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The latest technology business stories, summarized by AI

"Tracking Biden's Billions: The Semiconductor Industry's Next Moves"
technology-business3.535 min read

"Tracking Biden's Billions: The Semiconductor Industry's Next Moves"

1 year agoSource: Yahoo Finance
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"Google Removes Links to California News Sites in Response to Pending Legislation"
technology-business
4.255 min1 year ago

"Google Removes Links to California News Sites in Response to Pending Legislation"

Google is removing links to California news websites in response to proposed state legislation that would require tech companies to pay news outlets for their content. The California Journalism Preservation Act, introduced in March 2023, aims to address concerns about tech giants profiting from news aggregation without adequately compensating publishers. Google's move has sparked criticism from lawmakers and news organizations, with some calling it an abuse of power and a threat to public safety. The company has previously pushed back against similar laws in Canada and Australia, citing concerns about business uncertainty and financial exposure.

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Google Limits Access to California News Sites Amid Legal Battle

Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR

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Source: NPR

Google has blocked access to news articles for some California users in response to a bill that would require the tech giant to pay publishers for news content. The pending legislation, the California Journalism Preservation Act, aims to support the state's struggling news organizations, but Google argues that it is unworkable and has temporarily restricted access to news articles for some users. This move is reminiscent of Google's previous actions in Canada and Australia in response to similar laws. Critics of the bill argue that it could have negative implications for the open web, while supporters believe it is a crucial step toward preserving the public interest in California.

Google's Access to California News Sites Limited in Response to Pending Legislation

Originally Published 1 year ago — by KTLA Los Angeles

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Source: KTLA Los Angeles

Google announced it will remove links to California news sites from search results for some users in response to a pending state bill that would require the company to pay publishers. The bill, known as the California Journalism Preservation Act, would mandate tech companies like Google to pay news outlets a "journalism usage fee" when they sell advertising alongside news content. Google is pausing further investments in the California news ecosystem and new partnerships through Google News Showcase until there's clarity on California's regulatory environment. The company argues that the bill would result in significant changes to the services it can offer Californians and the traffic it can provide to California publishers, while supporters of the bill say it would level the playing field for struggling news outlets.

Google Limits Access to California News Sites Amid Dispute Over Payment

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Gizmodo

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Source: Gizmodo

Google has started blocking access to California news outlets for some users in response to proposed legislation that would require the company to pay publishers for their content. The California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA) has passed the state's lower house but still needs to be taken up by the state Senate and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom. Google argues that the legislation would only benefit large publishers, but critics argue that it's necessary to sustain journalistic business models. The tech giant has made similar threats in other countries but ultimately followed the law. The move raises questions about the power of companies like Google and Facebook over news distribution and the role of government in regulating their influence.

"Antitrust Showdown: Impact of US Lawsuits on Apple's iPhone Ecosystem"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times

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Source: The New York Times

The Justice Department has filed an antimonopoly lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of violating competition laws with practices designed to maintain customer reliance on their iPhones. This move marks the latest and most significant regulatory action against Apple's suite of devices and services, which have propelled the company to a nearly $3 trillion valuation.

"Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple: What Consumers Need to Know"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters

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Source: Reuters

Apple faces multiple consumer lawsuits alleging monopolization of the smartphone market through anticompetitive conduct, following a recent antitrust case by the U.S. Justice Department and 15 states. The lawsuits claim that Apple inflated product costs and suppressed technology for messaging apps and digital wallets to stifle competition. Apple denies the allegations and is already fighting private lawsuits challenging its business practices.

"DOJ Files Landmark Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple Over iPhone Monopoly"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNBC

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Source: CNBC

The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company's iPhone ecosystem constitutes a monopoly that harms consumers, developers, and rival phone makers. The lawsuit claims that Apple's anti-competitive practices extend beyond the iPhone and Apple Watch businesses, impacting advertising, browser, FaceTime, and news offerings. The lawsuit could potentially force Apple to make changes in its most valuable businesses, including the iPhone, Apple Watch, and its services line. Apple has stated that it disagrees with the lawsuit's premise and will defend against it, while the DOJ seeks to hold Apple accountable and prevent similar practices in other markets.

"Biden Administration to Sue Apple in Landmark Antitrust Case"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN

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Source: CNN

The US Justice Department is set to file a landmark antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the tech giant has harmed competition with its restrictive app store terms, high fees, and "walled-garden" approach. The lawsuit comes after years of criticism and allegations, and represents the Biden administration's latest effort to hold a Big Tech giant accountable under US antitrust law. The case could potentially force changes to Apple's policies, business strategies, and products, and may impact the company's stock price and market value.

"Meta Proposes 50% Reduction in Facebook and Instagram Fees for European Users"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters

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Source: Reuters

Meta Platforms has offered to reduce the monthly subscription fee for Facebook and Instagram from 9.99 euros to 5.99 euros in response to concerns from privacy and antitrust regulators. The move aims to address criticism of its no-ads subscription service in Europe, which requires users to pay a fee to ensure their privacy. The company launched the service to comply with the Digital Markets Act, which limits its ability to personalize advertisements without user consent. Privacy activists argue that the issue is not about the fee amount, but rather the "pay or okay" approach, which they believe does not align with GDPR requirements for freely given consent. Meta is in talks with data protection authorities and faces potential fines for DMA breaches.

"Microsoft Identifies Google's Dominance in Generative AI"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by Reuters

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Source: Reuters

Microsoft has informed EU antitrust regulators that Google holds a competitive advantage in generative artificial intelligence due to its access to data and AI-optimized chips, emphasizing the rivalry between the two tech giants. Microsoft highlighted Google's vertical integration, proprietary data from Google Search Index and YouTube, and AI-powered voice assistants as factors contributing to its advantage. Google responded by emphasizing its openness and history of customer lock-in. Microsoft also defended its partnerships with start-ups in the AI space as pro-competitive.

"OpenAI Reinstates Sam Altman as CEO After Investigation"

Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian

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Source: The Guardian

OpenAI reinstates CEO Sam Altman to the board after an investigation found that his ouster was due to a breakdown in trust and not conduct that mandated removal. The company has added three women to its board and plans to make improvements to its governance structure. The turmoil within the company stemmed from its unusual governance structure and conflicts about its research direction, including the pursuit of artificial general intelligence.