Google has been told by French court it has to pay a $112m fine, over forcing use of advertising tracking cookies on people’s devices
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
January 2022
Silicon In Focus Podcast: Content Enablement
Templafy's own research shows over one in four in the UK (27%) use six to ten different applications a week, resulting in 29% of UK workers feeling frustrated from changing between so many tools and wasting time.
MoD Reported 7 Serious Data Losses To ICO
Data blunders continue at Ministry of Defence, with 7 serious data incidents in the space of a year, as well as the loss of 27 electronic devices
FAA Agrees To Switch On More 5G Towers And Masts
Seeing sense? American aviation regulator FAA allows Verizon and AT&T to switch on more 5G towers and mobile masts near airports
Putin Orders New System To Ban ‘Toxic’ Internet Content
Amid Ukraine crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin asks his administration to consider new system to ban toxic internet content
Priti Patel Approves Extradition Of Autonomy Founder Mike Lynch
Bad news keeps coming for co-founder and former CEO of Autonomy Mike Lynch, as Home Secretary approves his extradition to US
China Unicom Latest To Be Banned Over National Security
The US FCC regulator revokes US licence of China Unicom after 20 years of operating in America, citing national security concerns
Russia Readies Road Map For Cryptocurrency Regulation
Russian authorities ready plan for tough cryptocurrencies restrictions, but not the outright ban favoured by central bank
NCSC Warns UK Of Russian Cyberattacks Amid Ukraine Crisis
British firms urged to bolster cybersecurity resilience by the UK's NCSC, as the Russian threat increases amid tense Ukraine standoff
Apple Shrugs Off Chip Shortage With Record Revenues
Tech giant surpasses Wall Street predictions, as revenues grow 11 percent despite Omicron variant and ongoing global chip shortage
Biden Administration Announces ‘Zero Trust’ Strategy For Federal Agencies
White House instructs US federal agencies to adopt 'zero trust' strategy as part of increased protection against cyberattacks
Google Drops FloC For Topics In Cookie Replacement Move
New privacy sandbox change. Google swaps system, as part of its efforts to replace cookies used by Chrome browser for online advertising
Facebook To Close Down Diem Crypto Venture – Report
End of the road for Diem (formerly Libra) digital currency, with sale reported of Diem Association to financial institution
Windows 11 Adoption Strong, Microsoft Insists
Not the new Windows Vista then? Windows 11 adoption is twice the rate of Windows 10 over Windows 8, Microsoft has insisted
BT To Recruit More Than 600 Apprentices
What pandemic? British carrier seeks to recruit more than 600 apprentices and graduates across multiple locations in the UK
Apple’s Tim Cook Granted Restraining Order Against Alleged Stalker
Woman allegedly threatened, harassed, trespassed and stalked Apple's Tim Cook for more than a year, and claimed to be his wife
Data Centre World
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Intel Celebrates As EU Court Strikes Down 2009 Antitrust Fine
Twelve year legal battle sees EU court grant Intel's appeal against $1.2 billion EU antitrust fine over treatment of AMD back in the 2000s
US Commerce Dept Warns Of Severe Chip Shortages
Some manufacturers have less than 5 days supply of computer chips, putting US manufacturing at shutdown risk, warns federal agency
The Future of Consumer Tech in Business
As consumer and business technologies continue to merge, and as businesses transform into post-pandemic enterprises, how will consumer technology develop, and what does this mean for your company?
