Sam Altman-backed World Comes to the U.S.
(Axios, Apr 30, 2025)
The eyeball-scanning identity management platform co-founded by Sam Altman, is bringing its technology to the U.S., while announcing partnerships with Match Group, Razer and others.
Surveillance and Censorship Surge in the Western Balkans: A Threat to Democracy
(Balkan News EU, May 01, 2025)
The Western Balkans is witnessing a troubling rise in surveillance and censorship, as governments increasingly employ advanced technologies to monitor and suppress dissent. A recent report by the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) highlights alarming trends in countries like Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, and Serbia, where civil liberties and press freedom are under significant threat.
The Rise of AI-Based Visual Replicas: Why Foolproof Facial Recognition Matters
(TimesTech, Apr 30, 2025)
AI can now generate sophisticated deepfakes and synthetic media that closely mimic human faces. While these advancements push technological boundaries, they also introduce serious security risks, especially as facial recognition becomes a key part of modern security systems. With the rise of AI-generated visual replicas, the need for robust and reliable facial recognition technology has become more critical than ever.
Explainer: Ghana’s Road to Chip-Embedded Passports – The Role of NDC and NPP Governments
(Ghana Fact, Apr 30, 2025)
The switch from biometric to chip-embedded passports has generated significant public debate, with some individuals criticizing the move as a mere continuation of an initiative started under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration in 2024. Others also argue that the original idea of biometric to chip-embedded passports was mooted under a National Democratic Congress (NDC) government back in 2016.
Would You Wear a Smart Ring That Proves You’re Not a Cheater?
(The Verge, Apr 30, 2025)
The ring will utilize a “dual-level AI” — one that’s on-device to handle real-time processing of voice and biometric data, and another in the cloud to do “deeper trend analysis.” Anderson claims that AI will be able to differentiate between vigorous exercise, arousal, and just regular activity by analyzing multiple data points.
