Goods-Related Businesses Are Posing as IT Companies to Avoid Taxes:
In a recent meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, Senator Anusha Rahman raised concerns about certain companies posing as IT firms while actually engaging in goods-related businesses. She highlighted that these companies are obtaining tax exemptions under the guise of providing services. Senator noted that while many IT companies have been reporting losses over the past six to eight months, these particular companies are still turning a profit. When the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) requested details about these companies, it revealed that 3,200 firms were operating under this pretense. Out of these, only eight companies are registered with the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA).She further stated that there was a loss of $300 million in January and February, warning that if this trend continues, it could lead to significant damage to the country’s economy. Senator Anusha Rahman noted that P@SHA had chosen not to bring this issue to the government’s attention due to concerns that it could result in the withdrawal of tax exemptions.
Govt May Block Certain VPNs After PTA Completes Registration:
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has received applications from two additional companies seeking registration as VPN service providers. This follows the issuance of licenses to two companies earlier. The licenses are being granted under the class license for data services. PTA has set a target to register seven VPN service providers by May. PTA noted that once the registration process is complete, the government may decide to block certain VPNs based on specific criteria.
Google Gemini Gets Major Productivity Upgrades for Free:
Google’s Gemini AI continues to receive upgrades by introducing two new features: Canvas and Audio Overview. These tools aim to make it easier for professionals to get work done faster. The new Audio Overview feature transforms your uploaded documents into AI-narrated podcast-style summaries. Previously seen in Google’s NotebookLM, this feature is now part of Gemini and available to all users, paying or free.
FBI Says Free File Converters Can Infect Your Computer:
For years, people have turned to free online file converters, often a first step when needing to change formats like M4A to MP3. Now, the FBI is issuing a warning: these seemingly convenient tools are increasingly a vector for malware infections.According to the Bureau’s report, criminals are exploiting the convenience of simple file conversions, such as transforming a .doc to a .pdf or merging multiple .jpegs into a single .pdf, a common need for submitting documents or downloading files. While these converters do indeed complete the file change, they simultaneously bring hidden malware. This infected file is then delivered to the unsuspecting user.
Oppo A5 Pro 4G Gets a Tougher Variant With Better Video Recording:
Oppo has launched the A5 Pro in Indonesia, which mirrors the global model unveiled in February. This Indonesian iteration stands out because of its stronger durability and a Snapdragon chipset instead of the Dimensity chip found on the global model. In terms of design, the Oppo A5 Pro comes in three colors: Moss Green, Mocha Chocolate, and Blue Silk. It includes a 6.67-inch LCD that boasts a 90Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 720p+, which can reach up to 1,000 nits of brightness. To protect the display, Oppo uses Gorilla Glass 7i and AGC DT-Star D+ glass.
Vivo V50 Lite 4G Officially Launched with Military Grade Durability:
The Vivo V50 Lite 4G officially debuted shortly after significant leaks surfaced last week. Now, the device is listed on Vivo’s Turkish website and is available for purchase through the brand’s online store. There is no word on a wider launch yet.The V50 Lite 4G has a 6.77-inch AMOLED display that delivers 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring deep blacks and smooth scrolling. Moreover, the device emphasizes durability, boasting an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance, along with a military-grade MIL-STD-810H drop resistance rating. The Vivo V50 Lite 4G comes in Gold and Violet color options.
Xiaomi’s Redmi A5 4G Unveiled with a Large Battery for Under $100:
Xiaomi is preparing to launch the Redmi A5 4G in Bangladesh, coinciding with the release of the Redmi Note 14 series on Thursday, the 20th. Ahead of its launch, the Redmi A5 is already appearing in stores which has revealed everything there is to know about the phone.The Redmi A5 4G features a 6.88-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, likely utilizing a 720p+ LCD, although this detail has yet to be confirmed. In terms of design, the Redmi A5 features your usual budget phone look with significant bezels and a curved notch.
YouTubers Are Already Posting Google Pixel 9a Reviews Ahead of Launch:
Google Pixel 9’s budget sibling is not official yet, but some YouTubers have already gotten their hands on it and are posting reviews. These videos show an in-depth look at the Google Pixel 9a which matches the endless leaks we have been seeing for a long time.The video reviews have been posted by The Mobile Central and Sahil Karoul, both of which show legitimate phone units and the changes introduced by Google over the last generation.
