Ever wondered why when someone asks you a question, you say 'Google it'? Well, the search engine has become a part of our daily lives. So much so, Google sees 8.5 billion searches daily. But why has no other search engine come close to Google's success? Is the Alphabet-owned company quashing its competitors? U.S. antitrust trial to find out soon.

US puts Google's market dominance under scanner | WION Fineprint

Alphabet the parent company of Google has defied expectations with its second-quarter earnings the company's profits have increased driven by steady demand for its cloud services in a remarkable rebound in the advertising sector. Meanwhile, Microsoft witnessed stock declines after Azure's Cloud Revenue growth hit a bump.

Alphabet's tech earnings report card

Google will remove links to Canadian news from search results and other products in&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;when a law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect, the Alphabet-owned company said on Thursday.

Google joins Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc in announcing an end to news access for Canadian users of their platforms after Bill C-18, or the Online News Act, was passed into law last week. The law is expected to come into effect in six months.

Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who introduced the bill last year, has said platforms do not have any obligations under the act immediately and that the government was open to consulting with them on the regulatory and implementation process.

Canada's media industry has called for tighter regulation of tech companies to prevent them from elbowing news businesses out of the online advertising market.

"We have now informed the government that when the law takes effect, we unfortunately will have to remove links to Canadian news from our Search, News and Discover products in&nbsp;Canada," Google said in a blogpost.

"We don't take this decision or its impacts lightly, and believe it's important to be transparent with Canadian publishers and our users as early as possible," it said.

The act outlines rules to force platforms such as Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial deals and pay news publishers for their content, a step similar to a groundbreaking law passed in Australia in 2021.

The U.S. technology companies have said the proposals are unsustainable for their businesses. Google has argued&nbsp;Canada's law is broader than those in Australia and Europe, saying it puts a price on news story links displayed in search results and can apply to outlets that do not produce news.

The search engine giant had proposed that the bill be revised to make the displaying of news content, rather than links, as basis for payment and to specify that only businesses that produce news and adhere to journalistic standards are eligible.

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Google will remove links to Canadian news from search results and other products in Canada when a law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect, the Alphabet-owned company said on Thursday.

Google will remove links to Canadian news from search results and other products in Canada when a law requiring internet giants to pay news publishers comes into effect, the Alphabet-owned company said on Thursday. Google joins Facebook-owner Meta Platforms Inc in announcing an end to news access for Canadian users of their platforms after Bill C-18, or the Online News Act, was passed into law last week. The law is expected to come into effect in six months. Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, who introduced the bill last year, has said platforms do not have any obligations under the act immediately and that the government was open to consulting with them on the regulatory and implementation process. Canada's media industry has called for tighter regulation of tech companies to prevent them from elbowing news businesses out of the online advertising market. "We have now informed the government that when the law takes effect, we unfortunately will have to remove links to Canadian news from our Search, News and Discover products in Canada," Google said in a blogpost. "We don't take this decision or its impacts lightly, and believe it's important to be transparent with Canadian publishers and our users as early as possible," it said. The act outlines rules to force platforms such as Facebook and Google to negotiate commercial deals and pay news publishers for their content, a step similar to a groundbreaking law passed in Australia in 2021. The U.S. technology companies have said the proposals are unsustainable for their businesses. Google has argued Canada's law is broader than those in Australia and Europe, saying it puts a price on news story links displayed in search results and can apply to outlets that do not produce news. The search engine giant had proposed that the bill be revised to make the displaying of news content, rather than links, as basis for payment and to specify that only businesses that produce news and adhere to journalistic standards are eligible. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Google to remove news links in Canada over law on paying publishers

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Alphabet's Google and Meta platforms of using "bullying tactics" in response to Canadian efforts to secure financial support for news publishers.

Canada's Justin Trudeau slams Google and Meta of using 'bullying tactics'

Google's parent company Alphabet and its rival Microsoft have surprised the markets as they announced better-than-expected earnings on Tuesday.

Alphabet, Microsoft earnings beat estimates

Alphabet's Google has had a major legal victory in a decade-old case after it was able to covince a US court to cancel at least three patent infringement claims against its chrome browser.

Google wins decade-long legal case in US

Alphabet's parent company, Google, continues to experience negative news as its shares dropped about 4% on Monday on reports that Samsung may switch Google's default search engine for its devices to Microsoft's Bing.

Samsung may make bing default search engine

ChatGPT is all the rage right now. Microsoft has extended its partnership with its maker OpenAI. Google has joined this chatbot race with its own Bard AI. However, a mistake in the demo caused a loss of approximately $100 billion in Valuation for Alphabet, Google's parent company.

ChatGPT is all the rage right now. Microsoft has extended its partnership with its maker OpenAI. Google has joined this chatbot race with its own Bard AI. However, a mistake in the demo caused a loss of approximately $100 billion in Valuation for Alphabet, Google's parent company. ChatGPT showed its capabilities when it passed exams in the disciplines of law and business from prestigious schools in the US. Recently, we also saw it being able to synthesise and succinctly present the data of the long-form report. The use of AI indeed presents an exciting way the world would function in knowledge collection and presentation. We wondered how AI would affect higher education offered in India, especially in B-schools. So naturally, we posed this question to ChatGPT. The results we found were far from satisfactory. We recalibrated the question in multiple ways by adding more specific terms. However, it just rehashed the answer in different ways. So, even though it could not specifically say how higher education will change due to it, we expect it to bring about a tangible change in the education sector. For teaching Rather than thinking of it as a destroyer of education, its capabilities need to be understood, accepted and utilised for the benefit of the students. ChatGPT worked exceptionally well in designing course outlines. We asked it to design a course on investment analysis and portfolio management. It provided us with a pretty comprehensive outline. We then modified the queries to get an outline for the same course for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. It could change the outline per the academic requirements of these different academic levels. It also optimised the course outline when asked to design it per the Indian markets and economy. The AI was also adept at developing session plans based on any topic. It was also clever to modify the plan when provided with different duration of sessions. It would divide the sessions into different sections and also provide sub-topics to be covered in each section. Interestingly, it would also suggest using cases in some of its outputs. We pushed it a bit further and prompted it to provide us with a case on a select topic. It provided the financial details of a firm and suggested some of the analyses that the students could use. It also provided us with a similar case in the Indian context. The AI is also good at providing assignment questions and rubrics to assess them. AI can help educators in reducing time spent on mundane tasks. It can help the educators in spending more time in preparation for the session and finding interesting tools to assist them in helping students to learn the concepts. AI also opens up the possibilities for schools and colleges in the interiors of the country to have a more rounded view of the topics generally taught in the more prominent institutions. It can help educators in those colleges to develop better course materials and assignment questions for their courses. WATCH | Gravitas | ChatGPT Explained: How does the platform work? × For assessing AI can also change the way students are assessed in a massive way. When in school, teachers ask students to do mathematical operations without the help of calculators, as those will not be available in the real world. We know that is far from the truth. In higher education, especially in MBA schools, open book exams are regularly conducted, allowing students to take help from books and notes and maybe internet resources in writing their answers. It removes the requirement for students to rote facts and figures and assess them on their conceptual understanding of a topic or practical approach towards a business problem. AI is just another item in the long list of tools that can help students answer questions. So, the questions need to have greater intricacies and nuances that would need a human factor in answering those questions. AI can help the students process a large volume of information concisely, and that information can be used as a foundation to arrive at the answer by the students. It will become ubiquitous in the times to come and better with each passing query. The educators would do well to incorporate its utility in their teaching and assessment plans. However, caveat emptor is something students should keep in mind when using this. There have been numerous reports where AI has given incorrect answers and made up data and references to answer those queries. So, while it would help the students compress the text and the data they need to read to understand the problem, it would still require them to use their minds to filter out incorrect information to give an appropriate answer to the questions asked. Read more: ‘A bit scared’: OpenAI CEO says ChatGPT may wipe out current jobs We understand that new technologies have the power to shape the way we teach in higher education. It is no use policing the use of such tools by the students. It is also of no use to make these utilities taboo for them. AI tools would be available for them in the outside world. The best we can do is to accept these tools and help the students understand how to use them for their purposes effectively. As students are taught the concepts of finance, marketing, strategy, HR and other subjects to help them in their professional careers, the efficient and effective use of AI will also be a skill that will be needed in the armoury of the B-school students when they graduate. Written with Prof. P. Saravanan of the Indian Institute of Management Tiruchirappalli Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

AI MBA: How Artificial Intelligence will shape business education

As the tech sector continues to bleed dry amid a drop in revenue and earnings, Intel on Tuesday announced it was cutting top management pay. The chipmaker said its CEO&nbsp;Pat Gelsinger was receiving a 25 per cent cut to his basic salary to preserve cash and initiate a recovery process.&nbsp;

“As we continue to navigate macroeconomic headwinds and work to reduce costs across the company, we’ve made several adjustments to our 2023 employee compensation and rewards programs,” read a statement released by the company.&nbsp;

Apart from&nbsp;Gelsinger, his executive leadership team will see their salaries decrease by 15 per cent. Meanwhile, senior managers and mid-level managers will take a 10 per cent and 5 per cent cut to their pay respectively.&nbsp;

"These changes are designed to impact our executive population more significantly and will help support the investments and overall workforce needed to accelerate our transformation and achieve our long-term strategy," the chipmaker added.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-impact-of-silicon-valley-layoffs-on-indian-techies-534175">Gravitas: The impact of Silicon Valley layoffs on Indian Techies</a>

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The announcement comes a day after Intel said it was laying off&nbsp;340 employees at its California campus. The company fired the workers and gave them a 60-day notice period.