IMF Urges El Salvador To Drop Bitcoin As Legal Tender
South American country El Salvador urged to reconsider its decision to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender, amid huge value decline
UK Government Launches First Ever Cyber Security Strategy
Cyber Security Strategy officially launched for the UK, to protect online digital services and British businesses from cyber attacks
Google Sued For ‘Deceptive’ Location Tracking Practices
Four attorneys general in the US are suing Google for allegedly misleading users about when it was able to track their locations
WeChat Account Of Australian Prime Minister Removed
China strikes back? Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's WeChat account has vanished, with some alleging Chinese interference
Meta Building Fastest AI Supercomputer In The World
Facebook building the world’s fastest AI supercomputer to help detect and moderate offensive posts and content, from among its billions of users
Nvidia Preparing To Abandon $40bn ARM Acquisition – Report
Facing many regulatory probes and lawsuits, Nvidia tells its partners it is preparing to abandon its acquisition of ARM Holdings
Vodafone To Switch Off 3G Network Next Year
Mobile operators press ahead with early retirement of old networks, as Vodafone sets 2023 deadline for switch off of 3G network launched in 2004
Online Safety Bill Is A ‘Missed Opportunity,’ MPs Warn
DCMS committee says draft version of landmark online safety bill is not robust or clear enough to tackle illegal or harmful content
Julian Assange Wins Right To Ask Supreme Court For Extradition Appeal
Another twist. Julian Assange wins right to ask UK's Supreme Court if it will hear his appeal against December extradition ruling to the United States
ICO Disagrees With Government-Backed Encryption Campaign
UK data protection watchdog, the ICO, says encryption provides protections for children, after government-backed campaign against it
DeepMind Co-Founder Suleyman Departs For Investment Firm
DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman leaves parent company Google for Silicon Valley venture capital firm after controversial tenure
US Legislation To Boost Chip Funding Set For House
US House of Representatives set to introduce bill on tech funding and domestic chip manufacturing, as EU advances own plan for local semiconductor plants
Intel Says Ohio Site Could Become World’s Biggest Chip Plant
Intel chooses Ohio site for manufacturing investment that could grow to $100bn over ten years, but ties scale and speed to US subsidies
Digital Bank Chime Financial Plans Massive IPO
Chime Financial plans New York IPO worth up to $40bn after Covid-19 pandemic leads to surge in users and spiralling market valuation
Twitter Shake-Up Sees Departure Of Top Security Staff
Twitter says head of security no longer at company and chief information security officer to depart shortly, as chief executive Parag Agrawal makes changes
Google Asks Judge To Dismiss Most Of Texas Antitrust Case
Google asks federal judge to dismiss most counts of antitrust case filed by Texas and other states, saying case presents no proof of wrongdoing
Netflix Shares Drop On Growth Concerns
Netflix posts strong growth for full-year 2021, but shares plummet as investors are spooked by disappointing first-quarter growth prospects
Senate Committee Approves Big Tech Antitrust Bill
Attempt by US lawmakers to tame the power of big tech firms, nudges a step closer after Senate Committee votes to advance competition bill
Amazon Alexa Recovers After Morning Outage
Alexa wake up alarm didn't work this morning? Smart lights didn't turn on? Outage of Alexa services in the UK and Europe blamed...
UK, Australia Reach Cyber, Critical Tech Agreement
Australia says it will 'fight back' against nation state cyberattacks, after agreements with the UK over cyber, technology, and other matters
Italian Regulator Recalculates Apple, Amazon Fines
Italian regulator admits it has redetermined the fines against Apple and Amazon, over the sale of Apple and Beats products
Red Cross ‘Appalled’ As Hackers Steal Humanitarian Data Of 515,000 People
A new low. International Committee of the Red Cross shuts down reunification system, after hackers steal data of 515,000 vulnerable people
Russia Proposes Ban On Cryptocurrencies, Crypto Mining