Senate Committee Discusses CEO Appointment for Ignite:
A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, chaired by Senator Palwasha Khan, was held to discuss the appointment of the CEO of Ignite. The board meeting for Ignite took place on March 13, where the interim CEO was present. During the meeting, two candidates were nominated for the CEO position, both of whom were internal candidates from Ignite. However, a tie occurred among the committee members regarding their votes. The Ministry of IT officials announced that the decision was made to re-advertise the CEO position due to a lack of suitable candidates from within the organization.
Pakistan’s IT Exports Grow for 17 Consecutive Months:
Pakistan’s information technology (IT) exports reached a record $305 million in February 2025, marking a 19% increase compared to the same month last year, according to recent data.However, this figure represents a 3% decline from January 2025, primarily due to the shorter month. Despite this monthly dip, February 2025 marks the 17th consecutive month of year-on-year growth in IT exports, beginning in October 2023.
akaBot and Contrivus Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive Intelligent Automation in Pakistan:
akaBot, a pioneering Automation Ecosystem, is proud to announce its strategic partnership with Contrivus, a prominent technology solutions provider in Pakistan. This collaboration marks a significant step toward accelerating digital transformation and intelligent automation adoption across businesses in this region.Pakistan is witnessing a transformative shift toward automation and digitalization across various sectors. According to 6Wresearch, the intelligent automation market in the country is experiencing robust growth as businesses look to automate complex processes using agentic AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation (RPA). These technologies help in reducing operational costs, improving accuracy, and enhancing decision-making.
TikTok’s New Tool Checks and Improves Your Account Security:
Despite ongoing questions surrounding its long-term viability, especially in the US, TikTok has unveiled a new security enhancement. The platform has introduced “Security Checkup,” a unified control panel intended to enhance user account protection.Accessed through the “Settings and Privacy” and then “Security & permissions” sections of the app, this feature puts crucial security measures in one place. This makes it easy for TikTok account holders to readily link a phone number and email address to set up backup login procedures. Furthermore, they can activate two-factor authentication (2FA), configure passkeys, and enable biometric login options, including facial recognition, all through a single dashboard instead of having to comb through each setting.
Google agrees to pay $28m in racial bias lawsuit:
Google has agreed to pay $28m (£21.5m) to settle a lawsuit that claimed white and Asian employees were given better pay and career opportunities than workers from other ethnic backgrounds, a law firm representing claimants says. The technology giant confirmed it had “reached a resolution” but rejected the allegations made against it. The case filed in 2021 by former Google employee, Ana Cantu, said workers from Hispanic, Latino, Native American and other backgrounds started on lower salaries and job levels than their white and Asian counterparts. The settlement has been given preliminary approval by Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California.
Smart tech trial for vulnerable adults extended:
A pilot project in Wolverhampton using digital technology to help vulnerable adults live independently is to be extended. Voice-activated fall detectors, remote monitoring sensors and smart speakers are among devices that have had positive impacts on residents’ well-being, the city council said. The trial, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, helps people aged 65 and over and those with learning or physical disabilities. More than 250 referrals for the technology have been made in the city since the trial started in September 2024, the council said.
Jazz great Herbie Hancock on playing with Miles Davis, AI, and why the piano makes him cry:
Herbie Hancock is an all-time jazz great, so it is reassuring to hear that he suffers from the same modern day procrastination problems as the rest of us mere mortals. “I fall into rabbit holes on YouTube. A lot of them. New music writing software, things about health, tech things.” That is his explanation as to why he has not made an album for 15 years. “I get victimised by it, so to speak, but that’s life,” he chuckles. Speaking from his house in west Hollywood, the ridiculously sprightly 84-year-old pianist has never been afraid to embrace technology, but normally he is the one doing the mastering, not vice versa.
