A federal jury has ordered Google to pay $425 million for violating user privacy by collecting data even when tracking was disabled. 


US court orders Google to compensate users for privacy breach 

Google is facing mounting challenges to its AI dominance, with rivals gaining ground in innovation and adoption. Meanwhile, the tech giant scored a legal win—U.S. regulators have confirmed that Google is not required to sell off its Chrome browser amid ongoing antitrust scrutiny. Despite pressure, Alphabet's stock jumped, reflecting investor confidence in Google's long-term AI and product strategy.

Google faces AI challenge | Not required to sell Chrome as stocks jump

Google will no longer have to divest Chrome and Android businesses as a federal judge ruled in its favor in a search antitrust case. But experts point out that how it's not the court which is a cause of concern, watch why AI is emerging as an existential threat to the famed search engine.



AI is Silently Killing Google

Tech giant Google is facing an unusual ultimatum from a hacker collective that has demanded the firing of two of its cybersecurity leaders or risk a major data leak. The group, calling itself Scattered LapSus Hunters, claims ties to several well-known cybercrime outfits, including Scattered Spider, LapSus, and ShinyHunters. In a post, the hackers alleged that Google’s Threat Intelligence Group has been probing their networks, prompting their demand that the company remove the two executives. WION is withholding the names of the two employees over privacy concerns.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/gen-z-uses-ai-the-most-but-it-s-eating-up-their-jobs-disturbing-trend-of-ai-turning-from-assistant-to-replacement-of-young-workers-work-life-jobs-1756723332217">Gen Z uses AI the most, but it's eating up their jobs. Disturbing trend of AI turning from assistant to replacement of young workers</a>&nbsp;The threat comes shortly after Google confirmed that ShinyHunters had accessed data from Salesforce, a third-party service provider. While Google said there was no breach of its internal databases or consumer Gmail accounts, the attackers appear to be leveraging the incident for pressure. In response, Google issued a global security alert to its 2.5 billion Gmail users, urging them to reset passwords as a precaution. The breach did not expose passwords or private Gmail data, but it did include business contact information, which hackers are now exploiting in phishing and “vishing” (voice phishing) schemes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/how-chatgpt-helped-recover-a-200-000-lamborghini-huracan-stolen-two-years-ago-1756714194154">How ChatGPT helped recover a $200,000 Lamborghini Huracan stolen two years ago.</a>&nbsp;According to Google’s Threat Intelligence team, 37% of account hijackings across its platforms now stem from phishing and social engineering attacks. Fraudsters are impersonating Google staff using the stolen contact details, sending convincing fake emails and in some cases even making phone calls to trick users into giving up credentials. Google has not responded directly to the demand regarding the two employees, but the company stressed in a recent blog post that its focus remains on “protecting users and strengthening defenses against evolving threats.”

Hacking threat? Tech giant Google issues global Gmail alert after hackers target security team

Tech giant Google is facing an unusual ultimatum from a hacker collective that has demanded the firing of two of its cybersecurity leaders or risk a major data leak. The group, calling itself Scattered LapSus Hunters, claims ties to several well-known cybercrime outfits, including Scattered Spider, LapSus, and ShinyHunters. In a post, the hackers alleged that Google’s Threat Intelligence Group has been probing their networks, prompting their demand that the company remove the two executives. WION is withholding the names of the two employees over privacy concerns. Also Read: Gen Z uses AI the most, but it's eating up their jobs. Disturbing trend of AI turning from assistant to replacement of young workers The threat comes shortly after Google confirmed that ShinyHunters had accessed data from Salesforce, a third-party service provider. While Google said there was no breach of its internal databases or consumer Gmail accounts, the attackers appear to be leveraging the incident for pressure. In response, Google issued a global security alert to its 2.5 billion Gmail users, urging them to reset passwords as a precaution. The breach did not expose passwords or private Gmail data, but it did include business contact information, which hackers are now exploiting in phishing and “vishing” (voice phishing) schemes. Also Read: How ChatGPT helped recover a $200,000 Lamborghini Huracan stolen two years ago. According to Google’s Threat Intelligence team, 37% of account hijackings across its platforms now stem from phishing and social engineering attacks. Fraudsters are impersonating Google staff using the stolen contact details, sending convincing fake emails and in some cases even making phone calls to trick users into giving up credentials. Google has not responded directly to the demand regarding the two employees, but the company stressed in a recent blog post that its focus remains on “protecting users and strengthening defenses against evolving threats.”

As per Google’s Threat Intelligence team, approximately 37% of account hijackings across its platforms now originate from phishing and social engineering attacks

Google and Kairos Power have chosen Tennessee as the location for a cutting-edge nuclear power plant, which is slated to provide electricity to Google's data centers in the southeastern US, starting in 2030, according to a joint announcement.

Tech giant google to build 50-megawatt nuclear plant by 2030

In a stunning move, Google is partnering with a nuclear startup to build its own power plant. But why is a tech company entering the complex world of nuclear energy? We reveal the shocking truth about AI's insatiable energy demands and how it's forcing big tech to turn to a controversial power source.

Google Nuclear Plant: AI's Hunger Forces Google to Go Nuclear | GRAVITAS

Google and Kairos Power have chosen Tennessee as the location for a cutting-edge nuclear power plant, which is slated to provide electricity to Google's data centers in the southeastern US, starting in 2030, according to a joint announcement.


WATCH: Google Building Small Modular Nuclear Reactor in Tennessee | WION

#GRAVITAS| AI company Perplexity owned by an Indian-origin CEO which is seeking to acquire Google's Chrome Browser for $34.5 billion. Many are calling this a bold move, given Google Chrome commands nearly 3 million users worldwide. Watch this video to find out more.

AI Startup Makes $34.5 Billion Bid For Google's Chrome Browser

Google has signed agreements with two major US electric utilities, Indiana Michigan Power (I&amp;M) and Tennessee Power Authority (TVA), to reduce its AI data centre power consumption during periods of high energy demand. This partnership is part of Google’s broader strategy to address sustainability concerns while continuing its aggressive expansion in AI technologies, which are known for their significant energy consumption. Under the terms of the agreements, Google will scale back its machine learning workloads at data centres when requested by the utilities, helping to free up capacity on the grid. This approach is known as “demand response”, a strategy typically used by energy-intensive industries like manufacturing or cryptocurrency mining. In exchange, businesses involved in such programmes often receive incentives like reduced electricity costs or payments.<h2>Managing AI’s growing energy demands</h2>AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints. With data centres accounting for a significant portion of Google’s energy use, the company’s commitment to energy flexibility could play a key role in stabilising grid capacity during peak periods.The collaboration with I&amp;M and TVA marks the first formal demand-response agreements Google has entered into specifically for its AI workloads. Google aims to integrate flexibility into its energy usage, enabling faster deployment of new data centres while reducing the need for new power plants and transmission infrastructure. “This will help grid operators manage power use more efficiently,” the company said in a blog post.<h2>Balancing sustainability with growth</h2>While Google’s approach to curtailing non-essential AI workloads during high demand offers a solution for grid stability, the company is also pursuing alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear power to further reduce its environmental footprint. Google’s sustainability efforts also include plans for small modular reactors, underscoring the company’s drive to find innovative ways to power its data centres sustainably.These partnerships come as Google continues to tackle the challenge of balancing rapid AI growth with environmental responsibility. Despite reducing its data centre energy emissions by 12 per cent in 2024, Google acknowledges that much more needs to be done to curb the carbon footprint of its expanding AI infrastructure.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints.

Google has signed agreements with two major US electric utilities, Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) and Tennessee Power Authority (TVA), to reduce its AI data centre power consumption during periods of high energy demand. This partnership is part of Google’s broader strategy to address sustainability concerns while continuing its aggressive expansion in AI technologies, which are known for their significant energy consumption. Under the terms of the agreements, Google will scale back its machine learning workloads at data centres when requested by the utilities, helping to free up capacity on the grid. This approach is known as “demand response”, a strategy typically used by energy-intensive industries like manufacturing or cryptocurrency mining. In exchange, businesses involved in such programmes often receive incentives like reduced electricity costs or payments. Managing AI’s growing energy demands AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints. With data centres accounting for a significant portion of Google’s energy use, the company’s commitment to energy flexibility could play a key role in stabilising grid capacity during peak periods. The collaboration with I&M and TVA marks the first formal demand-response agreements Google has entered into specifically for its AI workloads. Google aims to integrate flexibility into its energy usage, enabling faster deployment of new data centres while reducing the need for new power plants and transmission infrastructure. “This will help grid operators manage power use more efficiently,” the company said in a blog post. Balancing sustainability with growth While Google’s approach to curtailing non-essential AI workloads during high demand offers a solution for grid stability, the company is also pursuing alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and nuclear power to further reduce its environmental footprint. Google’s sustainability efforts also include plans for small modular reactors, underscoring the company’s drive to find innovative ways to power its data centres sustainably. These partnerships come as Google continues to tackle the challenge of balancing rapid AI growth with environmental responsibility. Despite reducing its data centre energy emissions by 12 per cent in 2024, Google acknowledges that much more needs to be done to curb the carbon footprint of its expanding AI infrastructure. (With inputs from agencies)

AI technologies, particularly machine learning models, consume substantial amounts of energy, sometimes tens or hundreds of megawatts over extended periods. This intense demand has raised concerns as it strains power grids already facing supply constraints.

