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Data localization requirements may hinder Pakistan’s opportunities to grow its digital economy

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New research paper reinforces the need to consider the economic impact of data localization in Pakistan, estimating a potential loss of 3.2 million jobs with the enforcement of data localization practices.

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A new research paper, Data Localization in Pakistan: Challenges and Opportunities, examines the operational and economic impact of data localization in Pakistan. The paper outlines the regulatory environment in Pakistan and the differentiated consequences of data localization practices in four sectors: healthcare, IT and ITeS (software), e-commerce, and freelancers. Commissioned by the Asia Internet Coalition and developed by LIRNEasia, the paper also provides recommendations on how the government can approach and enforce data localization efforts without impacting the potential of the digital economy.

Data localization can contribute to slower economic growth, lower productivity, and reduced employment. The report estimated that if the Personal Data Protection Bill based on its May 2023 draft is enacted in 2024, it could result in a decline in labour productivity by 4.7%. Such a reduction, when applied to Pakistan’s GDP in 2021, directly impacts GDP and number of jobs, translating to a loss of US$ 16.5 billion for the following year and a potential loss of 3.2 million jobs.

While representatives of local businesses welcomed the government’s efforts to improve data protection in Pakistan, they also shared three key areas in which data localization requirements were seen unfavorably. Firstly, fully localized data can result in higher compliance costs, with a Pakistani IT company estimating a 70% increase in hosting costs. There are also human resource constraints, with businesses requiring more employees to run operations. Skill gaps in the local market can also hinder businesses’ smooth transition to localized data, not being able to capitalize on larger talent pools in other countries. In addition, centralized data storage can heighten the risk of data breaches, as businesses would have to compromise the security benefits of a decentralized architecture. Concerns around data recovery and data mirroring can also arise under such data localization requirements.

“The fourth industrial revolution is driven by the digital transformation of our economies and societies, resulting in global integration of value chains, economic growth, and job creation. Open data flows are crucial to Pakistan’s digital growth, and there are ways in which Pakistan can reconcile its digital security and privacy needs with the need for open data flows. An important next step for Pakistan is to review its data protection governance framework across sectors and services with a specific focus on economic growth, job creation, and its vision for digital transformation. Handicapping Pakistan-based firms by imposing additional costs can impede them from competing in the global market and for investment. Other countries with friendlier policies will have an advantage over Pakistani firms. Amid Pakistan’s goals to become a US$ 3 trillion economy by 2047, this can impact the country’s economic growth on the global stage,” said Rohan Samarajiva, Chair, LIRNEasia and one of the paper’s authors.

In Pakistan’s current policy and regulatory landscape, some data localization is required. However, regulating digital platforms and businesses in Pakistan, particularly the use and storage of data would need to be reevaluated to avoid more serious repercussions for businesses and the economy. A lighter touch approach to enforcement can yield a milder impact on Pakistan’s digital economy. With Pakistan’s regional peers also moving away from such measures, the merits of data localization do not seem to outweigh the potential economic risks it brings. Continuous engagement with industry stakeholders can help the government refine and adapt the regulatory framework as the digital landscape evolves.

For more information, the report can be found here.

This paper is authored by LIRNEasia with the support of the Asia Internet Coalition (AIC). 

About the Asia Internet Coalition

The Asia Internet Coalition (AIC) is an industry association comprising leading Internet and technology companies. The AIC seeks to promote the understanding and resolution of Internet policy issues in the Asia Pacific region. Visit www.aicasia.org for more information.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/data-localization-requirements-may-hinder-pakistans-opportunities-to-grow-its-digital-economy-302212146.html

SOURCE Asia Internet Coalition

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TECNO Wins Two IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards for Modular Phone and Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS

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BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TECNO, a global AI-driven innovative technology brand, achieved two IFA Global Product Technology Innovation Awards at IFA 2026:

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS took the Miniaturized Gaming PC Technology Innovation Gold Award, standing out with its Italian aesthetics and exceptional performance in the compact body. The TECNO Modular Phone was honored with the Ultra-Slim Magnetic Modular Technology Innovation Gold Award, praised for its ultra-slim craftsmanship and unique modular magnetic technology.

