News From Around the World
Find the latest news articles from around the world about electromagnetic radiation and frequency, wireless technology, 5G and cellular information.
IARC Again Asked to Review RF Cancer Risk, Just Not Right Away
An advisory group to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has —once again— recommended a new assessment of the cancer risk posed by RF radiation. RF is one of about a hundred agents listed as “high priority” for evaluation over the next five years, 2025-2029.
The panel, made up of 28 independent scientists from 22 countries, met last month in Lyon, France (IARC’s hometown), to consider more than 200 agents that had been nominated for evaluation or reevaluation. The panel’s recommendations were announced yesterday in the news section of Lancet Oncology and an IARC press release.
UK government rejects calls for clearer facial recognition laws
Debates continue among British lawmakers on the legality of police deployment of live facial recognition.
After the UK Parliament’s Justice and Home Affairs Committee (JHAC) questioned the legal basis of UK police use of the technology and recommended the establishment of a new legislative framework, the government responded with the familiar argument – the use of live facial recognition is already covered by existing laws.
List of cell phones withdrawn or updated for deception and endangering users
There are now 48 models of cell phones, identified as dangerous to the health of users, which have been either withdrawn from the French market or have seen their Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) updated by software.
The latest: the HOTWAV Cyber 7, the LOGICOM Flow, the EMPORIA smart 4, the DOOGEE S88, the EMPORIA simplicity V27, the Iphone 12, the Motorola Edge, the Essential Clap 20+, the Xiaomi Poco X3 and the LOGICOM Le Swipe.
Sierra Leone putting digital ID at the center of its digital transformation agenda
The West African nation of Sierra Leone is at full throttle with its digital transformation efforts, and its MOSIP-based foundational identity system is the nucleus of this undertaking, according to an official with the country’s ID authority.
The Deputy Director of ICT at the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Moses T.F. Vibbie, in an interview with Biometric Update on the sideline of the MOSIP Connect event which took place last month in Addis Ababa, explains that the strong political will of the country’s Head of State, Julius Maada Bio, and the dedication of the NCRA’s Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, are the other driving forces behind the initiative. Massaquoi is also an ID4Africa Ambassador.
Japan Warns AI Could Cause Total Collapse Of The Social Order
Two top Japanese companies have warned that artificial intelligence could cause a total collapse of the social order if it is not rapidly reined in.
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) and Yomiuri Shimbun Group Holdings, the country’s largest telecommunications company and the country’s biggest newspaper, jointly published the AI manifesto.
It warned that if legislation is not passed quickly in major countries across the world, artificial intelligence threatens to decimate democracy and provoke widespread societal unrest.
World Bank officials discuss using Korea’s national digital ID as a model
Officials of the state-owned Korea Minting, Security Printing & ID Card Operating Corporation (KOMSCO) and those of a World Bank delegation recently held talks on how to foster collaboration on the implementation of digital ID elsewhere based on Korea’s system.
The Korea Times, in a report, indicates that the partnership is in line with the World Bank’s support of initiatives for developing countries working to establish digital public infrastructure projects as a way of streamlining how people get access to vital public and private sector services.
FCC Seeks Input on Proposal to Expand Wireless Broadband in 900 MHz Band
Ten entities have asked the FCC to provide an option for 5/5 MHz broadband networks in paired 896-901 MHz and 935-940 MHz spectrum (900 MHz band). The petitioners are Ameren Services Company; Anterix, Inc.; Enterprise Wireless Alliance; Evergy, Inc.; Lower Colorado River Authority; Portland General Electric; San Diego Gas & Electric; Southern Communications Services, Inc.; Utility Broadband Alliance; and Xcel Energy Services, Inc. The FCC seeks public input on the petition.
The Commission realigned the 900 MHz band in May 2020 to make available 6 MHz of low-band spectrum for the development of critical wireless broadband technologies and services, while reserving the remaining 4 MHz for continued narrowband operations.