Subsea fibre cables can ‘listen out’ for sabotage:
The diver had found the fibre optic cable lying on the seabed of the North Sea. He swam closer, until it was near enough to touch. He reached out his hand. But someone could tell he was lurking there. Someone was watching. “He stops and just touches the cable lightly, you clearly see the signal,” says Daniel Gerwig, global sales manager at AP Sensing, a German technology company. “The acoustic energy which travels through the fibre is basically disturbing our signal. We can measure this disturbance.” Multiple reports of damaged telecommunications cables in the Baltic Sea have raised alarm in recent months. So important are these cables, which carry huge volumes of internet data between countries, that Nato has launched a mission called “Baltic Sentry”, to patrol the Baltic Sea with aircraft, warships and drones.
Market alters application rules after AI complaints:
The organisers of an arts market in Leeds have amended the application process after visitors complained about the amount of AI-generated art on sale at a recent trading event.
It is the first time the Alternative Market, which has been running since 2017 and receives hundreds of applications from potential vendors, has faced complaints about AI, say organisers. After more than 100 comments appeared on Reddit after the event on Saturday, organisers at the Leeds Festival of Gothica have promised to engage with the community about the issue of AI-generated art. The market, which took place at Leeds Kirkgate, included more than 100 traders of antiques, fashion, homeware and art.
Telegram founder allowed to leave France following arrest:
Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of social messaging app Telegram, has been allowed to fly home to Dubai as French authorities continue their unprecedented case against him. The tech billionaire was arrested in August after being accused of failing to properly moderate his app to reduce criminality. Mr Durov denies failing to cooperate with law enforcement over drug trafficking, child sexual abuse content and fraud. Telegram has previously denied having insufficient moderation.
It is the first time a tech leader has been arrested for criminality taking place on their platform.
Vehicles damaged at Belfast Tesla dealership:
About 20 vehicles have been damaged at a Tesla dealership on the Boucher Road in Belfast. Police have said they received a report of damage to vehicles on a commercial premises on Sunday and believe the incident had occurred in the past 24 hours. Sergeant Rooney said that most of the vehicles “have had their wing mirrors knocked off, while others have also had windows smashed or received dents to the bodywork”. The officer added that enquiries were ongoing “to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident”.
Small electric cars were said to be the future – but SUVs now rule the road:
Across the globe more and more Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are being spotted on – and off – the roads. This is despite predictions from the United Nations of an inevitable pivot towards smaller and more environmentally friendly vehicles because of the urgency of the climate crisis and the rising cost of living. That pivot has not materialised: globally, 54% of the cars sold in 2024 were SUVs, including petrol, diesel, hybrids and electric makes. This is an increase of three percentage points from 2023 and five percentage points from the year before, according to Media. Of the SUVs which are now on the road – both new and older models – 95% are burning fossil fuels, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Manufacturers, however, say their new fleets of such cars are increasingly becoming electric, and that not all SUVs now being sold cause an increase in emissions.
It’s not a competition! The collaborative video game loved by players:
Think of video games, and you’ll probably think of something competitive. Some of the most popular titles in the world, such as Fortnite and Call of Duty, are focused on outgunning, outrunning or outclassing opponents. But, as Josef Fares and his studio Hazelight have shown, that’s not the only thing gamers want. His latest, Split Fiction, is a collaborative experience where two players work together to solve puzzles and beat obstacles. The adventure game has received rave reviews, sold one million copies in 48 hours and is currently among the most-watched titles on streaming platform Twitch. It’s not a one-off. His previous title, It Takes Two, featured similar “couch co-op” gameplay and sold 20 million copies and won a Game of the Year Award. What draws players to these friendlier experiences?
AI in dating apps ‘a threat to authentic intimacy’:
Navigating the world of dating apps can be tough enough on those looking for love, but academics say plans to introduce AI to help users craft their bios and hone their chat could make things even harder. For the one in ten adults who used an online dating service in 2024, Luke Brunning from the Centre for Love, Sex and Relationships at the University of Leeds says the digital search for romance is fraught enough.
But after Match Group, which owns platforms including Tinder and Hinge, announced it was increasing investment in AI, he said he feared the course of true love may become even rougher and has written to the market-leading apps to urge caution. “We should at least ask questions as a society about whether having tools writing things for us, changing our bios, editing our photos, whether that’s actually facilitating authentic intimacy,” he said. “We should also think about whether that’s going to cause problems for people that maybe don’t usually use AI but find themselves in those spaces where it’s quite commonly used.
