Executive admits it used people's public Facebook and Instagram posts to train its new Meta AI virtual assistant
TECHNOLOGY POWERING BUSINESS
September 2023
Amazon Wins Interim Stay On Public Ads Archive
Amazon wins interim court ruling that it isn't very large online platform (VLOP) under European Union rules
Netflix Mails Its Final DVD As It Ends Postal Service
Netflix's DVD via post , which began back in 1998, has mailed its final DVD on Friday, as the service comes to an end
When Worlds Collide: A Phygital Future?
The digital and physical retail spaces have been converging for over a decade. As the age of the phygital consumer continues to evolve, how can enterprises ensure they are on the cutting edge of these retail spaces?
Silicon UK Pulse: Your Tech News Update: Episode 20
Welcome to Silicon UK Pulse – your roundup of the latest tech news and developments impacting your business for the week ending 22/09/2023.
CIA Builds Own Artificial Intelligence Tool – Report
US intelligence agency, the CIA, is reportedly building its own AI tool to assist in its intelligence gathering activities
FCC Proposes To Restore Net Neutrality Laws In US
Back from the dead? Democrat controlled FCC proposes new net neutrality laws after Republican roll back in 2017
Apple Ordered To Face Apple Pay Antitrust Lawsuit
US judge orders Apple to face antitrust lawsuit by payment card issuers for over the Apple Pay mobile wallet
Sir Jony Ive And OpenAI Discuss AI Hardware Project – Report
Apple's former chief designer Jony Ive in reportedly discussions with OpenAI to build AI hardware consumer device, backed by Softbank
Meta Connect 2023: Meta Quest 3, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses
Wearable arrivals. Developer conference sees pre-orders available for Meta Quest 3 headset, plus new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses
Meta Connect 2023: Meta Launches AI Chatbots With Personalities
Developer conference begins with Meta introducing AI chatbots with celebrity personalities for Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook
Amazon Hires Former Microsoft Head Panos Panay As Device Boss
Panos Panay is hired by Amazon as head of device business, just weeks after his sudden departure from Microsoft
TikTok Blow As Indonesia Bans E-commerce Transactions
Major blow for TikTok's expansion hopes in southeast Asia, as Indonesia bans e-commerce transactions on social platforms
Ransomware Attack Blamed As Logistics Firm Collapses
Devastating ransomware attack blamed, as veteran firm KNP Logistics enters administration with 730 jobs lost
TalkTalk To Split Into Three Companies, With CEO To Step Down
Job losses expected, as TalkTalk confirm plan to “demerge its main operating businesses” into three standalone entities
Musk’s X Disabled Electoral Misinformation Reporting Feature, Researcher Claims
As EU labels X/Twitter as largest spreader of Russian misinformation, researcher claims platform disabled reporting feature
Google To Sunset Gmail’s Basic HTML View In 2024
Another Google product is being sunsetted, with the simple version of its Gmail service set for retirement in early 2024
Amazon Sued By FTC, US States Over ‘Monopoly Power’
FTC and US states allege Amazon engaging in ongoing pattern of illegal conduct to continue e-commerce monopoly
AI To Ease Unnecessary Software Burden On UK Businesses, Freshworks Finds
Amid pressure on IT budgets, Freshworks research shows IT managers are dealing with 160 percent more software than last year
EU Tells Tech To Resist Russian Misinformation, With Twitter Singled Out
EU official warns Elon Musk that Twitter cannot avoid its responsibilities, after it is listed as worse for spreading Russian disinformation
Facial Recognition Lawsuit After Man Is Falsely Jailed
Racial bias of facial recognition again in headlines, after another black plaintiff files lawsuit after being falsely jailed
Sony Systems Alleged Breached By Hackers
Ransomed.vc hackers claim to have breached 'all Sony systems' and are allegedly threatening to sell stolen data
Meta Surrenders Lease At One London Building
Tech office consolidation, after report Meta Platforms handed back lease on one building near Euston Station in London
Amazon Invests $4bn In Anthropic, As ChatGPT Gets Voice, Image Features
Amazon says it will invest up to $4bn in AI firm Anthropic as OpenAI announces voice and image features for ChatGPT
Spotify AI Tool Translates Podcasts In Speaker’s Own Voice
