Google’s Latest Power Play: A Marker of Monopoly

In a move that’s being hailed as a victory for South African businesses, Google has introduced a label that identifies local companies in organic search results. But is this just a clever ploy to maintain its stranglehold on the search market?

The "ZA South African" marker, which has been applied to the search results of several local e-commerce websites, is part of Google’s efforts to comply with the Competition Commission’s remedial actions. But will it actually help smaller businesses compete with the tech giant’s dominance?

According to the Competition Commission’s report, Google’s search engine is a de facto monopoly, accounting for over 90% of all general search across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. And with its strong incentives to engage in self-preferencing behavior, it’s no wonder that smaller businesses struggle to get noticed.

But Google is quick to point out that its new marker is all about giving South African businesses a leg up. "We are introducing new local filter optionality for South African travel and shopping platforms on our search page and dedicated local curation for apps published on the Play store by South African developers," a Google spokesman said.

But will this really make a difference? Or is it just a token gesture to appease the Competition Commission while Google continues to maintain its grip on the market?

The remedial actions recommended by the Competition Commission include introducing a new carousel to give smaller South African platforms more visibility, as well as providing advertising credits and technical training to help them compete. But will these measures be enough to level the playing field?

As the tech giant continues to wield its influence, it’s clear that the battle for online supremacy is far from over. But one thing is certain: Google’s latest move is just the latest chapter in its ongoing struggle for dominance.

Bolt’s Latest Attempt to Keep You Alive: Rider Verification and More Safety Features

Are you tired of getting ripped off or worse, by the people you’re picking up from? Well, Bolt’s got a new trick up its sleeve – Rider Verification. The e-hailing app is rolling out a new feature that requires riders to upload a selfie before they can place an order. Because, who doesn’t love a good selfie?

But that’s not all. Bolt’s also introducing Trip Count and Driver Alerts to keep you safe on the roads. Trip Count gives you an idea of how many trips the rider has taken on the platform, while Driver Alerts flag areas where high volumes of safety incidents have been reported.

But let’s get real, folks. These features are just Band-Aids on a bullet wound. We need real change, real accountability, and real consequences for those who don’t play by the rules.

Bolt’s acting head of regulatory and policy, Weyinmi Aghadiuno, says the new features are part of the company’s ongoing investment in safety features. But we all know that safety is just a PR stunt until there are real consequences for those who break the rules.

So, the next time you’re picking up a ride, remember: you’re not just hailing a taxi, you’re putting your life in the hands of a stranger. Stay safe out there, folks!

The Unconscionable Invasion that Shook Ronnie Apteker’s World

February 24th, 2022, was a day Ronnie Apteker will never forget, nor should anyone. That morning, millions of his adopted compatriots in Ukraine awoke to the ominous sounds of war – the result of a ruthless dictator’s maniacal plan to redraw the region’s maps.

The Digital Maverick’s Descent into Chaos

Apteker, a trailblazer in South Africa’s internet landscape, had thought his life was already a remarkable chapter. As a pioneer in internet service provision and a prolific producer of movies, his story would have been complete were it not for his fascination with Ukraine’s innovative tech scene. The discovery of this tantalizing landscape brought him to the ravaged city, and he soon established a new life. He even married a local, Marta, with whom he shared a precious son – now a refugee, seeking safety in Poland along with Marta.

Putin’s Endless Nightmare for Apteker

But Putin’s bellicose schemes had a different script for the Aptekers. With Russia’s annexation, the family found themselves face-to-face with the abyss. War became an unwelcome acquaintance, and survival a constant gamble. Apteker’s life, like many Ukrainians’, evolved into an erratic dance between Poland, Ukraine, and Poland again. Despite this turmoil, Apteker maintains friendships and tech interests in the sector that continue to propel him forward, like an unrelenting force countering Putin’s aggression.

Diving Deeper into the Rubble of War

Today, as Apteker and his family grapple with the horrors of war, our conversation is not shrouded by the darkness that grips them, but illuminated by a defiant light – a light that Apteker never extinguished. He candidly shares tales of living on the edge of devastation, of confronting loss, of the resilience needed to face the new reality.

The audio recording of this unforgettable story will be released by 2pm. Subscribe below to receive our episodes instantaneously.

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“NSFAS Just Threw a Tantrum in Court: Fintech Frenzy Continues!”

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has decided to throw its toys out of the pram and appeal a High Court ruling that basically told them to stop trying to control how student allowances are disbursed. Because, you know, giving students direct access to their own money is just too scary for the powers that be.

The drama began when NSFAS filed an appeal with the Western Cape High Court, claiming that the original judgment was somehow “wrong” (code for “we didn’t get our way”). And just like that, the scheme announced that it would continue to allow students to receive their allowances directly, without interference from the powers that be.

But here’s the thing: the ruling didn’t just benefit the students. It also gave a lifeline to the fintech partners who had been wrongly accused of corruption. Yep, you heard that right – NSFAS was so desperate to shut down the competition that they accused three innocent companies of being corrupt. And then they had the nerve to appeal when they lost in court!

Meanwhile, the Department of Higher Education and Training (which oversees NSFAS) has been dealing with systemic governance issues for years. IT system failures, mismanagement, and corruption have all been plaguing the scheme. And yet, instead of fixing the problems, they’ve decided to throw more money at the problem by awarding a R47 billion contract to four fintech companies (without even bothering to open it up to competition).

The question on everyone’s mind is: what’s going on at NSFAS? Are they really that desperate to control the narrative and keep students in the dark? Or are they just trying to hide something? Whatever the case, it’s clear that the scheme needs to get its act together before things get even more out of hand.

The Schemes of the Self-Proclaimed “Bitcoin President”

In a bold attempt to curry favor with the crypto community, Donald Trump, the self-proclaimed “bitcoin president,” took the stage at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, to tout his pro-crypto stance. But is his advocacy genuine, or just another of his many schemes to get re-elected?

Trump’s plan to dominate the cryptocurrency sector is as shady as his business dealings. He proposes creating a national “stockpile” of bitcoin, using government-held assets that were seized in law enforcement actions. This move would undoubtedly give him a stranglehold over the cryptocurrency market, allowing him to dictate the narrative and manipulate prices to suit his agenda.

But what about his earlier dismissal of bitcoin as a “scam”? Trump’s about-face on the issue is as opportunistic as his claims of making “the best deals” while serving as president. It seems his interest in cryptocurrency is solely to line his own pockets and further his re-election campaign.

Trump’s “pro-crypto” stance is also supported by Jack Mallers, CEO of Strike, a global bitcoin app. In an interview, Mallers described Trump’s proposal to create a strategic bitcoin reserve as an “unbelievable vote of confidence.” But is it? Or is it just a shallow attempt to appease the crypto community, as Trump has done with so many other groups throughout his career?

The implications of Trump’s plan are far-reaching and devastating. By creating a national “stockpile” of bitcoin, he would undermine the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency, creating a centralized authority that could dictate the value and flow of digital assets. This would essentially turn bitcoin into a controlled instrument of the government, rather than a revolutionary technology that empowers individuals and nations.

As the election approaches, it’s essential to scrutinize Trump’s record on cryptocurrency and his plans for the future. His advocacy may be a clever ploy to win over the crypto community, but his actions will have far-reaching consequences for the industry and the world.

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“Get ready for a seismic shift in the world of connectivity, as Africa’s subsea cable space is about to be shaken to its core. And the mastermind behind this revolution is none other than Prenesh Padayachee, chief digital and operations officer at Seacom.

In a shocking admission, Padayachee reveals that Africa has been experiencing a “torrid time” over the past 10 months, with multiple outages on the East and West coasts. But don’t worry, he’s got a plan to fix it.

According to Padayachee, the key to unlocking Africa’s connectivity potential lies in collaboration between specialist telecoms operators and hyperscalers. It’s a bold move, but one that could pay off big time.

But what about the issue of vandalism, which is on the rise in South Africa? Padayachee’s got a plan for that too. He believes that the telecommunications services and solutions industry must present a united front to deal with the problem.

So, what does the future hold for Africa’s subsea cable space? According to Padayachee, it’s going to be a wild ride. With collaboration, innovation, and a dash of luck, Africa could be on the cusp of a connectivity revolution that will change the game forever.

But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what Padayachee had to say:

“The future of Africa’s subsea cable space is bright, but it’s not without its challenges. We need to work together to overcome the obstacles and unlock the potential of this incredible continent.

“We’re not just talking about connecting people and businesses, we’re talking about connecting entire economies. And that’s what makes this so exciting.

“So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of a lifetime. Africa’s subsea cable space is about to take off, and you won’t want to miss it.”