A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday, 8 December to Sunday, 14 December 2025.
Monday, 8 December 2025
Weak regulations enable digital violence against women, says NGO leader
Antigua and Barbuda – Weak regulations, perpetrator anonymity, and a lack of accountability from technology platforms are fueling a growing threat of digital violence against women and girls, according to the Executive Director of Women Against Rape (WAR)… more
Cable ‘not aware’ of BTC merger proposal
Bahamas – Cable Bahamas’ top executive says he is “unaware” of any proposal for a merger with the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and there have been no talks or discussions on such a plan… more
Ministry of E-Governance launches Robotics training to build workforce-ready skills
Belize – On December 6, 2025, the Ministry of E-Governance, in collaboration with the Belize Robotics Federation hosted a full-day VEX Robotics build and training session at the Fort George Digital Connect Center… more
Mastercard unveils Agent Pay in Latin America and the Caribbean, accelerating smarter, safer agentic commerce
Caribbean – At the Mastercard Innovation Forum, Mastercard announced that beginning in 2026, Mastercard Agent Pay will launch across Latin America and the Caribbean… more
Regional cybersecurity faces fire
Caribbean – ON THE first day of the cybersecurity track at AmCham’s Health, Safety, Security, and Environment Conference on November 11, the regional response to cybersecurity threats led the agenda… more
Amazon extends ultra low-price shopping experience to Jamaica with new Amazon Bazaar app
Jamaica – Amazon has announced the launch of the Amazon Bazaar app in Jamaica, bringing a new shopping experience with hundreds of thousands of affordable products across fashion, home, and lifestyle categories to customers… more
Amazon launches low-cost shopping app in Jamaica
Jamaica – Amazon.com Inc has launched its dedicated low-price shopping application, Amazon Bazaar, in Jamaica, the company said on Monday, extending the platform to its 14th market… more
Country Advances Toward National Digital ID Rollout in 2026
Saint Kitts and Nevis – As the globe countdowns to the new year the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis is preparing to launch a full pilot project for a national digital ID system in January 2026… more
AMPLIA Transforms El Dorado East Secondary School with New Digital Learning Space
Trinidad and Tobago – AMPLIA Communications Limited has taken another step toward advancing digital inclusion by refurbishing a technical-vocational classroom at El Dorado East Secondary School, converting it into a fully equipped digital learning space that now supports collaboration, hands-on learning, and access to online resources for students who previously lacked both connectivity and devices… more
Tuesday, 9 December 2025
Rolle: Bahamas has not fully recovered from FTX collapse
Bahamas – The Bahamas will always fight negative perceptions as a result of the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX on its watch, Executive Director of the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) Christina Rolle told Henri Arslanian for his “The Future of Crypto Compliance” podcast series, an article on the Fintech News Network explained… more
Your photos may be exposing your location: Hidden metadata puts privacy at risk
Belize – Digital photos carry invisible data that can expose far more than the image itself, privacy experts warned, as cameras and smartphones increasingly embed detailed metadata in every shot… more
UDP alleges deal is done for BTL to buy SMART – but who will benefit?
