A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 19 February to Sunday 25 February 2024.
Monday, 19 February 2024
Deltec denounces “meritless” allegations in new lawsuit, asserts it had no prior knowledge of FTX misconduct
Bahamas – Deltec says that it will vigorously defend against what it deems as “meritless claims” amidst allegations in a new lawsuit, with the bank maintaining that it did not know about FTX misconduct… more
Deltec’s ‘secret’ $2bn credit line for FTX ally
Bahamas – A BAHAMIAN bank has been accused of aiding FTX by allegedly “sidestepping” this country’s banking laws, helping to “siphon off” customer funds and providing an up to $2bn “secret” credit line… more
New initiative monitors Latin American and Caribbean digital development
Caribbean – The Santiago-headquartered Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC – or CEPAL in Spanish), one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations, and founded with the purpose of contributing to the economic development of Latin America, has unveiled what it calls its Digital Development Observatory (DDO)… more
Food for the Poor, Starr Computers and St Francis collaborate to donate IT labs to Region Six
Guyana – Food For The Poor (Guyana) Inc (FFTP) in partnership with Starr Computers and St Francis Community Developers donated two new upgraded Information Technology Labs to Region Six… more
Ex-chief financial officer: ‘I was fired after making TSTT profitable’
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT’s former CFO Shiva Ramnarine said on Monday that after turning around the struggling company, he and former CEO Lisa Agard were fired instead of being celebrated… more
Ex-TSTT CEO Agard reports to JSC: ‘I was told to stay quiet on cyber attack’
Trinidad and Tobago – TSTT’s former CEO Lisa Agard said she was told to keep silent on a cyber attack on the company in 2023, speaking at Parliament’s Joint Select Committee (JSC) on State Enterprises chaired by Anthony Vieira, on February 19… more
Professional perspectives on new cybercrime laws
Trinidad and Tobago – A SPIRITED discussion of last week’s column on LinkedIn offered wider perspectives on the cybercrime laws which the Attorney General promises for later in 2024… more
Tuesday, 20 February 2024
Deltec pleaded Bahamas law breach, poverty over FTX evidence demands
Bahamas – Deltec Bank & Trust pleaded poverty and violations of Bahamian law in a failed bid to block aggrieved former FTX investors from forcing it to provide evidence… more
Grenada-born technology leader shines at US Engineering Awards
Grenada – Native Grenadian Dr Camille Lewis has been officially recognised as a Modern-Day Technology Leader at the 38th Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) held from 15–18 February 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland, United States… more
Tech5 wins ABIS contract for Jamaican biometric voter registration
Jamaica – Tech5 will provide the automated biometric identification system (ABIS) for Jamaica’s voter registry, to deduplicate, identify and verify voters using fingerprint and face biometrics… more
Wednesday, 21 February 2024
The Digital Masquerade: How a Fake Facebook Profile Led to Real Legal Trouble in Belize
Belize – Imagine waking up one day to find your trusted public figure’s digital persona entangled in scandal, not by their own doing but by the cunning manipulation of another… more
5 reasons your business is struggling with social media
Caribbean – In today’s digital age, social media has transcended its initial purpose of connecting individuals, evolving into a crucial platform for businesses aiming to enhance their visibility, engage with their audience, and drive growth… more
ECJ sets up online portal to report political violations, complaints
Jamaica – The Electoral Commission of Jamaica (ECJ), which has now taken on the functions of the political ombudsman, has set up an online portal to report violations of the political code of conduct… more
CWU: Replace TSTT board
Trinidad and Tobago – The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) is calling for the removal of general manager of operations and administration Gerard Cooper and senior manager of environmental, social and reputation management Khamal Georges following claims made by former chief executive officer (CEO) Lisa Agard that she was misinformed on the cyber breach… more
Thursday, 22 February 2024
Barbados to modernise healthcare infrastructure
Barbados – A grant from the IDB and EU encourage Barbados’s healthcare system to transition to digital records. The shift is taking place due to data security concerns of the outdated paper-based system… more
Cybercrime Investigation Files Against Joseph Budna Now with DPP
Belize – Following reports that Joseph Budna was wanted for questioning in connection with a cyber bullying investigation, Budna handed himself into police… more
GTT customers can now top up from GBTI Online
Guyana – GTT/GBTI customers can now top up their prepaid accounts (phones) using GBTI Online. The telecommunications company said that Top up is now made easier and convenient using the Quick Top-Up feature on the GO banking App and online platform… more
Padarath: Who ‘called shot’ to fire TSTT’s Agard, Ramnarine?
