Tech
Growth of popular unrest in Kazakhstan ‘met by throttling of internet freedom’
Watchdog Freedom House says country has in past year experienced one of world’s worst deteriorations in online liberties.
Sberbank to create AI alliance, launches supercomputer
Russia’s largest bank and digital innovation frontrunner Sberbank announced creating an Artificial Intelligence alliance including the state-controlled bank, Yandex and Mail.ru internet majors, MTC mobile operator, Gazprom Neft oil company, and RDIF
Russian Yandex sells out its smartphone, unveils delivery robot
Russian internet major Yandex has sold out of its pilot smartphone model Yandex.Phone, which has proven to be a rare dud for the company, Kommersant daily reported on November 7, citing distributors and electronics retailers.
Draft law limiting foreign ownership of Russian tech companies softened to set 49% cap
The draft law on limiting foreign investors share of “strategically important” tech companies has been considerably softened with the cap on foreign ownership increased from 20% to 49%.
Huawei building Hungary's 5G network
Budapest defies pressure from the US to exclude the Chinese tech giant, sending a clear message to global political and economic actors.
Georgia’s Bitcoin mining “sucking its power grid dry”
Grey economy businesses “patronised by high-ranking officials” have set up in Svaneti region where locals receive free electricity because of the degree of hardship.
Skopje to invest in hydrogen-powered trackless trams in bid to fight air pollution
One of the most polluted cities in Europe, North Macedonia’s capital is turning to the cutting edge public transport system pioneered in China, Qatar and Australia.
Romania postpones 5G licenses auction until next year
Auctions held up as Bucharest needs time to implement an agreement with the US that is likely to see companies using Chinese Huawei’s technology blocked from bidding.
Poland teams up with commercial telecoms to develop 5G network
Memorandum between state agencies and commercial companies is seen as the first major decision of the Law and Justice-led government after the election, which gave it another four years in power.
Croatia’s Greyp to work with blockchain groups on automated vehicle payments
Pioneering electric bicycle company Greyp announces partnerships with Internet of Things company slock.it and non-profit Energy Web Foundation.
Tech unicorn Uipath announces layoffs after media reveal €1mn spending spree on designer chairs
Romanian-born UiPath, the world's biggest robotic processing automation (RPA) company, will lay off around 400 people as part of a global reorganisation.
Czech companies dominate Deloitte CE Tech Fast 50 — but new destinations emerge
Ranking of fastest growing CEE tech companies led by Lithuania’s Voltas IT includes 31 new entrants reflecting hyper rapid pace of tech sector development in the region.
Russia's Ozon online retailer launches express delivery
Russian e-commerce major Ozon launched a new express delivery “Supermarket” service that will deliver food and grocery in under 40-60 minutes in some Moscow districts, Vedomosti daily reported on October 17 citing the representatives of the company.
Extreme Digital, eMAG merger cleared
Hungary's competition watchdog cleared the merger of Hungarian online electronics retailer Extreme Digital with eMAG, a unit of South Africa's Naspers group on October 17, creating one of the largest online retail networks in CEE
