The four main mobile operators in the UK confirm despite leaving the EU, they will not reinstate European data roaming charges
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
December 2020
NSO Used Real Location Data Of People In Demo, Researchers Allege
In a demonstration of its Covid-19 contact-tracing system earlier this year, researchers allege NSO Group used real people's location data
Apple Deletes 39,000 Games From Chinese App Store
Mass purge of unlicensed gaming apps on Apple's Chinese app store, ahead of local law requiring publishers to obtain licence
Ticketmaster Pays $10m DoJ Fine For Accessing Rival’s Computer
Criminal computer intrusion fine imposed on Ticketmaster by the US DoJ, after it repeatedly accessed computer system of a rival
SolarWinds Compromise May Have Started Earlier Than First Thought
US Senator on Intelligence Committee warns that Russian hack of US government departments may have begun earlier than first thought
Apple Removes App Promoting Parties During Pandemic
American app Vybe Together has been removed from the Apple app store, after it allegedly promoted parties during Coronavirus pandemic
Facial Recognition Blamed For False Arrest And Jail Time
Racial bias and facial recognition. Black man in New Jersey arrested by police and spends ten days in jail after false face recognition match
Alibaba Faces Antitrust Probe By Chinese Authorities
China's answer to Amazon - Alibaba - faces antitrust investigation for preventing merchants from selling their goods elsewhere
Apple Loses Corellium Lawsuit
US judges dismisses Apple copyright infringement claim against Corellium, but iPad maker may pursue separate federal law claim
Intel Urged To Consider Strategic Options
Activist shareholder urges Intel to consider its strategic options, and whether it should outsource chip production to third parties
Vodafone Ends Shareholder Tussle Over 2013 Kabel Acquisition
Seven year itch. British mobile operator to buy remaining shares in Kabel for £1.9 billion ($2.6 billion) to halt legal action
US To Permit Drone Operations Over Homes, Plus Night Flights
Significant development in the US for the future of drone operations will allow flights over homes, and operations at night
Self-Healing Mobile Phone Screens Invented By Scientists
No more cracked mobile phone screens? Scientists claim they have invented a smartphone screen that can self repair and heal itself
Samsung Display Extends LCD Production In South Korea
Saved by Coronavirus? Production of LCD displays in South Korea now extended, thanks to lockdown demand for home entertainment
White House Appeals Judge’s TikTok Ruling
Trump administration has appealed a judge's decision to block US attempts to place tough restrictions on ByteDance's TikTok
SolarWinds Issues Fix After Massive Hacking Campaign
SolarWinds says two security updates protect against 'Sunburst' attacks as well as more recently discovered 'Supernova' malware
California Authorises First Commercial Robo-Delivery Service
Start-up Nuro obtains first California permit for use of autonomous vehicles to operate commercial delivery service, as robo-vehicle industry drives ahead
Ransomware Group Threatens To Release Hospital Patient Photos
Hacking group REvil threatens to release 900GB of before-and-after photos of cosmetic surgery patients unless ransom is paid
Merry Christmas Silicon UK Readers
Just a quick message from the staff at Silicon UK, wishing all our readers a very merry Christmas...enjoy the festivities and mince pies
Zoom To Deploy Email Service, Calendar App
Microsoft and Google watch out? Zoom is developing an email service to be launched next year, coupled with a calendar app
Trump Vetoes $740bn Defense Bill Over Section 230
