IT PRO – UN says developing countries need better broadband
Developing countries risk missing out on the benefits of IT due to their lack of broadband infrastructure, according to a UN agency. A report from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released today said the lack of broadband access deprives countries of the possibility of building up off-shoring industries.

IT PRO – Criminals sitting on stolen data ‘timebomb’
Thousands of work computers infected with trojans could be a ticking timebomb, according to security researchers. The RSA Conference in London this week highlighted how criminals had already targeted computers in business networks, thanks to laptops and desktops with trojan infections like Sinowal and Zeus.

BBC – Europe backs down on piracy plans
The European Parliament has given the green light for member states to cut persistent file-sharers off from the net. It has dropped an amendment to its Telcoms Package which would have made it hard for countries to cut off pirates without court authority.

The Financial Times – Google’s Android takes on Apple
The Apple iPhone, which has been setting the bar in touch-screen smartphones, could soon be overtaken by an army of Google-powered handsets.

The Financial Times – Twittering workers cost business £1.4bn
More than half of office staff in the UK spend 40 minutes a week on social network sites for personal use while at work, costing businesses large sums in lost productivity, according to a survey.