Submission to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Meta’s Violation of Security Laws Concerning Facebook’s Role in the Atrocities Against the Rohingya in 2017

Amnesty International, the Open Society Justice Initiative and Victim Advocates International make this submission on behalf of Sayed Ullah, known as Maung Sawyeddollah, a Whistleblower, to provide information on Meta’s role in the atrocities perpetrated against the Rohingya people of Myanmar in 2017, which the United States government has classified as genocide, to present facts concerning Meta’s conduct, and to identify representations to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and to public investors that appear to have violated federal securities laws.

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Digital Transformation as a Double-Edge Sword for Democracy

January 24, 2025

The paper discusses the juxtaposition of digital transformation (DT) and democracy support and democracy contestation. While the DT is defined as an adaptation and implementation of digital technologies into political and social processes, digital tools are seen as such that could be used both by democratic and non-democratic systems and are perceived as ‘neutral’. The paper aims to reveal how digital transformation in governance, public services, civic engagement, and more broadly in everyday social practices impacts democracies and democracy support. The digital transformation instruments are reviewed in the context of democracy support and democracy contestation and the conceptual framework for understanding of the role of DT as a cross-cutting issue in the SHAPEDEM-EU work packages is provided. The paper sets the ontological framework for the nexus of DT and democracy support or contestation. It discusses digital democracy and digital authoritarianism first on a conceptual level and then through the analysis of digital instruments and solutions. Also, the interconnection of two cross-cutting issues of the SHAPEDEM-EU project: gender equality and DT, is outlined. Finally, the paper reviews EU policies concerning DT and the question of media literacy and its relation to democracy support and democracy learning.

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Belarus: ahead of sham election, RSF files ICC complaint for Lukashenko’s crimes against humanity targeting journalists

Organisation:
RSF_en

After five years of inflicting an unprecedented crackdown on the press, Alexander Lukashenko is set to run for a seventh presidential term on Sunday, 26 January. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the Belarusian leader for crimes against humanity, as journalists continue to be overwhelmingly targeted by his regime.

“The electoral farce will likely proceed without a hitch, free from the counterweight of independent media, ensuring Lukashenko’s victory over four puppet candidates. For five years, the Belarusian regime has systematically persecuted independent voices, starting with journalists. To combat this glaring impunity, RSF is filing a complaint for crimes against humanity committed against Belarusian journalists. We call on Prosecutor Karim Khan to investigate and prosecute those responsible.

Jeanne Cavelier

Head of RSF Eastern Europe and Central Asia Desk

 

As the presidential election approaches, Belarus’ state media are delivering propaganda that portrays independent journalists and media outlets as extremists, echoing the logic of the repressive laws introduced by Lukashenko’s regime. From 15 to 17 January, the state-run television network ONT aired interviews conducted by a propagandist with three imprisoned journalists from Radyio Svaboda (the Belarusian service of the US-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, RFE/RL): Ihar Karnei, Ihar Losik, and Andrei Kuznechyk. Due to the manipulated footage and fierce intimidation of these journalists, they appeared to express regret for their work at RFE/RL, portrayed as an extremist outlet that spreads fake news, incites riots, and promotes overthrowing the government.

A state policy of repression

Since his contested re-election in August 2020, Alexander Lukashenko has orchestrated a widespread, systematic campaign of persecution against journalists, aiming for their complete eradication. Their “crime” is that they dared to cover unprecedented peaceful protests demanding free and transparent elections — and the aftermath of these demonstrations. As early as 2021, Lukashenko declared that efforts to “restore order in the information space” were nearing completion.

“Particularly serious facts have been analysed by RSF under the framework of the ICC’s Statute and jurisprudence, they clearly constitute crimes against humanity of imprisonment, persecution and forced displacement of Belarusian journalists due to their work. RSF calls on the ICC Prosecutor to include these crimes against journalists in its preliminary investigation. We welcome Lithuania’s referral of Lukashenko’s crimes to the ICC and urge other States Parties to the Rome Statute that host Belarusian journalists to join Lithuania in referring this case to the ICC.