These awards once again demonstrate TECNO’s sustained breakthroughs in product innovation and industry-leading craftsmanship in design excellence. The Global Product Technology Innovation Awards were established in 2014 by IDG, IFA, and DIHK to celebrate excellence across the global consumer electronics industry. The awards honor products that set new industry benchmarks and drive innovation through intelligent technology and user-centric design.

TECNO Modular Phone: The World’s Thinnest Modular Smartphone

At just 4.9mm, the TECNO Modular Phone is powered by proprietary Modular Magnetic Interconnection Technology. It combines a precision magnetic array with pogo-pin connectors, offering a flexible ecosystem for different needs. The host retains a 3000–4000mAh battery, while modules draw power directly for a snap-and-go experience. It also resolves the inherent conflict between rising AI computing demands and limited device space.

The technology has earned over 20 accolades from leading media, with CNET and Yanko Design naming it the Best of MWC 2026, and The Verge recognizing it as the Best Mobile Tech at MWC 2026.

Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS: One of the World’s Smallest Water-Cooling Gaming Mini-PCs

At around 6.36 liters, the panoramic transparent chassis of the Tonino Lamborghini TECNO TAURUS fuses iconic Italian design with raw engineering. Powered by the Intel® Core™ i9-13900HK and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 (614 AI TOPS, 145W TGP, DLSS 4), it achieves the pinnacle of performance, providing a high-fidelity gaming experience and high-efficiency AI workstation. The water-cooling system sustains peak frequencies, while 15 ports and WiFi 6E deliver connectivity. It was recognized with Yanko Design’s Best of MWC award.

In addition, TECNO made waves at IFA with the Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone featuring a revolutionary 0mm screen bezel, and the convertible laptop MEGABOOK T15 360 Pro. Relentlessly pushing the boundaries of design, performance, and AI innovation, TECNO is pioneering limitless possibilities for futuristic technology.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tecno-wins-two-ifa-global-product-technology-innovation-awards-for-modular-phone-and-tonino-lamborghini-tecno-taurus-302870739.html

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Morpho UV Printer Unveiled at IFA with Hands-On Live Creation

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BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Morpho, a company specializing in UV printing technology, is showcasing its first desktop UV printer at IFA 2026, Hall 17-196. Visitors are observing Morpho’s colorful, textured prints, and some have the opportunity to print on a range of blank materials provided.

Morpho’s desktop UV printer can print on a wide range of materials, including wood, glass, leather, metal, and more, delivering vivid colors and tactile textures for customized results. At IFA 2026, the booth attracted interest from creators, educators, and technology professionals, who gathered to watch live demonstrations.

Among those who have tried Morpho’s printer, three aspects are most frequently highlighted: print quality, the moving gantry design, and overall ease of use.

Visitors are first drawn to the prints, which feature precise color reproduction and finely detailed textile textures. With G7 Master ColorSpace certification, Morpho ensures consistent tones across different pieces. The same level of precision is evident in the raised textures created by the industrial-grade printhead, which builds fine layers of ink for detailed, tactile surfaces. The printhead maintains fast carriage motion speeds of up to 600mm/s while preserving precise detail.

Attendees have also noted the printer’s compact desktop footprint. With its moving gantry architecture—where the entire gantry moves along both axes—the printer offers a large, fully enclosed print chamber that accommodates various objects while remaining desktop-friendly.

First-time users have given positive feedback on Morpho’s usability. The integrated Stereo Vision Smart Alignment™ System quickly captures an object’s height and contours, while Morpho Studio’s guided workflows help users move from idea to print with minimal setup.

Morpho’s team shared that the program has been in development for several years, with the goal of making UV printers a practical tool for everyday creative use. Founder Mingyu “Brett” Wang, formerly Global VP of R&D at DJI, commented, “We communicate directly with our community, listen to feedback, and make fast improvements.”

Ahead of IFA, Morpho’s Kickstarter campaign surpassed $10 million in support from over 2,800 backers worldwide. The company is committed to further developing its proprietary core technology and delivering reliable engineering for creators, makers, and small businesses.

Visit Morpho’s website to learn more.