Australian Senate Approves Digital ID, America Is Next
Digital IDs were approved in the Australian Senate and will be coming soon to the U.S. as part of the World Economic Forum-backed global technocratic gulag complete with central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) and social credit scores for all, warned journalist Alex Newman in an interview with Alison Steinberg on One America News.
The bill, which passed through the Australian Senate on March 27, is “putting in place the legislative framework for the phased expansion of the Australian Government’s Digital ID system to include state and territory government services and the private sector,” said Katy Gallagher, Australian Minister for Finance.
RAND Corporation: “Internet Of Bodies May Lead To Internet Of Brains” By 2050
The Internet of Bodies ecosystem may lead to the Internet of Brains sometime between 2035 and 2050, according to a UK Defence-commissioned RAND report.
Commissioned by the UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and conducted by RAND Europe and Frazer Nash Consulting, the study “Cultural and technological change in the future information environment” looks at six technologies and information environments and their implications for British defense.
Florida Town Installs Live Facial Recognition to Protect Against 3 Trespassers
Lakeland, Florida is not known as a particularly violent city. It does not appear on lists of America’s most crime-ridden towns. But it is home to one of the first installations of real-time public facial recognition in the U.S.
The first among the cameras have been installed by the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority (LDDA), according to local NBC affiliate WFLA. The Ledger counts 14 cameras in the project, and says they are running Verkada software. The installation is expected to be complete at the end of April. The cameras cost $115,000.
General Assembly adopts landmark resolution on artificial intelligence
The UN General Assembly on Thursday, March 21, adopted a landmark resolution on the promotion of “safe, secure and trustworthy” artificial intelligence (AI) systems that will also benefit sustainable development for all.
Adopting a United States-led draft resolution without a vote, the Assembly also highlighted the respect, protection and promotion of human rights in the design, development, deployment and the use of AI.
AI ethics are ignoring children, say researchers
Researchers from the Oxford Martin Programme on Ethical Web and Data Architectures (EWADA), University of Oxford, have called for a more considered approach when embedding ethical principles in the development and governance of AI for children.
In a perspective paper published in Nature Machine Intelligence, the authors highlight that although there is a growing consensus around what high-level AI ethical principles should look like, too little is known about how to effectively apply them in principle for children.
Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Insects: a Systematic Review and Metaanalysis
The German and Swiss environmental and consumer organization diagnose:funk presents the newly published BEEFI study (under the motto “Silent Spring 2024”). This study Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields on Insects: a Systematic Review and Metaanalysis is the most comprehensive review and evaluation of the research situation on insects and electromagnetic fields (mobile phone radiation, magnetic fields from high-voltage power lines) to date.
The most important result of the BEEFI study: “Non-thermal biological effects of EMF on insects have been clearly demonstrated in the laboratory.” Negative effects include impaired orientation, reduced fertility and a weakened immune system. New field studies confirm these results.
Toddlers to Get Digital ID in Philippines, Caymans
The Philippines is allowing children four years of age and younger to sign up for the country’s digital ID, the Philippine Identification System or PhilSys.
Signing up for the ID system usually requires biometric information, such as fingerprints, iris scan and a facial image. Registering children, however, will only require demographic data and a photograph, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority in the Central Visayas region. The agency, which is in charge of implementing the digital ID system, will only capture their biometrics once they reach five years old.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency
SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites under a classified contract with a U.S. intelligence agency, five sources familiar with the program said, demonstrating deepening ties between billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk’s space company and national security agencies.
The network is being built by SpaceX’s Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency that manages spy satellites, ..
World Bank president advocates global digital ID scheme at tech summit
The president of the World Bank calls on governments to launch digital identity schemes, so that they can be linked with the private sector and existing infrastructures.
Speaking at the World Bank Group’s inaugural Global Digital Summit last week, World Bank president Ajay Banga said that digital identity should be embraced worldwide, and that governments should be the owners, so they can guarantee privacy and security for their citizens.