Antoine Bernard

RSF Director of Advocacy and Assistance

RSF has documented this state policy, with help from the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ), its partner. The findings include 589 cases of arbitrary arrests of independent media professionals in a country that had about 2,000 journalists just five years ago. At least 43 journalists are still in prison, including Maryna Zolatava, the former editor-in-chief of the country’s most widely read media outlet, TUT.BY, which was shut down by the regime in 2021.

Journalists forced into exile

Mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, violence, destruction of professional equipment, forced erasure of images, raids, shuttered media outlets, widely-circulated videos of humiliating forced confessions, censorship, and various forms of pressure — these acts of persecution, constituting crimes against humanity, have propelled the mass exodus of Belarusian journalists, primarily to Poland and Lithuania. Forced exile alone is classified as a crime against humanity under the category of forcible transfer of population.

Even abroad, journalists are not safe. The illegitimate president has sought to create an inescapable climate of terror, going as far as diverting a plane flying through Belarusian airspace in May 2021 to arrest an exiled blogger. Within 48 hours of this unprecedented tactic, RSF filed a complaint against Alexander Lukashenko with the Lithuanian Prosecutor General’s Office for “hijacking of an aircraft with terrorist intent,” leading to the opening of an investigation. Beyond in absentia prosecutions and the intimidation of relatives remaining in Belarus, some journalists now face asset seizures by the authorities.

For the journalists still in Belarus, often due to family obligations, abandoning journalism does not guarantee any reprieve. Authorities target them for past publications, often under accusations of “extremism.” Fearful of repercussions, their families sometimes refuse to publicise their detention.

Widespread persecution

In its complaint, RSF provided the ICC Prosecutor with detailed evidence and statistics illustrating the scope and severity of these crimes, demonstrating the systematic and state-driven nature of the attack on Belarusian journalists.

Arrests and imprisonments since August 2020:589 arbitrary arrests targeting 397 media professionals (some arrested multiple times).

43 journalists remain in prison.

The forced displacement of Belarusian journalists, according to statistics from the BAJ:Between 500 and 600 Belarusian journalists have been forced into exile.

Around 200 Belarusian journalists have sought refuge in Lithuania.

Around 300 Belarusian journalists have sought refuge in Poland.

Belarus, one of the world’s largest jails for journalists:Ranked 4th in the world for the highest number of imprisoned journalists as of December 2024, behind China, Myanmar, and Israel.

Holds the highest per capita rate of imprisonment

 AND JUST NEXT DOOR

UK

House price affordability improves, but average first-time buyer still paying five times salary

Nationwide has reported a “modest improvement” in house price affordability over the past year, with wages outstripping house price growth, but challenges remain.



(Image credit: Ian Nolan via Getty Images)

By Katie Williams
MoneyWeek

Wages outstripped house price growth last year resulting in a “modest improvement” in affordability for buyers, according to mortgage lender Nationwide.

Despite this, the average first-time buyer in the UK is still paying five times their annual salary when purchasing a property. This is significantly higher than the long-term average of 3.9 times earnings.


Although mortgage rates fell slightly last year as the Bank of England cut interest rates, high borrowing costs are still a barrier to home ownership for many. The average mortgage rates on both two and five-year deals are still significantly higher than before the pandemic, at more than 5%.

“A prospective buyer earning the average UK income and buying a typical first-time buyer property with a 20% deposit would have a monthly mortgage payment equivalent to 36% of their take-home pay,” says Andrew Harvey, senior economist at Nationwide. For comparison, the long-term average is 30%

With this in mind, the slight improvement in affordability is “about as useful as a 10% discount on a diamond-crusted tiara,” according to Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown.

Forty percent of first-time buyers had help with a mortgage deposit

Data from the English Housing Survey reveals that around 40% of first-time buyers received help with a deposit in 2023/24. The majority of this came in the form of a gift or loan from family or friends, with some also receiving this in the form of an inheritance.

