Tech

Facebook had hoped backers of its Libra project would swell from an initial 28 to 'well over 100', but instead, several initial supporters have abandoned a scheme regulators say threatens the global financial system. GENEVA: The Libra Association, created by Facebook to launch its new cryptocurrency, has announced its 21 founding members after defections by previous supporters including Visa and Mastercard.The announcement on Monday came as the planned Libra global currency faces swelling criticism from regulators, and reported warnings from the Group of Seven that it poses a threat to the global financial system. The group kicked off its first council meeting in Geneva and founding members including Uber, Spotify and Vodafone formally signed onto the Libra Charter, director general Bertrand Perez said. "We now have a total guarantee of their involvement, so we have confidence in the project," he said. Last month, the non-profit association voiced hope that the number of … [Read more...] about Facebook’s Libra coin announces 21 founding members

Jakarta. The national health insurance scheme BPJS Kesehatan has teamed up with health tech startup Halodoc to provide digital-based health services through the BPJS mobile app. Both parties signed the memorandum of understanding for the agreement on Thursday, witnessed by Communication and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara. "Both these companies offer solutions for a range of health issues in Indonesia, not just treatment, but also other services for 221 million BPJS users," Rudiantara said in Jakarta. He expects the collaboration could help brush aside the deficit issue that BPJS Kesehatan is currently experiencing, by making it more open to other business collaborations. "We need to find a new business model to find a way to utilize technology. I appreciate what BPJS Kesehatan and Halodoc are doing, we must keep innovating to accelerate changes, or it will be hard to create a better health … [Read more...] about BPJS Kesehatan Teams Up With Health Tech Startup Halodoc

Jakarta. Samsung Electronics Indonesia, the local arm of the South Korean smartphone giant, has teamed up with e-wallet Dana and Gojek Indonesia's electronic payment service GoPay to provide a simpler payment app for Indonesian customers.  "Many smartphone owners use more than one e-wallet app. Often they have to go through many steps, at least five, to complete a transaction. Samsung Pay will cut through the process," Denny Galant, the head of IT and mobile marketing at Samsung Electronics Indonesia, said on Thursday.  Denny said Samsung Pay is not another e-money product, but an application in Samsung smartphones that provides fast access to various e-money services.   "Just swipe up from the home screen or even when the smartphone is locked. Users can choose a digital wallet to use as their source of funds. We'll also have shortcuts to automatic cameras that run straight to Samsung Pay," he said. … [Read more...] about Samsung Teams Up With Dana, GoPay to Simplify App-Based Payment

Jakarta. The Indonesian government has completed the construction of a massive, nationwide internet network using fiber-optic wires called the Palapa Ring, President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo said on Monday. "Today I've officially launched the Palapa Ring network that connects the capitals of 514 districts and cities across Indonesia," Jokowi said at the State Palace in Jakarta. The network will provide high-speed internet from Sabang in the west to Merauke in the east, from the northernmost island of Miangas to the southernmost island of Rote, the president said. Jokowi said when he visited some remote areas in Indonesia, sometimes the reception was so bad he could hardly make a call on his cellphone. "Even sending text messages took a long time, let alone videos. Phone calls often cut out as well," he said. Now that the Palapa Ring has been launched, Jokowi plans to visit those remote areas again to test for himself if … [Read more...] about Indonesia Completes Palapa Ring Internet Superhighway

Digital Economy and Society Ministry's WiFi demand draws flak Businesses say move will add to their costs Coffee shops must keep traffic data for at least 90 days in line with Section 26 of the Computer Crime Act. (Photo by Jiraporn Kuhakan) The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry's demand that all cafes store data passing through their WiFi connections has drawn flak from shop owners, especially small-scale operators, who said the measure would impose a financial burden on them, including server expense.Digital Economy and Society Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said on Tuesday that coffee shops must keep the traffic data, known as a log file, for at least 90 days in line with Section 26 of the Computer Crime Act. The move is meant to allow authorities to track down those behind illicit acts or remarks on the internet. A company linked with PTT Plc, which owns Cafe Amazon, expressed worries about the cost of the measure. "The business … [Read more...] about Digital Economy and Society Ministry’s WiFi demand draws flak