Latest news with #dataSovereignty
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Scrapping national census raises data sovereignty, surveillance fears for Māori
By Lara Greaves, Ella Pēpi Tarapa-Dewes, Kiri West, Larissa Renfrew of An administrative census will use information collected in day-to-day government activities. Photo: 2023 Census, Stats NZ Analysis - Wednesday's announcement that the five-yearly national census would be scrapped has raised difficult questions about the effectiveness, ethics and resourcing of the new 'administrative' system that will replace it. An administrative census will use information collected in day-to-day government activities, such as emergency-room admission forms, overseas travel declarations and marriage licences. The move is not necessarily bad in principle, especially given the rising cost of the census and declining participation rates, but to make it effective and robust, it must be properly resourced - and it must give effect to the principles of te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi), as set out in the Data and Statistics Act. The transformation process so far leaves considerable room for doubt that these things will happen. In particular, there are major ethical and Māori data sovereignty issues at stake. As Te Mana Raraunga (the Māori Data Sovereignty Network) advocates, data is a living taonga (treasure), is of strategic value to Māori and should be subject to Māori governance. Changes to census methods risk compromising these values and undermining public trust in the official statistics system in general. Because the new system takes census data gathering out of the hands of individual citizens and households, it also raises questions about state surveillance and social licence. Surveillance means more than police stakeouts or phone-tapping. The state constantly collects and uses many kinds of data about us and our movements. For more than a decade, the Integrated Data Infrastructure has been the government's tool to patch gaps in its own data ecosystems. This administrative data is collected without our direct and informed consent, and there is no real way to opt out. The safeguard is that information about individuals is 'de-identified', once it enters the Integrated Data Infrastructure - no names, just data points. Stats NZ, which administers the system, says it has the social licence to collect, cross-reference and use this administrative data, but genuine social licence requires that people understand and accept how their data is being used. Stats NZ's own research shows only about one in four people surveyed have enough knowledge about its activities to make an informed judgement. The risks associated with this form of surveillance are amplified for Māori, because of their particular historical experience with data and surveillance. The Crown used data collection and monitoring systems to dispossess land and suppress cultural practices, which continue to disproportionately affect Māori communities today. Meaningful work to address this has taken place under the Mana Ōrite agreement , a partnership between Stats NZ and the Data Iwi Leaders Group (part of the National Iwi Chairs Forum). The agreement aims to solidify iwi authority over their own data, and ensure Māori perspectives are heard in decision-making around data and statistics. On the face of it, repurposing administrative data seems like a realistic solution to the census budget blowout, but there are questions about whether the data and methods used in an administrative census will be robust and of high quality. This has implications for policy and for communities. Administrative data in its current form is limited in many ways. In particular, it misses what is actually important to Māori communities and what makes life meaningful to them. Administrative data often only measures problems. It is collected on Māori at their most vulnerable - when they're in crisis, sick or struggling - which creates a distorted picture. In contrast, Te Kupenga (a survey by Stats NZ last run in 2018) included information by Māori and from a Māori cultural perspective that reflected lived realities. Before increasing reliance on administrative data, greater engagement with Māori will be needed to ensure a data system that gathers and provides reliable, quality data. It is especially important for smaller hapori Māori (Māori communities), which need the data to make decisions for their members. Stats NZ plans to partly fill the data void left by removing the traditional census with regular surveys, but the small sample size of surveys often makes it impossible to obtain reliable information on smaller groups, such as takatāpui (Māori of diverse gender and sexualities), or specific hapū or iwi groups. Photo: RNZ /Dom Thomas It is not clear the implications of this have been fully been worked through in the census change process, nor is it clear whether the recommendations from Stats NZ's Future Census Independent External Review Panel - from Māori and a range of experts - have been fully considered. This included crucial recommendations around commissioning an independent analysis informed by te Tiriti principles, meaningful engagement with iwi-Māori and the continuing implementation of a Māori data governance model developed by Māori data experts. We are not opposed to updating the way in which census data is collected, but for the new approach to be just, ethical and legal will require it to adhere to te Tiriti o Waitangi and the relationship established in the Mana Ōrite agreement . Lara Greaves is an Associate Professor of Politics, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington Ella Pēpi Tarapa-Dewes is Professional Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Arts and Education, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Kiri West is a lecturer in Indigenous Communication, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Larissa Renfrew, is a PhD Candidate, School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau. - This story originally appeared on [ the Conversation].
