Latest news with #GDPR
TECHx
5 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
Forum Supports Women-Led SME Growth in Kenya
Home » Africa » Forum Supports Women-Led SME Growth in Kenya Women Choice, an international organization promoting sustainable initiatives for women, hosted a high-impact forum in Kenya. The event was titled Driving Growth for Women-Led SMEs in Kenya . It aimed to promote inclusive economic transformation through the empowerment of women entrepreneurs. The forum was held under the theme Scaling Women-Led SMEs: Opportunities, Challenges & Strategic Growth . Organizers reported that it brought together 45 changemakers, including women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and ecosystem enablers. Participants gathered to discuss issues affecting the growth of women-led enterprises. They highlighted barriers such as limited access to finance, regulatory challenges, and the need for alternative funding models. Currently, only 7% of women-owned MSMEs in Kenya have formal access to financing. The event explored microfinance, grants, and other options as possible solutions. Nezha Aloui, CEO of Women Choice, reaffirmed the organization's mission to accelerate the success of women founders through strategic partnerships. She stated, 'This forum is not a destination, it's a blueprint for unlocking greatness.' Aloui emphasized that women-led SMEs are essential to Kenya's prosperity. She added that the forum marked the start of a long-term, action-driven agenda. Throughout the panel discussions, speakers called for intentional inclusion in policy, mentorship, and procurement opportunities. They also stressed the importance of digital innovation and strong community networks. Susan Situma from Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund advised entrepreneurs to seek value-aligned funding. She encouraged them to research their sectors, join relevant networks, and structure their businesses for growth. Sheena Raikundalia, Chief Growth Officer at Kuza One, noted the importance of local insight and global relevance. She urged women to focus on solving real problems and building trust with customers. Martine Billmann of Genetec highlighted cybersecurity as vital to sustainable business growth. She advised the use of secure platforms, zero-trust strategies, and adherence to global standards like GDPR. Carolyne Tanui, from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, stressed the need for consistency and legal compliance. She explained that data protection is crucial for building trust and credibility, even for small businesses. Mareva Koulamallah, CEO of Marevak Consulting, concluded that empowering women in entrepreneurship strengthens both the economy and the community. 'The math is simple, the impact is exponential,' she said. The forum revealed the urgent need for collaboration to support women-led businesses in Kenya. Organizers reported that the discussions marked a significant step toward creating a more inclusive and sustainable SME ecosystem.
Metro
9 hours ago
- Metro
16,000,000,000 Google, Apple and Facebook passwords leaked in major breach
Sixteen billion passwords to social media accounts and were leaked what has been described as one of the largest ever breaches, it's reported. The global breach exposed login credentials and passwords to Apple, Facebook, Google and other social media account as well as governments services, according to a report published by Forbes. Google has urged its billions of users to update their passwords, while the FBI is warning people to be careful before clicking on links in SMS messages. Researchers at Cybernews, which has been investigating the leak, said it found '30 exposed datasets containing from tens of millions to over 3.5 billion records each.' They said only one of them had previously been reported as being exposed. The team warned: 'This is not just a leak – it's a blueprint for mass exploitation. 'With over 16 billion login records exposed, cybercriminals now have unprecedented access to personal credentials that can be used for account takeover, identity theft, and highly targeted phishing.' They continued: 'These aren't just old breaches being recycled, this is fresh, weaponisable intelligence at scale.' Cyber News called it 'one of the largest data breaches in history'. It's thought the breach comes from various sources, including credential stuffing lists, stealer malware, and repackaged past leaks. According to the researchers, the datasets were only exposed very briefly, enough time for them to be found by the team but not enough time for them to find out who was controlling the data. Chris Linnell, associate director of data privacy at cyber security firm, Bridewell, described the breach as 'serious' as it potentially gave attackers access to multiple services. He added that under data protection laws, such as the UK GDPR, individuals usually have the right to be informed about breaches that pose a high risk to their rights and freedoms. They should also be told what steps are being taken to mitigate the impact. 