US President follows through on threat and vetoes major US defence bill over Section 230 protection for social networking firms
Google Asked AI Researchers To Strike Positive Tone – Report
Scientific papers generated internally at the search engine giant are now subjected to “sensitive topics” review, it has been reported
Twitter To Remove All Followers From Potus Accounts
Clean break. Twitter confirms it will remove all followers from US Presidential accounts after Trump handover to President elect Biden
Amazon Faces Union Challenge In Alabama
Workers at Amazon fulfilment centre in Alabama are to be balloted over joining union, which would be a first for US staff
Signal Founder Dismisses Cellebrite Encryption Crack Claim
Security firm Cellebrite alleges it has cracked encryption of the most secure messaging app on the market, but Signal founder rubbishes claims
Elon Musk Offered Tesla To Apple’s Tim Cook
Tesla boss Elon Musk confirms he once offered to sell the electric car maker to Apple, but CEO Tim Cook refused to meet him
Facebook To Allow Physical Security Keys Next Year
Users will be able to register third party hardware keys with Facebook mobile app in an effort to tighten account security
Bath Council Refuses To Allow 5G Mast
Fearmongering victory? Local council in Bath refuses permission for 5G mast, after local resistance and intervention of Lib Dem MP
SolarWinds: Dozens Of US Treasury Email Accounts Hacked
Scale of SolarWinds compromise continues to be revealed, as US Senator confirms dozens of email accounts at US Treasury were compromised
Microsoft Developing Own ARM-Based Server Chips
Bad news Intel? Redmond designed its own ARM-based chips for its Azure servers, and even possible future Surface device, report suggests
Apple Sets 2024 Deadline For Passenger Vehicle – Report
Project Titan update. Apple hopes to produce passenger vehicle in 2024, with new battery design to 'radically' reduce cost and increase range
Google, Facebook Team Up To Tackle Antitrust Lawsuit – Report
Both firms agreed to 'cooperate and assist one another', after antitrust lawsuit last week from US states over online advertising 'collusion'
UK Unlikely To Hit 5G And Broadband Target
Ambitious government target for 85 percent coverage of gigabit-capable broadband by 2025 may not be achieved, committee of MPs warn
Jobs board
NSO Group Spyware Used To ‘Hack’ Al Jazeera Journalists
Apple iPhones belonging to 36 Al Jazeera journalists were hacked by NSO spyware, claim Canadian security researchers at Citizen Lab
Tech Trends and Predictions 2021
At this time of year, every business in the tech sector looks forward to trying and predict the trends that could impact their enterprises. As the hub around which tech businesses orbit, Silicon UK asked some of the leaders in the tech ...
Apple Closes Los Angeles Stores As Covid Cases Spike
Apple closes at least a dozen stores in Los Angeles area as cases surge in California and Los Angeles County moves toward becoming pandemic 'epicenter'
Judge Proposes 2023 Trial Date For Google Antitrust Case
Judge says Google's Justice Department trial unlikely to go to court before mid-2023, as trial proceedings appear set to go on for years
NCSC Probes UK Fallout Of Massive Hacking Campaign
UK authorities investigate impact on British public and private-sector organisations from allegedly Russian cyber-espionage attack that went on for months
Ofcom Urges Telecoms Provider Aid For Vulnerable Households
Ofcom tells providers to 'do more' for homes hit by economic turmoil, as coronavirus lockdown lays bare people's dependence on connectivity
Human Assets are Key to Protecting Your Virtual and Physical Assets
Rockwell Automation Sub-Saharan Africa MD, Canninah Mapena discusses the importance of considering human behaviour in your company’s cybersecurity strategy.
