Apple devices are not impenetrable, after all!

Turns out, a security flaw in the web browser Safari can give hackers access to a person’s camera, either or on an iPhone or on a Macbook.

The flaw was discovered by Ryan Pickren, a security expert, who was later awarded money by Apple for finding their shortcoming.

According to him, this has a lot to do with how Apple’s browser - Safari logs permissions for websites that are visited frequently.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/world/imask-apple-starts-producing-protective-facial-gear-to-help-with-coronavirus-crisis-290773" hreflang="en">iMask? Apple starts producing protective facial gear to help with coronavirus crisis</a>

For instance, a video chat application like Skype only needs permission to access your camera and microphone once, after which it will automatically access the lens whenever needed.

In a conversation with Wired, Pickren claimed that an attacker could make a “malicious website that, from Safari’s perspective could then turn into Skype”.

What does this imply?&nbsp;

Simply put, you no longer will know the hacker has access not only to your camera and microphone but can also screen all information and data!&nbsp;

Additionally, the hacker now can take as many pictures of you as they want, and then use them as they deem fit.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/apple-doubles-china-donations-for-covid-19-recovery-efforts-289934" hreflang="en">Apple doubles China donations for COVID-19 recovery efforts</a>

How do they do this?

It’s simple, they make simple tweaks in the URL you intend to visit.&nbsp; For instance, www.wionews.com may come off as http://wion.com or http://wionews.com/news

Such slight variations may not mean anything for a casual user, but will give a lot of unregulated access to the hacker!

This is usually called the “bait and switch” attack.&nbsp;

If Apple is to be believed, the security flaw has been fixed in the security updates released in January and March. So if you’re an Apple user and haven’t updated yet - it might be time!

Apple devices are not impenetrable, after all! Turns out, a security flaw in the web browser Safari can give hackers access to a person’s camera, either or on an iPhone or on a Macbook.

Apple devices are not impenetrable, after all! Turns out, a security flaw in the web browser Safari can give hackers access to a person’s camera, either or on an iPhone or on a Macbook. The flaw was discovered by Ryan Pickren, a security expert, who was later awarded money by Apple for finding their shortcoming. According to him, this has a lot to do with how Apple’s browser - Safari logs permissions for websites that are visited frequently. Also read: iMask? Apple starts producing protective facial gear to help with coronavirus crisis For instance, a video chat application like Skype only needs permission to access your camera and microphone once, after which it will automatically access the lens whenever needed. In a conversation with Wired, Pickren claimed that an attacker could make a “malicious website that, from Safari’s perspective could then turn into Skype”. What does this imply? Simply put, you no longer will know the hacker has access not only to your camera and microphone but can also screen all information and data! Additionally, the hacker now can take as many pictures of you as they want, and then use them as they deem fit. Also read: Apple doubles China donations for COVID-19 recovery efforts How do they do this? It’s simple, they make simple tweaks in the URL you intend to visit. For instance, www.wionews.com may come off as http://wion.com or http://wionews.com/news Such slight variations may not mean anything for a casual user, but will give a lot of unregulated access to the hacker! This is usually called the “bait and switch” attack. If Apple is to be believed, the security flaw has been fixed in the security updates released in January and March. So if you’re an Apple user and haven’t updated yet - it might be time!

Apple devices are not impenetrable, after all!

The world is getting technologically advanced. From China to the US to India, Tech It Out gets you all latest trends from across the globe. This time, we decided to travel to the world’s most wired city - Seoul. Check out the most-exciting inventions from South Korea where technology is at play literally everywhere.

Tech It Out visits South Korea

Netflix tests cheap, mobile-only plan in India

High satellite bandwidth charges are likely to play a spoiler in the uptake of in-flight mobile services in India as these would make the facility costlier by 30-50 times at Rs 700-1,000 for a two-hour journey, says an industry official.&nbsp;

The chief technology officer of broadband technology firm Hughes India, K Krishna, told PTI that satellite bandwidth charges in India are 7-8 times higher compared to other parts of the world due to the condition that bandwidth can be procured from Indian Space Research Organisation only.&nbsp;

"Passengers are not going to pay 50 times higher price for Internet on a two-hour flight. It has to be extremely affordable and for that to happen open sky mechanism is very much required. You can't be restrictive that only Indian satellites need to provide capacity. Monopolistic policy won't work. The policy will become a duck if these issues are not addressed," Krishna said.&nbsp;

Hughes has applied for a licence for in-flight and maritime connectivity that will allow access to mobile services during air travel and ship voyage within Indian airspace and territorial waters.&nbsp;

He said that there is adequate satellite capacity available at very affordable cost for in-flight and maritime mobile services to work.