Google partners with US utilities to reduce AI data centre power use

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jul 23) warned American tech giants operating overseas against outsourcing manufacturing to China and employing workers in countries like India. Speaking at the AI Summit in Washington, Trump said that such practices would not be tolerated under his administration, as he urged to prioritise hiring workers in the US rather than creating jobs in India and China.&nbsp;“Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and slashing profits in Ireland, you know that,” the US president said. “All the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home. Under President Trump, those days are over.”

Trump made the remarks as he signed three executive orders aimed at boosting the artificial intelligence (AI) sector in the US. This included America’s AI action plan, which is a White House action plan aimed at securing US leadership in global AI development. The US president urged companies like Google and Microsoft to adopt a more patriotic approach, which aligns with national interests, as he described. “We need US technology companies to be all in for America. We want you to put America first. You have to do that. That's all we ask,” said Trump. He further called for “a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty in Silicon Valley and beyond.”

Trump’s statements have sparked concern among the global tech community, especially in countries like India. Although no formal policy changes have been announced yet, experts believe that Trump’s remarks may influence the hiring decisions of major tech companies.

“America is the country that started the AI race, and as president of the United States, I’m here today to declare that America is going to win it,” Trump said at the summit. “Winning this competition will be a test of our capacities unlike anything since the dawn of the space age.”

The US president urged companies like Google and Microsoft to adopt a more patriotic approach, which aligns with national interests, and warned the tech giants against hiring workers in India and China.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Jul 23) warned American tech giants operating overseas against outsourcing manufacturing to China and employing workers in countries like India. Speaking at the AI Summit in Washington, Trump said that such practices would not be tolerated under his administration, as he urged to prioritise hiring workers in the US rather than creating jobs in India and China. “Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and slashing profits in Ireland, you know that,” the US president said. “All the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home. Under President Trump, those days are over.”

The US president urged companies like Google and Microsoft to adopt a more patriotic approach, which aligns with national interests, and warned the tech giants against hiring workers in India and China.

Will Google, Microsoft stop hiring Indians? Trump instructs tech giants to ‘put America first’

In a significant move that solidifies its commitment to clean energy, Google has announced a historic $3 billion deal with Brookfield Asset Management, securing up to 3 gigawatts of hydropower for its energy-hungry data centres. The deal marks one of the largest corporate clean power contracts in the world and is poised to play a significant role in helping Google meet its ambitious sustainability goals. The partnership centres on two hydroelectric plants in Pennsylvania: the Holtwood and Safe Harbor plants, located roughly 75 miles southwest of Philadelphia. These facilities, with a combined capacity of 670 megawatts, will provide power to Google’s data centres for the next 20 years. However, this is just the beginning.&nbsp;The framework agreement between Google and Brookfield sets the stage for a potential expansion, as Google aims to secure up to 3,000 megawatts of hydropower from Brookfield in the coming years, spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Gulf Coast regions. Google’s move comes amid a broader push by the tech industry to tackle the rapidly growing demand for energy driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing.&nbsp;As part of its clean energy push, Google has already made notable investments in other renewable energy sources, such as geothermal and advanced nuclear power. This latest deal underscores the company’s dedication to a 24/7 clean energy model, where energy consumption from its data centres aligns with the clean power generated at any given time.<h2>Why hydropower?&nbsp;</h2>The decision to turn to hydropower is not random. Google’s data centres, which power billions of online services daily, have long been major consumers of energy, and finding reliable, clean energy sources has become critical. While solar and wind power are popular renewable sources, they come with limitations due to their intermittent nature. Wind and solar energy are dependent on weather conditions, making them less reliable in meeting the constant demand from hyperscale data centres.Hydropower, in contrast, offers a reliable and continuous source of energy. Unlike wind and solar, hydropower is a dispatchable resource, meaning it can be produced on demand by releasing stored water from reservoirs. This ability to provide consistent, round-the-clock power makes hydropower an ideal energy source for data centres, which require uninterrupted access to electricity.Hydropower also provides the added benefit of being carbon-free, helping Google advance its sustainability goals. The company has long been committed to sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy for its global operations, and this latest deal with Brookfield will support that effort. As part of the agreement, Google is collaborating with Brookfield to upgrade and relicense its two Pennsylvania plants, ensuring they remain operational for decades to come.“The collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward in ensuring a clean energy supply for our data centres, especially in the PJM region where we operate,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's head of data centre energy, in a statement. “This agreement will help us meet our energy consumption needs while also contributing to our broader sustainability goals.”<h2>An industry-wide shift</h2>Google’s $3 billion deal with Brookfield is part of a broader industry trend among hyperscalers—companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms—that operate large-scale data centres and consume vast amounts of electricity. As the demand for cloud computing and AI applications continues to surge, these tech giants are facing mounting pressure to secure clean, reliable energy sources.The increasing reliance on AI, which requires massive amounts of data processing, has exacerbated the need for electricity. A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that electricity consumption from data centres is growing rapidly, driven by AI applications and other cloud computing needs. This demand has led to a shift in how tech companies approach their energy procurement.The trend toward hydropower is part of a broader effort to address energy shortages and sustainability concerns. While hydropower has not historically been the focal point for tech companies, it is now gaining attention as a potential solution. Microsoft, for example, has been using hydropower for its data centres for nearly a decade. Other companies, including DPO and Polar, are exploring hydropower for their new data centres, particularly in regions like Washington State and Norway.However, hydropower faces its own challenges. For one, it is often difficult to find new sites for hydroelectric dams, as most prime locations are already in use. In addition, building new hydro plants can take years, far longer than the typical two to three years required to build new data centres. The limited availability of hydropower resources has led many companies to secure existing plants or work with utilities to upgrade and expand their capacity.<h2>Navigating power challenges</h2>As data centres continue to consume more power, the competition for renewable energy sources is only intensifying. While hydropower is an attractive option, it remains a niche solution that may not be able to meet the growing demand in the long term. Experts suggest that the shift to hydropower may only be a stopgap measure, with other energy sources like natural gas, nuclear, and advanced renewables playing a larger role in the future.Google’s deal with Brookfield is a significant step, not only for the company but for the entire tech industry. The partnership highlights the growing importance of sustainable energy solutions in powering the next generation of AI and cloud services.

Google aims to secure up to 3 gigawatts of hydropower for its energy-hungry data centres from Brookfield in the coming years. The move comes amid a broader industry push to tackle the growing energy demand driven by AI and cloud computing.

In a significant move that solidifies its commitment to clean energy, Google has announced a historic $3 billion deal with Brookfield Asset Management, securing up to 3 gigawatts of hydropower for its energy-hungry data centres. The deal marks one of the largest corporate clean power contracts in the world and is poised to play a significant role in helping Google meet its ambitious sustainability goals. The partnership centres on two hydroelectric plants in Pennsylvania: the Holtwood and Safe Harbor plants, located roughly 75 miles southwest of Philadelphia. These facilities, with a combined capacity of 670 megawatts, will provide power to Google’s data centres for the next 20 years. However, this is just the beginning. The framework agreement between Google and Brookfield sets the stage for a potential expansion, as Google aims to secure up to 3,000 megawatts of hydropower from Brookfield in the coming years, spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Gulf Coast regions. Google’s move comes amid a broader push by the tech industry to tackle the rapidly growing demand for energy driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. As part of its clean energy push, Google has already made notable investments in other renewable energy sources, such as geothermal and advanced nuclear power. This latest deal underscores the company’s dedication to a 24/7 clean energy model, where energy consumption from its data centres aligns with the clean power generated at any given time. Why hydropower? The decision to turn to hydropower is not random. Google’s data centres, which power billions of online services daily, have long been major consumers of energy, and finding reliable, clean energy sources has become critical. While solar and wind power are popular renewable sources, they come with limitations due to their intermittent nature. Wind and solar energy are dependent on weather conditions, making them less reliable in meeting the constant demand from hyperscale data centres. Hydropower, in contrast, offers a reliable and continuous source of energy. Unlike wind and solar, hydropower is a dispatchable resource, meaning it can be produced on demand by releasing stored water from reservoirs. This ability to provide consistent, round-the-clock power makes hydropower an ideal energy source for data centres, which require uninterrupted access to electricity. Hydropower also provides the added benefit of being carbon-free, helping Google advance its sustainability goals. The company has long been committed to sourcing 100 per cent renewable energy for its global operations, and this latest deal with Brookfield will support that effort. As part of the agreement, Google is collaborating with Brookfield to upgrade and relicense its two Pennsylvania plants, ensuring they remain operational for decades to come. “The collaboration with Brookfield is a significant step forward in ensuring a clean energy supply for our data centres, especially in the PJM region where we operate,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google's head of data centre energy, in a statement. “This agreement will help us meet our energy consumption needs while also contributing to our broader sustainability goals.” An industry-wide shift Google’s $3 billion deal with Brookfield is part of a broader industry trend among hyperscalers—companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms—that operate large-scale data centres and consume vast amounts of electricity. As the demand for cloud computing and AI applications continues to surge, these tech giants are facing mounting pressure to secure clean, reliable energy sources. The increasing reliance on AI, which requires massive amounts of data processing, has exacerbated the need for electricity. A report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that electricity consumption from data centres is growing rapidly, driven by AI applications and other cloud computing needs. This demand has led to a shift in how tech companies approach their energy procurement. The trend toward hydropower is part of a broader effort to address energy shortages and sustainability concerns. While hydropower has not historically been the focal point for tech companies, it is now gaining attention as a potential solution. Microsoft, for example, has been using hydropower for its data centres for nearly a decade. Other companies, including DPO and Polar, are exploring hydropower for their new data centres, particularly in regions like Washington State and Norway. However, hydropower faces its own challenges. For one, it is often difficult to find new sites for hydroelectric dams, as most prime locations are already in use. In addition, building new hydro plants can take years, far longer than the typical two to three years required to build new data centres. The limited availability of hydropower resources has led many companies to secure existing plants or work with utilities to upgrade and expand their capacity. Navigating power challenges As data centres continue to consume more power, the competition for renewable energy sources is only intensifying. While hydropower is an attractive option, it remains a niche solution that may not be able to meet the growing demand in the long term. Experts suggest that the shift to hydropower may only be a stopgap measure, with other energy sources like natural gas, nuclear, and advanced renewables playing a larger role in the future. Google’s deal with Brookfield is a significant step, not only for the company but for the entire tech industry. The partnership highlights the growing importance of sustainable energy solutions in powering the next generation of AI and cloud services.

