, many users and advertisers alike have responded adversely to the social media site’s new charges for previously free services, its changes to content moderation and the return of previously banned right-wing accounts.

Musk said this month that Twitter had lost roughly half of its advertising revenue since he took control in October.

Facebook parent Meta also this month launched its own text-based platform, called Threads, which has up to 150 million users, according to some estimates.

But the amount of time users spend on the rival app has plummeted in the weeks since its launch, according to data from market analysis firm Sensor Tower.

AFP

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