"Investment per plane is not small. It is in the range of $500 thousand per plane. None of the Indian airlines or shipping companies will really invest till they see a return, and return has to come from passenger paying for the service.&nbsp;

"The bandwidth will make 70-80 per cent cost of service. At present rates, current tariff will be in the range of Rs 700-1,000 which lot of people are not going to afford if they compare it with routine mobile plans," Krishna said.

He said that the global business model of in-flight mobile services works at 10 per cent passengers opting for the service.&nbsp;

"An option to increase uptake is that in-flight service charges are included in air ticket but the tickets are already in the range of Rs 4,000-5,000 and adding charges of IFC service will not be a feasible business model for airlines," Krishna said.

The mobile services in planes will be provided once it attains a height of 3,000 metres. It can be provided through both using telecom networks on the ground as well as using satellites.&nbsp;

The Hughes India CTO also said restriction imposed in the licence that an Indian service provider can provide connectivity within Indian airspace and waters would be a disadvantage for both the service provider as well as airlines and shipping firms.&nbsp;

"Indian vessels going outside Indian border should also be provided service by an Indian service provider. Otherwise, we are letting service providers from other countries exploit it. None of other country surrounding India has restriction of 12 nautical miles like we have," Krishna said.

He said that as per international norms, Indian service providers can provide service to aircraft and vessels when they are in an international or no-man zone but Indian telegraph act restricts companies to provide services within national boundaries.&nbsp;

"These are the things which the government needs to relax for healthy uptake of service," Krishna said.&nbsp;

The company expects to get a licence for the service early next month and has started discussion to start service in some of the aircraft, he said.

High satellite bandwidth charges are likely to play a spoiler in the uptake of in-flight mobile services in India as these would make the facility costlier by 30-50 times at Rs 700-1,000 for a two-hour journey, says an industry official.

High satellite bandwidth charges are likely to play a spoiler in the uptake of in-flight mobile services in India as these would make the facility costlier by 30-50 times at Rs 700-1,000 for a two-hour journey, says an industry official. The chief technology officer of broadband technology firm Hughes India, K Krishna, told PTI that satellite bandwidth charges in India are 7-8 times higher compared to other parts of the world due to the condition that bandwidth can be procured from Indian Space Research Organisation only. "Passengers are not going to pay 50 times higher price for Internet on a two-hour flight. It has to be extremely affordable and for that to happen open sky mechanism is very much required. You can't be restrictive that only Indian satellites need to provide capacity. Monopolistic policy won't work. The policy will become a duck if these issues are not addressed," Krishna said. Hughes has applied for a licence for in-flight and maritime connectivity that will allow access to mobile services during air travel and ship voyage within Indian airspace and territorial waters. He said that there is adequate satellite capacity available at very affordable cost for in-flight and maritime mobile services to work. "Investment per plane is not small. It is in the range of $500 thousand per plane. None of the Indian airlines or shipping companies will really invest till they see a return, and return has to come from passenger paying for the service. "The bandwidth will make 70-80 per cent cost of service. At present rates, current tariff will be in the range of Rs 700-1,000 which lot of people are not going to afford if they compare it with routine mobile plans," Krishna said. He said that the global business model of in-flight mobile services works at 10 per cent passengers opting for the service. "An option to increase uptake is that in-flight service charges are included in air ticket but the tickets are already in the range of Rs 4,000-5,000 and adding charges of IFC service will not be a feasible business model for airlines," Krishna said. The mobile services in planes will be provided once it attains a height of 3,000 metres. It can be provided through both using telecom networks on the ground as well as using satellites. The Hughes India CTO also said restriction imposed in the licence that an Indian service provider can provide connectivity within Indian airspace and waters would be a disadvantage for both the service provider as well as airlines and shipping firms. "Indian vessels going outside Indian border should also be provided service by an Indian service provider. Otherwise, we are letting service providers from other countries exploit it. None of other country surrounding India has restriction of 12 nautical miles like we have," Krishna said. He said that as per international norms, Indian service providers can provide service to aircraft and vessels when they are in an international or no-man zone but Indian telegraph act restricts companies to provide services within national boundaries. "These are the things which the government needs to relax for healthy uptake of service," Krishna said. The company expects to get a licence for the service early next month and has started discussion to start service in some of the aircraft, he said.

