Coronavirus: Chinese researchers’ device may detect infection in 10 minutes

Peking University team say their patented sensing chip is as accurate as the standard PCR testing, based on initial study results. They say the technology is ready for immediate use, but some think there could be challenges for mass production.

Opinion: Sick of roaming fees? Now your carrier is hurting too

African money transfer firms thrive as pandemic spurs online remittances

Having fled an economic implosion in his native Zimbabwe, Brighton Takawira was able to support his mother back home with modest earnings from a small perfume business he set up in South Africa.

Nonprofit app aims to help unblock global air travel

A nonprofit foundation is testing a smartphone app that could make it easier for international airline passengers to securely show they’ve complied with Covid-19 testing requirements. It’s an attempt to help get people back to flying after the pandemic sent global air travel down by 92%.

Blockchain allowed 17 million people to travel between Guangdong, Macau amid coronavirus pandemic

Macau and China’s southern Guangdong province have a mutually recognised health code system powered by blockchain. This allows both sides to validate the health status of travellers without directly exchanging personal data, hence complying with local privacy laws.

Covid-19: Connected wristbands could be used to monitor home quarantine for travellers

Australian authorities are considering trialing electronic tags to manage at-home quarantine for certain travelers arriving from overseas.

Privacy of biometric data in US govt agency’s hands in doubt, official says

An inspector general’s report is casting doubt on the US Department of Homeland Security’s ability to protect its massive repository of personal data from hackers amid a push by the Trump administration to vastly expand its collection of biometrics through the use of facial recognition and other tools.

Cathay Pacific and Prenetics to launch London-Hong Kong digital health passport in October in bid to ease travel

Pilot project, which starts on the Hong Kong-London route, will allow travellers to show their negative Covid-19 test results on a mobile app before boarding.

The Week That Was: Tackling a pandemic

Governments in Asia continue to use tech in different ways to curb the spread of Covid-19.

'Virtual kidnappings' warning for Chinese students in Australia

Elaborate "virtual kidnappings" are being used to extort money from the friends and relatives of Chinese students Down Under, Australian police warned on July 27.