New Paper Reiterates Risks from Radio Tagging Wildlife to Track Them, Health Risks from Microchipping Pets
This paper discusses the potential health risks and benefits to tagged wildlife from the use of radio tracking, radio telemetry, and related microchip and data-logger technologies used to study, monitor and track mostly wildlife in their native habitats.
Domestic pets, especially canids, are briefly discussed as radio-tagging devices are also used on/in them. Radio tracking uses very high frequency (VHF), ultra-high frequency (UHF), and global positioning system (GPS) technologies, including via satellites where platform terminal transmitters (PTTs) are used, as well as geo-locating capabilities using satellites, radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips, and passive integrated responder (PIT) tags, among others.
Organization Sues FDA for Failing to Protect Public from Biologically and Environmentally Harmful LED Lights
The Soft Lights Foundation announces that the Foundation’s President, Mark Baker, has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Food and Drug Administration for failing to comply with 21 U.S.C. 360hh – 360ss and publish performance standards for Light Emitting Diode products to ensure the comfort, health, safety, and civil rights of the public which has caused irreparable harm for Mr. Baker and millions of others.
The US FDA is the only federal agency that has the Congressional authority and mandate to regulate electromagnetic radiation from electronic products.
Nepal to Assign Unique ID Number at Birth as Part of Digital ID Program
Digital identity for individuals will soon start at birth or shortly thereafter in Nepal, where the government has begun issuing digital numbers to children as part of birth registration, according to a report from The Kathmandu Post. The move is part of a transition from citizenship certificates to biometric smart national ID cards that will include a photo, personal data and fingerprint biometrics.
“We have been informally providing national ID numbers to people at their birth registration across the country for the past two months,” confirms Mukesh Kumar Keshar, director at the Department of National ID and Civil Registration, which issues the digital ID numbers and biometric smart cards. “Such numbers are being given to around 2,000 people a day.”
School Board Unanimously Votes Against Cell Tower Proposal due to Parents’ Opposition and “no necessity”
Although Verizon (NYSE: VZ) had hoped to order up a cell tower site on the grounds of Rye Elementary School, the New Hampshire School Board issued a unanimous vote against it. As Seacoast Online reports, the Board was influenced by parents who feared that a 130 foot cell tower might have negative health consequences.
“I think that because of our responsibilities, there has to be an absolute certainty that something we would approve has no potential health risks,” said School Board chairperson Matt Curtin, explaining his nay vote. “I understand that from a scientific perspective it’s practically impossible, but I would have needed to have walked away from this conversation feeling 99.9 percent confident that you wouldn’t be introducing something harmful.”
Country Considers Requests to Address Environmental Harm Caused by EMF Pollution (aka “Electrosmog”)
The interim draft of the “Government of Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy on Halting and reversing biodiversity loss” now specifically highlights Canadian people’s call for the need to reduce EMF pollution!
“We applaud Canada in this transparent public process regarding the nation’s National Biodiversity Strategy. The United States does not currently have a National Biodiversity Strategy and we need to follow suit,” stated Theodora Scarato Executive Director of Environmental Health Trust pointing out that wireless companies define wireless as a pollution in their own policies.
The Government Really Is Spying On You — And It’s Legal
The freakout moment that set journalist Byron Tau on a five-year quest to expose the sprawling U.S. data surveillance state occurred over a “wine-soaked dinner” back in 2018 with a source he cannot name.
The tipster told Tau the government was buying up reams of consumer data — information scraped from cellphones, social media profiles, internet ad exchanges and other open sources — and deploying it for often-clandestine purposes like law enforcement and national security in the U.S. and abroad. The places you go, the websites you visit, the opinions you post — all collected and legally sold to federal agencies.
Buyer Beware: FDA Issues Warnings Against “Smart” Wearables that Claim to Measure Blood Sugar
Smartwatches and rings that claim to measure blood sugar levels for medical purposes without piercing the skin could be dangerous and should be avoided, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Wednesday.