Previously, Intel has already announced three rounds of firing. The California-headquartered company in December last year announced it was planning to lay off 111 employees at its Praire City Drive facility.

Afterwards, on January 11, it added that the number had risen to 176. Two days later, the chipmaker announced another round and said 167 workers were being let go permanently.&nbsp;

According to reports, this may not be the last of employee termination at Intel as the company plans to get rid of at least 500 workers.&nbsp;

Intel is not the first tech giant in recent months to go on a cost-cutting spree with non-management employees receiving the axe.

Twitter, Facebook, Alphabet, Snap, Microsoft and myriad other tech conglomerates across the world have terminated the contracts of thousands of employees.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-cuts-12000-jobs-6-of-global-workforce-554451">Read more:&nbsp;Google joins layoff spree, slashes 12,000 jobs across world, offers 16 weeks’ severance pay</a>

During the pandemic, most tech companies went on a hyper-hiring spree as revenues touched record highs.

However, as soon as the pandemic eased and revenues returned to previous levels or lower, the companies panicked and started getting rid of the flab to balance the books.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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As the tech sector continues to bleed dry amid a drop in revenue and earnings, Intel on Tuesday announced it was cutting top management pay. The chipmaker said its CEO Pat Gelsinger was receiving a 25 per cent cut to his basic salary to preserve cash and initiate a recovery process.

As the tech sector continues to bleed dry amid a drop in revenue and earnings, Intel on Tuesday announced it was cutting top management pay. The chipmaker said its CEO Pat Gelsinger was receiving a 25 per cent cut to his basic salary to preserve cash and initiate a recovery process. “As we continue to navigate macroeconomic headwinds and work to reduce costs across the company, we’ve made several adjustments to our 2023 employee compensation and rewards programs,” read a statement released by the company. Apart from Gelsinger, his executive leadership team will see their salaries decrease by 15 per cent. Meanwhile, senior managers and mid-level managers will take a 10 per cent and 5 per cent cut to their pay respectively. "These changes are designed to impact our executive population more significantly and will help support the investments and overall workforce needed to accelerate our transformation and achieve our long-term strategy," the chipmaker added. WATCH | Gravitas: The impact of Silicon Valley layoffs on Indian Techies × The announcement comes a day after Intel said it was laying off 340 employees at its California campus. The company fired the workers and gave them a 60-day notice period. Previously, Intel has already announced three rounds of firing. The California-headquartered company in December last year announced it was planning to lay off 111 employees at its Praire City Drive facility. Afterwards, on January 11, it added that the number had risen to 176. Two days later, the chipmaker announced another round and said 167 workers were being let go permanently. According to reports, this may not be the last of employee termination at Intel as the company plans to get rid of at least 500 workers. Intel is not the first tech giant in recent months to go on a cost-cutting spree with non-management employees receiving the axe. Twitter, Facebook, Alphabet, Snap, Microsoft and myriad other tech conglomerates across the world have terminated the contracts of thousands of employees. Read more: Google joins layoff spree, slashes 12,000 jobs across world, offers 16 weeks’ severance pay During the pandemic, most tech companies went on a hyper-hiring spree as revenues touched record highs. However, as soon as the pandemic eased and revenues returned to previous levels or lower, the companies panicked and started getting rid of the flab to balance the books. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Intel cuts management pay and fires 340 employees to preserve cash

A day after India's top court refused to block an antitrust watchdog ruling against Alphabet-owned Google, the company has made key changes in its rulebook that include removing restrictions on smartphone makers related to pre-installation of apps. Google will no longer have exclusivity to web search in the world's second largest smartphone market.&nbsp;

Google rulebook overhaul: What will change for India's Android users?

Alphabet-owned Google will now prompt Android smartphone users in India to choose their own search engine while setting up a new smartphone. Until Wednesday, this wasn't the case. Nearly all Android smartphones had Google as the default search engine.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/google-to-cooperate-with-india-antitrust-watchdog-after-android-ruling-554611">Google to cooperate with India antitrust watchdog after Android ruling</a>

This means that while setting up the smartphone, a user will have the freedom to choose its default search engine other than Google, such as Bing or DuckDuckGo. 
 
Smartphone makers will now be able to build approved, forked versions of Android, clearing the path for India's home-grown smartphone operating system, BharOS.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-google-loses-anti-trust-battle-in-india-554600">Gravitas: Google loses anti-trust battle in India</a>

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Google said that it will now allow smartphone makers "licence individual Google apps" to preinstall on their devices. This means that it will now depend on the smartphone-maker which Google apps will be pre-installed in the smartphone.&nbsp;

What changes for smartphone makers?

The cost of a smartphone, in-part, depends on the number of applications it is equipped with on a pre-installed basis. This means that if a smartphone-maker wants to launch a super affordable device, it can do so by reducing the number of Alphabet-owned applications.&nbsp; 
Other than this, Google is already letting users in India choose a billing system other than Google Play when making in-app purchases. This way, the app and game developers will get a larger share of their profits.

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A day after India's top court refused to block an antitrust watchdog ruling against Alphabet-owned Google, the company has made key changes in its rulebook that include removing restrictions on smartphone makers related to pre-installation of apps.

A day after India's top court refused to block an antitrust watchdog ruling against Alphabet-owned Google, the company has made key changes in its rulebook that include removing restrictions on smartphone makers related to pre-installation of apps. Google will no longer have exclusivity to web search in the world's second largest smartphone market. Google rulebook overhaul: What will change for India's Android users? Alphabet-owned Google will now prompt Android smartphone users in India to choose their own search engine while setting up a new smartphone. Until Wednesday, this wasn't the case. Nearly all Android smartphones had Google as the default search engine. ALSO READ | Google to cooperate with India antitrust watchdog after Android ruling This means that while setting up the smartphone, a user will have the freedom to choose its default search engine other than Google, such as Bing or DuckDuckGo. Smartphone makers will now be able to build approved, forked versions of Android, clearing the path for India's home-grown smartphone operating system, BharOS. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: Google loses anti-trust battle in India × Google said that it will now allow smartphone makers "licence individual Google apps" to preinstall on their devices. This means that it will now depend on the smartphone-maker which Google apps will be pre-installed in the smartphone. What changes for smartphone makers? The cost of a smartphone, in-part, depends on the number of applications it is equipped with on a pre-installed basis. This means that if a smartphone-maker wants to launch a super affordable device, it can do so by reducing the number of Alphabet-owned applications. Other than this, Google is already letting users in India choose a billing system other than Google Play when making in-app purchases. This way, the app and game developers will get a larger share of their profits. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Google policy overhaul: India's smartphone makers, Android users get better control

Google parent Alphabet announced that it is planning to cut roughly 12,000 jobs or 6 per cent of its global workforce worldwide, CEO Sundar Pichai told employees in an e-mail communication amid mass layoffs across major tech companies.

Google parent Alphabet to layoff 12,000 employees

Google announces job cuts, CEO says 'I take full responsibility for decisions that led us here'

Google parent Alphabet has approved a new equity award for Chief Executive Officer Sundar Pichai. More of Pichai's pay is tied to performance.

New equity award for Google's CEO Sundar Pichai that ties more of his pay to performance

The technological competitors of Google on Thursday announced a project which will be aimed at making data sets required for building map features available for free. 
The world of online mapping is dominated by Alphabet-owned Google which provides its services to other platforms or companies and improves its other offerings like online advertising, using navigation and location capabilities.

Creating ripples in the Google-dominated market, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, TomTom and Meta have introduced “Overture Maps Foundation”, which is aimed at providing comprehensive mapping data freely to anyone who may need it for use, said non-profit Linux Foundation, in a press release.

ALSO READ|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-says-it-does-not-change-search-results-amid-hong-kong-anthem-row-543340">Google says it does not change search results amid Hong Kong anthem row</a>

"Mapping the physical environment and every community in the world, even as they grow and change, is a massively complex challenge that no one organization can manage," Linux Foundation executive director Jim Zemlin said. "Industry needs to come together to do this for the benefit of all,” he added.

The team of technological companies announced to work on Overture, did not include Google. However, it added that its goal is to increase membership for increasing the work’s progress. By mid-2023, the group of tech firms are expected to release their first mapping datasets.

"Immersive experiences, which understand and blend into your physical environment, are critical to the embodied internet of the future," said Erik Solem, engineering director of Maps at Meta Jan, in the press release.

