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Google hit by US$272m fine in France
It breached an agreement on terms for paying media firms.
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Du, Samsung ink agreement
The two companies have signed a three-year partnership. -
New investors throng Dubai Financial Market to open accounts
Dubai, UAE--Brokerage firms at the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) opened 57,054 new investor accounts in 2023, marking a significant increase of 12.5% over the previous year, according to data released by the DFM. The growth was driven by a number of factors, including the strong momentum in the market since... -
Saudi consumer spending up 4 percent in October: SAMA
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia -- Consumer spending in Saudi Arabia increased 4 percent to SAR 110 billion ($29.32 billion) in October, from nearly SAR 105.3 billion during the same month last year, according to the Saudi Central Bank's (SAMA) monthly bulletin. Consumer spending includes total cash withdrawals, point-of-sale (POS) transactions and... -
Insurance becomes mandatory for foreign vehicles entering UAE
Abu Dhabi, UAE-- The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has made it mandatory for foreign vehicles crossing into the UAE by land at Al Ghuwaifat Port Station to be insured, from June 26, 2023. The vehicle owners driving into the country can now buy insurance... -
Dubai Municipality unveils new online system for building permits
Dubai, UAE-- Seeking to enhance the emirate's position as a global pioneering city in adopting the latest technology in the building sector, Dubai Municipality has launched a new online system for building permits and control services aimed at streamlining procedures for customers in the emirate. The system is aligned with... -
A ‘VUCA’ world demands digital resilience
As organizations prepare for the next wave of disruption, including responding to cyber-attacks, keeping the enterprise environment secure, and accommodating remote workers, digital resilience will be the watchword. -
Egypt arrests 29 over alleged online crypto scam
Cairo, Egypt - Egyptian authorities have detained 29 people, including 13 foreigners, accused of running an online cryptocurrency scam that defrauded thousands of investors, state media reported Sunday. The network pocketed about US$620,000 at the expense of its victims in the country now battered by an economic crisis and rapid inflation,... -
Some sectors may benefit more than others as more GCC companies turn to metaverse to boost business
Industries in the region may use metaverse interchangeably. However, there is no specific way to know which sector will benefit the most from the latest technology, says an expert. -
Regulate digital platforms to curb disinformation
“If the regulatory initiatives are developed in isolation, with each country working in their own corner, they are doomed to fail. Information disruption is by definition a global problem, so our reflections must take place at the global scale,” the top UNESCO official added. -
Consumer spending in KSA, UAE set to stay strong
Both Gulf countries reported an increase in non-essential spending from 2021 to 2022, with the expectation that this trend will continue into 2023, says an expert. -
Technologies revolutionize food-service industry
That’s because today’s consumer has grown used to the convenience of online ordering – and they’re even willing to cut back on other activities to keep enjoying restaurant-quality meals from home. The latest technologies have revolutionized the food-service industry in more than one way, he adds. -
Middle East cybersecurity market set to grow in 2023 as region sees surge in internet, social media users
Nearly 60 percent of organizations in the region had increased their cybersecurity spending in 2022, Abhay Pandey, Founder and CEO at MAST Consulting Group, tells TRENDS. -
Middle East children are at grave risk in cyberworld
Across the region, parents struggle to shield children from unsavory elements prowling the cyber world, as risks grow with the spread of the internet. -
NBF introduces ‘CVVkey’
It will shield customers from fraud and online threats. -
UAE set to lead GCC’s e-commerce markets next year
“E-commerce sales via marketplaces will continue to grow in double-digit percentages in 2023, driven by a higher proportion of cross-border shopping, and ongoing increase in the adoption of credit cards, and logistics services such as Aramex’s Shop & Ship, MyUS and DHL’s Easy Shop,” he adds. -
Like in climate discourse, digital transformation will eventually edge out the big players, says media expert
“Some big techs are facing crisis with large-scale layoffs and investment cuts. As digital space offers enough space and opportunity for diverse players, when they aggregate together and push back against the big giants, that will be the beginning of the defeat of the big tech,” he adds. -
Wary of online theft, most MENA shoppers still prefer in-store buying
According to a TRENDS poll, fear of being robbed online by fraudsters prowling on the web is keeping many MENA buyers from making their purchase online. -
Post Covid, shopping centers in UAE adopt experiential community approach to attract customers
Through the new concept, retailers and shopping centers in the Gulf country are giving a customer a whole experience, in some cases both in-store and online. -
Tabby, Paymob announce partnership
They will create a Buy Now Pay Later solution for retailers. -
Saudi Education Minister meets founder of edX platform in US
Saudi Arabia's Minister of Education Dr. Hamad bin Mohammed Al AlSheikh has met with the leaders of edX platform at Boston University in the United States. -
Some 72% children fall victim to online threats globally: report
These were the findings of a report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Global Cybersecurity Forum (GCF), based on a global survey of 41,000 parents and children online in 6 regions and 24 countries. -
Electronic payments overtake cash in Saudi Arabia in 2021
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) said a study revealed that electronic payments increased from 44 percent in 2019 to 62 percent of all payments by volume in 2021. -
Challenger banks struggle for market share in GCC
Net sentiment for traditional banks is higher than those for challenger banks as the former have a long history in the market and have proved to be trustworthy and reliable. -
Web 3.0 to further revolutionize digital banking