US Adds Dozens Of Chinese Firms To Trade Blacklist
Outgoing US administration adds chipmaker SMIC and drone giant DJI to national security blacklist, increasing pressure on country's tech industry
Google Hit With Third Antitrust Lawsuit
Another day, another antitrust lawsuit. More legal action alleging Google operates a search monopoly, and prevents Alexa in speakers using Google Assistant
Microsoft Finds Malicious Code In Its Systems After SolarWinds Compromise
Fallout from the significant SolarWinds attack by suspected Russian hackers continues, with Microsoft admitting it has been impacted
People’s Energy Data Breach Impacts 270,000 Customers
Entire customer database of People's Energy stolen, compromising names, addresses, dates of birth, phone numbers, and energy meter IDs
Google Wins EU Approval For Fitbit Deal
Over a year since Google announced it was acquiring fitness device maker in a $2.1bn deal, EU gives its official blessing
Google Staff Seek Removal Of VP Involved In Timnit Gebru ‘Firing’
AI staff at Google demand removal of company executive involved in departure of prominent female ethics researcher Dr Timnit Gebru
One In Four UK Homes Can Access Gigabyte Broadband, Ofcom Says
UK communications regulator Ofcom reveals 8 million British homes can now access broadband speeds of up to 1Gbps, despite pandemic
Facebook Slams Apple Advertising Changes
Fight, fight, fight. Apple's move to place 'privacy labels' on apps is slammed by Facebook, as feud erupts into the public
Google Sued By 10 US States For Alleged Facebook Collusion
Ten US states sue Google, alleging it worked with Facebook to break US antitrust law to bolster its online advertising business
Big Tech Firms Face EU Fines Of 10 Percent Of Turnover
Yearly checks on tech firm compliance over harmful content, plus stiff financial penalties part of EU's proposed regulation of digital markets
Facebook Sued By Australia For Onavo Protect Data Gathering
Australia files lawsuit against Facebook over its data collection practices associated with its discontinued Onavo Protect VPN app
Amazon Urges Rethink On JEDI Contract Award
Amazon claims Microsoft cloud contract award was down to political interference, but Microsoft alleges that Amazon retrospectively adjusted its bid pricing
Facebook To Move UK Users To US Data Agreements
Escaping GDPR protections? Social networking giant Facebook insists move will not change privacy controls or the services it offers
California Asks Court To Force Amazon To Comply With Coronavirus Probe
Attorney General asks court to force Amazon to co-operate with state investigation into its handling of Covid-19 pandemic
Online Safety Bill Could Fine Firms 10 Percent Of Turnover
Tech firms faced stiff financial penalties under Government's Online Safety Bill, which looks to impose tough rules on online content
Twitter Fined 450,000 Euros Over Public Tweet Bug
Irish data regulator DPC increases Twitter's GDPR fine for tweeting bug, after watchdogs in Austria, Germany, Italy argued it was too low
Apple Launches Privacy Labels For App Store Apps
Advertiser setback? Apple confirms apps on its App Store will now have to carry labels explaining how user data will be used
US Treasury, Commerce Departments Hacked
Russian hackers allegedly spied on US government departments, as US issues emergency order to halt use of compromised system
Oracle Joins California Leavers, Relocates To Texas
California exodus? Software giant Oracle becomes latest Silicon Valley firm to move its HQ from California and relocate it to Texas
Google Outage Affects Offices, Homes Worldwide
Google authentication failure knocks out broad array of services across the world, including Google Cloud, Google Suite, YouTube, Nest and Google Home
EU To Impose Major Fines In Tech Regulation Overhaul
Digital Services Act to be unveiled by European Commission this week imposes fines of up to 6 percent of companies' turnover for breach of new rules
Government To Require Social Media ‘Impartiality’
Social media companies face large fines for failing to remove illegal or dangerous content, along with requirement to protect impartiality
Silicon UK In Focus Podcast: Alan Gibson, VP, EMEA, Alteryx
Forrester highlighting the desperate need for data literacy as the adoption of analytics technologies accelerates amid the current downturn. Coupled with the recent release of the UK Government's new National Data Strategy, Silicon UK ...