Google aims to secure up to 3 gigawatts of hydropower for its energy-hungry data centres from Brookfield in the coming years. The move comes amid a broader industry push to tackle the growing energy demand driven by AI and cloud computing.

Google inks $3 billion hydropower deal, but why? Is it a trend in the making?

Google is reportedly preparing to pay around $2.4 billion to license the technology behind Windsurf, an artificial intelligence-assisted coding platform, as part of its aggressive push to secure AI leadership.According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter, the licensing deal represents one of Google’s largest known investments in AI software intellectual property to date. Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the WSJ report independently.&nbsp;The reported $2.4 billion deal would allow Google to access and integrate Windsurf’s proprietary AI coding capabilities, designed to help developers write software more efficiently by automatically suggesting, generating, or debugging code using large language models.<h2>Strategic hires bolster DeepMind</h2>Separately, a Google spokesperson told Reuters on Friday that the company has hired key members of the Windsurf leadership and development team.&nbsp;This includes Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Chen, and select members of the company’s research and development division. These staff will join Google’s DeepMind unit, the advanced AI research lab known for breakthroughs like AlphaGo and Gemini. Industry analysts see these hires as a strategic move to further strengthen Google’s AI talent pool while directly absorbing Windsurf’s technical expertise.<h2>Part of a broader AI arms race</h2>The reported Windsurf licensing deal and the recruitment of its top talent come as Google faces fierce competition in the global AI race from rivals such as Microsoft and OpenAI. Microsoft has invested billions in OpenAI, whose ChatGPT models are now embedded across Microsoft’s products, including GitHub’s popular Copilot coding assistant.&nbsp;By securing access to Windsurf’s technology and team, Google aims to strengthen its own AI-assisted coding tools, potentially enhancing offerings for its Cloud, Android, and Workspace developer platforms.According to Reuters, Google has ramped up its AI investments in 2024 and 2025, betting that more advanced large language models will be key to maintaining its dominance in search, cloud services, and enterprise software.<h2>A competitive AI landscape</h2>The surge of interest in AI coding tools is part of a wider boom in generative AI, which uses large language models to generate text, images, code, and other content. Competitors like Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer, and various open-source projects have made AI-assisted coding one of the hottest areas of investment and innovation.&nbsp;By securing Windsurf’s technology, Google appears determined to keep pace in what has become an intense battle for AI talent, intellectual property, and developer mindshare.<h2>What's next?&nbsp;</h2>While Reuters has not confirmed the $2.4 billion figure, the WSJ’s report underscores just how high the stakes have become in the AI sector, with tech giants willing to spend billions to secure an edge. Google’s move to integrate Windsurf’s leadership and R&amp;D talent into DeepMind signals that the company is treating AI-assisted coding not as a niche project but as a key part of its overall strategy to lead the next wave of AI development.&nbsp;

Google is reportedly in talks to license Windsurf AI-assisted coding tech for $2.4 billion and has hired its top leadership, including CEO Varun Mohan, as part of its broader AI arms race against Microsoft and OpenAI. The deal would mark one of Google largest AI software bets to date.

Google is reportedly preparing to pay around $2.4 billion to license the technology behind Windsurf, an artificial intelligence-assisted coding platform, as part of its aggressive push to secure AI leadership. According to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter, the licensing deal represents one of Google’s largest known investments in AI software intellectual property to date. Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the WSJ report independently. The reported $2.4 billion deal would allow Google to access and integrate Windsurf’s proprietary AI coding capabilities, designed to help developers write software more efficiently by automatically suggesting, generating, or debugging code using large language models. Strategic hires bolster DeepMind Separately, a Google spokesperson told Reuters on Friday that the company has hired key members of the Windsurf leadership and development team. This includes Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan, co-founder Douglas Chen, and select members of the company’s research and development division. These staff will join Google’s DeepMind unit, the advanced AI research lab known for breakthroughs like AlphaGo and Gemini. Industry analysts see these hires as a strategic move to further strengthen Google’s AI talent pool while directly absorbing Windsurf’s technical expertise. Part of a broader AI arms race The reported Windsurf licensing deal and the recruitment of its top talent come as Google faces fierce competition in the global AI race from rivals such as Microsoft and OpenAI. Microsoft has invested billions in OpenAI, whose ChatGPT models are now embedded across Microsoft’s products, including GitHub’s popular Copilot coding assistant. By securing access to Windsurf’s technology and team, Google aims to strengthen its own AI-assisted coding tools, potentially enhancing offerings for its Cloud, Android, and Workspace developer platforms. According to Reuters, Google has ramped up its AI investments in 2024 and 2025, betting that more advanced large language models will be key to maintaining its dominance in search, cloud services, and enterprise software. A competitive AI landscape The surge of interest in AI coding tools is part of a wider boom in generative AI, which uses large language models to generate text, images, code, and other content. Competitors like Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot, Amazon CodeWhisperer, and various open-source projects have made AI-assisted coding one of the hottest areas of investment and innovation. By securing Windsurf’s technology, Google appears determined to keep pace in what has become an intense battle for AI talent, intellectual property, and developer mindshare. What's next? While Reuters has not confirmed the $2.4 billion figure, the WSJ’s report underscores just how high the stakes have become in the AI sector, with tech giants willing to spend billions to secure an edge. Google’s move to integrate Windsurf’s leadership and R&D talent into DeepMind signals that the company is treating AI-assisted coding not as a niche project but as a key part of its overall strategy to lead the next wave of AI development.

Google is reportedly set to license Windsurf’s AI coding technology for $2.4 billion, deepening its push to dominate the generative AI landscape.

Google to pay $2.4 billion to license Windsurf’s AI coding tech, says Reports

Extinction Rebellion, an international organisation known for its protests seeking to compel government action on the climate and nature emergency, on Tuesday (Jul 8) carried out action at Google's Terminal headquarters in Hudson Square.

Extinction Rebellion, an international organisation known for its protests seeking to compel government action on the climate and nature emergency, on Tuesday (Jul 8) carried out action at Google's Terminal headquarters in Hudson Square.