Spotify offers popular podcasts with OpenAI translation tool that adapts speaker's own voice to multiple other languages
SEC Probe ‘Collects Thousands Of Wall Street App Messages’
SEC reportedly reviewing thousands of private messages from apps such as WhatsApp and Signal in Wall Street record-keeping probe
Huawei Launches Luxury Brand, Remains Silent On Advanced Chip
US-sanctioned Huawei launches luxury smartwatch and handset under new brand, remains silent on source of high-end tech in latest phone chip
Hong Kong Regulator Seeks To Limit Fallout From JPEX Crypto Scandal
Hong Kong financial regulator publishes list of crypto licence applicants as it seeks to limit damage from JPEX scandal
UK, EU Car Makers Call For Delay To Brexit EV Tariff
Electric car makers in UK and EU call for delay to upcoming export rules requiring use of batteries made in UK or EU
Police, Teachers Say TikTok ‘Frenzies’ Placing Strain On Services
Police and teachers say spikes in TikTok engagement in certain subjects placing strain on public services following BBC documentary
Intel Re-Issued Hefty Antitrust Fine by European Commission
No escape. After successfully overturning last year its 2009 antitrust fine of €1.06 billion, European Commission re-imposes fine of €376.4m
Amazon Prime Video To Feature Adverts Next Year
Amazon to include adverts to its Prime Video service in 2024, unless users opt for a higher cost ad-free subscription plan
UK CMA Confirms Microsoft Compromise Satisfies Concerns
UK competition regulator indicates Microsoft/Activision compromise addresses previous CMA concerns in cloud gaming
Silicon UK Pulse: Your Tech News Update: Episode 19
Welcome to Silicon UK Pulse – your roundup of the latest tech news and developments impacting your business for the week ending 22/09/2023.
Amazon Executives Named By FTC In Prime Subscription Lawsuit
Three senior Amazon executives have been publicly named by US regulator in lawsuit over 'duping' users into Prime subscriptions
Poland Probes OpenAI Over Data Protection Worries
Data Protection Office confirms it will investigate Microsoft-backed OpenAI after GDPR data protection complaint
Cisco Bolsters Cybersecurity Credentials With Splunk Buy For $28bn
Cisco makes one of its largest ever purchases, acquiring software and cybersecurity firm Splunk for $28 billion
Amazon Adds Generative AI To Alexa, Amid Device Updates
Launch event sees Amazon offer more conversational interactions with Alexa, after upgrading it with generative AI capabilities
Google Maps Sued After Father Drives Off Collapsed Bridge
Google sued by family after father was allegedly directed by Google Maps off collapsed US bridge and to his death
Toshiba Approves $14bn Private Equity Takeover
Japanese conglomerate Toshiba set to go private after successful $14 billion offer from private equity firm JIP
BT Confirms 3G Network Switch Off Will Begin January 2024
BT and EE are to sunset its 3G network, with the switch off starting in January 2024, after operating for over two decades
ICC War Crime Tribunal Admits ‘Cybersecurity Incident’
International tribunal responsible for prosecuting those accused of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes has been hacked
Google Adds AI Chatbot Bard To Gmail, YouTube, Google Docs
Major expansion for Chatbot Bard as Google connects it to full suite tools including Google Docs, Gmail and YouTube
UK Urges Meta Not To Add End-To-End Encryption
Government minister urges Meta not deploy end-to-end encryption on Instagram and Facebook Messenger, after passing of Online Safety Bill
Why The Middle East Offers Exciting Prospects To UK Tech Businesses
The Middle East is one to watch having taken centre stage over the past year. We recently saw the World Cup hosted in Qatar, which came as two notable visits took place by Western leaders, Rishi Sunak and Joe Biden. the leaders discuss ...
Will VR Finally Make it Through the ‘Hype Cycle’ Now Apple is in the Game?
Research shows that VR struggles to live up to its potential and that its appeal is curbed beyond any initial excitement. As a result, the technology is used less than other entertainment devices due to barriers specific to the medium ...
The High Performance, Low Power Promise of Neuromorphic Computing
Society, and in turn business, need to find more sustainable alternatives to the power-hungry computation that has got us to where we are today. I believe it is time to turn for inspiration to the most efficient and powerful computer o ...