Russia's central bank has this week proposed the banning on the use and mining of cryptocurrencies, citing multiple risk factors
Apple Working To Patch Safari Data Leak Vulnerability
Oh dear, not so private. Webkit browser engine flaw has been leaking user ID and browser data since iOS 15 went live in September 2021
EU Chief Confirms Chip Law Proposal For Early February
Chip shortage solution? European Commission boss says the European Chips Act legislation will be proposed in early February
Government Proposes New Laws In Cyber Security Review
New measures proposed to bolster the resilience of British businesses facing an ever growing number of cyber attacks
Gloucester City Council Confirms ‘Cyber Incident’
Council IT services hit by so called 'sleeper' malware, with media reports pointing the finger of blame at Russian hackers
Gigabyte Broadband Pledge At Risk, Warns Spending Watchdog
UK pledge to close the digital divide of broadband services for urban and rural customers is at risk, says Parliament's spending watchdog
US Extradition Case Of Dr Mike Lynch Delayed By A Week
HP's revenge? Former boss of Autonomy Mike Lynch is to wait a week to find out if a decision about his extradition to the US can be delayed
UK To Address Marketing Of High Risk Crypto Investments
British financial watchdog says it will curb the marketing of cryptoassets and other high-risk investments, amid a surge in online adverts
Tesla Driver Charged With Manslaughter After Autopilot Crash
Criminal charges for the first time in fatal crash involving Tesla's Autopilot, as driver is charged with vehicular manslaughter
Airport 5G Towers Switched Off In Temporary Aviation Compromise
AT&T and Verizon agree to temporarily switch off 5G towers near certain airports, as operators and FCC hit out at FAA inaction
Microsoft To Acquire Activision Blizzard For $68.7 Billion
Huge tech acquisition, as software giant seeks major expansion of its gaming credentials with purchase of leading gaming holding company
Amazon Sued For Worker Death In Deadly Tornado Strike
Parents sue Amazon for wrongful death, after son was among six workers killed when Amazon distribution centre was flattened by tornado
Twitter Expands Misleading Tweet Feature
Twitter has expanded its test feature to other countries that allows users to flag or report misleading tweets on the platform
US Airline Bosses Warn Of ‘Catastrophic’ Aviation Crisis Due To 5G
US aviation 5G scare-mongering continues, as CEOs of ten US airlines warn of 'havoc' caused by arrival of 5G networks this week
Government Backs Ad Campaign Against End-To-End Encryption
Public funds to used for government-backed advertising campaign against end-to-end encryption, but security experts argue against the move
Amazon Last Minute Extension For Visa Card Payments
UK Amazon users can continue using their Visa cards for online shopping for now, after the two firms agree short term deal
Uber Competitor Bolt Raises Prices 10 Percent In London
Uber competitor Bolt raises prices 10 percent in London amidst driver shortage and regulatory changes that add to ride-hailing companies' bottom line
US Auto Regulator Discusses ‘Safety Concerns’ With Tesla
US and Canadian regulators looking into possible safety issues with Tesla Model 3 and Model Y electric vehicles over 'failing' heating systems
Cryptocurrency Funds Show Gains In Spite Of Selloff
Cryptocurrency-centric funds show strong gains for 2021, as assets such as Bitcoin and Ether rise in value in spite of steep December selloff
Google, Facebook Chiefs Signed Off On Secret Deal, Lawsuit Says
Google's Sundar Pichai and Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg signed off on a deal to carve up advertising market, alleges antitrust lawsuit filed by US states
North Korean Hackers ‘Stole $400m’ In 2021
Study finds North Korea-based hackers stealing more than $200m in cryptocurrency a year, rising to $400m in 2021, as country battles international sanctions
Major Stolen Card Marketplace Shuts Down After Making Millions
Operators of stolen card data marketplace UniCC say they will 'retire' due to age and health, as several other major hacker forums also shut down
Russia’s FSB Arrests REvil Ransomware Gang Members
Russian security services raid 25 premises and arrest 14 individuals charged with running notorious REvil ransomware gang, amidst tensions with US
Ukraine Suffers Massive Cyberattack, As Russia Increases Troop Buildup
Concern grows Russia is planning another military action in Ukraine, after a massive cyberattack on 70 government websites
Google Continues Real Estate Push With $1bn London Office Purchase
Despite delaying staff return to its offices, Google spends £728m ($1bn) acquiring office building in London, and will increase UK headcount
Facebook Faces £2.3 Billion Lawsuit From 44m UK Users
Meta is facing a lawsuit in the UK that is seeking damages of at least $3.2 billion of behalf of 44 million British users of the platform
Researcher Gains Remote Control Of More Than 20 Teslas
Teenager claims he has taken control of multiple Tesla vehicles around the world via a software vulnerability, and can spy on drivers and unlock doors
German Watchdog Finds No Evidence Of Xiaomi Secret Function
Germany's federal cybersecurity watchdog concludes Xiaomi investigation, after warning from Lithuanian counterparts about censorship risk
Treasury Select Committee To Investigate Visa, Mastercard Fee Increases
Committee of MPs vows to scrutinise increases in the fees Visa and Mastercard charge businesses, after regulator finds no justification for the rise
Windows 11 OS Struggles To Crack 1 Percent – Lansweeper
Bad news Redmond. New data from Lansweeper shows sluggish uptake of the Windows 11 operating system, three months after its initial release
PC Sales Reach Highest Level Since 2012, Says IDC
Shipments of PCs (desktops, laptops, workstations etc) experience growth streak during the past year, despite ongoing chip shortage
Apple Loses Key Server Chip Designer To Microsoft
Apple loses another key staffer, as Microsoft reportedly hires chip industry veteran Mike Filippo to help in its in-house chip server designs
Amazon’s Alabama Warehouse To Vote Next Month On Trade Union
Second chance. Workers and staff at Amazon fulfilment centre in Bessemer, Alabama will vote next month whether it should unionise
FTC Antitrust Case Against Facebook Can Proceed, Judge Rules
Meta will face antitrust charges from US Federal Trade Commission, after a judge rejected attempt to dismiss amended FTC complaint
Foxconn’s India Factory Restarts Production After Protests
Production restarted at troubled Foxconn factory in southern India, three weeks after closing following protests over sick workers
Germany May Close Down Telegram, Minister Warns
Shutting down popular messaging service Telegram in Germany cannot be ruled out, Interior Minister warns, amid battle over pandemic restrictions
YouTube ‘Major Conduit’ Of Misinformation, Fact-checkers Allege
Group of more than 80 fact-checking organisations write open letter to YouTube's CEO, calling platform a major conduit of misinformation
Apple To Unveil 5G Equipped iPhone SE This Spring – Report
Apple's third generation budget iPhone SE won't reportedly deliver a radical redesign, but will include 5G and Apple's inhouse processor
Signal CEO Steps Down, Replaced By WhatsApp Co-founder
Moxie Marlinspike resigns as CEO of Signal, with WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton taking over as interim chief executive in the meantime
Apple Submits Alternative Payment System In South Korea
App Store compliance move as Apple reportedly submits plan for alternative payment system in South Korea to comply with new law
Intel Removes All References To Xinjiang After Public Apology
American chip giant Intel accused of cowardice by US senator, after public apology and removal of Xinjiang references in supplier letter
Meta Delays Office Reopening, Orders Booster Shots For Staff
Facebook parent delays office reopening and mandates all returning staff to provide proof of receiving Covid-19 booster vaccinations, amid Omicron surge
O2, Virgin Will Not Introduce EU Roaming Charges
Travellers to EU seeking to avoid roaming charges in Europe are being targetted by O2 and Virgin Mobile, after EE, Vodafone, Three reinstate roaming charges
Apple’s Silicon Designer Jeff Wilcox Joins Intel
Director who oversaw much of Apple's desktop and laptop transition to its own silicon designs announces resignation and joins chip giant Intel
Silicon In Focus Podcast: Why Digital Transformation Projects Fail
The pandemic catapulted digital transformation up the priority list of many businesses yet McKinsey estimating that around 70% of digital transformation projects fail, C-suite leaders need to be cautious as they embark on change initia ...