Apple encrypted data row hearing begins in secret:
Apple’s encrypted data case against the UK government has begun in secret at the Royal Courts of Justice. The Home Office has demanded the right to access data from Apple users that have turned on Advanced Data Protection (ADP), a tool that prevents anyone other than the user – including the tech giant – from reading their files. Apple says it is important for privacy – but the UK government says it needs to be able to access data if there is a national security risk. The Media – along with civil liberties groups and some US politicians – argue the case should be heard in public. But Friday’s session of the Investigatory Powers Tribunal – which is hearing the matter – was held behind closed doors.
Iran using drones and apps to enforce women’s dress code:
Iran is using drones and intrusive digital technology to crush dissent, especially among women who refuse to obey the Islamic republic’s strict dress code, the United Nations has said. Investigators say Iranian security officials are using a strategy of “state-sponsored vigilantism” to encourage people to use specialist phone apps to report women for alleged dress code violations in private vehicles such as taxis and ambulances. Their new report also highlights the increasing use of drones and security cameras to monitor hijab compliance in Tehran and in southern Iran. For women who defy the laws, or protest against them, the consequences are severe – arrest, beating, and even rape in custody.
Why Marissa Mayer wants you to spend less time tapping your phone screen:
The former Google and Yahoo executive believes AI should simplify our lives but warns the real battle for the future will be determined by how the US and China embrace this technology. Marissa Mayer has spent her career at the centre of some of Silicon Valley’s biggest moments. She was among Google’s earliest employees and its first female engineer, helping to shape the search engine’s user experience. She played a key role in many of the company’s other now well-known products including maps and Gmail during her 13 years there. Later she would spend five-years as Yahoo’s CEO and president, leading the company during a particularly challenging period. Throughout her career, Mayer has always been drawn to the intersection of technology and consumer experience.
Keep kids off Roblox if you’re worried, its CEO tells parents:
Parents who are worried about their children being on Roblox should not let them use it, the chief executive of the gigantic gaming platform has said. The site, which is the most popular in the UK among young gamers aged eight to 12, has been dogged by claims of some children being exposed to explicit or harmful content through its games, alongside multiple reported allegations of bullying and grooming. But its co-founder and CEO Dave Baszucki insisted that the company is vigilant in protecting its users and pointed out that “tens of millions” of people have “amazing experiences” on the site. When asked what his message is to parents who don’t want their children on the platform, Mr Baszucki said: “My first message would be, if you’re not comfortable, don’t let your kids be on Roblox.” “That sounds a little counter-intuitive, but I would always trust parents to make their own decisions,” he told Media News in an exclusive interview. Responding to the interview, Mumsnet boss Justine Roberts said parents on the forum had spoken of how they struggled to manage their children’s use of Roblox.”There are parental controls, and our users would urge constant parental supervision,” she told the Media. “But we all know that with the best will in the world life sometimes gets in the way. “If you’ve got multiple children you’re looking after and things happen, and you probably can’t 24/7 watch everything they’re doing, even if you’ve got all your parental controls set.”
Saudi Investment Fund pays $3.5bn to capture Pokémon Go:
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will pay $3.5bn (£2.7bn) to buy the gaming division of developer Niantic, whose titles include the hit mobile game Pokémon Go. The game involves players walking around in the real world to hunt the collectable creatures, which appear on their phone screens using augmented reality. Despite launching almost a decade ago, Pokémon Go is still amongst the highest-grossing mobile games in the world, with 30 million monthly players. The deal marks the latest step by Saudi Arabia to develop its gaming industry, which it has spent billions of pounds on in recent years.Niantic’s other games, such as Monster Hunter Now and Pikmin Bloom, are also included in the acquisition, along with the people employed to make them. They will become part of Scopely Inc – which itself was bought by PIF subsidiary Savvy Games Group for $4.9bn in 2023. Scopely is one of the biggest names in mobile gaming, with its most successful title, Monopoly Go, being downloaded more than 50 million times and generating more than $3bn in revenue.