WATCH|&nbsp;WION Fineprint: Google Chrome is most vulnerable browser in 2022

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"By delivering interoperable open map data, Overture provides the foundation for an open metaverse built by creators, developers, and businesses alike,” he added.

The Linux Foundation said that map data is used in applications for navigation, search, autonomous driving, games, logistics and more. The Overture map data will be provided as an open source, which will allow developers to not only use its data but also to build on it, said the Linux Foundation.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The technological competitors of Google on Thursday announced a project which will be aimed at making data sets required for building map features available for free.

The technological competitors of Google on Thursday announced a project which will be aimed at making data sets required for building map features available for free. The world of online mapping is dominated by Alphabet-owned Google which provides its services to other platforms or companies and improves its other offerings like online advertising, using navigation and location capabilities. Creating ripples in the Google-dominated market, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, TomTom and Meta have introduced “Overture Maps Foundation”, which is aimed at providing comprehensive mapping data freely to anyone who may need it for use, said non-profit Linux Foundation, in a press release. ALSO READ| Google says it does not change search results amid Hong Kong anthem row "Mapping the physical environment and every community in the world, even as they grow and change, is a massively complex challenge that no one organization can manage," Linux Foundation executive director Jim Zemlin said. "Industry needs to come together to do this for the benefit of all,” he added. The team of technological companies announced to work on Overture, did not include Google. However, it added that its goal is to increase membership for increasing the work’s progress. By mid-2023, the group of tech firms are expected to release their first mapping datasets. "Immersive experiences, which understand and blend into your physical environment, are critical to the embodied internet of the future," said Erik Solem, engineering director of Maps at Meta Jan, in the press release. WATCH| WION Fineprint: Google Chrome is most vulnerable browser in 2022 "By delivering interoperable open map data, Overture provides the foundation for an open metaverse built by creators, developers, and businesses alike,” he added. The Linux Foundation said that map data is used in applications for navigation, search, autonomous driving, games, logistics and more. The Overture map data will be provided as an open source, which will allow developers to not only use its data but also to build on it, said the Linux Foundation. (With inputs from agencies)

Google’s rival tech firms join hands to make comprehensive mapping data

Alphabet, Google's parent company, will soon join the&nbsp;layoff season in the United States' Silicon Valley as it plans to&nbsp;lay off up to 10,000 or six per cent of the company's "poor-performing" employees, said a report by The Information. The report also claims that the company will use performance as a parameter to fire employees by using a ranking system.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, the company had also announced a freeze on hiring citing macroeconomic trends, which followed a major spike in bringing in new employees in the past quarter. According to reports, Alphabet currently employs around 1,87,000 people making it one of the biggest employers in the tech industry.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/from-pandemic-boom-to-lay-off-season-why-big-tech-companies-firing-thousands-of-employees-534471">From pandemic boom to layoff season: Why big tech firms are firing thousands of employees</a>

The Information reported, that while Google has not begun job cuts so far in the layoff season, “But as outside pressure builds on the company to improve the productivity of its workers, a new performance management system could help managers push out thousands of underperforming employees starting early next year.”&nbsp;

Reportedly, the team managers have been asked to evaluate the staff based on a new “ranking and performance improvement plan” out of which the lowest-performing employees will be fired. On the other hand, the new system could also use the ratings to avoid paying bonuses and stock grants to the workers, said the report.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-the-impact-of-silicon-valley-layoffs-on-indian-techies-534175">Gravitas: The impact of Silicon Valley layoffs on Indian Techies</a>

The performance ranking will take place for nearly six per cent of the workforce which is much higher than the previous two per cent of the employees that the team managers are usually asked to place in the bucket, said the report citing the people with knowledge of the system. Google, which is often known as the “employee friendly” company, may begin the layoffs in early 2023 which is only a few weeks away.

Reports also suggest that Alphabet is also facing pressure from investors including the United Kingdom’s billionaire activist investor and TCI Fund Management’s managing editor, Christopher Hohn, who recently wrote a letter to express his concerns to&nbsp;Alphabet’s CEO, Sundar Pichai. The letter said that the average salary of an Alphabet employee is much higher and called on the company to lower its number of employees adjusting to the slower economic growth witnessed recently.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/amazon-joins-silicon-valleys-layoff-spree-sacked-employees-share-ordeal-534784">Amazon begins mass layoff as it eyes 10,000 job cuts: Report</a>

Alphabet reported a net profit of $13.9 billion in the third quarter which is 27 per cent lower when compared to last year in the same quarter. According to Hohn, the company’s headcount is “excessive” when compared to the hiring trends otherwise. The investor who has a stake of over $6 billion dollars in Alphabet also said that the company has some of the highest salaries in Silicon Valley.&nbsp; 
 
He added that they have also increased the headcount by 20 per cent every year in the last five years and have more than doubled since the “company has too many employees and the cost per employee is too high,” and while cost discipline was not a priority during the period of growth witnessed between 2017 and 2021 it is now, said the letter. This comes amid mass layoffs announced by big tech companies including Meta, Twitter, Amazon, Snap, and so on, which has left thousands unemployed.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Alphabet, Google's parent company, will soon join the layoff season in the United States' Silicon Valley as it plans to lay off up to 10,000 or six per cent of the company's "poor-performing" employees, said a report by The Information.

Alphabet, Google's parent company, will soon join the layoff season in the United States' Silicon Valley as it plans to lay off up to 10,000 or six per cent of the company's "poor-performing" employees, said a report by The Information. The report also claims that the company will use performance as a parameter to fire employees by using a ranking system. Earlier this month, the company had also announced a freeze on hiring citing macroeconomic trends, which followed a major spike in bringing in new employees in the past quarter. According to reports, Alphabet currently employs around 1,87,000 people making it one of the biggest employers in the tech industry. ALSO READ | From pandemic boom to layoff season: Why big tech firms are firing thousands of employees The Information reported, that while Google has not begun job cuts so far in the layoff season, “But as outside pressure builds on the company to improve the productivity of its workers, a new performance management system could help managers push out thousands of underperforming employees starting early next year.” Reportedly, the team managers have been asked to evaluate the staff based on a new “ranking and performance improvement plan” out of which the lowest-performing employees will be fired. On the other hand, the new system could also use the ratings to avoid paying bonuses and stock grants to the workers, said the report. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas: The impact of Silicon Valley layoffs on Indian Techies The performance ranking will take place for nearly six per cent of the workforce which is much higher than the previous two per cent of the employees that the team managers are usually asked to place in the bucket, said the report citing the people with knowledge of the system. Google, which is often known as the “employee friendly” company, may begin the layoffs in early 2023 which is only a few weeks away. Reports also suggest that Alphabet is also facing pressure from investors including the United Kingdom’s billionaire activist investor and TCI Fund Management’s managing editor, Christopher Hohn, who recently wrote a letter to express his concerns to Alphabet’s CEO, Sundar Pichai. The letter said that the average salary of an Alphabet employee is much higher and called on the company to lower its number of employees adjusting to the slower economic growth witnessed recently. ALSO READ | Amazon begins mass layoff as it eyes 10,000 job cuts: Report Alphabet reported a net profit of $13.9 billion in the third quarter which is 27 per cent lower when compared to last year in the same quarter. According to Hohn, the company’s headcount is “excessive” when compared to the hiring trends otherwise. The investor who has a stake of over $6 billion dollars in Alphabet also said that the company has some of the highest salaries in Silicon Valley. He added that they have also increased the headcount by 20 per cent every year in the last five years and have more than doubled since the “company has too many employees and the cost per employee is too high,” and while cost discipline was not a priority during the period of growth witnessed between 2017 and 2021 it is now, said the letter. This comes amid mass layoffs announced by big tech companies including Meta, Twitter, Amazon, Snap, and so on, which has left thousands unemployed. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Google to lay off at least 10,000 ‘poor-performing’ employees in 2023: Report

Google parent company Alphabet is planning to lay off about six percent of its global workforce, according to a new report. Six percent would roughly mean 10,000 employees in terms of headcount.

Report: Google parent Alphabet plans to lay off about 10,000 employees

Digital media sector is worried on Google parent Alphabets disappointing ads. There are fears that advertisers have cut back on spending in the face of an economic slowdown.

WION Business News | Google-parent Alphabet misses revenue estimates

Ahead of the November midterm elections, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has sued Alphabet Inc’s Google claiming that their campaign emails are being routed to the user’s spam folders—a charge the tech firm denies.

In the lawsuit filed in the US District Court in California, the committee has claimed that Google is "discriminating" against the party by "throttling its email messages because of the RNC’s political affiliation and views.”

Republicans for long accused the tech companies of gagging conservative views and suppressing their freedom of expression.&nbsp;

“Google has relegated millions of RNC emails en masse to potential donors’ and supporters’ spam folders during pivotal points in election fundraising and community building. The timing of Google’s most egregious filtering is particularly damning,” the RNC said in its lawsuit, reports Reuters news agency.

Spam mails are unsolicited or unwarranted and are redirected to the user’s spam folder, instead of appearing in their inbox. Hence, it becomes difficult to notice if the mail is sent to a spam folder as it gets deleted every 30 days.