They 'had a choice—and they chose Trump': Google HQ vandalised in climate protest against Big Tech

The European Union is preparing to enforce its landmark AI Act, billed as the world’s first comprehensive set of rules for artificial intelligence. With parts of the regulation set to take effect on August 2, companies and political leaders are warning that the bloc may be moving too quickly and urging Brussels to consider a delay.&nbsp;As per Reuters, big US tech firms like Alphabet (Google’s parent) and Meta, as well as European companies including France’s Mistral and Dutch chip equipment giant ASML, have asked the European Commission to postpone enforcement of the law by years.<h2>What is the EU AI Act?</h2>Passed in 2024 after intense negotiations between EU member states, the AI Act aims to make artificial intelligence more transparent, safe, and accountable. It categorises AI systems by risk—from minimal to unacceptable and imposes tighter controls on high-risk and so-called general-purpose AI (GPAI) models.&nbsp;According to Reuters, these GPAI rules will apply to foundation models built by companies like Google, OpenAI and Mistral. The law includes requirements on documentation, transparency and risk management designed to ensure such powerful systems respect European values and consumer rights.<h2>What’s significant about the August 2 deadline?</h2>The EU AI Act is being rolled out in phases over several years, but August 2 is a key early deadline.Reuters reports that, from that date, companies building GPAI systems will have to:<ul><li>Produce detailed technical documentation.</li><li>Demonstrate compliance with EU copyright laws.</li><li>Summarise the content used for training their algorithms.</li><li>Test for bias, toxicity and robustness before launch.</li></ul>For models considered high-impact or posing systemic risks, even stricter obligations will apply. These include adversarial testing, formal risk assessments, incident reporting to the European Commission and disclosures about energy efficiency.<h2>Why do companies want a delay?</h2>Companies say they’re facing both high costs and legal uncertainty. As reported by Reuters, the core complaint is that the EU has yet to publish clear guidelines explaining exactly how firms should comply.A key guidance document, the AI Code of Practice, was supposed to be released on May 2 but is delayed. Without it, companies argue they don’t know precisely what standards they’ll be held to.&nbsp;In an open letter signed by 45 European companies and quoted by Reuters, they called for a two-year “clock-stop” to address this uncertainty and to simplify the new rules. The letter warns that the Act risks stifling European innovation, especially among smaller AI firms with fewer resources than their US counterparts.<h2>What are politicians saying?</h2>According to Reuters, calls for a pause aren’t limited to the private sector. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has described the AI rules as “confusing” and has asked the European Union to halt enforcement temporarily.&nbsp;Tech lobbying group CCIA Europe has also weighed in, calling for an urgent “stop-the-clock” measure to provide legal certainty while the necessary standards remain unavailable or incomplete<h2>Will the EU agree to postpone?</h2>For now, the European Commission has not committed to delaying the August deadline. Reuters reports that Brussels has declined to comment directly on any possible postponement.However, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said on Wednesday that the AI Code of Practice, the long-awaited guidance document will be published before August.&nbsp;Yet with less than a month to go, many companies say time is running out. As per Reuters, industry leaders warn that pushing forward without clear standards could lead to confusion, legal risk, and a blow to Europe’s ambition to lead in safe, trustworthy AI development. The debate over the AI Act’s timing highlights a broader challenge for regulators worldwide: balancing the need to rein in powerful new technologies without throttling innovation or leaving companies in regulatory limbo.&nbsp;(With inputs from the agencies)&nbsp;

As the EU prepares to enforce its AI Act on August 2, companies like Google, Meta, and ASML warn of confusion and rising costs amid missing guidance, pushing for a two-year delay.

The European Union is preparing to enforce its landmark AI Act, billed as the world’s first comprehensive set of rules for artificial intelligence. With parts of the regulation set to take effect on August 2, companies and political leaders are warning that the bloc may be moving too quickly and urging Brussels to consider a delay. As per Reuters, big US tech firms like Alphabet (Google’s parent) and Meta, as well as European companies including France’s Mistral and Dutch chip equipment giant ASML, have asked the European Commission to postpone enforcement of the law by years. What is the EU AI Act? Passed in 2024 after intense negotiations between EU member states, the AI Act aims to make artificial intelligence more transparent, safe, and accountable. It categorises AI systems by risk—from minimal to unacceptable and imposes tighter controls on high-risk and so-called general-purpose AI (GPAI) models. According to Reuters, these GPAI rules will apply to foundation models built by companies like Google, OpenAI and Mistral. The law includes requirements on documentation, transparency and risk management designed to ensure such powerful systems respect European values and consumer rights. What’s significant about the August 2 deadline? The EU AI Act is being rolled out in phases over several years, but August 2 is a key early deadline. Reuters reports that, from that date, companies building GPAI systems will have to: Produce detailed technical documentation. Demonstrate compliance with EU copyright laws. Summarise the content used for training their algorithms. Test for bias, toxicity and robustness before launch. For models considered high-impact or posing systemic risks, even stricter obligations will apply. These include adversarial testing, formal risk assessments, incident reporting to the European Commission and disclosures about energy efficiency. Why do companies want a delay? Companies say they’re facing both high costs and legal uncertainty. As reported by Reuters, the core complaint is that the EU has yet to publish clear guidelines explaining exactly how firms should comply. A key guidance document, the AI Code of Practice, was supposed to be released on May 2 but is delayed. Without it, companies argue they don’t know precisely what standards they’ll be held to. In an open letter signed by 45 European companies and quoted by Reuters, they called for a two-year “clock-stop” to address this uncertainty and to simplify the new rules. The letter warns that the Act risks stifling European innovation, especially among smaller AI firms with fewer resources than their US counterparts. What are politicians saying? According to Reuters, calls for a pause aren’t limited to the private sector. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has described the AI rules as “confusing” and has asked the European Union to halt enforcement temporarily. Tech lobbying group CCIA Europe has also weighed in, calling for an urgent “stop-the-clock” measure to provide legal certainty while the necessary standards remain unavailable or incomplete Will the EU agree to postpone? For now, the European Commission has not committed to delaying the August deadline. Reuters reports that Brussels has declined to comment directly on any possible postponement. However, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said on Wednesday that the AI Code of Practice, the long-awaited guidance document will be published before August. Yet with less than a month to go, many companies say time is running out. As per Reuters, industry leaders warn that pushing forward without clear standards could lead to confusion, legal risk, and a blow to Europe’s ambition to lead in safe, trustworthy AI development. The debate over the AI Act’s timing highlights a broader challenge for regulators worldwide: balancing the need to rein in powerful new technologies without throttling innovation or leaving companies in regulatory limbo. (With inputs from the agencies)

Big tech and EU firms urge Brussels to delay the AI Act’s August rollout, citing lack of clarity and high compliance burdens.

What is the EU AI Act and will it be delayed before the August deadline?

Alphabet’s Google has warned European regulators that landmark European Union rules designed to curb Big Tech are having unintended consequences for users and businesses, arguing they are stifling innovation and making online services worse for Europeans. According to Reuters, Google is set to deliver a strong message at a workshop hosted by the European Commission in Brussels on Tuesday, urging officials to provide clearer guidance on how to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company is also challenging its critics to present concrete evidence of the costs and benefits of the sweeping new rules.&nbsp;The Digital Markets Act aims to rein in the power of major technology companies accused of abusing their dominance by favouring their own services. Google is under scrutiny for allegedly prioritising Google Shopping, Google Hotels and Google Flights over rival platforms in search results.EU regulators have already charged Google under the DMA, which allows for fines of up to 10 per cent of its global annual revenue if found guilty of breaching the rules.<h2>Concerns over travel costs and online experience</h2>In a prepared speech seen by Reuters, Google’s lawyer Clare Kelly plans to argue that the reforms imposed on the company after discussions with the European Commission and industry critics have actually made things worse for European consumers.&nbsp;“We remain genuinely concerned about real world consequences of the DMA, which are leading to worse online products and experiences for Europeans,” Kelly is expected to say, as per Reuters.&nbsp;&nbsp;She will claim changes made by Google so far have driven up the cost of travel tickets by making it harder for users to access airline sites directly. European airlines, hotels and restaurants have reportedly suffered up to a 30 per cent drop in direct booking traffic, while customers have complained about cumbersome workarounds and more confusing search results, according to Reuters.&nbsp;<h2>Google asks for clear compliance rules</h2>Google has also proposed further changes to its search results to better highlight rival products, but critics maintain these steps fall short of ensuring a level playing field.&nbsp;Oliver Bethell, another Google lawyer, will use the workshop to call on regulators to spell out precisely what compliance should look like in practice. “If we can understand precisely what compliance looks like, not just in theory, but taking account of on the ground experience, we can launch compliant services quickly and confidently across the EEA,” Bethell will say, as quoted by Reuters. He will add that critics need to present “real evidence of costs and benefits” that the company and the Commission can properly evaluate.&nbsp;The day-long European Commission workshop, which begins at 0700 GMT, has been convened specifically to allow Google’s rivals and critics to raise questions and seek clarifications on the company’s compliance plans. The European Commission has repeatedly insisted that the DMA is crucial to opening up digital markets, boosting competition, and protecting consumers. But the pushback from Google underscores the growing tension between Big Tech and European regulators as they grapple with the practical implications of the EU’s toughest ever rules on dominant digital platforms.&nbsp;(With inputs from the agencies)

Google urges EU regulators to clarify Digital Markets Act rules, claiming reforms have worsened user experience and hurt businesses. Tensions rise over Big Tech regulation in Europe.

