In today’s Bulldog blog wrapping up the latest technology and life science news:
- Lenovo settles a class-action suit over Wi-Fi
- GSK faces another bribery investigation
- AT&T reports a data breach involving an employee
- FDA OKs Salix colitis treatment
- Facebook is developing an app for anonymous posts
- Lenovo extends its partnership with NEC.
The details:
- Lenovo’s Class-Action Settlement
Legal Newsline reports that Lenovo recently reached a court-approved class-action lawsuit involving Wi-Fi capabilities on Ultrabook laptops.
A California judge approved the settlement last month.
For details, read the Legal Newsline report online.
- GSK Faces Investigation in UAE
Reuters news service reports that GlaxoSmithKline faces another corruption investigation, this time in the United Arab Emirates. Reuters said it has “seen” an email from a “whistleblower” to GSK senior management.
The latest case follows the settlement of a huge investigation in China. Other probes are underway in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Poland.
“As we have already said, we are undertaking an investigation into our operations in the Middle East following complaints made previously. This investigation continues and these specific claims were already being investigated as part of this process,” a GSK spokesman told Reuters.
- AT&T Reports Data Breach by Employee
AT&T has informed about 1,600 customers that a rogue employee had accessed account information that might have included Social Security numbers and other personal data.
AT&T says the employee had failed to follow its privacy rules and no longer works for the company.
The company says the employee also might have had access to driver’s license numbers and information about the types of services the customer purchased. AT&T says it’s offering free credit monitoring and has notified federal authorities. A copy of the letter to customers was posted online by Vermont’s Attorney General’s Office.
The August data breach is among the latest disclosed by a major company. Unlike others, though, this one affected a small number of people and resulted from unauthorized access by an insider rather than hacking.
- FDA Approves Salix Treatment for Colitis
Raleigh-based Salix Pharmaceuticals has received approval for a “rectal foam” treatment of ulcerative colitis.
Salix licensed the drug from Dr. Falk Pharma in Europe where it has been licensed for use since 2006.
Ulcerative colitis affects some 700,000 Americans.
- Facebook Developing Anonymous Posting App
The New York Times reports that Facebook is developing an app that permits anonymous posts.
“The company is working on a stand-alone mobile application that allows users to interact inside of it without having to use their real names, according to two people briefed on Facebook’s plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the project,” The Times says.
The full report can be read online.
- Lenovo Extends Partnership with NEC
Lenovo and Japan-based NEC have extended their partnership through 2018 and the deal is to renew automaitcally every year through 2026, the companies say.
The original agreement began in 2011 and was set through June 2016.
“The NEC joint venture has been extremely successful solidifying our #1 position in the world’s fourth largest PC market where we have steadily grown market share and improved our performance, making Japan a profitable growth engine for Lenovo in the region,” said Roderick Lappin, President and CEO, Lenovo NEC Holdings B.V.. “The extension of our NEC joint venture marks the continuation of our commitment to our Japanese customers and our long history of innovation in Japan, which includes NEC Personal Computer’s factory and R&D center in Yonezawa.”