Amazon To Hire Former Microsoft Head Panos Panay – Report
Panos Panay reportedly heading over to Amazon's devices division, following abrupt departure from Microsoft
Neuralink To Begin Brain Implant Trial On Paralysed Patients
Elon Musk brain-implant startup, Neuralink, gains approval to begin human trials on people dealing with paralysis
UK Online Safety Bill Set To Become Law
Government ignores tech objections, as Online Safety Bill looks set to become UK law after passing both houses of parliament
FTX Sues Parents Of Former CEO Sam Bankman-Fried
Parents of Sam Bankman-Fried are sued by bankrupt FTX, as its seeks to recover $26m in gifts and luxury property
Google Begins Last Attempt To Overturn $2.6bn EU Antitrust Fine
Alphabet's Google goes to Court of Justice of the European Union in last ditch attempt to overthrow 2.42bn euro EU antitrust fine
Elon Musk To Move X Behind Paywall, As Israeli PM Urges Antisemitism Action
Elon Musk has said that X (formerly Twitter) will move to a monthly subscription charge, amid an ongoing antisemitism row
UK’s Foundation Model Review Warns Of AI Risks
British competition watchdog proposes seven guiding principles for the foundation models that underpin AI systems
Apple Releases iOS 17. What’s New And How To Install It
Big annual update for Apple iPhone operating system, with official release of iOS 17, available for iPhone Xs and later
Apple ‘Constantly’ Evaluating Advertising Spend On Elon Musk’s X
CEO Tim Cook says Apple is ‘constantly’ evaluating its decision to advertise on Elon Musk’s X, amid antisemitism row
Product Boss Panos Panay Departs Microsoft
Changing of the guard. Top executive at Microsoft in charge of Surface product line, Panos Panay, abruptly exits Redmond
Foxconn To Double Jobs, Investment In India In Next 12 Months
Bad news for Beijing? Executive confirms Foxconn is to double its workforce and investment in India by next year
Microsoft Wins US Army Order For Upgraded HoloLens – Report
HoloLens lifeline? Microsoft continues its $22 billion HoloLens IVAS deal with US Army, after Redmond update stops soldiers from throwing up
Apple To Issue Update In France To Resolve iPhone 12 Sales Ban
After French regulator ban on sales of iPhone 12 over radiation levels, Apple readies update for that country
TikTok Fined 345 Million Euros Over Child Data
After privacy fine from UK earlier in the year, TikTok is hit by a larger penalty from the Irish data protection commission
The Future of E-commerce
As E-commerce continues to expand and evolve across the Web and to every digital device, what does the future of this dynamic commercial space look like? How can your business stay on the cutting edge of technology and ensure each chan ...
Google Agrees $93m Location Tracking Settlement With California
Another settlement over Google's location tracking practices, with agreement to pay California $93m to settle lawsuit
WhatsApp Boss Denies Chat App Is Exploring Ads
Head of WhatsApp at Meta Platforms firmly denies media report the service is exploring adverts to bolster revenues
ARM Shares Soar 25 Percent After Nasdaq Listing
Successful public listing for ARM Holdings in the US after its shares rise 25 percent above Nasdaq debut price
Silicon UK Pulse: Your Tech News Update: Episode 18
Welcome to Silicon UK Pulse – your roundup of the latest tech news and developments impacting your business for the week ending 15/09/2023.