High bandwidth charges a spoiler for in-flight mobile services: Hughes India

Telecom operator Idea Cellular continued to bleed in the sixth straight quarter as its consolidated loss widened to Rs 930.6 crore in the three-month period ended March 31, mainly on account of continued hyper competition and regulatory headwinds.

The company had posted a loss of Rs 325.6 crore in the same period previous fiscal.

Idea had reported first ever consolidated loss of Rs 383.87 crore in the October-December 2016 period.

The operating revenue dropped 24.47 per cent to Rs 6,137.3 crore in the March quarter of FY18.

The performance of the company, however, improved on sequential quarter basis. Idea registered a loss of Rs 1,285.6 crore in October-December 2017.

The loss for the full fiscal swelled to Rs 4,139.9 crore from Rs 404 crore in 2016-17. Revenue from operations came in at Rs 28,278.9 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 36,676.8 crore in the previous fiscal.

The company blamed hyper competition and high regulatory headwinds for aggravating the industry's financial stress.

"The Trai led regulation changes including reduction of domestic Mobile Termination Charge from 14 paisa to 6 paisa per minute and International mobile termination' settlement charges from 53 paisa to 30 paisa per minute further aggravated the financial stress for the existing industry operators," Idea Cellular said in a post-earnings statement. Despite increase in voice and data traffic on its network, Idea recorded 26 per cent dip in average revenue per user to Rs 105 in the reported quarter from Rs 142 a year ago.

Idea registered rise in voice usage per subscriber to 577 minutes, broadband data usage per subscriber to 7 GB from 1.4 GB on year-on-year basis. The company saw record wireless broadband data subscriber addition of 15.1 million in 2017-18.

The net debt of the company as on March 31, 2018 stood at Rs 52,330 crore. The company expects the debt to reduce significantly with monetisation of its stake in Indus Towers and completion of sale of its standalone mobile towers to America Tower Corporations.

Giving an update on its merger with Vodafone, Idea Cellular said the process is in the final stages and is expected to be completed by June 2018.

"The merger of Idea and Vodafone India is in the final leg of regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in H1CY18," it said.

Established operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular are in the midst of a bruising tariff war following the entry of Reliance Jio backed by India's richest businessman Mukesh Ambani.

Reliance Jio's free voice and dirt-cheap data offering have dented the financial metrics of incumbent operators, deepening the impact of regulatory decisions like cut in termination charges.

The company had posted a loss of Rs 325.6 crore in the same period previous fiscal

Telecom operator Idea Cellular continued to bleed in the sixth straight quarter as its consolidated loss widened to Rs 930.6 crore in the three-month period ended March 31, mainly on account of continued hyper competition and regulatory headwinds. The company had posted a loss of Rs 325.6 crore in the same period previous fiscal. Idea had reported first ever consolidated loss of Rs 383.87 crore in the October-December 2016 period. The operating revenue dropped 24.47 per cent to Rs 6,137.3 crore in the March quarter of FY18. The performance of the company, however, improved on sequential quarter basis. Idea registered a loss of Rs 1,285.6 crore in October-December 2017. The loss for the full fiscal swelled to Rs 4,139.9 crore from Rs 404 crore in 2016-17. Revenue from operations came in at Rs 28,278.9 crore in 2017-18 from Rs 36,676.8 crore in the previous fiscal. The company blamed hyper competition and high regulatory headwinds for aggravating the industry's financial stress. "The Trai led regulation changes including reduction of domestic Mobile Termination Charge from 14 paisa to 6 paisa per minute and International mobile termination' settlement charges from 53 paisa to 30 paisa per minute further aggravated the financial stress for the existing industry operators," Idea Cellular said in a post-earnings statement. Despite increase in voice and data traffic on its network, Idea recorded 26 per cent dip in average revenue per user to Rs 105 in the reported quarter from Rs 142 a year ago. Idea registered rise in voice usage per subscriber to 577 minutes, broadband data usage per subscriber to 7 GB from 1.4 GB on year-on-year basis. The company saw record wireless broadband data subscriber addition of 15.1 million in 2017-18. The net debt of the company as on March 31, 2018 stood at Rs 52,330 crore. The company expects the debt to reduce significantly with monetisation of its stake in Indus Towers and completion of sale of its standalone mobile towers to America Tower Corporations. Giving an update on its merger with Vodafone, Idea Cellular said the process is in the final stages and is expected to be completed by June 2018. "The merger of Idea and Vodafone India is in the final leg of regulatory approvals and is expected to complete in H1CY18," it said. Established operators like Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular are in the midst of a bruising tariff war following the entry of Reliance Jio backed by India's richest businessman Mukesh Ambani. Reliance Jio's free voice and dirt-cheap data offering have dented the financial metrics of incumbent operators, deepening the impact of regulatory decisions like cut in termination charges.