California Asks To Join US DOJ Google Lawsuit
California attorney general becomes first Democrat to support federal antitrust action against Google, as states mull additional actions
US Telecoms Networks Ordered To Remove Huawei Kit
US telecoms regulator orders rural networks reliant on federal funding to rip out existing Huawei gear, begins proceedings against China Telecom
Germany Opens Competition Probe Into Facebook And Oculus
German competition authority reacts after company requires Facebook login to use new Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headsets
Subway UK Customers Targeted By Trickbot Hackers
Trickbot malware campaign uses names harvested from Subway loyalty card programme as sandwich chain acknowledges email systems 'disruption'
Apple Sued Over App Store Monopoly, By Jailbreak Store Cydia
Rival app store Cydia for jail broken iOS devices sues Apple, alleging it monopolises software distribution on its devices
Google Fined $121 Million By French Watchdog Over Cookies
Stiff financial penalty imposed on Google by French privacy watchdog, which at the time also fined Amazon over advertising cookies
Boston Dynamics Sold By SoftBank To Hyundai
Ownership odyssey of robotic dog developer Boston Dynamics, once owned by Google, continues as Hyundai acquires majority stake
Google Investigates Dismissal Of AI Expert Timnit Gebru
After Google staff and outside academics slam Google, Sundar Pichai says it will examine departure of the prominent female AI researcher
Adobe Delivers Final Update For Flash Player
Flash Player is taking its final steps to its overdue retirement, after Adobe issued its last ever update for the media plugin
Facebook, WhatsApp And Messenger Services Crash In Europe
Significant outage for a number of Facebook services including Messenger, WhatsApp and Instagram on Thursday for thousands of users
Hackers Steal Covid-19 Vaccine Documents From EU Agency
European Union's medicine regulator has been hacked, and documents concerning the Pfizer Coronavirus vaccine have been stolen
Facebook Hit With Two Antitrust Lawsuits From FTC And US States
Breakup threat. Social networking giant sued by federal regulator and US states, and could be forced to sell WhatsApp, Instagram
Apple AirPods Max Headphones Costs More Than Games Console
Hugely expensive, with a carry case that looks like a handbag - Apple tries to tempt sound enthusiasts with high-end over-ear cans
Children At Risk From End-to-End Encryption, Says Report
Plans by social media firms to widen the use of end-to-end encryption will put children a risk, Children Commissioner warns
Elon Musk Leaves California, Moves To Texas
After threatening to pull Tesla out of California altogether, Elon Musk reveals he has personally left the US state and relocated to Texas
US Security Firm FireEye Hacked By ‘Nation-State’ Attacker
Security firm admits company tools used to test customers' security have been stolen by a "highly sophisticated threat actor"
Australia Finalises Plan For Google, Facebook To Pay Publishers For News
Google and Facebook continue to object, but Australia presses ahead with new law to force them to pay publishers for news content
China Bans 105 Apps, Including TripAdvisor From US
Tech clampdown sees Beijing banning 105 apps, as it seeks to remove pornography, prostitution, gambling and violent content
UK Seeks Tailored Competition Rules For Each Tech Giant
British competition watchdog outlines its new regime, and powers required to govern big name tech firms in the years ahead
Second Judge Blocks US Commerce Dept TikTok Restrictions
Good news for ByteDance, as second judge grants injunction against US Commerce Department restrictions what would have effectively banned TikTok in US
Openreach Plots Closure Of 4,600 Local Telephone Exchanges
UK's transition to full fibre network, sees Openreach consultation on the closure of thousands of local telephone exchanges
Support Grows For ‘Fired’ Google AI Expert
Open letter signed by more than 4,500 people, including academics and DeepMind researchers, expresses support for Timnit Gebru
Denmark Aims For 1 Million Electric Cars On Roads By 2030
Danish government plan finances 775,000 electric or hybrid vehicles as European countries push for petrol and diesel phase-out
Oracle Adds Analytical Processing To MySQL Cloud Service
Oracle adds integrated OLAP feature to new MySQL Cloud Service, integrating OLAP with transaction processing for lower cost and improved performance
Chinese Researchers Claim Quantum Supremacy Breakthrough
