So I predicted the US vs. China trade war and the Huawei controversy had no end in sight. I appear to be right. Because China threatens blacklist over Huawei.
So most of you know, the US pretty much banned Huawei from doing any business in this country. But now, China seems ready to retaliate. According to Gao Feng, a China’s commerce spokesperson, they’re putting a list together. This list includes any company, or nation, that hinders business with Chinese companies. Feng calls this list ‘unreliable entities’. This all stems for the Huawei controversies. However, within 90 days or go, Google can still aid Huawei. But that’s only for emergency services.
So what does any of this have to do with IT service? Well, Google, Intel, and other Silicon Valley giants are either limiting or outright cutting off ties with Huawei. Furthermore, Huawei leaders say this stoppage of business with US companies will hinder business. They also say it damages their reputation. So far, the US imposed a $200 billion tariff on Chinese goods. In response to this, they expect China to pose a $60 billion tariff on US goods. That tariff could already be in the works. And this could be just the beginning.
Because now, Huawei is taking this to the courtroom. They claim what the US is doing is unconstitutional. But let’s get back to this blacklist. We don’t know who is on it yet. But you can best believe some of the biggest IT companies are, like the Google’s, the Amazon’s, the Intel’s, the Microsoft’s. If they do this, then this will have a huge impact on the American IT support industry. I’m not excusing Huawei by any means, nor am I in support of the way China does business. In fact, I don’t approve of it. But China has the world’s 2nd largest economy. So if China threatens blacklist, then where do we go from here?
So you still don’t think the US trade war with China has anything to do with your little world? You better think again. This is especially if you’re in the IT support world. Because US President Donald Trump signs national emergency to protect computer tech.
So basically, this emergency deals with potential threats on our communications. Also, the threats are specifically from foreign entities. Though the document didn’t say so, China is that foreign entity, especially their IT service company Huawei. However, this shouldn’t shock anyone. For example, last September, the US indicted several individual Chinese hackers. Now, they claim companies like Huawei and ZTE are spying on American interests.
But there’s more. This order can forever ban certain companies from doing business in the USA. Nobody really knows what these companies are. However, most of us see that Huawei and ZTE are probably at the top of the list. In a statement, FCC leaders applaud President Trump’s efforts. They say with this order, they’re willing to take whatever it takes to keep communications safe. Furthermore, they say the order will keep foreign spies from doing damage to our IT service infrastructure. The real statement is more legalize, but that’s pretty much the sum of it.
However, some Americans will suffer. Because in rural areas, some get their cable services from Huawei. They’re prices are so low that some people can’t resist. Of course, we can only imagine what this would do to the Chinese economy. And if the US bans Huawei altogether, then how will stocks in both countries react? Yes, Trump signs national emergency to protect computer tech. In a best case scenario, this will protect our systems from dangerous hackers. Maybe spies will get the message and go home. That’s best case scenario. But what is the worse case scenario?
So, do you take Uber or Lyft to and from work every day? Then you should start looking for other ways to get there. Because Uber and Lyft drivers threaten strike.
Yes, drivers are planning on striking this weekend. The reason in because of low pay and poor working conditions, according to the IPO filing. Also, drivers demand better pay, better job security, and better proceeds. For example, they want 80-85% of proceeds to go to the driver. So here is the plan. On Wednesday the 8th, drivers in Chicago, San Francisco, LA, and New York plan to strike. This strike will start at 7am in there respective cities, just in time for the morning commute.
Those are just some of the cities. London drivers are also talking about striking. One strike leader, Bhairavi Desai says Wall Street investors are in Uber and Lyft leader’s ears. He says they’re telling the CEO’s they pay drivers too much already. Furthermore, he talks about how the CEO’s will make billions while drivers will suffer. So far, drivers in Boston, hope of our computer repair company, don’t have plans to strike. But that could change as well.
So far, I haven’t heard from Uber and Lyft leaders to talk about this. But you can best believe, the strikers are. One drivers says Uber is how he supports his 5-year-old son. He complains it’s getting harder for him to survive, while he accuses the rich getting richer. Look at how they chose rush hour on a weekday to start the strike. That’s not an accident. So if I were an Uber of Lyft CEO, I would try to talk to these strikers. I’d also try to work something out before you have a bunch of angry customers as well as drivers. Uber and Lyft drivers threaten strike. What are Uber and Lyft leaders doing about it?