The Republican committee claimed that this has been going on for almost 10 months despite Google's efforts to sort out the issue.

It further claimed that routing of its emails to spam folders had resulted in revenue loss and that more money would be gone in coming weeks as midterm elections loom

Meanwhile, Google spokesperson José Castañeda has denied the allegations in a statement.

“As we have repeatedly said, we simply don't filter emails based on political affiliation. Gmail’s spam filters reflect users’ actions.”

"We provide training and guidelines to campaigns, we recently launched an FEC-approved pilot for political senders, and we continue to work to maximize email deliverability while minimising unwanted spam," he said, referring to the Federal Election Commission.

Since August Google has been working to make political campaigns bypass spam filters under its pilot programme.

Under this programme, the filters are changed for political emails, allowing them to bypass the company’s algorithms for re-routing emails into spam. It will be routed to the spam folder only if users take action to mark them as spam.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ahead of the November midterm elections, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has sued Alphabet Inc’s Google claiming that their campaign emails are being routed to the user’s spam folders—a charge the tech firm denies.

Ahead of the November midterm elections, the Republican National Committee (RNC) has sued Alphabet Inc’s Google claiming that their campaign emails are being routed to the user’s spam folders—a charge the tech firm denies. In the lawsuit filed in the US District Court in California, the committee has claimed that Google is "discriminating" against the party by "throttling its email messages because of the RNC’s political affiliation and views.” Republicans for long accused the tech companies of gagging conservative views and suppressing their freedom of expression. “Google has relegated millions of RNC emails en masse to potential donors’ and supporters’ spam folders during pivotal points in election fundraising and community building. The timing of Google’s most egregious filtering is particularly damning,” the RNC said in its lawsuit, reports Reuters news agency. Spam mails are unsolicited or unwarranted and are redirected to the user’s spam folder, instead of appearing in their inbox. Hence, it becomes difficult to notice if the mail is sent to a spam folder as it gets deleted every 30 days. The Republican committee claimed that this has been going on for almost 10 months despite Google's efforts to sort out the issue. It further claimed that routing of its emails to spam folders had resulted in revenue loss and that more money would be gone in coming weeks as midterm elections loom Meanwhile, Google spokesperson José Castañeda has denied the allegations in a statement. “As we have repeatedly said, we simply don't filter emails based on political affiliation. Gmail’s spam filters reflect users’ actions.” "We provide training and guidelines to campaigns, we recently launched an FEC-approved pilot for political senders, and we continue to work to maximize email deliverability while minimising unwanted spam," he said, referring to the Federal Election Commission. Since August Google has been working to make political campaigns bypass spam filters under its pilot programme. Under this programme, the filters are changed for political emails, allowing them to bypass the company’s algorithms for re-routing emails into spam. It will be routed to the spam folder only if users take action to mark them as spam. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Republican committee sues Google, claims campaign mails being sent to spam folders

Truth Social, a social media app started by former US president Donald Trump, has finally been approved by Google for the Play Store, a company spokesman informed on Wednesday.

Truth Social, a social media app started by former US president Donald Trump, has finally been approved by Google for the Play Store, a company spokesman informed on Wednesday. "Apps may be distributed on Google Play, provided they comply with our developer guidelines, including the requirement to effectively moderate user-generated content and remove objectionable posts such as those that incite violence," said a Google spokesperson. The app, launched by Trump earlier this year could not have a proper liftoff due to Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google citing insufficient content moderation and a host of other problems. According to reports, it was only after Truth Social agreed to toe Alphabet's line of enforcing policies that remove content that violates rules on topics such as 'incitement to violence' that it was allowed on the Play Store. Google also said that the social media app will also be available through its website and through other Android app stores. However, those apps may not have the same content moderation as the version available in the Google Play store. Trump desperately needed the android platform to host his app as over 40 per cent of the smartphone market in America comprises android phones. Read more: Donald Trump's Truth Social app not approved by Google Play Store "Truth Social is now open on all phones in the United States, which is a big accomplishment. Not only do we have the most free speech platform but also a family-friendly platform," said Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) CEO Devin Nunes which operates Truth Social. Truth Social receiving the android platform is expected to strengthen its financial position. According to multiple reports, the financial situation of the Trump-owned platform had turned dire in recent times. The company owes approximately $1.6 million to a technology company RightForge which provides the social media app's internal infrastructure. Read more: Is Donald Trump's social media platform in financial trouble? Notably, Trump was forced to develop a new social media app after he was banned from virtually every major social media platform in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riots The Trump supporters had allegedly attempted to overturn the election results and Trump was accused of posting messages online to incite violence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Donald Trump's Truth Social approved by Google, will be on Play Store shortly

Cost-cutting, efficiency, and macroeconomics seem to be the keywords that Google CEO Sundar Pichai has been using rather frequently in front of his employees for the majority of this quarter.

Cost-cutting, efficiency, and macroeconomics seem to be the keywords that Google CEO Sundar Pichai has been using rather frequently in front of his employees for the majority of this quarter. Now, at a companywide meeting this week, Pichai told employees not to 'equate fun with money'. Reportedly, during the meeting, which turned heated at times according to sources, Pichai was asked by an employee as to why the company, despite recording profits and high cash reserves was slashing travel budgets, allowances, and other perks. “I remember when Google was small and scrappy. Fun didn’t always...we shouldn’t always equate fun with money. I think you can walk into a hard-working startup and people may be having fun and it shouldn’t always equate to money,” said Pichai in response. Talking about the uncertainty in macroeconomics, the Google boss further added, “How do I say it? Look, I hope all of you are reading the news, externally. The fact that you know, we are being a bit more responsible through one of the toughest macroeconomic conditions underway in the past decade, I think it’s important that as a company, we pull together to get through moments like this.” It is pertinent to note that Pichai's statements come in the backdrop of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, reporting a second successive quarter of weaker-than-expected earnings and revenue in July. As reported by WION, earlier this month as well, Pichai talked about the company taking a more conservative approach when it came to hiring and simultaneously increasing the efficiency of the employees as the macroeconomics remained uncertain. Read more: Sundar Pichai hints at slashing Google workforce, wants company 20% more efficient “We want to make sure as a company, when you have fewer resources than before, you are prioritizing all the right things to be working on and your employees are really productive that they can actually have impact on the things they’re working on, so that’s what we are spending our time on.” The Google boss further added that as a company they were looking to get 20 per cent more productive, “Across everything we do, we can be slower to make decisions. You look at it end-to-end and figure out how to make the company 20 per cent more productive.” Read more: Google to slow down hiring, says Sundar Pichai in a memo to staff (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Don't equate fun with money', millionaire Google CEO Sundar Pichai's advice to employees

Apple and Alphabet, Google's parent company have been slapped with an anti-competitive complaint in Mexico. Reportedly, the complaint was filed on Friday by Mony de Swaan Addati, the former telecommunications chief.

Apple and Alphabet, Google's parent company have been slapped with an anti-competitive complaint in Mexico. Reportedly, the complaint was filed on Friday by Mony de Swaan Addati, the former telecommunications chief. Addati filed the complaint to the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) accusing Apple and Google of "completely inhibit(ing) competition by taking advantage of their monopoly in app stores to tie use of their own payment processing systems for in-app purchases." He further added that Google Play store and Apple store charge 15 per cent to 20 per cent commission which is unfair and has forced up prices for consumers. The former telecommunications head stated that he had taken the case to Mexico's competition regulator initially. However, after the body failed to act, he was forced to bring the complaint to IFT. "I have full confidence that (the IFT) will investigate and exercise its powers - in line with international best practices - so that these companies stop abusing their market power to the detriment of developers and consumers," said Addati. WATCH | Gravitas: Google is facing Anti-trust lawsuits globally × It is pertinent to note that this is not the first time that Silicon Valley companies have been embroiled in an anti-competitive practices complaint. 11 US states sued Google in October 2020 for antitrust violations, alleging that the company used its position of dominance in the search-engine market and advertising to kill off competition, shut down companies, and inadvertently harm the customers. Read more: US justice department accuses Google of paying billions annually to illegally remain top search engine Similarly, Apple stares at the prospect of facing a full-fledged trial in the UK after it emerged that the Cupertino-based company violated the competition law by overcharging customers for apps on its App Store. Akin to Mexico and Addati's complaint, the complainants in the UK also claimed that Apple forced developers to use its payment system for in-app purchases while gulping 30 per cent commission on such transactions. The last few weeks have been eventful for the big tech giants. As reported by WION, the Brazilian government on Tuesday levied a fine of $2.38 million on Apple and ordered the company to stop selling its iPhones without a battery charger in the South American country. Read more: Ahead of iPhone 14 launch, Brazil suspends sale of iPhones without battery charger, imposes fine The fine was imposed by Brazil's ministry of justice which stated that the iPhone lacking an essential component was a "deliberate discriminatory practice against consumers". (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Google and Apple face another anti-competitive complaint, this time in Mexico

After a bumper hiring spree in the aftermath of the pandemic, the tech giants might be looking to go back on their decision. Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday stated that he wants to make his company 20 per cent efficient while hinting at possible job cuts.

