CNN.com - Mobile-phone cash register Square open for business
CNN reports: "Square, an application that turns a smartphone into a mobile cash register, is open for business. Created by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, Square uses a free download and plastic card reader to let users accept credit card payments."

Reuters - G20 statement to pledge commitment to market FX rates
Reuters reports: "Group of 20 finance leaders will pledge on Saturday to commit themselves to pursue market-determined exchange rates and refrain from 'competitive devaluation' of their currencies, a G20 source said."

Comment: I expect this meeting to be very contentious and would not be surprised to see some surprises from China on behalf of emerging economies.

My Way News - Facebook says apps transmitted user information
My Way News reports: "The Wall Street Journal reported Monday that several popular Facebook applications have been transmitting users' personal identifying information to dozens of advertising and Internet tracking companies. Facebook said it is working to fix the problem, and was quick to point out that the leaks were not intentional, but a consequence of basic Web mechanisms."

BBC News - Bruce Schneier warns 'profits killing personal privacy'
BBC News reports: "Personal privacy is in danger of being killed off by the profit-making motives of firms which hold our data, security expert Bruce Schneier has warned [...] While the death of personal privacy had been predicted for a long time, rapid technological changes posed a mortal danger to it, he said."

My Way News - Homeland Security and spy agency to work together
My Way News reports: "Computer experts at the secretive National Security Agency are teaming up with the Homeland Security Department in an effort to strengthen the nation's defenses against cyber attacks [...] U.S. government and private networks are increasingly under attack by hackers and other cyber criminals. The officials said the plan will include increased oversight by legal and privacy professionals to insure that individuals rights are protected."

VOA - India's New Identification Efforts Aimed at the Poor
Voice of America reports: "India has formally launched an ambitious program to provide identification numbers to its population. Authorities say they plan to put ID cards in the hands of 100 million of India's poorest citizens within months, making it easier for them to access basic services."

My Way News - UAE, BlackBerry resolve dispute, averting ban
My Way News reports: "The United Arab Emirates on Friday backed off a threat to cut key BlackBerry services, just days before a planned ban that could have harmed the country's business-friendly reputation [...] The Emirates telecommunications regulator confirmed that a deal had been reached with device maker Research in Motion Ltd. that brought the devices into compliance with local laws."

BBC News - India to compile 'world's biggest' ID database
BBC News reports: "India has launched a huge national identity scheme aimed at cutting fraud and improving access to state benefits. Using biometric methods, including an iris scan, the system will log details of India's population of more than one billion people on a central database [...] The government expects to give a UID number to every Indian citizen within four years."

Comment: How long will it take to give a numbered ID to a billion people? This will be an interesting test-case to watch.