Harvey says this data is unsurprising given the record increase in rents in recent years. Separate data from Zoopla, published at the end of last year, shows rents have risen by 27% since the end of the Covid-19 lockdowns. This means the average renter is now paying £3,240 per year more than they were in 2021.

Those without help from family often look for other ways to boost their chances of getting on the ladder, such as opting for a low-deposit mortgage or increasing the length of their mortgage term.

“Recent FCA data we obtained from a Freedom of Information request revealed a significant rise in people aged over 36 taking out mortgages with terms of 35 years or more. In the first nine months of 2024 alone, over 22,000 such loans were sold,” says Karen Noye, mortgage expert at financial services company Quilter.

While having products like this on the market gives buyers flexibility, it also comes with risks including the possibility that borrowers will still be paying off their mortgage in retirement. Increasing the term of the loan also means you will end up paying more in interest repayments overall.

Most affordable region for first-time buyers

Although Nationwide’s House Price Index (HPI) shows that prices increased by 4.7% in 2024 overall, all regions saw a “modest improvement” in affordability compared to 2023. This is because wages grew faster than house prices and borrowing costs went down slightly.

The below table highlights the most affordable local authorities within each part of the country.

Region Most affordable local authority House price to earnings ratio
Scotland Aberdeen 2.5
North West Burnley 2.8
North Hartlepool 2.8
Yorkshire North East Lincolnshire 3.3
Wales Blaenau Gwent 3.5
West Midlands Stoke-on-Trent 3.7
East Midlands Chesterfield 4.1
East Anglia Great Yarmouth 4.5
Outer Metropolitan Surrey Heath 4.8
Outer South East Tendring 5.0
South West Swindon 5.3
London Enfield 6.2
Source: Nationwide
Challenges for older buyers

While first-time buyers often face the biggest hurdles, particularly those paying rental costs while trying to save, Coles points out that older homeowners aren’t immune to affordability challenges either.

Many will have faced an unwelcome shock in recent years when rolling off a relatively cheap fixed-rate mortgage that they agreed before the pandemic. Around 1.6 million mortgage deals were due to come to an end last year, according to industry body UK Finance.

“In terms of overall resilience, home ownership is particularly vital as we approach retirement,” Coles says. “It’s one reason why local authorities in the home counties (where home ownership levels are higher) have better retirement resilience, while London and other cities (where more people rent or own a smaller chunk of their home) have lower scores.”

Research from the Pensions Policy Institute and Aviva, published last year, revealed as many as one in six retired households could be private renters 20 years from now. With the average rent in Britain now totalling more than £1,300 per month, this could add many thousands to the cost of retirement.

Meanwhile, separate survey data from financial services company SunLife suggests as many as half a million pensioners may currently be lumbered with a mortgage.

UnitedHealth names CEO to replace slain Thompson


US health insurance giant UnitedHealth Group has appointed company veteran Tim Noel as chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, after the unit's former CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York on 4th December.

Noel has been with UnitedHealth since 2007, rising through the ranks to become head of the Medicare & Retirement division at the company, which is the largest private health insurer in the US and also the largest provider of Medicare Advantage coverage handling almost a third of plans in 2024.

The company said he "brings unparalleled experience to this role, with a proven track record and strong commitment to improving how healthcare works for consumers, physicians, employers, governments, and [...] other partners."

Noel takes the helm of a company that has just reported revenues of $400 billion in 2024, up 8% on the prior year, with UnitedHealthcare contributing $298 billion of that total.

The company has been thrust into the media spotlight by the killing of Thompson as he walked to UnitedHeath's annual investor conference, allegedly by 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who was arrested after a five-day manhunt and has now been charged with first-degree murder and other offences.

The murder has sparked a furious debate in the US about the business practices of the US private healthcare insurance industry, with social media awash with accusations of UnitedHealthcare denying coverage of necessary medical procedures. Law enforcement has suggested there is no evidence that Mangione was a UnitedHealthcare customer.

