Mission Everywhere

In March, the virus gripping the world — COVID-19 — started to spread in Africa. In short order, actors across the continent’s tech ecosystem began to step up to stem the spread. Early in March Africa’s coronavirus cases by country were in the single digits, but by mid-month those numbers had spiked leading the World Health Organization to sound an alarm. “About 10 days ago we had 5 countries affected, now we’ve got 30,” WHO Regional Director  Dr Matshidiso Moeti said at a press conference on March 19. “It’s has been an extremely rapid…evolution.”  By the  World Health Organization’s stats Tuesday there were 3671 COVID-19 cases in Sub-Saharan Africa and 87 confirmed deaths related to the virus — up from 463 cases and 8 deaths on March 18. As the COVID-19 began to grow in major economies, governments and startups in Africa started measures to shift a greater volume of transactions toward digital payments and away from cash — which the World Health Organization flagg...

Lawrence Abrams / BleepingComputer : Zoom Windows client vulnerability could allow attackers to steal Windows login credentials of users who click on malicious links in chat messages   —  The Zoom Windows client is vulnerable to UNC path injection in the client's chat feature that could allow attackers to steal the Windows credentials of users who click on the link. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/3azun9x

Catalin Cimpanu / ZDNet : Marriott discloses data breach from mid-January affecting 5.2M hotel guests, exposing personal contact information including mailing addresses and phone numbers   —  Marriott says a hacker gained access to the accounts of two employees.  —  Hotel chain Marriott disclosed today a security breach … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/3dJW9SP

Felix / @c1truz_ : [Thread] Security researcher finds Zoom uses a “shady” technique to install its Mac app without user interaction, applying tricks used by macOS malware   —  Ever wondered how the @zoom_us macOS installer does it's job without you ever clicking install? Turns out they (ab)use preinstallation scripts, manually unpack the app using a bundled 7zip and install it to /Applications if the current user is in the admin group (no root needed). https://twitter.com/... from Techmeme https://ift.tt/2QVz1qL

Jon Brodkin / Ars Technica : Comcast's waiving of data caps has had little effect on internet speeds even as peak traffic increased 32%, giving lie to their stance that caps are needed   —  Pandemic shows Comcast could kill data caps forever without ruining its network.  —  Back in the before times … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/39vpcpJ

Just three months after capping what was the best year for Indian startups, having raised a record $14.5 billion in 2019 , they are beginning to struggle to raise new capital as prominent investors urge them to “prepare for the worst”, cut spending and warn that it could be challenging to secure additional money for the next few months. In an open letter to startup founders in India, ten global and local private equity and venture capitalist firms including Accel, Lightspeed, Sequoia Capital, and Matrix Partners cautioned that the current changes to the macro environment could make it difficult for a startup to close their next fundraising deal. The firms, which included Kalaari Capital, SAIF Partners, and Nexus Venture Partners — some of the prominent names in India to back early-stage startups — asked founders to be prepared to not see their startups’ jump in the coming rounds and have a 12-18 month runway with what they raise. “Assumptions from bull market financings or even ...

Wall Street Journal : Amazon's retail business has struggled to find its footing during the pandemic, as surging order volume has resulted in shortages, delays, and worker unrest   —  Tech giant faces overwhelming demand, mass absences and a restive workforce  —  On a mid-March midnight shift … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/2yhFjua

Monica Nickelsburg / GeekWire : Microsoft President Brad Smith calls Washington state's facial recognition law that regulates how public agencies use the tech a “significant breakthrough”   —  Microsoft President Brad Smith took a break from responding to the COVID-19 outbreak Tuesday to praise Washington state's landmark facial recognition regulations. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/3dJgIP7

Steven Bertoni / Forbes : General Catalyst says it's raised $2.3B for a $600M early-stage fund, a $1B growth fund for companies with $10M+ in annual revenue, and a $700M “endurance fund”   —  Despite rollercoaster markets, historic unemployment claims, and an expanding national shutdown … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/2QXQTkz

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the US Navy was not yet "at that point" where it ought to evacuate crew members of an aircraft carrier reportedly with a growing number of coronavirus cases. On Tuesday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the commander of an aircraft carrier wrote a four-page letter warning that the "spread of the disease is ongoing and accelerating." Esper, who claimed he had "not had a chance to read that letter ... in detail," said that none of the sailors were "seriously ill." Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories . Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the United States Navy was not yet "at that point" where it ought to evacuate crew members of an aircraft carrier reportedly coping with over a hundred cases of the novel coronavirus. "We are moving a lot of supplies and assistance ... out of the carrier in Guam," Esper said during an interview with "CBS Evening News" ...

Oracle founder Larry Ellison and CEO Safra Catz told employees Tuesday that the tech giant has set up cloud tools to help the US government find a COVID-19 cure faster, according to a copy of an internal memo seen by Business Insider. Oracle has created applications to help scientists run clinical trials on possible cures, including antimalarial drugs endorsed by President Donald Trump but which health professionals say need more definitive tests. The company also created a tool, called "therapeutic learning system, accessible in the US and other countries, which the US government, state agencies and other countries could use for gathering real-time data on the effectiveness of specific treatments. The tool would essentially serve as a global crowdsourcing system for evaluating the different treatments and remedies being tried by physicians and individuals throughout the world, according to a source familiar with the situation. Ellison and Catz are among Trump's top supp...

Mary Jo Foley / ZDNet : Sources: Microsoft plans to make most public and some internal events digital-only through first half of 2021, including Ignite, Build, and Inspire conferences   —  Microsoft is moving to make most of its external (and some internal) events digital-only for its FY'21 in light of impacts of the coronavirus. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/2UQ9yjJ

Sarah Perez / TechCrunch : Facebook expands its Community Help hub globally to allow people to request or offer help during the pandemic, first in US, Canada, UK, France, and Australia   —  Facebook first launched its Community Help feature in 2017, to give users a way to offer assistance, search for and receive help in the wake of a crisis. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/2UvRGeY

Financial Times : A teardown reveals that Huawei's P40 phone contains several critical US parts, primarily RF chips; the US parts were made by Qualcomm, Skyworks and Qorvo   —  FT teardown of new smartphone identified US parts makers including Qualcomm and Skyworks  —  Huawei is still using components … from Techmeme https://ift.tt/340K3jH

Thomas Brewster / Forbes : Sources: Palantir is providing a tool for the CDC to check the readiness of hospitals and healthcare agencies amid the pandemic; the tool uses anonymized data   —  In the last week, staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started logging into a new web app. from Techmeme https://ift.tt/2wV9Hds

A former diversity consultant for Facebook is suing the company for $100 million. Anastasia Boone Talton alleges she experienced discrimination based on race and disability at the company, as well as harassment. The lawsuit, seen by Business Insider, alleges she was excluded from events and meetings after raising concerns internally. Boone Talton was also allegedly told she was not a "cultural fit" after asking for accommodation for her medical issues. Facebook employees have previously spoken out about allegations of discrimination at the company. Click here for more BI Prime stories .   A former diversity consultant for Facebook is suing the social networking giant, alleging she was the victim of discrimination based on race and disability as well as harassment. On March 17, lawyers for Anastasia Boone Talton filed a complaint against Facebook with California's Superior Court of San Mateo, asserting that the recruiter faced illegal behaviour while working for ...