Idea Cellular Q4 net loss widens nearly 3-fold to Rs 930 crore

Mobile phones are everywhere. In fact, they may be nearly as common on the <a href="http://www.pewglobal.org/2015/04/15/cell-phones-in-africa-communication-lifeline/" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">African savanna</a> as they are on American subways.

<figure>
<figcaption>
With the explosion of mobile technology in developing countries, a common narrative is that <a href="http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21711511-mobile-phones-are-transforming-africa-where-they-can-get-signal-mobile-phones">phones are transforming</a> poor people&rsquo;s lives. Phones, the story goes, reduce the effort required to search for information and make commerce more efficient.
</figcaption>
</figure>

As technology has spread, so has research on its effects. With support from the National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration, I study how Maasai pastoralists in Tanzania respond to various issues, including biodiversity conservation, globalisation and technology. I and others are learning that mobile phones are changing lives, but perhaps not as much as some may think.

Phones as new tools

Recent studies have found that phones are critical new technologies to combat pastoralists&rsquo; greatest challenge: uncertainty. For generations, herders have moved across the landscape in search of forage and water for their livestock. Social networks are paramount for sharing information, but communication has long been challenging. Now, with phones, herders can share information easily, quickly and over great distances.

In Benin and Ethiopia, researchers have found that phones help facilitate social connections for <a href="http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/whp/nomp/2017/00000021/00000001/art00006">Fulani</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.3197/np.2016.200104">Borana</a> herders, respectively. But efforts to leverage phones for broader economic gains are hampered by illiteracy and limited cellular coverage.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173580/area14mp/file-20170613-25879-1qww75t.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173580/width754/file-20170613-25879-1qww75t.jpg" /></a>

<figcaption>Cell towers, few and far between, provide patchy coverage in rural Tanzania.Timothy Baird, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></figcaption>
</figure>

&nbsp;

Among Maasai herders in Kenya, one study found that phone use is widespread but people largely communicate <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10745-014-9710-4">within their existing social networks</a>. Establishing new connections is much less common.

Another study from Kenya found that Samburu herders <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.12.001">don&rsquo;t rely on phones during drought periods</a>. It&rsquo;s risky to move herds in search of water, and herders fear being misled by informants about where valuable resources are.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173579/area14mp/file-20170613-25868-1mkw5lr.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173579/width754/file-20170613-25868-1mkw5lr.jpg" /></a>

<figcaption>
The Tarangire River is a critical source of water during the dry season.Timothy Baird, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a>

In the hands of the Maasai
</figcaption>
</figure>

Recently, collaborators and I interviewed hundreds of Maasai in northern Tanzania to learn how they use mobile phones. In 2010, half of the households in our study area used phones. Now virtually all households do.

As one of our respondents commented, &ldquo;The phone is one of the best tools we have ever seen.&rdquo;

In our new paper, <a href="http://www.colorado.edu/ses/joel-hartter">Joel Hartter</a> and I <a href="http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837716307323">describe how Maasai are integrating phones</a> into most aspects of their lives.

Like earlier studies, we found that Maasai use phones to support traditional herding activities. Herders call each other to locate resources or notify others when health emergencies arise. We also learned that they use phones for many other activities, including getting information that helps them farm.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173581/area14mp/file-20170613-25827-19l6abv.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173581/width754/file-20170613-25827-19l6abv.jpg" /></a>

<figcaption>
A Maasai man accessorizes with a beaded phone holder. Timothy Baird, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a>

Rain-fed agriculture poses a different challenge in this semi-arid region where rainfall is highly variable. Unable to move fields to water, Maasai try to coordinate their planting with the onset of the rainy season.
</figcaption>
</figure>

This is a precarious proposition each year. But with basic phones, Maasai call experienced smartphone users who can download weather forecasts. Demand for these few individuals is so high they&rsquo;ve become like medicine men.