A recent poll by USA Today and Suffolk University, reported by Newsweek, found that nearly 30% of registered voters acknowledged that Thompson's murder was wrong, but that they also understood the alleged anger at the insurer.

UnitedHealth CEO Sir Andrew Witty – who previously led GSK, but stepped down in 2017 – defended the company on a call with analysts at its fourth-quarter results presentation, but also said that the US health system "needs to function better."

Witty talked about the "strong merits" of the US system in delivering tailored care for patients, but added that it "needs to be less confusing, less complex, and less costly. Some of this work we can do on our own, and we're doing it, but we're encouraged also by industry and policymaker interest in solving for this particular friction across the whole system."

That included passing 100% of the savings it wins during drug price negotiations to customers, up from the current 98%, he said. The ongoing task of making the health insurance process easier to navigate will now lie with Noel.

 AstraZeneca is planning $570m investment in Canada

News

Invest In Canada   Toronto's skyline

AstraZeneca has unveiled plans to invest around $570 million in Canada and add around 700 new jobs, describing the county as a "growing global hub" for clinical trials.

The C$820 million investment revolves around a new, larger office facility in the Greater Toronto area and will see AZ's Canadian headcount expand "across all areas of the business," according to a company statement.

Chief executive Pascal Soriot said the investment reflects the emergence of Canada as a hot spot for life sciences innovation, as well as AZ's confidence in its clinical pipeline and the government's willingness to collaborate with industry.

"We believe the diverse talent pool together with the network of world-class universities, hospitals, and research centres will help us bring new medicines to Canadians and patients worldwide," he said.

According to AZ, the investment will also play a part in its ambition to grow sales to $80 billion by 2023, fuelled by the launch of 20 new medicines – of which eight are already on the market.

Invest in Canada figures suggest that the pharma sector contributed C$82.1 billion to the country's GDP in 2023 and received C$2.2 billion in federal funding. It was also ranked number one among the G7 countries in the number of clinical trials per head of population, according to the development agency.

In 2023, AZ announced a C$500 million investment in its Global Clinical Hub in Mississauga, Ontario, to expand its research and clinical trials capabilities, spending around C$230 million in that year, with 210 clinical trials on the go at that time. The company says it has invested C$1.3 billion in the country since that time, creating 1,200 new jobs that have swollen its workforce in the country to more than 2,100.

Last year, it also bought Hamilton, Ontario-based radiopharmaceuticals developer Fusion Pharma for C$3 billion, four years after partnering with the company, in what is believed to be one of the largest research investments made in a Canadian biotechnology company.

The new investment programme is being supported to the tune of just over C$16 million by the state government through its Invest Ontario scheme.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford said it is "fantastic news for Ontario and another testament to the incredible talent, innovation and opportunities our province has to offer."

The investment in Canada follows other capital projects recently announced by AZ, including a $3.5 billion R&D and manufacturing expansion in the US and the UK and a £450 million ($578 million) vaccines plant in the UK.

Tech billionaires want to get richer. Trump is already helping them.

January 24, 2025
NPR


President Trump & Silicon Valley's new relationship

Shawn Thew-Pool/Spencer Platt/Getty Images

President Trump is no stranger to buddying up with the ultra rich, and that was on full display at his inauguration. Tech CEOs billionaires like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos were lined up at the proceeding. But beyond the optics, what policies are these CEOs and the new president working on together?

Brittany is joined by NPR's tech correspondent Bobby Allyn and The Atlantic's Ashley Parker to answer the question: is America a "tech oligarchy?" And what examples from Trump's first week in office point to that?

For more, read Ashley Parker's piece "The Tech Oligarchy Arrives" in The Atlantic.

Support public media and receive ad-free listening & bonus. Join NPR+ today.



This episode was produced by Barton Girdwood. It was edited by Jasmine Romero. Our Supervising Producer is Barton Girdwood. Our Executive Producer is Veralyn Williams. Our VP of Programming is Yolanda Sangweni.

