#TechFriday n°2️⃣8️⃣6️⃣ – Issue of 29/05/2026
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This week in #TechFriday, the Griots explore the hidden cost of digital life: from algorithms that amplify family trauma to smartphones constantly collecting data, and “free” apps that may end up costing more than expected. We also cover Cameroon’s phone registration crackdown, smart agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire, Yango’s AI ambitions in healthcare, biodegradable robotics, Google’s new AI-first laptop vision, and major digital transformation projects in Guinea and Senegal. Enjoy the read!
Viral and unverified: how social media is wounding Cameroonian families 📱💔
A viral prophecy about a missing baby in Yaoundé. A child abuse victim exposed without blur on Facebook. Behind every share, a family quietly wounded. Cameroon’s social media: justice tool or trauma machine? Click here for full story
What your smartphone knows about you — and who it tells 📱👀
Your phone sends data to third parties every 4 minutes — even when you’re asleep. WhatsApp, Maps, MTN MoMo: every « free » app has a hidden cost. In Cameroon, where internet is nearly all mobile, your telecom operator knows more about you than you’d expect. Our new series explores this. Click here for full story
Why your « free forever » Canva or Filmora deal could cost you everything 📱⚠️
Canva, CapCut, Filmora « free forever »… Sounds like a deal. But shared accounts, sudden bans and zero updates tell a different story. The real cost of cracked apps? You find out when it’s already too late. Click here for full story
Your phone could be blocked in Cameroon — here’s how to stay connected 📱⚠️
Cameroon: as of May 25, undeclared phones can be blocked on MTN, Orange and Camtel networks. Do you know how to check yours? Dial *#06#, text your IMEI to 8050 (100 FCFA) and follow the steps. TechGriot has the full guide. Click here for full story
Smart Agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire: Huawei targets cocoa, cashew, and plantain 🇨🇮🌱
Yango goes all-in on AI — and Africa’s health sector is next 👩🏾⚕️
Yango — the mobility giant you know from the streets of Douala and Johannesburg — is making a bold move. AI, healthcare, public services… the pivot is real. From Mozambique to South Africa, a new chapter is opening. Click here for full story
What if your tech could simply vanish after use — no waste, no toxins? South Korean researchers have built a soft robot that fully composts in the soil once its mission is done. Sustainable tech just got real. Click here for full story
Googlebook: Google’s boldest bet on AI-first computing ✨💻
Google just unveiled the Googlebook — a new category of laptops built around Gemini Intelligence. An AI-powered cursor, custom widgets, seamless Android sync. Is this what computing looks like from now on? Click here for full story
Guinea bets on TELEMO to bring transparency to billions in public contracts 🇬🇳 💰
Identity as a right: Senegal builds its national digital civil registry 🇸🇳
Senegal is going all-in on digital identity. The new ANEC-CDC partnership targets fraud, outdated infrastructure, and fragmented registries — all at once. Sama État Civil is bringing it online. This is what modern governance looks like. 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 ✌🏾😁