Alphabet’s Google has warned European regulators that landmark European Union rules designed to curb Big Tech are having unintended consequences for users and businesses, arguing they are stifling innovation and making online services worse for Europeans. According to Reuters, Google is set to deliver a strong message at a workshop hosted by the European Commission in Brussels on Tuesday, urging officials to provide clearer guidance on how to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). The company is also challenging its critics to present concrete evidence of the costs and benefits of the sweeping new rules. The Digital Markets Act aims to rein in the power of major technology companies accused of abusing their dominance by favouring their own services. Google is under scrutiny for allegedly prioritising Google Shopping, Google Hotels and Google Flights over rival platforms in search results. EU regulators have already charged Google under the DMA, which allows for fines of up to 10 per cent of its global annual revenue if found guilty of breaching the rules. Concerns over travel costs and online experience In a prepared speech seen by Reuters, Google’s lawyer Clare Kelly plans to argue that the reforms imposed on the company after discussions with the European Commission and industry critics have actually made things worse for European consumers. “We remain genuinely concerned about real world consequences of the DMA, which are leading to worse online products and experiences for Europeans,” Kelly is expected to say, as per Reuters. She will claim changes made by Google so far have driven up the cost of travel tickets by making it harder for users to access airline sites directly. European airlines, hotels and restaurants have reportedly suffered up to a 30 per cent drop in direct booking traffic, while customers have complained about cumbersome workarounds and more confusing search results, according to Reuters. Google asks for clear compliance rules Google has also proposed further changes to its search results to better highlight rival products, but critics maintain these steps fall short of ensuring a level playing field. Oliver Bethell, another Google lawyer, will use the workshop to call on regulators to spell out precisely what compliance should look like in practice. “If we can understand precisely what compliance looks like, not just in theory, but taking account of on the ground experience, we can launch compliant services quickly and confidently across the EEA,” Bethell will say, as quoted by Reuters. He will add that critics need to present “real evidence of costs and benefits” that the company and the Commission can properly evaluate. The day-long European Commission workshop, which begins at 0700 GMT, has been convened specifically to allow Google’s rivals and critics to raise questions and seek clarifications on the company’s compliance plans. The European Commission has repeatedly insisted that the DMA is crucial to opening up digital markets, boosting competition, and protecting consumers. But the pushback from Google underscores the growing tension between Big Tech and European regulators as they grapple with the practical implications of the EU’s toughest ever rules on dominant digital platforms. (With inputs from the agencies)

Google warns EU that Digital Markets Act is harming users and businesses, calling for clearer compliance rules and evidence of real-world benefits.

Google says EU digital rules stifle innovation, demands clarity

Alphabet’s Google is bracing for another legal setback in Europe after a senior adviser to the EU’s top court sided with antitrust regulators in a long-running case over its Android operating system.&nbsp;&nbsp;The case concerns a record €4.34 billion ($4.98 billion) fine imposed by the European Commission in 2018, which found that Google had unlawfully used Android to cement its dominance in search and mobile services.&nbsp;As reported by Reuters, Advocate-General Juliane Kokott at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) advised judges to dismiss Google’s appeal and uphold a reduced €4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) fine set by a lower tribunal in 2022.<h2>Legal setback&nbsp;</h2>Kokott’s opinion is not legally binding, but EU judges follow such recommendations in four out of five cases. A final ruling is expected in the coming months.&nbsp;“The legal arguments put forward by Google are ineffective,” Kokott said in her statement, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;She rejected Google’s argument that regulators should assess its conduct by comparing it to a hypothetical “as-efficient competitor.”&nbsp;“It is not realistic to compare Google’s position with a hypothetical rival in this context. Google held a dominant position in several Android-related markets and benefited from strong network effects,” she told Reuters.&nbsp;<h2>What the case is about?</h2>The case centres around Android, Google’s mobile operating system, which powers around 73 per cent of global smartphones, according to Statcounter.&nbsp;The European Commission’s 2018 decision found that Google had abused its dominance by:<ul><li>Forcing device manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome browser alongside the Google Play Store.</li><li>Blocking manufacturers from using alternative, non-Google versions of Android.</li><li>Offering financial incentives to pre-install only Google Search, crowding out competition.</li></ul>These practices, according to the Commission, restricted consumer choice and stifled innovation by preventing rivals from gaining a foothold in mobile ecosystems.<h2>Google’s response</h2>Google, which has maintained Android as a free and open-source platform, criticised the opinion. A spokesperson said to Reuters that, “Android has created more choice for everyone and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world.”&nbsp;“We are disappointed with the Opinion which, if it were followed by the Court, would discourage investment in open platforms and harm Android users, partners and app developers,” the spokesperson told Reuters.<h2>The bigger picture</h2>The Android case is one of three major antitrust battles Google has faced in the European Union over the past decade.&nbsp;&nbsp;Combined, they have resulted in €8.25 billion ($9.47 billion) in fines to date, making Google the EU’s most heavily penalised Big Tech company.&nbsp;Previous EU antitrust fines against Google:

<figure class="table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Year</td><td>Case</td><td>Fine</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td><td>Google Shopping</td><td>€2.42 billion ($2.78B)</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Android anti-competition</td><td>€4.34 billion ($4.98B)*</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>AdSense advertising practices</td><td>€1.49 billion ($1.71B)</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>((*Reduced to €4.1 billion ($4.7B) by General Court in 2022))Source: European Commission, as reported by Reuters

<h2>Why it matters</h2>This case could set a precedent for how dominant tech firms are allowed to bundle services within their ecosystems. It’s also central to the EU’s broader campaign to rein in the power of Big Tech under its Digital Markets Act (DMA), which seeks to impose stricter obligations on so-called “gatekeepers.”&nbsp;Legal analysts say if the final judgment aligns with Kokott’s opinion, it could embolden regulators across the EU and elsewhere to take more aggressive action against platform bundling and default service arrangements, as per Reuters.<h2>What’s next?</h2>The final ruling from the CJEU in the case C-738/22 P Google and Alphabet v Commission is expected later this year.&nbsp;&nbsp;While the judgment will close the chapter on this specific Android case, Google continues to face additional antitrust investigations in both the EU and the US over its advertising and app store businesses.&nbsp;Meanwhile, Brussels is already preparing for the enforcement phase of the Digital Markets Act, which could lead to new compliance demands for Google, Apple, Meta, Amazon, and others.&nbsp;(With inputs from the agencies) &nbsp;

The case involves a €4.34 billion fine imposed in 2018 for maintaining dominance in mobile services.

Alphabet’s Google is bracing for another legal setback in Europe after a senior adviser to the EU’s top court sided with antitrust regulators in a long-running case over its Android operating system. The case concerns a record €4.34 billion ($4.98 billion) fine imposed by the European Commission in 2018, which found that Google had unlawfully used Android to cement its dominance in search and mobile services. As reported by Reuters, Advocate-General Juliane Kokott at the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) advised judges to dismiss Google’s appeal and uphold a reduced €4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) fine set by a lower tribunal in 2022. Legal setback Kokott’s opinion is not legally binding, but EU judges follow such recommendations in four out of five cases. A final ruling is expected in the coming months. “The legal arguments put forward by Google are ineffective,” Kokott said in her statement, as quoted by Reuters. She rejected Google’s argument that regulators should assess its conduct by comparing it to a hypothetical “as-efficient competitor.” “It is not realistic to compare Google’s position with a hypothetical rival in this context. Google held a dominant position in several Android-related markets and benefited from strong network effects,” she told Reuters. What the case is about? The case centres around Android, Google’s mobile operating system, which powers around 73 per cent of global smartphones, according to Statcounter. The European Commission’s 2018 decision found that Google had abused its dominance by: Forcing device manufacturers to pre-install Google Search and Chrome browser alongside the Google Play Store. Blocking manufacturers from using alternative, non-Google versions of Android. Offering financial incentives to pre-install only Google Search, crowding out competition. These practices, according to the Commission, restricted consumer choice and stifled innovation by preventing rivals from gaining a foothold in mobile ecosystems. Google’s response Google, which has maintained Android as a free and open-source platform, criticised the opinion. A spokesperson said to Reuters that, “Android has created more choice for everyone and supports thousands of successful businesses in Europe and around the world.” “We are disappointed with the Opinion which, if it were followed by the Court, would discourage investment in open platforms and harm Android users, partners and app developers,” the spokesperson told Reuters. The bigger picture The Android case is one of three major antitrust battles Google has faced in the European Union over the past decade. Combined, they have resulted in €8.25 billion ($9.47 billion) in fines to date, making Google the EU’s most heavily penalised Big Tech company. Previous EU antitrust fines against Google:

Alphabet’s Google faces a potential legal setback in Europe as an EU court adviser supported antitrust regulators in a case concerning its Android operating system.