'However, because the source of this breach is currently unknown, it may be difficult for affected individuals to receive specific guidance or seek direct recourse. 'In the meantime, the most effective course of action is to focus on preventing any further impact through proactive security measures.' He advised anyone concerned they might have been impacted by the breach to check their devices for malware using reputable antivirus or anti-malware software. 'Run a full system scan and follow the software's guidance to quarantine or remove any threats,' he said. 'Ensure your operating system and applications are up to date, as software updates often include critical security patches. If malware is detected, consider resetting your device to factory settings after backing up essential data, and reinstalling only trusted applications.' Chris said it's vital to use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. 'Avoid reusing passwords across services, as a breach in one can compromise others. A password manager can help generate and securely store complex passwords, reducing the risk of human error,' he explained. More Trending 'Additionally, enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible – this adds an extra layer of protection even if your password is compromised.' He also urged people to look out for signs of fraud. 'Use dark web monitoring tools to check if your credentials have been exposed and monitor your bank and credit card statements regularly for unauthorised transactions. 'Staying proactive can help mitigate the impact of a breach particularly when potential fraud is involved.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Google, Spotify and YouTube down for tens of thousands of users worldwide MORE: Stormzy set to make film debut with major career move MORE: 'Stupid' Apple Pay prank plagues commuters on London Tube
Hans India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Hans India
WhatsApp Begins Global Rollout of Ads, but EU Opts Out Until 2026
Meta has taken a significant step in monetising WhatsApp by rolling out advertisements across the app globally, except in the European Union. This change, announced on June 16, marks a pivotal shift for the world's most-used messaging platform, which long positioned itself as ad-free. The ads will now be visible in the Updates tab, specifically within Status—WhatsApp's version of Instagram Stories. However, for millions of users in the EU, the wait for ads will extend at least until 2026 due to regulatory delays. According to Meta, the new ads will not interfere with personal messaging. 'We believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features,' WhatsApp clarified in a blog post. The ads will appear alongside updates from friends and family but will not intrude into personal chats, calls, or group conversations. This subtle placement is designed to balance user experience with Meta's revenue goals. As part of this broader monetisation strategy, Meta is also introducing channel subscriptions and promoted channels. Channel subscriptions will allow creators to offer exclusive content behind a paywall, while promoted channels will be highlighted in the app's Explore section, expanding reach for brands and content creators alike. Interestingly, users in the European Union won't see these ads just yet. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), which oversees Meta's EU operations, has confirmed that WhatsApp's ad model will not go live in the region before 2026. 'That new product won't be launching in the EU market until 2026. We have been informed by WhatsApp,' said Des Hogan, the Irish Data Protection Commissioner. The delay stems from concerns over compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), one of the world's strictest privacy laws. For users outside the EU—including India—the ads will be personalised with limited data. Meta will use location (city and country), language, and user interaction with channels to tailor content. If users have connected WhatsApp to the Meta Accounts Center, their ad preferences from Facebook and Instagram may also influence what they see. However, Meta insists that it's safeguarding user privacy. The company reiterated that it will not use private messages, calls, or group activity for ad targeting. These remain fully encrypted, and phone numbers won't be shared with advertisers. The timing of this rollout is bold, especially as Meta faces an ongoing antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. The integration of ad systems across its platforms—WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook—is under scrutiny, with critics arguing it reflects Meta's unchecked market power. Nonetheless, the shift signals a new chapter for WhatsApp. With 1.5 billion daily users, Meta sees enormous revenue potential. Having earned over $160 billion in ad revenue last year, the addition of WhatsApp to its ad portfolio could significantly boost earnings. Yet, it also raises questions about the future of private, clutter-free communication on the app.
India Today
15 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Meta is bringing ads to WhatsApp almost everywhere, but EU is an exception: Full story in 5 points
After years of promising to keep WhatsApp ad-free, Meta has officially started rolling out advertisements inside the world's most popular messaging app. This was announced by Meta on June 16. However, in a rare exception, users in the European Union will not be seeing these changes just yet. With the new monetisation model going live almost everywhere else, the EU has pushed back, citing privacy concerns and regulatory scrutiny. Here is a breakdown of what is happening, and what this means for users ads go live almost everywhereEarlier this week, Meta confirmed that ads are now officially live inside WhatsApp's Updates tab, marking the platform's first major step towards monetisation through advertising – after denying for years that it would ever push ads on the messenger. Ads will appear in the Status section of the app, which works similarly to Instagram Stories – it shows photos, text, or videos that disappear after 24 hours. This means, ads will now appear alongside updates from friends and contacts. Importantly, Meta has clarified that ads will not appear in personal chats, messages, or groups. 'We believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features,' WhatsApp said in a blog post. Alongside ads, Meta is also rolling out two other features to the messenger. One is channel subscriptions, which lets users pay for exclusive content from select creators, and the second is promoted channels, which will get visibility in the app's Explore users will not see ads until at least 2026 advertisementEU users are going to be an exception to the ad rollout on WhatsApp – at least for sometime. Despite a global rollout, WhatsApp users in the European Union will not see ads anytime soon. Ireland's Data Protection Commission (DPC), which oversees Meta's compliance in the region, confirmed that the new ad model has been delayed in the EU until at least 2026, according to a report by Politico. 'That new product won't be launching in the EU market until 2026. We have been informed by WhatsApp,' said Des Hogan, Ireland's Data Protection Commissioner. The DPC will now meet with WhatsApp and other European data protection authorities to review the plan before allowing its delay is widely seen as a result of Europe's stringent privacy laws, including he General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which sets a high bar for how companies can collect and use personal ads, but with limitsComing back to the advertisements that everyone else will be seeing, including users in India, Meta says that the WhatsApp ads will be personalised using limited information. This would include details of your city, country, language, and how you interact with channels and sponsored posts. If you have linked WhatsApp with your Meta Accounts Center, ad preferences from Facebook and Instagram may also influence what ads you the company insists that it is keeping users' core data private. Personal messages, calls, and group activity will not be used for ads targeting, and Meta says these remain fully end-to-end encrypted. It has also promised that phone numbers will not be shared or sold to advertisers. A risky bet amid a big antitrust battleThe timing of WhatsApp's ad rollout is notable – and bold. Meta is currently facing a major antitrust lawsuit in the US, which could potentially force the company to unwind its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. And now the launch of ads, especially ones that tie together data from WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, may raise further questions about the company's market dominance and use of user data across has long argued that its integrated ad business supports small businesses. However, during the trial, the same integration is seen as evidence of anti-competitive behaviour. WhatsApp's big shift towards monetisationThe move to introduce ads reflects a major shift in WhatsApp's strategy. Originally designed as a private, ad-free messaging app, WhatsApp now joins Meta's other platforms – Facebook and Instagram – in generating revenue from Meta has for years been denying rumours that WhatsApp will get ads, it was also not entirely unexpected now when it rolled out because WhatsApp head Will Cathcart confirmed in 2023 that ads are in development. And if you look at it from the business side of things: with WhatsApp now boasting 1.5 billion daily users, the opportunity for revenue is enormous. Last year, Meta reportedly earned over $160 billion in advertising revenue, and now the roll out of ads to WhatsApp could help push that figure even higher. However, this also means that the platform that many users have relied on for private, interruption-free experience is becoming increasingly commercialised.
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) Market Set to Witness Significant Growth by 2025-2032
"Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) Market" Industry Overview The Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) market is experiencing rapid expansion driven by digital transformation and cloud adoption across enterprises. Heightened demand for specialized vertical and horizontal applications is reshaping business growth strategies and industry size. This analysis aligns with our Independent Software Vendors Market report, emphasizing unique market dynamics and actionable market insights for 2025–2032. Market Size and Overview- The Global Independent Software Vendors Market size is estimated to be valued at USD 2,377.7 Mn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 8,771.3 Mn by 2032 (market forecast), exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.5% from 2025 to 2032. This market size and market report underscores robust market growth and evolving market opportunities across regions. Request Sample Pages: Key Takeaways: • North America: Early adoption of SaaS and cloud-native applications drives market share dominance in ISV solutions. • Latin America: Rising digitization in SMEs fuels demand for localized independent software offerings. • Europe: GDPR compliance and vertical-specific tools spur market growth and business expansion. • Asia Pacific: Rapid cloud infrastructure spending (up 24% in 2024) accelerates ISV partnerships and deployments. • Middle East: Government-led digital initiatives boost demand for tailored ISV applications in finance and health. • Africa: Mobile-first strategies and rising smartphone penetration catalyze independent software vendor opportunities. • Segment Covers—Deployment Model: – On-Premises: Used by regulated industries requiring data sovereignty (e.g., banking). – Cloud (SaaS/PaaS): Adopted by 68% of enterprises for subscription-based revenue streams. • Segment Covers—Application Type: – Horizontal Software: CRM, ERP solutions leveraged by multiple sectors. – Vertical Software: Healthcare, retail, manufacturing use cases for specialized workflows. • Segment Covers—Enterprise Size: – SMBs: Cost-effective, plug-and-play ISV suites for rapid scaling. – Large Enterprises: Custom integrations, API-driven platforms for complex ecosystems. Growth Factors: • Cloud Migration Surge: According to our Independent Software Vendors Market report, global enterprise cloud budgets climbed 22% in 2024 to USD 558 Bn, enabling ISVs to forge new subscription models. • AI/ML Integration: Over 65% of ISVs embedded AI-driven analytics in 2024, driving a 30% jump in per-customer revenue. • Digital Transformation Programs: In 2025, 72% of Fortune 500 companies accelerated ISV partnerships for industry-specific applications, supporting overall market growth. • Regulatory Compliance Tools: GDPR and data-privacy regulations spurred a 28% increase in demand for secure, audit-ready ISV platforms during 2024. Market Trends: • Low-Code/No-Code Adoption: Independent Software Vendors Market trends reveal low-code revenue grew 25% in 2024, enabling faster go-to-market cycles for complex workflows. • API Economy Expansion: API call volumes rose 30% Y-o-Y in 2024, enhancing ecosystem interoperability and driving new market opportunities. • Microservices & Containerization: 58% of ISV deployments in 2025 leveraged microservices architectures, reducing time-to-value by 35% and optimizing resource utilization. Get Customization on this Report: Actionable Insights: • Production Capacity: Over 8,500 new ISV solutions launched in 2024 (+15%), reflecting scalable development pipelines. • Pricing Strategies: Average subscription fees increased 12% in 2025 as feature bundling became a core market driver. • Export Volumes: Cross-border ISV exports surged by 20% to USD 45 Bn in 2024, highlighting expansion into emerging economies. • Import Trends: Niche vertical applications imports grew 30% in 2025, indicating diversified demand across industries. • Micro- & Nano-Indicators: API response times improved 18% in 2024; monthly active user counts for SaaS solutions climbed 10% in 2025, signaling healthy user engagement and market revenue upside. Key Players: Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, SAP SE, Inc., Adobe Inc., IBM Corporation, Autodesk Inc., Intuit Inc., VMware Inc., Red Hat Inc., ServiceNow Inc., Symantec Corporation (Broadcom Inc.), Splunk Inc., Tableau Software ( Inc.), Atlassian Corporation Plc. • Microsoft's Partner Network expansion drove a 25% rise in ISV app downloads in 2024 by integrating Azure Marketplace incentives. • Salesforce's co-selling program generated 30% growth in joint pipeline deals during 2025, cementing its ecosystem play. • Adobe's 2025 acquisition of an API-first e-commerce ISV boosted its digital experience segment revenue by 18%. Buy this Complete Business Research Report: FAQs 1. Who are the dominant players in the Independent Software Vendors Market? Dominant players include Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, Salesforce, Adobe, IBM, and ServiceNow, which collectively lead in market share through broad portfolios and partner ecosystems. 2. What will be the size of the Independent Software Vendors Market in the coming years? Independent Software Vendors Market size is projected to grow from USD 2,377.7 Mn in 2025 to USD 8,771.3 Mn by 2032 at a 20.5% CAGR. 3. Which end-user industry has the largest growth opportunity? The healthcare vertical, driven by telehealth and regulatory compliance tools, offers the highest growth opportunity, with demand up 32% in 2024. 4. How will market development trends evolve over the next five years? Independent Software Vendors Market trends indicate accelerated low-code adoption, deeper AI integration, and increased microservices deployments to enhance agility and scalability. 5. What is the nature of the competitive landscape and challenges in the Independent Software Vendors Market? Competition centers on platform interoperability, pricing pressure, and compliance features. Market challenges include talent scarcity and evolving data-privacy regulations. 6. What go-to-market strategies are commonly adopted in the Independent Software Vendors Market? ISVs leverage partner ecosystems, co-selling initiatives, marketplace listings, and tiered subscription models to penetrate new segments and optimize revenue streams. About Us: Coherent Market Insights leads into data and analytics, audience measurement, consumer behaviors, and market trend analysis. From shorter dispatch to in-depth insights, CMI has exceled in offering research, analytics, and consumer-focused shifts for nearly a decade. With cutting-edge syndicated tools and custom-made research services, we empower businesses to move in the direction of growth. We are multifunctional in our work scope and have 450+ seasoned consultants, analysts, and researchers across 26+ industries spread out in 32+ countries.