Trinidad and Tobago – United National Congress (UNC) Princes Town MP and shadow for public utilities, Barry Padarath, is questioning who instructed that Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) CEO Lisa Agard and chief financial officer Shiva Ramnarine be fired… more
Friday, 23 February 2024
OECS Robotics Association launched
Caribbean – The St Kitts and Nevis Robotics Association (SKNRA) celebrated a major milestone on Wednesday February 14, 2024, when it successfully launched the OECS Robotics Association with the aim of advancing robotics and technology across the OECS sub-region… more
CIG denies cyber breach but engages consultants
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands Government has finally issued an explanation about a cyber attack on its online systems that took place on 9 February, having issued a statement just three lines long last week following press inquiries… more
Digital innovation and renewed approach improve carnival
Curaçao – The celebration of Carnival 2024 in Curaçao has reached a milestone with the introduction of a fully digital registration and a renewed approach for the allocation of plots along the route. This year marks a historic moment for this cultural event, thanks to the efforts of the Prekario Team, as reported by the Ministry of Traffic and Transport… more
National Library Curaçao launches new Digital Assistance Service
Curaçao – The Biblioteka Nashonal Kòrsou Frank Martinus Arion provides support for anyone who needs help navigating the digital world. DigitalHelp, the name of this new service, offers personal guidance for questions about PCs, laptops, tablets, and smartphones… more
iCreate still in the red despite Q4 gains
Jamaica – Digital media outfit iCreate Group is seeing light at the end of the tunnel, which manifested in its latest quarterly outturn in which consolidated revenues surged by 114 per cent to close on J$62.1 million over the comparative 2022 fourth quarter… more
Cashless TT, FinTech potential examined at stakeholder workshops
Trinidad and Tobago – INCLUSIVITY was a focal point of stakeholder discussions at recent workshops hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre in association with United Nations (UN) and European Union (EU) agencies, aimed at advancing the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS)… more
Saturday, 24 February 2024
New San Antonio Digital Connect Center inaugurated
Belize – Оn Fеbruаrу 23, 2024, Міnіѕtеr оf Rurаl Тrаnѕfоrmаtіоn Оѕсаr Rеquеnа јоіnеd СЕО Јоѕе Urbіnа іn thе Міnіѕtrу оf Рublіс Utіlіtіеѕ, Еnеrgу, Lоgіѕtісѕ & Е-Gоvеrnаnсе, СЕО Vаlеntіnо Ѕhаl іn thе Міnіѕtrу оf Rurаl Тrаnѕfоrmаtіоn, Іаn Кіng Rеѕіdеnt Rерrеѕеntаtіvе fоr UNDР Веlіzе, аnd Dаnіеl Сос, Сhаіrmаn оf Ѕаn Аntоnіо Vіllаgе іn thе Тоlеdо Dіѕtrісt, tо lаunсh thе Ѕаn Аntоnіо Dіgіtаl Соnnесt Сеntеr, whеrе іnnоvаtіоn mееtѕ соmmunіtу… more
Businesses urged to integrate AI into cybersecurity measures
Jamaica – In today’s increasingly digitised landscape, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for businesses worldwide… more
Sunday, 25 February 2024
Revolutionising population health planning with artificial intelligence
Caribbean – Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a key component of the healthcare industry, relevant to all aspects of care, from diagnosis to monitoring… more
NIDS rollout set for Q1 2024
Jamaica – SENATOR DANA Morris Dixon, minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, indicates that the National Identification System (NIDS) is expected to be deployed in the first quarter of 2024 as long as the relevant regulations are ready… more
Securys data protection consultancy hub for Jamaica
Jamaica – DATA PROTECTION consultancy firm Securys is setting up an operational hub in Jamaica. The company, which is based in the United Kingdom, is set to broaden its presence in the Caribbean region with the new branch in Jamaica… more
Report: Hackers accessed TSTT using admin’s credential
Trinidad and Tobago – THE Check Point Incident Response Team (CPIRT) confirmed with “high confidence” that hackers utilised an administrator’s credentials at the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) to gain access into the organisation and execute last October’s cyberattack, according to an interim report filed with the Parliament’s Joint Select Committee investigating TSTT’s handling of the breach… more
Images credit: Susan Sermoneta (flickr); CANTO; Wikipedia; Guyana Chronicle; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons
