Dr Andy Farnell has launched a brand new book called ‘ Digital Vegan , Healthier technology for a happier planet .’ Andy is a British computer scientist and an expert in signal processing , cyber security and algorithms .

He has been a technophile since the age of eight . He also does not use a smartphone , does not use social media or much of the big tech that we take for granted . He is a digital vegan . While he loves what he does , he believes the technological future that he looked forward to when he was young has been misappropriated .

“ The degree of abuse by ' big tech ' of our rights and our mental health , which is just coming to light now to the general public , has been known in the computing world for decades . It could have , and should have , been so much better ,” he says .

Andy ’ s new book addresses the concerns that we all have about technology and urges readers to take control over their tech .

� FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Security and network service provider Infradata has changed its name to Nomios . Under the Nomios Group , all Infradata companies in Belgium , Germany , the Netherlands , Poland and the United Kingdom can focus on further European expansion in the coming years .

� UK CYBER SECURITY COMPANIES The UK government ’ s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund ( ISCF ) is to spend up to £ 8mn on projects that improve UK cyber security , in grants from £ 200,000 to £ 1.4mn , which will be allocated after a competition ending on 08 December .

� A-LISTER A Russian hacking group has reportedly gained access to the personal information of a raft of A-listers by hacking the exclusive London-based jewellery firm Graff . Oprah Winfrey and the Beckham family were among those affected .

� PAX TECHNOLOGY The FBI and other US agencies have searched Florida premises used by Chinese payment-terminal provider Pax Technology . US media reports suggest it was prompted by concerns about the security of Pax Technology products .

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