In addition, phones help communities manage persistent conflicts with wildlife. Elephants, zebra and bush pigs can devastate agricultural fields. And lions and other predators can threaten livestock and people alike. Maasai now use phones to <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0694-2">communicate about about wildlife</a> and avoid conflicts or reduce their consequences.

And phones support commerce. Maasai can make calls to check prices for livestock and other commodities at different markets. Pictures of animals can be texted around to prospect for buyers. Mobile banking applications help users conduct transactions and monitor their accounts.

Phones are also drawing Maasai into less traditional activities. Young people use phones to play video games, store music and flirt on WhatsApp and Facebook.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173585/area14mp/file-20170613-25839-de96s9.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173585/width754/file-20170613-25839-de96s9.jpg" /></a>

<figcaption>
Young warriors use phones to take pics at a political meeting. Timothy Baird, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a>

&lsquo;Phones also lie&rsquo;
</figcaption>
</figure>

Our respondents also told us that some people are using them to lie and cheat and steal.

As the Samburu herders of Kenya found, Maasai people also lie to callers about the locations of valuable forage or water. Young brides use phones to arrange extramarital rendezvous. And criminals can use phones to lure victims to &ldquo;meetings&rdquo; to ambush them en route.

Maasai have strong traditions surrounding <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2014.02.002">lending and gift giving</a>; requests for a loan or a gift are typically made in person. People seeking assistance can use a phone to call ahead before paying a visit. Someone who doesn&rsquo;t want to help can lie and say they&rsquo;re not around.

As traditionally spiritual people, Maasai can be superstitious about phones. Respondents described instances of witchcraft where people received calls from mysterious numbers and instantly died. They also expressed grave concern about the fact that they, just like other phone users around the world, feel <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-behind-phantom-cellphone-buzzes-73829">phantom phone vibrations</a>.

Taken together, these issues seem to have weakened community ties. Respondents told us that while phones make group meetings easier to arrange than in the past, it&rsquo;s harder to get people to attend. In many ways, phones help people to be more independent &ndash; and individualistic.

<figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173587/area14mp/file-20170613-25868-1772rdq.jpg"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.theconversation.com/files/173587/width754/file-20170613-25868-1772rdq.jpg" /></a>

<figcaption>
Solar panels on hut roofs are used to charge phones and power lights and radios. Timothy Baird, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a>

Face-to-face communication is more common, more diverse
</figcaption>
</figure>

In addition to simply describing how Maasai use phones, we also wanted to see if people use phones to communicate with more types of people or about more types of information than they do face to face.

In one of the most cited papers in social science, Mark Granovetter found that &ldquo;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1086/225469">weak ties</a>&rdquo; with acquaintances were more useful for finding and securing job opportunities than &ldquo;strong ties&rdquo; with close friends and family. The value of weak ties is that they provide new, diverse types of information.

We thought that phones may be helping people to expand their weak ties and broaden their horizons. What we found instead was that face-to-face communication was more diverse among the Maasai than phone-based communication, even when controlling for factors like age, wealth and education.

These findings are well aligned with those from other studies of phone use in developing communities. Generally, phones support longstanding, culturally ingrained activities &ndash; they don&rsquo;t transform them. One change, though, is that phone use amplifies issues of trust and distrust.

<img alt="The Conversation" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.edu.au/content/78725/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" width="1" />These are some early findings, and many questions remain. This year, with funding from the National Science Foundation, we will begin examining <a href="https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1660428&amp;HistoricalAwards=false">how phone use affects the social networks of Maasai men and women differently</a>.

This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/on-the-savanna-mobile-phones-havent-transformed-maasai-lives-yet-78725">original article</a>.

Though superstition and traditional forms of communication persist, mobile phones are hugely popular among herders and hunting tribes of Africa