Manchester Police Officer Data Compromised In Supplier Attack
Ransomware attack on third-party supplier has compromised data of staff employed by Greater Manchester Police (GMP)
Alphabet Cutting Hundreds Of Jobs In Recruitment Unit
More job cuts at Google, as executive confirms “significant reduction” to its global recruiting organisation
Tech Leaders Gather For Closed Senate Summit On AI
Satya Nadella, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and others gather for closed Senate session for AI
California Assembly Passes Right To Repair Bill
Third state in the US passes right to repair bill, after Apple's home of California passes law extending spare part supply
China Denies Issuing Ban On Apple iPhones
Chinese official denies reports Beijing ordered a ban on government staff using, or bringing into work, Apple iPhones
ARM Holdings IPO Values Firm At £43.6 Billion
Ahead of its shares listing on Thursday, British chip designer ARM Holdings secures a market value of $54.5bn (£43.6bn)
Openreach Reveals New Destinations In Full Fibre Build Update
Fibre to the premise deployment reaches 11.5 homes, as Openreach announces another 19 locations that includes 200,000 homes and businesses
Watchdog Alleges X/Twitter Failing To Tackle Online Hate
New research from Center for Countering Digital Hate alleges X is failing to remove posts containing “extreme hate”, despite being notified
France Halts Sales Of iPhone 12, Cites Radiation Exposure
Apple is pushing back against a move by French watchdog to ban sales of Apple iPhone 12 over radiation exposure limits
Apple iPhone 15, Apple Watch: Industry Reaction
Analysts respond to arrival of the Apple iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 9, Watch Ultra 2
Apple Watch Update Sees Modest Changes
Apple’s first carbon neutral products are updates to its wearable range, namely Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2
Apple Axes Lightning Cable With iPhone 15 Launch
Tech giant Apple finally delivers a USB-C port for iPhone 15 portfolio, and bucks trend by mostly not raising retail prices
Las Vegas Slot Machines Shut Down By MGM Resorts Hack
MGM Resorts International hit by major cyber-attack that causes it to shut down booking systems, websites and even slot machines
TikTok Sister Site Douyin Expands China Food Delivery
TikTok sister site Douyin expands food delivery services into more Chinese cities as video services merge with e-commerce
UK Researchers Develop Train AI To Aid Air-Traffic Controllers
UK researchers at University of Exeter, Alan Turing Institute and NATS develop virtual airspace to train AI air traffic controllers
Research: Majority Of UK, Ireland Businesses Already Using AI
Some 84 percent of businesses in UK and Ireland already using AI in some capacity, with nearly one-quarter having broad implementations
New Alibaba Group Chief Targets AI, Users As Core Priorities
New Alibaba Group chief executive Eddie Wu says company will prioritise users and AI as it undergoes historic restructure
Apple Extends Qualcomm Deal As Modem Efforts Continue
Apple extends Qualcomm modem deal for three more years in sign its in-house development efforts are taking longer than planned
Silicon UK In Focus Podcast: The Value of the Virtual
NFTs have gained significant attention recently. Learn what factors contribute to the perceived value of NFTs, and how these differ from traditional physical assets or cryptocurrencies?
The Emerging Tech Summit – Saudi Arabia 2023
Apple To Introduce iPhone 15 Amidst Market Share Gains
Apple prepares launch of iPhone 15 range at 'Wonderlust' event as it bucks smartphone trend with market share gains
Intel Pushes Nvidia Chip Competition Amidst AI Frenzy
Intel positions Gaudi AI GPU accelerator as direct Nvidia competition as funding for chip start-ups evaporates
Facebook Drops News Projects In EU, UK
Facebook parent Meta criticised as 'cynical' after dropping News tab in UK, France, Germany and ending UK community news project
Landmark Google US Antitrust Case Heads For Court
Landmark US Department of Justice antitrust case against Google set for first day in court on Tuesday amidst increasing regulatory pressure
Chinese Battery Maker Gotion To Build $2bn Illinois Plant
Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech is to build a $2bn factory in US state of Illinois as it seeks federal funding
Ant Group Launches Finance-Focused AI Large Language Model
Chinese fintech giant Ant Group launches finance-focused large language model as competition heats up for AI-based apps
Apple Shares Slide After China Ban Reportedly Broadened
Apple shares fall for two days in succession following reports of broadening ban on iPhone use by Chinese government workers
Apple And ARM Sign Long-Term Chip Deal
Apple has struck a deal with ARM through 2040 and “beyond,” to allow iPhone giant access to the British chip designs
Citizen Lab Identifies NSO Spyware On Apple Devices
Spyware linked to NSO Group has exploited a newly discovered flaw in Apple devices, Citizen Labs has warned
Alphabet Tentatively Settles US Google Play Store Antitrust Probe – Report
Tentative settlement reached between US states and Alphabet over Google Play Store domination of Android market
Silicon UK Pulse: Your Tech News Update: Episode 17
Welcome to Silicon UK Pulse – your roundup of the latest tech news and developments impacting your business for the week ending 08/09/2023.
