#TechFriday n°2️⃣3️⃣4️⃣- Issue of 16/05/2025

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🌍 This week in #TechFriday: digital tontines are turning Cameroonian social networks into solidarity markets, Gozem is rising as Douala’s go-to super-app, and ELECAM is stepping up for 2025 with new biometric kits. We also cover YouTube and Netflix going all-in on AI (and ads), PayPal scams, CAMTEL’s push for telemedicine, and HBO Max’s comeback. Meanwhile, Safari searches are dropping—but Apple may have an AI trick up its sleeve. Let’s tech!

Tontines go digital: how social media is powering peer-to-peer shopping in Cameroon 🛍️

Transport, food, shopping: Gozem emerges as Douala’s go-to super app 🤩

Cameroon’s 2025 election: ELECAM rolls out 1,000 next-gen biometric kits 🗳️

In preparation for the 2025 presidential election, ELECAM is modernizing voter registration with 1,000 13th-generation biometric kits. Faster and more autonomous, this equipment is designed to ensure secure and inclusive registration, particularly for young people, the diaspora and people with disabilities. Click here for full story

Fake PayPal emails are on the rise—and they’re after your money 💸

Fraudulent emails impersonating PayPal are on the rise. Scammers use logos and urgency to steal your information. You need to be vigilant, check every link and never click without checking the source. Caution is the best defence against these scams. Click here for full story

Hate YouTube ads? You’re really not going to like this 😡

Netflix wants AI to supercharge its ads—smart move or slippery slope? 📺

Netflix’s ad-supported tier has hit 40 million users, and now the platform is turning to AI to make ads more personal and effective. But in reinventing streaming ads, is Netflix drifting too far from its original promise of ad-free entertainment? Click here for full story

Telemedicine, electronic records, and secure networks: Cameroon bets on digital health 🩺

The Ministry of Public Health and CAMTEL join forces to connect Cameroon’s hospitals. This 5-year partnership aims to improve access to healthcare via secure Internet, telemedicine and electronic medical records. This is key support for universal health coverage, especially in rural areas. Click here for full story

Chad 🇹🇩 and Cameroon 🇨🇲 move to deepen cross-border fiber optic cooperation

Chad and Cameroon want to strengthen their telecommunications partnership. They are banking on joint management of fiber optics, better regional interconnection and improved quality of digital service, despite tensions linked to late payments. Click here for full story

Max is HBO Max again… because some things are better left unchanged 😂

Less than a year after its rebrand, Max is going back to being HBO Max. Warner Bros. Discovery realized dropping the HBO name—one of its biggest assets—wasn’t the brightest move. So, it’s back. With memes. And a bit of humility. Click here for full story

Apple bets on AI to revive Safari as search usage dips 🤖

The number of Safari searches drops for the first time in 22 years. Apple is exploring the integration of AI engines such as Perplexity or Gemini to modernize its browser and relaunch its ecosystem, while remaining attentive to user privacy. Click here for full story

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That’s it for this week. We wish you a good weekend and look forward to hearing from you in the comments.

TechGriot ✌🏾😁