World
Twitter blocks US intelligence agencies from security alert service
Washington : Amid the growing concerns over terrorism, security and users’ privacy, micro-blogging website Twitter has barred US intelligence agencies from accessing a service that sends alerts about unfolding terror attacks and political unrest, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The service is provided by New York-based Dataminr, a company that analyses tweets and other information streams to create alerts for traders, news reporters and government agencies. Twitter has nearly five percent stake in Dataminr.
According to Dataminr website, it transforms the Twitter stream and other public datasets into actionable signals, discovering must-know information in real-time for clients in finance, the public sector, news, corporate security and crisis management.
“Using powerful, proprietary algorithms, Dataminr instantly analyses all public tweets and other publicly available data to deliver the earliest signals for breaking news, real-world events, off the radar context and perspective, and emerging trends,” the information available on the website said.
In partnership with Twitter, Dataminr developed and launched “Dataminr for News” which alerts journalists to breaking news in advance of traditional sources and is now used by hundreds of news organisations globally.
Dataminr’s strategic partnership with Twitter includes real-time access to all public tweets.
According to the WSJ report, the analysis of Twitter and other social media platforms like Facebook is becoming important to intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
The move, however, does not affect Dataminr’s service to financial industry, news media or other clients.
The news brought back memories of a recent feud between Apple and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over privacy versus security.
After successfully hacking into the encrypted Apple iPhone of one of the terrorists in San Bernardino, California shooting, the US Department of Justice withdrew legal action against the tech giant.
According to the media reports, a third party helped the FBI to crack the security function without erasing contents of the iPhone used by Syed Rizwan Farook.
Farook, along with his wife Tashfeen Malik, planned and executed the December 2, 2015 shooting that left 14 people dead.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has reiterated the company’s commitment to protect its users’ data and privacy.
“We have a responsibility to help you protect your data and your privacy. We will not shrink from this responsibility. We built the iPhone for you, our customers, and for many of us it is a deeply personal device,” he told the gathering during a special launch event at its Cupertino, California-based headquarters.
The FBI reportedly paid more than $1 million to access San Bernardino attacker’s iPhone. It is for the first time the agency has offered a possible price tag in the high-profile case.
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.