Forward-leaning financial institutions are ready to seize strategic opportunities to secure their stake in the future of Web 3.0. Right strategies will help traditional banks in giving an edge to their competitors in the cyberspace. -
Top social media sites become haven for crypto fraud
Instagram accounts for 32% of all fraud cases on social media, followed by Facebook and WhatsApp as scammers find it easy to lure and scam unsuspecting victims on social media sites. Commenting on the data, TradingPlatform.com's Edith read said this. "The most vulnerable sites for scamming are meta-owned. This raises... -
Saudi Arabia adopts online registration for Hajj to combat scams
Saudi Arabia has required would-be hajj pilgrims from many Western countries to apply for visas via a government portal online, a move intended to crack down on "fake" travel agencies, officials told AFP on Monday. The new system was put in place as the kingdom prepares to welcome 850,000 Muslims... -
‘GCC businesses must adapt to latest digital changes’
Firms must have a specific and clear target list. What applies to real estate won't necessarily succeed in the automotive sector, 199X MD Khaled El Masry tells TRENDS. -
EU to bring in law requiring Big Tech to remove harmful content
The European Union early Saturday finalized new legislation to require Big Tech to remove harmful content, the bloc's latest move to rein in the world's online giants. -
More than half of Abu Dhabi population reads regularly: Poll
The number of people in Abu Dhabi who have developed a habit of reading regularly has increased from 38 percent to 55 percent during the past three years, according to Reading Opinion Poll by Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD). The poll said 79 percent of population prefers reading online,... -
SAMA directs banks to stop opening online accounts
SAMA, the Saudi Central Bank, has directed banks in the kingdom to put a stop to the opening of online accounts for individuals or institutions as part of new security measures. -
Tunisians snub online poll on reforms as inflation and unemployment bite
The online questionnaire was launched in January, more than half a year after President Kais Saied sacked the government, froze parliament and seized near-total power in a decisive blow against the country's political elite. -
UAE e-commerce hits $5bn in 2021, may surpass $8bn by 2025
E-commerce in the UAE surged to over $5 billion in 2021 and is projected to surpass $8 billion by 2025, according to a data released by EZDubai, a dedicated e-commerce zone in Dubai South, in partnership with Euromonitor International, a global business intelligence, market analysis and consumer insights provider. More... -
Facebook allows calls for violence against ‘Russian invaders’
Facebook has temporarily eased its policy on violent speech after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, allowing statements like "death to Russian invaders" but not credible threats against civilians, the tech giant said Thursday. Moscow's internationally condemned attack on its neighbor has provoked unprecedented sanctions from Western governments and businesses, but also... -
Meta settles privacy suit
Facebook-parent has agreed to pay $90 million. -
Etisalat Group buys out elGrocer DMCC
Emirates Telecommunications Group Company PJSC (Etisalat Group) has completed the acquisition of elGrocer DMCC, the company said it a statement. -
Google and Facebook chiefs made ‘illegal’ deal: US court documents
Top bosses of Google and Facebook were directly involved in approving an allegedly illegal 2018 deal to cement their dominance of the online advertising market, US court documents revealed Friday. -
Abu Dhabi University earns 5 star rating for online learning
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has earned the highest rating of 5 stars by Quacquarelli Symonds - QS Stars Rating for 2021. -
Ecommerce changes GCC buyers, sellers forever
As ecommerce expands, companies are becoming more aware of the region's shifting consumer behavior and needs, say experts. -
Ecommerce is fastest-growing channel in ME
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE account for nearly 80 percent of the overall ecommerce market. -
Saudi Arabia, UAE fashion industry set for boom
The UAE and Saudi Arabia seem poised to see their respective fashion sectors double their revenues in the near future. -
Loubnany platform launches next month, will promote Lebanese economy
An online electronic platform named 'loubany', aimed at promoting Lebanon's economy and industry, will be launched in on 15 January 2022. Local media reports said loubnany will be launched under the patronage of Industry Minister Georges Poushkian, with the participation of the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, the Economic Affairs Directorate... -
Arab youths are increasingly saving, investing with fintech
The region's economic instability, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic, has spurred many to turn to online banking and financial tools. -
Jahez to raise $428m through IPO
HSBC is the financial advisor of the Saudi online food delivery startup. -
Google shuts cybercrime ring
The ring had infected 1 million devices to carry out its work. -
India police charge Amazon executives over online drug sales
Indian police have charged executives from Amazon's local arm over claims the US retail behemoth's online portal was used to smuggle and sell marijuana. -
Cryptocurrencies dazzle investors with high returns
Cryptocurrencies seem to be the flavor of the season as increasingly more people around the world are embracing them; sometimes even abandoning their traditional avenues like Equity, Gold, etc. -
Portal to connect engineers with clients in Saudi Arabia launched
Details of the providers of services such as surveying consultancy, design contracts, boundary supervision and turnkey contracts will be available on the portal. -
Bahrain eServices revenue up 257% to $532m in H1
The number of financial transactions in H1 2021 exceeded 1.6 million, double the number in the same period last year. -
Saudi hobbyists can do a lot at this online platform
Hawi will make it easier for amateur clubs to establish their teams and register members besides promoting international exchange of expertise. -
Jordan’s online learning platform Edunation raises $3 million
The funding round was led by US investor Rubix The latest capital infusion will help the firm improve its operations Online learning may not be an ideal tool to impart education, but it sure is finding investors to fund the space. Jordanian online learning management platform Edunation has raised $3...