Google faces EU court blow in $5 billion Android antitrust case: Details here

Alphabet’s Google is preparing to end its long-standing relationship with data-labelling startup Scale AI after Meta Platforms acquired a 49 per cent stake in the company, Reuters&nbsp;reported.&nbsp;The move marks a major shakeup in the AI ecosystem, with several top artificial intelligence (AI) labs now seeking alternative or in-house solutions to protect their proprietary data.Meta’s investment in Scale AI values the startup at $29 billion—double its previous valuation from just a year ago. But the eye-catching deal has spurred immediate concern from competitors in the AI space, who fear their confidential data, research directions, and prototype tools could now be indirectly exposed to a rival.Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series.&nbsp;Google alone was slated to spend around $200 million on Scale’s services this year and had paid $150 million in 2024.But insiders say Meta’s new stake and the appointment of Scale CEO Alexandr Wang to lead Meta’s superintelligence team was the tipping point for Google, Microsoft, Elon Musk’s xAI, and even OpenAI, all of whom are now scaling back or exiting their contracts with Scale.<h2>Data privacy, competition fuel concerns</h2>At the core of the backlash is a shared worry over data security and competitive leakage. Companies like Google and Microsoft rely on data-labelling partners to handle sensitive materials—including experimental products and training data—which may now be accessible to a firm like Meta through its close ties to Scale.Though Meta has not taken a board seat at Scale AI and insists the two companies will continue to operate independently, AI labs are sceptical. Wang’s move to Meta, along with a few Scale employees, only intensifies fears that Scale can no longer maintain the neutrality necessary to work with competing AI developers.<h2>Scale’s rivals gain ground</h2>The fallout is rapidly benefiting Scale AI’s competitors. Firms like Labelbox, Turing, Handshake, and Mercor are seeing a surge in demand from AI labs eager to pivot away from Scale. Handshake, which specialises in a vetted network of PhDs and technical experts, reported its client workload tripled overnight after news of the Meta deal broke.Labelbox, another major rival, is reportedly on track to gain “hundreds of millions” in new revenue this year as customers flee Scale. Several companies are also taking the in-house route, hiring their own data labellers to ensure tighter security and control.<h2>Meta’s strategic move and Wang’s role</h2>Meta’s acquisition appears driven not just by data but by talent. The deal gives Meta access to Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old tech prodigy who co-founded Scale in 2016. Wang, who dropped out of MIT to build Scale, is now tasked with leading Meta’s “superintelligence” team—a move that underscores CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to catch up in the AI race.Meta has faced delays in launching new AI models and has lost key staff in recent months. By bringing Wang onboard, the company is betting that a sharp business mind, rather than a research-heavy background, can restore its competitive edge—much like OpenAI's Sam Altman.Scale AI will continue to operate independently and serve its government and enterprise clients, but with its largest customers heading for the exit, the company’s growth trajectory is uncertain. The deal is also likely to invite regulatory scrutiny, especially given Meta’s existing antitrust battles in the US.&nbsp;(With inputs from agencies)

Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series. 

Alphabet’s Google is preparing to end its long-standing relationship with data-labelling startup Scale AI after Meta Platforms acquired a 49 per cent stake in the company, Reuters reported. The move marks a major shakeup in the AI ecosystem, with several top artificial intelligence (AI) labs now seeking alternative or in-house solutions to protect their proprietary data. Meta’s investment in Scale AI values the startup at $29 billion—double its previous valuation from just a year ago. But the eye-catching deal has spurred immediate concern from competitors in the AI space, who fear their confidential data, research directions, and prototype tools could now be indirectly exposed to a rival. Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series. Google alone was slated to spend around $200 million on Scale’s services this year and had paid $150 million in 2024. But insiders say Meta’s new stake and the appointment of Scale CEO Alexandr Wang to lead Meta’s superintelligence team was the tipping point for Google, Microsoft, Elon Musk’s xAI, and even OpenAI, all of whom are now scaling back or exiting their contracts with Scale. Data privacy, competition fuel concerns At the core of the backlash is a shared worry over data security and competitive leakage. Companies like Google and Microsoft rely on data-labelling partners to handle sensitive materials—including experimental products and training data—which may now be accessible to a firm like Meta through its close ties to Scale. Though Meta has not taken a board seat at Scale AI and insists the two companies will continue to operate independently, AI labs are sceptical. Wang’s move to Meta, along with a few Scale employees, only intensifies fears that Scale can no longer maintain the neutrality necessary to work with competing AI developers. Scale’s rivals gain ground The fallout is rapidly benefiting Scale AI’s competitors. Firms like Labelbox, Turing, Handshake, and Mercor are seeing a surge in demand from AI labs eager to pivot away from Scale. Handshake, which specialises in a vetted network of PhDs and technical experts, reported its client workload tripled overnight after news of the Meta deal broke. Labelbox, another major rival, is reportedly on track to gain “hundreds of millions” in new revenue this year as customers flee Scale. Several companies are also taking the in-house route, hiring their own data labellers to ensure tighter security and control. Meta’s strategic move and Wang’s role Meta’s acquisition appears driven not just by data but by talent. The deal gives Meta access to Alexandr Wang, the 28-year-old tech prodigy who co-founded Scale in 2016. Wang, who dropped out of MIT to build Scale, is now tasked with leading Meta’s “superintelligence” team—a move that underscores CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s push to catch up in the AI race. Meta has faced delays in launching new AI models and has lost key staff in recent months. By bringing Wang onboard, the company is betting that a sharp business mind, rather than a research-heavy background, can restore its competitive edge—much like OpenAI's Sam Altman. Scale AI will continue to operate independently and serve its government and enterprise clients, but with its largest customers heading for the exit, the company’s growth trajectory is uncertain. The deal is also likely to invite regulatory scrutiny, especially given Meta’s existing antitrust battles in the US. (With inputs from agencies)

Scale AI specialises in providing expertly labelled datasets which are essential for training generative AI models such as Google’s Gemini or OpenAI’s GPT series.&nbsp;

Google plans to split from Scale AI after Meta's deal

Google has launched a “state-of-the-art Veo 3 model” that has made easier to generate realistic AI videos on any topic, with any visual. The technology has now forced the internet to discuss the dangerous side of the artificial intelligence. Since the launch by Google, multiple AI-generated videos have circulated on the internet on various topics - from standup comedians to street interviews. &nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indigenous-amazon-tribe-sues-us-newspapers-for-portraying-members-as-porn-addicts-1747970799492">Indigenous Amazon tribe sues US newspapers for portraying members as porn-addicts | Here's what lawsuit says</a>&nbsp;Latest in the list, a number of videos were circulated on social media showing AI news anchors giving ridiculous information in a serious tone.&nbsp;An internet user on the social media platform X shared one such video saying “General population is cooked. You can literally create news clips with Veo-3 now, what’s even real anymore?”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspect-charged-with-murder-in-shooting-of-two-israeli-embassy-workers-said-he-did-it-for-gaza-1747967946481">'I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza': Suspect charged with murder in DC shooting of two Israeli embassy workers</a>&nbsp;The shared video was generated with a prompt that read: “Generate a British TV news anchor saying: In shocking news, Jake Kaye Rowe Ling’s yacht sank with her on board after being attacked by orcas off the coast of Turkey.”

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">General population is cooked 😭 You can literally create news clips with Veo-3 now , what’s even real anymore? <a href="https://t.co/XfpFnIi8E2">pic.twitter.com/XfpFnIi8E2</a>&mdash; AshutoshShrivastava (@ai_for_success) <a href="https://twitter.com/ai_for_success/status/1925475675898863762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Haha, here‘s another bit of breaking news, but I concocted it 😄 <a href="https://t.co/9kA28pNuQm">pic.twitter.com/9kA28pNuQm</a>&mdash; Kevin Zhang (@kevin_zhang) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevin_zhang/status/1925524069669359801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

What is Veo 3&nbsp;As per its website, Veo 3 has greater “realism and fidelity”.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-bars-harvard-from-enrolling-international-students-what-this-means-for-788-indian-students-1747965828425">Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling international students: What it means for 788 Indians enrolled currently?</a>&nbsp;The technology is capable of generating 4k output and real-world physics and audio.&nbsp;“Veo 3 lets you add sound effects, ambient noise, and even dialogue to your creations – generating all audio natively. It also delivers best in class quality, excelling in physics, realism and prompt adherence,” the official website says.&nbsp;'Welcome to new world of misinformation'&nbsp;Internet seemed both amused and concerned about such a drastic development of AI.“OMG! Literally fake news," one wrote on X.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/planning-to-travel-report-reveals-worst-cities-for-tourist-frauds-1747938501791">Planning to travel? Report reveals worst cities for tourist frauds</a>&nbsp;“Wow, I thought that was real just by looking," another wrote.&nbsp;A third one said, “Welcome to the new world of misinformation.”&nbsp;“The ability to differentiate false and truth, basically a sound mind," another added.&nbsp;

Since the launch by Google, multiple AI-generated videos have circulated on the internet on various topics - from standup comedians to street interviews.  

Google has launched a “state-of-the-art Veo 3 model” that has made easier to generate realistic AI videos on any topic, with any visual. The technology has now forced the internet to discuss the dangerous side of the artificial intelligence. Since the launch by Google, multiple AI-generated videos have circulated on the internet on various topics - from standup comedians to street interviews. Also read: Indigenous Amazon tribe sues US newspapers for portraying members as porn-addicts | Here's what lawsuit says Latest in the list, a number of videos were circulated on social media showing AI news anchors giving ridiculous information in a serious tone. An internet user on the social media platform X shared one such video saying “General population is cooked. You can literally create news clips with Veo-3 now, what’s even real anymore?” Also read: 'I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza': Suspect charged with murder in DC shooting of two Israeli embassy workers The shared video was generated with a prompt that read: “Generate a British TV news anchor saying: In shocking news, Jake Kaye Rowe Ling’s yacht sank with her on board after being attacked by orcas off the coast of Turkey.”