Belize – The Opposition United Democratic Party claims a deal is in the works for Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) to acquire Speednet Communications, the parent company of telecom SMART… more
Cayman to implement new digital currency reporting rules
Cayman Islands – The Cayman Islands will be one of the first jurisdictions to comply with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) new cryptocurrency tax reporting regulations… more
Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Gov’t set to launch pothole repair app
Bahamas – The Government is planning to imminently launch an app that will allow Bahamians to report potholes and other road-related issues, plus track the progress of repairs in New Providence, a Cabinet minister revealed yesterday… more
New online skills resource helps job seekers ace interviews
Jamaica – IN today’s competitive job market it’s harder than ever for job seekers to stand out to employers — especially members of Gen Z who are at the beginning of their careers. Now, though, candidates can give themselves a competitive edge when preparing for interviews and applications by using a new digital resource from ACCA… more
Flow joins legal queue to recoup fees paid to OfReg
Cayman Islands – Cable and Wireless, trading as Flow, has become the latest telecommunications provider to sue the Cayman Islands Government and the utilities regulator, OfReg, to recover millions of dollars in fees it claims were unlawfully collected over more than two decades… more
ICT consumer protection to be beefed up, OfReg says
Cayman Islands – Better protection for customers of tech and telecoms firms is on the cards, the sector regulator has pledged… more
Trend Media achieves Google premier partner status
Jamaica – Trend Media, part of Digicel Group, has earned premier partner status from Google, placing it among the top-performing agencies in the region for Google Ads expertise and performance… more
Thursday, 11 December 2025
Gibson: Only two BTC technicians servicing entire Long Island
Bahamas – LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson has urged the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) to deploy additional technicians to the island amid ongoing communications issues following Hurricane Melissa… more
How The Bahamas can take quantum leap into digital era
Bahamas – In today’s digital age, securing sensitive information is no longer just a technical concern — it is a business imperative. From banking and tourism to government operations, The Bahamas relies heavily on secure data systems to maintain trust, operational efficiency and economic stability… more
Top labour negotiator: BTC ‘in total violation’ on fraud-linked firings
Bahamas – A top government labour negotiator yesterday revealed he plans to submit a report asserting that the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is “in total violation” of both its industrial agreements over the recent controversial terminations of five employees… more
Govt lays groundwork for BIMPay real-time digital payments
Barbados – Barbados’ plan to introduce a real-time national payments system — dubbed BIMPay — is moving from concept to reality, with legislation introduced to lawmakers on Friday paving the way for digital money transfers to become standard by the end of March 2026… more
Ex-Jamaican MP urges Caribbean women to prepare of the age of AI
Caribbean – Lisa Hanna, former Jamaican MP, has urged women in the Caribbean to prepare for the age of AI and to embrace reinvention… more
WiPay’s Caribbean-built digital engine and five-pillar ecosystem revealed during WiDay 2025
Caribbean – The WiPay Group concluded the fifth staging of WiDay at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad with a full reveal of its regional ecosystem… more
SAGE Learning Hub and Network Hardware launches at TAMCC and Newlo
Grenada – The Skills to Access the Green Economy (SAGE) programme is pleased to announce the launch of a new SAGE Learning Hub and Network Hardware at the T A Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) on 15 December 2025, and a SAGE Learning Hub at the New Life Organisation (Newlo) on 16 December 2025… more
‘Rights in the digital age’ …Govt. declares education, connectivity, anti-corruption as new human rights pillars
Guyana – The Guyana Government on Tuesday signalled a major shift in how human rights are understood and protected, with Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh declaring that the government now views economic opportunity, digital access, and financial integrity as modern human rights essential to national development… more
Friday, 12 December 2025
Dupuch: Less check fraud than electronic banking fraud
Bahamas – Pierre Dupuch, director of Executive Cheque Printers, told Guardian Business yesterday that the checks commercial banks like RBC Royal Bank use have more security features than most current digital banking products, adding that electronic banking has more fraud than checks… more
Digital overhaul of QEH to begin ‘soon’
Barbados – The much-anticipated digital overhaul of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) is set to begin soon, marking the start of a health information transformation aimed at ending the chronic loss of patient files and easing pressure on staff, health minister Davidson Ishmael told the House of Assembly on Tuesday… more
FTC warns online retailers ‘no refund’ policies unlawful
Barbados – The Fair Trading Commission (FTC) is issuing a strong warning to online retailers in Barbados that advertise “no refund”, “no return” or “all sales final” policies, declaring such practices illegal under the Consumer Protection Act and a breach of customers’ rights when goods are faulty… more