After a bumper hiring spree in the aftermath of the pandemic, the tech giants might be looking to go back on their decision. Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai on Tuesday stated that he wants to make his company 20 per cent efficient while hinting at possible job cuts. “We want to make sure as a company, when you have fewer resources than before, you are prioritizing all the right things to be working on and your employees are really productive that they can actually have impact on the things they’re working on so that’s what we are spending our time on,” said Pichai. The Google boss further added that as a company they were looking to get 20 per cent more productive, “Across everything we do, we can be slower to make decisions. You look at it end-to-end and figure out how to make the company 20 per cent more productive.” Read more: Google to slow down hiring, says Sundar Pichai in a memo to staff Terming uncertainty around macroeconomics, Pichai acknowledged the company had become “slower” after its headcount ballooned. “The more we try to understand the macroeconomic, we feel very uncertain about it. The macroeconomic performance is correlated to ad spend, consumer spend and so on,” added the Google boss. It is pertinent to note that this is not the first time that Pichai has hinted at slashing the workforce. In July, Pichai wrote a memo to his employees where he asserted that the company will be “slowing down the pace of hiring for the rest of the year” Pichai said that the company will have to “be more entrepreneurial” and work with “greater urgency, sharper focus, and more hunger than we’ve shown on sunnier days” He added that the company “isn’t freezing hiring entirely; it’ll still hire engineering, technical and other critical roles”, but the pullback, he added, will mean “pausing development and re-deploying resources to higher priority areas”. "For the balance of 2022 and 2023, we'll focus our hiring on engineering, technical and other critical roles, and make sure the great talent we do hire is aligned with our long-term priorities," Pichai reportedly wrote in the memo. Read more: Google to slow down hiring, says Sundar Pichai in a memo to staff Google slowing down its hiring can also be related to the advertisement revenue that has taken a tumble ever since Apple brought its new data policy, in addition to weaker-than-expected earnings in the second consecutive quarter. As reported by WION, a report released by Appsumer, an advertising analytics firm on Tuesday showed that Apple's competitors viz. Facebook and Google saw a 3 per cent and 1.7 per cent dip in the number of mobile apps advertising respectively. The study stated that more and more advertisers are willing to spend big bucks to advertise on Apple App Store, in addition to Apple News and Stocks. Advertisers allocated almost 15 per cent of their ad budget to Apple while both Google and Facebook saw a decline. Read more: Apple might have broken Google and Facebook's duopoly in the advertising market (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Sundar Pichai hints at slashing Google workforce, wants company 20% more efficient

Truth Social, a social media app started by former US President Donald Trump earlier this&nbsp;year, is yet to have a proper liftoff. Reportedly, Google is not allowing the distribution of the app on its Google Play Store, much to the chagrin of Trump and his legion of supporters who want to take on big tech companies.

Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google in a statement cited&nbsp;that due to insufficient content moderation and a host of other problems, Truth Social was not being approved.&nbsp;

“On August 19, we notified Truth Social of several violations of standard policies in their current app submission and reiterated that having effective systems for moderating user-generated content is a condition of our terms of service for any app to go live on Google Play,” said Google in a statement.&nbsp;

Read more:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-justice-department-releases-redacted-affidavit-on-search-of-trumps-mar-a-lago-house-510482"> US Justice Department releases redacted affidavit on search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago house</a>

After receiving the rejection, Truth Social also released a press statement where it said it has, "continuously worked in good faith with Google to ensure that the Truth Social Android App complies with Google’s policies without compromising our promise to be a haven for free speech.”

Further questioning Google's arbitrary policies, the statement added,&nbsp;“Moreover, some of our competitors’ apps are allowed in the Google Play Store despite rampantly violating Google’s prohibition on sexual content and other policies, whereas Truth Social has zero tolerance for sexually explicit content.”

Trump needs the android platform to host its app. After all, over 40&nbsp;per cent of smartphone market in America comprises Android phones.&nbsp;

Moreover, the financial situation of Truth Social is not rosy, which means that the rejection ought to hurt the fundamentals of the company further. As reported by WION, Truth Social owes approximately $1.6 million to a technology company RightForge which provides the social media app's internal infrastructure.

Read more:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/is-donald-trumps-social-media-platform-in-financial-trouble-510513">&nbsp;Is Donald Trump's social media platform in financial trouble?</a>

It is pertinent to note that Trump was banned from nearly every major social media platform in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riots where Trump supporters allegedly attempted to overturn the election results.&nbsp;The Republican leader was accused of posting messages online to incite violence.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Truth Social, a social media app started by former US President Donald Trump earlier this year, is yet to have a proper liftoff. Reportedly, Google is not allowing the distribution of the app on its Google Play Store, much to the chagrin of Trump and his legion of supporters who want to take on big tech companies.

Truth Social, a social media app started by former US President Donald Trump earlier this year, is yet to have a proper liftoff. Reportedly, Google is not allowing the distribution of the app on its Google Play Store, much to the chagrin of Trump and his legion of supporters who want to take on big tech companies. Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google in a statement cited that due to insufficient content moderation and a host of other problems, Truth Social was not being approved. “On August 19, we notified Truth Social of several violations of standard policies in their current app submission and reiterated that having effective systems for moderating user-generated content is a condition of our terms of service for any app to go live on Google Play,” said Google in a statement. Read more: US Justice Department releases redacted affidavit on search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago house After receiving the rejection, Truth Social also released a press statement where it said it has, "continuously worked in good faith with Google to ensure that the Truth Social Android App complies with Google’s policies without compromising our promise to be a haven for free speech.” Further questioning Google's arbitrary policies, the statement added, “Moreover, some of our competitors’ apps are allowed in the Google Play Store despite rampantly violating Google’s prohibition on sexual content and other policies, whereas Truth Social has zero tolerance for sexually explicit content.” Trump needs the android platform to host its app. After all, over 40 per cent of smartphone market in America comprises Android phones. Moreover, the financial situation of Truth Social is not rosy, which means that the rejection ought to hurt the fundamentals of the company further. As reported by WION, Truth Social owes approximately $1.6 million to a technology company RightForge which provides the social media app's internal infrastructure. Read more: Is Donald Trump's social media platform in financial trouble? It is pertinent to note that Trump was banned from nearly every major social media platform in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol riots where Trump supporters allegedly attempted to overturn the election results. The Republican leader was accused of posting messages online to incite violence. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Donald Trump's Truth Social app not approved by Google Play Store

A new report by news agency Reuters has revealed that Google has opposed a proposal about developing a self-regulatory body for the social media sector in India to hear user complaints.

Although the proposal has received the support of social media giants Facebook and Twitter, Google has expressed grave reservations about it.

The Modi administration had proposed appointing a government panel to hear complaints from users about content moderation decisions in June.

However, it had also expressed that is open to the idea of a self-regulatory body if the industry is willing.

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Citing sources with knowledge of the discussions, Reuters reported that the lack of consensus among the tech giants increases the likelihood of a government panel being formed.

The news agency quoted an executive from Alphabet Inc's Google as saying the body would mean external reviews of decisions that could force Google to reinstate content.

Saying the matter requires much more consultation including with civil society, Snap and ShareChat also voiced concern about a self-regulatory system.

Adding that it was "exploring all options for the best possible solution," Google said in a statement it had attended a preliminary meeting and is engaging with the industry and the government.

Though there have been instances of cooperation, self-regulatory bodies to police content in the social media sector are rare.

Highlighting its concern that users upset with decisions to have their content taken down do not have a proper system to appeal those decisions, the Modi government said that their only legal recourse is to go to court.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A new report by news agency Reuters has revealed that Google has opposed a proposal about developing a self-regulatory body for the social media sector in India to hear user complaints.

A new report by news agency Reuters has revealed that Google has opposed a proposal about developing a self-regulatory body for the social media sector in India to hear user complaints. Although the proposal has received the support of social media giants Facebook and Twitter, Google has expressed grave reservations about it. The Modi administration had proposed appointing a government panel to hear complaints from users about content moderation decisions in June. However, it had also expressed that is open to the idea of a self-regulatory body if the industry is willing. × Citing sources with knowledge of the discussions, Reuters reported that the lack of consensus among the tech giants increases the likelihood of a government panel being formed. The news agency quoted an executive from Alphabet Inc's Google as saying the body would mean external reviews of decisions that could force Google to reinstate content. Saying the matter requires much more consultation including with civil society, Snap and ShareChat also voiced concern about a self-regulatory system. Adding that it was "exploring all options for the best possible solution," Google said in a statement it had attended a preliminary meeting and is engaging with the industry and the government. Though there have been instances of cooperation, self-regulatory bodies to police content in the social media sector are rare. Highlighting its concern that users upset with decisions to have their content taken down do not have a proper system to appeal those decisions, the Modi government said that their only legal recourse is to go to court. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here: ×

Google expresses grave reservations about developing self-regulatory body for social media in India: Report

Using an artificial intelligence (AI) network, an Alphabet-owned artificial intelligence research company has published the structures of nearly all proteins, the building blocks of life, of more than 200 million from bacteria to humans.