Mozilla Names And Shames Privacy Compromising Cars
Privacy nightmare on wheels! Mozilla Foundations reviews 25 major car brands, all of which fail privacy tests
US Government To Investigate Hauwei Breakthrough Phone
American officials are seeking more information, after teardown of new Hauwei smartphone revealed shocking discovery
Google Faces UK Lawsuit Claim It Contributes To Cost Of Living Crisis
Alphabet's Google has been hit with a multibillion-pound lawsuit, accusing the company of contributing to cost-of-living price rises
Revealing the Data Protection Trends for 2023
BT Halts Sale Of New Copper Lines On Openreach Network
As UK full fibre rollout continues, BT announces halt to sales of new copper telephones lines, after more than a century
Microsoft Account Compromise Led To Chinese Hack Of US Officials
Chinese hack of senior US officials came after the corporate account of a Microsoft engineer was compromised
Government Abandons Plan To Scan Encrypted Messages
Online Safety Bill climbdown? After tech platforms threaten to quit UK, government abandons plan to scan encrypted messages
China Bans Government Officials From Using Apple iPhones – Report
Tensions with China continue to ramp up after Beijing reportedly bans government officials from using iPhones for work
Newport Wafer Fab To Cut Jobs, Blames Government Restrictions
National security restrictions blamed as Welsh chip factory proposes to axe 100 jobs, as search for new owner continues
EC Names Alphabet, Apple, Meta, Microsoft Among DMA Gatekeepers
Twenty two tech core platform services from six DMA 'gatekeepers' are officially named by the European Commission
TikTok Opens First European Data Centre Amid China Fears
Project Clover effort to alleviate Chinese state surveillance fears, sees TikTol open first European data centre, with more to follow
UK Ministry Of Defence Documents Leaked After Supplier Hack
MoD documents allegedly leaked online after cyberattack on fencing supplier by Russia-linked LockBit ransomware gang
Elon Musk Blames ADL For Ad Revenue Slump, Threatens Lawsuit
Owner of X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk, threatens lawsuit against Anti-Defamation League over claims platform is antisemitic
China To Launch $40 Billion State Chip Fund – Report
Sanctions response. New state-backed investment fund is to be launched that seeks to raise $40 billion for China's semiconductor sector
Electoral Commission Failed Basic Security Test Before Cyberattack
UK Electoral Commission admitted it failed a cybersecurity test in the same year that hackers attacked the organisation
Huawei Phone Teardown Reveals China Chip Advances
TechInsights teardown of new Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone reveals China's advances in chip manufacturing, despite US sanctions
Apple, Microsoft Push To Keep iMessage, Bing Off EU Gatekeeper List
Apple and Microsoft are said to be lobbying the European Union to keep iMessage and Bing off DMA Gatekeeper designation
EE, Vodafone, O2 Users Suffer Calling Routing Issue
Some customers on EE and Vodafone and even O2 continue to report issues, making and receiving calls between these networks
Amazon Loses One Medical CEO After Acquisition
CEO of One Medical healthcare provider acquired by Amazon resigns, six months after $3.9 billion deal was closed
UK Government Details AI Safety Summit Ambitions
Government announces key objectives for the global AI Safety Summit in November, being held at Bletchley Park
Engineers Create Greener Alternative To Lithium-ion Battery
Australian boffins develop 'proton battery' that allegedly removes the environmental challenges posed by toxic lithium-ion batteries
PSNI Data Breach Results In Arrests, Resignations
Two men arrested under the Terrorism Act, by detectives investigating huge PSNI data breach, have been released
Canada Seeks To Address Facebook, Google Concern Over Online News Law
Canadian government outlines proposed regulations for Online News Act, which it says will address Alphabet and Meta concerns. Facebook not convinced
Binance Product Head Resigns Amid US Investigation
Binance's global head of product resigns, amid a number of executive departures, job losses, and US regulatory lawsuit
ARM Signs Up Major Tech Firm Investors, Prices IPO
Apple, Alphabet, Intel, Samsung etc sign up as investors in ARM's upcoming IPO, as management lowers listing valuation
Silicon In Focus Podcast: Smart Virtual Spaces
The convergence of VR and AR and the inception of the Metaverse could herald a new age of working collaborative virtual spaces all businesses could benefit from. But what are the challenges to and use cases for these spaces and do they ...
Tesla Faces Federal Probes Over Elon Musk Glass House – Report
People living in glass houses? Two federal investigations over Tesla allegedly building Elon Musk large glass house in Texas
US Denies Restricting AI Chip Sales To Middle East
US government official denies AMD and Nvidia claims they are being denied permission to sell AI chips to Middle East
X To Collect Biometric Data, Employment, Education History
Platform formerly known as Twitter is to begin collecting people's biometric data, as well as employment and school history
Silicon UK Pulse: Your Tech News Update: Episode 16
Welcome to Silicon UK Pulse – your roundup of the latest tech news and developments impacting your business for the week ending 01/09/2023.