The app surged past 500 million users in recent weeks after rival WhatsApp released a new policy, which included terms in which it could transfer data to parent company Facebook. A statement from Telegram said 38% of new users are in Asia, 27% in Europe, 21% in Latin America, and 8% in the Middle East and North Africa.

The instant Covid-19 detection tool developed by researchers at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta uses artificial intelligence to analyze breath, with accuracy similar to the rapid antigen test. An initial block of 100 units, capable of processing more than 100 tests a day, have been approved for distribution.

The company claims its software can recognize a face with nearly 100% accuracy — even when the person is wearing a mask. NEC was already developing masked facial recognition software for allergy sufferers when the coronavirus pandemic hit. The software can recognize someone’s face in under one second and is planned for use in automated convenience stores and for secure entry to office buildings.

That’s up 183% from the year before. Nearly half of it was contributed through ride-hailing app Grab. In the region’s largest food delivery markets — Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore — cash has been pouring into delivery startups.