Facebook denounces detention of its exec in Brazil, calls it an ‘extreme and disproportionate measure’

REUTERS/RICARDO MORAES

Facebook isn’t happy with how a Brazilian court handled a case dealing with its messaging service, WhatsApp. The company finds its Vice President for Latin America Diego Dzodan arrested because the company supposedly failed to cooperate with judicial orders related to a secretive drug-trafficking investigation. Facebook, or WhatsApp more specifically, was demanded by a court to provide data to aid in the investigation. The arrest was issued after a fine of 1 million reais (about $340,000 CAD) was issued to compel Facebook to help. However, it might be difficult to obtain that data. According to Christopher Soghoian, principal technologist with the American Civil Liberties Union, WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption technology in 2014 that prevents them from monitoring messages that travel across its network.

Dzodan is currently held in Sao Paulo state for questioning. The arrest comes in the time when social media, Internet, and tech companies are facing mounting pressure from governments to help them spy on their users and filter content. According to an emailed statement from the company, “Facebook has always been and will be available to address any questions Brazilian authorities may have.”

Source: Reuters (1) + Reuters (2)

Microsoft's Bing uses algorithms to predict winners of upcoming World Cup matches

With the FIFA World Cup kicking off in Brazil and global fascination for 'The Beautiful Game' reaching fever pitch, various tech companies are showcasing their  technologies in the service of sport. Microsoft's Bing is adding a 'predictions' feature to its search. This puts the computational power of Bing to use and determines schedules, scores and even who is likely to win a match. 

“For the tournament, our models evaluate the strength of each team through a variety of factors such as previous win/loss/tie record in qualification matches and other international competitions and margin of victory in these contests, adjusted for location since home field advantage is a known bias,” said Microsoft.