By Brittany Luse

Bobby Allyn

Barton Girdwood

Jasmine Romero

Veralyn Williams

The Evolution of Online Gaming: From Humble Beginnings to Global Powerhouse

In the early days, the UK government was faced with the challenge of regulating this new online phenomenon

Created by Staff Reporter @ibtimesuk
Published 24 January 2025,



The late 1990s marked a turning point in the gambling industry. As the dot-com bubble expanded, traditional brick-and-mortar casinos quickly faced competition from a new frontier—online gaming. Casino games could now be hosted on websites, and players from across the globe could access them with just a few clicks.

The UK was well-positioned to embrace this shift, thanks to its positive attitude towards gambling and its technological advancements. However, few are aware that the passage of the Free Trade & Processing Act in Antigua and Barbuda in 1994 was a key turning point. This legislation helped to legitimise and regulate the online casino business model, setting the stage for a booming global industry.

Navigating the Regulatory Landscape

In the early days, the UK government was faced with the challenge of regulating this new online phenomenon. The concept of online gambling was so novel that there was no existing legislation to cover it. Many of the first casinos accepting UK players were based in offshore locations such as the Caribbean, highlighting the difficulty of regulating the borderless nature of the internet.

The Gaming Board for Great Britain took a cautious approach, recognising the potential but needing to tread carefully. The rise of secure online payment systems, such as Neteller, enabled financial transactions before the turn of the millennium, providing a much-needed lifeline for online casinos. These developments meant that the industry was not entirely reliant on Visa and MasterCard, and helped solidify the foundations for future growth.

The Pioneers of Online Casinos

The first wave of online casinos, while basic by today's standards, was a crucial step in shaping the industry. InterCasino, launched in 1996, was one of the first online casinos to gain prominence, with The Gaming Club following soon after. These early platforms, alongside companies like Microgaming and Cryptologic, played a significant role in developing the first casino software and pushing forward innovations in game design and user interfaces.

Though these casinos offered only traditional games—slots, table games, and card games—the simplicity and accessibility were a far cry from the complex, immersive experiences offered today. Back then, the focus was on providing a functional, reliable platform that players could easily access and enjoy.
A Technological Boom

Between 2000 and 2005, the pace of technological advancements was exponential. Improvements in internet speed, combined with better hardware—such as RAM, GPUs, and CPUs—enabled far more sophisticated gaming experiences. Graphics began to improve, and tools like Adobe Flash paved the way for more dynamic and engaging online casino games.

The development of secure payment options like PayPal further streamlined the experience for users, making online casinos more accessible and providing smoother onboarding and deposits. This period set the stage for the immersive, graphics-rich casino experiences we are familiar with today.

The UK Gambling Act 2005

A landmark year for the UK gambling industry, 2005 saw the passing of the UK Gambling Act, which continues to shape the landscape of online casinos in the UK. The Act established the UK Gambling Commission as the regulatory body responsible for licensing and overseeing online gambling activities. Its primary objectives were to prevent crime, ensure fairness, and protect players.

One of the most significant changes was that offshore operators were required to obtain a UK licence in order to serve UK players. This move helped to legitimise the UK as a key player in the online gambling space, setting it apart from other countries where online gambling remained illegal. By establishing a regulatory framework, the UK and Gibraltar became hubs of innovation and commerce within the industry.
Conclusion: A Steady Evolution

The timeline of online casinos has been relatively steady, with the UK's regulatory approach helping to avoid the drama seen in other economies. While other countries wrestled with the complexities of regulating this new form of gambling, the UK remained forward-thinking, welcoming online casinos with open arms.

The regulators, though initially cautious, adopted an evergreen approach that has required little modification over the years, allowing the industry to flourish and thrive in the modern digital age.

© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.

New York State fines PayPal $2 million for cybersecurity violations

By Rick Steves
January 24, 2025


The New York State Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) has imposed a $2 million penalty on PayPal for failing to meet cybersecurity requirements.

The violations resulted in sensitive customer data, including Social Security Numbers (SSNs), being exposed to cybercriminals.