Acorn Media launches its new Explore Cayman app
Cayman Islands – Acorn Media announced the launch of the fully redesigned Explore Cayman app, now available for free on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store… more
Cayman internet speeds ‘drastically’ improved, says Logic GM
Cayman Islands – Cayman’s communication sector is undergoing rapid disruption, with increased competition, infrastructure buildouts and a regulatory revamp… more
OfReg drafts consumer protection rules for telecoms
Cayman Islands – Almost nine years after the Utility Regulation and Competition Office (OfReg) was established, it has finally drafted a determination on proposed consumer protection regulations for the information and communications technology sector… more
Ogier ranked for expertise in Chambers FinTech Guide
Cayman Islands – Ogier has once again been ranked as a leading firm for fintech legal advice in the Caribbean, according to the Chambers FinTech Guide 2026… more
Subsea cable bill paves way for costly project
Cayman Islands – The Submarine Cable (Telecommunications Resilience) Bill was steered through its second reading in parliament on Wednesday by Planning Minister Jay Ebanks, with the support of the opposition, paving the way for the Cayman Islands Government to begin the costly project… more
Appeal lodged over jailing of ambulance driver for cybercrime
Guyana – Lorian Toney, the 34-year-old ambulance driver who was fined $1 million and sentenced to one year imprisonment for cybercrime on December 2, will be represented by attorney-at-law, Darren Wade in appealing the decision. Wade was retained by Toney’s family and Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed… more
CBCS Fintech conf. examines digital payments, regulation, future of banking
Sint Maarten – The Central Bank of Curaçao and St Maarten (CBCS) hosted its 3rd Annual Fintech Conference on December 4 and 5, 2025, at Simpson Bay Resort, bringing together central bankers, innovators and fintech specialists from the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia… more
Saturday, 13 December 2025
APUA’s Sub-sea Cable materials burned at Morris Bay after DCA demolishes Opposition MP’s Tent
Antigua and Barbuda – The Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) reported Friday that conduits and materials for its subsea cable project at Morris Bay were deliberately burned two days after the Development Control Authority (DCA) demolished Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle’s beach tent at the same location while leaving other structures untouched… more
Thorne warns digital payment reforms risk excluding vulnerable Barbadians
Barbados – Opposition Leader Ralph Thorne suggested that the government’s move towards a fully digital payment system could marginalise vulnerable Barbadians and small cash-based businesses, urging clearer forecasts and assurances about its impact on everyday commerce… more
Connectivity without sovereignty: Why Guyana must fix its digital weaknesses before it’s too late
Guyana – Dear Editor, Guyana is in the middle of an extraordinary digital awakening… more
Sunday, 14 December 2025
ECTEL to Convene 105th Meeting of the Board of Directors in Grenada
Caribbean – The Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority (ECTEL) headquartered in St. Lucia held its 105th Meeting of the ECTEL Board of Directors which was held on Thursday, 11th December 2025. The meeting, which was held in Grenada at the Radisson Hotel, also saw participation online participation via Microsoft Teams… more
Personalization will be the core of the next tech revolution
Caribbean – Consumers expect more than generic experiences. From browsing online stores to interacting with support chatbots, people now seek content and services that feel tailored to them… more
The ECT Act 2023: Legal presumptions regarding electronic signatures, communications, and records
Guyana – Today, we revisit the Electronic Communications Act 2023 (the ECT Act). We will examine section 33, which establishes and governs specific legal presumptions regarding secure electronic signatures, communications, and records… more
Cleared — fighting identity fraud
Jamaica – AS digital transactions rise, so do cases of identity fraud, leaving Jamaicans vulnerable to impostors posing as legitimate agents in real estate, finance and employment… more
Gov’t regulator moves to shut down IC probe
Jamaica – The Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) has gone to court to block an ongoing investigation by the Integrity Commission (IC), accusing the anti-corruption body of acting illegally and abusing its powers… more
One click from chaos
Jamaica – A simple share or a single click is all it takes for an online meeting to be turned into a digital crime scene. From classrooms to government webinars, uninvited intruders continue to crash poorly secured virtual gatherings, flooding screens with pornography and hate-filled messages in a practice known as zoombombing… more
Should Jamaicans turn to Amazon for income after Hurricane Melissa?
Jamaica – A reader from Westmoreland who wrote to me recently shared a question that many people across the western parishes are now asking as they try to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Melissa… more
Images credit: Priscilla Du Preez (Unsplash); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons; Wikimedia Commons; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; ECTEL