The caution applies to any watch or ring, regardless of brand, that claims to measure blood glucose levels in a non-invasive way, the agency said. The FDA said it has not authorized any such device.
Applying the Precautionary Principle to Wireless Technology: Policy Dilemmas and Systemic Risks
Recent decades have seen a huge rise in human exposure to microwave radiation due to the widespread use of mobile and wireless services that enable smartphones and watches, tablets, laptops and digital devices in the home and workplace. The health and safety standards to protect humans from exposure to harmful levels of microwave radiation can be traced to the 1950s.
However, research now demonstrates the existence of many adverse health effects, including cancers and neurological disorders, at levels of everyday use by children and adults. We argue that it is long past the time for governments to apply the Precautionary Principle to protect children and adults, especially pregnant women, and to ensure safer levels of exposure for all.
Environmental Minister Bans Cell Towers in Tiger Habitats; Issues Other Guidelines to Protect Wildlife from Radiation Exposure
The Indian Environment Ministry has issued strict guidelines regarding cell towers in tiger critical habitat across the country. While providing connectivity to the people residing within or near wildlife-rich areas, “the protection and conservation of wildlife habitats should not be affected” by such installations.
This decision comes in the wake of a growing number of proposals for cell towers in wildlife areas such as national parks, sanctuaries, tiger reserves, and corridors. However cell towers emit RF radiation well associated with a broad range of harmful health effects in animals.
Researchers Introduce Wireless “Smart” Earrings, to Continuously Monitor Wearers’ Earlobe Temperature; Investigate Other Applications
SEATTLE — Smart rings, watches, and other accessories are becoming increasingly common, especially in the fitness world. Now, researchers from the University of Washington are introducing the Thermal Earring, a wireless wearable earring that monitors a user’s earlobe temperature.
The smart earring is comparable in size and weight to a small paperclip, yet has a battery life that lasts 28 days. The prototype works by having a magnetic clip attaching a temperature sensor to one’s ear, with another sensor dangling about an inch underneath to estimate room temperature.
DNA and Developmental Damage from Cell Towers on the Greek Island of Samos: Effects on Insects, Flowers and Vegetables
A recent paper, ‘Human‑made electromagnetic fields: Ion forced‑oscillation and voltage‑gated ion channel dysfunction, oxidative stress and DNA damage (Review)” published in the International Journal of Oncology by biophysicist Dimitris J. Panagopoulos et al., states unequivocally that electromagnetic radiation from wireless technology damages DNA.
This leads to infertility, sterility, mutations and extinctions, and it explains the loss of biodiversity that we are currently experiencing on this planet.
Nearly All UES 5G Towers Cancelled After Historic Preservation Review
A recent ruling by the New York State Historic Preservation Office means that only one of the 18 proposed LinkNYC 5G towers could remain as an active possibility, according to officials and a map built by the LinkNYC vendor, CityBridge.
The kiboshed towers met their demise through a mix of site-specific compatibility issues and failing a federally mandated historic preservation review on the impact the gigantic 5G transmission poles — conceived as part of a city plan to expand internet access across the Big Apple —would have on the Upper East Side’s historic districts.
RWA Urges FCC to Change 5G Fund
The Rural Wireless Association wants some areas that are supported by the FCC’s Universal Service Fund (USF) to be excluded from the 5G Fund of Rural America’s upcoming reverse auction. The point is to free up funding for areas that are at high risk of losing that support, notes Broadband Breakfast.
RWA representatives told FCC officials that current 5G Fund rules would “disaggregate” high-cost USF support in certain areas, potentially leaving “legacy mobile carriers’ investments in their networks stranded.”
Update: 5G/EMF/RF: UK EECC Challenge Escalated to Judicial Review
Neil McDougall and Karen Churchill have capitalized on a unique opportunity to demand the UK government introduce proper 5G risk assessments, beyond councils solely applying ICNIRP exposure guidelines, by utilizing the law which safeguards rights as the UK exits from the European Union. This is bound by a December 31, 2023 deadline.