Mobile phones are everywhere. In fact, they may be nearly as common on the African savanna as they are on American subways. With the explosion of mobile technology in developing countries, a common narrative is that phones are transforming poor people’s lives. Phones, the story goes, reduce the effort required to search for information and make commerce more efficient. As technology has spread, so has research on its effects. With support from the National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration, I study how Maasai pastoralists in Tanzania respond to various issues, including biodiversity conservation, globalisation and technology. I and others are learning that mobile phones are changing lives, but perhaps not as much as some may think. Phones as new tools Recent studies have found that phones are critical new technologies to combat pastoralists’ greatest challenge: uncertainty. For generations, herders have moved across the landscape in search of forage and water for their livestock. Social networks are paramount for sharing information, but communication has long been challenging. Now, with phones, herders can share information easily, quickly and over great distances. In Benin and Ethiopia, researchers have found that phones help facilitate social connections for Fulani and Borana herders, respectively. But efforts to leverage phones for broader economic gains are hampered by illiteracy and limited cellular coverage. Cell towers, few and far between, provide patchy coverage in rural Tanzania.Timothy Baird, CC BY-ND Among Maasai herders in Kenya, one study found that phone use is widespread but people largely communicate within their existing social networks. Establishing new connections is much less common. Another study from Kenya found that Samburu herders don’t rely on phones during drought periods. It’s risky to move herds in search of water, and herders fear being misled by informants about where valuable resources are. The Tarangire River is a critical source of water during the dry season.Timothy Baird, CC BY-ND In the hands of the Maasai Recently, collaborators and I interviewed hundreds of Maasai in northern Tanzania to learn how they use mobile phones. In 2010, half of the households in our study area used phones. Now virtually all households do. As one of our respondents commented, “The phone is one of the best tools we have ever seen.” In our new paper, Joel Hartter and I describe how Maasai are integrating phones into most aspects of their lives. Like earlier studies, we found that Maasai use phones to support traditional herding activities. Herders call each other to locate resources or notify others when health emergencies arise. We also learned that they use phones for many other activities, including getting information that helps them farm. A Maasai man accessorizes with a beaded phone holder. Timothy Baird, CC BY-ND Rain-fed agriculture poses a different challenge in this semi-arid region where rainfall is highly variable. Unable to move fields to water, Maasai try to coordinate their planting with the onset of the rainy season. This is a precarious proposition each year. But with basic phones, Maasai call experienced smartphone users who can download weather forecasts. Demand for these few individuals is so high they’ve become like medicine men. In addition, phones help communities manage persistent conflicts with wildlife. Elephants, zebra and bush pigs can devastate agricultural fields. And lions and other predators can threaten livestock and people alike. Maasai now use phones to communicate about about wildlife and avoid conflicts or reduce their consequences. And phones support commerce. Maasai can make calls to check prices for livestock and other commodities at different markets. Pictures of animals can be texted around to prospect for buyers. Mobile banking applications help users conduct transactions and monitor their accounts. Phones are also drawing Maasai into less traditional activities. Young people use phones to play video games, store music and flirt on WhatsApp and Facebook. Young warriors use phones to take pics at a political meeting. Timothy Baird, CC BY-ND ‘Phones also lie’ Our respondents also told us that some people are using them to lie and cheat and steal. As the Samburu herders of Kenya found, Maasai people also lie to callers about the locations of valuable forage or water. Young brides use phones to arrange extramarital rendezvous. And criminals can use phones to lure victims to “meetings” to ambush them en route. Maasai have strong traditions surrounding lending and gift giving; requests for a loan or a gift are typically made in person. People seeking assistance can use a phone to call ahead before paying a visit. Someone who doesn’t want to help can lie and say they’re not around. As traditionally spiritual people, Maasai can be superstitious about phones. Respondents described instances of witchcraft where people received calls from mysterious numbers and instantly died. They also expressed grave concern about the fact that they, just like other phone users around the world, feel phantom phone vibrations. Taken together, these issues seem to have weakened community ties. Respondents told us that while phones make group meetings easier to arrange than in the past, it’s harder to get people to attend. In many ways, phones help people to be more independent – and individualistic. Solar panels on hut roofs are used to charge phones and power lights and radios. Timothy Baird, CC BY-ND Face-to-face communication is more common, more diverse In addition to simply describing how Maasai use phones, we also wanted to see if people use phones to communicate with more types of people or about more types of information than they do face to face. In one of the most cited papers in social science, Mark Granovetter found that “weak ties” with acquaintances were more useful for finding and securing job opportunities than “strong ties” with close friends and family. The value of weak ties is that they provide new, diverse types of information. We thought that phones may be helping people to expand their weak ties and broaden their horizons. What we found instead was that face-to-face communication was more diverse among the Maasai than phone-based communication, even when controlling for factors like age, wealth and education. These findings are well aligned with those from other studies of phone use in developing communities. Generally, phones support longstanding, culturally ingrained activities – they don’t transform them. One change, though, is that phone use amplifies issues of trust and distrust. These are some early findings, and many questions remain. This year, with funding from the National Science Foundation, we will begin examining how phone use affects the social networks of Maasai men and women differently. This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

From fighting lions to weather forecast, mobile phones are changing lives

Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank announced Wednesday they are planning to sell at least $ 7.9 billion (USD) of its stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, as it looks to pay down a whopping debt load. 
 
