News digest

Encryption plans by Apple, Google criticized

Plans by Google and Apple to toughen the encryption of their mobile devices have sparked complaints from US law enforcement.

FBI director James Comey criticized both companies for the new measures that keep smartphones locked down, without even the company holding the keys to unlock the data.

"What concerns me about this is companies marketing something expressly to allow people to place themselves beyond the law," the FBI chief said, warning that law enforcement may be denied timely access, even with a warrant, in cases ranging from child kidnapping to terrorism.

Former FBI criminal division chief Ronald Hosko made a similar point in the Washington Post, citing a case in which the agency used smartphone data to solve a brutal kidnapping just in time to save the life of the victim.

Xinjiang Corps to fight against extremists

The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, a specialized paramilitary force, is to play a more important and strategic role in fighting separatism, extremism and terrorism in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, Vice-Premier Liu Yandong announced on Oct 7.

The force, also known as Bingtuan, was formed 60 years ago to carry out and develop militia duties in guarding border areas. It handles its own administrative and judicial affairs under divisions and regiments.

In the past the corps has formed emergency militia battalions, which could be mobilized in response to activities endangering stability in Xinjiang, including terrorist incidents.

"The corps has continuously strengthened its ability to carry out militia duties, as it is on the front line of the battle against separatism and terrorism," Liu said.

High-tech system exposes jaywalkers

Pedestrians in Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei province, who cross the road when the light is red could have their faces displayed publicly on a screen in future.

In a pilot scheme, a high-tech system with two digital cameras has been located next to two major intersections by the city's traffic authority.

Sensors detect pedestrians who step onto the crossing when the light is red, and the system issues a voice warning instructing them not to continue.

The installations, the first of their kind in North China, are intended to discourage what officials describe as the "Chinese style of crossing the road" - large crowds of people surging forward when the red light is on.

Online health services gain in popularity

Online health services are being offered by a growing number of hospitals in China, ecommerce giant Alibaba says.

Fifteen hospitals have now joined its "Future Hospital", a mobile medical treatment strategy expected to help hospitals improve operating efficiency and optimize the deployment of medical resources, it says.

The plan was initiated four months ago by Alibaba's third-party online payment platform Alipay, allowing medical institutions to access its account system, mobile platform, payment and financial solutions, cloud computing and big data platforms.

More than 10,000 patients are now using the virtual services every day, including registration and medical payment, shortening the typically time-consuming process in hospitals, said Wang Lijuan, general manager of Alibaba's small and micro business financial service group.

The Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou has reported that 15 percent of patients now choose to pay their medical fees via Alipay and more than 70,000 patients have used the services.

China Dailly

(China Daily Africa Weekly 10/10/2014 page3)