Paperjam.lu

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg understands public scepticism, but says the company’s new messenger service will “prioritise user safety and encrypt private communications”. Photo: COMEO / Shutterstock 

Zuckerberg advocates privacy

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has said that he believes “a privacy-focused communications platform will become even more important than today’s open platforms.” The Guardian says the announcement is linked to the social media company’s plans to integrate its WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram messaging services. CNBC says Zuckerberg’s message was that the new service will prioritise user safety and encrypt private communications. And the BBC cites the CEO as saying that Facebook would not “store sensitive data in countries with weak records on human rights like privacy and freedom of expression.” Reuters chose to cite an admission from Zuckerberg that he understands public scepticism because Facebook does not have a “strong reputation for building privacy protective services.”

Huawei sues United States

Chinese tech giant Huawei is suing the US government over a ban on federal agencies purchasing its equipment. Huawei is basing its legal challenge on a claim that the National Defense Authorization Act is unconstitutional, CNBC reports. The US says Huawei technology could be used for spying and also claims the company has engaged in industrial espionage and broken trade sanctions on Iran. Reuters says Huawei had relatively small telecoms market share in the U.S. but was seeking to be a leader in 5G technology.

May pushes ahead

British prime minister Theresa May will put a new Brexit deal to parliamentary vote on 12 March, a spokesman has insisted, according to The Guardian. If parliament rejects the deal, it will then get to decide whether to block a no-deal Brexit and if it wants the government to seek an extension to Article 50. But Bloomberg reports that the government does have plans to develop technology to keep the Irish border open and is prepared to spend £20 million on the project. The BBC reports that EU officials have said they would work over the weekend if “acceptable” ideas over the Irish backstop were submitted by the UK in time.

Uber expands in Germany

Reuters reports that ride hailing company Uber is set to open in more German cities. It currently serves Berlin, Munich, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt. But there is still no news of any progress on Uber coming to Luxembourg since Delano reported on initial enquiries by the company in February 2017.

US senator raped in air force

Martha McSally, the first female US fighter pilot to fly in combat, has said she was raped by a superior officer while in the air force. The Guardian reports that the Republican senator for Arizona was addressing a hearing on the armed services’ efforts to prevent sexual assaults. She said the military had “wholly inadequate responses” to the growing scandal. The BBC says reports of sexual assaults in US military rose by close to 10% in 2017.

Saudi prince has gone “full gangster” claim

Republican Senator Marco Rubio has said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had gone “full gangster”. He was speaking after a senate hearing to confirm Donald Trump’s nominee as the next US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, John Abizaid. Reuters cites Rubio as calling bin Salman reckless and saying, “he’s ruthless, he has a penchant for escalation, for taking high risks.”

Trebek has cancer

The BBC reports that Alex Trebek, who has hosted US TV show Jeopardy since 1984, has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

Netflix buys García Márquez rights

The Guardian says that Netflix has struck a deal to obtain the screen rights for Gabriel García Márquez’s 1967 masterpiece “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. The book will be adapted into a Spanish-language series.

Supercars gallery

Bloomberg has a great gallery of the best new cars unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.

Today's breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts