A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 16 December to Sunday 22 December 2024.
Monday, 16 December 2024
Social media impact on adolescents
Caribbean – THE EDITOR: In today’s digital era, smartphones and social media platforms have become virtual companions for adolescents. These platforms not only connect users with friends and trending gossip, but also immerse them in the lives of influencers, celebrities and global events…more
What keeps regional cybersecurity experts awake at night
Caribbean – The panel discussion that comprised the second half of the ISC2 Scam Defence seminar on November 30 made clear some of the challenges that regional cybersecurity experts face… more
Car thieves go high tech
Jamaica – A device that was allegedly confiscated from two men, as they attempted to steal two vehicles at the Constant Spring tax office in St Andrew, has been confirmed to be a key re-programming gadget that allows criminals to steal a car within seconds, a senior police investigator has revealed… more
Digicel Jamaica announces key senior leadership appointments
Jamaica – Digicel has announced key appointments to its local senior management team… more
St. Kitts and Nevis focused on digital transformation, advancing TVET
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. Terrence Drew has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to advancing education and workforce training… more
Central Bank gets plaudits on e-money
Trinidad and Tobago – Mastercard’s country manager for Jamaica, T&T, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dalton Fowles, is commending this country’s Central Bank for doing a “pretty good job” in granting Electronic Money Issuer (EMI) licences, which continue to pave the way for T&T’s digital transformation journey… more
Ex-TSTT worker to repay union
Trinidad and Tobago – The High Court on Thursday reaffirmed a judgment against a former Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) employee, ordering her to repay a little over $.3 million to the Communications Workers Union(CWU)… more
MIC-IT celebrates 50 years of shaping futures in tech/voc education
Trinidad and Tobago – Minister in the Education Ministry Lisa Morris-Julian said MIC-IT’s celebration of 50 years in existence is not just a milestone but a testimony to the power of vision, hard work and unwavering commitment to the prosperity of TT’s people, country and future… more
Tuesday, 17 December 2024
WhatsApp scams continue, purported utility workers attempting to rob homes, what must be done?
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The VONNEWSLINE has received reports of WhatsApp scams and robbers, purporting to be technicians from the Cable in St. Kitts (which is an internet provider) and thus attempting to rob persons of household items… more
PNM and digital democracy
Trinidad and Tobago – THE PEOPLE’S National Movement (PNM), a cornerstone of TT’s political fabric, faces a defining moment as the country approaches the 2025 general election. With a legacy spanning decades, the party has demonstrated resilience in overcoming challenges… more
Scotiabank T&T to close two more branches in digital push
Trinidad and Tobago – SCOTIABANK Trinidad and Tobago will close its San Juan and Cunupia branches in February, bringing the total number of branch and service centre closures to five within four years… more
WiPay Remittance launches in Trinidad & Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago – The WiPay Group has officially launched its newest subsidiary, WiPay Remittance, marking a significant expansion into Trinidad and Tobago’s remittance market… more
Wednesday, 18 December 2024
Bahamas launches National Cyber Security strategic plan
Bahamas – The Bahamas has launched its National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS) in a bid to better protect its digital infrastructure from rapidly-evolving online threats… more
Govt to begin using cloud-based system in first quarter of 2025
Bahamas – In the first quarter of 2025, the government is rolling out its Cloud Bahamas tool, designed to make government agencies in The Bahamas more efficient. The rollout will start with human capital management modules, a statement on the rollout revealed… more
National cybersecurity strategy launched to strengthen digital infrastructure
Bahamas – The Bahamas has worked towards strengthening its digital infrastructure with the official launch of the National Cybersecurity Strategy (NCS). Approved by the Cabinet, the strategy aims to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity framework amid the growing global threat of cyberattacks… more
Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Rural Communities Through Technology
Belize – In the remote areas of Stann Creek and Toledo Districts in Belize, access to technology has long been a challenge… more
KPMG survey: AI top priority for global CEOs
Caribbean – Top CEOs are backing their businesses to prosper in the face of declining confidence in the global economy, a KPMG survey of more than 1,300 corporate leaders from across the world finds… more
Strand Consult urges Caribbean policymakers to close $13-billion broadband investment gap
Caribbean – A new report from global research firm Strand Consult is calling for urgent action from Caribbean policymakers to close a broadband investment gap of US$8 billion to US$13 billion, which threatens to derail the region’s digital future… more
GLI Cayman Islands blockchain and cryptocurrency regulation 2025, seventh edition
Cayman Islands – Regulatory clarity in the digital assets and crypto space continues to be a moving target. Yet, the interest among policymakers and regulators worldwide has never been more pronounced… more
Scammers create fake Cayman Crypto Bank website
Cayman Islands – Fraudsters have created a fake crypto bank claiming to be based in Cayman in another effort to separate people from their hard earned cash. The Financial Reporting Authority (FRA) became aware of the “Cayman Crypto Bank” through the website… more
Digicel and MMG partner to offer seamless top-up experience in Guyana
Guyana – In a new partnership aimed at enhancing customer convenience, Digicel Guyana is pleased to announce that Digicel top-up is now available through Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), Digicel announced on Wednesday… more
One Guyana Digital Programme yields 365 graduates
Guyana – The first cohort of 365 persons has completed the One Guyana Digital Programme, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI)… more
Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Investments Take Center Stage In Justice Sector Reform
Saint Kitts and Nevis – In his address during the 2025 Budget Debate, on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, the Honourable Garth Wilkin, Attorney General and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs unveiled transformative initiatives aimed at modernising the justice system through technology and infrastructure development… more
Thursday, 19 December 2024
ACCA report: Embrace technology in audit
Caribbean – Digital tools and artificial intelligence are transforming the business landscape. But what does the digital revolution mean for audits and auditors – particularly those in smaller practices? … more
Caribbean risks being left behind without closing broadband investment gap – report
Caribbean – A new report published by international digital research firm Strand Consult indicates that big technology firms such as Netflix, Google and Meta are extracting an average of US$11.5 billion from Jamaica and the Caribbean annually without making any investments in the region’s mobile or fixed line network infrastructure… more
Globally in-demand AI skills
Caribbean – THE global job market is undergoing a seismic shift, with artificial intelligence (AI) at the heart of this transformation… more
Digicel customers now able to top up via MMG
Guyana – Digicel customers can now top-up their devices using the Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) platform… more
Simply Secure makes formal takeover of tTech Limited
Jamaica – Having acquired majority shares in the Jamaican-based technology company, tTech Limited (tTech), the Florida-based Simply Secure Limited has made a formal takeover of the company… more
2025 Budget Prepares Public To Utilise Tools For Digital Transformation
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is pushing forward with its Digital Transformation Strategy recognising that technology and innovation are essential tools that are central to achieving the sustainable island state agenda… more
Electronic Identification System At The Forefront Of Government’s Digital Transformation Agenda In 2025
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Honourable Konris Maynard commenced his presentation on the 2025 Budget Debate on December 19, 2024, by providing a comprehensive update on the government’s thrust towards full digital transformation, underpinned by the development and delivery of the Electronic Identification (eID) System that will enable seamless interactions between citizens and government services… more
CHTA Partners with C&W Business to Revolutionize Digital Transformation in Caribbean Tourism.
Sint Maarten – The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has joined forces with Cable & Wireless Business (C&W Business) in a transformative partnership designed to spearhead digital innovation in the Caribbean’s tourism sector… more
Friday, 20 December 2024
Mastercard bullish on growth of digital payments
Caribbean – ushing to dethrone the use of cash locally, Mastercard said it continues to work towards bringing more solutions that will help to speed up the digital transformation agenda across Jamaica’s payment ecosystem… more
New CELIA submarine cable to connect Caribbean to the US
Caribbean – Members of the CELIA consortium introduce CELIA, a new high-capacity “express” cable in the Caribbean region connecting Aruba, Martinique, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and Boca Raton in Florida (U.S.)… more
Warning over scam ‘Cayman Crypto Bank’
Cayman Islands – Police and regulators are warning the public about a fake ‘Cayman Crypto Bank’… more
JamaicaEye going blind
Jamaica – National Security Minister Dr Horace Chang has revealed that the JamaicaEye surveillance network is now in shambles, owing to a shortage of personnel to maintain the system, causing several cameras to fail… more
Cyber convicts ordered to pay thousands of dollars and jailed for sharing sexual images
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – A woman who posted and shared sexually explicit images of another woman online after accusing her of having an intimate relationship with her ex-boyfriend, was ordered to pay $39,000 and was sentenced to prison for 10 months, while her partner in the act was ordered to pay $37,500 and was jailed for 10 months… more
Local fishers welcome Digi-fish project
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – A local fisher who has survived four boat mishaps at sea, can count himself a lucky man today as he lives to see I.T. being incorporated into fishing through the Digi-fish device to help improve safety of fishers while at sea… more
New Digi-fish project aims to improve safety at sea for fishers
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – A project was launched last Monday, December 16, by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Environment Fund (SVGEF), where 30 Pelagic Data Systems(PDS) Digi-fish devices were distributed to fishers and boat owners. These devices will improve safety at sea, addressing the recent rise in cases of fishers being lost at sea… more
TATT begins digital television free to air testing
Trinidad and Tobago – The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), in collaboration with the four free-to-air television service providers CCN TV6, Parliament TV, CNC3 and TTT, launched the digital terrestrial television signal using an ATSC 3.0 demonstration station installed at Express House on Thursday 05 December, 2024… more
Saturday, 21 December 2024
More cybersecurity awareness ‘needed’
Caribbean – Digital transformation has grown tremendously regionally for governments, the private sector, and customers in general. It has made the accessibility of public services, e-commerce, investments, education, and so on, easy, including the use of innovative technological services like digital wallets – all demonstrated in 2024… more
Sunday, 22 December 2024
Text message trouble
Jamaica – Dear Claudienne, I live in St James. I received a text message from Flow on my phone on 20/08/2024.The message stated… more
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