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Splashtop Expands with Sovereign Cloud Infrastructure in Australia to Strengthen Data Residency and Security Compliance
New localized services empower Australian customers with data sovereignty, enhanced performance, and flexible deployment options. SYDNEY, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Splashtop, a global provider of remote access, support, and endpoint management solutions, today announced its establishment of Australia-based infrastructure via a dedicated user database to support growing demand for data sovereignty, regional compliance, and high-performance remote access. This strategic investment enables organizations in Australia to use Splashtop services with confidence, knowing their data remains stored and processed locally under Australian jurisdiction. Splashtop's Australian sovereign cloud helps government, education, and enterprise customers meet national data protection standards, including new data sovereignty requirements under the 2023 Privacy Act. It also streamlines compliance with key frameworks such as the Essential Eight Maturity Model, the Information Security Manual (ISM), and enables readiness for Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP) assessments. The dedicated infrastructure improves connection performance, supports compliance efforts, and underscores Splashtop's continued commitment to offering flexible, secure solutions globally. In addition to its regional cloud infrastructure, Splashtop offers an on-premise deployment option for organizations with stricter data governance policies or air-gapped environments. 'As more countries take steps to enforce digital sovereignty, we're investing in infrastructure that gives our customers choice and control,' said Mark Lee, CEO and Co-founder of Splashtop. 'This localized infrastructure supports data residency and helps streamline compliance, giving Australian customers greater peace of mind.' 'From sovereign cloud to on-prem, Splashtop is committed to meeting customers where they are technically and geographically,' added Leonard Wong, Regional Vice President at Splashtop. 'With our Australia infrastructure now live, we're better positioned to meet regional procurement and compliance requirements, opening the door to support new customers that demand strict data residency assurances.' This new regional infrastructure bolsters Splashtop's growing global footprint, including existing deployments in the United States, Canada, Japan, the European Union, and now Australia. The rollout reflects Splashtop's broader mission to deliver secure, performant, and compliant solutions that align with regional regulations and customer expectations. To learn more about Splashtop's cloud and on-premise solutions, visit About Splashtop Splashtop is the top-rated global provider of remote work, support, and management solutions that simplify security and performance in the work-from-anywhere world. With customer success as the #1 priority, Splashtop's technology is easy to deploy, use, and manage for small and midsize businesses and enterprises, offering advanced security features, high-throughput, broad device support, and 24/5 customer support. The approachable solution selected by more than 30 million users, Splashtop is a partner enabling users to grow and scale on their own terms with highly flexible plans. Splashtop is a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), aligning with Microsoft in their efforts to help customers address the evolving challenges of today's IT landscape. Visit and follow us on LinkedIn to learn more. CONTACT: Splashtop Inc. +61 (2) 9161 7275 pr@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
VCI Global Teases ‘Project QG': Sovereign AI and Encrypted Data Monetization Platform Poised to Reshape the Global AI Infrastructure Landscape
Next-Gen Infrastructure Integrates AI, Encryption, and Blockchain to Power the Future of Data Sovereignty and Institutional Monetization KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VCI Global Limited (NASDAQ: VCIG) ('VCI Global' or the 'Company'), a diversified global holding company, today announced the stealth development of Project QG, a next-generation infrastructure platform designed to enable sovereign AI deployment and unlock a new era of encrypted data monetization for governments and institutions. Now entering the proof-of-concept stage, Project QG fuses AI-driven hardware encryption, zero-trust computing, and blockchain validation to deliver what VCI Global believes could become a foundational layer for the future of AI and data sovereignty. Redefining Data Control and Value Creation in the AI Era A vast majority of institutional and national datasets remain underutilized due to regulatory risks, privacy concerns, and the lack of secure AI infrastructure. According to Grand View Research, the global artificial intelligence (AI) market is projected to exceed US$1.8 trillion by 2030, driven by rapid enterprise adoption and the growth of AI-native infrastructure. The cybersecurity and data protection market is also gaining momentum. Markets and Markets forecasts it to reach approximately US$298.5 billion by 2028. Meanwhile, Deloitte Insights notes that enterprises are increasingly monetizing proprietary data and software assets to generate new revenue streams. Industry analysts describe enterprise and sovereign data monetization as the next frontier in digital value creation, with significant upside expected privacy-first AI infrastructure continues to mature. Project QG: Built for Institutions That Cannot Afford to Compromise Computation on encrypted data, where users only receive insights, not the raw information Blockchain-backed audit trails, securing every transaction in a zero-trust environment Hardware-anchored encryption, with dynamic AI-generated security algorithms Sovereign-grade control, where monetization is entirely optional and policy-driven Governments, regulators, and data-rich enterprises increasingly require sovereign-ready infrastructure to maintain control, comply with data localization laws, and generate value, without relinquishing custody of their information. Project QG is built specifically for this market, positioning VCI Global at the forefront of the convergence between AI, cybersecurity, and sovereign data economics. VCI Global is currently engaging selected institutional stakeholders for early proof-of-concept pilots. The full platform is slated for launch in Q3 2025, with additional technical and strategic details to be revealed in the months ahead. 