PayPal users’ Social Security Numbers (SSNs) exposed to hackers

The NYDFS investigation revealed that PayPal failed to employ qualified personnel to manage key cybersecurity functions. Additionally, the company did not provide adequate training to its teams. These failures occurred during the implementation of changes designed to make IRS Form 1099-Ks available to a larger customer base. Teams implementing the changes lacked training on PayPal’s systems and application development processes, leading to errors that compromised customer data.

PayPal’s failure to follow proper procedures resulted in cybercriminals accessing Form 1099-Ks containing sensitive information, including SSNs. The company also failed to implement written policies addressing access controls, identity management, and customer data protection. Controls such as multifactor authentication, CAPTCHA, and rate limiting were not employed, increasing the risk of unauthorized access.

The NYDFS cited PayPal’s lack of effective controls to safeguard nonpublic information and its information systems. The department noted that PayPal has since remediated the issues and improved its cybersecurity practices. These changes align with the NYDFS Cybersecurity Regulation, which has been in effect since March 2017 and was recently amended in November 2023.

“Cybersecurity personnel are the first line of defense against potential data breaches”

Adrienne A. Harris, Superintendent of Financial Services, said: “New York’s nation-leading cybersecurity regulation sets a critical standard for safeguarding consumer data and strengthening the resilience of financial institutions. Qualified cybersecurity personnel are the first line of defense against potential data breaches, and providing proper training and effectively implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures are vital steps to protecting sensitive data and mitigating risks.”

The NYDFS regulation emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity personnel, comprehensive training, and the implementation of robust policies to protect consumer data. Superintendent Harris reiterated the department’s commitment to enforcing these standards and ensuring the resilience of financial institutions.

The penalty against PayPal is part of the NYDFS’s ongoing efforts to enforce its cybersecurity regulations. The department aims to strengthen the industry’s defenses against cyber threats and ensure compliance with state-mandated standards. PayPal’s settlement highlights the importance of adhering to cybersecurity requirements to protect customer data and maintain trust in the financial services sector.The NYDFS will continue to monitor compliance with its cybersecurity regulations and take action against institutions failing to meet the required standards. The department’s goal is to create a secure financial environment that safeguards consumer data and promotes resilience in tce of evolvinhe fag cyber threats.

UK

Sainsbury’s To Cut Over 3,000 Jobs To Counter ‘Challenging Cost Environment’

Read More: Sainsbury’s Is Set For Profit Growth After Christmas Sales Rise

January 23, 2025 

By Reuters


British supermarket group Sainsbury’s said on Thursday it was proposing to reduce its headcount by over 3,000 roles as it seeks savings to counter a “particularly challenging cost environment.”

The UK’s second-largest supermarket group with 16% market share – trailing only Tesco – said a head office reorganisation would see a 20% reduction in senior management roles.

UK companies – particularly large employers – are facing increased costs this year after the new Labour government’s first budget in October hiked social security payments and the national minimum wage.

Sainsbury’s said in November that the rise in employer National Insurance contributions alone would cost an additional £140 million a year.

Seeking additional space in stores to sell more of its fresh food ranges, the retailer is also proposing to close its remaining patisserie, hot food and pizza counters, as well as its remaining 61 Sainsbury’s Cafés.

The restructuring of Sainsbury’s bakery, however, will include “new self-serve bread slicing.”

The group – which currently employs 148,000 people – said it would look to redeploy staff where it could.

CEO of Sainsbury’s Simon Roberts said, “We are facing into a particularly challenging cost environment which means we have had to make tough choices about where we can afford to invest and where we need to do things differently to make our business more efficient and effective.”

Shares in Sainsbury’s were down 0.3% – extending losses over the last year to 9.5%.

Sainsbury’s is approaching the end of the first year of Roberts’ latest strategy, which is seeking £1 billion of operating cost savings over three years.


Earlier this month, the group said it was on track to deliver full-year profit growth of around 7% after robust sales over the Christmas quarter offset weakness in general merchandise.