The publication of all proteins is being hailed as revolutionary for AI as it is being tipped as a potential treasure trove for drug development and evolutionary studies.

AI-powered predictions of the three-dimensional structures of nearly all cataloged proteins known to science have been made by DeepMind, a tool developed by Google’s London-based AI company, and European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), an intergovernmental organization near Cambridge, UK.

The catalog is freely and openly available to the scientific community, through the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database.

Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Hence, they are referred to as the building blocks of life.

Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains.

For example, when Covid vaccine was prepared, the biologists analysed the protein of Sars-Cov-2 in order to design antibodies and neutralise the protein’s ability to infect more cells. This three-dimensional information is mostly gathered using cryo-electron microscopes.

“We’re releasing now the structures for the whole protein universe,” Demis Hassabis, founder and CEO of DeepMind, said during a press conference in London.

At the press conference, deputy director general of EMBL Ewan Birney said the DeepMind structure release is “remarkable,” and that “it will make many researchers around the world think about what experiments they can now do.”

“Being able to ‘just download’ the whole prediction set is going to - I am sure - stimulate entirely new research directions. As important is the on-demand ‘oh I am going to make a mutation on my protein, I wonder where it is on the structure’ for ... every known protein,” Birney later said in a tweet.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-technology/earth-is-suddenly-spinning-faster-than-usual-and-it-can-spell-doom-for-us-502483" hreflang="en">Earth is suddenly spinning faster than usual, and it can spell doom for us</a>

The proteins decoded by AlphaFold comprise a range of organisms from bacteria to plants to vertebrates, including mice, humans and zebrafish.

Kathryn Tunyasuvunakool, a DeepMind research scientist, said it took their AI tool around 10 to 20 seconds to make each protein prediction, reports Science.org.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-again-all-you-want-to-know-about-paxlovid-rebound-502457" hreflang="en">‘Paxlovid rebound’: All you want to know know | CDC guideline</a>

She added that the AI company had to work closely with EMBL-EBI to figure out how to present the immense number of structures in the database.

DeepMind says more than 500,000 researchers have already used the database since its launch last year.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Using an artificial intelligence (AI) network, an Alphabet-owned artificial intelligence research company has published the structures of nearly all proteins, the building blocks of life, of more than 200 million from bacteria to humans.

Using an artificial intelligence (AI) network, an Alphabet-owned artificial intelligence research company has published the structures of nearly all proteins, the building blocks of life, of more than 200 million from bacteria to humans. The publication of all proteins is being hailed as revolutionary for AI as it is being tipped as a potential treasure trove for drug development and evolutionary studies. AI-powered predictions of the three-dimensional structures of nearly all cataloged proteins known to science have been made by DeepMind, a tool developed by Google’s London-based AI company, and European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), an intergovernmental organization near Cambridge, UK. The catalog is freely and openly available to the scientific community, through the AlphaFold Protein Structure Database. Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Hence, they are referred to as the building blocks of life. Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains. For example, when Covid vaccine was prepared, the biologists analysed the protein of Sars-Cov-2 in order to design antibodies and neutralise the protein’s ability to infect more cells. This three-dimensional information is mostly gathered using cryo-electron microscopes. “We’re releasing now the structures for the whole protein universe,” Demis Hassabis, founder and CEO of DeepMind, said during a press conference in London. At the press conference, deputy director general of EMBL Ewan Birney said the DeepMind structure release is “remarkable,” and that “it will make many researchers around the world think about what experiments they can now do.” “Being able to ‘just download’ the whole prediction set is going to - I am sure - stimulate entirely new research directions. As important is the on-demand ‘oh I am going to make a mutation on my protein, I wonder where it is on the structure’ for ... every known protein,” Birney later said in a tweet. Also read | Earth is suddenly spinning faster than usual, and it can spell doom for us The proteins decoded by AlphaFold comprise a range of organisms from bacteria to plants to vertebrates, including mice, humans and zebrafish. Kathryn Tunyasuvunakool, a DeepMind research scientist, said it took their AI tool around 10 to 20 seconds to make each protein prediction, reports Science.org. Also read | ‘Paxlovid rebound’: All you want to know know | CDC guideline She added that the AI company had to work closely with EMBL-EBI to figure out how to present the immense number of structures in the database. DeepMind says more than 500,000 researchers have already used the database since its launch last year. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Major scientific breakthrough: Google’s AI firm releases 3D view of protein universe

In a move that experts have labelled as evasive, on Monday big-tech companies in New Zealand agreed to forego government regulation in favour of themselves reducing dangerous online content. According to Netsafe, a government-funded internet safety organisation, Twitter, Amazon.com Inc., TikTok, Meta Platforms Inc., and Alphabet-owned Google have all signed a code of conduct called Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms. The organisation's chief Brent Carey said that the signatory companies will follow the code as self-regulation. However, industry lobby group NZTech will be overseeing the compliance.&nbsp;"There are too many Kiwis being bullied, harassed, and abused online, which is why the industry has rallied together to protect users," said Carey.

Watch |&nbsp;Have a phobia? A new app can help fight it

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As per a Reuters report, the big-tech companies' adherence to obligations, such as decreasing harmful information online, disclosing how they do so, and allowing independent evaluation of results, would be under the supervision of industry lobbying group NZTech.

NZTech CEO Graeme Muller has expressed hope that "the governance framework will enable it to evolve alongside local conditions, while at the same time respecting the fundamental rights of freedom of expression."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-cracks-down-on-cyberbullying-the-crime-can-now-get-you-a-year-in-jail-496033">Japan cracks down on cyberbullying, makes it a punishable offence, but experts aren't too happy. Here's why</a>

However, interest groups demand more information, such as a system for public complaints and punishment for any noncompliance by the corporations.

They further emphasise that an industry organisation, not the government, is in charge of managing the accord.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/roe-v-wade-google-location-history-of-women-remains-vulnerable-youtube-to-censor-false-videos-on-abortion-499712">Roe v. Wade: Google location history of women remains vulnerable; YouTube to censor false videos on abortion</a>

Mandy Henk, CEO of Tohatoha NZ, a non-profit organisation that advocates the social impact of technology, called the move "a weak attempt to preempt regulation – in New Zealand and overseas – by promoting an industry-led model."

(With inputs from agencies)

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

In a move that experts have labelled as evasive, on Monday big-tech companies in New Zealand agreed to forego government regulation in favour of themselves reducing dangerous online content.

In a move that experts have labelled as evasive, on Monday big-tech companies in New Zealand agreed to forego government regulation in favour of themselves reducing dangerous online content. According to Netsafe, a government-funded internet safety organisation, Twitter, Amazon.com Inc., TikTok, Meta Platforms Inc., and Alphabet-owned Google have all signed a code of conduct called Aotearoa New Zealand Code of Practice for Online Safety and Harms. The organisation's chief Brent Carey said that the signatory companies will follow the code as self-regulation. However, industry lobby group NZTech will be overseeing the compliance. "There are too many Kiwis being bullied, harassed, and abused online, which is why the industry has rallied together to protect users," said Carey. Watch | Have a phobia? A new app can help fight it As per a Reuters report, the big-tech companies' adherence to obligations, such as decreasing harmful information online, disclosing how they do so, and allowing independent evaluation of results, would be under the supervision of industry lobbying group NZTech. NZTech CEO Graeme Muller has expressed hope that "the governance framework will enable it to evolve alongside local conditions, while at the same time respecting the fundamental rights of freedom of expression." Also read | Japan cracks down on cyberbullying, makes it a punishable offence, but experts aren't too happy. Here's why However, interest groups demand more information, such as a system for public complaints and punishment for any noncompliance by the corporations. They further emphasise that an industry organisation, not the government, is in charge of managing the accord. Also read | Roe v. Wade: Google location history of women remains vulnerable; YouTube to censor false videos on abortion Mandy Henk, CEO of Tohatoha NZ, a non-profit organisation that advocates the social impact of technology, called the move "a weak attempt to preempt regulation – in New Zealand and overseas – by promoting an industry-led model." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Big-tech companies agree to self-regulate harmful content in New Zealand, experts call it a 'weak attempt'

American multinational technology company Google, which is facing a new Big Tech antitrust bill, has been under increasing pressure after a&nbsp;three-judge panel of the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals&nbsp;revived a part of Florida's social media law to disclose the standards they use to moderate content on its platform.

The unanimous decision was authored by Circuit Judge Kevin Newsom, who was appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump.

"The First Amendment protects platforms and their right to moderate content as they see fit - and the government can't force them to host content they don't want," NetChoice Vice President Carl Szabo said in a statement.

According to US Senator Mike Lee, “This lack of competition in digital advertising means that monopoly rents are being imposed upon every website that is ad-supported and every company — small, medium, or large — that relies on internet advertising to grow its business.”

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The Alphabet-owned internet titan can be forbidden from owning multiple parts of the digital advertising chain if the Competition and Transparency in Digital Advertising Act is passed in the US Senate.