Since the launch by Google, multiple AI-generated videos have circulated on the internet on various topics - from standup comedians to street interviews. &nbsp;&nbsp;

'Welcome to new world of misinformation': Google Veo 3's realistic videos of AI reporters make internet uncomfortable

Google has agreed to pay $2.3 million to settle an antitrust case in India over its Android TV platform. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) ruled against Google’s mandatory bundling of apps, marking a significant change in India’s digital policy landscape. Android TV makers in India will no longer be forced to pre-install Google apps, opening up space for fair competition.

Google settles Android TV antitrust case in india, pays $2. 3 million

In a landmark decision the US district judge has ruled that Google unlawfully monopolised key segments of the online advertising technology market. It marks a significant setback for the tech giant in an antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice. And for over a decade Google has locked publishers and advertisers into its ad tech ecosystem, in a way wielding its publisher ad server and ad exchange as twin weapons to crush competition and also dictate terms.

US court: Google illegally dominated two markets for online ads

In a landmark decision the US district judge has ruled that Google unlawfully monopolized key segments of the online advertising technology market. It marks a significant setback for the tech giant in an antitrust case brought by the US Department of Justice. And for over a decade Google has locked publishers and advertisers into its ad tech ecosystem, in a way wielding its publisher ad server and ad exchange as twin weapons to crush competition and also dictate terms.

Breaking: US judge rules Google holds illegal ad tech monopolies

Round-up of top and latest news from the world of technology:

- EU Accuses Apple, Google Of Violating Digital Market Rules 
- Massive Data Breach Hits US Teacher's Union, Over 500,000 Affected

EU accuses Apple, Google of violating digital market rules

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) delivered its decision against Google because the company refused access to Android Auto which resulted in an abuse of dominant market position against Enel's e-mobility app JuicePass. The ruling from the Italian antitrust authority from 2021 which charged Google a 102 million euro fine received backing from this recent Court of Justice decision.
The disagreement between Google and Enel emerged when Google prevented Enel's JuicePass application from connecting to its Android Auto software platform which allows dashboard access to navigation and messaging capabilities. Google blocked JuicePass access to Android Auto because security vulnerabilities and lack of category guidelines for the app.
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Google sought judicial intervention from the Italian Council of State who then required CJEU guidance through Luxembourg. The CJEU judges supported the Italian regulator by determining that a dominant positioning company's failure to allow its platform to intercommunicate with rival apps creates abusive circumstances.
The court provided flexibility for companies when refusing access to their platform by allowing non-justification when suitable templates do not exist and platform security remains intact. Dominant companies must establish proper templates during a reasonable period when they lack valid reasons for platform restrictions.
Google eventually fixed its problem with Enel but this court decision establishes essential framework about platform accessibility for dominant market players. This decision reinforces the principle that dominant platforms cannot restrict platform access arbitrarily because such policies typically obstruct competition.
The Court of Justice of the European Union delivers final decisions which all parties must follow. The Italian Council of State needs to evaluate Google's new appeal through the lens of the CJEU's final decision. The antitrust enforcement victory through this ruling highlights the need to protect competitive fairness in digital markets.

Autonews | Google eventually fixed its problem with Enel but this court decision establishes essential framework about platform accessibility for dominant market players.

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) delivered its decision against Google because the company refused access to Android Auto which resulted in an abuse of dominant market position against Enel's e-mobility app JuicePass. The ruling from the Italian antitrust authority from 2021 which charged Google a 102 million euro fine received backing from this recent Court of Justice decision. The disagreement between Google and Enel emerged when Google prevented Enel's JuicePass application from connecting to its Android Auto software platform which allows dashboard access to navigation and messaging capabilities. Google blocked JuicePass access to Android Auto because security vulnerabilities and lack of category guidelines for the app. Also Read | Mexico threatens Google with legal action for renaming Gulf of Mexico Google sought judicial intervention from the Italian Council of State who then required CJEU guidance through Luxembourg. The CJEU judges supported the Italian regulator by determining that a dominant positioning company's failure to allow its platform to intercommunicate with rival apps creates abusive circumstances. The court provided flexibility for companies when refusing access to their platform by allowing non-justification when suitable templates do not exist and platform security remains intact. Dominant companies must establish proper templates during a reasonable period when they lack valid reasons for platform restrictions. Google eventually fixed its problem with Enel but this court decision establishes essential framework about platform accessibility for dominant market players. This decision reinforces the principle that dominant platforms cannot restrict platform access arbitrarily because such policies typically obstruct competition. The Court of Justice of the European Union delivers final decisions which all parties must follow. The Italian Council of State needs to evaluate Google's new appeal through the lens of the CJEU's final decision. The antitrust enforcement victory through this ruling highlights the need to protect competitive fairness in digital markets.

EU court upholds Italian antitrust decision against Google's Android Auto restrictions

Google is in the final stages of selecting locations for its first-ever physical retail stores in India. According to a Reuters report, the tech giant is finalizing store locations in New Delhi and Mumbai, with Bengaluru and Gurugram also under consideration.

Google's first retail stores in India to open in these two locations

TikTok has returned to the stores of Apple and Google in the US, after President Donald Trump delayed the enforcement of a TikTok ban. Watch this report for more details!

Apple and Google restore TikTok amid ongoing debate in US

Mexico has threatened to sue Google over the naming of the 'Gulf of America,' saying the label disrespects its history. Mexico City’s Mayor Sheinbaum hinted at legal action if the change is not corrected. The dispute has sparked debate across social media.

Mexico warns Google over gulf name controversy, lawsuit looms

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said that her government will send a letter to Google after the internet giant announced it would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico for users of Google Maps in the US. Watch in for more details!

Mexico to send Google letter over Gulf of Mexico name change

Google greeted India&rsquo;s 76th Republic Day with a special doodle designed by Pune-based artist Rohan Dahotre. The artwork depicts animals dressed in traditional attire participating in a wildlife-themed parade, symbolising the country&rsquo;s cultural and regional diversity
The doodle features a snow leopard in Ladakhi clothing, a tiger playing a musical instrument while wearing a dhoti-kurta, and a peacock in flight. An antelope carrying a ceremonial staff and other animals representing different parts of India are also depicted.
According to a description on Google&rsquo;s website, the doodle symbolises India&rsquo;s Republic Day as an occasion of &ldquo;national pride and unity.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Dahotre explained that Republic Day holds great importance for the country as it brings people together and fosters patriotism. He described India as a nation with immense diversity in languages, cultures, and traditions, comparing it to a vibrant world within itself.&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi include the annual parade at Kartavya Path, featuring military displays and cultural performances.&nbsp;
Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union Territories, along with 15 from Union Ministries and organisations took part in the event. Madhya Pradesh&rsquo;s tableau highlighted Project Cheetah and Kuno National Park.&nbsp;
The theme for this year&rsquo;s parade was &ldquo;Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,&rdquo; focusing on the country&rsquo;s heritage and development.&nbsp;
Indonesia&rsquo;s President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest for the celebrations. This tradition of inviting a foreign leader has continued annually, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attending in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Trending | India News : The doodle features a snow leopard in Ladakhi clothing, a tiger playing a musical instrument while wearing a dhoti-kurta, and a peacock in flight. 

Google greeted India’s 76th Republic Day with a special doodle designed by Pune-based artist Rohan Dahotre. The artwork depicts animals dressed in traditional attire participating in a wildlife-themed parade, symbolising the country’s cultural and regional diversity The doodle features a snow leopard in Ladakhi clothing, a tiger playing a musical instrument while wearing a dhoti-kurta, and a peacock in flight. An antelope carrying a ceremonial staff and other animals representing different parts of India are also depicted. According to a description on Google’s website, the doodle symbolises India’s Republic Day as an occasion of “national pride and unity.” Dahotre explained that Republic Day holds great importance for the country as it brings people together and fosters patriotism. He described India as a nation with immense diversity in languages, cultures, and traditions, comparing it to a vibrant world within itself. India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi include the annual parade at Kartavya Path, featuring military displays and cultural performances. Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union Territories, along with 15 from Union Ministries and organisations took part in the event. Madhya Pradesh’s tableau highlighted Project Cheetah and Kuno National Park. The theme for this year’s parade was “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,” focusing on the country’s heritage and development. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest for the celebrations. This tradition of inviting a foreign leader has continued annually, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attending in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Google Doodle honours India’s 76th Republic Day with an ecological theme