So Alibaba, China’s online shopping giant, and their answer to Amazon, is in the news again. And it’s for the wrong reasons again. This is Alibaba on US’s watch list. But what’s the real reason?
The government claims they’re doing this because Alibaba sales and trades too many pirate goods. Those are knock-off goods that look real, but are faker than fake. For example, imagine getting a Gucci handbag for $20, or a copy of Avengers: The End Game only a week after it’s theater debut. In fact, one agency calls them ‘notorious’ for dealing in counterfeit goods. Furthermore, they say Alibaba doesn’t have the will and/or procedures to stop this kind of trading.
But if Alibaba feels alone, they shouldn’t. Because much of China’s business world is under scrutiny for piracy. In fact, that nation alone counts for over half of pirated goods trying to get into the US. Sometimes they make it. Other times the gov’t intercepts them at borders and customs. They report these sorts of list every year. The agencies insists this list has nothing to do with the current trade war going on between China and the US. However, let’s dig a little deeper.
So China and the US are fighting for title of the world’s biggest economy. Also, allegations on both sides are everywhere, even in the IT service game. I’m talking about everything from stealing trade secrets to exploiting technology information. In computer repair, we cringe when we have to tell a client, “The part has to come from China.”. How do you think that makes us feel? And you know Amazon and Alibaba are fighting over consumers. So I wonder could Amazon have something to do with this. Could the current trade war have something to do with this? They say it doesn’t, but are you going to believe everything you hear? So this is Alibaba on US’s watch list. But what’s the real reason?
So a New York City teenager files lawsuit against Apple. At the heart of this fight is Apple’s facial recognition. The young man is sewing for $1 billion.
So the young man’s name is Ousmane Bah, and he is 18. His lawsuit says Apple’s facial recognition made him a target of false accusations. The suit also says that last year, a Boston court summoned him on theft charges. The summons claimed he stole over $1,200 worth of Apple products. But wait…there’s more. Because it goes on to allege Bah stole products in New Jersey and Delaware. Obviously, Bah vehemently denies these claims.
In fact, Bah said he was at senior prom when one of the thefts took place (think of all the witnesses that can vouch for him). However, Bah explains that he lost his ID. Then, the real culprits pretended to be him, using facial recognition tech. Bah thinks that Apple’s software security blindly accepted the culprit’s fraud. Therefore, the facial IT support thought it was Bah’s face, and not the real suspect’s. That’s how they falsely accused Bah of theft. The college freshman’s lawsuit said this ordeal deeply affected him. Furthermore, these accusations caused him a lot of stress and hardship. So far, no word from Apple about this.
First and foremost, I am not here to take sides. These are all allegations, so far. I don’t know who is right or wrong. But there is a lesson we can learn here. As bad as this sounds, no piece of IT service is 110% secure. Anything can happen. So just because we spend lots of money of extra security doesn’t always mean we’re going to be 100% safe. Look at this New York City teenager and his lawsuit. Yes, we should take all the safety and security measures we can. But we should also be aware that anything can happen at anytime, regardless. Who do you think will win this lawsuit?
So I’m sure most of you know of the violence and tragedy that took place yesterday in Sri Lanka. A series of bombs went off in churches and hotels, killing 207 and injuring hundreds more. But what is the Sri Lankan government doing about it? Sri Lanka censors social media: Blocking online communication.
So right after these terrorist attacks, Sri Lanka President Udaya Seneviratne announced a block on all social media sites. This includes Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He said the ban happened because the Sri Lanka government wanted to stop fake news. And this is especially in the wake of a tragedy. However, he said social media will be back up after the investigation. But he didn’t say how long the investigation will take.
And many confirm what the president said. Sri Lankan citizens reported their You Tube down and Whats App inaccessible. One Facebook spokesperson said while their hearts are with that nation, he criticized this move. Because in a tragedy, people depend on social media to see if their loved ones are okay. But fortunately, this doesn’t happen often. However, when it does, the world takes notice. Sri Lanka censors social media because they fear social media will spread hatred and bullying, especially against the country’s Muslim population.
I agree with that Facebook spokesperson. This is the wrong time to be blocking Facebook, or any kind of IT service or IT support. First of all, in times of crisis, people really do depend on social media. Look at how people use it to let they’re all right, especially in times of disaster. Yes, some people use social media for hatred. But in cases like this, more people use social media for encouragement and love. This is why Facebook and other social media sites are needed even more, in times of tragedy. Do you think it’s ever right for a country to block or censor social media?