Chinese photon-based quantum computer carries out experiment that would take supercomputer billions of years, following Google breakthrough last year
Companies Warned To Prepare For Data Transfer Challenges
Lack of progress on successor to Privacy Shield transatlantic data transfer agreement and UK exit from GDPR likely to mean complications, experts say
EU To Propose ‘Two-Tier’ Rules For Tech Giants
European Union proposals outline 'asymmetric' approach to regulating largest tech companies, as UK shapes up plans for 'tailored' digital rules
US Adds Chinese Chip Giant To Military Blacklist
US government adds Chinese chip giant SMIC to military blacklist, as administration accelerates anti-China policy ahead of changeover next month
Stop Streaming In Ultra HD On Phones To Save Planet, Scientists Warn
Boffins at UK Royal Society use mobile users to avoid streaming in unnecessarily high-resolutions in order to cut emmissions
DoJ Sues Facebook Over Immigrant Hiring
Trump's parting shot? US Department Of Justice after two year investigation, files lawsuit against Facebook over hiring practices
Google Fires AI Researcher Timnit Gebru – Report
Prominent AI researcher Dr Timnit Gebru claims she was fired over email to colleagues, but Google insists she didn't follow procedure
Facebook Bans Fake Covid-19 Vaccine Claims
Conspiracy clampdown. Social networking giant Facebook follows YouTube lead in banning false and misleading claims about Covid-19 vaccines
Hackers Target Covid-19 Cold Chain, Warns IBM
Firms involved with the specialist “cold chain” infrastructure required for several Coronavirus vaccines, have been targetted by hackers
Omaha: The little-known Google technology behind automatic updates in Edge
Michael Hermann, founder of Omaha Consulting, explains how the technology Omaha works to help users on their browser updates.
Google Violated Law By Spying On Staff, Complaint Alleges
Complaint alleges Google broke US labour laws when it 'spied' on staff who organised employee protests, before firing them
Apple Faces European Lawsuit Over Battery Slowdown
Advocacy group Euroconsumers launches lawsuits in Belgium, Spain, Italy and Portugal over Apple's deliberate policy of slowing older iPhones
Neo Factory: The State of Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 initiatives are transforming factories in a myriad of industries, from aerospace and health care to plastics and shipping. However, why do so many Industry 4.0 initiatives at today’s factories fail to scale? Silicon UK ask ...
Trump Threatens To Veto US Defence Bill Over Section 230 Protection
President Trump warns that unless Section 230 liability protection for social networking firms is removed, he will veto a major US Defence bill
Founding Father HPE Leaves Silicon Valley, Moves HQ To Texas
California loses a Fortune 500 company, after founding father HPE announces HQ move away from Silicon Valley to Houston, Texas
Salesforce Acquires Slack For $28 Billion For Workforce Collaboration
As the enterprise world adjusts to remote working, Salesforce pay $27.7 billion to acquire Slack for enhanced workplace collaboration
China Refuses To Apologise For Fake Aussie Solider Photo
Bitter relations spill into the open after China refuses to apologise to Australia for foreign ministry spokesman tweeting fake photo
Google DeepMind Solves 50 Year Old Folding Protein Problem
Breakthrough at Google's AI unit DeepMind allow researchers to determine a protein’s 3D shape from its amino-acid sequence
Openreach Moves Customers Away From Copper Network In Salisbury
In a UK first, customers in Salisbury are now no longer able buy landlines or broadband on the copper network, after a full fibre deployment in the city
Canada Plans Digital Services Tax In 2022
Despite OECD talks on common approach, Canada becomes latest country to announce its own digital services tax on big tech
Apple Fined $12 Million In Italy Over Waterproof Claims
Apple fined £9.3 million for 'misleading' Italian consumers over claims about the waterproof nature of its iPhone portfolio
FCC Head Ajit Pai Stepping Down, Raises Net Neutrality Hopes
What now for US net neutrality, as Trump appointee Ajit Pai, announces he will step down from FCC when Joe Biden is sworn in
Canon Finally Confirms August Attack Exposed Staff Data
Three months after the media reported Canon had 10TB of data stolen, the firm finally confirms staff data has been compromised
UK Government To Ban Installation Of New Huawei 5G Kit
Government to stop mobile operators installing stockpiled Huawei 5G equipment from September 2021, after purchase ban of new kit