Roblox To Rebuild China App After Pulling Plug
Roblox says it will construct new version of China version of platform after removing it from app stores as it faces regulatory crackdown on gaming sector
India Opens Probe Into Google After Publishers Complain
India's competition regulator launches investigation into Google's market power following complaint by country's digital news media
Volkswagen Microbus To Return As Electric Vehicle
Volkswagen to show production version of all-electric Microbus in March, with sales set to begin in US next year amidst soaring interest in EVs
Apple Chief Tim Cook Sees Pay Swell To $100m In 2021
Apple chief executive Tim Cook sees pay rise to nearly $100m in 2021, from $14.8m the previous year, or 1,447 times that of average Apple employee
Instagram Criticised After Blocking Memorial Hashtag
Instagram says it blocked hashtag commemorating victims of Iran airline disaster 'by mistake' as social media giants face growing regulatory pressure
Gaming Event E3 Cancelled Due To Covid-19
Major gaming event E3 has been cancelled as an in-person event for the third year in a row, as pandemic continues to take toll on industry
Google Removes Features After Sonos Legal Win
Google has removed some features related to the control of multi-room audio playback after a major legal win by rival speaker maker Sonos
Autonomous Drone Saves The Life Of Heart Attack Victim
A man is Sweden is alive thanks to the speedy arrival of flying medical drone that carried and delivered vital life-saving equipment
Bitcoin Slumps To Lowest Level In Four Months
Crypto volatility. Bitcoin slumps to its lowest level since September, having lost over 40 percent of its value from its record high
Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ App To Launch Next Month
App store listing reveals Donald Trump is to launch his 'Truth' social media app in February, after his Twitter, Facebook ban
Chip Shortage To Continue Hurting UK Car Market In 2022
Car sales will continue to hurt in 2022 due to the ongoing chip shortage that has badly dented vehicle supply in the past couple of years
Mafia Fugitive Captured After 20 Years, Thanks To Google Street View
Italian police arrest a leading mafia fugitive in Spain after he spent 20 years on the run, thanks to an image captured by Google Street View
Power Blackouts Sees Kosovo Ban Crypto Mining
Landlocked Kosovo has officially banned cryptocurrency mining as it grapples with soaring energy prices and electricity blackouts
Google Faces French 150m Euro Fine For Cookie Breach
French regulator imposes 150 million euros ($169m) fine on Googe, and 60m euros fine on Meta, over complexity about refusing online cookies
CES 2022: GM To Introduce Personal Autonomous Car By 2025
Bold timeline? CEO of General Motors (GM) said the American car group aims to introduce a “personal autonomous vehicle” by mid-decade
UK Police Forces Seize £300m In Cryptocurrencies – Report
New Scientist investigation reveals British police have seized more than £300m in cryptocurrencies during criminal investigations
Amazon Partners With Stellantis For Vans, Rivian Stock Plunges
Bad news for Rivian? Amazon and car giant Stellantis sign partnership deal that will see Amazon utilise Stellantis electric vans
Apple iPhone 14 To Lose Notch Cutout – Report
Industry insider offers his frank assessment of Apple's product releases in 2021, and makes major design prediction about iPhone 14
Alphabet Senior Management Awarded Stock Options, Salary Rises
Senior management at Google parent Alphabet have been awarded huge pay rises and generous stock options, regulatory filings show
China Central Bank Pilots Wallet App For Digital Yuan
Pilot version of a wallet app launched by China's central bank to expand usage of its own digital currency, the digital yuan
CES 2022: Sony Mulls Electric Vehicle Entry
Sony car? Japanese giant seeks to capitalise on sensor and entertainment expert with possible entry into the electric vehicle market
China Mobile Enjoys Successful Shanghai IPO After NYSE Delisting
After being delisted from New York Stock Exchange last year, China Mobile enjoys successful public offering in its home market
Driverless Car Trial For Milton Keynes By Month End – Report
Summon a car via an app. Major trial of driverless cars to start in Milton Keynes, but will not include fully autonomous cars
US Operators Delay 5G Rollout, Amid Aviation Concerns
Win for scaremongering? US mobile operators AT&T and Verizon agree delay to 5G networks by two weeks after aviation campaign
Tesla Provokes Ire Over Showroom In Xinjiang, China
Electric car maker slammed for opening dealership in Xinjiang, the region at centre of Western claims about human right abuses and forced labour camps
Twitter Permanently Suspends Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene
Personal Twitter account of congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene goes the way of her idol Donald Trump, and is permanently suspended
Classic BlackBerry Smartphones Discontinued Today
End of life. Users clinging to classic handsets running BlackBerry 10 and older OS warned they will no longer function after Tuesday 4 January
Silicon UK In Focus Podcast: The Quality of Data
With businesses still reeling from the disruption to their operations and supply chains the pandemic caused, Dun & Bradstreet's new research reveals that over half (52%) of European businesses don’t think they will survive without rele ...
Apple First To Breach $3 Trillion Market Cap
The iPhone juggernaut briefly surpasses the $3 trillion market capitalisation threshold on Monday, over a year since passing the $2 trillion mark
Brand Voice
Make SAP S/4HANA a smooth journey with low-code app development
Working in the SAP market day in and day out, talking to partners and customers, the overall perception is ‘Cloud and SAP Fiori UX is a nice to have’ but most teams are still very happy when their existing on premise SAP landscape is c ...