Former US president Joe Biden is out of the White House now but a major controversy erupted when Google omitted the 82-year-old leader from its search results. A report in The Independent claimed that the search engine giant completely omitted Biden&rsquo;s four-year term from its results. Some social media users also shared their experience, claiming that Biden was not featuring on Google&rsquo;s list of US presidents.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m6ajy837-s47h1lke-9e1ga7xv">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/Google?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Google</a> so if I type in US Presidents I get a list of US Presidents in order of when they were in office except there's no <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a>. Anyone know why? <a href="https://twitter.com/searchliaison?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@searchliaison</a> what's going on? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SEO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SEO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/barry?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BARRY</a> <a href="https://t.co/BX9XKTl0Ab">pic.twitter.com/BX9XKTl0Ab</a>
&mdash; Kristine (@schachin on Threads) 🇺🇦 (@schachin) <a href="https://twitter.com/schachin/status/1882311093063922122?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
The list showed Donald Trump to have served the previous two terms from 2017 onwards, with Biden&rsquo;s name nowhere to be found. The list correctly mentioned former presidents&rsquo; name prior to 2017, namely Barack Obama, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, and going back to George Washington.
<h2>Google&rsquo;s response</h2>
Google acknowledged the error soon and said it occurred due to some &ldquo;data error.&rdquo;
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"There was a brief data error in our knowledge graph," a Google spokesperson was quoted as saying by CNBC. "We identified the root cause and resolved it quickly."
<h2>Reaction on social media</h2>
Amid confusion, some users on social media claimed that omitting Biden&rsquo;s name from search results may be a strategy of the big tech to further suck up to the Trump presidency.
"If this stands, this will be one of the boldest and most dangerous moments in the existence of the internet, as it will be a clear show of force that those in opposition will disappear completely," one user wrote.
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"Google United States Presidents and Biden is not on there. This is bigger than social media," a second user highlighted.
"Who paid Google to initiate this SEO bullsh*t to help erase an entire presidency?" commented a third.
Earlier, it was reported that Google contributed $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund. At the inauguration event, Google CEO Sundar Pichai was seen holding a prominent position on stage.
(With inputs from agencies)

Trending | The list showed Donald Trump to have served the previous two terms as US president from 2017 onwards, with Joe Biden’s name nowhere to be found.

Former US president Joe Biden is out of the White House now but a major controversy erupted when Google omitted the 82-year-old leader from its search results. A report in The Independent claimed that the search engine giant completely omitted Biden’s four-year term from its results. Some social media users also shared their experience, claiming that Biden was not featuring on Google’s list of US presidents. .@Google so if I type in US Presidents I get a list of US Presidents in order of when they were in office except there's no @JoeBiden. Anyone know why? @searchliaison what's going on? #SEO @BARRY pic.twitter.com/BX9XKTl0Ab — Kristine (@schachin on Threads) 🇺🇦 (@schachin) January 23, 2025 The list showed Donald Trump to have served the previous two terms from 2017 onwards, with Biden’s name nowhere to be found. The list correctly mentioned former presidents’ name prior to 2017, namely Barack Obama, George Bush, and Bill Clinton, and going back to George Washington. Google’s response Google acknowledged the error soon and said it occurred due to some “data error.” Also read: LA wildfires: ‘Gather loved ones…’: Officials mistakenly send evacuation order to entire county "There was a brief data error in our knowledge graph," a Google spokesperson was quoted as saying by CNBC. "We identified the root cause and resolved it quickly." Reaction on social media Amid confusion, some users on social media claimed that omitting Biden’s name from search results may be a strategy of the big tech to further suck up to the Trump presidency. "If this stands, this will be one of the boldest and most dangerous moments in the existence of the internet, as it will be a clear show of force that those in opposition will disappear completely," one user wrote. Also read: Trump signs executive order to delay TikTok ban in US by 75 days "Google United States Presidents and Biden is not on there. This is bigger than social media," a second user highlighted. "Who paid Google to initiate this SEO bullsh*t to help erase an entire presidency?" commented a third. Earlier, it was reported that Google contributed $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund. At the inauguration event, Google CEO Sundar Pichai was seen holding a prominent position on stage. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Obama, Trump and Trump’: Google briefly omits Biden’s name from list of US presidents

Google has contributed $1 million to the inauguration fund for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jimmy-carter-funeral-all-living-us-presidents-joe-biden-donald-trump-barack-obama-justin-trudeau-unite-to-bid-farewell-8605873">President-elect Donald Trump</a>, as reported by POLITICO. This move makes the tech giant one of several major technology firms extending support to the incoming administration.
"Google is pleased to support the 2025 inauguration, with a livestream on YouTube and a direct link on our homepage. We&rsquo;re also donating to the inaugural committee,&rdquo; said Karan Bhatia, Google&rsquo;s global head of government affairs and public policy, in a statement. The donation was made on Monday.
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Other prominent figures and companies in the tech industry have also backed the inauguration fund. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Meta both pledged $1 million late last year, while Amazon and Apple&rsquo;s CEO, Tim Cook have also contributed to the fund.
<h2>What is the inauguration fund?</h2>
In the United States, after a presidential election, the elected candidate forms an inaugural committee to plan and fund events such as opening ceremonies, galas, and the parade. Unlike campaign donations, contributions to an inaugural committee have no financial limits, whether made by individuals, corporations, or labour organisations.
Google has supported previous inaugurations as well. Google donated $285,000 to Trump&rsquo;s first inauguration and $337,500 to Joe Biden&rsquo;s, including $52,500 for "security" services and $2,500 for "computer supplies."
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Trump has been a vocal critic of major tech companies, including Google. Last month, he posted on Truth Social, &ldquo;Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition in our most innovative sector and, as we all know, using its market power to crack down on the rights of so many Americans, as well as those of Little Tech!&rdquo;
During Trump&rsquo;s first term, the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google in 2020. After leaving office, Trump sued the company in 2021, alleging that his suspensions from platforms such as YouTube amounted to &ldquo;blacklisting, banishing, and cancelling.&rdquo; On Truth Social last year, Trump said that, if re-elected, he would pursue "maximum levels" of criminal prosecution against Google, accusing it of only promoting negative news about him.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/la-wildfire-authorities-unsure-about-death-toll-as-180000-people-face-evacuation-amid-apocalyptic-fire-8606060">LA Wildfire: Authorities unsure about death toll as 180,000 people face evacuation amid 'apocalyptic' fire</a>
Google CEO Sundar Pichai and former Alphabet President Sergey Brin met with Trump after his election victory. Pichai also congratulated Trump on his "decisive victory" in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Google has supported previous inaugurations as well. Google donated $285,000 to Trump’s first inauguration and $337,500 to Joe Biden’s, including $52,500 for "security" services and $2,500 for "computer supplies."

Google has contributed $1 million to the inauguration fund for President-elect Donald Trump, as reported by POLITICO. This move makes the tech giant one of several major technology firms extending support to the incoming administration. "Google is pleased to support the 2025 inauguration, with a livestream on YouTube and a direct link on our homepage. We’re also donating to the inaugural committee,” said Karan Bhatia, Google’s global head of government affairs and public policy, in a statement. The donation was made on Monday. Also read: We have a perfect storm...: Indian-origin Canadian lawmaker Chandra Arya joins PM race Other prominent figures and companies in the tech industry have also backed the inauguration fund. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Meta both pledged $1 million late last year, while Amazon and Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook have also contributed to the fund. What is the inauguration fund? In the United States, after a presidential election, the elected candidate forms an inaugural committee to plan and fund events such as opening ceremonies, galas, and the parade. Unlike campaign donations, contributions to an inaugural committee have no financial limits, whether made by individuals, corporations, or labour organisations. Google has supported previous inaugurations as well. Google donated $285,000 to Trump’s first inauguration and $337,500 to Joe Biden’s, including $52,500 for "security" services and $2,500 for "computer supplies." Also read: 'That's a lot of money': NATO faces pressure as Trump reignites spending debate; Germany, Czech react Trump has been a vocal critic of major tech companies, including Google. Last month, he posted on Truth Social, “Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition in our most innovative sector and, as we all know, using its market power to crack down on the rights of so many Americans, as well as those of Little Tech!” During Trump’s first term, the Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google in 2020. After leaving office, Trump sued the company in 2021, alleging that his suspensions from platforms such as YouTube amounted to “blacklisting, banishing, and cancelling.” On Truth Social last year, Trump said that, if re-elected, he would pursue "maximum levels" of criminal prosecution against Google, accusing it of only promoting negative news about him. Also read: LA Wildfire: Authorities unsure about death toll as 180,000 people face evacuation amid 'apocalyptic' fire Google CEO Sundar Pichai and former Alphabet President Sergey Brin met with Trump after his election victory. Pichai also congratulated Trump on his "decisive victory" in a post on X (formerly Twitter). (With inputs from agencies)

Big Tech bets big on Trump: Google donates $1mn to US President-elect’s inauguration fund

Tehran, Iran
Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta's instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play, as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday.
The Islamic Republic has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks.
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"A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play," Iran's official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday, referring to a meeting on the matter headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
"Today the first step in removing internet limitations... has been taken," IRNA cited Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi as saying.
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In September, the United States called on Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries that heavily sensor the internet, including Iran.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The Islamic Republic has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks.



Tehran, Iran Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta's instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play, as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday. The Islamic Republic has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks. Also read | Israel vows to target Houthi leaders, says 'will act against them to remove threat' "A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play," Iran's official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday, referring to a meeting on the matter headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian. "Today the first step in removing internet limitations... has been taken," IRNA cited Iran's Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi as saying. Also read | Brazil's 'man of the hole' died but what about his land? In September, the United States called on Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries that heavily sensor the internet, including Iran. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Iran removes ban on WhatsApp and Google Play, state media confirms

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