The move will reduce SoftBank&#39;s 32.2 per cent holding in the Chinese company to about 28 per cent with the sale, it said, adding that proceeds would be earmarked to pay down debts. 
 
SoftBank said in a statement it has &quot;approved of a series of capital raising transactions, which involve monetising a portion of the shares of Alibaba&quot;. 
 
The Japanese mobile carrier, led by Masayoshi Son, first made its investment in Alibaba in 2000. 
 
&quot;This investment has been phenomenally successful and, over the past 16 years, we have built a close relationship, working together on 
many exciting projects,&quot; Son said in the statement, adding that the pair would continue to work together. 
 
Led by Son, SoftBank launched an acquisition streak that saw it pick up an assortment of firms, including its $16 billion purchase of US-based mobile giant Sprint. 
 
But the buying spree has put pressure on SoftBank&#39;s finances, and the firm also announced earlier this year it would buy back more than 14 per cent of its stock at a cost of about 500 billion yen. 
 
&nbsp;As per the official statement, Son and Alibaba&#39;s executive chairman Jack Ma will remain on the board of the other&#39;s firms 
 
&quot;Under the leadership of Masayoshi Son, SoftBank has been a highly valued, long-time partner of Alibaba for more than 16 years, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership together,&quot; Ma said in a separate statement. 
 
&quot;As SoftBank looks to strengthen its own balance sheet, Alibaba determined that it was the best use of our capital to re-invest in our own business through an efficient buyback of a large number of shares in our own company that is accretive to our stockholders.&quot; 
 
SoftBank said Alibaba itself would buy back at least USD 2.0 billion worth of the shares it is selling. 
 
SoftBank has seen its profits boosted thanks to Alibaba&#39;s record USD 25 billion market debut in 2014 in New York. 
Today&#39;s announcement came after the Chinese online giant disclosed last week that US securities regulators were probing its accounting for possible violations of US securities laws. 
 
SoftBank shares rose more than two percent shortly after the opening bell today. 
 
Alibaba&#39;s US-listed shares declined 3.1 per cent yesterday after the announcement of SoftBank&#39;s planned share sale. (AFP)

Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank today said it will sell at least $ 7.9 billion (USD) of its stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, as it looks to pay down a whopping debt.

Japanese mobile carrier SoftBank announced Wednesday they are planning to sell at least $ 7.9 billion (USD) of its stake in Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, as it looks to pay down a whopping debt load. The move will reduce SoftBank's 32.2 per cent holding in the Chinese company to about 28 per cent with the sale, it said, adding that proceeds would be earmarked to pay down debts. SoftBank said in a statement it has "approved of a series of capital raising transactions, which involve monetising a portion of the shares of Alibaba". The Japanese mobile carrier, led by Masayoshi Son, first made its investment in Alibaba in 2000. "This investment has been phenomenally successful and, over the past 16 years, we have built a close relationship, working together on many exciting projects," Son said in the statement, adding that the pair would continue to work together. Led by Son, SoftBank launched an acquisition streak that saw it pick up an assortment of firms, including its $16 billion purchase of US-based mobile giant Sprint. But the buying spree has put pressure on SoftBank's finances, and the firm also announced earlier this year it would buy back more than 14 per cent of its stock at a cost of about 500 billion yen. As per the official statement, Son and Alibaba's executive chairman Jack Ma will remain on the board of the other's firms "Under the leadership of Masayoshi Son, SoftBank has been a highly valued, long-time partner of Alibaba for more than 16 years, and we look forward to continuing our strong partnership together," Ma said in a separate statement. "As SoftBank looks to strengthen its own balance sheet, Alibaba determined that it was the best use of our capital to re-invest in our own business through an efficient buyback of a large number of shares in our own company that is accretive to our stockholders." SoftBank said Alibaba itself would buy back at least USD 2.0 billion worth of the shares it is selling. SoftBank has seen its profits boosted thanks to Alibaba's record USD 25 billion market debut in 2014 in New York. Today's announcement came after the Chinese online giant disclosed last week that US securities regulators were probing its accounting for possible violations of US securities laws. SoftBank shares rose more than two percent shortly after the opening bell today. Alibaba's US-listed shares declined 3.1 per cent yesterday after the announcement of SoftBank's planned share sale. (AFP)

SoftBank to sell part of stake in China's Alibaba for $7.9 billion

Actor Mark Salling, who had a supporting role as a high school athlete-turned-singer in the TV series &quot;Glee,&quot; was indicted on Friday on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, officials said.

