Reuters

Telecom standards group puts new technology on hold in wake of U.S. probe

A telecommunications standards organization - GSMA - said it is delaying implementation of a new cellphone technology due to a US government probe of alleged coordination between the group, AT&T and Verizon to hinder consumers from easily switching wireless carriers. At issue is a technology that could make carriers’ business more volatile. ESIM allows consumers to switch wireless providers without having to insert a new physical SIM card, an identifying microchip. That makes it easier to compare wireless networks and easily select a new service when desired.

Facebook CEO says not planning to extend European privacy protections globally

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the social network had no immediate plans to apply a strict new European Union law on data privacy in its entirety to the rest of the world, as the company reels from a scandal over its handling of personal information of millions of its users. Zuckerberg sadi that Facebook already complies with many parts of the law ahead of its implementation in May. He said the company wanted to extend privacy guarantees worldwide in spirit, but would make exceptions, which he declined to describe.