The tech giant's Russian subsidiary will file for bankruptcy after authorities seized its bank account following a series of spats with Moscow.

The Dutch consumer watchdog has launched a preliminary investigation into Google over its Play store for apps after dating site Tinder lodged a complaint against it.

In its complaint, the Match Group said that Google only allowed its own payment system to be used when purchasing apps, the Authority for Consumers and Markets said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-google-hatching-a-sinister-plot-to-butt-in-on-donald-trumps-app-truth-socials-success-481441">Also read |&nbsp;Is Google hatching a sinister plot to butt in on Donald Trump's app Truth Social's success?</a>

Dutch regulator's spokesman Murco Mijnlieff told AFP, "We very recently received a complaint, and we will see if there is material to launch a formal inquiry."

The Silicon Vallery company has repeatedly faced problems in the United States and Europe over its alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

According to a letter signed by more than 100 groups lead by Common Cause and sent to the chief executive of Google Sundar Pichai, "High-profile disinformation spreaders and other bad actors are continuing to use social media platforms to disseminate messages that undermine trust in elections."

"Candidates are using the Big Lie as a platform plank to pre-emptively declare voter fraud in order to dispute the results of the 2022 election," they wrote.&nbsp;

"This is damaging American democracy by undermining faith in the integrity of our elections."

Activists have urged Pichai to prioritise fact-checking and providing real-time access to data to external watchdogs.

(With inputs from agencies)

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American multinational technology company Google, which is facing a new Big Tech antitrust bill, has been under increasing pressure after a three-judge panel of the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals revived a part of Florida's social media law to disclose the standards they use to moderate content on its platform.

American multinational technology company Google, which is facing a new Big Tech antitrust bill, has been under increasing pressure after a three-judge panel of the 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals revived a part of Florida's social media law to disclose the standards they use to moderate content on its platform. The unanimous decision was authored by Circuit Judge Kevin Newsom, who was appointed by Republican former President Donald Trump. "The First Amendment protects platforms and their right to moderate content as they see fit - and the government can't force them to host content they don't want," NetChoice Vice President Carl Szabo said in a statement. According to US Senator Mike Lee, “This lack of competition in digital advertising means that monopoly rents are being imposed upon every website that is ad-supported and every company — small, medium, or large — that relies on internet advertising to grow its business.” “It is essentially a tax on thousands of American businesses, and thus a tax on millions of American consumers,” Lee added. The Alphabet-owned internet titan can be forbidden from owning multiple parts of the digital advertising chain if the Competition and Transparency in Digital Advertising Act is passed in the US Senate. The tech giant's Russian subsidiary will file for bankruptcy after authorities seized its bank account following a series of spats with Moscow. The Dutch consumer watchdog has launched a preliminary investigation into Google over its Play store for apps after dating site Tinder lodged a complaint against it. In its complaint, the Match Group said that Google only allowed its own payment system to be used when purchasing apps, the Authority for Consumers and Markets said. Also read | Is Google hatching a sinister plot to butt in on Donald Trump's app Truth Social's success? Dutch regulator's spokesman Murco Mijnlieff told AFP, "We very recently received a complaint, and we will see if there is material to launch a formal inquiry." The Silicon Vallery company has repeatedly faced problems in the United States and Europe over its alleged anti-competitive behaviour. According to a letter signed by more than 100 groups lead by Common Cause and sent to the chief executive of Google Sundar Pichai, "High-profile disinformation spreaders and other bad actors are continuing to use social media platforms to disseminate messages that undermine trust in elections." "Candidates are using the Big Lie as a platform plank to pre-emptively declare voter fraud in order to dispute the results of the 2022 election," they wrote. "This is damaging American democracy by undermining faith in the integrity of our elections." Activists have urged Pichai to prioritise fact-checking and providing real-time access to data to external watchdogs. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION's live TV here:

With growing pile of antitrust woes, how long can Google own internet?

Alphabet Inc is a conglomerate of companies, the largest of which is Google. Web surfing and searching, cloud computing, streaming entertainment, mobile operating systems and apps, are among the company's software and Internet-related services and solutions. But how does Google make money?

Google's (Alphabet) business model: How it makes money

Google parent Alphabet Inc reported record quarterly sales that topped expectations on Tuesday, as its internet advertising business surged on consumers using Google search as they shopped online and advertisers upping their marketing budgets.

Alphabet`s shares jumped more than 8% in after-hours trading, also rising on the company`s announcement that it would undertake a 20-to-one stock split.

The results were the latest to reinforce that the global trend toward a more digital economy has made Big Tech companies resistant to small-market shocks. While concerns about rising inflation, COVID-19 variants and supply-chain shortages have rattled Wall Street and hurt sales at some businesses, the companies that control key gateways to e-commerce, hybrid work and streaming entertainment have not seen a dip since the early days of the pandemic.

Alphabet`s sales jumped 32% to $75.3 billion in the fourth quarter, for a third straight quarterly sales record and topping the average estimate of $72 billion among financial analysts tracked by Refinitiv.

Consumers dove into Google search looking for apparel and hobbyist items, while retail, finance, entertainment and travel advertisers raised marketing budgets, Google`s chief business officer, Philipp Schindler, said on an earnings call.

Analysts said Google, which generates more revenue from internet ads than any other company, is proving that its growth is unstoppable for the foreseeable future.

"The pandemic has handily accelerated the world’s reliance on digital advertising," said Sophie Lund-Yates, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. "Sitting through traditional TV advert breaks or reading billboards suddenly feels completely archaic in the age of streaming and mobile phone addiction."

Shares of Alphabet rose 8.6% in after-hours trading, to $2,990.10, erasing their losses for the year-to-date. Shares of competitors in online ads including Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc, Twitter Inc, Trade Desk Inc and Snap Inc all rose as well.

Under the planned 20-for-one stock split, investors as of July 1 will receive 19 additional shares for each one held. The split, which is subject to shareholder approval, will make the stock more affordable and potentially eligible for inclusion in more market indexes.

Shares of Apple Inc and Tesla Inc rallied in 2020 after splits, but increasingly brokerages such as Robinhood Markets allow purchases of fractional shares, diminishing some benefit of the tactic.

Banner year

For the 2021 full year, Alphabet`s sales rose 41% to a record $258 billion. Sales had grown just 13% in 2020, the slowest rate in over a decade, after advertisers slashed spending in the first few weeks of the pandemic.

Across both 2021 and 2020, Google`s advertising business, including YouTube, accounted for 81% of Alphabet`s revenues.

Companies including Amazon.com Inc and ByteDance`s TikTok have been taking small pieces of Google`s share of the global advertising market. But market forecasters do not expect major slippage in Google`s leading position. Google`s secondary businesses, including Cloud, also have been lifting overall sales.

Google Cloud, which serves clients such as online shopping software maker Shopify Inc, increased quarterly revenue by 45% to $5.5 billion, above estimates of $5.4 billion.

The division`s operating loss narrowed by 45% to $3.1 billion in 2021.

Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told analysts that Cloud is exploring how to support clients that want to use blockchain, one of several emerging technologies that proponents view as crucial to kickstarting a new era of online innovations.

Alphabet also reported a quarterly sales record during the holiday season for its Google Pixel smartphones, despite what Pichai called "extremely challenging" supply constraints.

Alphabet`s quarterly profit was $20.6 billion, or $30.69 per share, beating expectations of $27.56 per share and marking a fourth straight quarter of record profit. The profit benefited from unrealized gains from Alphabet`s investments in startups, and the company also got a $2 billion boost last year from extending the useful life of its servers and networking gear.

For the 2021 year, Alphabet`s profit increased 89% to $76 billion.

Alphabet`s total costs in 2021 increased 27% to $178.9 billion as the company began to resume its pre-pandemic pace of hiring and construction. The company also noted increased legal fees, costs from a one-time bonus of $1,600 to all employees https://www.reuters.com/article/google-bonus-idCNL4N2ST4F5, and a rise in charitable contributions as it matched increased giving by employees.

Numerous lawsuits accusing Google of anticompetitive conduct in the advertising and mobile app store markets continue to be one of the company`s biggest challenges.

Google already has said its efforts to lower Play app store fees to assuage some of the concerns will hurt revenue.

Alphabet`s cash hoard grew by nearly $3 billion in 2021 to $139.6 billion, with another $50 billion going to buying back shares.

The operating loss for Other Bets, a unit that includes self-driving technology company Waymo and other non-Google ventures, was $5.3 billion in 2021, widening from $4.5 billion in 2020. The company offered no 2022 financial outlook for the unit.

Google parent Alphabet Inc reported record quarterly sales that topped expectations on Tuesday, as its internet advertising business surged on consumers using Google search as they shopped online and advertisers upping their marketing budgets.

Google parent Alphabet Inc reported record quarterly sales that topped expectations on Tuesday, as its internet advertising business surged on consumers using Google search as they shopped online and advertisers upping their marketing budgets. Alphabet`s shares jumped more than 8% in after-hours trading, also rising on the company`s announcement that it would undertake a 20-to-one stock split. The results were the latest to reinforce that the global trend toward a more digital economy has made Big Tech companies resistant to small-market shocks. While concerns about rising inflation, COVID-19 variants and supply-chain shortages have rattled Wall Street and hurt sales at some businesses, the companies that control key gateways to e-commerce, hybrid work and streaming entertainment have not seen a dip since the early days of the pandemic. Alphabet`s sales jumped 32% to $75.3 billion in the fourth quarter, for a third straight quarterly sales record and topping the average estimate of $72 billion among financial analysts tracked by Refinitiv. Consumers dove into Google search looking for apparel and hobbyist items, while retail, finance, entertainment and travel advertisers raised marketing budgets, Google`s chief business officer, Philipp Schindler, said on an earnings call. Analysts said Google, which generates more revenue from internet ads than any other company, is proving that its growth is unstoppable for the foreseeable future. "The pandemic has handily accelerated the world’s reliance on digital advertising," said Sophie Lund-Yates, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. "Sitting through traditional TV advert breaks or reading billboards suddenly feels completely archaic in the age of streaming and mobile phone addiction." Shares of Alphabet rose 8.6% in after-hours trading, to $2,990.10, erasing their losses for the year-to-date. Shares of competitors in online ads including Facebook owner Meta Platforms Inc, Twitter Inc, Trade Desk Inc and Snap Inc all rose as well. Under the planned 20-for-one stock split, investors as of July 1 will receive 19 additional shares for each one held. The split, which is subject to shareholder approval, will make the stock more affordable and potentially eligible for inclusion in more market indexes. Shares of Apple Inc and Tesla Inc rallied in 2020 after splits, but increasingly brokerages such as Robinhood Markets allow purchases of fractional shares, diminishing some benefit of the tactic. Banner year For the 2021 full year, Alphabet`s sales rose 41% to a record $258 billion. Sales had grown just 13% in 2020, the slowest rate in over a decade, after advertisers slashed spending in the first few weeks of the pandemic. Across both 2021 and 2020, Google`s advertising business, including YouTube, accounted for 81% of Alphabet`s revenues. Companies including Amazon.com Inc and ByteDance`s TikTok have been taking small pieces of Google`s share of the global advertising market. But market forecasters do not expect major slippage in Google`s leading position. Google`s secondary businesses, including Cloud, also have been lifting overall sales. Google Cloud, which serves clients such as online shopping software maker Shopify Inc, increased quarterly revenue by 45% to $5.5 billion, above estimates of $5.4 billion. The division`s operating loss narrowed by 45% to $3.1 billion in 2021. Alphabet Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told analysts that Cloud is exploring how to support clients that want to use blockchain, one of several emerging technologies that proponents view as crucial to kickstarting a new era of online innovations. Alphabet also reported a quarterly sales record during the holiday season for its Google Pixel smartphones, despite what Pichai called "extremely challenging" supply constraints. Alphabet`s quarterly profit was $20.6 billion, or $30.69 per share, beating expectations of $27.56 per share and marking a fourth straight quarter of record profit. The profit benefited from unrealized gains from Alphabet`s investments in startups, and the company also got a $2 billion boost last year from extending the useful life of its servers and networking gear. For the 2021 year, Alphabet`s profit increased 89% to $76 billion. Alphabet`s total costs in 2021 increased 27% to $178.9 billion as the company began to resume its pre-pandemic pace of hiring and construction. The company also noted increased legal fees, costs from a one-time bonus of $1,600 to all employees https://www.reuters.com/article/google-bonus-idCNL4N2ST4F5, and a rise in charitable contributions as it matched increased giving by employees. Numerous lawsuits accusing Google of anticompetitive conduct in the advertising and mobile app store markets continue to be one of the company`s biggest challenges. Google already has said its efforts to lower Play app store fees to assuage some of the concerns will hurt revenue. Alphabet`s cash hoard grew by nearly $3 billion in 2021 to $139.6 billion, with another $50 billion going to buying back shares. The operating loss for Other Bets, a unit that includes self-driving technology company Waymo and other non-Google ventures, was $5.3 billion in 2021, widening from $4.5 billion in 2020. The company offered no 2022 financial outlook for the unit.

Google propels record Alphabet revenue, driving shares up 8%

Facebook has paid USD 229,643 in fines in Russia over content Moscow deemed illegal, Interfax news agency has reported. There is looming threat of larger fines over the tech giant.

Meta and Alphabet, parent companies of Facebook and Google respectively face a court case next week. &nbsp;They face allegations of violation of Russian legislation. A fine equal to their annual revenue in Russia may be imposed.

Reuters said that Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday.

Russia in October sent state bailiffs to enforce the collection of 17 million roubles in fines imposed on Facebook. Interfax said there were no more enforcement proceedings against the company as of Sunday, citing the federal bailiff service's database.

Moscow has increased pressure on large tech firms this year in a campaign that critics characterise as an attempt by the Russian authorities to exert tighter control over the internet, something they say threatens to stifle individual and corporate freedom.

Interfax said messaging app Telegram has also paid 15 million roubles in fines.

Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(With inputs from agencies)

Facebook has paid USD 229,643 in fines in Russia over content Moscow deemed illegal, Interfax news agency has reported. There is looming threat of larger fines over the tech giant.

Facebook has paid USD 229,643 in fines in Russia over content Moscow deemed illegal, Interfax news agency has reported. There is looming threat of larger fines over the tech giant. Meta and Alphabet, parent companies of Facebook and Google respectively face a court case next week. They face allegations of violation of Russian legislation. A fine equal to their annual revenue in Russia may be imposed. Reuters said that Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday. Russia in October sent state bailiffs to enforce the collection of 17 million roubles in fines imposed on Facebook. Interfax said there were no more enforcement proceedings against the company as of Sunday, citing the federal bailiff service's database. Moscow has increased pressure on large tech firms this year in a campaign that critics characterise as an attempt by the Russian authorities to exert tighter control over the internet, something they say threatens to stifle individual and corporate freedom. Interfax said messaging app Telegram has also paid 15 million roubles in fines. Telegram did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (With inputs from agencies)

Facebook pays fine in Russia over content deemed illegal

A group of US&nbsp;states led by Texas have filed an amended complaint against Alphabet Inc's Google accusing the tech giant of using coercive tactics and breaking antitrust laws in its efforts to boost its already dominant advertising business.

The updated allegations are the latest in an onslaught of regulatory scrutiny of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/uks-top-court-blocks-class-action-lawsuit-against-google-428249">Google over its practices</a>. The tech company faces several lawsuits, including one by the Justice Department for monopolistic practices.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/youtube-gives-dislikes-the-thumbs-down-hides-public-counts-428414" hreflang="en">YouTube gives dislikes the thumbs-down, hides public counts</a>

Earlier this week, Google lost an appeal against a $2.8 billion European Union antitrust decision.&nbsp;

The amended US&nbsp;lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York late Friday, accuses Google of using monopolistic and coercive tactics with advertisers in its efforts to dominate and drive out competition in online advertising.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-loses-bid-to-stall-apps-bypassing-pay-system-in-epic-games-case-428338" hreflang="en">Apple loses bid to stall apps bypassing pay system in Epic Games case</a>

The lawsuit also highlights Google's use of a secret program dubbed "Project Bernanke" in 2013 that used bidding data to give its own ad-buying an advantage. For example, in a 2015 iteration of the program, Google allegedly dropped the second-highest bids from publishers' auctions, accumulated money into a pool and then spent that money to inflate only the bids belonging advertisers who used the company's Google Ads. They otherwise would have likely lost the auctions, the states alleged.

Neither Alphabet nor the Texas Attorney General's office responded immediately to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

A group of US states led by Texas have filed an amended complaint against Alphabet Inc's Google accusing the tech giant of using coercive tactics and breaking antitrust laws in its efforts to boost its already dominant advertising business.

A group of US states led by Texas have filed an amended complaint against Alphabet Inc's Google accusing the tech giant of using coercive tactics and breaking antitrust laws in its efforts to boost its already dominant advertising business. The updated allegations are the latest in an onslaught of regulatory scrutiny of Google over its practices. The tech company faces several lawsuits, including one by the Justice Department for monopolistic practices. Also read | YouTube gives dislikes the thumbs-down, hides public counts Earlier this week, Google lost an appeal against a $2.8 billion European Union antitrust decision. The amended US lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York late Friday, accuses Google of using monopolistic and coercive tactics with advertisers in its efforts to dominate and drive out competition in online advertising. Also read | Apple loses bid to stall apps bypassing pay system in Epic Games case The lawsuit also highlights Google's use of a secret program dubbed "Project Bernanke" in 2013 that used bidding data to give its own ad-buying an advantage. For example, in a 2015 iteration of the program, Google allegedly dropped the second-highest bids from publishers' auctions, accumulated money into a pool and then spent that money to inflate only the bids belonging advertisers who used the company's Google Ads. They otherwise would have likely lost the auctions, the states alleged. Neither Alphabet nor the Texas Attorney General's office responded immediately to requests for comment on the lawsuit.

US states file updated antitrust complaint against Alphabet's Google

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