The 33-year-old Salling agreed to turn himself in on June 3 to face the charges filed in federal court in Los Angeles, the U.S. Attorney&#39;s Office for the region said in a statement.

Representatives for Salling, a Los Angeles resident, and his attorney, did not immediately return calls.

The federal charges against the Texas-born Salling for receipt and possession of child pornography stem from his arrest by Los Angeles police and federal agents on Dec. 29, 2015. He was released on bail of $20,000 and was initially expected to be charged in Los Angeles County court.

But after investigators realized the &quot;scope of the collection&quot; of child porn they had uncovered, the case was handed over to federal prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney&#39;s Office said.

&quot;The traditional stereotype about the kinds of people who commit child sexual exploitation crimes simply doesn&#39;t dovetail with reality,&quot; Joseph Macias, a special agent in charge for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement on the filing of the charges.

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<h5>In the meantime, the charges against the actor center on a still image and three videos of child pornography depicting young girls, the statement said. The two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=In the meantime, the charges against the actor center on a still image and three videos of child pornography depicting young girls, the statement said. The two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.">&nbsp;</a></div>
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Macias added that child pornography suspects can be of &quot;all ages and from all walks of life.&quot;

Salling&#39;s arrest came after investigators received a tip that he was in possession of child porn, Los Angeles police said in a statement at the time.

A laptop, a hard drive and a mobile flash drive from Salling&#39;s home contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography, and investigators continue to review the material, federal prosecutors said.

In the meantime, the charges against the actor center on a still image and three videos of child pornography depicting young girls, the statement said. The two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. 
 
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Mark Salling, best known for his role in the musical comedy series Glee, was indicted on child pornography charges <a href="https://t.co/cy6IUFUkQy">https://t.co/cy6IUFUkQy</a>
&mdash; Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/status/736397144672854016">May 28, 2016</a></blockquote>

<script async src="~/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>

Salling on the Fox television show &quot;Glee,&quot; which ran from 2009 to 2015, played Puck, a bully and a football player who shows a softer side when he joins the glee club at his high school.

Before that show, Salling had a number of smaller roles, including a part in 1996 horror film &quot;Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering.&quot;

A laptop, a hard drive and a mobile flash drive from actor's home contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography

Actor Mark Salling, who had a supporting role as a high school athlete-turned-singer in the TV series "Glee," was indicted on Friday on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, officials said. The 33-year-old Salling agreed to turn himself in on June 3 to face the charges filed in federal court in Los Angeles, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the region said in a statement. Representatives for Salling, a Los Angeles resident, and his attorney, did not immediately return calls. The federal charges against the Texas-born Salling for receipt and possession of child pornography stem from his arrest by Los Angeles police and federal agents on Dec. 29, 2015. He was released on bail of $20,000 and was initially expected to be charged in Los Angeles County court. But after investigators realized the "scope of the collection" of child porn they had uncovered, the case was handed over to federal prosecutors, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "The traditional stereotype about the kinds of people who commit child sexual exploitation crimes simply doesn't dovetail with reality," Joseph Macias, a special agent in charge for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement on the filing of the charges. In the meantime, the charges against the actor center on a still image and three videos of child pornography depicting young girls, the statement said. The two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Macias added that child pornography suspects can be of "all ages and from all walks of life." Salling's arrest came after investigators received a tip that he was in possession of child porn, Los Angeles police said in a statement at the time. A laptop, a hard drive and a mobile flash drive from Salling's home contained thousands of images and videos of child pornography, and investigators continue to review the material, federal prosecutors said. In the meantime, the charges against the actor center on a still image and three videos of child pornography depicting young girls, the statement said. The two charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Mark Salling, best known for his role in the musical comedy series Glee, was indicted on child pornography charges https://t.co/cy6IUFUkQy — Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) May 28, 2016 Salling on the Fox television show "Glee," which ran from 2009 to 2015, played Puck, a bully and a football player who shows a softer side when he joins the glee club at his high school. Before that show, Salling had a number of smaller roles, including a part in 1996 horror film "Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering."

`Glee` actor Mark Salling indicted for child porn

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