UK MPs claim social media companies are “failing” on extremism
The UK Home Affairs Select Committee has accused the largest social media companies, including Facebook, Twitter and Google-owned YouTube, of “consciously failing” to combat groups using their services to promote extremism. Whilst these companies have each said they take their role in combating extremism and terrorism very seriously, MPs argued they must show “a greater sense of responsibility” and increase transparency. Currently, a London police unit oversees the removal of more than 1,000 pieces of extremist or illegal material a week on social media platforms, although the companies do not always agree to requests. Industry body techUK said the MPs had painted “an inaccurate picture” of how much work was being done. (BBC News)
Cybersecurity
Study says Asian companies have world’s worst cybersecurity
A year-long investigation by US security company Mandiant indicates many Asian organisations are badly defended against cyber-attacks. The findings show that the median time between a breach and its discovery within Asian firms was 520 days, a figure that is three times the global average. The region was also 80% more likely to be targeted by hackers than other parts of the world, according to the report. As part of the study, Mandiant hacked into one organisation’s network with its permission to see how vulnerable it was. They were able to access the system within three days. In real circumstances, such breaches lead to an average of 3.7GB of data being stolen, potentially allowing personal information to be used for fraudulent purposes and even compromising a country’s economic competitiveness or national security, according to Mandiant. (BBC News)
Employees
Data shows professional jobs dominated by white, male well-off graduates
A study by the Higher Education Funding Council for England has revealed that three years after leaving university, white, male and better-off graduates are those dominating professional roles. Using data compiled from universities in England, the report found that professional employment rates of students graduating in 2011 were as much as nine percentage points lower for black, Bangladeshi and Pakistani graduates than for white graduates. The employment gap is also found to be gendered, with 79% of men in professional occupations or study, compared with 74% of women, even though more women were in jobs overall. Substantial gaps were also seen among graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds compared with those from better-off areas. (The Guardian)
Waste
Growing risk of plastic in seafood, report finds
A new report by Greenpeace has identified the risk of microplastics spreading toxic chemicals being eaten by marine life and rising up the food chain to contaminate the seafood we consume. This comes just a day after UK MPs called for a worldwide ban on plastic microbeads in the cosmetic industry to curb the issue of plastic waste in the sea. The study reveals that the potential consequences of microplastic to human health are greatly under-researched. Whilst the effects remain unclear, Greenpeace argues that a prolonged industry-led phase out of microbeads is not enough and is urging the government to instead take a precautionary measure by banning microbeads. (Greenpeace)
Tax
US raises concerns over European tax probe involving American companies
The US Treasury has published an in-depth critique of the European Commission’s investigations into alleged tax avoidance schemes by a group of US firms, including Apple, Starbucks and Amazon. The Treasury claimed the commission’s probes into whether US firms unfairly benefited from low corporate tax rates in Europe “undermine” agreements on international tax law and could hurt US taxpayers. A verdict is expected by the Commission in the coming months on whether Apple’s tax dealings in Ireland violate European rules. The company could be ordered to repay over $8 billion in back taxes. The Treasury’s critique reflects a disagreement with European authorities over how to resolve the issue of who benefits from overseas profits, rather than a defence of the actions of these US companies. (Washington Post)
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