Weekly Roundup 11/9/17

From the healthcare sector to the banking industry, blockchain is frequently being considered as a tool to streamline processes and create more secure systems. Blockchain has also been used for economic empowerment; it has helped women farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa counteract gender bias and establish their economic identities. Specifically, in the Asia-Pacific region, blockchain offers the opportunity to combat corruption and promote transparent institutions. By creating a public record of transactions, blockchain can shine some light on shadow practices, streamline record keeping, and be a powerful tool in supporting accountable, transparent institutions.

In other news:

Civic Tech

• Support from Houston’s Civic Tech community after Hurricane Harvey
• Social Media mobilizes volunteers in Mexico post-earthquake

Countering Violent Extremism

• Coding School in Brussels aims to counter ISIS recruitment

Cybersecurity

• Estonia ID on lockdown
• Data breach affects 46 million mobile subscribers in Malaysia

Open Internet

• Outcry as Afghanistan bans Whatsapp and Telegram

Tech News

• Amazon looks to Augmented Reality for Black Friday