Latest news with #BIPA
Arabian Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Coinbase Faces Legal Challenge Over Alleged Biometric Data Misuse
A class-action lawsuit has been filed against cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit alleges that the company violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting and storing users' biometric data without proper consent or disclosure. The plaintiff, Michael Massel, claims that Coinbase's Know Your Customer procedures involved the collection of facial and fingerprint data without informing users of the specific purposes, storage durations, or data destruction policies, as mandated by BIPA. The lawsuit contends that Coinbase required users to upload selfies and government-issued identification during the account creation process, which were then used to create detailed facial geometry templates. Additionally, the company allegedly collected fingerprint data through its mobile application for user authentication. The plaintiff asserts that Coinbase failed to provide written notice or obtain explicit consent for the collection and storage of this biometric information, and did not establish publicly available policies regarding data retention and destruction. The complaint alleges that Coinbase shared users' biometric data with third-party vendors, including Jumio, Onfido, Au10tix, Solaris AG, and Liquid Co., Ltd., without obtaining proper consent. The plaintiff argues that this dissemination of sensitive information exposes users to significant privacy risks, particularly in the event of a data breach. The lawsuit seeks statutory damages of $5,000 for each intentional violation of BIPA, or $1,000 for each negligent violation, along with attorney fees and other legal costs. Arabian Post – Crypto News Network
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Biofuel push: Madhya Pradesh rolls out policy for CBG, biodiesel with land and tax sops
New Delhi: In a move aimed at tapping into its vast reserves of agricultural waste and forest biomass, the Madhya Pradesh government has unveiled a new policy offering capital subsidies of up to ₹200 crore to attract investment in compressed biogas (CBG), biodiesel, and other advanced biofuel projects. With plans to roll out one biofuel plant in every development block, the state has laid down an ambitious blueprint under the Madhya Pradesh Renewable Energy Policy 2025 to strengthen clean energy supply chains, reduce rural waste, and boost income for farmers and biomass aggregators. The policy, notified by the New and Renewable Energy Department, introduces a dedicated biofuel investment promotion scheme applicable to CBG, biodiesel, bio-coal and similar fuels excluding first-generation ethanol. Projects must commence commercial production after the date of notification and register with the department to avail benefits. Under the Basic Investment Promotion Assistance (BIPA) scheme, capital support of up to ₹200 crore will be given in seven annual instalments. An additional ₹5 crore can be availed for infrastructure such as roads, water pipelines, electricity lines, and drainage facilities. Biofuel plants with a zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system for waste management are eligible for support of up to ₹10 crore. One plant per development block will be allowed. If more than one investor applies, the District Committee headed by the Collector will select a suitable candidate based on land availability, technology, and financial criteria. For land support, the state will allot government revenue land at 50 per cent of the circle rate and forest/agriculture land for biomass at 10 per cent of annual guideline rates. The state has fixed minimum land requirements based on plant capacity. A 10-tonne per day CBG unit will need at least 10 acres. Land norms have also been defined for biodiesel and bio-coal projects. Allotments will be valid for 30 years, renewable upon mutual agreement. The scheme offers waiver of electricity duty and energy development cess for 10 years from commercial operation. Additionally, the policy allows 50 per cent reimbursement of stamp duty on private land purchases and exemptions from cross-subsidy surcharges (CSS) and additional surcharges for projects supplying to third parties, subject to approval by the Electricity Regulatory Commission. The Agriculture Department will appoint one aggregator per development block for biomass collection and supply to these projects. Aggregators can be farmer-producer organisations, co-operatives or private players. All FPOs will be eligible to sign long-term supply contracts with biofuel plants and obtain working capital from NABARD and cooperative banks. Urban development departments will coordinate supply of segregated organic waste, while the Animal Husbandry Department will link cattle dung for plant use. The Forest Department will identify degraded forest land for plantation and fuelwood sourcing. For mechanisation, the policy allows capital subsidy of ₹20 lakh per biomass collection set (balers, cutters, trolleys), with state support of 30 per cent and Centre's SMAM scheme contributing 50%. All capital subsidy claims will be routed through the nodal department and verified by district-level committees. The policy mandates that biofuel projects must sell bio-manure generated as a by-product through fertiliser dealers registered under the Fertiliser Control Order. An integrated online portal will track feedstock flow, project implementation and connect developers, farmers, and aggregators. Pollution Control Board clearance is required for each project. Biofuel produced under the scheme must comply with standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Customised packages of incentives for mega projects above ₹500 crore will be reviewed and recommended by the Cabinet Committee on Investment Promotion (CCIP).
Zawya
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Bahrain: Local workforce ‘key driver of economic growth'
Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA) director general Dr Shaikha Rana bint Isa Al Khalifa met Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) executive director Muriel Dubois to discuss opportunities for collaboration in training, research and capacity building. Dr Shaikha Rana emphasised Bahrain's commitment to investing in its national workforce as a key driver of development and economic growth, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. She highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships with leading international institutions to enhance training programmes and research, expressing interest in joint initiatives between BIPA and Sciences Po to support institutional capacity building in the public and private sectors. She also commended Sciences Po's achievements in political science, international relations, law, economics and sociology. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Daily Tribune
02-03-2025
- Business
- Daily Tribune
Training and research collaboration
H.E. Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, Director General of the Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA), met with Muriel Dubois, Executive Director of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), to discuss opportunities for collaboration in training, research, and capacity building. Dr. Shaikha Rana emphasised the Kingdom of Bahrain's commitment to investing in its national workforce as a key driver of development and economic growth, in line with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. She highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships with leading international institutions to enhance training programmes and research, expressing interest in joint initiatives between BIPA and Sciences Po to support institutional capacity building in the public and private sectors.
Bahrain News Gazette
02-03-2025
- Business
- Bahrain News Gazette
BIPA Director General Engages in Talks with Sciences Po Executive on Strategic Collaboration
Manama: Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Daij Al Khalifa, Director General of the Bahrain Institute of Public Administration (BIPA), engaged in discussions with Muriel Dubois, Executive Director of the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po), focusing on potential collaborations in the areas of training, research, and capacity building. According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Shaikha Rana highlighted Bahrain's dedication to investing in its workforce as a critical element for development and economic growth, aligning with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030. She emphasized the significance of forming partnerships with esteemed international institutions to enhance training and research initiatives. She further expressed interest in joint projects between BIPA and Sciences Po to bolster institutional capacity in both the public and private sectors. Dr. Shaikha Rana acknowledged Sciences Po's accomplishments in fields such as political science, international relations, law, economics, and sociology, and its recognition as the top-ranked institution in the European Union for graduate employability, which has elevated its global reputation in administrative development. Muriel Dubois praised the support from the government for BIPA and its growing network of partnerships both locally and internationally. She showed interest in furthering collaboration in training, academic programs, and professional development, along with initiatives to improve institutional capacity in various sectors.