About Morpho: Morpho develops desktop UV printers that bring industrial-grade printing and coloring to everyday materials, enabling creators to turn almost any physical surface into a canvas for their ideas.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/morpho-uv-printer-unveiled-at-ifa-with-hands-on-live-creation-302870741.html

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Society of Robotic Surgery and Puma Venture Capital Announce Winners of SRS Shark Tank 2026

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Drive Medical claimed the top prize at the third annual SRS Shark Tank 2026, held during the Society of Robotic Surgery’s annual conference at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. The event, a collaboration between SRS and Puma Venture Capital, once again showcased cutting-edge innovations in the digital and robotic surgery ecosystem and featured early-stage companies poised to transform minimally invasive care.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Drive Medical claimed the top prize at the third annual SRS Shark Tank 2026, held during the Society of Robotic Surgery’s annual conference at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida. The event, a collaboration between SRS and Puma Venture Capital, once again showcased cutting-edge innovations in the digital and robotic surgery ecosystem and featured early-stage companies poised to transform minimally invasive care.

SRS Shark Tank 2026 featured presentations from nine innovative companies. Each had five minutes to pitch their technology and five minutes to engage in a Q&A session with a panel of esteemed judges, including top surgeons, investors, and medical device experts. Companies were evaluated on innovation, impact on healthcare, market potential, business model, and presentation.

Drive Medical earned the top honor for the Pollywog System, the first easy-to-use robotic endoscope integrated with artificial intelligence. The platform is designed to give physicians faster, safer access to the small bowel, allowing diagnosis and treatment to be completed in a single session rather than across multiple procedures.

DeepQure secured second place with HyperQure, the world’s first extravascular renal denervation system for resistant hypertension. Delivered laparoscopically, the device wraps the renal artery from the outside to achieve complete denervation while avoiding the vessel lining.

Microsure came in third with MUSA-3, a microsurgical robot that downscales and stabilizes a surgeon’s hand movements during open super-microsurgical procedures, including free flap, lymphatic, and peripheral nerve surgery. The system received CE mark approval earlier this year.

The strength of the 2026 field extended well beyond the podium: every one of the nine presenting companies was placed in the top three by at least one judge. Reveal Surgical presented optical imaging technology that characterizes tissue for tumor assessment during surgery, and Symphera demonstrated a laparoscopic system that lets surgeons switch instrument tips at the push of a button. Tioga Cardiovascular showed its transcatheter approach to mitral and tricuspid valve replacement.

CardioSentry presented an AI platform for autonomous cardiac ultrasound, and Nina Medical showcased a completely non-invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia. LITLab rounded out the slate with mobile, high-fidelity surgical training labs that travel to health systems and medtech companies to train clinical teams onsite. Together the group reflected an unusually broad and competitive slate, spanning robotics, imaging, structural heart, urology, and surgical education.

The 2026 judging panel included Steve Bell, Rob Morgan, Dr. Santiago Horgan, Dr. Erik B. Wilson, Scott Zinober, and Babak Tehranchi, and the event was co-chaired by Amit Hazan and Dr. Vipul Patel.

Participating companies included:

Microsure, Symphera, LITLab, Reveal Surgical, DeepQure, Drive Medical, Nina Medical, CardioSentry, and Tioga Cardiovascular.

About the Society of Robotic Surgery:

Founded in 2012, the Society of Robotic Surgery (SRS) is guided by the fundamental principles of education and collaboration as a means to tackle the complex issues of robotic surgery. The SRS’ membership includes more than 20,000 physicians of all disciplines from around the world whose mission is to share information related to multi-centric studies, database collection, fellowship training and funding support related to robotic surgery. The SRS is the only multi-specialty robotic surgery society in the world with an annual meeting that includes updates in more than a dozen medical sub-specialties along with state-of-the-art plenary sessions and hot topic courses.

About Puma Venture Capital:

Puma Venture Capital is an investment firm seeking to leverage its surgeon venture partners to invest in all aspects of physical intelligence across every medical procedure — to improve patient outcomes, lift labor productivity, and lower system costs.

Media Contact

Ryan Julison, Society of Robotic Surgery, 1 3213776877, ryanjulison@gmail.com

View original content:https://www.prweb.com/releases/society-of-robotic-surgery-and-puma-venture-capital-announce-winners-of-srs-shark-tank-2026-302869733.html

SOURCE Society of Robotic Surgery

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