'We're building a platform for an AI-driven world where data remains protected, sovereign, and monetizable. With Project QG, we aim to solve one of the biggest structural challenges of the digital age, unlock value from sensitive data without ever compromising its integrity or ownership,' said Dato' Victor Hoo, Group Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VCI Global. About VCI Global Limited VCI Global is a diversified global holding company with a strategic focus on AI & Robotics, Fintech, Cybersecurity, Renewable Energy, and Capital Market Consultancy. With a strong presence in Asia, Europe, and the United States, VCI Global is committed to driving technological innovation, sustainable growth, and financial excellence across multiple industries. For more information on the Company, please log on to Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such statements include statements regarding the Company's ability to grow its business and other statements that are not historical facts, including statements which may be accompanied by the words 'intends,' 'may,' 'will,' 'plans,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'projects,' 'predicts,' 'estimates,' 'aims,' 'believes,' 'hopes,' 'potential' or similar words. These forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including without limitation, the Company's ability to achieve profitable operations, customer acceptance of new products, the effects of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and future measures taken by authorities in the countries wherein the Company has supply chain partners, the demand for the Company's products and the Company's customers' economic condition, the impact of competitive products and pricing, successfully managing and, general economic conditions and other risk factors detailed in the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC'). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release, except in accordance with applicable law. CONTACT INFORMATION: For media queries, please contact: VCI GLOBAL LIMITEDenquiries@ in to access your portfolio
CBC
29-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Indigenous community on Manitoulin Island gets a data centre to help preserve its cultural heritage
An Indigenous community on Manitoulin Island in northeastern Ontario says its new data centre will help it secure its data sovereignty. The Ogimaa (or chief) of Wiikwemkoong, Tim Ominika, said the community will be using the data centre to store information about programs and services, including the community's education department, health centre and services offered through the band office. It will also allow the First Nation to preserve its cultural heritage locally. "It empowers us to digitally preserve and share our Anishinaabe language because that is another thing we are looking at our knowledge, our traditions," Ominika said. The facility arrived by truck on Friday, May 23. "It looks like a large storage container," Ominika said. "But inside… with the data storage system in there, it looks like you're in a movie when you see all of the data storage and all the compartments. That's what it looks like inside, inside the unit." Ominika said the community previously used third-party vendors to host its information online. "Not saying we don't trust any other IT [information technology] businesses out there, but you know, we are just trying to look at paving the way for Anishinabek communities such as our community here," he said. Although he did not provide the exact cost for the data centre, Ominika said "it wasn't cheap." He added that it was a worthwhile investment for the community to preserve important cultural data, and information about services, locally. Ominika said Wiikwemkoong could make arrangements with other Indigenous communities to store their data. The data centre is also expected to create some local jobs to keep it running, and Ominika said he hopes it sparks more interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields among young people in the community.
Trade Arabia
27-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Malaysia granted sovereignty over Bahrain cloud subscriber data
As part of the official visit by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to Malaysia, an announcement was made that Malaysia will be granted full sovereignty over subscriber data hosted in Bahrain cloud computing centers. Lauding the move, Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed underscored the growing Bahraini-Malaysian relations, describing the cooperation between the two countries as a key milestone that fosters strategic collaboration in the digital economy, knowledge exchange, and digital infrastructure development. He reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment to strengthening international cooperation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and advancing the digital ecosystem toward becoming a competitive, future-ready nation. This initiative reflects global confidence in Bahrain's legal, technical, and operational expertise in cloud computing, reinforcing its role as a trusted regional digital hub, he stated. According to him this move highlights the strong partnership and mutual trust between the two nations, and affirms Bahrain's commitment to data sovereignty and transparency, aligning with the highest regulatory standards and its vision for digital transformation. Bahrain is committed to building secure digital infrastructure that protects rights and ensures privacy in line with national legislation and global best practices. Al Qaed said that this decision complies with Decree No. (56) of 2018 on the provision of cloud computing services to foreign entities, as well as all related ministerial regulations.
